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How to determine the horizon line

How to determine the horizon line

Question from Dermott, Drawing Academy student

I’m having trouble determining the horizon level when drawing pictures in perspective.

Is there a rule of thumb I can use to accurately locate the horizon line? …

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How to render tonal values

How to render tonal values

Question from Myka, Drawing Academy student

Is it necessary to shade the object with the darkest dark the pencil can go and lightest light?

I’ve been going to an art class that teaches fine art. My art teacher told me that it is necessary to make the darkest spots as dark as the pencil can go and make the highlights as light as the paper. I know that this might have a different effect on the artwork. Does it make the artwork more three-dimensional? Is it absolutely necessary to do this, or can I still not use the full power of the pencil and still make it look three dimensional?

Thank you for helping me improve my drawing skills …

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Teaching children to draw

Teaching children to draw

Question from Jason, Drawing Academy student

My 8-year old daughter has begun to show a lot of interest in learning to draw (no doubt because of the program I am doing with you). Her mother just bought her a “painting by numbers” book, which leads me to want to intervene before any real damage is done. Is there a particular approach you would suggest for a child of her age? …

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What is the purpose of Art?

What is the purpose of Art?

Question from Yasmin, Drawing Academy graduate

I am 24 years old. Since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of becoming a fine artist and used every resource at my disposal to become good at it. But recently I have started to question myself about why I’m doing this and I’m losing my motivation. I’ve had the opportunity to see the works of many amazing artists and I am absolutely humbled and intimidated by their work. What if I can never be as good as they are? There are so many great works out there, why should anyone pay attention to mine? And in this day and age, when the art world is ruled by big names and brands, is there any place left for newbies?

Having all these questions in my head is scaring me because art has always been a very big part of me and I don’t want to lose it.

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Is drawing important for an illustrator?

Is drawing important for an illustrator?

Question from Bruno W.

I am in high school right now, and I am not used to drawing. My goal is to become an illustrator, and draw concept art or comics (mainly digital art) on Photoshop and Illustrator, What should I do? …

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Art Diploma vs. Art Skills

Art Diploma vs. Art Skills

Questions from Andy

I like what I see on the Drawing Academy website and would like to enroll. However, I have few questions:

– What your Diploma is about?
– How Drawing Academy compares to an art college?
– What art materials do I need?
– Will academy tutors critique my artworks?

Thanks,
Andy

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Setting up a work-space in art studio

Setting up a work-space in art studio

Question from Daniel, Drawing Academy student

Hi, could you give me some advice how to set up my work-space properly?

Right now I feel very limited because my room is quite small and I draw on my computer table with my computer screen in front and it feels quite uncomfortable. I don’t have a drawing board yet either, however I will get one.

And because of this, drawing from life becomes hard for me as I don’t have space to set things up properly. I have to look at pictures on my screen if I want to draw something. Is it OK to take pictures of things I want to draw and upload them to my computer, or do I simply have to get a bigger room? I assume I need a bit of distance between me and the object I want to draw right? And that is not possible for me right now….

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How to get good drawing skills fast

How to get good drawing skills fast

Question from Vlad Baloc

I am currently practicing for a entrance exam at a design school.

The exam consists of the following:
-three 15-minute sketches of a human model (on 3 different A3 papers)
-three 15-minute sketches of objects, four 20-minutes sketches of objects and 1 insect from memory
-two 1-hour color drawings of a given idea (Last year it was rock and jazz music)
-Two days later comes a 6-hour project sketch and a interview with a map presentation a day after that.
The exam is in September and I feel that my art is not improving fast enough to pass.

My question is, do you think your course can help me with this exam? I ask since I am unsure of exactly where to commit my time. My art tutor is only telling me that I have to draw eight hours a day, and at this point it is impossible for me. I do my best to draw six hours a day…

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