Drawing is inherently human, an activity we’ve been doing since we first started drawing on cave walls. Children love to do it, and many spend hours drawing to their heart’s content. Of course, some people can draw much better than others. That begs the question; what does it take to learn how to draw? Also, how long does it take, do you need to take lessons, and can you teach yourself to draw? To discover the answers, read on for our top tips and advice on learning how to draw!
Can Anyone Learn to Draw?
Here’s the thing; practically anyone can draw, but the trick is to draw well. Drawing well is a skill few people are born with, although some are more talented and learn faster than others. With time, practice, and patience, you can learn to draw many different things. Even better, there are many different ways to take drawing lessons today. They include night classes, private lessons, and the most popular online drawing classes.
TIP: Pick a drawing subject you like when you start. Landscapes, animals, caricatures, portraits, etc.
Drawing Well Takes Time, Patience, and Lots of Practice
As we mentioned above, learning to draw takes time, patience, and practice. (Lots and lots of practice.) Drawing experts recommend learning how to draw when you’re younger, which gives you more time to practice. However, mature folks typically have longer attention spans which are very helpful since patience is essential.
Speaking of patience, one question many have about learning to draw is how long it takes. The answer, although vague, is that it depends. First, it depends on a person’s natural ability. Next, it depends on how much time you can devote to learning and practicing. Lastly, it depends on what you want to draw. For example, most people can learn to draw flowers, animals, and landscapes within a few weeks or months. However, if your goal is to become a caricature artist, that could take substantially longer.
TIP: Practice drawing whenever and wherever you can.
ADVICE: Bring your sketchpad with you wherever you go. You never know when you’ll have free time you can use to draw.
Where Should you Learn How to Draw?
You should base the choice of where to learn how to draw on the type of learner you are. For example, if you do well on your own, there are thousands of YouTube videos you can watch. Taking a night course at your local community college is probably best if you like instant and in-person feedback. Below, we will look at several places to learn drawing and their pros and cons.
In-Person Drawing Classes
One of the most common ways to learn anything, including drawing, is to take a class. Usually, these are at a local high school, community college, or a university. This way, you’ll have access to someone who can give you immediate feedback and guide you as you learn.
Pros
- Immediate feedback from someone who knows how to draw.
- Answers to all of your questions.
- Hands-on guidance to help you learn faster.
- You will meet like-minded people.
Cons
- You need to leave the house and drive to your class.
- You’ll be with other people, which might be a problem if you’re shy.
- The class might be a long-ish drive (even worse in bad weather).
TIP: Take an introductory lesson to determine if drawing is something you truly wish to do. Many are free or usually pretty affordable.
Follow a Drawing Blogger
Many artists blog about their work and how to learn to draw. Some have blogs specifically for learning how to draw, with valuable tips, techniques, advice, etc. A good drawing blogger will often provide drawing exercises as well as back-and-forth communication with their followers.
Pros
- Following a blogger who gives drawing tips and advice is free.
- Some blogs have excellent exercises and tips that can help you learn faster.
Cons
- With a blog, you won’t have immediate feedback or answers to questions.
- Most blogs don’t have videos, which many people find extremely helpful when learning to draw.
YouTube Drawing Videos
There are thousands of videos on YouTube at any given moment with drawing lessons you can watch. Some YouTube video channels also have live streaming events where they teach drawing techniques in real-time. Plus, you can get very specific on YouTube. For example, if you want to learn how to shade your drawings, there are plenty of videos on shading.
Pros
- There are thousands of YouTube videos you can watch for free.
- You can watch videos that teach specific drawing skills.
- You can watch YouTube drawing videos whenever and wherever you like.
Cons
- Some YouTube drawing videos are excellent, well-edited, and high quality. Some, however, are just the opposite.
- You won’t get immediate feedback, and sometimes no feedback from a YouTube drawing channel.
- Some YouTube videos are simply an introduction to an online course you must pay for.
TIP: If you don’t like a particular video, keep looking! There are so many, don’t let a bad one stop you!
Online Drawing Courses
Online learning platforms such as Udemy are a great place to learn how to draw. Many are highly comprehensive and provide excellent tutorial videos and drawing exercises.
Pros
- You can study how to draw on your schedule from anywhere.
- Many online courses are excellent and provide high-quality lessons.
Cons
- You’ll need to pay for your online course, which can cost anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred dollars.
- Feedback and answers to questions can be problematic and sometimes aren’t offered.
ADVICE: Practice every day, even if it’s only 15 minutes. The more you practice, the more muscle memory and brain synapses you create. Both will help you become a better artist.
These Drawing Tips Brought to You by Storage Solutions
Learning how to draw can be a wonderful and life-enriching experience. It’s also a fantastic hobby and, if you’re really good, can be a source of side income.
At Storage Solutions, we’re a great choice if you need to store drawing and art supplies (and any other stuff). Many students keep their college things with us during summer break or when studying abroad. It’s easy, convenient, and affordable!
Chat with us or visit the local Storage Solutions self-storage center for questions about renting a storage unit. The on-site manager can answer those questions and advise you on what storage units are best for you. We hope today’s tips and advice on learning how to draw have been helpful and informative. Best of luck learning how to draw like a pro!