5 answers
Kip
Student
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
1
Question
Asked
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Where can I find inspiration?
What would be a good website to find art inspiration or practice? I am trying to improve on figure making.
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5 answers
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
239
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Kip
Drawing the human figure takes practice and patience. It is one of the most complex subjects for all artists, since there are so many moving parts. In addition to direct instruction in art classes, using online tutorials, books will be helpful in improving your figure drawing skills.
Since you asked about websites, well there are lots of them out there. YouTube has many excellent online tutorials, and they often have different styles, and the trick will be to find one that fits your level of drawing and how you learn best. I found that with most of my students, having an understanding of the human skeleton was a big advantage, since the skeleton dictates where the muscles and soft tissues attach, as well as how the spine and arms and legs move. Much of drawing the human figure effectively is getting the right proportions of the torso, head, legs, arms, hands and feet. Starting off with a stick figure based on the skeleton, and then adding the muscles and soft tissues is a great way to start. When I see a drawing of a figure that seems "off", it usually stems from the artist having a limited understanding of the structure of the human skeleton and of the correct proportions. Heads will be too large for the torso, arms and legs will seem to have no bones in them and will bend in strange places, and the hands and feet have no structure; these are some of "mistakes" that are typical. I used to tell my students to put on their "X-Ray" glasses when drawing figures.
So, look for tutorials that start with the skeleton or with stick figures based on the skeleton. Sorry I cannot recommend a specific tutorial, but there are a lot of them out there, and without seeing your drawings, I don't know your drawing level or drawing styles. You will probably find a lot of tutorials about drawing cartoon or Anime type figures, these are OK to study, but be aware that the proportions of the figures are not always realistic (such as the heads are often way to large for the torso, the eyes are often too large to fit in the skull, or the muscles and other features are exaggerated, and so on).
You can also learn a lot from books on drawing. There used to be a series of drawing books called "Draw 100________", (fill in the blank with figures, faces animals, dragons, and so on), and these are a great way to get started. Check your school and local library to see if you can find them, or other art instruction books.
Best wishes!
Drawing the human figure takes practice and patience. It is one of the most complex subjects for all artists, since there are so many moving parts. In addition to direct instruction in art classes, using online tutorials, books will be helpful in improving your figure drawing skills.
Since you asked about websites, well there are lots of them out there. YouTube has many excellent online tutorials, and they often have different styles, and the trick will be to find one that fits your level of drawing and how you learn best. I found that with most of my students, having an understanding of the human skeleton was a big advantage, since the skeleton dictates where the muscles and soft tissues attach, as well as how the spine and arms and legs move. Much of drawing the human figure effectively is getting the right proportions of the torso, head, legs, arms, hands and feet. Starting off with a stick figure based on the skeleton, and then adding the muscles and soft tissues is a great way to start. When I see a drawing of a figure that seems "off", it usually stems from the artist having a limited understanding of the structure of the human skeleton and of the correct proportions. Heads will be too large for the torso, arms and legs will seem to have no bones in them and will bend in strange places, and the hands and feet have no structure; these are some of "mistakes" that are typical. I used to tell my students to put on their "X-Ray" glasses when drawing figures.
So, look for tutorials that start with the skeleton or with stick figures based on the skeleton. Sorry I cannot recommend a specific tutorial, but there are a lot of them out there, and without seeing your drawings, I don't know your drawing level or drawing styles. You will probably find a lot of tutorials about drawing cartoon or Anime type figures, these are OK to study, but be aware that the proportions of the figures are not always realistic (such as the heads are often way to large for the torso, the eyes are often too large to fit in the skull, or the muscles and other features are exaggerated, and so on).
You can also learn a lot from books on drawing. There used to be a series of drawing books called "Draw 100________", (fill in the blank with figures, faces animals, dragons, and so on), and these are a great way to get started. Check your school and local library to see if you can find them, or other art instruction books.
Best wishes!
Michelle Selko, MS, OTR/L
occupational therapist
22
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hey Kip!
My favorites are Pinterest and YouTube. Pinterest is filled with inspiration right at your fingertips and YouTube has a lot of great instructional videos. Books at the library can be great as well. Check and see if there are any community art groups near you. I took a life drawing course in college that was very helpful. Have fun!
My favorites are Pinterest and YouTube. Pinterest is filled with inspiration right at your fingertips and YouTube has a lot of great instructional videos. Books at the library can be great as well. Check and see if there are any community art groups near you. I took a life drawing course in college that was very helpful. Have fun!
