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Hey, a bit of a random, out of the blue question here, but I'd love to be able to draw some awesome, realistic Sci-fi art. That means people, landscapes, builfings, everything. But the truth is, I have absolutely no clue whatsoever how to start. I put a piece of paper in front of me today, and tried to draw what I saw out the window, then I tried to draw an imperial guardsmen while looking at a picture in the codex. Both turned out to be nothing more than random scibbling. I know dakkadakka has several skilled artists, and I'm looking for a few tips for someone who really, has no experience drawing whatsoever. The only experience with art I even have is 3d modelling, but that is totally different of course.

I'm by no means good, in fact I'm pretty bad, but the advice I got when I was trying to get better was always "Draw as much as you can." and "Challenge yourself." The latter of the two is the difficult one because you will fail, and it will get frustrating, but you will also get better so long as you're putting forth effort and keeping an eye to your mistakes.

Is it generally good to have something to look at to base the drawing on for your first attempts?

Pick up a copy of Gray's Anatomy.

GalacticDefender wrote:Is it generally good to have something to look at to base the drawing on for your first attempts?

I'd say yes. What I did when I took art classes was take a photo and separate the picture into grad squares. Then instead of trying to draw the whole thing, I tried to draw the squares which when put together made the full picture.
The premise was that I'd do that for a long time, and eventually I'd have enough experience for more advanced things.

I never made it that far though

The gridding method described is a popular one, but drawing from life, rather than a photo, is a more versatile skill, albeit harder to master. Practice drawing random objects around the house, bowls, trees, chairs, whatever. Also, try and get people to sit for you so you can practice drawing people. You will get a feel for human form and shape MUSH better drawing from life than from a photograph.

And of course, do it a lot.

It could also help to get one of these eventually.



Practice is the most important part though. Try to try new techniques each time, though not too many at once. Keep on adding to it and eventually you'll end up fine. Though I've always sucked at drawing people, so I tended to try to lean towards landscapes. That being said I did end up dropping art for an additional study period.

Practice practice practice

GalacticDefender wrote:Is it generally good to have something to look at to base the drawing on for your first attempts?

It depends on what you're looking to develop. One key thing to understand is that you don't just get better at drawing, you get better at drawing certain things in certain ways. If you want to be able to draw still lifes, then having a subject is good. If you want to be able to draw comics, then using other comics for inspiration is a good idea, but you shouldn't be trying to copy what you see because that isn't the goal of being a comic artist.

One thing you might try is to simply draw something that seems cool, it helps keep you focused on what you're doing. It doesn't have to be something you see, or anything in particular, just start making shapes and see where it goes.

For example, this is one of the first things I drew when I was working at it. I basically just picked up a sharpie and some poster board and went at it.



It doesn't make sense, or look like anything, but its what I wanted to draw at the time so I did my best to remain precise in duplicating what I saw in my mind.

Also, I just remembered, that entire thing was inspired by movies.

Basically just keep drawing what you want (abstract, realism etc). When you hit a plateau with your skill (Maybe where you are at now?) Just draw as much as possible from real life. Pictures are ok however they can flatten perspective or features. When I started drawing people I saw, objects in the house, or just a cloth draped over a chair I started to see progress in my work.

Loomis art books may help too. I have these books below and found them to be useful.
http://escapefromillustrationisland.com/2010/01/07/free-andrew-loomis-art-intstruction-downloads/

I also like conceptart.org plenty of professionals there and also stuff like a tutorial section, online sketchbooks and a place for critques etc. you may be interested in.

Edit: to view sketchbooks etc. on concept art you have to be registered..I think it is worth the few minutes it takes just to check out the contests they do in the "thunderdome"!

Just keep drawing. Use visual references always.

I will repeat this as this is the most important:

put your 10,000 hours of practice in. that's it. no shortcuts no easy way out.

"We all have 10000 bad drawings in us, the sooner we get them out the better.”- Walt Stanchfield "

now with filling those 10,000 hours, I have the following tips:

1. Draw what you want/Draw for fun: If you're starting out, trying to learn how to draw is intimidating. A lot of people will say draw this and draw that but thats an easy way to get discouraged when youre not getting the results that you want. You want to draw aliens? Then draw aliens! Want to draw spaceships? go to town. Tap into that inner gradeschooler and just doodle. Get comfortable actually holding a pencil or pen. Once youve filled up several notebooks of sketches youll notice your progress

2. Draw from reference: Once you've gotten comfortable doodling and you feel the need to get better then start drawing the things around you. look at photographs. study their forms. You know how in 3d modelling, almost everything can be built from cubes spheres and triangles? Same with drawing.

actually, most of what i have in mind , this guy can say better:

http://www.ctrlpaint.com/category/drawing/

and if you want a good reference for human anatomy try to look for Burne Hogarth's Dynamic Anatomy

Gray's Anatomy is for doctors. Hogarth takes all of that info from the book and distills everything that is relevant to the artist in one awesome book.

Goodluck!

*Disclaimer: I am a student of drawing myself and while not stellar, I have drawn for magazines and comics before.

here's some advice i got from an old art professor that I'll pass on
gather up some random crap from around your house, arrange it, and draw it, 5 minute sketches, 15 minute sketches, 2 hour sketches, over and over, from different angles. then, when your burnt out with that, go to the goodwill or some such other similar store, pick up some weird new crap, and start again. it helps, and timing yourself makes you focus on the important details

I was taught to use visual short cuts when drawing.... Basic shapes; circles, squares, triangles, cones, tubes, boxes.... Then make adjustments as you go to get the form you want.

There are as many ways to get better at art as there are artists.

One key is to see your "random scribbling" as an important step in the right direction. Don't let it discourage you, look at it and see where you can improve. And while drawing, try turn off the part of yourself that tells you you're only scribbling randomly.

My advice: hit the library. Start with Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, and pick up anything else they may have that appeals to you regarding not only technique, but also reference books. I learned more about technique and fundamentals of art - such as anatomy - through striking out on my own than I did in five years of art classes.

There is also a ton of drawing tutorials on Youtube....

GG

materials are always important, be sure to grab a good set of pencils and some high quality sketch pads. visual aids are always helpfull and just keep going. I always found drawing to be more of a trail and error thing myself :3