I know it's been a super uber long time since I've been here but unfortunately, it was life and it's many struggles that got in the way. But it's not because I haven't enjoyed the time here

I've been drawing here and there but I don't feel like I have progressed much since I first started drawing about 2 years ago. Truly, I don't know where to start in trying to improve: I've been really interested in figure drawing so I've been drawing out of an anatomy book for a while and been doing some gestures in pose maniacs as well as some life drawing sessions. I've also tried a bit of values using charcoal and some pastels but not too much. Just mostly graphite.

Mostly, I just feel like I'm all over the place and I can't seem to assess whether I've improved or not.... some drawings do, some don't but overall, I feel like it's all the same.


Any suggestions???

hmm..i too have trouble with what direction to take, as i love it all and want to do it all!! but if you are a new beginner i would suggest picking a subject, like figures (you mentioned liking those), vehicles, landscapes or whatever, and study on the subject for a while in pencil.
Narrow your focus down to what you like to do, what satisfies you most and focus on that one thing and try ( i know its hard) to not let all the other things (subjects, media) distract you. You will get to those eventually.

While figure drawing is a classic method of drawing, you've also only used photographs and manikins which while they have a purpose should not be your only source of reference. Try a life drawing class locally to learn to draw from a live model, it will bring a whole new sense of drawing to you. They'll start with quick gesture drawings and work up to longer poses. You'll network with other artists and learn from their drawing knowledge and experience. There truly is no better tool than drawing from life.

My suggestion also would be to not restrict yourself to just figures. You need to be able to experience a variety of mediums and subjects to help you draw. Once you've mastered the techniques of drawing, which you may have done already, then move on to different media. Play around with supports, sizes, paints, charcoal, pastel, inks. You'll eventually settle into a subject that 'calls' to you and start mastering that.

Also get a sketch book and draw every day. People, objects, the world around you. Draw relentlessly, draw everything, keep everything to compare and judge your progress. Practice, no matter how boring it may sound, is the only way to become good at this.

I'd say just relax. I think so much of drawing is mental work. And our society has such a hurry, hurry, hurry, now pace to it that we can set way unreal deadlines to things that should take all of our lifes. Progression can be very slow, and why shouldn't it be? If it was that easy everybody would be doing it and there wouldn't be any working artist!!! Over time, and practice you'll learn the things and gain the skills you want to. But it takes time, not alot time everyday, maybe a hour more or less. But just relax and enjoy it. No matter what you draw, no one else drew it but you, that counts for something.

thanks... i took up drawing as a way to help me focus as well as for enjoyment. unfortunately, i now have work that takes up my entire day until around 6 30 pm which doesn't really allow me for much of anything really and it gets kinda hard to relax.

Recently, I've set up a work area though for all of my creative endeavors and it's proven to help out a lot in terms of focusing. I've also have started on a sketchbook but I don't fill it up as often as I should and my drawings don't seem as productive as it should either (i.e. doodles, various incompleted concepts).

And I used to attend a life drawing class which helped out immensely but unfortunately, I'm unable to go to the one I used to attend due to make the overbearing work schedule.

Another question would be, what would be the best medium to focus on in terms of practice? I've used graphite and charcoal interchangeably but am not the best at either

ok...after reading all of this you should be able to simply do what works for you...I have been told by many people so many things that none of it even makes sense anymore.

One teacher says 'oh, you should study one medium, you should learn to crawl before you walk. you should start with your pencil, stay with your pencil, until you are comfortable drawing the things you like to draw..then move into color etc..

another teacher says, you should practice drawing what you like, add some colors along the way..

Another teacher says you should practice on drawing the things that are hard for you, not just draw what is easily done for you.

and yet another says dont restrict yourself, draw everything and anything, jump around use this, use that..

so simply do what works for you i guess is the best advice you can get.