This is something I've been struggling for quite a lot of time. And I want to also share with you why...

See, visual arts/design is a little bit different from music in some aspects. For instance, when you are learning your instrument you pretty much have a master for learning to do better in practically in every corner out there. Of course,
some better than others, but relative to the arts, most of them have an average good level.

There is literally no good teachers of art out there, because those very few ones that are good at it, they don't mostly teach, they work from it by producing. Not only to get better paid, but also they choose this life instead teaching because it allows them (us) to get better at arts thanks to constant practice and studying.

There are good art teachers out there. But most of them are in remote places (for most of us, such as States, Europe, etc.). Yet (luckily enough) now a days we got internet and thanks to it we can enjoy those classes from one part of the world to another. But yes, they are expensive as hell.

So, the most viable solution for those poor bastards such as myself is to go to Schoolism and buy old courses. Check the classes and correct your own homework with other peeps'.

It's not as hard as it sounds. The first thing to consider here is that if it is an exercise or practice, your should make it according to your needs. Let's talk about my needs here as an example.

I always lacked A LOT of skills for drawing and doing a proper line-art.

I always did a base for rapidly getting into the painting stage and fix any issue that may appear right there.
And even if the final result was amazing, to be honest, I also want to deliver a proper line-work since the beginning.

I also know that I don't lack (thaaaaat much) of skills but rather of the style for doing it so. And it takes time of practice before getting into the right path of the style. After a while I believe that the difference will be clear, and people will be able to see it and appreciate it.

There are many artists that I deeply admire. And some of those is particularly for the work of lines. I took three of them and imitated their style into the sketch i did of this Conan-looking-orc.

This is something much better than just copy their drawings because this forces me to re-think about what they did and why twice.

After finishing the sketch I made I tried to imitate few of my fav artists regarding to sketch/painting/drawing style... Qiu Fang (1), Moby Francke (2) and Even Mehl Amundsen (3).

Then took a moment to realize wtf just happened and made a last version mixing all of them and calling it "mine" (4).

Pretty simple!

**

To be honest I love the organic feeling it gives. I think a whole new world just opened. Not to say that the work of lines looks pretty much WAY BETTER than those thick lines i was doing originally. And all this was for realizing that I have a big gap and lack in my line-art.

So this is the best way you have for getting better in your profession: Just find where is your weakest point (or ask to someone you trust about it) and then find those examples that you like at most, push the limits the extreme!

For instance, I know that I could do well with my previous way of drawing, but it is not in my nature to stay one or another way... I need to constantly get over myself and get better and better and better! And if you are planning the same for yourself, then count on my for helping you out ;)

Thanks a lot for your support and I see you in the next one!

I apologize if I don't reply to your message. Sometimes I can't find enough time for it. But you can be sure that I will read it!

Bye!