How Drawing is like Kung Fu
The reasons you don't draw.
Brush Lee
"I can't draw a straight line."
"I can't even draw a good stick figure."
"Artists are so lucky that they've got the talent to draw."
I've heard all the excuses in the book on why you can't draw.
I'm here to tell you right now, that that's all they are, EXCUSES.
The truth is, you're afraid. Afraid to fail. Afraid of being laughed at. Afraid of being mocked. Afraid of WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW.
Well guess what? Here, you learn what you don't know. Here, you will be shown the steps. Here, you will discard your fear.
"But I have no TALENT for drawing!"
I'm here to tell you that talent, TRUE natural drawing talent, is only good for one thing:
Making you WANT to draw more.
But a person with less talent or no talent, can usually end up drawing better than someone with natural talent simply by working at it. <=CLICK TO TWEET
The Problem with Talent
Since drawing comes easy for the talented, they often rely on it like a crutch. Talent can often be a fatal drawing flaw. I've seen talented artists become stagnant and never improve because they rely on their talent too much.
Some talented people when confronted with a need to improve their skills, quit when they realize that it's difficult and requires work. They think they shouldn't HAVE to work at it. After all, they're talented.
Worse of all, some talented people think they're the BEST draftsmen out there, and when they come face to face with draftsmen who are better, they simply quit, rather than work at improving.
This is where a person with less talent or no talent has an advantage. They've never had it easy, so the work is part of the drawing experience. Something they take for granted.
The reasons you CAN draw
Drawing is a learnable skill. It's a skill with teachable methods that work. All you have to do is learn those methods, practice them and that's it.
Drawing is like writing, like playing an instrument, like learning to dance,...like Kung Fu.
Why Kung Fu is like drawing
Pen Grier
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Kung Fu as:
"any of various Chinese martial arts and related disciplines that are practiced especially for self-defense, exercise, and spiritual growth."
This is NOT the definition that I want to use here. The definition that best fits what I was taught when I learned Kung Fu is much more like the following one I found in Wikipedia:
Kung fu, gongfu, or gung fu (功夫, Pinyin: gōngfu) is a Chinese term referring to any study, learning, or practice that requires patience, energy, and time to complete, often used in the West to refer to Chinese martial arts, also known as Wushu.[1]
...In its original meaning, kung fu can refer to any skill achieved through hard work and practice, not necessarily martial
THIS definition of Kung Fu sounds much more like drawing. Kung Fu can roughly be translated as "hard work". This means, any skill that requires work in order to improve it, can be labeled Kung Fu.
You can learn all the principles of drawing very easily. To get good at it though, you need to practice them. Just like you did when you learned to write.
Conditioning
Conditioning your body is the first thing you do when you're preparing to learn Kung Fu (the martial art). You prepare your body slowly in order to handle the physical skills you'll begin to learn.
It's no different when learning to draw. The conditioning only looks different. You condition your arm, wrists, hands, and fingers to do what you want them to do. This results in good hand, eye coordination. Which results in making you capable of getting the drawing results you want.
A Kung Fu master doesn't teach you the most complex moves right off the bat. He helps you learn them in small digestible steps so that they slowly become internalized and become automatic.
Drawing is the same way. You practice the small basic stuff and those things slowly become part of how you think.
Drawing is easy
Enough talk, let's draw!
Drawing is easy. Drawing great is difficult and takes work. At this stage, you simply want to feel comfortable drawing. The lessons below will help you do just that. Never again will you feel like you don't know what you're doing when it comes to drawing.
How The Drawing Website is Structured
Following the Kung Fu example, I structured this site like a Kung fu class. In other words, it goes in levels. Starting from beginning level (Lvl 0) up to "THE FINAL LEVEL". You can start where you feel most comfortable.
A word of advice: ALL things in the beginning level are applicable in the most advanced stages of drawing. It wouldn't hurt, if your more advanced, to take a look at the most basic lessons, as a refresher course.
Here's how the levels are broken down. Click on the highlighted level to go to the page and get started:
Lvl 0 - You can't draw a stick figure or a straight line and it's darn embarrassing. The lessons here are especially designed for you. By the time you're done with these lessons, you'll be the envy of all your other, non-drawing friends.(FREE digital book of this info is now available)(Beginner Art Bundles also available, in "Deluxe Version" and "Regular Version")
Lvl 1 - The lessons in this level are for you who are comfortable drawing already and want to draw better and cooler things. Forget all that anatomy stuff and drawing realistic, lets have fun and draw cartoons! By the time you finish this level, you will be able do draw some nice looking comic strips.
Lvl 2 (COMING SOON)- Time to get serious. The lessons here are for you who are serious about getting better. You want to make a living drawing? By the time you master this level, you will be able to do just that.
Lvl 3 (COMING SOON)- You're a pro but now you want to leave the competition behind. You want to be a MASTER. These are the lessons for you!
Lvl 4 (COMING SOON)- You are a Master artist, so you know that you've only JUST BEGUN. It's taken you years to realize that all you know means you know nothing. You are more exited than ever to learn. Here you will find what you need.
THE FINAL LEVEL (COMING SOON-ish???) - Those who have achieved this level are said to have a mystical aura around them while they draw called, "The Glow."
Questions?
I can't help you if you don't ask.
What's your burning drawing questions?
Is there something you've always wanted to know about drawing? Ask.
I'll give you my best answer and, who know, probably write a post about it.
Leave any comments and questions in the comments below.
Or better yet, sign up to receive more information via e-mail. You'll get extra tips and advice. You can ask me questions that way also.
Hii, I really want to learn to draw. I basically started when i fell in love with webcomics and i also want to share my stories in that way. When i start browsing about how to draw , literally like every 2nd person on youtube says to start from learning real human body anatomy. I really tried , i read books and I saw videos and articles but whenever I try to learn it I just felt more bored and literally everytime i saw those videos the fire of my passion(I mean kind of passion something)seemed to extinguish. In simple words I really don’t wanna learn real human body anatomy. So is it really really really important to learn it
Yes, it’s important. Yes it can be boring. However, it CAN be fun too. This is why this website begins with cartooning first, BEFORE the figure drawing stuff.
