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

Drawing Progress Over The Last Few Years

banksied Report

#2

7 Years Of Progress

7 Years Of Progress

7 Years Of Progress

Ray Sampang Report

#3

Progression From 2 Years Old To 25

Progression From 2 Years Old To 25

Progression From 2 Years Old To 25

Marc Allante Report

guess
Community Member
7 years ago Created 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

#5

About 8 Years Of Progress

About 8 Years Of Progress

Noah Bradley Report

#7

I Think My Style Changed A Bit

I Think My Style Changed A Bit

winterfingers Report

#8

5 Years Of Progress

5 Years Of Progress

5 Years Of Progress

Arvalis Report

MyrandaValles
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder who this character is. He likes him a lot.

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#9

The Difference 2 Years Of Practice Makes

The Difference 2 Years Of Practice Makes

seaweed_is_cool Report

Maegan Tse
Community Member
2 years ago Created 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

#11

From 2013-2015: Same Reference :)

From 2013-2015: Same Reference :)

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SaraNacman
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, that is an amazing drawing. Like a photograph almost!

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#13

Just Work Hard And Believe In Yourself. 3 Years

Just Work Hard And Believe In Yourself. 3 Years

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#14

Drawing Improvement Over 6 Months

Drawing Improvement Over 6 Months

honeydips Report

#15

My Drawing Progress

My Drawing Progress

josemacrz Report

JorgeDeArmas
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can see how he mentally grows up and his interest as he gets older

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#16

2008 - 3 Hours / 2015 - 15 Minutes

2008 - 3 Hours / 2015 - 15 Minutes

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#17

The Progression Of My Drawing Between Ages 2-24

The Progression Of My Drawing Between Ages 2-24

The Progression Of My Drawing Between Ages 2-24

Jake Lockett Report

#18

My Drawing Progress 2007 - 2012

My Drawing Progress 2007 - 2012

rosene547 Report

hawkeyefan iowa
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Julia Roberts,...., weirdo human being,....,....,Taylor Swift

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#20

Works In 2013 And 2014

Works In 2013 And 2014

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#22

Age 16 To Age 27

Age 16 To Age 27

Report

Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I struggled to find any before work (mostly thrown out *sad face* ).

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#23

My Drawing Progress

My Drawing Progress

lihnida Report

#25

Same Character Over The Years

Same Character Over The Years

Report

#26

My Drawing Evolution Between 2006 And 2013

My Drawing Evolution Between 2006 And 2013

Report

#27

Drawing Progress

Drawing Progress

briannam7900 Report

AmandaWhittaker
Community Member
7 years ago Created 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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#29

Drawing Progress Over 4 Years :)

Drawing Progress Over 4 Years :)

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#30

My Drawing Progress

My Drawing Progress

Report

#31

Progress In Regards To Color Understanding :)

Progress In Regards To Color Understanding :)

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Femke Uyttebroeck
Community Member
5 years ago Created 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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#36

1 Year Difference Feat. Lorde!

1 Year Difference Feat. Lorde!

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#37

My Self Portrait Progress Over Two Years

My Self Portrait Progress Over Two Years

Report

RJ N
Community Member
2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You got way prettier in 2 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

soar99.blog78.fc2.com Report

#44

10 Years Of Improvement - Same Character

10 Years Of Improvement - Same Character

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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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LittleHedgehog
Community Member
7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No way that's age 6. Plus, I like the second one better than the last.

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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 Created 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
2 years ago Created 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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#56

The Difference Between The Two, Is Only Two Years!

The Difference Between The Two, Is Only Two Years!

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#57

Self Portraits, 16 Years Difference

Self Portraits, 16 Years Difference

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Denise van der Jagt
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

2 different techniques. But the 13 year old is beautiful as well.

#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!!