Art Progress Chart 2003-2007

(from ages 13-17)

I love these things and have seen a few scattered around the DevART community. Each one is so interesting to look at and see how those artists you always admired used to draw and the improvements they have made through their own hard work and determination. Some make more progress than others, but no where can you see this better than when the evidence is side-by-side.

Some how it makes them seem more human when you can see that those artists werent always perfect and evidence that everyone had to start at the beginning no matter how good they are. Hopefully, this will inspire you all who see it to keep trying and practicing because no matter how far away that goal seems you can reach it with a little time. I know Im not perfect, and I definitely know that I didnt start out drawing masterpieces (heck I dont even do that now). Just like everyone else I just drew and studied and drew and studied until finally I reached heights I never would have thought I would achieve just a few years ago.

Personally I think the progress I have made in just 5 years is astounding. I myself cant believe it even though I remember drawing (and loving) each and every one of these pictures at some point. Now I am really embarrassed by some of the ones near the top.
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Here are a few tips of the trade that I have found to improving, in case anyone wants to know my secrets *snort*:

Always try new poses. If you keep drawing that same “standing with arms hanging by the sides” still pose you wont get anywhere I guarantee it. If you keep the same face angle, expression, stance, hand position, etc how can you get better? Always try something new and challenging, if its not difficult then you arent learning anything new. Try to never draw the same thing twice.

Create dynamic movement. No body stands completely straight even when standing perfectly still. Weight is almost always distributed unevenly and both human and animal bodies are made almost entirely of curves actually. Create poses that pull the eye through the drawing and have a focal point.

Use a mirror. You are your own best model. Get in front of the mirror and stand in the pose you want to draw and look at every facet and angle of it. Observe how your limbs are interacting, how your weight is distributed, the tilt of your head, the expression on your face, etc. Personally I keep a small mirror on my desk at all times and I use it a lot more than you would think for even the smallest of things.

Copy other artists. Now, lets get this straight, Im not saying to go out and trace or even duplicate an exact picture and post it on DA and claim it as your own (or even if you give credit). Find an artist’s style that you really like and practice trying to copy their picture, and then try to draw your own picture in that same style. Mainly try to notice and list all of the small subtle details and techniques that make you love it so much, and try to work them into your own style. Hopefully you can find many artists you admire and try to find your own place in the art world by learning from their example.

Find a tutorial if you don’t know how to do something. Ive pretty much taught myself most of what I know about art, and tutorials have been a big help in this process. Don’t give up if you don’t know. The internet is a big place and someone out there somewhere has instructions on how to do it or find it. Don’t give up if you cant figure out Photoshop... experiment, click buttons, research, ask other artists and eventually bit by bit you can get better and find the best techniques for you alone.

If something is hard for you…do it more. This one I hate too, but it has to be done for the sake of improvement and you wont regret it later. If you have trouble with expressions or poses or hands and feet you have to practice. Its torture but it will be drilled into your head if you to it correctly.

I suggest everyone make a chart of your progress too. Save all of the pictures you draw even if you don’t like them so that you can have something to compare to later. It will give you a real confidence boost and inspire yourself to continue on the same path. Even though Im not improving at the same rate as I was a few years previously, I am making small baby steps and with each one I learn more about art and myself.

So what do you think?