No one can truly say they are the best-not just in drawing but in anything else-but it should be good to know that you're not the only one and there is someone out there that wants to try and help. This is where I come in. These are just ideas from a beginner, but they helped me a lot. These are in no particular order, just random thoughts and ideas.
Try to have others comment on your work. Don't just ask how it looks, but try to ask what they like and what they don't like. Yeah, some may lie and others may even be cruel and critical. But you aren't going to improve unless you know what you need to improve on.
Here's a great tip from the Totoro Sensei...get a big sketch book(about 11x14 or smaller if you want. Just something you can carry around). In it, you can quickly draw different things for practice and write down any ideas you have. It can be a good place to work out any problems, projects, or thoughts. To see what else he has to say, click here.
A sketch book is just a big notebook with blank paper instead of lines. Try doing sketches (quick drawings); whatever looks interesting (and not too difficult for your level) will work. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect. It doesn't have to be anime either - just do a shoe or a plant or something. Remember, you are just becoming familiar with new shapes and ways of doing things. Every sketch helps you a little bit more, you'll become faster and your visual memory will be better.
In addition to that, just try drawing whatever comes to mind. Draw a face and just see where it goes from there, they can actually look pretty good in the end. Do you have any old anime or gaming magazines lying around? Draw characters from advertisements and games. Try the internet, there are tons of anime sites with pictures you may be looking for. In fact, click here for a really great directory of those kind of sites. Don't limit yourself to one series. It's way too easy to just draw a bunch of Pokemon or Ranma characters and have troubles with others. Hey, part of anime is developing your own style anyway.
Know that not everyone is going to see all of your drawings; it's not important that the pages you sketch on are clean and organized or that you are even drawing in a sketch book at all - maybe you work best on napkins or just doodling on notebook paper. All that really matters is that you learn and improve on whatever it is you draw.
Realistically, no one is really going to get good over-night. There are so many techniques and medias out there. It's all about developing your own style and not just copying everyone else. More later...
Until then, keep drawing!
~SirGriffin
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