I used to think life drawing, color studies, and master copies were boring exercises. Turns out, they were exactly what I needed to develop my stylized art.
Great post Milena! You need to know the rules in order to break them. Doing these kind of exercises helps with training your eye to see and understand what you are drawing. I particularly like drawing kids while they play, from life not a picture.
I love that you draw kids while they play! That must be such a great way to capture movement and spontaneity in a way that photos just can’t. I definitely need to try that more often!
It's challenging for sure, but yes, much more lively! If you prefer pictures, search for vintage 1950 ish kids playing, they have more natural poses than what you see nowadays :)
Growing up, I always loved drawing. Since my preferred styles were chibi and cute pixel art, I thought I could somehow "cheat" and not put in the work of studying and practicing the basics. I thought my pieces were okay (although not at a professional level) and that was fine.
Just recently, when I started trying harder to illustrate and design as part of my work (I'm an academic making and researching games, especially educational ones), I realised how I was missing on the fundamentals. My art is so constrained and drawing is so hard!
I got a book from my local library (support your local libraries and use their services!) and I've been practicing basic shapes and lines. I hope this effort yields results, but I'm positive! 💫✨
I love that you’re using your local library for learning. Such a great reminder! Wishing you lots of fun (and breakthroughs!) as you practice. You’ve got this! 💪
It was a very interesting post, Milena! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I am one of those artists who draw almost everything from their imagination. Sometimes I use references when I want to draw something I've never drawn before, or when I'm practicing drawing human poses! At the moment, I can say that 98% of my illustrations are a figment of my pure imagination. BUT! This is because I drew a lot of artworks from references. I've been learning the basics and I'm still learning how to draw people (and hands🙈). I think I have “my own style,” but that's because I've tried a lot of artists' styles and taken several courses (when you draw with teacher step by step). I like to break the rules of perspective and play with light and shadow and I’m able to do this because I learned the basics and I drew cubes and vases before. I want to say that I agree with you 100%! When you know the rules, you can play with them, use them, and break them to create something of your own. 😌💪🏻
I did some self-study before deciding to take private tutoring with a fine art teacher. We met online once a week for a lecture, then I would spend the week drawing. In the next class, I’d share my work and ask for feedback.
After that, I took a self-paced character design course at Silver Drawing Academy. Once I finished the course, I found a character design tutor, and we met twice a month to discuss my progress.
Yes, yes and more yes! I fully relate to this. I second pretty much everything you said. I also think that the fundamentals help you to never be truly art-blocked again. Don't know what to draw? Take a picture of yourself in a pose and draw your character in that stance.
Live sketching really changes things. I still have to force myself to go to a cafe and draw people from life, but every time I do it, I'm grateful that I did and I can see how much it's helped me grow.
Thanks for this awesome post! You've got me inspired to study my Disney book on the 9 old men :)
Soo so important! I am always to eager to try a complete illustration as I am just moving on from procreate tutorials to try outbon my own. So first thinking about the fundamentals feels sooooo boooring. But important! Do you have any great resources to learn from with with a barley exciating budget for big courses or tutors?
I love this! I started out learning to draw traditionally and only recently have started trying stylized work and creating characters. But even now, I’m taking a drawing class on human anatomy and it is so hard but so helpful!
Great post Milena! You need to know the rules in order to break them. Doing these kind of exercises helps with training your eye to see and understand what you are drawing. I particularly like drawing kids while they play, from life not a picture.
I love that you draw kids while they play! That must be such a great way to capture movement and spontaneity in a way that photos just can’t. I definitely need to try that more often!
It's challenging for sure, but yes, much more lively! If you prefer pictures, search for vintage 1950 ish kids playing, they have more natural poses than what you see nowadays :)
Louder for the people in the back ! 😁
This speaks volumes!
Growing up, I always loved drawing. Since my preferred styles were chibi and cute pixel art, I thought I could somehow "cheat" and not put in the work of studying and practicing the basics. I thought my pieces were okay (although not at a professional level) and that was fine.
Just recently, when I started trying harder to illustrate and design as part of my work (I'm an academic making and researching games, especially educational ones), I realised how I was missing on the fundamentals. My art is so constrained and drawing is so hard!
I got a book from my local library (support your local libraries and use their services!) and I've been practicing basic shapes and lines. I hope this effort yields results, but I'm positive! 💫✨
I love that you’re using your local library for learning. Such a great reminder! Wishing you lots of fun (and breakthroughs!) as you practice. You’ve got this! 💪
It was a very interesting post, Milena! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! I am one of those artists who draw almost everything from their imagination. Sometimes I use references when I want to draw something I've never drawn before, or when I'm practicing drawing human poses! At the moment, I can say that 98% of my illustrations are a figment of my pure imagination. BUT! This is because I drew a lot of artworks from references. I've been learning the basics and I'm still learning how to draw people (and hands🙈). I think I have “my own style,” but that's because I've tried a lot of artists' styles and taken several courses (when you draw with teacher step by step). I like to break the rules of perspective and play with light and shadow and I’m able to do this because I learned the basics and I drew cubes and vases before. I want to say that I agree with you 100%! When you know the rules, you can play with them, use them, and break them to create something of your own. 😌💪🏻
I totally relate to the struggle of drawing hands! 😂 Keep going! Your approach and mindset are inspiring!
Oh, then I’m not alone 😅 Thank you, Milena! :)
Did you go through an art foundations course? I was looking at new masters academy
I did some self-study before deciding to take private tutoring with a fine art teacher. We met online once a week for a lecture, then I would spend the week drawing. In the next class, I’d share my work and ask for feedback.
After that, I took a self-paced character design course at Silver Drawing Academy. Once I finished the course, I found a character design tutor, and we met twice a month to discuss my progress.
Thanks for this, great idea to find a private tutor. I think feedback would be so helpful
I found my tutor on superprof.com 😊
This is a beautiful post - I am starting to learn art and this really came at a right time for me !
Happy to hear! Enjoy your art journey :)
Great piece Milena!
Thanks a lot, Helen! Big fan of your work!
Wow! Thank you, Milena, for sharing! This is such an encouraging post, and one I defiantly needed to read. :)
My pleasure! :)
I guess I’m going to listen to you and learn the basics 😓
Yes, yes and more yes! I fully relate to this. I second pretty much everything you said. I also think that the fundamentals help you to never be truly art-blocked again. Don't know what to draw? Take a picture of yourself in a pose and draw your character in that stance.
Live sketching really changes things. I still have to force myself to go to a cafe and draw people from life, but every time I do it, I'm grateful that I did and I can see how much it's helped me grow.
Thanks for this awesome post! You've got me inspired to study my Disney book on the 9 old men :)
I love that you’re diving into your Disney book on the Nine Old Men! That’s such an inspiring deep dive. Thanks for this message!
Soo so important! I am always to eager to try a complete illustration as I am just moving on from procreate tutorials to try outbon my own. So first thinking about the fundamentals feels sooooo boooring. But important! Do you have any great resources to learn from with with a barley exciating budget for big courses or tutors?
Oh wow are there any online courses you recommend? I definitely need some help in color theory!
Really great post this!!! 👌👌
I sketch from life and experiences and I also sketch and draw and paint from observing nature Milena. Nature is my best and imagination is my god
I love this! I started out learning to draw traditionally and only recently have started trying stylized work and creating characters. But even now, I’m taking a drawing class on human anatomy and it is so hard but so helpful!