Optimal way to practice > Deliberate practice Best books > Depends what you want to draw? How to Draw by Scott Robertson and Figure Drawing Design and Invent

Optimal way to practice > Deliberate practice Best books > Depends what you want to draw? How to Draw by Scott Robertson and Figure Drawing Design and Invention by Michael Hampton should keep you busy for a while How do I learn to self critique? > Take a picture of your drawing I find it easier to see mistakes by looking at a picture of it. Another trick is to get up, walk around and come back in 5 minutes. You'll get a fresh look and see the mistakes. Honestly I wouldn't worry about optimal practice from experience it's very difficult to achieve until you've built a habit out of drawing and some proficiency. Step 1: Have fun. Do you enjoy drawing? If not find a way to enjoy it. Step 2: Build a habit out of practicing and enjoy the process. From reading about many experts and mastery the process is the key to mastery. Enjoy the process, not the outcome. Step 3: Don't stop. