Amature tips please

I took a pencil and paper art class in high school three years ago, and I still can't draw a thing. My usual method (tracing and adding detail) is painstakingly hard and time consuming.
I once traced a picture of Gohan(DBZ) at ten years old in his sayain armor with that energy lightning around him. It was litterally exact, but it took me about two days working for almost 45 minutes each time. What I need from you pros is some tips on improving my work without doing the tracing.
I already know about practicing strokes and things like that. But I have a really hard time getting it on paper.
I want to start drawing Zelda fan art because I need something to do, first I'll work in black and white then I'll do full color. The only thing I can draw short-hand in paint shop is swords, and they aren't verry impresive ether.

This forum is for lessons on using Photoshop and things like that. Not for people to complain about their lack of artistic ability.

kind of harsh...but true

Originally Posted by Twilight Wolf

This forum is for lessons on using Photoshop and things like that. Not for people to complain about their lack of artistic ability.

first off
Must you ruin EVERYTHING? What's wrong with just asking for advice, nothing dear sir. It's not worth it to argue with you anymore.

Don't forget there's a thing called a scanner, people can draw their work, scan it, then edit it with photoshop. This forum also for giving lessons as well, the fact that I asked for some here is none of your concern....

And second, I'm not "complaining" it's called being honest. Something you can't seem to use properly.
I'm simply admiting that my hand-art sucks, and that my computer work does too, which is the reason I'm ASKING for advice. Admiting that you need to improve your work and asking for "real" advice is a sign of maturity. Something you are in desperate need of. I admit I can be immature at times, but that's life...everyone does it.

Originally Posted by zfan121

first off
Must you ruin EVERYTHING? What's wrong with just asking for advice, nothing dear sir. It's not worth it to argue with you anymore.

I don't have to do. But I can.

Don't forget there's a thing called a scanner, people can draw their work, scan it, then edit it with photoshop. This forum also for giving lessons as well, the fact that I asked for some here is none of your concern....

But you are aking about the DRAWING part of the process. Not the photoshop part. So this thread does not meet the criteria of this forum.

And second, I'm not "complaining" it's called being honest. Something you can't seem to use properly.

Oh, trust me, I am completely honest with you. About your fan-fics, about your "anime", about your intelligence, everything.

I'm simply admiting that my hand-art sucks, and that my computer work does too, which is the reason I'm ASKING for advice. Admiting that you need to improve your work and asking for "real" advice is a sign of maturity.

Which you do not have.

Something you are in desperate need of.

I am mature enough to type without slaughtering the English language AND not to throw a fit when someone doesn't like my idea.

I admit I can be immature all the time, but that's life...everyone does it.

Fixed.

guessing you two don't like each other...

Originally Posted by icehockeygoalie

guessing you two don't like each other...

how'd you know?(jokes) Personally I don't hate HIM, I just hate his atitude. He might be nice, but for some reason I doubt it as much as everyone else does my Zelda anime idea.
I don't have any problem "drawing" something by looking at it and making it a picture. But if I wanted to draw say a fan-made Zelda boss off the top of my head, I have a hell(in a bad way) of a time doing it. It's not like I can't draw the lines, it's actually "putting" the image on paper that I have torouble with. THAT'S what the advice I need, a way to make that step a little easier for me.

some people prefer looking at an image to pretty much copy it, but the same idea can follow if you just remember an image, although its harder. BUT if you wish to get better...then you should start drawing with NO pictures!

Originally Posted by icehockeygoalie

some people prefer looking at an image to pretty much copy it, but the same idea can follow if you just remember an image, although its harder. BUT if you wish to get better...then you should start drawing with NO pictures!

Yeah, I think I will start just looking at a refrance at first. Then I'll start working on my own. I catch on pretty quickly with some things, art....just isn't one of em.

its always good to try to better yourself at something that doesn't come completely natural to you, makes you a better-rounded person

Originally Posted by icehockeygoalie

its always good to try to better yourself at something that doesn't come completely natural to you, makes you a better-rounded person

Try telling that to twilight wolf about being nice. But yeah, maybe I should work on my insults (jokes) but that wouldn't be worth it. I might not practice often, but I think I will give it a shot just for fun. Hmm black and white seems a good place to start.

stick figures > mona lisa after all...