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72 Before And After Drawings Show Practice Makes Perfect
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.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Drawing Progress Over The Last Few Years
john kester 4 years ago
My wife was diagnosed of Parkinsons Disease at age 59. She had slurred speech and severe tremors, she was put on sinemet and Siferol for over 14 months. During this time span she was also diagnosed with dementia. Her care provider adivce we start on herbal treatment from ULTIMATE HEALTH HOME (Reach them at ultimatehealthhome@gmail.com). Within 2 months on the treatment she improved dramatically. At the end of the full treatment course, the disease is totally under control, no case of hallucination, tremors, weakness, muscle pain and she can walk just fine
Sandy Saunders 9 years ago
Wonderful...I found this inspiring and it made me think of the ten thousand hour rule..well done!
RELATED:
#2
7 Years Of Progress
SignorWankhede 9 years ago
Its actually 7, don't subtract the years. count them all in your fingers. @guss
#3
Progression From 2 Years Old To 25
EdSheeranIsBae 9 years ago
I don't... The age 11... How...? I'm 12 and I've been drawing for as long as I can remember and I'm not that good. Teach me your ways, senpai! xD
ValdisOzols 9 years ago
There is difference between just drawing and getting better. YouTube is full of tutorials. Work on your weak sides... learn from basics, sketching, shadows, proportions, what are things made of squares, triangles, cilindres.
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JasmyneLe 9 years ago
For any artist there out there looking for tips, here are a few I wished I learned a lot sooner. 1. Photos will become your best friend. I didn't start using photos until much later into drawing and referencing from several sources really helped my drawing. 2. Focus on what you're good at, and hone in on it. If you want to draw landscapes for example and suck at it, then watch you tube tutorials, try to get better and understand it. Some great youtubers are Mary Doodles or if you're more into anime Mark Crilley, though finding your own style will help too. 3. Find a medium you like the best. Finding your own medium just as a beginning or even a middle artist will help, now I'm not saying you shouldn't try other mediums, but especially if you're drawing something new, it's good to stay in your own medium element than to try a whole other style plus the new drawing altogether. Hope those helped anyone, and remember, to never give up!
ChantalCyr 9 years ago
Even for a two year old that was good, usually at that age they can't draw anything but a few scribbles. At least here you can see it's a face.
Adam dvorak 7 years ago
I couldn't draw like that at age 2 because in that age I didn't know anything about art
#4
Eye Drawing Progress In 3 Years
ANDERSON ARIANNA 4 years ago
I like the first honestly but both really good you are very talented
#5
About 8 Years Of Progress
#6
Practice Pays Off
#7
I Think My Style Changed A Bit
#8
5 Years Of Progress
ShaudaySmith 9 years ago
i like the flat colors and clean lines in 2009. personal choice though. Environments kick my butt.
mermaidgirl960 5 years ago
2008 is my personal favorite but the background and colors are beautiful in 2010!
#9
The Difference 2 Years Of Practice Makes
Maegan Tse 5 years ago
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
#10
My Drawing Progression From Age 12 To 14
TheWeeknd 4 years ago
why are you copy-pasting the same thing on everything? people are trying their hardest. Also, if you're so good, why don't YOU show us what YOUR drawings look like.
Load More Replies... #11
From 2013-2015: Same Reference :)
Final score:
70points
HiddenGenZ 4 years ago
Y'all commented this 5 years ago ... It's 2021 now... Hai past!
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#12
My Drawing Progress
#13
Just Work Hard And Believe In Yourself. 3 Years
Final score:
49points
#14
Drawing Improvement Over 6 Months
Pikachu Lulu P.L. 4 years ago
Am I the only one concerned that the first picture on the underside of the hat is an actual...
#15
My Drawing Progress
JorgeDeArmas 9 years ago
You can see how he mentally grows up and his interest as he gets older
#16
2008 - 3 Hours / 2015 - 15 Minutes
Final score:
38points
Maebh 9 years ago
True, but more impressive is the fact that they did the 2nd in 15 minutes.
