Beginner Sketching Mistakes I Still Make Today (And What They’ve Taught Me)

When people hear that I’ve been sketching since 2019, they assume I must be amazing by now. But the truth is something completely different. Even today , after years of sketching on and off , I still make beginner mistakes. And honestly, I’m not ashamed of it anymore.

If you’re struggling with your sketches, trust me… you’re not alone.
I’m still right there with you.

So here are the beginner sketching mistakes I STILL make, and what each one has taught me. If you relate to even one of these, you’re officially part of the real-artists club.

1. I Still Can’t Draw Without a Reference

Yup.
If you ask me to draw something straight from my imagination, my mind goes blank.

I need references, objects, photos, and real scenes. Without a reference, everything I draw looks awkward, flat, or just wrong.

Why does this mistake still happen?

Because I haven’t trained my visual memory enough.
And that’s OK.

What I learned from it:

Using a reference is NOT cheating.
Even professional artists use references daily. Your brain needs real examples to understand shapes, shadows, and proportions.

If you struggle with this too:

Draw from real life. Draw objects around you. Build your “visual library” slowly.

2. I Still Struggle Drawing Hands

Hands are my enemies.
Even after all these years, drawing hands still feels like solving a puzzle with missing pieces.

When I draw hands:

• the fingers look too long

• or too short

• or bent in weird ways

• or like noodles

• or like claws

Sometimes, the hand ends up looking like it belongs to a different body.

What I learned:

Hands are the hardest body part for almost everyone.
They have too many joints, angles, and shapes.

I’m learning to break them down into simple blocks and shapes instead of diving into details.

If you relate:

Don’t avoid hands, draw them ugly, draw them weird, just draw them.
Every bad hand sketch is one step closer to a better one.

3. My “Second Eye” Ruins Most of My Portraits

If I ever draw a portrait, the first eye comes out perfect.
Clean, detailed, expressive.

Then I draw the second eye…

…and suddenly the character looks confused, scared, or like they saw a ghost.

Why this mistake still happens:

Your brain tries to mirror the first eye exactly, but it’s almost impossible without guidelines.

What I learned:

I HAVE to use guidelines.
Always.
No skipping.

Even now, whenever I skip face structure, I regret it immediately.

If your second eye looks cursed, too:

Use a vertical center line + a horizontal eye line EVERY TIME.
It solves 80% of portrait problems.

4. I Don’t Use Grids… and My Proportions Suffer

I’ll be honest, I’m lazy with grids.
When drawing from reference, I know using a grid can save the sketch, but I rarely do it.

The result?

• one eye bigger than the other

• neck too long

• head too wide

• body too short

• everything looks slightly “off”

I’ve ruined so many sketches because I didn’t take 30 seconds to add guidelines.

What I learned:

Guidelines aren’t for beginners.
They’re for smart artists.

If you skip grids too:

Try using even 2–3 simple lines.
They can save an entire drawing.

5. My Outlines Are Still Shaky and Weird

You know those clean, confident outlines artists do?
Yeah… I’m not there yet.

My outlines sometimes:

• wobble

• break

• go off-track

• or get too dark too fast

Why this happens:

Because I press too hard and rush the outline stage.

What I learned:

Outlining is NOT tracing.
It’s a skill. It requires slow, steady hand movement and confidence.

I’m learning to build outlines gradually, not in one bold line.

6. I Still Shade Too Dark, Too Fast

This has ruined many of my sketches.

I press too hard while shading →
It gets too dark →
I try to fix it →
It becomes blotchy →
I ruin the sketch.

What I learned:

Shading is about patience, not pressure.

If you struggle too:

Use softer strokes.
Shade in layers, not one dark sweep.

7. I Forget to Step Back and Check Proportions

I often get lost in details, eyelashes, tiny shadows, curves, and later realize the entire head is tilted wrong.

What I learned:

Zooming out (or stepping back) reveals mistakes you can’t see up close.

8. I Still Compare My Art to Artists Online

Even after years of sketching on and off, I sometimes look at professional artists and feel like I'm miles behind.

Comparison kills creativity.
But it’s a mistake I still make.

What I learned:

Everyone starts at zero.
Everyone grows at their own pace.
And social media only shows their BEST work.

My progress matters more than perfection.

Why I’m Proud of These Mistakes

These mistakes don’t make me a bad artist.
They make me a real one.

Every one of them teaches me something.
Every one of them pushes me to improve.
Every one of them makes me more connected to beginners who feel the same.

If you’re reading this and thinking,
“Wow, I do all of these too…”

Good.
That means you’re learning.

Final Thoughts

Even after years of sketching, I’m not perfect, and I don’t try to be.
I still struggle.
I still mess up.
I still ruin sketches.
And I still get frustrated.

But I also keep going.
I practice.
I learn.
I move forward.

That’s what makes an artist, not perfection, but persistence.

So if you’re making these mistakes too, don’t worry.
You’re improving, even when you don’t see it.

And the truth is…
every “mistake” you make today becomes your strength tomorrow.