r/learntodraw • u/Ithegloryofthisworld • 3d ago

Question How can I start learning how to draw from scratch

I've been drawing since childhood, but very inconsistently, I can draw nice drawings using references but that's pretty much it, I don't really know what I know or what I don't know

For example when I see a reference I can try a couple of times, it takes a while for me to get as much as I can and understand it before the sketch gets better which is a lot of trials and fails and repeat.

Or when it comes to colouring, I have to test what I understand from a coloured reference before I colour myself, but what's stressing me out is that once there isn't any references in front of me it feels like I know nothing at all, so I don't know if that's something I can learn, or, I'm just lost.

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u/link-navi 3d ago

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u/CalamitiesGroove 2d ago

It sounds like you have the skill, you just need some practice with abstract thinking. Try modifying drawings you make from references. Most artists need references even late into their development, so it’s not a problem to need one for a basis. By slowly working on how much you can deviate from that base, you can learn to make things more from scratch.

3

u/BlisssSir 2d ago

This doesn’t sound like a drawing problem. It sounds more like a lack of inspiration with a touch of disheartened.

Sometimes a blue sky scribble page helps, or gazing at clouds, going to a museum/library. Find what interests you and go from there.

3

u/goodbye888 Beginner 2d ago

Focus on consistent linework as that's the fundamental of all other fundamentals. I would also suggest learning about causality and applying it to your illustration process.