Frustrated with Slow Drawing Improvement?!

These insights and suggestions may be just what you need to fast track your drawing improvement in the direction you want. Includes some very practical things to do.

[arjunp]

as an adult learner, I feel your videos are directly speaking to me, thank you

[Suspect]

I think this is excellent advice, and the analogy to music training makes a lot of sense. A lot of this also reminds me of how athletes train: they don't always run marathons (or lift their 1 rep max weight, or play an entire game of basketball, or ....). Instead, they do many different training sessions, each with a specific goal of improving their strength, or speed, or endurance, or sport-specific skill. A basketball player can practice their shooting thousands of time, instead of the <10 times they might do that in a real game. Similarly, we artists can practice ellipses, straight lines, boxes in perspective, hands doing various actions, faced making different expressions, thumbnail value sketches for composition, color studies of master paintings, etc. many thousands of times instead of just when required in a "real" drawing.

I think learning to love one's sketchbook and the practice sketches in it is a good way of getting better faster. The sketchbook *is* the product. Of course, you don't want to get caught in the trap of trying to make everything in the sketchbook look perfect.

[therealjetlag]

I also find that fresh set of eyes can make me less critical of my work. I’m often over critical of what I’ve drawn until I see it the next day and suddenly it seems much better 😂

[heatherh]

Absolutely right. Also how can you advance in your learning if a teacher doesn't have the skills or knowledge themselves. As a child I was in a local art class. It was a joke, and I knew it, even as young as I was. Basically it was come and throw paint at the paper. What I 'learned' from the unwarranted lavish praise I got was if you don't have natural talent forget it, because art skills can't be taught. When you learn you need constructive information and criticism. It 's important to really examine an instructors work. Do they have the skill level to take you where you want to go? Then you need to evaluate their teaching style and communication skills. You get top grades on both counts, Stephen. Thank you..

[khaosarts]

Wow, really just opened my mind just now. You're perspective skills are IN-SANE btw

[Barry-tirc]

First I really enjoy your videos I believe your a very good teacher you have a good sense of what the students are experiencing.have you ever considered a book love you videos but it’s always nice to be able to grab a book and go over something quickly.Your drawings are beautiful as well you could combine the two into a great book .

[mouhcine]

Many thanks for those advices.
It's very helpful

[yeyintthura]

Hi stephen, I'm a student who's interested in architecture and wants to draw detailed architectural cityscape drawings.What books would you recommend me?