Unbelievable! I logged in today and found a whole inbox of people wanting critiques.

I'm just like you guys. I need to practice and refine myself also.

But, I've given out the critiques. I don't always like to, because as an artist I know how sensitive people can be.

I just hope it helped.

The best Advice I can give to anyone is:

#1 DRAW!!!!! Draw! Draw! Draw! And, then Draw some more!

* Keep a sketchbook with you at all times, with pencils. It doesn;t matter what you are drawing, nor that it (in your opinion) sucks!
On The old Website of Chuck Jones (back in 2000-2001) he was quoted as saying something to the effect of: Everyone has a certain number of bad drawings stuck inside of them (He actually gave a real number, and it was several thousand). So, in order to get those drawings out of you you need to keep on drawing until they are all gone. then all you will have left is good drawings. And, they get better & better.

I know everyone hates that word 'practice" or "exercise", because those words sound like WORK or CHORES. And, who wants to do that??? So, I never use those words. That's why I tell people to draw. It should be because YOU LOVE drawing, or painting, or art. If you feel bad, or stressed about it, it will show.

#2 GO TO LIFE DRAWING CLASSES!!!!

* I'm sure some smart-ass is going to retort that this is the same thing as #1. DRAW! Yeah, well... this is more with intent!

You wanna know the secret to the quickest, best and fastest way to be a great artist, with great skills? ???

It's life drawing classes!

Now, you can always tell who's NEW at it. Newbies always prefer longer poses, so they can have more time, and work on the details. But, in truth, that won't help you. It takes too long.

What you REALLY want are the short quick poses, in the gesture drawing classes. This is because it forces the brain to visualize and familiarize its self with the human form. After doing this multiple times, it become 2nd nature. Just like after driving a car for a long while you no longer need to even think about what you do, you just feel it and do it.

This is exactly the same technique as ZEN. You do something over and over until you build "muscle memory". it's also a part of the mind called the "id". The "id" unlike the "ego" is what takes care of all automatic functions. For example, you do not give any thought when you use the toilet, nor the show. You just merely go though it ni an automatic process.

This is what quick gesture drawings do. It forces the brain to get into an automatic state of mental programmed knowningness. So, u already know where your pencils and lines will go onto the paper before you even touch it. Because you can see it in your mind. Hand, eye, mind coordinantion.

I don't care if you're THE WORST ARTIST in the world!!!! If you take Life Drawing Gesture classes at least twice a week (more is better) you will automatically improve your skills within 6 months. In fact, you will already see the improvement within 3. So, imagine what you will be in a full 12 months!

Combine that with keeping your sketchbook around you and always drawings, and you can imagine what you're skills will be.

#3 DAY DREAMING

You know how when you were a kid that parents and teachers would discourage you from day dreaming?

Well, forget ALL OF THAT!

You're an artist! You NEED TO DREAM!!!!! In fact, YOU MUST!

Some people like meditation, which does help. But, you can actually get really great results just by drifting off, spacing, out and going for regular day dreaming sessions. On the commute, in the gym, taking a walk, in the doctor's office, waiting for the bus.

Things that make you dream. Things that inspire you.

MUSIC!!!!!!!!

Anything to get you to day dream!

But, the trick is this. You're dreams WON'T help you at all unless you have feelings! You need to bring up these great feelings, and emotions!

Emotions & Dreams are your tools!

NO, they are not some thing that you need to avoid, or overcome, or detach from. feeling is what makes it work.

#4 Surround Yourself With Artists

Come across someone who's art you like? tell them so! Say HI, get to know them! Hang out! (No don't be a sycophantic fan-boy/girl) Get to know them, who they are, how they feel, what they think, the way they look at life, art, philosophies, etc.
Then, meet more artists, and get to know them.

The thing is, the more great artists you;re arruond, the more you auttomoattically pick up what they do, and become better!

But, guess what! It doesn't work in the reverse! Suppose you come across people whom are less skilled than you? Will that make you go down? NO!
Actually, it brings you up also.

When you come across artists whom art at the same level as you, it actually helps you, because it reinforces what you already know, plus you help them. You can help them by showing or teaching them or even just by example. This brings up their level, and it also brings up yours.

If ever someone comes along and helps you even by just showing or sharing something that really helps, just return the favor. You never know when it might be. But, just do it.

If ever art should be competitive, be sportsmanly about it. It should always be about friendly competition.

Plus, keep in mind, like I tell my daughter: There will always be someone better than you at something.

So, just think:
Go for you! And, that's for me too!

When it comes to art, there's no real right or wrong way. Find what works for you. Eventually it will be about you & your art anyway.

#5 Develop Your Own Style or Stylization

* This might sound tricky... but it will happen automatically anyway.

Just as everyone must learn to write by practicing writing letters & numbers over & over as a child, a handwriting style will emerge even tho' everyone studies the same way to write letters.

This should also occur in your art. You will notice over time that you will have sertain ways you make your lines, shading, compositions and so on.

It is also good to study and incorporate new styles, and learn from others as well.

But, please take caution why trying to be a carbon copy of another. Even after a while your own style will emerge anyways.

Once you have put in the time, and practice, you will start to notice this stylization more profoundly. People will be able to look at your art and know it was YOU whom created it, regardless of medium, or subject matter.

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Now, what if you used to be really good, but now your skills have kinda gone down?

Well, that's EASY! Just get back into it!

it's actually still there. It'll never leave you. Just get back in, and you'll be fine.
Draw, draw, draw!

Surround yourself with people whom draw, do art, and you will too!