Advice from artists needed!

LJ2 2020-04-27 17:47:56 UTC #1

Hey there, I was wondering if any artists out there are willing to give me some advice... usually, I'm a writer, and I love to write, but I've been wanting to start drawing. I'm not very good... but I am willing to put in lots of practice in order to get better. I was wondering, what would be a good place to start? is there an online program that works well? what techniques should I use?
All advice is welcome, and I really appreciate it! Thank you!

Kelheor 2020-04-27 17:52:35 UTC #2

Sooo, since you're a writer, I bet you don't have a drawing tablet?
Do you have any artists you particularly love and would like to draw something like what they are drawing?

IdiotWithPencil 2020-04-27 17:55:45 UTC #3

For starters learn the fondumentals of drawings
I would recommend this book by andrew loomis

it goes in detail on the fundamentals, learn them practice them and get better at them
also I would recommend https://drawabox.com for exercises and some general advice in their reddit page

also this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhG7DENh-uk
learn to practice well instead of going and practicing blindly

also never forget drawing is a marathon not a race most of us have been drawing for well over 3 years and we still make a lot of mistakes, take your time and have fun

DokiDokiTsuna 2020-04-27 17:57:17 UTC #4

I would advise you to start by finding art that you like, and trying to copy it. This is a good way to (a) get practice, and (b) start identifying specific techniques that you'd like to study in the future. It'll be easier to get help later on if you can point to something and say "how do you do this" instead of just saying "how do you do art" in general.

But most importantly, start with stuff that you like. Torturing yourself with stuff you don't wanna do can come later; when you're just starting out learning any artistic technique I find you'll learn faster when you're aiming for something that brings you joy. ^^

LJ2 2020-04-27 18:01:59 UTC #5

Yeah, I don't have a drawing tablet I actually don't have any specific artists in mind, but if you have any I would love it if you could recommend some!

skicoak 2020-04-27 18:42:46 UTC #6

I'm gonna suggest...

..because I think it's more important that you focus on being a better visual storyteller in the early stages of your art growth if you're looking to combine it with your writing. Technique and style will come with practice but it's smarter to build that house on a strong foundation.

IndigoShirtProd 2020-04-27 19:02:36 UTC #7

I think the best advice for when you start drawing with no prior experience is to just draw what you want and to not focus too too hard on bettering a skill you don't have. Get used to drawing first, put in your hours, have fun, and then you can worry about getting better. If you spend the first thousand hours of drawing are studies and looking at references, you won't have as much fun doing so as you would otherwise. Get a sketchbook or two. Try out different mediums from watercolor, pastels, acrylics, colored pencils, to ink pens so that you can find what you enjoy using the mist. Having a strong foundation for your art work is great, but prisons also have strong foundations. And prison isn't fun. Make sure when you make consider a strong foundation, that you can enjoy yourself while laying it.

skicoak 2020-04-27 21:25:07 UTC #8

And throwing seeds wherever you currently feel it would be fun too, isn't going to grow much of a garden.

If the OP is just looking to experience a broad range of art, that's fine advice. But if they're looking to augment their storytelling with visuals (which is a likelihood since it's THIS forum) then they should get on that road and not just meander around.

silverraven0 2020-04-27 23:06:47 UTC #9

If you want to start really small just to practice, you actually can use your smart phone to draw With your finger (or if you have stylus, that's good too). There's a lot of app to draw on phone and I recommend ibis paint and Medibang.

I do all of my early Digital arts and comic (yeah...) on my phone so that can't be too bad.

zeldaellaa 2020-08-23 14:14:55 UTC #10

You can draw draw simple things first, anything you like. I usually like doodling little things when I have a break, it help me relax and improve my skill.

LadyN 2020-08-23 14:35:37 UTC #11

I hear “learn the fundamentals” a lot but I feel like it’s better to get a grasp of what you’re aiming for as an artist before you start learning it. It’s important to know but when starting just let yourself free. For starting off I wouldn’t recommend getting a real drawing tablet. Use your phone or regular tablet and get a free drawing program if you intend to do art digitally. Start off with the cheapest stuff before buying good supplies or materials if you’re doing it traditionally. If you’re starting then don’t expect to create masterpieces (if you are expecting to. No sane person does.)

I’m not too good of an artist and some of these tips are just from personal experience. If you want to learn the fundamentals first then that’s good. I’m just really lazy so I haven’t learnt them.

Happy writing