[eyre]

for you to go from being "eh, okay" to being really good at what you like to draw/paint? What helped you get there?

I'm decent at drawing (I've done a few things that I consider excellent), but I'm a long way off from being consistantly good. Personally, the hardest thing for me is learning how to effectively use light/shadow to develop depth and shaping.

It feels like there's this point of "OH! so that's how you do it" where everything just falls into place. I can see it, I can taste it, but I just can't get it yet.

[see]

Hey,

i would say the best thing is drawing drawing and again drawing different stuff. Dry different technics.
Copy things to learn shading, coloring.

[dave_baer]

I've been drawing almost all of my life and still don't think I'm as good as most people I admire. Although I excell at some things, I lack in others. Practice is what got me to the level I am at today. Simply practice.

[Mr. T]

you never stop learning

[Satan]

quote

Quote:

It feels like there's this point of "OH! so that's how you do it" where everything just falls into place.

I think (at least in my experience) that this feeling never goes away - each time that you feel you have a technique/medium/style/method under your belt, there is always something that you feel you need in your arsenal to achieve that 'something extra' when you finish your next piece - the only thing i've found that helps is constant practice and observation of both real life and also of different media (trad.art/dig.art/comics/tv/film/photography/animation/3D/literature etc.) - you never know what will give your brain that vital piece of information it needs to make that breakthrough - the more you continue to draw/paint/model/sculpt etc. etc. the more consistant you will become, and the higher quality your lowest standard will be.

(a longer way of expressing the above views)




[ January 01, 2002: Message edited by: Satan ]

[Novacaptain]

I think that satan said it well. I think that concearning oneself too much with progressing can, however, act against one's purpose by creating unwanted frustration for the artist.

[LiK]

You've heard it time and time again. Practice, practice, practice!

I'm okay but I think I'm much better now than I was only 2 years ago. IT comes down to drawing alot, learning from other artists around you and online (like this forum), studying various styles and techniques from other artists and their works and of course, a lot of dedication and passion.

Sometimes drawing for yourself is better than trying to impress others. Be your own worst critic and the art will improve gradually. It depends on how much time you spend on your art. I suggest checkin out every type of art you can (from books, mags, websites, comics, etc.) to really get the blood flowing.

[Snakebyte]

For me it came with a change in style 2 years ago. I went from doing random anime pictures to doing non-anime fantasy book covers for a friend of mine. I love how they turn out most of the time but they take WAY too long to do. Another change may be just over the horizon.