Artist danny roberts figure drawing from Danny Roberts Book of Nudes. It is of three naked statues.

Figure Drawing

Back To the Basic

Wow, it feels good to be home with the family after Thanksgiving. Hope you had a good day, too. Mine was great; went to my sister and brother-in-laws’ house last night, and had the greatest feast ever! It was really awesome. Well, i was sitting thinking through my strengths and weaknesses in drawing, and trying to plan out what’s my next step when it comes to improving. I decided it was fundamentals time. Time to go back to the basics, back to the beginning of learning how to draw…. yes, back to figure drawing, and back to simple direct contour and blind contour drawing. i think that is the first step… don’t you think? i’m semi new to the area i live in, so i need to find a school, maybe to “Crash” a figure drawing class and practice. Not sure yet how this will work. Any thoughts? Then my next goal, now that i have a little better understanding on the painting process is… i want to conquer color harmony!!! it’s definitely the thing that i’m the worst at. So, Color, here i come! :) Well, not sure if you care about inner thoughts on developing as a “Drawler”, but i would love to hear what yawl think. Any tips or advice for me? :) i hope you’re doing great!

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  1. Alyssa | Reply

    I just recently started drawing (I don’t take real classes, just some art courses at school)… can you perhaps show us a video of you doing a blind contour drawing?

    November 28, 2008 at 10:22 pm
  2. I wish I could draw – I can’t even draw a single thing! My drawing style is very immature… :S That is why I love looking at your pieces, it inspires me to draw but I know I can’t so I don’t.

    You are awesome. Top stuff!

    November 28, 2008 at 11:01 pm
  3. Hi Danny,
    It could be a could idea.
    I draw since I was little and it always has been a passion. Few years ago, I took drawing classes and it was great because it teaches me discipline.
    You could have your own way to draw, it gives you technical knowledges. You could learn how to practice, the technique, the tricks and all of that.The best schools never try to change your style and your way you draw, it brings to you knowledges.

    I took art classes in high school too. While drawing classes teaches me the traditional way to draw or paint, art classes allowed me to keep my mind open and to know that art could be everywhere, in every object or people and that you don’t necessarily need to learn to be an artist because talent isn’t something you can teach.
    So since you’re a talented person, you could take class to learn techniques but never change your style and make sure that your teacher don’t want you to change it. Keep us posted.
    I hope my English was comprehensible!
    Kisses from Paris!

    November 29, 2008 at 2:22 pm
  4. Danny, I will always support you. You are brilliant!

    Maybe check out your local council website/ community college? I’m not too sure how it works over there in the US. Maybe the Uni runs a short course drawing class??

    December 1, 2008 at 1:46 pm