Looking for a little explanation

[notorious white moth]

Wherever I turn for advice on becoming a better artist, I keep coming across the term "draw from life"

Problem: My life is boring and miserable. I have no car, no expendable income, very few friends, and even less prospects. Even if I did have a social life, I certainly wouldn't risk alienting people even more than I already do by asking them to model for me. What I do have going for me is determination and a hell of a lot of free time.

So not to be bitchy, but could someone please give me--and probably a lot of others out there--something a little less vague and/or a little more directed than "draw from life"?

[J]

I think there are two meanings to "Draw from life"

The literal term:
Get a sketchbook/paper , anything you can draw on, and any drawing tool and draw what you see. Could be a person you live with, a tree outside, something you have lying around, maybe go to local life drawing classes, draw what interests you. You will learn a lot more by dong it "real" rather than drawing from photos. This is because a photo already flattens everything for you, the colour stays constant, and a photo never captures as much light as the human eye. Observe what is happening in front of you. Analyze value, colour, how am I going to translate what I see to a readable picture?, ask yourself Why? (the best question ever!)

I think the second meaning to "Draw from life" is take in your surroundings, experiences and influences and use them to make your art work. It's much easier to depict something you know over something you don't. If you are really bored with your life change it. The only thing stopping you is excuses. If you're determined you will find a way.

You don't have to draw from life all the time. Read a books/tutorials, paint from your imagination, from photo's as well as drawing from life. It all helps.

[RyerOrdStar]

What are you talking about? Go to the library and draw the people there. You have hundreds of models walking around you all the time.

[dcorc]

A pencil and a pad of paper are not expensive.

You don't have to find a "life class", or bully friends into sitting for you (though finding someone else interested in art and improving their skills, would be good) - for example, for figures, do sketching in public places - coffee shops, museums, town centres. You can also draw objects - vehicles, buildings, trees, etc. Or even in your own room, the objects that surround you. Yourself, in a mirror, for selfportraits, or your own hand. Get a posable figure - needn't be fancy, a toy will do, and draw from it in different poses...

Post your work here in a sketchbook thread, and get comments and advice on it.

Dave

[Elwell]

So not to be bitchy, but could someone please give me--and probably a lot of others out there--something a little less vague and/or a little more directed than "draw from life"?

Take off your shoe. Put it on the table. Draw it.
Open up your closet. Draw it.
Look out your window. Draw it.
Make an arrangement of the boxes in your pantry. Draw it.
Make an arrangement of the fruits and veggies in your fridge. Draw it.
Go for a walk. Find an interesting stick, leaf, or pine cone. Draw it.
Wait for your dog/cat/hamster/iguana/etc to take a nap. Draw it.
Half-fill a glass with water. Put a spoon in it. Draw it.
Look at your pillow when you get up in the morning. Draw it.
Etc.

[notorious white moth]

all excellent suggestions, thank you very much

--but there is a catch: drawing is time-consuming, and life is dynamic

[kev ferrara]

If you look for a catch, there is always a catch. Stop looking for a catch and just draw. Time spent improving is never time wasted.

Good luck,
kev

[Mirana]

but there is a catch: drawing is time-consuming, and life is dynamic

So....why are you drawing at all, again?

[Elwell]

--but there is a catch: drawing is time-consuming, and life is dynamic
But that's OK, because...
What I do have going for me is determination and a hell of a lot of free time.

[Jazz]

Yep, you got the free time. You'd best use it before it becomes work time. -_-;;

And hey, you don't need a car. Do you have enough money to take a bus or a taxi somewhere? ...Preferably a bus... Even attempting to draw on a bus is an interesting challenge! I speak this as someone who can't even drive and never will be able to. There are other ways to get around, even when the lovely convenience of a car isn't there.

Oh yeah, and if you're curious about figures but can't get anywhere, try drawing yourself in a mirror, or at least staring at yourself and paying close attention to your entire form, from the form of your limbs to the detail in your iris! Veeeeery interesting to look at. :D Challenging to draw!

[notorious white moth]

You're absolutely right
It's time I stopped making excuses and started making art

It doesn't matter what I draw--only that I draw

[Saturns Gate]

Congratulations

[TZA]

One down, a million more to go.

[J Wilson]

So....why are you drawing at all, again?

I think he may have meant that drawing takes time, and people move too much. And sure, that's a challenge when you are starting out. You need to develope speed to capture the essence of a pose before it changes. It takes practice but you can get that essence in just a few lines and shapes. If you don't feel ready for that, go ahead and start from photos, but the goal should be to draw from actual people when you get the chance. Give it a shot sooner rather than later, and then fall back on drawing from photos again when you are home.

Also, getting out and drawing might help some of your other problems of not having many friends or social opportunities.

[karmiclychee]

You're absolutely right
It's time I stopped making excuses and started making art

It doesn't matter what I draw--only that I draw

Probably one of the best things I've heard a person say in a long time. Well done!

[OmenSpirits]

One down, a million more to go.


And more are born everyday. :lifedrawing:

[~Faust~]

http://jerryandmartha.com/yourdailyart/images/durerpillows.jpg

[Farvus]

Haha. Great find Faust.

When it comes to painting closet and other simple objects. Check out this artist :).

http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=68172

[Jazz]

Once I tried drawing my closet...I won't do it with a pencil anymore. :P

Anyway, yay for you, notorious white moth!! That positive response perks up my morning! :D

[Opilione]

It's not about you. Surprisingly, "You" are not the be-all and end-all of life on this planet. Go for a walk down the street and draw some freaking letterboxes or something.

Also, you might want to seek some treatment for depression.