Ask Your Elders: How Can I Be Better At Art?

1. Bookbinding is pretty straightforward; though one thing that jumps to mind is that a backed fabric is probably best for the cover? If you're like me and use random fat quarters you get at the local fabric shop, be aware that the glue will probably soak through because the fabric is quite thin, so don't go too hard on in and don't set it down on anything it'll fatally stick to (aka newspaper). I've taken bookbinding classes and made quite a few so idk if i'm forgetting anything thats second nature to me, but feel free to ask.

This tutorial is pretty good, though i found the sewing of the signatures a little confusing? Also: do not spread white glue over the spine like that, i'll seep into the pages a little and get messy. Hot glue is the way to go- let it cool, place it where you want it on the spine and then iron the other side of the spine to remelt the glue. Just don't use steam and be very careful not to overdo it and burn the fabric. :v

2. One thing that has been really helping me with shading/lighting lately is life drawing: i've been taking a class for a year now and i've improved hugely. (You can scroll backwards through my progress here even lol). It doesn't necessarily have to be in a class though- You can draw random objects around the place and use the sun+ an arrangement of lamps to play with light sources, and get friends to sit for you. Or even go to somewhere like a library or cafe and sketch people (though they don't often stay still long enough to get in light/shading information into the drawing, so). Check out local high schools for night classes if you have the funds to take a life drawing class. Its really worth it!

Other than that, maybe try doing some master study type stuff? Find an artist or piece you like, then try to figure out how they did it and recreate it to learn how the technique works.