This is going to be pretty TLDR, so I've put the important parts in bold.
I've noticed a lot of threads that involve showing off art, requesting art, and asking for specific tips on how to make a specific illustration better, but none that involveuniversal improvement in general. I don't particularly hold myself in high regard as an illustrator and I am certainly not qualified to teach, but those here that I've seen that are better than I are either not interested or have better things to do than try to help those around them. I cant blame them, but the apathy is too strong here to really justify itself in my opinion. Many who post here are very weak artists, very young artists, and some would argue that by virtue of them being poor illustrators this disqualifies them to post. I heartily disagree with this opinion because it snuffs the seeds of creativity. Who among us was born a master illustrator? No one. I, like everybody else started drawing because I saw what I considered to be awesome works of art in media, and attempted to copy it. In trying to emulate what i saw in the media it I found that drawing was interesting, and fun, and I enjoyed showing my "art" to other people. I was horrendous. I still am horrendous, but I am far better than I used to be.Those who were better than I would mock me and put me down because I took some measure of pride in my "work" and I was blind to what illustration really is about, but some would try to help me by showing me different ways to approach art than I was accustomed to. Many of these things I did not understand, I was too new, too young, but their effort was not wasted on me. I kept going with it, my failures fueling my determination to not suck ass. The secret to getting better at illustration, or really anything is to never stop doing it. Also stop being so lazy. Getting good at something requires sacrifice.
But before you get into that, you must ask yourself why.
Why do you create? Is it a hobby, or do you plan on making it a profession? For me I plan on making a living off of illustration and I take it very seriously. For a hobbyist, they don't have to worry about the same things I do, and they can relax and enjoy it more most likely. I enjoy drawing very much regardless if I want to make it a professional endeavor or not, but relying on it alone as a source of income is a very stressful and difficult job.
You always have the specter of doubt whispering "Give it up." when you fail, and you know that there are many many out there who are worlds better than you, but it can be done.You can do anything you want if you commit yourself to it and take the proper steps toward that goal. I mean within reason of course, committing yourself to learning how to move boulders with your mind is probably going to make people think you are crazy and nothing else. Still, it doesn't stop some people and I can respect that even if they are completely insane.
What is your ultimate goal with art and illustration?
If you have grandiose aspirations of becoming the best artist ever, stop now. There is no such thing. You can however become an exceptional artist in your lifetime. It all depends on personal growth and that's what this thread is about. I will provide resources and direct those personally who have questions about improving in general. Almost all beginners are very aware that they suck ass and they cannot figure out how to improve, there is no reason to point this out to them, it would be like laughing at a fat person and going "Haha you are fat!" it does nothing constructive.
We are going to start at the very beginning. If any of my peers wish to correct me, or offer other insights, please for the love of god do so, I have almost no idea what I am doing.
Everything you've ever drawn or will draw can be boiled down to its most basic elements, the circle, the square and the triangle. This might sound ridiculous, but try drawing them. You'd be surprised how hard it is to draw them in a manner that doesn't suck. Dont use a tool that automatically draws them, draw them by hand or with a tablet. For more advanced illustrators, draw a pyramid or cone, a cube and a sphere.
