How did you people improve in ...

[DivineWind]

My question is short but hopefully some people could answer it. " How did you all improve in your drawings." I mean, how did you learn to draw that hand better than what you did once before. Or that face, body, scene, etc.

[Dreadkitten]

Observation
Practice

[cheezykat]

As simple an answer as that may sound, thats essentially all there is to it. There's no "majical secret" just practice upon practice upon more practice

[DivineWind]

Heh, yea I guess that could work. I mean, I looked at my old sketchbook the other day and compared it to some of my recent drawings and I've seen the big difference. But there is still a lot of room for improvement. I was wondering something else too... What did you guys find most useful in improving in drawing ....

[Remster]

I too think practice is the magic word. Even though improvements appear to go very slowly if you're drawing every day, but I too can see quite some improvement if I compare my older sketchbooks to the work I do today.

What did you guys find most useful in improving in drawing ....

I think observing other artists' work and see how they handle certain drawing issues. You can learn a lot by just observing

[Drawbone]

Practice, Practice, Practice.

It's like playing an instrument. The more you play the better you get. Don't play for a while and you get "rusty".

Draw whenever, wherever you can.

Like riding a bike...you never really forget. But the more you ride, the better and stronger you get.

[DivineWind]

Thanks for the replies

[Tasu]

I feel there is no improvement 7th grade to 13th grade

[Goldenavatar]

I suppose practice, practice, practice alone might not be the only thing you need to do by itself. I guess you've got to learn to figure out what you're strong at and what you're weak at. Figure out how to improve the weakness without loosing your strengths. I don't have the means to put it any better then that myself.

[emceeONE]

Pennsylvania has a 13th grade?

There's tons of improvement, perhaps just not as much as you want. Try drawing from life. And try drawing everyday. A lot.

[drugmassacre]

Along with practicing all the time, you need to figure out what it is that you think you're doing wrong specifically and tackle those promblems. Practicing could mean making tghe same mistakes over and over again and that certainly doesn't help.

You also have to ask yourself how serious you are and how far you want to take it. Why do you want to draw better? What are your goals? What exactly is 'better' for you? Are you just doodling in class and hoping to improve, or are you really putting in the hours to improve. I've gone through good spells where I spend at least 20 hours a week drawing.

[sansoouser]

What do you think the best way to practice is?

Is it just drawing things you see or thinking things up? Or is it better to try to draw other peoples drawings?

It just amazes me how good some of the people on this forum are.... amazing!

[hfguide]

Along with practicing all the time, you need to figure out what it is that you think you're doing wrong specifically and tackle those promblems. Practicing could mean making tghe same mistakes over and over again and that certainly doesn't help.

Excellent, excellent point. The advice that *just practice* will make you a better drawer is not true, because what if you practice drawing without understanding certain things you need to know, like perspective or anatomy? All you will be doing is practicing bad drawing.

My advice about getting better? Go to a bookstore, and get good art instruction books. Here is a few I recommend. Jack Hamm is an excellent author. Get his stuff, read what he says, and practice every exercise in his books. Doug Jamieson did an underated book called "How to Draw from Your Head." It's out of print now, but if you can get it at the library you will find a book that will teach you how to draw the human body from head to toe. Get also "Keys to Drawing" and do the exercises in that book. It did wonders for me. Dynamic Wrinkles and Drapery? Get that. (Hogarth) Dynamic Light and Shade? Get that, too.

Lastly, look and study manga (especially if you are into cartooning). Don't pick up the cutesy-wutesy, big eyed pixie, girly stuff. Pick up stuff like "Planetes." Manga artists are the best cartoonists and artists on the planet (IMO) and will teach you everything you need to know about drawing.

[sansoouser]

What is the best way to practice? Draw stuff from your head or what you see, or trying to draw other artists work?

[hfguide]

What is the best way to practice? Draw stuff from your head or what you see, or trying to draw other artists work?

See my previous post in this thread, and look at and do every exercise in the books I recommended.