What is Reddit's opinion of How to Draw What You See?

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Don’t listen to whoever that is. It’s a good drawing. People are some of the hardest things to draw. I still struggle drawing people and I went to school for art.

If you really want to speed up your learning process, grab a good book on drawing. I recommend this one:

https://www.amazon.com/How-Draw-What-You-See/dp/0823023753

Also a good book on drawing people + faces (but I’d recommend the one above first). And practice with light sources. Set up a little desk lamp on your table and then put objects there and draw them. Then move the light source and draw it again (or use a different object/scene). I did that a lot back in the day in school. All sorts of random stuff, like eggs, flowers, baskets, cups, etc.

Keep up the good work!

I used to feel the same way as a photographer going to art school. Really, it's just about practice. How To Draw What You See is a great book to start with. Daily practice, even if only lazily and for 5 minutes while you eat breakfast, and you will improve over time.

Excellent. The next steps would be to learn how to "see".

To do this, try to duplicate a picture that is upside down. Like a horse or something.

The theory is when we see something we're familiar with (like an eye) we automatically assume the shape and draw it accordingly. As a result a lot of people draw eyes in the shape of a walnut or almond.

But if a picture is upside down it tricks your brain to not automatically assume what shape it should be. So you have to pay more attention to angles and curves and such. You basically learn to "see" what is actually there without memory bias.

Another activity that would help to "see" what you draw is to only draw negative space. Take a chair or stool or plant something and only draw the parts between the legs and around the object itself. At the end of the activity you should have an object that is completely white.

Draw upside down

Negative space

How to draw what you see

I'm using this book right now, it's simple and straightforward so I recommend it

I agree. I went to Art School, I had talent I guess :), but once I saw what the other kids were capable of, I realized that I have to learn so much... But with time I got better, even outrun some of my colleagues. I'm basically drawing almost every day since 2004, and I'm still improving. As you said: It's all about the commitment... and finding your own style and approach - that is why books aren't always the best solution... Anyways, to return to the question, I got these as a present when I started Art School, maybe they can help you out: http://www.amazon.com/How-Draw-What-Practical-Books/dp/0823023753/ref=pd_sim_b_7 http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Portraits-Practical-Art-Books/dp/0823014312 http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Likeness-Practical-Art-Books/dp/0823013588/ref=pd_sim_b_2