Adding this gradient to each plane significantly enhances the form appeal. Here is what I learned from the lesson.

I can really relate to this feeling. I know the struggle of feeling you just can't get past where you are. But it is exactly that - a feeling. Sometimes you just need to be kind to yourself and have patience as you try to improve. As far as I'm aware, it is impossible for anyone to really just permanently 'plateau' in terms of skill! In my experience, this usually happens because I'm just coming at the art from the wrong angle. I'm focusing to much on a particular subject, or I'm forgetting to make art just for fun. I find it can really give me a boost if I go and try out a TOTALLY DIFFERENT subject to whatever I'm studying at the time. If you're doing a lot of work on portraiture, it might be fun to look at some design! Knowing a little bit of shape design has made drawing a lot of fun for me, even though I'm not really a great portrait or figure drawer. Don't give up! I can see in your drawings that you already have developed skill in art that can be developed even more, as long as you find a way to make your art practice sustainable and enjoyable. I know, easier said than done, but finding joy in the art is key to keeping it up. I wish you the best of luck in your art journey!

Hi there! I am not the best artist in the world, but I've done a lot of gesture drawing work, and it seems to me that you're putting a lot of effort into getting accurate forms of the body and your gestures are suffering a little bit because of it. I would suggest doing some VERY quick timed gesture drawings, around 15 seconds, to force yourself to really focus in on the FEELING of movement in the pose. When you only have time to do a stick figure, all you are able to do is focus on the feeling! Once you start to exaggerate what you see and forego 'accuracy', you'll really be on the way to getting some great gestures done. I also recommend reading 'FORCE' by Mike Mattesi, if you can get your hands on it. His (and his students') gesture drawings are amazing, and he does a wonderful job of explaining the thought process behind them.