#learn to draw

[fromzerotoart]

tried to copy a character again. The original is a sketch from from Horikoshi himself. I caught myself simply copying lines again without thinking about the meaning of those lines.

[goryhorroor]

also these tik tok ai “artists” really be pulling any excuse out of their ass to try to reason with people that they have even a little ounce of artistic talent. “but-but i plugged a bunch of words into a database” congrats you did basic thought. just because i put how i wanted my burger does not make me a chef.

[oniononi2000]

Collection of portraits from studies

[sawlvr]

just saw a piece of ai generated cyberpunk “fanart” and it shattered my soul a little

[fulcrum-97]

Is it easy for you to draw?

Like do really need to think aboit what your drawing or not think at all

Im asking because i feel like i think too much when i draw and thats why it doesnt look great in the end but if i dont think about it how will i draw it

If that makes any sense

Behold! Ugliness. Bet you didn't expect this, did ya? To put it shortly: You try until you achieve the outcome you had in mind, using every tactic you know. There is no "art block", there is no "talent". Only you and your will to achieve the end result. That's the most important "tutorial" I can give you.

[kkoongie]

In case anyone needs a good art tool, there’s a website called line-of-action.com that has multiple practice objects to draw, and you can set up playlists for practice. Like I just did one that was of objects and shapes, and I set it to 2 minutes per image, then I sketched as much as I could in the those 2 minutes before moving on. It’s a very good tool for self teaching art fundamentals and for warmups, and it’s free.

[ab-dzgn]

froot bowls, illustration by me:)

[angry-avocados]

Summer vacation ☀️ (It’s winter time where I live… a warm one, though)

tips and process below the cut!!

I’m experimenting with a new style… AGAIN. Since some people ask what I use, I thought I’d include it this time!

- App: Procreate

- Background: I chose a triadic color scheme (I’m juuuust learning how to use color theory recently). I blocked out the basic colors first, then went in with more gradual details. I only used the Nikko Rull brush.

- Lando: see images below. I used multiple to study the color areas on his face and to trace for the outline (YES, it is okay to trace an IMAGE for YOUR OWN outline and body position).

- Lineart: Technical pen

- Coloring/Shading/Lighting: The brushes I used were Round Brush, Nikko Rull, Medium Hard Airbrush, and Lightpen.

TIP: If you struggle with shading and lighting, try Head Model Studio (IOS only)!! I tried it for the first time with this drawing and it was super helpful.

[how-very-salty]

Learn to draw backgrounds 👀 first try, from photo, ofc

[stone-cold-groove]

Modern Illustrating Including Cartooning | Division 5. Art Instruction, Incorporated - 1953 edition.

[artistvibes]

This is how to draw gravity falls body base tell me if i should post more learn to draw

[bunnybb-art]

I used to draw comics this way! It was the old year 2018 and I was 17 years old! HAHAHA!!! The man has a caterpillar torso!!! >0<

Back then, I was drawing comics without plotting and I was drawing starting from a line without a sketch! I was such an idiot!

It took me a long time to learn how to draw and feel comics. I've been experimenting a lot. Never be afraid to experiment and make mistakes.

I've made a lot of mistakes and now I know how to solve problems in comics. In 2022, I greatly overused the number of windows...

I used to write more text and obscure the main drawing and characters. I also drew very well-drawn illustrations for the comic, and it took me from 9 months to complete 1 chapter! In comics, it is important to have 50-50 text and pictures, not to create too much text and strong elaboration art in comics (if you do not have a company).

Now I've started drawing comics much faster and it takes me at least 2 months per chapter. Drawing has become more 2D and easier than it was before. Be able to keep it simple in the text and in the picture ^w^

You can draw comics in different styles, but follow the simple rules and your product will be great!

[art-by-twila]

Art is more than just a hobby for me; it is a passion that brings immense joy and satisfaction. Sharing my creations with others and knowing that a piece of my artwork is being appreciated in someone's home is a truly rewarding experience.

