How to Improve Your Drawing Skills

Are you a screen printer, sign maker, or t-shirt shop owner and would like to get more print jobs that require custom made art? But what if don't you don't have much experience with freehand drawing?

​The following tips could help you...

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1. Learn to study the drawings of others...
Take a close look at the work of others, be it a simple line art drawing or a highly detailed rendering. Studying the use of lines, shapes and their shading pattern will help you do better when next you have a pencil or pen in your hands.

2. Draw...
Practice makes you better, and that's exactly what you want to do. The only way to improve is by drawing, more and more. Start off by creating simple one color, line art drawings. Practice drawing by copying drawings of others. Make sketches of designs that you really like, especially designs that you would really like to be able to sell to customers. Repetition builds your confidence and increases your skills immensely; draw as much as can—it's the only way your skills will improve.

3. Get a sketchbook...
What helps many beginning artists is the use of a sketchbook. Carry your sketchbook with you whenever possible. And when you have free time—make sketches of things that you find interesting. For you to become better at anything you need commitment, make yourself committed to the art of drawing. Schedule a regular time throughout the day or week to pursue drawing. Keeping a sketchbook handy will serve as a reminder to draw.

Improving drawing skills for those that are already above the beginner's level or even a professional artist is completely a different thing altogether.
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For artists at this stage, time and energy is typically more limited. You may end up asking yourself:

• What should I concentrate on when drawing?
• Should I work on eliminating my shortcoming or try to increase my drawing ability?

Being at this crossroad is tough and you may would wonder what's the best way to continue your drawing practice sessions to improve your abilities. Only you know the direction you want to take to improve as an artist. Focusing and practicing drawing on your strengths can take your skill level higher but you also need to invest your energy in fixing your weaknesses. The fact is if you continue to practice your art skills on regular basis, your skill level will almost always improve even when you are at the intermediate or professional level.

Good advice is to ignore the shortcomings that do not handicap your artwork. Invest a fair portion of your time and energy working at your drawings to overcome only those shortcomings that handicap you from achieving better and relevant drawings. Doing this, you'll have much more energy left to concentrate on improving your strengths even further.

When you first start drawing your work will look a little amateurish, but give it time. If you continue to practice, you will start to notice improvement with every drawing you create. The best tip that can be given to advance in your drawing skills is to practice, practice, practice. This is the only real way to better your abilities. Most people weren't born artists--you must practice to get better.

Susan Miller reporting for American Screen Printing Association.

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