If you’d like more direct advice, just contact me via my email at: TheDrawingWebsite@gmail.com
I want learn drawing….please guide me….how should I get to started?
You can read this website. It will help you get started. That’s why I wrote it.
Hi,how should I practice in a day?
There’s a lot of different ways to practice. This completely depends on what your goals are.
Wow! That was a really helpful blog. The way you explained the technicalities of drawing is commendable. I look forward to more interesting and inspiring blogs from you! Although you have pretty much covered it all. Here is another interesting read on the diverse things you can draw when you run out of ideashttps://www.koolstories.com/blog/things-to-draww
Hi!
Thank you so much, your website is really helping me out!❤️
So, although I have been drawing for a long time, I’m one of those talented people that rely on talent like a crutch 🤣 (not because I’m too lazy to work hard on it, just because “Drawing is a waste of time” according to my parents).
But now I’ve decided to take drawing seriously and I’m work really hard on it (finally!)
So I was wondering, does the drawing medium matter? I’m starting with graphite pencils because it’s the traditional and such. But I think graphite isn’t my cup of tea because I love black and the contrast of the deep black color on the white paper. So I was thinking of changing to pen & ink since the beginning but I’m not sure this is the right choice. I’d love to get your advice on this matter🥰
Thanks for the question Lind,
Medium does matter. Depending on what results you want, you ought to use the medium that best gives you the results. So yes, if you want high contrast between black and white, ink is a good solution. I use it for that reason. However, I tend to draw all the preliminary work in pencil before I go to ink because pencil can be erased. That way, I can work out any problems in the drawing before I commit to ink. Each tool being used to it’s best advantage. You don’t need anyone’s permission. Just mess around and have fun.
Hope that helps.
Hello, Luis!
I found this website a couple of days ago, and I absolutely love it!
I’ve been going over the whole of level 0 a few times to try and really nail these basic skills, and soon I’ll be on level 1 (because I already draw a bit and can do these quite well).
Problem is, after level 1, how do I access level 2?
Have you released Level 2 somewhere else, or have you not done it yet? It seems to have been 7 years since this website was made and it says “coming soon”, so I just wondered if there is another way to access these levels when I am ready, or if you do not plan to make any further courses.
I reeeally love the format of this drawing education, and would like to continue learning as much as I can from this site and you!
Thanks
I’ve been concentrating on personal drawing coaching over on my patreon. I haven’t got around to Level 2, mostly because,once it’s time for you to get to level 2, you can always to https://www.proko.com/ or https://www.nma.art/ and get the info. It’s basically what I would say for level 2. Level 2 is extremely deep. I just need to figure out how to approach a suggest that big and brake it down into bite size chunks. It’s been something I just haven’t had to the time to do. Especially for free.
So for now, I’m sending you to those links, so you have somewhere to go. Otherwise, the next step would be to go to my patreon and get one on one coaching from me (if there’s space available).
Thanks for the recommendations, I myself can’t really pay for teaching because I’m too young, but I’m sure they’ll help someone.
And also thanks for putting the time in to help us for free! You must be busy and I appreciate it so much.
I’m sure I’ll find something that works for free in the meantime while I wait for your other awesome lessons.
And hey, maybe one day I’ll be able to get coaching from you! 😀
Hi, I’ve signed up to a lot of various and paid subscription courses, and although doing a ton of research on fundamentals etc still no further forward when it comes down trying to visualise and break down a subject into the simplest forms or get a real understanding of what I’m drawing. I’m doing a couple personal projects but the sketch and research seems to be taking longer than the actual drawing and it’s only for one off things, as what I have on paper is nothing like I visioned as a final piece. My problem is I’m over thinking and trying to perfect the perfect sketch which is silly as a sketch should only be rough.
How do you understand a subject by visualise and breakdown a complex subject into their simplest form before building up its structure? I’m trying to understand and ask my self questions about how something wraps around something or what shape it is, but before I know it I find myself easing and starting again, and again. I’ve even tried to visualise it as the subject being built out of clay and therefore starting off with a solid mass and going from their but still I’m struggling. Any tips or advice appreciated,
Tia
Sorry for the extremely late reply.
Okay, I really don’t know how to help you without actually seeing your work. This is something very personal. I don’t know what you’re doing or not doing, even if you just told me. The problem is, you don’t know what you don’t know. There’s probably something that you’re not doing that you don’t know you’re not doing that is unique to you that you don’t know you’re not doing.
Also, I don’t know what your goal is visually. Realism? Western Cartoon? Anime?
The only tip I can give you is start with a simple objects. If you’re starting with the human body, you’re going to have a lot of problems. The human body is the most complex subject you can tackle. However, if you’re doing simple cartoons then it’s fine. The less realistic, the easier. The more anatomical, the more difficult it gets. Because you actually need to take some figure drawing courses to really nail drawing more anatomical.
I can help but I’d need to know more. You can email me at TheDrawingWebsite@gmail.com for some direct help.
Really Appreciable ! hats off to you for giving such useful instructions to all , thanks , have a good day.
Is thinking hard part of the learning process? Whenever I feel I can try to draw from my mind while practising, I maybe feel a little scared of that.
Hey, do you have any tips on drawing dynamic poses? That’s what I’m really struggling with, currently. I get compliments everyday saying I’m a great drawer, nd should be more confident, but I’m not. Whenever I feel that horrible feeling of someone leaaaning down, I gasp and either rip up my 3-hour long drawing, or have a traumatic mental breakdown, because I’m afraid they won’t like it. HELP!
