What do you do in drawing classes? Is it better to teach yourself how to draw or to take a class?

Most beginning drawing classes that I know of focus on two things: still-life drawing, and exploring different mediums. Typically the instructor will set up a still life in the room, or students build their own or bring objects from home they want to draw. Then the instructor will encourage the students to try different techniques and drawing materials. So one week you might use graphite, another week charcoal, another week brush and ink, etc. The instructor will offer tips and advice for improving during the class. This is basic-level, skill-building stuff. Everyone needs a good foundation to start from.

You learn to draw what you see not what you “know” the shape is. You will start with basic shapes and build up taking in perspective and shading – these things take time and there is no point in rushing them, it is frustrating at first. If you try to teach yourself you have no-one to point out where or how you have gone wrong, you might identify the problem yourself, you might spend hours trying to correct it – a teacher or fellow pupil might be able to show you in seconds.

Takes a ton of self motivation. Teachers are nice, but if the drive isn't there, then you won't get much done unless you spend some serious hours on it. I'm kinda like you; an excellent writer, and interested in art, but my drawings were lackluster at best, But, thanks to a friend, TONS of self-practice/inspiration, and referencing other artists I "followed" (Because stalking is too harsh a term.) I slightly got better. Notice the Monkey guy in my profile pic? Took forever to get him on paper. Had him in my head for months, maybe years, but I could never draw him right, until about 1-2 months ago, and I've never been more proud. For me, I started with headshots, because the whole body at once was too awkward looking, and the end results were usually...overwhelming to look at. Body came later, then I learned a few tricks about perspective and all that jazz. But you'll get the hang of it soon.

Suggestion -- If you have a giving, sharing art teacher, a class can be of benefit -- try going online -- some of the teachers start with very simple subjects -- You say you want to draw characters -- use basic shapes like sphere, cone, etc.-- look carefully at simple cartoon drawings -- these people are very talented -- good kuck !!!

im an artist myself, some people have natural talent, sounds like u dont have it u might want to find another hobby, but if u really like drawing, practice practice practice natural talent is being selftaught not having talent means someone with talent has to show u how my best advice for u is, if u do something for so long and arent good at it, just stop, find something ur good at, and succeed in that hobby

I say yes that how I Start. It helps to get the basic like seeing shapes, perspective and lighting and shadows down. Try to find a class gear to timid or for the discouraged