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Art Resources for Learning Artists

If you are an absolute beginner and have the desire to learn to draw, this page will help you find the artist within. Even if you can draw, you may find some of these resources very useful. Most of the resources I have listed on this page, I have used in my own pursuit to learn to draw and have worked through completely. Some resources I use for reference or inspiration for that I-don't-know-what-to-draw-next-feeling, or simply go back to the resource and practice on some skills. 



Drawspace.com: A great place to learn to draw online 




A great resource to learn and get critiques of your art. This site is run by professional art instructors. You will find lots of free resources in the form of downloadable ebooks. 
If you choose, you can also take formal online classes. 
Drawspace also has its own social network of students and teachers that are quite active. You can get critiques on your completed work even if you are not enrolled in any classes.

Drawing on The Right Side of the Brain by Dr. Betty Edwards




Dr. Edwards' book, "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" was the first real text that I bought while I was learning to draw. This book changed everything about my drawing. She currently has a new edition out Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: The Definitive, 4th Edition

If you are just starting out, I couldn't give this book a higher recomendation. It will really transform your drawing in a very short time. It is easy to work through and nicely organized. 



Dynamic Figure Drawing by Burne Hogarth


Dynamic Figure Drawing by Burne Hogarth was the second art book that I bought. While I was learning to draw, I fell in love with drawing the Figure. The human form can be quite difficult to draw, for it takes very little error in drawing the form to make the drawing look "wonky" to say the least. Dynamic Figure Drawingtakes you right through the process of figure drawing to help eliminate errors in your drawing. Most importantly, the human form is not a static entity, we move, we are always in motion. This book takes you through all the methodology you will need to make your figures come "alive" on your page.



Drawing the Head and Figure by Jack Hamm

Drawing the Head and Figure by Jack Hamm is another good book to have in your learning to draw collection. This book is loaded with illustrations and step-by-step instruction on all aspects of drawing the head and figure. Although you may find the illustrations dated, especially in the sections of how to draw clothing, because the styling of the drawings look like they are right out of the 1950s. Clothing and hairstyles may have changed over the years, nonetheless this book is a great resource for beginning artists. Of all the drawing texts I do own, I do keep Drawing the Head and Figure (Perigee)
handy. Every time I open this book, I do find something to practice or get an idea for a new drawing.


How to Draw Animals by Jack Hamm

Horses, dogs, cats, elephants, bears and even lizards are all covered in "How to Draw Animals" by Jack Hamm. This is another book that I do keep handy. It is completely loaded with illustrations and step-by-step instructions, there is even a section on abstract animal drawing. The book takes you through comparative animal anatomy from the skeletal-muscular systems and how these affect the finished drawing,  to drawing differing furs, scales, skins or feathering. Jack Hamm's How to Draw Animals (Perigee) is a great book to have in your resource collection.







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