I can remember as a young student that despite all the books I read, instruction from teachers, and hours put into practice; my work never lived up to my expectation. I could not transform what I saw in my minds eye into the images I wanted on paper. I’ll admit this led to more than a few moments of despair. But I knew that although there were many things I couldn’t see, couldn’t yet comprehend, if I kept the faith and practiced with purpose I would gain the mastery I wished for, eventually.

I use the words purposeful practice for a purpose. Patience is one thing, and a fanatical desire to draw is helpful too. But drawing with purpose was transformative. Not only did it give me the hours of experience I needed, but it also gave me purpose to draw. Here are some examples of purposeful drawing that I did and do. And you can too:

• Draw yourself.

• Draw people you know or meet.

• Draw people on tv or movies.

• Keep drawing characters of course.

• But give them something to do,

• Perhaps in a comic or such.

Finding ways to apply your drawing in practices that you enjoy and that give your work purpose will, over time, lead to a true magic. A magic that will give you the power too transform whatever you dream or desire into reality – on paper anyway (or I guess on a screen nowadays!)

For the next project give your characters something to do, and a purpose. For them and for you. Draw them in a way that would interest you, perhaps a scrollable web comic like this. Or a couple spreads of a print graphic novel. Or visual development such as storyboards, animatics for a video game or animation. What ever will get you drawing with purpose.