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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
#2
7 Years Of Progress
#4
Eye Drawing Progress In 3 Years
#5
About 8 Years Of Progress
#6
Practice Pays Off
#7
I Think My Style Changed A Bit
#9
The Difference 2 Years Of Practice Makes
Maegan Tse 4 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
#12
My Drawing Progress
#13
Just Work Hard And Believe In Yourself. 3 Years
Final score:
49points
#14
Drawing Improvement Over 6 Months
#15
My Drawing Progress
JorgeDeArmas 8 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
#17
The Progression Of My Drawing Between Ages 2-24
#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
#22
Age 16 To Age 27
Final score:
26points
SarahJeanes (Submission author) 8 years ago
I struggled to find any before work (mostly thrown out *sad face* ).
#23
My Drawing Progress
#26
My Drawing Evolution Between 2006 And 2013
Final score:
20points
#27
Drawing Progress
AmandaWhittaker 8 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 7 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
#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 8 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 4 years ago
Yeah, I draw every day and see improvement (even if it's only a little) every month :)
#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 8 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 4 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...
#70
13 Years Old Done In 15 Mins
Final score:
-4points
Add New Image
What do you think ?
ShaudaySmith 8 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 8 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 8 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 7 years ago
I find this both encouraging and extremely demoralizing despite my years of drawing practice -_-
ShaudaySmith 8 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 8 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 8 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 7 years ago
I find this both encouraging and extremely demoralizing despite my years of drawing practice -_-
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