| Area | Grade | Notes | |------|-------|-------| | Gesture Drawing | A | Best free gesture content online | | Form & Structure | B+ | Good use of bean, robo bean | | Simplifying Anatomy | A | Excellent for beginners | | Video Production | A | Clear, humorous, memorable | | Assignments | B | Some lack step-by-step feedback loops |
| Failure | Cause | Solution | |---------|-------|----------| | Skipping warmups | Impatience | Log warmup drawings in a separate “sketchbook of shame” | | Perfectionism | Using undo/eraser too much | Switch to pen only for 2 weeks | | Plateau | Same difficulty level | Use progressive overload – reduce time limits weekly | | Isolation | No community | Join Proko Discord’s #critique channel; post 3 drawings/week |
Here is the raw truth about getting BETTER with Proko Basic Drawing.
The course is perfect. Stan is an incredible teacher. The assignments are rigorous.
But the tool doesn't do the work. The pain of doing the assignment you suck at is the exact thing that makes you better. If you are drawing and you don't feel stupid or frustrated, you aren't pushing hard enough.
Use these 5 strategies. Go back to Lesson 1. Redraw the "Bean." Don't just watch Stan draw—become Stan for two hours a day.
Do that for 30 days, and you won't just be "better." You will be unrecognizable from the artist you were yesterday. Proko Basic Drawing BETTER
Ready to start? Close this tab. Open Proko. Draw the bean. Do it now.
Using Proko Basic Drawing to get better is not a mystery. It is a formula:
Watch -> Do -> Compare -> Repeat
Stop being a consumer of art content. Be a producer of art lines. The difference between a "fan" of Proko and a "student" of Proko is the pile of bad drawings on the floor.
Stan Prokopenko famously says, "Mistakes are the stepping stones to success." You cannot step on a stone you haven't thrown.
So, close this article. Open your sketchbook. Draw the "Bean" ten times. Draw a box in space. Do it wrong. Do it again. | Area | Grade | Notes | |------|-------|-------|
By this time next month, if you follow the drills and routines outlined above, you won't just be drawing. You will be drawing BETTER. And that is the entire point.
Ready to start? Visit Proko.com, watch the first free lesson on "Basic Lines," and grab a piece of paper—specifically, the back of an envelope. No fancy sketchbook needed. Just grit.
Start now. Your future self draws better.
To get better at the Proko Drawing Basics course, you should focus on mastering the "Big Four" fundamentals: Shape, Value, Color, and Edge
. Improving your output in this course involves transitioning from simply following the videos to actively applying the concepts through structured practice and self-critique. Core Strategies for Improvement Master "Confident Lines"
: Before moving to complex figures, ensure you can draw smooth, purposeful lines. Practice using your entire arm rather than just your wrist to avoid "hairy" or scratchy strokes. Simplify into Basic Shapes Using Proko Basic Drawing to get better is not a mystery
: Every complex subject—from a torso to a face—can be broken down into simple geometric forms (spheres, cubes, cylinders). If your drawing looks "off," it's often because the underlying 3D structure is weak. Implement a 5-Step Practice Routine : Trace a reference to understand the flow and rhythm. Side-by-Side
: Erase the tracing and try to draw the same image from sight. Video Review : Rewatch the relevant Proko lesson to spot details you missed. Correction
: Fix your side-by-side drawing using the video as a direct guide. Memory Recall
: Draw it one last time from scratch until you feel confident in the forms. Focus on Value Groups
: When shading, simplify your subject into two families: the family of lights family of shadows
. Practice "Notan" drawings (using only black and white) to improve your ability to see light and shadow thresholds. Advanced Tips for Proko Students