I want to learn to draw

I want to learn to draw
by thefox on 2011-04-04 (#76164)

I want to learn to draw. Anybody know any good resources for that online? What about books? This may not be the best forum to ask but I guess there's no harm in trying.

http://www.learn-to-draw.com/ seems to have some decent tutorials for the basic stuff, but most other stuff was very specific stuff like "how to draw a cat". I'm looking for a more systematic approach.

EDIT: Let me be more specific, I want to learn to draw in a cartoonish style mostly.

by miau on 2011-04-04 (#76174)

There are a bunch of useful resources (not just for pixel artists) here: http://www.wayofthepixel.net/pixelation/index.php?topic=3467.0

They may be helpful on your way, but I'm not sure if they can provide you with the systematic approach you are looking for.

Anyway, I was thinking of assembling a collection of useful links to maybe put in a sticky for this forum, but the thread linked above really erases the need for such a thing.

by Kasumi on 2011-04-04 (#76184)

Fun with a Pencil by Andrew Loomis is a good foundational book. It focuses on shape which lends itself to a cartoony style.

The Vilppu Drawing Manual is also a good book.

by Jeroen on 2011-04-05 (#76216)

Drawing cats etc first is probably a good way to get a "Feel" for drawing. Then at some point you can apply what you learned to something new.

by thefox on 2011-04-05 (#76253)

Thanks guys. I have some browsing to do.

by clueless on 2011-04-06 (#76295)

http://geeks.thedailywh.at/2011/04/05/g ... f-the-day/

by Ian A on 2011-04-12 (#76580)

There's an animation book by Preston Blair usually called "Animation" that's readily available that teaches a good cartoony style. You can get it free online here if you can't find a local copy.

Also, the dude who made Ren & Stimpy has online lessons at his blog.

The egg face part of the book is really handy, plus you can use the egg face to practice shading, which I strongly recommend.

by Drag on 2011-04-12 (#76584)

Ian A wrote:
Also, the dude who made Ren & Stimpy has online lessons at his blog.

Thanks, I just lost 2 hours to this. Really fascinating read!

by yesyesyall on 2011-04-19 (#76960)

jon kricfalusi is a genius

by Celius on 2011-04-21 (#77076)

Believe it or not, I really think that tracing images is a great way to learn how to draw. I think that's where I got a lot of my drawing ability from when I was really young.

I've never really learned a lot from instructional books; most of it just comes from practice, and a real desire to draw or paint. I picked painting up immediately simply because I wanted to do it. It also helps if you know an artist who you can ask to comment on your work. My sister is one of the best artists I know, and I show her my work a lot of the time to get her feedback. It really helps in the long run when all of those little tips and pointers you get add up.