Novice, Need Advice for how to begin fundamentals of art

[BlueHabit]

1. Hello, thanks for stopping by. I would like to know what art books/dvds, or what sort of studies to set up for myself to really get a solid foundation in the fundamentals of art. Any books, websites, or things to draw would be appreciated. At the moment, I am just not sure how to proceed, do I need to be drawing spheres over and over with lighting to practice shading etc. Consequently, Im not sure what to draw so at the moment I have been repeatedly drawing the study over and over the last couple of days.


2. Eventually I would like to focus on human anatomy, there are 3 names I often hear thrown around to get into this loomis, Glenn Vilppu, and Bridgeman. I was wondering which of the two you would recommend, perhaps all 3, or perhaps one I did not mention.

Thank you for your valued feedback

[Flake]

2)- All 3 are sound choices. Loomis isn't so much an anatomy teacher as an illustrator with a good knowledge of anatomy, he doesn't go into anything like the depth of the other two.

I assume you have the Loomis books, yeah? "Creative Illustration" is one of the greatest art books ever written.
http://www.placidchaos.com/AM/index..../andrew_loomis

or perhaps one I did not mention.

Pecks Atlas of Anatomy for Artists is good and cheap. It's more clinical? lots of super accurate drawings with no real individual stylisation. it would probably be a good one to cross reference with the more personal, construction based feel of Vilppu or Bridgman.

2p worth

[OmenSpirits]

Bargue doesn't teach anatomy, in the book that plate is from. It's more contour drawing than basic fundamentals.

[BlueHabit]

Bargue doesn't teach anatomy, in the book that plate is from. It's more contour drawing than basic fundaments.

Im not doing that piece for anatomy, just to draw sorry for the confusion. I will go ahead and remove that picture.

[Karshia]

I would also suggest reading lots of threads on this site. There is SOOO much good advice here. I'll get you started:

Jeff's Observations on Drawing from Life

Self-Teaching Lesson Plans?

A study plan and best books to do 'studies' of

Back to the Basics: An FAQ regarding the foundations of creating art

Learning Foundations and Priorities

After reading those threads you may have a better idea of where to start. There is SO much to learn, it is quite overwhelming.

[s.ketch]

At the top of this forum there is a sticky called "The Artist's Reading List" with suggested books and free books to download.
There's the tutorial forum section with some gems.
Also the references and inspiration forum will undoubtedly come in handy as you progress.

The over-all goal is to master the elements and principles.

Elements:
-Line: Self explanatory.
-Shape: The 2d or flat entities created by closed lines.
-Value: The lightness and darkness of something. Learn the value scale.
-Form: The 3D-ness of an entity. Using other elements and principles to simulate volume.
-Color: Self explanatory. Color and value go hand-in-hand.
-Texture: Surface quality. Tactile (physical texture) or visual (appears to have texture)
-Space: The arrangement of entities and the use of your work area.

Principles
-Unity: how entities come together as a whole.
-Harmony: all entities working together, can be achieve through repetition
-Balance: entities' "weight" distributed equally throughout the composition
-Emphasis: entities as focal points, creating interest and drawing the viewer's eye
-Variety: using various entities, not just one or a few
-Movement: the direction and speed in which a viewer looks over a composition
-Rhythm: result of the repetition of entities
-Proportion: the relation of the shape or size of entities to one another