How Did You Learn to Draw So Well?
It is a question I get all the time: How did you learn to draw so well? The short answer is: I practised. A lot. But the long answer is much more interesting because I was not always good at drawing. In fact, I went through years of doubt, frustration, and feeling like I would never be able to draw as well as I wanted to.
Even though I’ve made significant progress in my art journey, I’m still learning every day. The more I improve, the more I realise there’s always something new to discover, whether it's a technique, a material, or a fresh approach to a subject. As you get better, your goals naturally shift – what once seemed like a challenge becomes the foundation for the next level of growth. I look forward to continuing this journey of exploration and improvement, knowing that the process of learning and growing as an artist never truly ends. Each new skill I master opens up exciting possibilities, and I’m eager to see where this creative path will take me next.
Childhood Confidence and Teenage Doubts
As a child, I loved drawing. I had so much confidence in my sketches, and I never questioned whether they were "good" or "bad"—I just enjoyed making them. But when I became a teenager, something shifted. I started comparing myself to others. I became aware that my drawings did not always turn out the way I wanted them to. I would pick up a pencil, sketch something, see that it did not look right, and then give up. My love for drawing never disappeared, but my confidence in my skills slowly faded.
Looking back now, I can see that there was still joy in my drawings, but I was struggling in several areas. I had trouble using my materials properly, my proportions were often off, and I was not experimenting much with colour or different tools. I mainly stuck to graphite pencils, and if something did not turn out right, I abandoned it rather than trying again.
Returning to Art in My 30s
It was not until my 30s, just before I left my job to start Makings and Musings, that I truly returned to art. This time, I approached it differently. Instead of just sketching with a pencil and hoping for the best, I started exploring different materials—particularly charcoal. Charcoal allowed me to loosen up, focus on big shapes first, and build depth and contrast in a way that I had never managed before.
I also began really looking at what I was drawing. Instead of assuming I knew how something should look, I trained myself to observe closely. I learned to break subjects down into simple shapes before adding details. And I discovered that this was a skill that could be learned. I did not have to be born with a "talent" for drawing—I just had to train my eyes and hands to work together more effectively.
The Course That Changed Everything
A major turning point for me was taking a drawing course with Kelvin Okafor, a British artist known for his hyper-realistic portrait drawings. I attended a one-day workshop with him in 2018, and it completely changed my understanding of drawing.
This is his website: https://kelvinokaforart.com/
Kelvin demonstrated how to use materials in a way I had never seen before—how to create depth, how to achieve smooth transitions between light and shadow, and how to build up contrast to bring a drawing to life. Seeing his process in real time made something click for me. Suddenly, drawing realistic portraits felt possible rather than just something other artists could do.
What was especially inspiring about that day was being surrounded by artists who were far more experienced than me. I was still very much a hobbyist, just hoping to get better, but they were already creating professional-level work. Instead of feeling discouraged, I found it incredibly motivating. I realised that they had all been on their own learning journeys too, and if they had improved through practice, then so could I.
Learning from Other Artists
One of the best things you can do as an artist is to look at others who are further along in their journey. Not to copy their work, but to study their techniques. How do they use colour? How do they apply their materials? Do they experiment, or do they have a strict process? What do they do to improve?
By observing more experienced artists, I learned so much about how to approach my own drawings. I started thinking more about composition, contrast, and how to guide the viewer’s eye through an image. I also learned that progress is not linear—you do not just get a little better every day in a straight line. Instead, learning often happens in jumps. You can struggle with something for ages, and then one day, it suddenly clicks.
The Power of Daily Practice
Once I had that breakthrough in 2018, I started practising more seriously. I made drawing a daily habit. It was not always for hours at a time—sometimes just 15 minutes—but I made sure I was consistently drawing. And that is when I really started to improve.
Now, in February 2025, I can look back and see just how much I have grown. From 2018 until now, I have drawn almost every day. And while I have been improving gradually over the years, I feel like in the last two years especially, my skills have made a big leap forward.
I believe a big part of that growth has been intentional practice. Instead of just drawing whatever came to mind, I started focusing on specific areas:
Observing my reference images more closely
Thinking carefully about composition
Paying attention to contrast and values
Experimenting with different materials and techniques
The more I focused on these elements, the better my drawings became.
Teaching Others and Seeing Growth Firsthand
Now, I teach drawing to others through my Drawing Fundamentals course and my online community, where we meet every Thursday evening for a live drawing session. One of the most rewarding things is seeing how quickly my students improve when they commit to regular practice.
Many people start out feeling like I did—unsure of their skills, lacking confidence, and frustrated when their drawings do not turn out as they hoped. But after just a few weeks of drawing consistently, something changes. Their confidence grows, their skills sharpen, and they start to see real progress.
That is the beauty of drawing—it is not about being naturally talented, but about showing up and putting in the work.
Letting Go of Perfectionism
One of the most important lessons I have learned is to let go of perfectionism. I no longer approach drawing with the expectation that every piece has to be "good." Instead, I focus on being present in the moment and enjoying the process.
When we allow ourselves to be playful with our art—when we stop worrying about whether something is "right" or "wrong"—we actually improve much faster. The creative flow kicks in, our motor skills develop, our observational skills sharpen, and our hand-eye coordination strengthens. And over time, our drawings naturally become more realistic.
Final Thoughts: How You Can Improve Your Drawing Skills
If you are struggling with your drawing skills, know that you are not alone. I have been there. Every artist has been there. And the good news is, improvement is absolutely possible. Here are some key takeaways from my own journey:
Practice regularly. Even if it is just a few minutes a day, consistency matters more than long, infrequent sessions.
Experiment with materials. Do not just stick to one tool—try different pencils, charcoals, inks, and paints to see what works best for you.
Observe closely. Really look at what you are drawing rather than drawing what you think you see.
Study other artists. Learn from those who are ahead of you, not to copy, but to understand their techniques.
Be patient. Progress happens in jumps, not in a straight line. Keep going, even when it feels like you are not improving.
Let go of perfectionism. Focus on the joy of drawing rather than worrying about the final outcome.
I truly believe that anyone can learn to draw well. It is not about talent—it is about practice, persistence, and learning how to see. If I could go from doubting my skills as a teenager to drawing confidently as a professional artist, then so can you. Keep drawing, keep exploring, and most importantly—enjoy the process.
Irene
ps: If you enjoyed this blog, you might want to check out my youtube channel:
Comments