One piece of advice I think is important for all budding artists is to draw from the human figure.
Points to Consider
- how tone informs form. Unless its a line drawing (in pencil), the relationships of tones within the body are as important if not more than the 'outline'.
- measurement/proportion techniques - sometimes good to use your finger as a measuring tool, usually the head goes three times into the body (is always bigger than you think!).
- using different materials – charcoal/ink/wash/conte/white/pencil - different materials not only give different effects but some challenge you more to produce better drawings. Don't always stay in your comfort zone - try something new and see what happens!
- drawing on different coloured paper - oh, I hate all that white space. Try a neutral tone so that you dont get scared by so much white space.
- anatomy – drawing hands and feet – mittens – structure of the neck/tummy/upper /lower arm/legs/head - well, I still have trouble with feet, but with practice they might turn out less like bits of blancmange and more like something that supports the weight of the figure that is standing on them (there are also some good books on anatomy which can give you a head start - but dont stay up all night reading it, get out and draw with the structures in mind!).
- use the background - dont forget the figure exists in a real space - it adds interest to your picture and gives it a context.
