Are you frustrated by your drawing skill but want to improve?
Well you just might be committing these classic drawing mistakes!
I’ve definitely been there, as when I was trying to improve my drawing in my teens, I would bang my head against the table, wondering why my drawing wasn’t improving as much as I had hoped.
Looking back on it now, and with over a decade long drawing experience, I can see where I went wrong.
However, luckily for you, you can learn from my mistakes so you don’t fall into the same traps!
You can also watch this video to avoid these mistakes and propel your drawing skill to the next level!
Drawing Mistake #1 – Always Drawing From Photographs
As a beginner, it’s tempting to always draw from photographs. That’s because they’re convenient and easily accessible.
However, relying solely on photos can stifle your drawing skill, as drawing from photos doesn’t allow you to consider depth, perspective, and form.
Photos are essentially easier to draw from, as you’re drawing from a flat, 2D image.
We want to make drawing easier by drawing things which are considered ‘harder’.
Try incorporating real-life drawing into your practice. Observing real objects helps improve your perception and adds a new dimension to your artwork.
Like a coffee mug, your self portrait in the mirror, to an apple.
Drawing Mistake #2 – Drawing With Too Many Tones
Another common beginner drawing mistake is using too many tones in your drawings.
Beginners often think that more shading equals more realism, but this can lead to muddy and confusing images.
This is exactly the same for using colours, as it’s far better to use a limited colour palette.
Focus on drawing with a few tones first. Start with three: light, mid, and dark tones.
This will help you create clear and strong contrasts in your work. As remember, a good drawing is all about the shapes that you create and draw.
As you become more confident, you can gradually introduce more tones to add depth and complexity.
Drawing Mistake #3 – Rushing The Basics
We all want to create amazing artworks, but rushing the basics before going onto the details actually makes for worse looking drawings.
This is a classic beginner drawing mistake that you need to avoid!
Think about every drawing as a building. It needs the structure and foundations in place first before the bricks and outside appearance can be built to flourish.
Fundamentals include basic shapes and forms, like circles to cylinders, proportions, and also perspective.
Spend time practicing simple forms and shapes exercises, like in the video.
It might seem tedious, but this solid foundation will help you create more complex drawings with more accuracy in the long run.
Drawing Mistake #4 – Not Attending Life Drawing Sessions
Not attending life drawing sessions is another mistake many beginners make.
I definitely fell into this trap, as I couldn’t see why life drawing was so important!
Life drawing offers invaluable experience in observing and capturing the human form in real time. It teaches you about proportions, anatomy, and the way light interacts with the body.
But it’s not just about the body, as it trains you to draw what you actually see.
Capturing a 3D model onto a 2D surface, like I spoke about before.
I highly recommend attending life drawing sessions in person, as this is far better than drawing from a screen.
Drawing Mistake #5 – Wanting to Do It All By Yourself
Art can sometimes feel like a solitary pursuit, but wanting to do everything by yourself can limit your growth in the long run.
Seeking feedback and learning from others is essential.
Read books, YouTube, blogs, attend drawing lessons, consider higher education, anything that’s going to help you progress. Being self taught is great, but I think it can only get you so far.
Join art communities, take classes, or collaborate with other artists. Sharing your work and getting constructive criticism will help you improve much faster.
Remember, every artist was once a beginner and there’s always something new to learn.
What Did You Learn From These Drawing Mistakes?
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to improve your drawing by avoiding these classic drawing mistakes!
If you liked this blog post but want to develop your drawing habit, take a look at my video on this very subject!
Or equally, take a look at 25 beginner drawing exercises that you can do daily to rapidly improve your art and drawings!
Many thanks for listening and visiting my blog today. You can follow what I’m up to on my Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram pages, I’ll really appreciate it if you do, and don’t be afraid to say hi to me! Many thanks again, and have a great day!
15th August 2024
