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This article will show you the basic instructions on how to improve your drawing skills. Drawing is more than putting a pencil on a paper, and this wikiHow will explain that.
Steps
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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.Advertisement -
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 you want! -
Do not get discouraged. Believe in yourself. Go out of your way to admire what you like about your drawings. Do not compare yourself to others, only to your previous work.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat are some suggestions for drawing inspiration?Community AnswerDraw things you love. When you're studying, you can draw what the subject is all about, and you'll enjoy revising.
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QuestionWhat are some basic pictures that you can draw?Community AnswerDraw pictures based on simple lines and curves, like apples, clouds, the sun or stick figures. Keep practicing simple figures until you are comfortable moving on to more advanced work.
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QuestionHow can I draw a picture with intricate details?Community AnswerPractice by copying another picture. Look at it and try to separate it in your mind into different shapes. Start by drawing the outline and gradually add in more detail. Pictures with intricate details depend as much on time as on ability. Spend time working on the picture and adding details.
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Tips
- Never give up!Thanks
- 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 ideasThanks
- 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.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Be expressive and start drawing with basic shapes and lines. If you need more inspiration, look at safe art websites (such as Devianart, etc.) and professional artist paintings. Start with a circle, add more squares, lines, circles, etc. and see what you come up with. Add words to express the art you made with descriptions such as "a purple sunset in the deep woods." Have fun drawing!
- If you are drawing something, remember to outline it very lightly with pencil, then if you are happy with it, you can outline it darker and color it in. If you don't like it, you can always erase the work you did in pencil and start fresh.
- Use all different kinds of writing instruments to draw with, like pencils, pens, and markers. Experiment with the shading and darkness of your lines. ✏️ 🖍🖌
- A lot of people say that it is essential to have a 2B pencil. In my opinion, you don't actually need a 2B. A normal pencil is enough. :-)
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Warnings
- Do not plagiarize; plagiarism is copying other artists' work and not only is it illegal to copy, but it also deprives artists of a decent livelihood.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about drawing, check out our in-depth interview with Kathy Leader .
Things You'll Need
- Paper (thick, slightly rough sketch paper is good)
- Pencils
- Markers (optional; for colors)
- A good imagination
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 185,591 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "This article made me believe that I can become a better artist, and that I should never give up on that skill, no matter how tough and frustrating it is. I'll try to draw every day. Thank you!" ..." more
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"This article made me believe that I can become a better artist, and that I should never give up on that skill, no matter how tough and frustrating it is. I'll try to draw every day. Thank you!"
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"It's interesting to see some people show their talent and they are not scared of showing people. "
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