I did go to classes when I was young, but considering most of the draws in the sketchbook from those years were… horribly ineligible because I was like 10, I mostly picked up on how to draw from watching things (animes + speedpaints) or referencing images to draw over and over till I understood how the body should look in said position.
But also I’ve mentioned this before but, the whole tracing thing or using bases for art! I don’t think its actually bad to trace or uses bases as a start or for practice BUT ONLY IF THE ARTIST WHO DREW THE ORIGINAL CONTENT SAYS ITS OKAY AND YOU CREDIT THEM PROPERLY! when I was younger I didn’t use bases or trace, but thats because I’m the type of person who just be like that. But its extra useful
Like this for example.
And then because I did that, I got understanding of how the shirt wrinkles and crinkles so I feel more confident to draw use it on something else!
I also bought like… 20 reference books? Which thankfully now isn’t really something you have to do because wonderful and talented artists have let us in on their secrets and drawn plenty of tutorials.
Which I didn’t exactly know about when I was starting.
Lighting/shading:
When it comes to lighting or shading I have had trouble with this but in recent months I feel like I’m grasping it a lot better. like for instance, depending on the time of day or the mood of the picture you want, you use either warm or cool colors.
I’m especially proud of the lighting and shading in this picture I drew
Chara’s skin tone is orangey, so I made the shading a brownish green, but depending on the lightening it could have been more purple/blue like how I made Sans’ bones. 😀 I don’t have much other advice on it, I’m still learning what looks best to me and what feels functional sooooooooo..
Other tips:
Before sitting down to draw something be sure to stretch! Its very easy to strain your muscles in both your hands, wrists and body by not doing proper stretching. Flex your fingers turn your wrists a couple times, theres actually a tutorial I’ll link it here – with some helpful stretches!
When you draw, grab some water, and a snack and be sure to stay hydrated and full while working! Its very easy to get absorbed in work and not want to move, so having what you need on hand will help greatly!
Take breaks! I recommend taking one every hour and a half! stand up, stretch your legs, go to the bathroom or whatever else you need! Go outside even, get a little sunlight if you can.
Posture is also very important! When drawing I recommend keeping your legs out under you, DO NOT SIT ON THEM. I bet you’ve experienced the classic ‘pins and needles’ that make you die inside when you move your leg. Sitting on, crossing or bending your legs for extended periods is going to make your legs do that. Also do nOT LEAN ON YOUR ARM WHILE DRAWING. It will do the same thing and geez does it sting. Also, Slouching forward will really hurt your back, I recommend sitting straight with the canvas or drawing surface tilted so that you don’t strain anything.
Marshmellowmilktea 