Don’t be so hard yourself. If someone doesn’t like what you did, so what? If things aren’t coming out right, that’s okay. It will happen no matter how good you get. It NEVER goes away so get used to it. It’s part of the process to be more ambitious than your current skills allow you to be. As to dynamic poses, first learn to draw gesture drawing. Practice gesture drawing from photos as well as go out and draw people in the world and capture their gesture. Then, when you go draw stuff from your head, start with gesture first. Don’t assume the first gesture will be the right one. Draw many again and again. Eventually one will work and you can finish that drawing up.
Don’t ever assume that the first thing you draw is the final.
Found this site via your YouTube channel and I appreciate your words about talent as I struggle with this. I have always been able to draw fairly well but I did fall into the trap of comparing myself to others. Thank you so much for this and also for the true definition of Kung Fu which I had never before. Also, bonus points for using Bruce Leeroy. 😁
Thanks for the kind words. Leroy Brown rocks.
how do i draw shadows/cast shadows on a charater? (sorry if i spelt it wrong)
I did a video on shadow that may help: https://youtu.be/ZUXA4V2Caeg
Hi
When is level 2 going to come out
As soon as figure out exactly what I should include in it that hasn’t already been done extremely well by Proko and many other books and resources.
Hello, how I know when I can pass the next lessons in ” The art of draw fu…”?
Hi Jorge,
Thank you for the question.
Simply go at your own pace. When you feel comfortable, move on the next. Everyone picks this stuff up at different speeds. There’s no set time. If for whatever reason you get “stuck” and your drawings don’t seem to “be good.” Don’t worry. Don’t get too frustrated. The point is not to draw awesome, the point is to do the exercises and get comfortable with them.
That means that it’s better to do the exercises and have THAT be the reward than to get “great drawings” right away.
I hope that helps.
Hello Luis
I’ve just started reading The Art of Draw Fu, Beginner Level and I’m thoroughly enjoying practicing my drawing skills. I have a question about the Robert Valley style Black Terror and Lady Terror characters.
I see how there is an interesting contrast between each body section but how are the figures balanced? Is it the top half (blue) balanced with the bottom half (red) even though it’s not a 50/50 split? Is that what makes it interesting and not boring?
Thanks,
Ellie
Hey Luis!
Thanks for being hope for those got lost under the guidance of “ultra talented artist’s realistic drawing lessons” in the online platforms.
This website is a hope for those start their journey in there adulthood with a passion to draw and become professional at drawing.
I believe I will become 3D animator with your guidance even if I am unable to draw even a simple facial expression.
Thank you again for putting your effort for people like me. Your contributions will never be forgotten!
Alper
Hi Luis
I’m just wondering when you’ll be uploading your second and third level of the drawing program
and I would also like to know if it’s going to be free.
PS: Thank you so much for this website! I’ve been looking all over for something like this and it’s helped me learn so many things. I thank you, Oh Master Escobar.
Hi, my name is Carmen. I just wondered if you can comment my drawings on my blog. My drawings were in there👆.
BTW, I started to make this blog since 14 & IDK which level I should start. & also I’m trying to improve my drawing skills but I still don’t know how to start…→_→
I hope you can help me.TQ😊
hi guys! my name is esther and i’d like to say something. there’s a lot of low self esteemers here. i’m 65 and have hand tremors and i started drawing when i was 60. i remember drawing off and on over the years, but, not getting the desired result (being a master) within a certain time period, i would give up. now i’ve taught myself tons of things over the years and even changed my handwriting totally when i was 59 (took me a couple of years and i still have trouble with the e’s). as far as drawing goes, get a drawing journal and draw in it everyday. i know that sounds like it’s a huge pain./..if not …do it everyday…then every other day, lunch hour, in the bathroom…just as often as you can. draw every shape you can (circles, squares, cones, cubes) or whatever as practice, then work on these lessons as often as you can. it will take you a while, so give yourself a year. if you don’t see improvement in a year, keep going.
as far as this self esteem goes. everyone should have little sayings all over their house…you know like “if you think you can or if you think you can’t, either way you’ll be right” …and…water didn’t carve out the mountains, waters’ persistence did” …and …”be kind to yourself”…and…love yourself, etc) put a couple of these things in the bathroom and every mirror you have in your house. i have low self esteem as well but i refuse to talk about it or acknowledge it because that would be giving it more power than it deserves. TRY and you can do it. Just think of the feeling you’ll have when you can draw some things…how you can say that with this guys help and your persistence, you did it.
love yourself
esther
I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you for that fantastic advice Esther! You’re amazing!
I came across your website and I saw your YouTube channel and was wondering what you think of Christopher Harts books. People in art fourms tell me he’s not a good artist and he’s not “realistic” I’m not trying to draw realistic I want to draw retro cartoons like scooby doo, fairly odd parents etc. I have one of his books Cartoon Cool, people tell me to take a real art class but I can’t afford that at the moment or ever most likely so I’m learning on my own anatomy books are overwhelming Christopher Hart is the one author I’ve seen that draws cartoons in the style I want…but so many people are saying he’s a terrible artist I don’t know if should even bother.
Hi Claire,
Thank you for the question. Concerning Christopher Hart and his books, let me just say that I’ve bought at least one of his books for my daughter and she loves it and that’s totally cool.
Here’s the thing, the goals of the people in the forums are not YOUR goals. They want to draw one way, you want to draw another. There’s no “right” style to draw in. There’s just the way YOU WANT to draw. That’s it. So don’t put yourself into places on the internet where your going to be bullied about your personal tastes. You don’t need that in your life. You don’t need the negativity. You like what you like, and that’s it.
So draw the way you want. Learn from Christopher Hart’s books. If they speak to you, then keep learning from him. If at some point they don’t then find someone else. The point is to be curious, and have fun. Had I listened to the advise of better artists than me when they told me that to stop drawing cartoons and start drawing realistic, I would have quit drawing. Because it would have stopped being fun.
That said, when I decided to go into the animation industry, I HAD to start taking figure drawing classes and had to learn to draw more real. At that point drawing stopped being a fun hobby and became real work, which meant I had to do what I didn’t consider fun. Oddly enough, as I got better at realism, it became fun to do that too. But not at first. And, again, had I not been drawing cartoons all that time, I wouldn’t have wanted to go pro in the first place.
