These are some tips and tricks I've cumulated through-out my drawing 'career.' I know these tricks have saved me a lot of stress and time. Maybe they'll work for you. n_n

-When you're coloring, get as comfortable as you can get. Drawing is not a chore, so make it as fun as you can! Try to keep your workspace as clean as possible as well. It really sucks when your mouse starts sticking to the mousepad because it's so dirty...Gunk usually builds up on the keys of keyboards too, so make sure to wash those as well.

-Learn about and memorize the shortcut keys! Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+C (and ect..) are your friends!

-If you're stuck on one part of a drawing, or if you're really frustrated, leave it alone. Either move onto another part that you are more comfortable working with or take a break if you have to. Look at pictures, drink water, listen to music, whatever. Yelling "STUPID PICTURE WHY CAN'T I COLOR YOU RIIIIGGHHTTTT?!" isn't going to help you. :D

-Never try and feel rushed. Great pictures usually take time (several hours or so, depending). Don't be afraid to go back and edit anything that you think may need some touching up.

-Use reference photos if you have to. They help a lot if you don't know how to draw/color something the right way.

-If you can't find a tutorial on a certain technique you'd like to learn about, try going backwards. Think about what the artist would do to get a certain effect. Would you need a soft or hard brush to get a nice watercolor effect in Photoshop? Would a filter help bring out the effect? Experiment and see what you get! I think it's really fun trying to figure out how artists do certain things. ^^

-Expensive equipment and programs will not automatically make you a great artist. I know lots of people that can do awesome stuff in MSPaint. The only thing that will make you better is practice, practice, practice.

move onto step .o7 >>