What is the best way to start studying art?

I am trying to get into realistic art so I can hopefully get into the field of concept game art etc. I have been drawing now for about 9 months for fun, but now I want to get serious about it and do realistic art.



There are no real art schools hear, So where and how do I start studying? Do I just observe people and how different poses and parts look? Do I copy everything I see?



If I practice everyday approximately how long should it take to get the basics?



If yes, do you know any links to poses to study off of that would be great.What is the best way to start studying art?
"Realistic" is a very broad term. So, you must know that there are many different branches that can be divided into sculpture and painting. Within these two, there a even more branches that divide into movements/styles/aesthetics. Within these are the artists.

What do you have in mind when you mention realistic art? Still lifes? Landscapes? Animals? Figurative?

I suggest you learn the history of art first, its movements, artists withing each movement, etc. This is the most important thing an artist does. If one has no clue as to what artist did before you, one will get nowhere.

Also, if the human figure is of interest to you, learn all you can about the human anatomy, morphology. From art and medical books, learn the proportions of the human body, learn about the functions of each muscle and bone? Where they are connected in relation to the others? Why they are connected there? Learning the movements of the human body in relation to the movements of muscles and bones.

There are just too many things to mention here, but if you thought learning to paint or sculpt was easy, it ain't.

For example, not to discourage you or anything, but I was taught in a very old fashioned way through the apprenticeship system. I started painting when I was five, went through an apprenticeship at seven where my teacher only taught me about art history and human anatomy( I painted very little during this time). Then, at ten he started teaching me to draw the human figure, canvas preparation and color theory(90% of the work I did during this period was drawing, with very little painting). I started to REALLY paint when I was fourteen by this time I must say that my paintings did not suck. Why, because of all the information that my teacher taught me all those seven years. I can even show you a portrait I did about ten years ago, which would be when I was 14, if you'd like. Just let me know.

If you start painting and drawing without knowing what you are REALLY painting and drawing, you will never improve, no matter how much you practice with a brush or a pencil. Learn the basics first. There is one saying of a very well known contemporary living painter that I like that goes, "First crawl, then walk, the run." You have to bee patient. You become great eventually.

The basics come before practice, not the other way around. If you practice before the basics, it will be a step-back for you.

Also remember that everyone responds differently to certain activities. So, it might take you more or less time depending on how you can learn.

A friend of mind sent me a couple of pdfs that have a ton of pictures of models posing, precisely for the purpose of drawing the figure. I don't really need them since I have access to models, plus I dislike drawing and painting from photos, but, if you are interested, contact me and I'll gladly send them to you.

Wish you the best on your journey and happy learning!What is the best way to start studying art?
First, develop such a passion for art that you want to draw, paint, sculpt or study art all the time.

Read books about artists and their works. Spend ages looking at the pictures

go online to look at the sites of well - known galleries and museums all over the world. USA has awesome ones, so does Europe, especially Italy, France, Netherlands, Germany and UK, then further afield

Draw constantly - self- portraits, objects, natural forms, pets, family and friends

Take a sketch- book everywhere and use it. Make good use of your cameras too

Don't copy other people's work too much, develop your own, possibly using themes others have used before but with your own ' spin'



Have patience and let your style develop. It's bound to take time

Share your work with others on Flickr, etc, to get feedback

if you develop a good portfolio, have an exhibition in the library, church, or town hall where you live