So draw what you want, how you want. It’s your drawings, no one else’s.
I hope that helps.
Yes it does thanks for the reply
First, let me say thank you for taking the time and effort to help young artless people become a bit older artful people. What I love about artists (for the main part) is their willingness to help others with their art. So thanks.
I’ve come across this site and I have much to read *excited*. Thus far, I’ve been through the introduction and the section about the tools. The thing that so many sites and tutorials fail to refer to, is a tool called a computer! If my intended tool is a Graphic’s tablet with a stylus and a Graphic’s drawing program, will it be a good tool to start drawing (or learning to draw) with or should I hold off until I “master” with traditional tools such as pencil and paper? And if so, at what point should I feel comfortable about switching over? Are there major differences in technique between digital medium and paper?
Hi Eddie,
Thanks for the question!
Actually, this is a very common question so I thought I’d make a video answering it. Here’s the link to the video. I hope you find it helpful:
https://youtu.be/kSF1moPgtzY
XD ok so I’m having a hard time soming up with art concepts, a little prematurely since I haven’t started art yet. Once I do start art, will my creativity grow? Also I am a big viewer of art, though I find I’m kind of sponging up ideas and concepts of other people’s art, is it a mistake to view art before Ve started or will coming up with ideas from my own mind, regardless of weather someone else has done it, become easier once I start doing art?
Hi,
Thanks for the questions.
Creativity grows only if you use it. You don’t need to learn to draw to be creative. There’s plenty of different art forms and crafts that require creativity which you don’t need to be able to draw to do. Music, scrapbooking, fiction writing, running a business, photography are only a few that I can think of right off the top of my head.
So yes, you get more creative the more you use your creativity. It’s like a muscle that way.
As for inspiration, I don’t know any artist who got to where they are without being influenced by other artists. I often use other people’s art as a bouncing off point for my own.
If your idea is similar to something that has gone before, that’s fine. Why? Because we’ve seen what someone else has done with that idea BUT we haven’t seen what YOU will do with the same idea. You are unique. What you do with an idea, if you’re being true to yourself and not copying something exactly like someone else, will be unique to you. You’re point of view will make it original.
I hope that answers your question.
Hehe also it’s not that I want to do something that no one ever has ever done, as if I’m looking for a new colour. It’s more I don’t want to rely on something I saw another person doing, I know it’s not inherently bad but I find that I never really think of a interesting concept until I’ve seen someone else that’s done something similar, also I find that I have a hard time getting my thoughts and ideas on paper, I feel strong feelings and I’m inspired by a lot of things but I don’t know how to put it on paper in a meaningful way, or putting a twist on an idea.
thank you for this sir.now I can start over again. I’m good in copying cartoon characters and others that I’d like to draw, so I thought copying others work is what I can do, I cant do on my own, I thought also that copying is a cheating, but now I understand all that matters. I am very looking forward for your reply sir. thank you for this great lessons
I’m glad you’re getting a lot out of the info here. I hope you can use it to get what you want out of drawing.
hello, just came across your web site looking for a basic but detailed method of drawing head. im 57 tried over the years, ive always been able to draw birds in great detail doing every feather branch and leaves, this was some years ago, but even now i could still draw birds with great detail, but heads ive has books, some too complicated and some to basic for my needs, i would normaly spend about minimum of 3 hous up to eight or more o birds.
i would like to be able to shave some time off when it comes to heads, ideally i would like to complete a head pencil drawing in just over 3 hours after a bit of fine tuning my skills. theres plenty of good advice with eyes and noses i never new it it ok to print off what i need or do you have a book on the subject, im not into cartoons, its more realistic portraits, i will be starting from downloaded pictures of famous pop and rock icons
regards john
ps this would have to be one of the best sites ive come across, your explation are spot on
Hi John,
Thank you for the kind words.
Well, you can print out what you need for your own personal use. I don’t mind.
I do have a print copy of the Level 0 lessons, and you can buy it on Amazon:
https://youtu.be/Z72DP4_IDKw
But I give the book away for free as a pdf if you sign up for The Drawing Website newsletter.
However, Level 1 lessons are not in book form yet. They will be as soon as I finish writing all the information. It’s not ready yet though.
I hope that helps,
Luis
Hi I was wondering if you were still doing this. Anyway, I love your dedication man keep it up !
Hi Kohio,
Yes, I’m still doing this. I put out new content every week via my newsletter. That content eventually ends up becoming a new lesson on the site.
Hope that answers your question,
Luis
First of all, thank you for creating this AMAZING place. I’m looking forward for the next Levels!
While I already studied those basics a lot, it was funny to find a place where they don’t treat you like a child for not knowing some of them, I was really glad to see that you teach it in a way that we believe we’re learning something important, and not the basics-that-everyone-should-know like some places do.
After that, I come to you, Master of the Drawing-Fu, asking for a path to follow. Here in Brazil, it’s hard to find a place where you can work drawing comics or cartoons. Of course, it’s not impossible, and we have great Brazilian names in successful comics, but for me and many friends who share with me the same dream to become a professional, it’s like the first time you’re playing an open world game, and your friend takes for you the Very Hard difficulty and skipped the tutorials and cutscenes: we have no idea what to do, how to do, or where to go. It’s frustrating, and it becomes EVEN MORE frustrating when you realize that most of the places that theoretically should be offering work in this area are more interested to show you their paid drawing classes “that will make you a true pro” than to see what you got to offer, that being a portfolio, a script, an idea…
Then, I ask you, great master of the Art of the Drawing-Fu, how do my friends and I should proceed? What can we do?
Thank you for the atention,
Douglas
Hi Douglas,
That’s THE question isn’t it? You’re not the only one who is asking this question. Everyone who wants to be a pro is in the same boat. Especially since the internet makes everyone a viable hire.
