[Nancy Wett]

One of the best things I can think of is to just carry a sketch book everywhere (ok, except to class where you will get detention for drawing instead of math as my boys did). I take it when we go to a resturant,to the beach in the summer, even to visit friends or relatives. I just do quick sketches just to capture the basic shape. don't worry about details. You need to learn to sketch before you draw. Working the whole page before you get down to details.

Another good skill builder is to take a picture and turn it upside down and draw it. Then you will draw more of what you see than what you think you see. I went to college, had kids, and just started drawing and painting again. I was really, really rusty. I read in a drawing book to do that and thought what the heck. Boy did it help my drawing. To start with you might need to make a grid on a peice of plastic or acitate to lay over your picture. Lightly draw the grid on your drawing paper and fill in the squares one by one. This again helps you to see the shapes and forms that make up the picture so that you draw it more accurately.

I also strongly recommend that you keep your favorite drawings somewhere that you can see and compare them to see how you are indeed improving with each stroke of the pencil, pen or brush that you use. Don't get discouraged if your pictures arent as you want them to be. You will see a big improvement. Remember we are here to help you. I wish my kids had an interest in art (more than drawing pictures that get you in trouble at school) Instead I have a few neices who love art and I try to spend time with them. Most artist enjoy helping other artist so feel free to use the site. Best of luck!
Nanc