Each artwork I create has its own unique story, and I love sharing these narratives with my customers. It's through these stories that I express my thoughts, feelings, and dreams, making me feel more alive with every piece. I take pride in creating one-of-a-kind artwork that appeals to all genders and ages. My work spans a variety of mediums, including original paintings that combine collage, watercolor, and acrylic paints. But my creativity doesn't stop there. I also handcraft scented soaps and lip glosses, design kitchen magnets, and make greeting cards, home decor items, and much more.

I invite you to browse through my collection. Whether you're looking for a unique painting to adorn your walls or a handmade gift for someone special, you'll find something that speaks to you. Each piece is crafted with love and care, ready to bring a touch of artistry into your life. Come and explore—you might just discover that perfect piece that resonates with you!

[loganrestarts]

My DIY Art Degree

Some people think there’s an arbitrary marker where you’re finally a self-taught artist, that you eventually reach a point where you’re done with your art education. But I think we spend our whole lives learning, so my goal for my 37th year on earth is to start being a committed self-teaching artist. 

I have so many interests I want to improve and learn that I can’t predict what my progress or end result will look like, but some of the things I want to explore are:

Sketching and drawing

Coloring techniques and color theory

Painting with watercolor and gouache

Painting on the Procreate app

Creative Journaling

Handwriting, hand lettering, and calligraphy

So I dug up a bunch of books and videos to make up a curriculum and planned out my own DIY art degree to start learning them all! 

Each month has its own focus:

Learning About Learning Art 

Mark-making, Sketching, & Basic Shapes 

Perspective

Figure Drawing & Anatomy 

Gesture Drawing 

Character Design

Color & Light 

Composition 

Landscapes & Environmental Design

Using Markers & Colored Pencils 

Painting with Gouache & Watercolor 

Digital Art

I don’t have a syllabus for the full year planned out yet, but here’s a rough draft of the materials and activities I want to try out for Quarter 1:

❄️ January ❄️

✨January Focus: Learning About Learning Art✨

📚 January Materials 📚

Drawabox.com: Lesson 0

[Book] Art & Fear by David Bayles

[Book] Debt Free Art Degree. Foundations in Drawing by Marco Bucci: Chapters: 1

[Book] Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards

[Book] How to Keep a Sketch Journal by Marisa Lewis

[Book] Sketching from the Imagination: An Insight into Creative Drawing by 3DTotal Publishing

[Book] Art Fundamentals: Theory in Practice by 3DTotal Publishing. Chapters: Fundamentals & Critical Thinking

[YouTube] Veritasium: The 4 Things it Takes to Be an Expert

[YouTube] Ian Roberts: 5 Principles to Master Anything

[YouTube] Proko: Getting Better Faster - Painting with 80/20 Rule

[YouTube] Proko: How to Hold and Control Your Pencil

[YouTube] Sycra: Iterative Drawing

[YouTube] Love Life Drawing: 10 Stages of Learning Any Art Skill

[YouTube] Love Life Drawing: Practice Like a Pro - How Steve Rude Improves

[YouTube] Sinix: Art Theory Tutorials Playlist

[YouTube] Sinix: Art Warm Up & Exercises

[YouTube] belartsy: the “right” way to start learning how to draw

[YouTube] Paintable: Sketching For Beginners

[YouTube] Marc Brunet: How to Draw Anything - The 7 Fundamentals

[YouTube] Marc Brunet: How to Draw Good Lineart

[YouTube] Marc Brunet: Stop Learning to Draw the Wrong Way

[YouTube] Marc Brunet: The Most Important Art Skill

[LinkedIn Learning] Drawing Foundations: Fundamentals

[Gumroad] moderndayjames: Intro to Dynamic Sketching ($8)

[Reddit] r/ArtistLounge: How to get better at observing the world around me?

✍️ January Activities ✍️

Set a baseline by making whatever I want

(I know January has already passed; I'll post an update with what I actually managed to get through.)