So I made a video talking about some of this. I answer some of what you’re asking there:
https://youtu.be/Z72DP4_IDKw
It comes down to this, if you want to draw comic professionally, draw comic now, for yourself, without getting paid. You get good at what you do the most. Do what you what you want to do as a pro now, and do it a lot, as if you’re already a pro. Get so good, you can’t be ignored. Be so good that your comics make money even without working for a company. If you can do that, you can be hired by a company or studio.
I hope this and the video helps,
Luis
I know you’re working on it slowly, but can you finish this tutorial please???!! This is one of the few good ones I’ve found. Most of them give standard tips that don’t actually help at all
Hi thefourth,
Not sure with one of the many tutorials on this site you’re referring to, unless you mean ALL the lessons in every level.
I’m working on lessons everyday and I release them what I’ve written to my Newsletter subscribers every week.
I also do videos every week that you may find helpful:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBdtZ-Mne_9gxCWgO4aaAIA?view_as=subscriber
Sorry, there’s only one of me and there’s only so much time.
Hi ! Very interesting website ! I’m a beginner and there is one big thing that scares me about drawing. I’ve always had trouble seing through space, in 3D and also visualizing things in my head. I was just wondering if it was possible to get better at this with kungfu (hard work) or if i’m just a hopeless case ?
Thanks Sir
Hi Victor,
Thanks for the question.
Yes, of course there’s a way to get better at seeing things in 3D and visualizing things. And yes, it takes practice. It took me a while to get used to it. I sometimes have trouble visualizing drawings too.
In fact there’s plenty of artists who do. This is why we do thumbnail sketches. To figure it out.
“What if it draw it like this? No, that’s not it. How about if I do this? Hmmm, kinda. What about this…? Hmmm better but not quite.”
There’s an assumption by people starting out that drawing should come out ready made. It’s doesn’t pretty much, most of the time. It’s like writing a first draft of an essay or story. Sometimes it comes out right the first time but for the most part, you’ll need to plan it out and do an outline of some sort. Then, more often than not, there’s going to be mistakes, false starts, and lot’s of edits.
Drawing isn’t any different. It’s just a different set of skills to learn. The more you use the skills, the better you get at them. What you find challenging at first will become second nature, and you’ll find other things that challenge you. It’s the nature of the skill.
I hope that helps.
Yeah it helps a lot thank you ! Now I can continue working with the confidence that I will improve.
its been my wish to draw the real faces into a disney character form….how do i do tht? i like the eyes in the disney character which attracts whole character
Caricature is very difficult. Especially if you don’t know face anatomy to begin with.
Before simplifying faces into Disney form, try capturing what people look like normally. Once you have that, you can use the Freddy Moore formula to draw the person more cartoony. It’s tricky and it may take you many tries. Don’t assume this is an easy thing.
There’s so much complexity in drawing likeness. It’s tough for me to go into it in a comment box. I’ll need to address this in a lesson in the future.
Hi this is may be a silly a weird question…but i want to know when you draw a real pic into a pencil sketch…how to differentiate or use the shading as per real colors. As a pencil sketch has a monochrome compared to multiple colors in a real pic or scenery.
This is where you need to “learn to see.”
I haven’t written about tone and it would take a while to be able to answer your question fully.
However, I would recommend, if you have Photoshop or other photo program, take a picture of what you want to draw and then take the color out using the program. Then draw from that. Compare the color and the black and white version to see how the tones look. After a while, challenge yourself to try to duplicate what the program would do yourself.
I would like to know how to draw a butterfly
I suggest you find a photo of a butterfly and try drawing it. At first, it’s best to learn through trial and error.
I’ve been studying your site and working on the exercises for a couple of weeks. I am late in the game, 40+ yrs old, and have never given the drawing thing a try (though living with an ever-present desire) believing, convinced really, that drawing was merely a talent one was born with-or not. You’ve proved me wrong and I am thrilled! I am already drawing, shamelessly! The realization is stunning…a thousand times THANK YOU!
Thank YOU Emmylee,
You made my day.
hi want to draw women n paint as well am 36 started a few months ago got no teacher except books you tube n free websites realised drawing is a life long learning process want to draw women and nude art but even feel obliged to do other art work as well and increase the skill spent loads on art supplies paints paper pens colors pastels pitt pens brush pens but stuff is going to waste cant use my imagination visiuals are weak anyways good place to learn thanks <3
Thanks Sajjad,
I’m glad I can help. I’ll be going more drawing human anatomy in Level 2. Which includes drawing women, of course.
I can’t draw for the life of me, what are simple ideas to get me started?
Hi Madeline,
Best place to get started is by following the Lvl 0 lessons:
http://www.thedrawingwebsite.com/lvl-0-beginning-drawing/
They are specifically written for people like yourself.
Hope that helps.
Hey, I just found this site and it helps a lot. I wanted to learn to draw and animate for years but never actually did anything about it, and now i’m putting myself in crunch mode trying to spend all my time improving. I was wondering though, will the other levels (lvl 2+) be added in the near future? looks like this site’s been around for a while. If not, any recommendations on resources to learn to draw?
Hi Nick,
Sorry of the late reply. I meant to get to it much sooner.
Yes, I’ll be getting to Level 2 as soon as I’m done with Level 1.
I’ll be posting books for level 2 at some point. In the meantime, I’ve done a few level 2 videos you might find handy which also has book recommendations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGz3IMHtx0A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMcW4sPDTsU
I hope they help.
I just found this site now and I love everything about it. I’ve always wanted to learn to draw but never got to it. Now every 730pm I scheduled drawing time with my 7 year old. It’ll be some time before we get to level 1. I really hope you have it ready.
Hi Jack,
Scheduling a drawing session is exactly the best way to learn. Very cool. Congrats.
As of the time of this writting, I’m getting close to getting done with Lvl 1. You can see the progress if you join the newsletter.
I want to get better at drawing but I don’t know where to start. When learning music you start with scales, when learning to write you start with letters, but when learning to draw there is no set path to follow, you’re just on your own.
