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You've probably heard the saying "Practice makes perfect" at least a couple of times during your life. And there's nothing cryptic about this phrase - it merely means that you'll get better with repetition. Nowhere is this more obvious than in drawing and illustration, where an understanding of proportions and proper painting technique can turn rough doodles into a detailed face.

The list that you'll find below is composed of our reader's submissions of their process of learning to draw. The techniques vary from pencil drawings to digital images, but with every before and after photo the improvement is more than evident.

Now, scroll down for some practice inspiration below. You'll find that even the most simple illustration is actually a diamond in the rough for beautiful drawings.

#1

Drawing Progress Over The Last Few Years

Drawing Progress Over The Last Few Years

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banksied Report

#3

Progression From 2 Years Old To 25

Progression From 2 Years Old To 25

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Marc Allante Report

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guess
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol I couldn't draw that well at age two ;u; ...I'M NOT CRYING YOU'RE CRYING

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#4

Eye Drawing Progress In 3 Years

Eye Drawing Progress In 3 Years

EndOfAllHope Report

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#8

5 Years Of Progress

5 Years Of Progress

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Arvalis Report

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#9

The Difference 2 Years Of Practice Makes

The Difference 2 Years Of Practice Makes

seaweed_is_cool Report

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Maegan Tse
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ignore the random guy below. He said it was easy, but realism requires skill and precision. It's not called a copy. It's called making beautiful, flawless art

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#10

My Drawing Progression From Age 12 To 14

My Drawing Progression From Age 12 To 14

Krumpts Report

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#11

From 2013-2015: Same Reference :)

From 2013-2015: Same Reference :)

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#14

Drawing Improvement Over 6 Months

Drawing Improvement Over 6 Months

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#15

My Drawing Progress

My Drawing Progress

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#17

The Progression Of My Drawing Between Ages 2-24

The Progression Of My Drawing Between Ages 2-24

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Jake Lockett Report

#18

My Drawing Progress 2007 - 2012

My Drawing Progress 2007 - 2012

rosene547 Report

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#22

Age 16 To Age 27

Age 16 To Age 27

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#25

Same Character Over The Years

Same Character Over The Years

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#27

Drawing Progress

Drawing Progress

briannam7900 Report

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AmandaWhittaker
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love how the drawing develops into a recognizable person...Bella right?

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#28

20whatever To Present: Practice Is Everything (talent Is Overrated)

20whatever To Present: Practice Is Everything (talent Is Overrated)

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#31

Progress In Regards To Color Understanding :)

Progress In Regards To Color Understanding :)

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Femke Uyttebroeck
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You should totally commit your drawings to Magic The Gathering for card creation... this is amazing

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#32

Same Kind Of Concept Separated By 2 Years Of Work!

Same Kind Of Concept Separated By 2 Years Of Work!

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#34

My Progress - Fanart And Original Work

My Progress - Fanart And Original Work

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#35

2014-2015 Progress. (got It Right This Time)

2014-2015 Progress. (got It Right This Time)

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#37

My Self Portrait Progress Over Two Years

My Self Portrait Progress Over Two Years

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#40

My Improvement (december 2014- June 2015)

My Improvement (december 2014- June 2015)

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#41

3 Years Of Practice! Age 12 To 14 (almost 15)

3 Years Of Practice! Age 12 To 14 (almost 15)

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#42

8 Years Of Photoshop Practice

8 Years Of Photoshop Practice

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#43

Found On The Internet (not Mine). Great Progress In 10 Years

Found On The Internet (not Mine). Great Progress In 10 Years

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#45

I've Been Drawing More Than 25 Years...

I've Been Drawing More Than 25 Years...

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#46

My Drawing Progress 2012-2015

My Drawing Progress 2012-2015

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#47

Drawings From Age 12 To 15

Drawings From Age 12 To 15

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#48

Mond 2015 Now! (stefanie Götzky) 85*85

Mond 2015 Now! (stefanie Götzky) 85*85

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#49

My Work From Age 14 To 36 - First Starting Out With Acrylics And Then Moving Onto Watercolours

My Work From Age 14 To 36 - First Starting Out With Acrylics And Then Moving Onto Watercolours

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#50

My Self Portrait Over The Years - 22 To 36 Years Of Age

My Self Portrait Over The Years - 22 To 36 Years Of Age

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#51

2 Months Difference, But Can Be Achieved In 4 Days (check Betty Edwards)

2 Months Difference, But Can Be Achieved In 4 Days (check Betty Edwards)

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mermaidgirl960
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, I draw every day and see improvement (even if it's only a little) every month :)

#52

11 Years Of Progress

11 Years Of Progress

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#53

Age !9 - Zero Experience.. To Now :)

Age !9 - Zero Experience.. To Now :)

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Meh Meh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It kind of creeps me out...but in a good way? I love it, could be a Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark cover

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#54

12 Year Old

12 Year Old

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#55

December 2015

December 2015

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#57

Self Portraits, 16 Years Difference

Self Portraits, 16 Years Difference

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#58

Progress From 2004 To Now

Progress From 2004 To Now

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#59

Well... It Is Something!

Well... It Is Something!

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#60

2 Year Difference!!

2 Year Difference!!

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#62

Feb 2015

Feb 2015

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#63

2 Years Old To 12 Years Old, My Drawing Difference

2 Years Old To 12 Years Old, My Drawing Difference

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#64

2 Year Difference!!

2 Year Difference!!

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#66

2 Years Worth Of Practice

2 Years Worth Of Practice

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mermaidgirl960
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is this downvoted so much? It's still an improvement and every artist should respect that. Not everyone can go from a stickman to a beautiful masterpiece in 2 years...

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#70

13 Years Old Done In 15 Mins

13 Years Old Done In 15 Mins

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