Is it too late to re-learn drawing properly?

Hello!

I have recently discovered the harm of learning to draw from photos on Drawing Academy website. And I read that it could make it impossible for me to learn the proper way, from live models if I ever try that later.

Now – I started drawing a year ago with the intention to become a more skilled artist and have been using photos as reference (and art books).

As a full time working father (I am 38) to a 4-year old I haven’t had the time to attend life drawing classes with real models.

Do you think the year I spent on learning proportions and drawing from photos has been too damaging for me so that I cannot re-learn from live models? perhaps a silly question but I am a bit worried.

I wish you teachers the very best!

Regards
Richard M

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Dear Richard,

Thank you for your question. The time you invested in copy-pasting photos was not wasted – you’ve learned how to copy.

It sounds like you are a complete beginner. That is why the answer to your question, how should you learn drawing, very much depends on the goal you would like to achieve. If making realistic replicas of images is fine with you, you are doing well. If your ambition is to become a professional and original fine artist, you won’t get the advanced level of drawing skills by self learning. There are two reasons for that. First, you need a solid classical curriculum to follow, which no art college offers these days in your country. Even though you are not planning to attend a college, online art courses are created by graduates of such colleges. I have not seen a single art course that stands close to the art education system they teach in some countries. Secondly, to get an advanced level of drawing skills you need a professional and talented art teacher who can point out all your mistakes and advise how to fix them. Even if you practice hard, if you do not see mistakes, you will repeat them again and again and become very good at making amateurish artworks.

If you wonder what your level of drawing skills is and what proper art education system is about, you can check this video »

If you are serious about getting strong drawing skills, here’s the best art course available today on the Internet:

https://lifedrawing.academy/correspondence-course

If you know any better and cheaper unlimited personal tutoring drawing course, let me know.

Kind regards,
Vladimir London

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