skill building and doing it everyday

[Matt_45]

First off, i would like to say hi.

Second, i love drawing but im having a problem drawing everyday. i would like to draw more and improve my ability, but im at a loss of what to draw ( and im sure people will say "draw everything!").

I would like to know of any daily exercises, links you may have bookmarked, or things you have done to help you draw better and draw every day.


Also, i would like to know of things i shouldnt do. do's and don'ts!

[MatthewGraves]

Lately I've been going to Google Images a lot and just doing searches for things to draw.

I know that I probably shouldn't be giving advice on something like this though -- I draw in bouts. XD

Lately I've really been putting it to the grinding stone though, just looking for something to draw. The internet is full of images, and there's nothing wrong with copying from real life -- in fact, it's probably a preferred method of practice.

Decide what it is you want to draw -- figures, landscapes, still lives -- whatever. Then work on that for a bit, and once you've worked on it for a bit, chose the thing that you feel your worst at, or that you want to draw the least -- then work on that for a bit.

I know for me, I love drawing characters, but I hate drawing animals, and I'm not too fond of drawing landscapes (not because it isn't fun, but because I don't think I'm very good at it).

Could you guess what I'm gonna be drawing next week? ;)

[DavePalumbo]

buy a really good anatomy book. Start with the first image and work your way to the last. That should occupy your time awhile. The great thing about this exercise is that once you finish the book, you can start over again at the begining and you'll be getting at least as much benefit as you did the first time through. Not the sexiest thing to draw, but so worth your time

[malachi]

I too love to draw except when it feels like a task or chore. I get over that hump and sketch daily by drawing what I enjoy without paying attention or caring much if this is the perfect piece. Sometimes I just sit and draw and it's horrible but I feel good because I did some drawing. Also don't edit yourself. Just start making marks and let your mind go. Pick subject matters that you dig and don't worry if you're learning something everytime you draw. Hope this helps.

[DavePalumbo]

oh man, I totally forgot that this problem is exactly what the Daily Sketch Group (http://conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=39) was created to solve

[Ryn]

Set goals!

Every day I try to do one page of self-portrait studies, one page of hand studies, and one page of gestures. Sometimes they're crappy, sometimes they're boring, but you gotta take the good with the bad. Then after that I don't feel as bad for just drawing hot girls with big swords.

I'd say mainly just make sure you're doing stuff you find fun, and don't stress out too much about 'getting better'. Easier to say than to do, surely, but if you try too hard, you'll just make it more difficult and painstaking.

Goodluck.