It all started in February 2011 when I decided to get back to drawing (and maybe painting). My story started 30 years earlier when I had some lessons in high school and a creative side that I didn’t know existed. But life had other plans for me so I didn’t think about drawing again until two years ago.
I went on a quest to find materials that I could use to learn how to draw and refresh something that I closed off so long ago. As many of you know there are all sorts of books, dvd’s, etc. in the market and I have purchased a book or two. But there are several sources that I found incredibly helpful and tools that to this day use. I thought I’d introduced you to several of the resources. Today’s post is devoted to the first resource I found the most valuable for my beginners level.
A website, www.Drawspace.com, is the #1 site I would recommend if you are looking to begin drawing again or refresh your skills. The site was developed (about a decade ago) and is still maintained by an artist in Canada, Brenda Hoddinnet, who in an earlier career created composite drawings for local police stations. She is extremely talented. Brenda had a goal and that was to create a place to teach people to draw and give them a place to share their works with others.
Today Drawspace is an online artist community and teaching site with more than 300,000 members from all over the world. I’ve met some fantastic people there that continue to be my friends today. It’s free, has several hundred lessons from beginners to advanced, there is something for everyone. Here is why I like the site: you learn at your own pace and you can download the pdf lesson for reference later. In addition, if you want more classroom training, the site offers online classes given by professor-artists over a period of time for a fee.
I found exactly what I was looking for and then some. I completed every lesson, from the beginning to the end, for the simple reason to understand what I was doing and why. Brenda built the lessons so that one lesson (concept) builds off the next – very smart and allows the artist to solidify their skills through the lessons. It took me four months to go through the lessons and then I turned to painting for good or bad. I’m glad to participate in Zeebra’s Playamart “Thursdays for Drawings,” because I realize how rusty I’ve gotten.
This site changed my life, giving me the freedom to express myself in ways I never thought possible. Here is one of my intermediate drawings (5/2011) from www.drawspace.com,
symmetry secret lesson
Happy Summer Solstice – as the sun’s warmth touches us today! Hope you have a wonderful summer.
Oil Pastels by Mary 
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What an amazing gift you have discovered. So kind of Brenda to create a creative and educational outlet for artists.
Hi Emily, this site is what gave me my push and I am ever so grateful that people are so willing to give w/o ever expecting a return. It made a huge difference in helping to build my artistic self-confidence.
Great information , Mary 😃 thank you for sharing 😃❤❤❤
Also beautiful drawing ! Really great❤
xxxx
HI Violet – so glad you liked the post. Thank you about the vase, it was a lesson on symmetry. Hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!
Great information Mary! Your work is impressive and if you got re-started at these classes, it is to the viewers’ benefit, because your finished pieces are now matured to the point of true beauty.
Oh my – Dorann, thank you! Can’t tell you how much I appreciate hearing from you – I find the more time goes by, the more I discover how much there is to learn. I guess that’s a good thing, because I’m loving the whole process. Thank you ~
just beautiful!
Thanks Doris!
Isn’t wonderful that we never stop learning? I KNOW I need the perspective section-one day;)
Thanks Mary!
Hi Elena, thanks for your feedback. The site has some really good perspective lessons – it’s an all round great place packed with everything about drawing. Was a great re-introduction for me.
Mary, interesting story and thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Doron! Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks for the link – it will be very useful.
Your welcome, hope your students will find it useful – was an exceptional find for me. Thanks very much!
Mary, thank you for this information! =) Good weekend wishes to you
Thank you so much Scott! Have a great summer – best wishes back at you!
Wow lovely drawing! And great post
Thank you! Appreciate your lovely comments ~ Happy Summer to you!
That sounds like a great resource. I’m going to share it with a friend of mine. Thanks for sharing! Like your drawing, too! 😉
Hi Cyndi, thanks!! It’s the best and I was very lucky finding the site. Hope your friend checks it out, they won’t regret it. Have a beautiful summer!