【 ART 】 advice on improving your art!

i thought i would do a big write-up on the technique i use to improve my art. i have been using this method for years, however, i never really put it into words till now!

i figured this would be an interesting read for those of you who draw, and equally interesting for people who don't draw but would like to see into the mind of an improving artist.

PLEASE NOTE: this is how to improve your art once you have a basic understanding of anatomy and form. if you are just starting out, it is important to start with figure drawing and basic observation before you attempt to find your own style!

most of what i am talking about is discussed in this video! i highly recommend watching naoki saito, he has very good videos on how to improve your art! additionally, if you prefer reading, this is his book on art improvement! i will be including some excerpts from this book.

here is my method:

1. pick an artist you want to draw more like! for me, i have always made huge collages of art i like, usually of multiple artists. when you look at all the artwork you enjoy, think to yourself: what common themes are there? for myself, i tend to be drawn to highly saturated colors that pop, simple shading, and thick line work.

look at the art you love, and figure out why you love it. screenshot tiny bits and portions of said art and try to replicate it yourself.

naoki saito suggests narrowing your focus down to one artist, and i agree with this sentiment! i think having a more narrow focus may help you improve quicker.

when using this method, it's important to choose an artist whose work truly inspires you. do not choose what you think will be popular, or what others will want to see. choose what you want to see.

2. study their work!

i suggest attempting to redraw an exact replica of something your target artist has drawn. copy them exactly. in fact, i think tracing can even be a useful tactic for improving. you want to get muscle memory, and tracing is an excellent way to build it up. please see the shrimp method for further explanation on this technique.

3. if possible, have the artist you are studying critique your work!

i was very lucky to be able to send in my art for correction to my target artist! having your target artist correct your work can seriously help you visualize where to go next! many artists are happy to do this for a small cost, so i think reaching out to your target artist can benefit you. if you are unable to have them correct your art, i still highly recommend seeking out other artists to critique you.

you will not improve if you are not able to receive correction and critique.

there are many ways to improve your art, but this is just a small glance of the method i find most useful. once again, please check out the following:

• naoki saito's youtube channel

• naoki saito's book

• shrimp method

additionally, i am always happy to answer questions about my own artwork in the comments of patreon posts!

please never hesitate to ask me for how i did something, brushes i use, etc!