Struggling to Learn Drawing? Here's What Actually Works!

Learning to draw can feel overwhelming, especially when you're comparing yourself to experienced artists. 

But getting good at drawing isn't about talent—it’s about understanding the right process and sticking with it. Here are six principles to help you start drawing, improve consistently, and develop real artistic skills.

The hardest part of learning to draw is getting started. Why? Because when you're a beginner, you know your drawings won’t be great. That fear of failure holds many people back. 

But here’s the truth: every great artist still creates bad drawings. The difference is, they keep going. Improvement comes from making bad decisions until they become good ones. The more you draw, the more good decisions you’ll make—so just start.

There's a lot of noise in the art world about what’s important, but true fundamentals come down to two things: construction and deconstruction. 

If you only draw characters because you love character design, you're limiting your growth. The best character designers understand how to deconstruct animals, vehicles, and everyday objects. These insights influence their work, making their designs more believable. 

Too many choices can lead to paralysis. Whether it’s picking a medium or deciding what to study, narrowing your focus makes learning easier. Instead of jumping between different tools or subjects, go deep into one area for a set period. 

Struggling with hands? Spend a whole week drawing only hands. By hyper-focusing on a weak area, you force your brain to absorb it more effectively, making it a permanent skill.

As artists, we often look up to the work of others for inspiration, and that’s fantastic! It drives our creativity and fuels our passion. However, there’s a common pitfall many of us fall into—simply copying what we see without thinking critically about it. This approach can seriously hinder our growth, especially as beginners.

Instead of copying, focus on studying. The real value comes from understanding the process behind the art—figuring out how and why certain techniques were used to achieve a specific effect. 

Copying for the sake of just getting something done might give you a quick sense of accomplishment, but it’s a false dopamine hit that can slow down your progress and stunt your artistic development.

Remember, the goal is to learn, not just replicate. Embrace the process, and watch your skills grow!

The real secret to improvement isn’t occasional bursts of practice—it’s consistent effort over time. The artists who seem naturally skilled? They’ve simply put in the hours, refining their work little by little every day. 

If you want to get good at drawing, it’s not about shortcuts or talent—it’s about following the right process. Start despite the fear, focus on construction and deconstruction, draw a variety of subjects, narrow your focus, STUDY other artists, and stay consistent.