Draw Like a Pro
These are basic instructions on how to improve your drawing skills.
Steps
- Express yourself. The best art comes from conveying your genuine, personal self. However, there are notable benefits from drawing "fan art" (original art based on an established work). Many artists begin by emulating other styles or even tracing professional work. Keep in mind that you should never claim traced/copied work as your own; it should be for practice purposes only. (Practice makes perfect!)
- Look at the work of other artists. You can draw inspiration from the work of others.
- Learn basic drawing practices. It is likely that you know about drawing the "base shapes" of your drawing while continually adding more detail. This is a commonly used method that will probably aid you.
- Draw different versions of what your idea looks like. This could mean drawing it in different styles or with different tools or from different perspectives.
- Create scenes: a bedroom, a farm, or a school with kids in it. The possibilities are endless.
- Do not let anyone tell you what not to draw. A common criticism is that "it has been done before". If you want to do something that has been done before, then great! Do it, make it your own, and improve. The only time this criticism is valid is when you create something "clichéd" for the sole purpose of gaining attention. (There is an exception to this: do not draw pornographic or violent material at school or a public institution.)
- Draw a lot. Draw in your notebook, on a whiteboard, in the dirt, with chalk, with charcoal, on the computer, with Photoshop, with MS Paint. Draw with your eyes closed, with your off-hand, or even with your foot (Warning: this is hard). Draw the same thing over and over again; it is your work, do whatever the heck you want!
- Never discourage yourself. You will believe everything you tell yourself, whether you realize it or not. Go out of your way to admire what you like about your drawings. Do not compare yourself to others, only to your previous work.
Tips
- You do not need expensive art supplies to be a good artist. Many comic-creators can form dynamic pieces of work from cheap paper and a pen from Office Max. Art is not in the pen, it is in the hand holding it.
- Never give up!
- Artists often modify their character's original colors and/or designs; the character will most likely mature and develop as you do. Be willing to change your ideas
- If you lack inspiration, try listening to music, reading a book, watching a movie, or going for a walk.
- If you lack the ability to freehand try using basic shapes and lines and work from there; sometimes good art requires a little geometry.
- If you have a friend who is a talented artist, then ask him or her for advice! It is always easier to learn something new with someone personally guiding you. If your friend is over-critical of your work and tends to show off how much better he or she is, then this person is not a very good friend.
- Let some one help you don't be afraid express yourself into your drawings.
Warnings
- Do not plagiarize; plagiarism is copying artists' work and not only is it illegal to copy but it also deprives artists' of a decent livelihood.
Things You'll Need
- Paper (thick, slightly ridgy sketch paper is good)
- Pencils
- Markers (optional; for colors)
- A good imagination
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