How did you people improve in ...

[jadedchron]

"I was going to wait for someone more knowledgeable to answer Blacklight's question, but no one did so I guess I'll try..."

Hehe. You just reiterated what everyone else has already said

Blacklight, there's no magic potion. You need to study, and present your work for critiques, fix it, draw it again, rinse and repeat. It's all common sense really. It applies to everything you do.

[Ten-Thousand-Suicides]

Blacklight: Thanks, that is helpful. I've been trying to make sure I'm drawing from interesting photos, at least, like back issues of "Travel and Leisure" that show a range of races, ages, and body shapes.

I'd rather learn to draw the hard way that get harnessed into one style. My hobby is anime, and I see too many people that are happy to get stuck on their favorite character design.

You're welcome! I'm happy that you are really serious about drawing, and are avoiding falling in love with a single style. I hate to be limited by anything, so it would stink if I learned how to draw only superheroes or something... How many times can you draw a muscle-man in spandex and cape before you're sick of it? What if you feel like drawing an old timey village or something? Yeah with drawing it's best to learn as much of the technical skill first, and then pick up all the styles you like later... Anything that limits what you can do is bad.

Good luck again! And good luck to me too!

[ushiri]

The more things you draw that you see, the easier it gets to draw things you don`t see.

cryptic, I mean if you draw from real life often, its going to be a lot easier to draw stuff you make up in your mind, and its NEVER wrong to copy other peoples stuff, put your favorite artists comics beneath a tracing paper and draw her lines... no wrong in that, If you want to sing or play an instrument you sing other people songs and play other composers melodies....same thing with drawing

( Just dont sell it )

its nice to feel the lines from another artist that you like




http://www.peterscomics.com

[Tyler]

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.

Err...manga can teach you bad habits and incorrect proportions. When you're just starting out it's better to look to artists that draw in a realistic manner in order to learn correct anatomy and proportion (Andrew Loomis is a great example here).

Often times I find the one thing that I cringe at having to draw, then dedicate the next few months to drawing that and only that. If you have problems with hands, then draw hands ad nauseum. Never shy away from your weaknesses.