Well, you’ve come to the right place. This is exactly what this website is all about. Just read the this intro and move on to Lvl 0 Lesson 1.
i dont know how to draw
Well, you came to the right place.
Hello Mr. Luis. I just found your site a few days ago and I am excited to get started practicing. I am at Level 0 and I have a general question. How do I progress through the lessons in Level 0? Do I move on to the next lesson when I am comfortable with the current one or do I take a few days between lessons? Thank you for you answer!
Hello Nadine,
Thank you for the question.
Simply go at your own pace. So, yeah, when you feel comfortable, move on the next. Everyone picks this stuff up at different speeds. There’s no set time. If for whatever reason you get “stuck” and your drawings don’t seem to “be good.” Don’t worry. Don’t get too frustrated. The point is not to draw awesome, the point is to do the exercises and get comfortable with them.
That means that it’s better to do the exercises and have THAT be the reward than to get “great drawings” right away.
I hope that helps.
Hey, I want to start drawing and I’m quite good at the moment, but with a graphic tablet I just can’t do anything.. my line are rubbish too light at the beginning or they get too big with pressure… any help?
Hi Jacob,
Thanks for the question. This is a tough one.
I’m assuming by graphics tablet your taking about the kind you draw on but the mark are on a separate screen. I was never very good with those tablets. It wasn’t until I worked on a Cintiq and tablets that I could draw on directly that I really started getting comfortable with them and even that took some getting used to.
The one thing I didn’t do with the other type of tablet is stick with it. I never made the effort to really practice with it.
If you want to get good with that graphics tablet than you have to do what I didn’t. Namely, practice with it. Schedule a time everyday to draw with it for 15 minutes to 30 minutes (make it easy). BUT don’t expect a great drawing. Especially at first. The point is to get used to drawing with it. The reward you should focus on is having done it. Don’t focus on the quality of the work. Give yourself a high five for having worked with the tablet. THAT’S your reward. Make a point of checking it off your list of things to do that day and see how long you can keep the streak. Don’t break it. Don’t even keep track of whether you’re improving with it or not. Just keep the streak going for a few months.
By the time you get to month four, I doubt you’ll have that much trouble working with it at all.
I hope that helps.
if you’re right-handed should you try to draw with your left hand at first just to see if it’s any easier or any betterI will begin our classes on Tuesday May the 5th the basics and sketching sloWly
Hmmm, I’m not sure I see the point. There are reasons to draw with your off hand once you’ve gotten a bit proficient. That said, when you’re starting out, make it as easy as possible to succeed. Drawing is tricky enough without handicapping yourself by using your off hand from the start.
I still to this day struggle with trying to draw I would have to agree that drawing does take some conditioning. However, I have found a way to help boost my confidence level a little bit. The program is called FotoSketcher it is completely free, it is able to turn photos into drawings, paintings, illustrations, etc. I written a article about it here http://www.howtodrawwhenyoucantdraw.com/blog/how-to-draw-when-you-cant-draw-using-a-totally-free-photo-editing-software-part-21. I know that this does not make up for learning how to draw yourself, but what it has done for me was inspire me to keep practicing free hand. It showed me that I am capable of creating something beautiful and I should strive to create something with my own drawings skills that is similar. Thank you for your wonderful article.
Best
When are the other levels coming.
Thanks for asking.
I’m currently writing Lvl 1 Lesson 1 right now. You can read the rough draft via the Drawing Website Newsletter every week.
The first chapter has been written and has been posted here:
http://www.thedrawingwebsite.com/2014/10/15/the-secret-of-the-draw-fu-arsenal-art-supplies/
Thank you so much for doing this, im a geophysicist I used to draw a lot in high school and then I stop cause I didnt have enough time, Im all rusty now but you give me hope *u* someday I want to do a 2d animated short film but first ill start with this 😀 thanks again
That’s a great goal Penelope. I hope you do so. I’d love to see it.
cool stuff. Waiting for next lvl lessons.
They have begun. I’m currently writing the Level 1 lesson in small sized chunks, on The Drawing Website Newsletter. You can sign up to receive them if you haven’t already.
Also Luis please email me
If you want to contact me, e-mail me at thedrawingwebsite(at)gmail.com.
Thanks this gives me great tips to draw better and more clearly. 😀
You’re welcome.
i really big thanks to Google for index this site when i search start drawing, this all lesson are really helpful and now i am still waiting for next level. i am a graphic designer so i want to improve my skills day by day i wish this lessons are improve my illustration skills. thanks
Thank you. The next levels are forthcoming.
I need some help to draw louis
when is level one comming up?
Okay so I get asked this a lot, and perhaps it would be a good idea for me to post links to the latest updates on the progress of the next levels.
I tend to let the newsletter subscribers know all this. I highly recommend subscribing because I send out a lot of good drawing info this way. That said, here’s a link to the two newsletter updates related to your question:
http://eepurl.com/FmNnj
In the link below, when I write “Lesson 2″ I meant to write “Lesson 1″:
http://eepurl.com/GxCgX
I’m now thinking, it might be a good idea to simply consolidate those two newsletters and create a post on the site out of them for everyone to read who has the same question.
Thanks for asking.
wow thanks man! subscribed, enjoing level 1 so much, keep up the great work! 🙂 you the best man
Months later, I’ve realized that I can’t seem to motivate myself to do the work. My mind keeps making excuses for why I can’t, why it won’t work out. I think that’s the most frustrating part of all. Consciously, I _want_ this.
Subconsciously, my brain shuts me down from all sides before I can even begin.
How can I develop the discipline and work ethic to truly make a run at this?
This is a tough one. We all go through this. It’s totally normal. Some people’s subconscious even goes out it’s way to ruin their lives.
