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.
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Drawing Progress Over The Last Few Years
7 Years Of Progress
Eye Drawing Progress In 3 Years
About 8 Years Of Progress
Practice Pays Off
I Think My Style Changed A Bit
The Difference 2 Years Of Practice Makes
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
My Drawing Progression From Age 12 To 14
My Drawing Progress
Just Work Hard And Believe In Yourself. 3 Years
Drawing Improvement Over 6 Months
My Drawing Progress
You can see how he mentally grows up and his interest as he gets older
2008 - 3 Hours / 2015 - 15 Minutes
The Progression Of My Drawing Between Ages 2-24
My Progress :d
Works In 2013 And 2014
Difference From December 2013 And February 2015
Age 16 To Age 27
I struggled to find any before work (mostly thrown out *sad face* ).
My Drawing Progress
My Drawing Evolution Between 2006 And 2013
Drawing Progress
Love how the drawing develops into a recognizable person...Bella right?
20whatever To Present: Practice Is Everything (talent Is Overrated)
Drawing Progress Over 4 Years :)
My Drawing Progress
Progress In Regards To Color Understanding :)
You should totally commit your drawings to Magic The Gathering for card creation... this is amazing
Same Kind Of Concept Separated By 2 Years Of Work!
9/2014 - 10/ 2015
My Progress - Fanart And Original Work
2014-2015 Progress. (got It Right This Time)
1 Year Difference Feat. Lorde!
My Self Portrait Progress Over Two Years
Found On The Internet (not Mine). Great Progress In 10 Years
10 Years Of Improvement - Same Character
I've Been Drawing More Than 25 Years...
No way that's age 6. Plus, I like the second one better than the last.
Drawings From Age 12 To 15
My Work From Age 14 To 36 - First Starting Out With Acrylics And Then Moving Onto Watercolours
2 Months Difference, But Can Be Achieved In 4 Days (check Betty Edwards)
Yeah, I draw every day and see improvement (even if it's only a little) every month :)
The Difference Between The Two, Is Only Two Years!
Self Portraits, 16 Years Difference
2 different techniques. But the 13 year old is beautiful as well.
Progress From 2004 To Now
11 Years Old
2 Years Old To 12 Years Old, My Drawing Difference
2 Year Difference!!
Same Person's Portrait...2 Years Of Progression :)
2 Years Worth Of Practice
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...
13 Years Old Done In 15 Mins
This article shows that there is not natural talent. And skill don't come easy. It takes time, effort, and the willingness to draw the things you're not good at until you are. Respect to the artists.
I agree with only half of what you say. There IS talent, but that doesn't mean that not everybody can learn.
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Im a 12 year old artist i feel like im doing something wrong if i dont draw within 3 days. i am "addicted" to art and i am good at it too! I have been trying hard with art for just a year and i have come a long way :) these images just say to me "Dont give up! you will receive progress!" and i listen to that in my head.
I find this both encouraging and extremely demoralizing despite my years of drawing practice -_-
This article shows that there is not natural talent. And skill don't come easy. It takes time, effort, and the willingness to draw the things you're not good at until you are. Respect to the artists.
I agree with only half of what you say. There IS talent, but that doesn't mean that not everybody can learn.
Load More Replies... Im a 12 year old artist i feel like im doing something wrong if i dont draw within 3 days. i am "addicted" to art and i am good at it too! I have been trying hard with art for just a year and i have come a long way :) these images just say to me "Dont give up! you will receive progress!" and i listen to that in my head.
I find this both encouraging and extremely demoralizing despite my years of drawing practice -_-
