In about a year, I hope to go to college and major in photography. I looked at what classes I would be taking at a certain college, and noticed that I'll be taking either a semester or two of basic drawing. Now, since I can't draw worth crap (I can only do stick figures... Really bad stick figures.), I was hoping for some advice. Maybe like a book on how to draw (for a n00bzorz like me), or just some tip in general.
Who knows... Maybe in a year or so, I'll doodle my way to success. :P
*hopes he doesn't die by the uber-pencil*
FORIAMSPAM!
The best introductory-level instructional book I've read is "How to Draw" by Adrian Hill (ISBN: 0330130188). It covers all the basics (perspective, life drawing/figure drawing, drapery, machinery, landscapes, animals, etc.) in an easy-to-understand and handy paperback format. It's been out of print for years now (it was first published in 1957) but any reasonably well-stocked library should have a copy. Hill also authored other, similar books that might be easier to find.
Most public libraries will have some basic drawing books. You can follow the lessons in those. While they won't imbue you with talent, they may help you understand the basics enough to get by. If you are lucky, and do have some drawing talent buried in there, they can help to bring it out. One thing you can also try is drawing what you see. Start simple. Put a basic object in front of you and analyze its shape and form and try to translate it to paper. You can also do the same by observing photographs or other people's art and imitating. That can help you gain control of your pencil.
And here comes the plug:
Participate in the artistic challenges. No one is going to tell you that you suck. They will give encouragement. It'll give you something to practice while drawing something you like. (Heck, all of us on these forums like superheroes/villains or we wouldn't be here.)
Quote from: Pyroclasm on May 13, 2007, 04:21:38 PMNo one is going to tell you that you suck.
[threadjack] Well, we *might*, but it won't have anything to do with his drawing! :P [/threadjack]