[chalker]

Hi, the topic says tyd in 26 years ? it means that I am 26 and never had any lessons or study in art.
Lately, during my collegetime I didn't draw much and so I have the same skills as 5 years back.
I want to learn to draw more perspective/shading/anatomy etc..

Question is :
Is there a point in a drawing hobby that you can't teach yourself anymore and you will have to follow classes or seminars/workshops to gain skill ?
Or are their people who say that you can teach everything yourself ?

[elam]

Whatever skill your trying to perfect will always benefit from a different perspective,IMO What sources you draw from can vary. You could study under someone who is an experienced artist who could teach you things, you could go out and draw from life etc. The key I think is to evolve and learn new things. That's kinda hard to do by yourself. Things like perspective and anatomy are pretty do it yourself. The speed at which you learn accelerates when you have direction and support.
I didn't draw a damn thing until I was 26. Now, my drawing isn't great by any means, but I've improved imeasurably from when I started(bout 3 years ago). I've had a lot of life drawing classes from which I've learned so much. Much more, I think, than if I had just bought an anatomy book and drew from that.


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Elam
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"Name? Loc Dog. Age? 19. Sex? Hell yeah, nigga!"

[This message has been edited by elam (edited February 09, 2001).]

[Sap]

You can self teach, but it takes alot of drive.. If you want to improve, buy a sketch book and go to public places and just draw people... Or sign up for life drawing sessions.. Buy any drawing books you can find.. and just keep on it.. drawing in my opinion has alot to do with confidence, don't worry about how your drawings are looking, just draw.....


-Sap-

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Booya grandma!! Suck it!

Www.Sidiouz.com

[Awetopsy]

I taught myself how to draw..

Now Im learning all over again from these punks at this forum. Doh!

you'll never stop learning my man.. just practice.. practice practice practice!!!

-awe

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I think Im wearing out my CTRL-'z'
http://noelsart.cjb.net

[This message has been edited by Awetopsy (edited February 09, 2001).]

[Plop]

I belive it was van ghog who started at 27.

[Covenant]

What a freaking coincidence. I was JUST thinking this. I used to draw 24/7. I lived it and breathed it. I was all about art in school and out. When I was about 16 or 17 I hooked up with this girl. She loved my drawings. I had to have drawn literally hundreds of pictures for her. All kinds of stuff. My drawings became something WE did. Then after 3 years we broke up. I stopped drawing. I planned to just take a break but you all know how time just disappears. Before I knew it, SAME AS YOU, I was 26. Somehow, the spark returned and I wanted to get back into drawing. After looking on the net for various tutorials and what not I came across this forum.
Also, as you said, I still draw the same as when I stopped. I think in our aging we have developed our perception, but our talent has not had the chance to grow. So as far as the learning technique we will find it a lot easier than when we were in our teens. I too would like to find a small class to help with the little things I need, but I will also supplement that with my own research and study. I have purchased several anatomy books for my figure drawing (mostly Hogarth) and I spend hours at the library. The library is cool because you can read through the material you need and since there are people around you can draw them. As well as drawing the library itself. Sometimes I'm there all weekend.
I wish you loads of luck. Its great to see others who are going down the same path as I, trying to get back into something we were once so immersed in.



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"...this big hush infects us all."

[Lunatique]

Teaching yourself is not easy for most, but the best way for some. I taught myself, and am still teaching myself everyday.

The key is: you have to FORCE yourself to admit your shortcomings as an artist, break those bad habits, and learn new ways of thinking and new techniques. Read lots of books written by excellent artists. Look at original paintings. Most of all, not only draw/paint all the time, but do it with a goal in mind. Some examples would be: 1)"I use 10 million lines when I draw. I wish my lines were fewer and cleaner." Solution: Force yourself to use fewer lines by thinking before moving your hand. 2)I love so-and-so's painting style. I wish my paintings had that kind of spontaneity. Solution: study painters of that style. Realize what they have in common. Analyze/dissect their work, and take your new knowledge and incorporate them into your own work. . etc etc.

Well, that's how I do it anyways.

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www.arcanum.net/~lunachild