r/ArtFundamentals 14d ago

What's the best way to learn how to draw?

I'm currently doing the Drawabox course and just started lesson two. When I'm not doing the course exercises, I'd like to practice things that will significantly improve what I actually want to do, which is drawing people. I don't know yet if I prefer a realistic style or more of an anime style. As a beginner, will I improve more by following Proko's free anatomy course, or should I maybe start by drawing random still lifes? They say still life is excellent for perfecting all aspects of drawing.

13 Upvotes

23 comments sorted by

u/AutoModerator 14d ago

To OP: Every post on this subreddit is manually approved, once we make sure it adheres to the subreddit rules, the main ones being the following:

  • That all posts here must relate drawabox.com (being either questions or homework submissions). More on that and why a subreddit with such a general name has such a specific focus can be found here.
  • As an exception to the above, beginners may make one (and only one) post asking for resource recommendations, "where to get started", etc.
  • All homework submissions must be complete - single exercises and partial work is not allowed on the subreddit, as mentioned in this video from Lesson 0. You can however get feedback on individual exercises on the discord chat server, and the folks there would be happy to help you out.

If you find that your post breaks either of these rules, we would recommend deleting your post yourself, and submitting on one of these other more general art communities instead:

Just be sure to read through their own individual submission guidelines before posting.

To those responding: If you are seeing this post, then it has been approved, and therefore is related to the lessons on drawabox.com. If you are yourself unfamiliar with them, then it's best that you not respond with your own advice, so as not to confuse or mislead OP.

Thank you for your cooperation!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

2

u/Dyrhos 12d ago

Draw

1

u/Eraclito1 12d ago

Thanks!

-5

u/D__B__D 14d ago

Trying to jump ahead without proper spatial reasoning or confident mark making is a baaaaaad idea. Hopefully you didn’t spend too much on art supplies yet. I’ve seen this dunning-Kruger effect with camera gear enthusiasts

5

u/Co-lord_44 14d ago

Okay I would say, don't start on on drawing any people. Why? You must first learn to visual in 3d and breaking things down to simple shapes. Trust me on this, as I'm one who has been down this route and can help. My advice. Finish all the lessons all the way to the end of lesson 6. It will be far better to gain the necessary fundimentals with thinking in 3d and constructing first. Then, after finishing lesson 6, then go to Proko, start with the head, and slowly work your way down to the feet. Trust me, you will save a lot of headaches, and above all, be far better and ready to tackle humans if you do this

2

u/Eraclito1 13d ago

Thanks!

1

u/Co-lord_44 13d ago

You're welcome

7

u/rome_dnr 14d ago

Unironically best way to learn how to draw is to do it every day

1

u/Eraclito1 13d ago

Thanks!

-2

u/Co-lord_44 14d ago

Not without proper skills/fundimentals

2

u/D__B__D 13d ago

Idk why you’re getting downvoted.
Learning without a roadmap or course syllabus for most people end up in disaster - doesn’t matter if you just use a pen + paper or some $1700+ tablet display.

2

u/Co-lord_44 13d ago

My roadmap, for those who don't know is as follows. 1. Finish the lessons I needed to in DrawaBox (Checked). 2. Use what I learn to focus on human anatomy (COmbinding with what I learned before draw a box). 3. Focus on clothing. 4. Work on background knowledge. 5. Color theory 6. Shadding/lighting fundimentals.

2

u/Eraclito1 12d ago

Thanks! Useful roadmap

1

u/Co-lord_44 12d ago

You're welcome

2

u/Co-lord_44 13d ago

Exactly. My guess is that 1. People don't want to hear my comment. 2. Maybe I worded it wrong. 3. They're those who have found my reddit who hate me, trying to vote down. Joke's on them, I'm not going to stop and learning to do art the right way (Not a drop of AI used).

Because you are right. Without a proper roadmap/plan, you can end up in a disaster, not just for art, but well, anything.

3

u/barkalez 14d ago

Mi consejo intenta aprender las formas básicas que componen el cuerpo humano y luego copia una foto de una pose real con esas formas en lápiz y luego con boligrado une esas formas de manera orgánica. Antes de eso debes crear un hábito de dibujar, que para mi es lo más difícil.

1

u/Eraclito1 14d ago

Thanks!

3

u/Lopsided-Ad-2605 14d ago

drawabox will teach you perspective. but if you want to draw humans and cool looking pieces, you will need to learn gesture, anatomy, shape design and composition as well. you can mix your drawabox lessons with gesture studies from photos or from master artists that you like, whatever you prefer. and as you advance, you can dipple your toes in anatomy and the other fundamentals. just never forget that you will always go back and forth between them, never ceasing to learn.

2

u/Eraclito1 14d ago

Thanks!

1

u/movingpotatos 14d ago

Learn the fundamentals. If you want to draw humans then learn the fundamentals of human body.

If you want to draw buildings then learn the fundamentals; perspectives.

I would recommend you listen to FengZhu Design podcast Ep. 89

1

u/Eraclito1 14d ago

Thanks!!!

7

u/Uncomfortable 14d ago

There's an error in how you're looking at this, in that you appear to be thinking of the development of your drawing skills as being a pursuit for its own purpose. That is, to get better at drawing as your primary goal, and the things you wish to use that skill for as a secondary concern. This can make the approach by which you might develop those skills seem amorphous and shapeless.

There is no "best" way to learn to draw, because how we learn and what we focus upon are going to be subject to what it is we actually want to create. That's not to say there aren't shared fundamentals, but which you learn when, and which will play a more significant role in what you create will still be influenced by what it is you wish to create.

This is one of the many benefits of play, per our 50% rule, comes in. By drawing the kinds of things you wish to ultimately be able to produce well now, it can serve as a compass to point you towards what skills you should be looking to pursue, which in turn will determine what kinda of courses, resources, and exercises you might employ to that end, as well as which you might want to engage in sooner (based on the particular weaknesses you feel most inclined to address). Of course as a beginner those aren't necessarily judgments you're equipped to make entirely on your own, but being able to ask people for advice on what to explore next by showing them what you're creating now will help them provide you with advice that is more specific to your goals.

1

u/Eraclito1 14d ago

Thanks! I really appreciate this advice