Take your time

That's all I really wanted to say. I could launch myself into a book-long explanation of all the things to do to get better, of what to read and what to watch and what to look for, all the "how to's" and "do this"...but in the end there is one thing I've noticed that seems to get overlooked: people aren't taking their time. Slow down!

I can't tell you how often I've seen newer artists ask for a critique on something they did 'really quick'. 
The worst thing I've seen newer artists do is ask for a critique on something they've done from imagination....

If you remember anything on your journey's to improving your art and finding yourself in art, it would be this:
1. Take your time. You cannot learn anything quickly. Just assume no one can. I can't. The artists I admire didn't. The masters didn't. 
    a. Don't skip steps. Take your time to learn how something looks before trying to do it from your head. Always use references to learn. ALWAYS. I use references all the time, because I'm still learning too!
    b. Don't do speed paints before doing a slow, steady, careful study. Or 100 of them (100 is NOT that many in the grand scheme of things).
    c. Just because another artist can do X in 2 hours does NOT mean you should be ashamed that you need 10 hours to do it. It only means you're still learning, and that the other artist has already done the 'slow' studies to be able to now do the same things faster. Just take the time you need to get it right, to make it look good.

By slowing down while working on your art you will start to learn faster and get better faster than by literally drawing faster. I hope at least some of you take this to heart...I've seen far too many newer artists as of late feel that progress in art happens quicker than it really does.