Tip #2: Browse

I know you guys have probably been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for more tips, right? Well, here's the second!

Tip #2: Browse. All the time.

As an artist - professional, amateur, or beginner - you should always be looking for ways to develop your art.

Notice that I use the word "develop" rather than "improve". I say this because even if your skills have come very far, there are always new and different things happening in the world of art for you to discover.

Part 1: Be a little creepy

Watch people.

Carefully.

I do it all the time.

I have a really good eye for the shapes of bodies, and can take things I see to mind and apply them to my art later.

It happens a lot where I'll simply be on the bus, and I'll see a woman sitting, and I notice the shape of her leg and how it's really elegant or something. So I try to remember that shape, then when I'm drawing a woman, I might remember it and try to draw something similar.

I do the same thing for faces - especially eyebrows and lips - as well as hands, feet, and well - everything! I'm always watching.

It might seem a little creepy, but hey, if you're drawing people, the best thing to do is to observe people.


Part 2: Internet!

In particular: DeviantART.

It's a fantastic website filled with thousands of artists. It has all styles, all levels of skill, everything!

What I suggest even doing is simply taking a stroll now and then through the first page, where they will display the most popular deviations. If you find something you like, go look at it, blow it up, stare at it. Notice the things you like, the things you don't like. Copy it. Either just the style itself, or the entire picture. Copying might seem kind of lame, but it's truly very helpful. Draw it out on paper, and try to make it as similar as possible. Your hand will begin to get used to what you're forcing you to do, and the little things you copy will pop up in your own art.

Tutorials are also fantastic, and DeviantART has tons of them. If you find a really awesome artist you like, go through their gallery and see if they have any tutorials! You can also simply search for specific tutorials - you could probably find one for anything.

Tutorials are incredibly helpful. I look for them all the time. I really enjoy finding out how other people do things. Even if you're not too keen on what the tutorial does, give it a try. You might happen to like something that they do, and you can adapt it and use it for yourself.



So, today, my suggestion to you is to go to DeviantART and just browse around. Search for things that you like. Stare at peoples' art. Make an account of your own!

There are also many, many groups on DeviantART that you can join, make friends, and even get some feedback on your art!



That's all for now, readers!