I'm a self-taught artist and you?

It has been over 12 years since I started drawing Manga. At age around 10/11 I had no Internet connection, no tutorials, no one who gave me tips.
I started with copying Anime characters from magazines and other Manga/Anime like "Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne", "Sailor Moon", "Digimon", "Pokemon" or "Card Captor Sakura". Later, I developed my own style. I only shew my drawings to my classmates and friends but I never thought of showing them to the world like today. I tried to send some drawings to Anime magazines, but they didn't print them.

Sometimes, I miss the old times... just drawing for myself without any pressure and keeping them for myself.
But without art communities, my skills wouldn't be where they are today. Many friends and watchers helped me. And reading all those cute comments motivates me to draw more and more!

But it was a very long way. Drawing is a long process: You can't become a master in one day. Sometimes, I have the feeling that today's beginners are impatient. They have more opportunities with the World Wide Web like tutorials and a good art community.
But even with tutorials you have to practice. It's like learning to drive a car: You learn the theory but you also have to drive a car on your own. Mistakes belong to the process of learning. And you have to learn yourself. No one can do it for you.

I'm writing this journal because sometimes I get messages with "Can you look at my gallery and give me some tips?" or "Teach me how to draw."
I don't mean it rude but I can't help everyone. There are some things you have to understand on your own like training your eyes and observing your environment.

Don't get me wrong, an art community is a place where to inspire and to help each other.
But the process of learning is yours alone.
Everyone can learn how to draw. It simply needs much time, patience, practice and discipline.