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gradual improvement in drawing?

11:15 PM, Thursday November 5th 2020

i like drawing, a lot, i just have a few problems,

1: i never know what to draw

2: i always feel like what i'm trying to draw is waaaayyy out of my league.

it always feel like i need more structure to my learning than is provided to me by drawabox, I really like drawabox and it is great and even though it teaches you construction it doesn't really help you in what kind of things you could

practice on your own, topics that you perhaps have to grind out more?

3: i'm thinking of redoing drawabox once i'm done and then donate on patreon so i can get better critiques, is this something you recommend or would your course of action be different if put in my shoes?

anyway, i hope someone can give me a few answers to these questions because i've had a artistic block for the last week.

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11:46 PM, Thursday November 5th 2020
edited at 1:59 AM, Nov 6th 2020

Drawabox is very structured and progressive. That is what I like about it. However it is only meant to address a particular aspect of drawing, one that will give you solid constructional skills. The other things you mention, IMO, are not in scope.

You always need to use multiple sources for learning. I use youtube, skillshare and Aaron Blaise's excellent tutorials to improve.

Probably others. What you want to draw will be personal to you I don't think anyone can really help apart from suggesting trying other subjects and courses till you find something that clicks. Whichever way you choose involves hard work and you have to start at the beginning and draw what you can draw rather than fantasising about what you want to draw. The latter just becomes depressing.

I am following the Patreon route and definitely recommended it. Proper feedback helps ensure you are told what you need to be told in a timely manner.

PS worth watching Becca Rand's video review of drawabox that is on the homepage for a very good take on how drawabox helps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFn9w3uDkz4&feature=youtu.be

edited at 1:59 AM, Nov 6th 2020
0 users agree
7:26 AM, Friday November 6th 2020
edited at 7:29 AM, Nov 6th 2020

Hi! I'm a beginner and have faced similar problems in the past months.

The first issue you mentioned might be related to the second one. If you give yourself permission to freely draw things you don't feel ready to draw, you'll more likely discover what topics or projects truly give you joy. You'll also have a better, objective understanding of what you still have to learn.

Then you can start looking around or asking for the best resources that teach you what you need to learn. Without treading new, difficult territories, we stagnate.

Starting over Draw a Box following the Patreon rout is a hard decision but it will give you a really solid understanding of the material, which is crucial to tackle any other area of study. I think it's a very good idea.

Maybe this time don't focus only on Draw a Box? You could follow some other courses meanwhile and take more risks with your drawings.

edited at 7:29 AM, Nov 6th 2020
10:34 AM, Friday November 6th 2020

thanks a lot for your real and serious response.

you have a good point and i guess i'll definitely try it out though i really wouldn't know which other (free) course has the same structure and long term development as DrawaBox.

i'll definitely still look into it though.

do you know of any alternate resources ?

12:58 PM, Friday November 6th 2020

I'm glad I helped. Draw a Box is unique in many ways, as you have said. And if I had to choose only one paid resource, I'd invest my money here.

That said, and assuming you are in the broad spectrum of the beginning stage, here are some free resources I would definitely check out:

You can take the 14 days free trial on Skill Share and study Marco Bucci "Understanding and Painting the Head", which costs 30 dollars on his site (and maybe come back in the future and buy the course to support his amazing work).

Proko, as you probably know, shares free versions of his premium videos on Figure Drawing and Anatomy.

The New Masters Academy has grown a lot in the last years and now it's offering is incredibly vast and better structured. With the 7 days free trial, you can follow Steve Huston Beginner or Advanced Head Construction, or his beginner course on Figure Drawing. Or choose a course from some other master. I would avoid painting because painting courses easily reach 40 hours of content.

Dorian Iten offers one of the best paid course on Light and Shading, but you can find a mini version of the course on his site with the formula “pay what you want”.

Ctrl+Paint offers a huge amount of free content on digital painting.

I don't know if you noticed, but in his last tweet Uncomfortable shared the old Draw a Box lesson on Composition. Good stuff for free!

11:59 AM, Saturday November 7th 2020

thanks for the well researched response!

i'm not that much of a beginner anymore though i've only started taking my drawing seriously about 3 months ago, i'll still take a look at different courses, of course.

would you recommend finishing drawabox first before moving on to different courses or should i go ahead and study human anatomy as well alongside drawabox?

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