💝 February 💝

✨ February Focus: Mark-making, Sketching, & Basic Shapes ✨

📚 February Materials 📚

[Book] How to Draw and Think Like a True Artist by Warren Martin. Days 1-5

[Book] Drawing for the Absolute Beginner by Mark and Mary Willenbrink. Chapters 1-2

[Book] You Can Draw in 30 Days by Mark Kistler. Lessons 1-7; 10-13; 15; 19

[Book] Perspective Made Easy by Ernest Norling. Chapters 1-8

[Book] Art Fundamentals 2nd Edition by 3DTotal Publishing. Chapter: Perspective & Depth

[Book] Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards

[Book] Debt Free Art Degree: Foundations in Drawing by Marco Bucci. Chapters: 1, 3

[Book] How to Draw by Scott Robertson. Chapters 1-2

[Reference Pictures] Fundamentals: Shiny Forms

[Reference Pictures] Fundamentals: Basic Forms

[YouTube] Uncomfortable: Drawabox Videos Playlist (Lesson 1)

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Perspective 1

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Perspective 2

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Perspective 6

[YouTube] The Art of Nemo: The ONLY Box Rotation Exercise That’s ACTUALLY Useful

[LinkedIn Learning] Drawing 2-Point Perspective

✍️ February Activities ✍️

drawabox.com 

Lesson 1 & Homework

250 Box Challenge

🍀 March 🍀

✨March Focus: Perspective ✨

📚 March Materials 📚

[Book] Perspective Made Easy by Ernest Norling. Chapters 9-18

[Book] Drawing for the Absolute Beginner by Mark and Mary Willenbrink. Chapters 2; 5

[Book] You Can Draw in 30 Days by Mark Kistler. Lessons 22-27

[Book] How to Draw and Think like a True Artist by Warren Martin. Days 6-14

[Book] How to Draw by Scott Robertson. Chapters 2-7

[Book] Art Fundamentals 2nd Edition by 3DTotal Publishing. Chapters: Perspective & Depth

[Book] Framed Perspective I - Marco Mateu-Mestre. Chapter: 1

[Book] Debt Free Art Degree: Foundations in Drawing by Marco Bucci. Chapters: 3

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Perspective 3

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Perspective 4

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Perspective 5

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Visual Library I 

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Visual Library II 

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Visual Library III

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Vehicle Sketching I 

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Vehicle Sketching II

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Vehicle Sketching III

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Vehicle Sketching IV

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Sketching Figures in Extreme Perspective

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Emulating Even Amundsen Series

[YouTube] moderndayjames: Becoming a Gi Series

✍️ March Activities ✍️

drawabox.com: Lesson 2 & Homework, 250 Cylinder Challenge, Begin 25 Texture Challenge

100 Rotated Objects - based on moderndayjames Visual Library videos

100 Unique Studies (machinery, vehicles, plants, animals)

🖌️ Some Ongoing Activities 🖌️

50/50 Rule: 50% studying, 50% funsies

[Book] 30 Days of Creativity by Johanna Basford

[Book] 2025 Johanna Basford Wall Calendar

[Book] The Lost Art of Handwriting by Brenna Jordan

[Book] Spencerian Handwriting: The Complete Collection of Theory and Practical Workbooks for Perfect Cursive and Hand Lettering by Platts Roger Spencer

[Workbook] New Spencerian Compendium Plate 2 Practice Sheets (Found on PDF Drive)

Hand lettering worksheets I made in Canva

This is by no means a comprehensive education, but I feel like I came up with a good introduction to the things I’m interested in. I’m not going to learn everything about all of these topics in just a year, and I know I'm not going to get through all the resources I found.

I also want to make this process as cheap as possible, so I’m using a lot of free stuff from YouTube and my local libraries. Many of the resources came from radiorunner’s Curriculum for the Solo Artist and suggestions I found through the almighty social media algorithms. 

If your libraries can’t get the books on order or Inter-Library Loan, or if you’d rather just buy them to keep, I’m including Amazon affiliate links. (Many can be found as PDFs through other free methods but I definitely don’t recommend looking for the books on Demonoid, Mobilism, or PDF Drive.)

What do you think I'm missing? What do you think is too extra?

Learning is a life-long process, so even though I gave myself a year to restart, it’s just that: my restart. 

[art-appreciation-dog]

What is foreshortening? (Proko)