As you search to find that perfect bit of art instruction, your window to the world can get quite foggy.
The sheer volume of drawing information out there can be overwhelming.
Whether you are looking online or offline, your search can be daunting.
As you are sifting through the mounds of lessons, try keeping a couple of things in mind.
The first thing, it does not matter what mediums you are looking to utilize.
If you want to learn to sketch using charcoal, pencil, ink, or even paint with watercolors, learning to use each medium is just the mechanical portion of this art form.
To put that another way, it is no different than writing a letter using a pen, or a crayon, or a pencil.
The result is the same, but its look and feel is different.
And the second thing to keep in mind is probably the hardest part to tackle.
When you learn to sketch, the mental aspects and imagery of drawing are the biggest keys to accomplishing your goal.
The success of your drawing is directly related to your ability to "see" the finished product in your mind.
Once you have a solid mental image, you can then begin to put your new found talents to work.
If you have strong abilities towards using pencil or charcoal, the only reason left for an unsuccessful drawing is an unclear mental image.
Whether you choose to draw from memory or you use an object for a model, you must strive to find the image that turns your subject into a greater truth.
Is it the shape, or size, or some other feature that is the predominate and defining characteristic? Once you figure out what that specific characteristic is, you can build from there.
In building your mental image, usually less is more.
You can't and you shouldn't put every detail into a drawing.
So you must pick and choose those details which make the mental picture of your subject yours, and yours alone.
These are the important features and characteristics that you should incorporate into your drawing.
For this reason, the best critic for your work is You! Only you know what your mental image looks like.
So only you can answer whether your drawing is a success.
If you look at your drawing, and it is just like the mental image in your head...
but you are still unhappy with the results, perhaps you should work on your ability to imagine your subject with greater clarity before you attempt your next drawing.
In the beginning, when you learn to sketch, this should be quick work.
A quick sketch should only take a few minutes when you are getting started (no more than 5-10 minutes).
It is more important to go through the motions at this point than to dwell on the finished drawing.
If you don't like your results, continue to work on your mental image, study your model, think about it some more, and then get drawing! After a few attempts, you will start to get the hang of it.
When you learn to sketch, I promise this technique will greatly help out your chances for success.
By allowing yourself to be your own worst critic, you can provide yourself with the necessary insight to get the results you desire.
With a little practice you can let drawing be the worlds window into you.