techniques, adapted and learned! ^_^

alrighty, this is just as the title implies! ^_^ i was thinking that, even though i like how i draw, i don't love it and i need to branch off now, so what i wanted to know is what everyone likes to draw, how, whether it came naturally, or if you were taught how to did it and anything else you want to tell me about it!

as for me, i draw free hand in normal #2 pencil, usually go over it in red and black ball point pen. i've tried crayons and oil paints once. i've never tried anything else, nothing on the computer, and have never used subjects except for the random flower drawings i may do, i'm self taught and really wondering if i can get into an art college considering the fact that i've failed everything except for art, choir, and horticulture...right, that about sums it up...^_^

Here are some things I have picked up over the years.

• From watching PBS shows on painting and drawing. The farther something is from you the lighter it becomes. I used to do the oppsite
• From PBS also. When inking a drawing varying the thickness of the line through out the drawing adds dimendion to it. Thats why most inkers use a brush to ink. You can use caligraphy pens, brushes, there are also bruch tip markers. Or do it the simple way of going over the line a few times to get different thickness. If I were you I would move away from ballpoint. Get some drafting pens  if anything. Try it the ink lays different cause you don't have to push down.
• Art Classes= Changeing your medium to do art is always a good thing you'll find you might have a natural talent for certain thing and opens your eyes to new ways to do art. Me for example I love conte crayon now
• Personal experience= keep all your work. or at least what you can. Go back and looke throu the years of art you have done. You will see how you evolve as an artist. Helps to know you are always improving.
• Comic book artist. I forgot who it was. He told me we all have influences and thats good. Its what drives us. But the best way to motivate yourself is to keep near you at your place for art, The artist that you like the least. It will drive you to say, If this chump who art sucks can get into print, I sure as hell can cause I know I'm better.
• Art Teacher. This token of insight is key to your art looking right. "You can't draw, what you do not know." This is the truth. Your human figer will always look alittle off til you learn anatomy. I'm not saying get a degree. Go buy an artist anatomy book and learn from it sketch from it. You'll be surprized at the litle things we take for granted. This goes for everything Cars, people,portraits,animals and so on. Learn the basics and you will see a world of difference.

Art is ever evolving, Often our mistakes lead to better things.

thanks guys* i'll try some of those ideas ^_^