Drawing Basics Part 1

I get asked a lot if I have any super new beginner tips for learning to draw, while this seems very general and it is I will try my best to put down some tips ideas and suggestions for beginning artists. :)

One common misconception I have seen with every person who is starting out drawing is that they think they can run before they walk.

They blindly leap off the cliff go out and buy fancy expensive art supplies and think that now they have these they should be able to draw easily and whatever they draw should be amazing... even though the only started drawing they day before.

This is not true, however finding this out after the persons already leapt off the cliff and taken the plunge is probably the most common reason for people to give up on drawing all together.

Drawing takes practice, patience, perseverance. Artists spend hours a day working on their drawing skills.

Some people think: Drawing, that's easy... and yes it's true that most artists don't go run laps, drink energy drinks to keep them going and work out all day in a gym, however that doesn't mean what they do isn't difficult. Drawing takes, control, patience, skill and the will to do it.While anyone can doodle and draw, if you are truly serious about getting to art and perhaps turning it into a career or just want to be able to do your best as your side hobby, it will take time.

Another thing that often gets asked: Well, how much time do I have to put into learning to draw and practicing... a few weeks? A few months? A year?  Well, I've been drawing for as long as I can remember 13+ years. After their initial jaw drop I have to say that: Everyone learns at different paces, just as in everything else, how much time you need to put into this depends on how much time you have to give and how fast you want to improve. 

Also your resources can be added in, people who where exposed to art throughout their entire life will often learn faster, people who have access to art schools and or classes will often learn faster, people who hang around people who are also interested in art can learn faster, like I said it all depends.

Staying positive or just taking a break when your frustrated and are having trouble with your drawing is probably the best you can do, you don't want to have a miserable experience when first learning to draw... this will bring you down tremendously and we don't want that. :)

Another thing is don't enter contests, everyone goes and enters a drawing contest as soon as they have improved and expect to win, while you can if you want and you do have a chance if you have any talent, loosing is more common then not. Sometimes when your first starting out you just want to stick to the basics and not try to compete... at least not for the first few months... however I would wait longer... and of course wait until your comfortable with doing so!

Another thing that happens a lot is people push themselves too far... pushing your self too much can be just a bad as not doing anything at all, if not worse. constantly being mad and upset at your self because you didn't complete as much as you would like or aren't as good as so-and-so is pointless. Be happy with your progress, your speed, how far you've improved. Don't dwell over how far you have to go... don't judge yourself against other's skill, this will not help you improve at all.

The pointers are:

1. Keep trying 
2. Don't judge 
3. Practice Practice Practice 

Also remember that these are tips and some thing I recommend going by not rules, and if you can't follow them to the letter who really cares? Not me! Do whats best for you, whats right for you! Do I do everyone of these things, NO... I still end up getting upset with my slow progress, competing with others, and comparing my art to other's skill rather then my own... see? Not a great example now am I? :) 

Like I said, do what you can... and keep trying!