Dumb Newbie Questions

Hello all,

Having not drawn since I was a child, I have just rediscovered the sheer joy of drawing. However, I have never drawn people before and have a strong desire to try. So I thought that the best approach would be to look at the methods used by other artists and follow them, by copying drawing the work where needed, only until I have mastered the techniques and then, subsequently develop my own. Once I have mastered the techniques, my intention is to attempt to draw people from photographs.

My questions are two-fold (and most likely been asked on numerous occasions - sorry if it has) and probably a bit dumb but:

1. Is this the best way to attack the subject?

2. Providing it is purely for purposes of learning the art of drawing people, is my method legal?

Many thanks in advance.

Hello Canadianmaple09

Thank you for your reply, it has helped to put my mind at rest.

Although I would only use other people's works in order to gain an insight into the techniques used and certainly have no intention of passing them off as my own, I was a little worried that I could be accused of plagerism or breach of copyright, even if I gave credit to the originator of the work.

As it is, as you say, a tried a tested method of learning, then it would appear that I am on the correct lines for self-teaching and will continue until I have built up more confidence to 'go solo', and draw people from photographs or even my own imagination - twisted as it is!!

Now about that Van Gogh....