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How To - Improve Your Drawing

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Introduction


This is my tutorial on how to improve on drawing. I was stuck on the same level for way too long and I really could give you guys some great tips! I hope they work out for you ! c:
It would really help if you would share your own experience with improving in the comments below so that I can edit this tutorial to be the best it can be!

EDIT 2017 - I completely rewrote this tutorial, hope it is even more helping now!
All art is this tutorial belongs to me, Nexubis

Comparing

Tut by Nexubis
A lot of people out there including myself really compare their art with others. And don't get me wrong, this could really work in your advantage, but not how most people do it. Most people look at other art and compare their own art with it and come to the conclusion: "My art is trash, just like look at what they can make! I wanna make that!" Please don't do this. Your art is beautiful in it's own way, and you should never get yourself down by some other artist who has more experience.

Instead, let art of others inspire you! What you can do is pick up a piece of paper and fill some things in. You could write down what you like about the drawing from somebody else which is not in your drawings. For example in the pictures above I said what I really like about the other art and what I would like to try out myself. Trying a lot of things out that you adore in other people's art really helps you determine your own style and gets you a lot further than the conclusion that you are trash.

Maybe you shouldn't compare yourself with only the best of the best, The people you often compare yourself with have way more experience and I am sure that if you keep drawing you can become just as good as them! Also, I am sure there will be a lot of people who draw worse than you, trust me. Sometimes it really helps to just compare your own drawings to that ones and see the things you do way better than others. But beware, do not compare your drawing with someone their art in the comment section if it is negative. Stay nice and polite.

Tips:
- Make a list with things you like about other people their art and try this for yourself
- Do not try to copy the style of others but pick the things you like about their style and do these in your own way
- Try to focus on your own art instead of the art of others

IMPROVEMENT TAKES TIME


Tut 3 by NexubisTut 2 by Nexubis

Patience is key. Please keep in mind that improvement takes time. You shouldn't expect a lot of change in a week or so, and just drawing the same picture over and over again to see if you have "already improved" doesn't work either. What works the best is to keep drawing whenever you can. Draw every moment you feel like it, and you will improve the fastest. Please, do not keep drawing one picture to see improvement. 

Do mind that the people who draw the best drawings now have years of experience, sometimes even more than ten! Do mind that if you're not better than them it isn't a shame, and that if you put as much time in drawing you can become just as good! And even if they don't draw as long as you do, improvement is something else for everyone. Some people simply improve faster, and such people should be an inspiration, not something that holds you down.

What does help is redrawing a drawing from about a year or more ago and noting some things under it. For example you could note the year, but what could be even more interested is writing down your 'improvement'. Write down the first things that come to your mind when comparing the old and new drawing, and don't hesitate to write down good things as well. As in the example above, writing down both what you already improved and what you would wish to improve is a good start!

Tips
- Take a lot of time and be patient
- Draw whenever it is possible, the more practice the better.
- Say what you need to improve but also note how you already improved in the meantime.


Sketching, Tracing and Copying



Not every drawing you will make will be a full coloured full body piece, but from every drawing you will learn. Sketch a lot of things, like things you have difficulties with or just a quick sketch for fun. If you're stuck, don't be afraid to waste that time and piece of paper. Sometimes it is better to just start over, and the more your sketch the better the next sketch will be! Twenty sketches, even if they are bad, are way better practice than one drawing you spend your whole day on.

What I don't recommend however, is tracing. Tracing is something a lot of new artist do, and it is a lot of fun since you get to have a similar drawing like one of your favorite artists, but it isn't the fastest way to improve. What is however, is copying and tracing drawing but in your own way or style. Give it your own twist or draw something that looks like it a bit, but don't plainly copy it. Every person is different, and so are their drawings. 

Keep in mind that if you decide to copy or trace someones drawing you should respect their copyright. Ask them kindly if you have permission to trace or copy it, and if you decide to post it credit them properly. You should always respect the original artist black heart bullet 

Tips
- Keep drawing, the more practice the better! 
- Tracing and copying isn't wrong, just mind it isn't the fastest way to improvement

- Credit properly

Stepping out of your comfort zone


Sticking to only your favorite technique or colour pallete will not help you improve. Try stepping out of your comfort zone from time to time! Try a different material, work with different software, or maybe draw a species you haven't before? Improvement involves trying out new things!

Or maybe you could try to do something other than you are used to draw. For example, if you're mostly drawing portraits you could try to do a fullbody from time to time, and maybe try pixel art? Cartography? You have the freedom and change to try out whatever you want, take that freedom!

It can be frustrating to work with other materials or techniques and stepping out of your comfort zone. In the beginning those drawings will be less good than what you normally draw, and believe me, I get that frustration. But see it as an investment. The more you try, the better you get. Don't let one little bump on the road get you down and keep trying new things. 
If you discover that you really don't like one of those new experimental things, then just stop doing it! But in my opinion you have to try it out first to see if you like it.

Tips:
- Try to make drawings with other materials
- Keep trying new things!

CHALLENGES AND PROMPTS



Some people need a little push to improve. Taking up a fun drawing challenge can be a lovely way to improve for those people!

There are also a lot of lovely monthly things to do in the drawing community. For example, did you know October even has two really popular drawing challenges called 'Goretober' and 'Inktober'? You should really check one out! You could look for the challenge that fits you and seems the most fun to do.

The only thing you do have to keep in mind is that drawing shouldn't be an obligation. Don't begin immediatly with a challenge like the '30 Day Improvement Hell'. A challenge should be challenging, but please don't overwork yourself too much black heart bullet 

Tips:
- Take on a fun challenge
- Join a funny monthly challenge with friends!
- Don't take on a too difficult challenge

MOTIVATION


To improve quickly and not be artblocked the whole time motivation is really important. You really want to improve, but you also have to give everything you have to do so! Don't think just drawing something from time to time will get you there. You have to fight for it!

What is a really good motivator for me is drawing a lot of characters you like. Don't think you should do requests or commissions or anything, draw what you want! Drawing what you truly want to draw instead of commission or whatever art trade or collab really is way more motivating. 

Taking a quick break or just not draw for a week is also nothing bad. Take all the rest you need if you feel artblocked. Keep your to do list clean (meaning not too long) so that if you become artblocked or don't feel like drawing you really don't have to. Remember, drawing is for fun, not to keep battling for improvement. You should be proud of the skill you already achieved!

Tips
- Take a break from time to time and relax
- I know you can do it! Keep persistent and try to finish all the challenges you begin

Last but not least


I hope I could really help some of you with this tutorial. If you think something is not included in this tutorial and something that really could help people improve, feel free to comment below!
I am updating this journal every year with my new knowledge, and I truly hope it motivates and helps people. black heart bullet 

If you have any other thing to say or want my critique on your work and on how to improve feel free to comment it below or note me about it! Also note or message me about other ideas for tutorials, I would love to make more!

Have a very lovely and artblock free day!
- Léon


Skin by SimplySilent
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Or, check out one of my other tutorials here! nexubis.deviantart.com/gallery…
© 2016 - 2024 Nexubis
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Howler-Moon's avatar
Great tutorial! I fell like this will really help me improve my drawing! I have one question though. Do you have any tips on moving onto digital? Most of my drawings are traditional but I want to get used to digital so my drawings are more clear.