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Danielle Wonsewitz 8 years ago
The comments on this one are a tad heartbreaking. The second one is 10 times better than the first. Anyone who has taken a figure drawing class can see that. I can tell with the first that you could probably only draw that pose or very limited others. And it's nearly impossible to get the right proportions and perspective when focusing so heavily on the outlines. But the second one shows true growth. The body is fuller. It represents a three-dimensional animal with real anatomy. The second one is gorgeous.
Jared Arnold 5 years ago
Agreed. Face on the first one is flat as the paper it's drawn on lol. Second one is super nice, my only critique would've been to make the mane a bit thicker, but otherwise it's fantastic.
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#17
The Progression Of My Drawing Between Ages 2-24
CharlotteRose 9 years ago
I was gonna say... you drew better at age 7 than age 10? but yeah, age 17 makes sense...
DariaB 9 years ago
Makes sense, but not neccessarily. Progress has its up-and-donws too...
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#19
My Progress :d
Final score:
32points
#20
Works In 2013 And 2014
Final score:
31points
#21
Difference From December 2013 And February 2015
Final score:
29points
Josslynn Dauphin 6 years ago
Honestly, I thought the one from 2015 was a picture at first glance, then I looked closer and say the actual artwork. Absolutely breathtaking!!
#22
Age 16 To Age 27
Final score:
26points
SarahJeanes (Submission author) 9 years ago
I struggled to find any before work (mostly thrown out *sad face* ).
#23
My Drawing Progress
#24
2005-2015
Final score:
22points
#25
Same Character Over The Years
Final score:
22points
#26
My Drawing Evolution Between 2006 And 2013
Final score:
20points
#27
Drawing Progress
AmandaWhittaker 9 years ago
Love how the drawing develops into a recognizable person...Bella right?
#28
20whatever To Present: Practice Is Everything (talent Is Overrated)
Final score:
19points
#29
Drawing Progress Over 4 Years :)
Final score:
17points
#30
My Drawing Progress
Final score:
15points
#31
Progress In Regards To Color Understanding :)
Final score:
14points
Femke Uyttebroeck 8 years ago
You should totally commit your drawings to Magic The Gathering for card creation... this is amazing
#32
Same Kind Of Concept Separated By 2 Years Of Work!
Final score:
13points
#33
9/2014 - 10/ 2015
Final score:
11points
#34
My Progress - Fanart And Original Work
Final score:
11points
#35
2014-2015 Progress. (got It Right This Time)
Final score:
11points
#36
1 Year Difference Feat. Lorde!
Final score:
10points
#37
My Self Portrait Progress Over Two Years
Final score:
10points
#38
Age 15 - Now
Final score:
7points
#39
Over The Period
Final score:
7points
#43
Found On The Internet (not Mine). Great Progress In 10 Years
Final score:
5points
#44
10 Years Of Improvement - Same Character
Final score:
5points
#45
I've Been Drawing More Than 25 Years...
Final score:
5points
LittleHedgehog 9 years ago
No way that's age 6. Plus, I like the second one better than the last.
#47
Drawings From Age 12 To 15
Final score:
3points
#49
My Work From Age 14 To 36 - First Starting Out With Acrylics And Then Moving Onto Watercolours
Final score:
3points
#51
2 Months Difference, But Can Be Achieved In 4 Days (check Betty Edwards)
Final score:
1point
mermaidgirl960 5 years ago
Yeah, I draw every day and see improvement (even if it's only a little) every month :)
#53
Age !9 - Zero Experience.. To Now :)
Final score:
1point
Calvin Suzuki 5 years ago
Kinda rude... the only problem is she got the proportions kind of out of place. All artists start out from nothing.
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#56
The Difference Between The Two, Is Only Two Years!
Final score:
1point
#57
Self Portraits, 16 Years Difference
Final score:
1point
Denise van der Jagt 9 years ago
2 different techniques. But the 13 year old is beautiful as well.
