Back in April, 2007, I created a news entry much like this. I believe that I've gained somewhat more knowledge of art since then. I believe that I'll try to make an article like this each year to continue to help those looking for improvement.


Mindset

First thing first: Do you like to draw? If not, then stop drawing. If you don't like doing something, then why spend all of your time on it? Now, if you're struggling, or don't like an aspect of art, DON'T GIVE UP! You just have something in your road blocking you from your progress.

Drawing is only made just for you if you shiver at the sight of a piece of paper without something on it. Paper should draw you straight to it. I'm constantly drawing on ~tnracegirl's science papers self-consciously. If you can at least draw some sort of brilliant line without paying attention to your hand, then you're getting there! Keep it up.


Motivation

You need friends or family, or some random deviant to keep you at it. Someone who cares. It's not everyday when some random person from the orthodontist's office wants to look at what you're drawing. (Yet, I have to admit, it has happened to me.) Accept compliments. Don't deny them. I know that it's polite to be humble, but if you're saying what people say is not true, then you're basically showing art for no reason at all. Just don't boast, okay? Once as people find out that you will listen to their compliments, you'll get more.


Starting Out

Please tell me that you know the basics. If you don't, then this will be hard without using pictures. Unfortunately, I have none at hand. Although, you may find plenty of tutorials here on . Just search here. As you may see, there are tons of ways and styles that you can use your drawing abilities or inspirations for expressing them.


Shading

Light, Dark, and that strange Gray in between. There's something about it that makes me want to smell it, and rub it. The only way you can get this correct is observation. If a light hits an eye at a certain angle, does it go towards the top or the bottom of the eye? Observation is the key to everything. Just don't stare at people. It gets awkward. If you notice that they see you looking at them, whistle and look around, it makes you look completely innocent. If you can't whistle, then I advise getting a tin whistle, it's easy to use.

If light hits a spot, it doesn't make it darker. It makes the part beyond what the light hits darker, for darkness can't exist without light. Work on it.


Colors

Please don't use dull colors in a happy picture or bright vibrant colors in a sad one. Sure, if it's raining in a city, it's fine to have bright neon lights. =] It just depends on what the picture is. If it's a frog, you want the colors to identify it as a frog. Now, I believe that frogs aren't hot pink. (If they are, then sorry, I'm not a biologist, sorry.) Although, messing around with colors is fun when you draw the subject correctly! You can color a frog pink if you want to, I personally just wouldn't unless if I had an interesting inspiration. Artistic freedom comes with art, so I have no power over what you do. Just trying to help.


Backgrounds

Ouch. I have not worked on these things in forever. Perspective is the way to go. I need to work on it, personally, but it's just a dot with infinite lines going straight towards it though, or more. Here's something that will help you out though: Don't just focus on the positive space (where an object is), focus on the negative space (where nothing but air is.) This advice was given to me by ~Easily-Entertained, but I'm sure she won't mind me telling others what I learned from her. Another thing she said to me is, "Draw what you see, not what you know." Sure, your shoe laces cross over, but you don't always see that, now do you? Continue to work on it. (and I will too.)


Inspiration

I have the hardest time on keeping inspiration. Don't follow my footsteps, but then again, every artist has a lack of inspiration once in a while. Try looking at photographs. It's surprising what your imagination can do with a simple setting or object. No, you don't have to draw that object, but what your imagination comes up with when you see the object or subject.

Music is a great inspiration as well. Listen to the tone of the voice, and in some occasions, the words as well. ( Once again, I must say that this advice was given to me by ~NamiKazeYuki )

Other suggestions for inspiration are interesting conversations with your buddies, quotes, literature, your favorite color, your wardrobe, a pencil, something you see, what you hear, anything really.


I hope that I helped at least a bit! If you want any other advice, then just note me. I'm always here to listen!

Don't give up.