Drawing can be fun, exciting, and therapeutic, but it can also be difficult, tedious, and frustrating, especially to those who may be just learning or who have not yet perfected their desired technique or skill level. The great news is, that no matter where you are in your drawing venture, you can always learn, practice, and improve. And it is probably much easier than you think!

Practice, Practice, Practice

Any artist will tell you that the secret to their success is practice. Aim to draw daily and plentifully. Repetitive and persistent drawing will not only improve your skills, but it will also train your body and your muscles to acclimate to the activity as well. After a while, your fingers, wrists, arms, and even brain will be prepared and ready to go before you even begin.

A daily sketchbook is an excellent item to keep with you. Whenever inspiration hits, or you see something you would like to draw, no matter where you are, you can just pull out your book and begin immediately. If you are having difficulty getting started, you can always focus on your surroundings. Simply look around, and sketch what you see. Analyze the details. Do not be afraid to try new ideas and techniques. You can also experiment with some of the basics, like shapes, perspective, proportions, shading, and stick figures.

A huge range of different artistic methods exist, so it is important to keep an open mind; you just may find a specific style or subject that you absolutely love. As time passes, you will even excel at finding inspiration and generating ideas for your artwork.

Warm Up Exercises

Along with ample practice, warm up exercises can also prove incredibly beneficial. Even for just a few minutes, doodling, free drawing, or continuous line drawing (never lifting the pencil, from start to finish) can get your brain, hands, and eyes primed and ready for your project. So, before you officially begin, you can try grabbing a sheet of paper, setting a timer for about five minutes, and just letting the pencil travel across the page. Try to fill up the space on the sheet as best you can. Do not be afraid to experiment or make mistakes. Just give yourself some time to have fun and to literally get your hand moving.

Organize your Work

Finally, you can truly capture your journey, as well as study your strengths, weaknesses, and progression in drawing by organizing your work. Cataloging your pieces and revisiting them allows you to step back, reflect, absorb all your accomplishments, and decide on your next project.

Never Stop Learning

Research different artists, styles, and mediums. Keep looking at artwork and working on your own. You can even take courses to help you. Whichever paths you choose, you are certain to improve with practice and continue to find new passions.