learning to draw

[trampas45]

I need your help!
I would like to learn to draw but I do not have the time to go to night school or anything like that due to work commitments.
Can anyone tell me of a book, dvd or on line method of teaching myself at home. My skill is, to say the least, pathetic. I have trouble drawing a straight line with a ruler.
Any advice would be great.

[coasty]

suggest you have a trip down your local library,,,

[naturelover]

hi trampas,you would like to learn to draw,what i know about art is its a thing that runs through familys,my grandfather was a brilliant artist,his son my dad was the same,i can draw and paint then all three of my sons can draw,i dont know about the grandchildren yet as they are too young to find out,but i dare say it will follow on,so is what i sugest is what coasty said go to your library the have beatiful book on art and it dosnt cost you a penny,good luck any way and happy drawing.

[Pete Collins]

Trampas45,

I would thoroughly recommend the book "Drawing on the right side of the brain" by Betty Edwards. I believe it was first printed in the 1970's and has sold over a million copies since.

The first thing she does, is get you to draw a couple of things before you've had any tuition. Doesn't matter how bad they are - you can then go back to these as you work your way through the book, and you can see how much you have progressed.

There is an interesting scientific theory behind her methodology. Most people stop drawing when they are about 10-11. At that stage, children have developed a set of 'symbols' they always use when drawing - so all their houses are the same, noses are the same, etc. They use their standards symbols, instead of really looking carefully and actually drawing what they see.

The human brain is divided into two hemispheres, and in most people the left side is dominant. This is good at logic, numbers, etc., but it is the spatial skills of the right half that are needed for drawing. Unfortunately, when adults try to learn to draw, the dominant left half tries to take control, and keeps putting the standard symbols you used as a child into your head. So what Betty Edwards does is to teach techniques that help you to shut up the left half, and let the right side of the brain get on with drawing what you actually see.

An early example is copying a drawing that is printed upside down - because it's upside down, you're not exactly sure what each line is that your drawing, so the left half of the brain doesn't keep saying 'That's an ear - this is how you always draw an ear', and you draw what you see.

This probably sounds complete gobbledygook, but there is sound science behind it, and it clearly works (her book is full of before and after drawings from her students). I found it very helpful - I eventually managed to do a few half-decent drawings of birds and even one or two reasonable portraits. Sadly I haven't had the time to do any drawing for a few years now, but I intend to go through the book again sometime and return to drawing.

Hope that helps!

P.S. How's the Virginian keeping these days?

[trampas45]

Thank you, all, for your advice. A colleague at work is studying art at university and has also offered to help me. It is good to know that there are people out there who are willing to offer their time and energy.

The Virginian is keeping busy. He has secured another season as Santa at John Lewis. Unfortunately the years have not been kind and needs no padding under his Santa costume, if you see what I mean?

[Wild-Woman]

Don't forget that art is a very individual thing. You may think you cannot draw but it's all in the eye of the beholder, as they say.
I bet you're a hidden talent really because you 'want' to draw.

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Don't forget that art is a very individual thing. You may think you cannot draw but it's all in the eye of the beholder, as they say.
I bet you're a hidden talent really because you 'want' to draw.

Absolutley Wild Woman.
Its importantto remember that.
EVERYONE can draw.
Those that want to, REALLY can.
Doug

[lol geoff]

I've done a bit of that art stuff and although others have been imrpessed with my efforts, I have never finnished a picture that I have been really pleased with. There's always something that's not quite right. The main enjoyment and frustrations are actually doing it, whether it ends up on the wall or in the bin.

As for art classes, I think they are good for showing you the techniques for using various mediums but I used to get the hump when the lecturer tried to paint your picture with their ideas.

I also feel uncomfortable signing anything I do, it feels a bit pretentious to me, so I just date them on the back ass a reminder of when I did them.

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by trampas45

...
The Virginian is keeping busy. He has secured another season as Santa at John Lewis. Unfortunately the years have not been kind and needs no padding under his Santa costume, if you see what I mean?

(Sadly, younger WABbers may not remember one of the best cowboy series ever on TV, called 'The Virginian' - Trampas was his side-kick)

By the way, I should have said that Betty Edwards says in her book that ANYONE can draw - she taught thousands of students, with remarkably few failures.

[rs250man]

Trampas, hi, i have been drawing pictures since i was about 7 and i am 38 now. I think the best way to draw animals is to use circles and just do everything in rough first. then tidy it up afterwards, this is the best way to do sketches and watercolours. If i could attach a sketch i could show you...