Your art is seriously inspiring, do you have any tips on specifics to focus on when studying?? The way you capture likeness in real people is something I struggle with 💔
"Specifics" to focus on is kind of a hard thing to answer, because there are SO MANY aspects to practicing drawing. I currently teach in a Drawing Foundations program at a college, for pre-animation or illustration & concept art (students can choose different paths) and there are like, 9 different courses that focus on several different "specifics" each, so, it's a lot lol.
I've been teaching for three years, and if I were to boil down my most common tips, it'd be these:
Do NOT try to draw any details when you're learning. A "detail" is anything that does NOT contribute to the overall silhouette or "story" of the character/prop/location design etc. As in, stuff like eyelashes, clothing patterns, accessories to a certain point, skin details like tattoos etc. Beginner students REALLY struggle with this. I always bring up the character design of L from Deathnote as a GREAT example of effective design: he has literally no details, and a very recognizable silhouette (mostly because of his hair and body language).
Focus on simplifying everything down into its basic forms/shapes. This goes with the first point: avoid unnecessary lines and details. Think in terms of "low poly" video game design. Anything you draw can be reduced down to spheres and cubes.
Practice drawing circles and boxes, and different types of lines: straights vs curves. Think of it like practicing scales on an instrument before you play a sonata.
Draw from life whenever possible, and get MANY references. Do not try to copy from just one. Many of my beginner students try to rely on anime, fanart, 3D models or blank character templates for reference - these are adequate, but real life reference is always superior.
Try to not compare yourself to other others - only compare yourself to YOUR PAST SELF. This is impossible, as we are every day unundated with thousands of works of art superior to our own. Just know that everyone has their own pace and skill level.
Learn to let go of first drafts: I often delete entire pieces of art and start over, even if that first version was "done". What even is "done"? Art is never finished, just abandoned.
Show your work to others to get feedback! The more eyes, the better.
Avoid cleaning your linework - this kills energy you had in the rough pass, and just takes a while, and sometimes looks worse.
Practice a lot. Draw a LOT. Just, like, just draw. Just draw a lot.
Those are the main biggest tips I can give! Hope this helps.
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