learning by yourself or classes

I think that you try and stay motivate. this will certainly help you get better. Don't get discourage. You can certainly do it. I'm sure that lessons can help you as well. But I think you should also stay motivate and not discourage.

I think taking lessons is good if you can afford them, for one it would shorten certain basic theories like for example light and shadow that would take very long for you to find out by your self, not unless you are diligent enough to search on the net or buy art books. It does not stop there, you have to practice practice and practice some more because as in any other art, the two key elements I believe in order to improve is enthusiasm and practice. Practice on your own what you learn in those classes. So to summarize, classes are good but time will come after those lessons are over that you still have to do certain things on your own so that I believe is the difficult part.

I've taken classes but never did particularly well (I passed though) I learn mostly by watching other people as they draw.

My advice would be that even if you get discouraged at first, don't give up! Keep practicing and observing how things look like in real life (that's really important in my opinion), and you'll eventually start getting the hang of it. Also, there are many online tutorials and resources for people that want to learn how to draw, so maybe you can try googling for them? I'm sure you'll be able to find something that helps you. I hope that helps, and good luck! :)

If you are not really motivated to make it then you'll never perfect it. You must have the passion. it is not just the lesson, the class that you are taking that makes art as art. It is what's inside your mind, your heart , your own ideas. You must learn how to love what you are doing. By that, you will realize that aside from enjoyment , aside from being contented, you make the best art. It is never the lesson nor the class that makes things perfect. It is your eagerness, your dedications, and your will to do the work will make it good. Ask yourself if you really like to do it or not. If you really love doing it or not. Because if you'll gonna say no, then what's the point of going into a class. i just want you to open your mind about things that you really like and what to do. Smile. Good luck.

Hi :) from my own experience as a freelance artist (ilumpruj.deviantart.com), i can say that lessons don't work but self-practice does. When I was young, about 8 years old i used to copy a lot (not trace) that's how i learned how to draw.You can start by copying from cartoons or comic characters, landscape pictures, etc etc. I try to copy them as exactly as i can - later on, my dexterity and skill grew from all the practice of copying. The pros and cons of practicing like that is - your skill progresses but you don't progress on creative thinking. You can also start reading books - the best self-help book I've read was "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain". It gives you professional lessons unlike any costly but sucky teacher can teach you.