Again I turned to YouTube for instruction, and again I believe it was very useful.
As I have progressed through my learning I have been able to answer the questions I set for myself at the beginning of the project:
1. How much will this cost?
One of my first concerns when beginning this project was cost. As a student I do not have a great deal of money, so this was a natural concern for me. One of the things that I really appreciate about drawing is that it can be nearly free; all you really need is a pencil and something to draw on.
2. Do I need any special tools, i.e. pencils, paper, etc.
The answer to this question is really tied in with the first question. Much of what I have seen says you should buy special pencils, charcoal, etc., however, it is not really necessary. When I begin to improve, I may purchase more specialized equipment, but for now, a pencil and paper are fine.
3. Why should I learn to draw?
The only good answer I can think of for this question is that it is something that I can do anywhere if I find myself bored. One day I may be able to create something beautiful; for now I will be content with keeping myself occupied.
4. How often should I practice?
Drawing is like any other endeavor; the more you practice, the better you get. I am not a good artist, but by practicing a great deal I was occasionally able to create something that looked half way decent.
5. What will I draw?
This was something I actually struggled with at first. I was starting to draw after not really doing it for twenty plus years. After some consideration, I decided to begin simply, and gradually increase the complexity. Still-life is the easiest, and a good way to practice shading.
6. Are there any local classes I can take?
There are art classes you can take at the local junior colleges, however that did not really fit in with my schedule, or my budget.
7. Are there any online resources I can use?
During this project I tried to learn to draw, however this really seemed like a demonstration of the usefulness of YouTube as a teaching tool. I began to rely pretty heavily on YouTube for instructional videos to help me as I learned.
8. How difficult will it be to become "ok"?
It is arguable that I still do not know the answer to this question, because even calling me an "ok" artist is something of a stretch. I believe that if I keep practicing, I will keep improving, but it may take a long time to get any good.
9. Is there any subject matter that is best for beginners to draw?
From what I learned using YouTube, the easiest subject matter was things like landscapes, mountain ranges, etc. Animals and people are much more difficult for most people. I actually had the most difficult time with anything that actually required a straight line.
10. Do I have any natural talent?
Easy answer....NO! I did a great deal of drawing, and I only posted my best work here! Some people may be able to simply pick something like this up and be good at it quickly, I am not one of those people.