ArtUp GR1

ArtUp GR 1

Reasons for learning new drawing techniques

Many artists want to study new techniques of drawing as shown by surveys. What's the reasons for it? Information that was received from the interviewees shows that there are bunch of reasons. The most popular are either job requirements for those whose job is directly connected with professional drawing, or hobby for those who like drawing in their free time. 

Process of learning new drawing technique

For the better understanding of process of studying a new drawing technique we asked one of the interviewees about the common process of studying in college of arts. The information shows that typical process consists of three stages:

1. Lectures, when teacher describes the process of right drawing, shows typical pictures and tries to describe all the basic rules. This process is similar to studying the information in books or in the internet.
2. First attempts of drawing when students try to draw something similar of existing pictures, and the teacher monitors the whole process and gives feedback right in the process of drawing. This step is necessary because it helps artists to become a skilled hand at this technique.
3. Lastly, all the students begin drawing by themselves showing only ready works to a teacher.

The second step is very important because without practice nobody can understand all the features and process in the details by himself. The problem is that current ways of passing this step are not very convenient:

• books and static web-page are not very informative and interactive, as user can't gain feedback from computer
• art courses are very time and money consuming
• videos are not very interactive and convenient, as user can't gain feedback from computer

Interviews

User1:

I finished art about 15 ago and have some work experience in this area. I would like to learn new drawing style, for example if I like drawings, made in this style. The problem is that I don't have enough time to take courses. Of course there are a lot of information about techniques in the internet but without feedback that kind of studying can be useless.

User2:

I work in art for about 7 years. I like to try different styles, it is always interesting. I usually have no time, because it is faster and easier to draw something in known styles. I could spend at least half an hour a day, but preferably more. I like to get constructive opinion of another person - that's cool, but how can the computer evaluate the work adequately - I do not know, but I would like to see. I would like to share drawn images with others because it is easier to get an objective opinion and advice from other artists, and recognition of your coolness by other artists - it's great.

User3:

I have 10 years experience in drawing. I would like to learn more specific techniques because I'm an architect and design itself is almost not used in creative concept. I would like to get feedback from person, but the opinion about art is extremely subjective, so I'm not ready to accept criticism from each person. Only if it is constructive critics.

Survey

We made a survey, 48 people passed it.

About 1/3 of respondents consider themselves as having good drawing skills.

We wanted to know how many people want to learn a new style of drawing/a new drawing technique.

So, about 2/3 respondents want to learn a new style of drawing.

The next point we addressed was how much time can they spend on learning a new drawing technique. The distribution of time which they are ready to spend on this is the following:

The results show that most of people (>75%) are ready to spend at least one hour a week studying drawing. Then, we tried to allocate barriers of learning new styles of drawing. The survey showed the following (choosing several answers for the question were possible):

The most popular obstacles are lack of self-motivation and that private classes with professionals are very expensive.

User Classes

• Artists 
  • not professionals 
  • are able to draw in at least one of the styles
  • want to study how to draw in either one of the new styles
  • or to study how to draw like their favorite artist
• Characteristics
  • People who
    • can draw pretty well
    • don't want or have no opportunity to spend a lot of time on studying
    • probably bored reading a lot of information before getting to work
    • have no money for paying for expensive lessons
    • or have no time to go on this lessons
    • really want to study new drawing technique
    • or dreaming about drawing like his favorite artist

Needs & Goals

• Create interactive way of learning new drawing technique which:
  • will be really interesting to use (which means no boring readings, no boring understanding)
  • will be convenient to use
  • will allow to draw on a paper directly without trying to draw on web-site or in tablet while studying lessons
  • will provide precise and objective feedback