This kind of problem is way above my skill set to handle. That said, there are two books I can recommend. (Affiliate links below):
1. “
Do the Work
” by Steven Pressfield. This book talks about “The Resistance,” which is what you’re struggling with. The thing that keeps you from doing what you set out to do.2. The other book I’d recommend is, “
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
” by Charles Duhigg. This book breaks down how habits form and can be manipulated. It’s a handy book to have if you want to be able to “hack” your actions. Especially since, willpower is a limited resource that eventually fails. But habits are simply automatic and effortless.I hope this helps. You’re not alone. It happens to more people than you think. Recognizing it is actually a great place to start.
I am so horrible at drawing, and I always want to draw like my friends can! All my friends have a deviantART because they can actually draw. xD I can’t…like, at all. I got a sketch diary for Christmas, but I don’t really know what to do with it. How know what you want to draw? Ack, you have no idea, I can barely draw a round circle or straight line. And, is it really true that I can be good at drawing, because, sure as heck, I’m really bad. I’m in my teenaged years, and I’m silently hoping that the drawing fairy finds me and help me learn to draw. I’m seriously ashamed of myself and demoralized because of my lack of being able to draw. 🙁
I meant to say, “How do you know what to draw?” not “How know what to draw?” xD
The answer is yes. Anyone can learn to draw, it’s a learn-able skill. It’s all in your mindset. Not everyone has an affinity to it, not at first, but it can be learned.
Think of it this way, not everyone is REALLY GOOD at doing math, yet everyone can do it because they’re taught to do it. There was also some little kids who had a harder time learning to write their letters but they where encouraged to keep at til they got it. The problem is that drawing isn’t seen as important so it’s not taught or encouraged in schools.
What I will say to you is this, if you REALLY want to learn to draw and you’re serious about it, you have to be ready to put in the work. The “Kung Fu.” But you will ONLY be able to do that if you have the right “why.”
Why do you want to learn to draw? Is it because you want to be better than your friends or draw just as good? If so, that may not be the right “why.” Especially since your friends didn’t get into drawing for the compliments and the status. That came later. They got into it because they enjoyed it.
Like playing games, you do it because it’s fun even though it can be hard. You enjoy the challenge. Drawing is the same way. It’s a fun challenge and a fun way to decorate a page and express yourself.
First thing I would say is, stop comparing your drawings to your friend’s drawings. Simply enjoy the process.
Now, what should you draw?
First READ the info in this website or in my free digital book and go through the exercises. It’s there to give you something to draw and build your confidence.
Second, join the Draw Fu Facebook Group, there’s lots of very encouraging people there that will love to give you pointers. I also answer question and post inspirational links.
Third, if you want some really “easy wins,” go to your local craft store and look for these books. They will help you draw cool stuff easily:
http://www.thedrawingwebsite.com/product/draw-chi-recommended-zentangle-books/
Fourth, if possible, go to your library and find this book I reviewed:
http://www.thedrawingwebsite.com/2013/01/02/book-review-drawing-with-children-a-creative-method-for-adult-beginners-too/
Also this book:
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
by Betty Edwardsand this book:
The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be the Artist You Truly Are
by Danny GregoryAnd READ them. They are very helpful. Especially for building up the correct mindset and giving you some ideas of what to draw.
I hope that helps
Okey, and no, I don’t want to be better than my friends. No, no, no, I wasn’t comparing my drawings to my friend’s drawings, I’m just saying that, I like to draw, but I’m not good at it. I like art, but I’m not good at it. Guess I misworded that a little bit. I enjoy drawing, but it’s a little bit embarrassing, and I’d like to be better. xP
Thank you so much for your advice! It means a lot!
No problem. And don’t be embarrassed. It just takes time, that’s all. And I’m glad to hear that you enjoy drawing. It’s really the only reason to do it.
Oh, but I forgot the link to the Facebook book Group, so here it is, in case you want to join:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/697412070274059/
I’ll try to help you anyway I can.
Thanks for asking your question by the way.
Any update of when the other levels are going to be posted?? I honestly don’t want to start until they are. I feel that if i start and reach a point where I’m ready to move to the next level I would feel stuck. I’ve looked over your entire website and really like the layout and your style.
Hi AnThony,
Okay so I get asked this a lot, and perhaps it would be a good idea for me to post links to the latest updates on the progress of the next levels.
I tend to let the newsletter subscribers know all this. I highly recommend subscribing because I send out a lot of good drawing info this way. That said, here’s a link to the two newsletter updates related to your question:
http://eepurl.com/FmNnj
In the link below, when I write “Lesson 2” I meant to write “Lesson 1”:
http://eepurl.com/GxCgX
I’m now thinking, it might be a good idea to simply consolidate those two newsletters and create a post on the site out of them for everyone to read who has the same question.
Thanks for asking.
I LOVE ART
Nice I love art
Don’t stoppp!!! T.T this is helping me so much! Considering I can’t leave the house much, this site is like a ray of light in my darkest hour….*dramatic music*
exactly I agree with you 100%
Are you still up for “Working over your drawings”? Or did they cost?
Thanks for asking. No, it didn’t cost anything but it WAS part of a contest. And only the contest winners got critiques. I may do it again, but it was an awful lot of work so I might not do it anytime soon.
Oh. Okay thanks for clearing it up for me. XD
btw I tried downloading your free pdf, and it’s saying its corrupted; let me try to download it again…
How old is too old, when is it too late? I’m almost 34, and I’ve always badly wanted to be able to draw, but two year olds draw more coherently than I am capable of (no joke), and I just have no idea how to even start. Everybody says that I don’t want it and that I’m not willing to put in the work…. Maybe in the end, in trust, they’re right, but. just… I don’t know. This is supposed to be enjoyable, right? And it just isn’t any fun at all not being able to even do the most basic, most simplistic things, and feeling like I’m never making even the slightest progress…
I feel like I’m at my wits’ end with this.
Hi Harlan, thanks for the comment. You’re never too old to start.
One of the reasons little kids are able to draw so freely is because they’re not beating themselves up about how they draw. They just do it. Once they hit a certain age (around 7 years old) kids start judging themselves and quit.