Tashfeen Rizwan
Visual artist
1
Answer
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Updated
Tashfeen’s Answer
Inspiration, a profound force within us, emerges from life's diverse experiences—joyful memories, hardships, love, and impactful impressions. For me, it springs forth from sorrows, injustice, and discrimination in our world. These challenges fuel my determination to make a difference, lighting the path towards a more just and compassionate world.
Roel Ramon
Product Management and Development
39
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Roel’s Answer
Inspiration is a beautiful thing, and it can be discovered in a multitude of places. The digital world, especially, is a treasure trove of creativity. YouTube and various social media platforms are some of my top picks for sparking ideas. If you're on a quest for artistic inspiration, Pinterest and Etsy are fantastic platforms to explore. They're renowned for their showcase of unique and captivating art. So, dive in and let your creativity soar!
Jacob Taylor
Production Manager
523
Answers
Stafford, Virginia
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Finding inspiration and resources for improving your figure drawing skills is a great goal. Here are some places to seek inspiration and practice your art:
1. **Art Communities:** Websites like DeviantArt, ArtStation, and Behance are excellent platforms to explore a wide range of artwork from talented artists worldwide. You can find inspiration in various styles and subjects.
2. **Pinterest:** Pinterest is a goldmine for visual inspiration. Create boards focused on figure drawing, anatomy, or specific artists you admire. It's a fantastic way to curate and organize ideas.
3. **Instagram:** Follow artists and hashtags related to figure drawing, anatomy, and art in general. Instagram is a great place to discover new artists and see their work in progress.
4. **Art Books:** Invest in books that specifically cover figure drawing and anatomy. "Figure Drawing for All It's Worth" by Andrew Loomis and "Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist" by Stephen Rogers Peck are classics.
5. **Online Courses and Tutorials:** Websites like Skillshare, Udemy, and Coursera offer courses on figure drawing and anatomy. They often provide step-by-step tutorials and assignments to practice.
6. **YouTube:** Many talented artists share their drawing processes, tutorials, and time-lapse videos on YouTube. You can learn a lot by watching and trying to replicate their techniques.
7. **Life Drawing Classes:** If possible, consider joining local or online life drawing classes. These provide an opportunity to draw from real-life models, which is invaluable for improving figure drawing skills.
8. **Museum Visits:** Visit art museums and galleries to see classical and contemporary artwork up close. Studying masterpieces can be a significant source of inspiration.
9. **Online Forums:** Participate in art forums like ConceptArt.org or WetCanvas. These communities often have dedicated sections for figure drawing discussions and critiques.
10. **Nature and Daily Life:** Don't forget to draw inspiration from everyday life and the people you encounter. Observing people in different settings can provide a fresh perspective on figure drawing.
Remember that improvement takes time and consistent practice. Regularly sketch figures, study anatomy, and seek feedback from peers or mentors. The key to progress is a combination of inspiration, learning, and hands-on practice.
1. **Art Communities:** Websites like DeviantArt, ArtStation, and Behance are excellent platforms to explore a wide range of artwork from talented artists worldwide. You can find inspiration in various styles and subjects.
2. **Pinterest:** Pinterest is a goldmine for visual inspiration. Create boards focused on figure drawing, anatomy, or specific artists you admire. It's a fantastic way to curate and organize ideas.
3. **Instagram:** Follow artists and hashtags related to figure drawing, anatomy, and art in general. Instagram is a great place to discover new artists and see their work in progress.
4. **Art Books:** Invest in books that specifically cover figure drawing and anatomy. "Figure Drawing for All It's Worth" by Andrew Loomis and "Atlas of Human Anatomy for the Artist" by Stephen Rogers Peck are classics.
5. **Online Courses and Tutorials:** Websites like Skillshare, Udemy, and Coursera offer courses on figure drawing and anatomy. They often provide step-by-step tutorials and assignments to practice.
6. **YouTube:** Many talented artists share their drawing processes, tutorials, and time-lapse videos on YouTube. You can learn a lot by watching and trying to replicate their techniques.
7. **Life Drawing Classes:** If possible, consider joining local or online life drawing classes. These provide an opportunity to draw from real-life models, which is invaluable for improving figure drawing skills.
8. **Museum Visits:** Visit art museums and galleries to see classical and contemporary artwork up close. Studying masterpieces can be a significant source of inspiration.
9. **Online Forums:** Participate in art forums like ConceptArt.org or WetCanvas. These communities often have dedicated sections for figure drawing discussions and critiques.
10. **Nature and Daily Life:** Don't forget to draw inspiration from everyday life and the people you encounter. Observing people in different settings can provide a fresh perspective on figure drawing.
Remember that improvement takes time and consistent practice. Regularly sketch figures, study anatomy, and seek feedback from peers or mentors. The key to progress is a combination of inspiration, learning, and hands-on practice.