#58
Progress From 2004 To Now
Final score:
1point
#61
11 Years Old
Final score:
0points
#63
2 Years Old To 12 Years Old, My Drawing Difference
Final score:
0points
#64
2 Year Difference!!
Final score:
0points
#65
Same Person's Portrait...2 Years Of Progression :)
Final score:
-1point
#66
2 Years Worth Of Practice
Final score:
-3points
mermaidgirl960 5 years ago
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...
#67
11 Years Done In An Hour
Final score:
-3points
#68
Age 14
Final score:
-4points
#69
At 8 Years..............20 Years
Final score:
-4points
#70
13 Years Old Done In 15 Mins
Final score:
-4points
Guy on the internet 5 years ago
this is so f*****g dumb, I feel like it's literally on purpose.
Load More Replies...Artistic growth is a fascinating journey that often begins early in life and is fueled by dedication and relentless practice. For those interested in how consistent effort can lead to remarkable improvement in art, a notable example is Marc Allante, whose disciplined approach to his craft since childhood highlights the importance of dedication in honing artistic skills.
By exploring Marc's evolving style, one can see firsthand how an artist progresses over the years through persistent practice and exploration.
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What do you think ?
ShaudaySmith 9 years ago
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.
DariaB 9 years ago
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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Aiden Derouen 9 years ago
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.
James Kapusta 8 years ago
I find this both encouraging and extremely demoralizing despite my years of drawing practice -_-
Andrew Smailes 9 years ago
My daughter is 12 and she draws almost everyday she draws Manga and things of that sort she is quite good at it but she also stumbles on somethings and like i always say to her it takes practice and i always show her things like this to inspire her. I hope she keeps it up my son is just the same but he is a little better because of his age my wife went to art collage when she was younger and i did my own art thing as well but we did nothing with it i just hope they do.
RachelChevalier 9 years ago
This gives me hope for my art it has gotten a lot better since my cup phase lol
AtanasHristov 9 years ago
I wonder if it is possible for me to learn to draw the things I imagene I would draw if I could. I see things. I try to catch them with the camera, but it is not quite possible. Espettiatly when there is fantasy involved. For example when I see a cloud. I would like to draw it the way i see it. But I cant. My hand does not know what to do. I see the wale in the cloud , but my hand does not draw something that looks like cloud. It darws a round line. This discurages me. When I talk to to people about that, nobody tells me ever that I could make it. I tend to say it to may self that is possible. But I wish I could find some support for my belief. Articles like this help. I wish more hints from life that I can.
ShaudaySmith 9 years ago
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.
DariaB 9 years ago
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... Aiden Derouen 9 years ago
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.
James Kapusta 8 years ago
I find this both encouraging and extremely demoralizing despite my years of drawing practice -_-
Andrew Smailes 9 years ago
My daughter is 12 and she draws almost everyday she draws Manga and things of that sort she is quite good at it but she also stumbles on somethings and like i always say to her it takes practice and i always show her things like this to inspire her. I hope she keeps it up my son is just the same but he is a little better because of his age my wife went to art collage when she was younger and i did my own art thing as well but we did nothing with it i just hope they do.
RachelChevalier 9 years ago
This gives me hope for my art it has gotten a lot better since my cup phase lol
AtanasHristov 9 years ago
I wonder if it is possible for me to learn to draw the things I imagene I would draw if I could. I see things. I try to catch them with the camera, but it is not quite possible. Espettiatly when there is fantasy involved. For example when I see a cloud. I would like to draw it the way i see it. But I cant. My hand does not know what to do. I see the wale in the cloud , but my hand does not draw something that looks like cloud. It darws a round line. This discurages me. When I talk to to people about that, nobody tells me ever that I could make it. I tend to say it to may self that is possible. But I wish I could find some support for my belief. Articles like this help. I wish more hints from life that I can.
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