If you can write, you’re already drawing. It’s just a matter of transferring your confidence from writing letters and numbers to the different symbols of drawing. Try out the exercises in the first Lvl 0 posts and sign up to the newsletter. I’ll be posting some basic drawing exercises there.
Drawing is about having a few things working in unison: Confidence, hand-eye coordination, muscle memory. Except for the confidence, which is a state of mind that you can change, hand-eye coordination and muscle memory come from drawing a lot. It doesn’t matter how good the drawing is, as long as you do it.
Think of it this way, the goal of drawing is not a great drawing. That will happen eventually. The goal is reaching “flow state” otherwise known as “being in the zone.” Have you ever been into something so deeply that when you look up from it, you notice hours had past but it only felt like a few minutes? And yet, you feel really good afterward?
You get there from being challenged just enough so that what you’re doing is not easy, but it’s not so hard that it’s frustrating and you give up.
What you need is to find an “easy win.” A drawing exercise that you can do that is challenging but not difficult. Try out the exercises on the site and see if they are too easy or too hard. Start at the beginning. Remember it’s about hitting flow state, not about being Michelangelo. When you change the goal from “great drawing” to “reaching flow state,” the act of drawing itself becomes the goal, not perfection.
Hi, Luis. It’s me, Hikaru again. The last thing I want you to think is that I want to learn is for the wrong reasons, but I have very terrible hand-eye co-ordination, and I’m having problems even with trying to draw straight lines and C-curves. I’m not giving up, but at my age, and with the goal I have in mind (character design), I wonder if you’d be OK to get back to me with some intense proven mechanical skill drills. With your King-Fu approach, you definitely understand my failings, I just wonder if you have any specific exercizes to send someone like me, someone with all the ideas in the world, but no skill for drawing…. Basic shape drills for body parts, basic shape drills for recognizing angles, basic drills for a character designer with no skill. My e-mail is kitsunestar@gmail.com
As long as you’re OK with helping a furry…
I e-mail you a reply.
Thanks for asking the questions.
thanks for all the help
if u try ur best u will do your best
Yup.
I’m new to this site and my first reaction is WOW! Although I haven’t looked at everything on this site I feel a spark for drawing all over again. I will finish browsing after commenting though. I would like to say a big THANK YOU for creating this site! It almost bought me to tears because I thought drawing was a thing of the past for me. I took up art in High School and we were never taught like this. I knew drawing was a gift that I had but there was a huge amount of fear. My fear was making mistakes. I even feared making mistakes in trying to sketch. Anyhow I canNOT wait to go Back2Basics (hence my username) to renew, refresh, and explore the possibilities drawing has for me.
P.s. Looking forward to you coming back from your break. Good luck!
Thank you again,
Victoria
Thank YOU Victoria, for the feedback.
I’m in the process of creating new content for the blog now. I hope to have something to post soon.
In a lot of ways, I really haven’t taken a break since I send out newsletter tips weekly.
I still say Kiss my Converse!
great job Luis!
Thanks Raul!
This sounds great! I’m gonna try it out now. Thanks for doing this 🙂
Thank you Jerome, let me know how it goes.
Also would you say you was a talented artist when you first started?
I think, as a kid, I would have told you I WAS talented. But the reality is that I was a mediocre artist as a kid. I actually have the proof of my mediocrity on my blog but here’s a link to my first ever comic strip:
http://www.luisescobarblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/old-comicstrips-from-3rd-or-4th-grade.jpg
I drew it while I was in either 3rd grade or 4th grade (maybe even fifth grade) which means I was either 8, 9 or 10 years old when I drew it. I’ve seen 8 year old kids that draw a lot better than that.
I don’t remember anyone calling me talented growing up. I’m sure they did. It’s a very common thing whenever someone bothers to keep something going that they eventually become proficient in. If someone had called me that though, it only would have encouraged me to continue drawing more, it would not have actually made me good at drawing. That only really started happening when I stopped being lazy and started to study drawing fundamentals.
Here’s a link to the post where I write about my history with drawing comics and comic strips. In it, you can see a quick visual synopsis of how I developed over the years:
http://www.luisescobarblog.com/on-hiatus-a-week-early-dante-is-sick-the-history-of-my-comic-drawing-robotech-the-new-generation-cool-catholic-blog/
Thanks for the reply, even knowing it is ten years later. just kidding thanks
When you first started drawing, what was the most difficult step for you Luis?
When I first started drawing, the most difficult thing that I had to get over was the fact that, to become REALLY good, would require learning things I had no interest in. Things like anatomy, perspective, shading, and just learning how to draw from life. I had zero interest in that as I was learning to draw and I avoided learning that stuff for YEARS. Why didn’t I want to learn that stuff? Because to do that would make drawing seem like work and I drew for fun. It never occurred to me that anything worth knowing and doing well requires work, even if it’s fun work. It’s still work. Getting over that laziness was very difficult.
I’m a beginner, I’ve made some drawings and paintings and I want to show it to you. So you can guide me that what’s missing. Or how can I improve.
So how can I show you my drawings?
Hi Hussain,
You can send your art to TheDrawingWebsite@gmail.com. However sometimes, when I help people out, I make a video of it and publish it publicly on my personal Youtube site, in case it will also help other people with similar problems. If you don’t mind that, then we’re good to go.
Kiss my converse!
Anyone who makes reference to The Last Dragon gets a gold star in my book! Awesome!
Ha ha ha, awesome. The Last Dragon ROCKS! Sho nuff.
I would like to know about the strange and arcane secrets of composition and design.
Ah, very ambitious.
Lucky for you, I’ll be covering basic design in just a few weeks in Lvl 0: Lesson 3.
As for composition, I’ve already dropped a small hint in the “Pro Tip” in Lvl 0: Lesson 1, and I was going to do the same in Lvl 0: Lesson 3. I had no plans to talk about basic composition in any of the Lvl 0 lessons, but I don’t see why I SHOULDN’T.
Sooo, I’ve added it on the list as Lvl 0: Lesson 7.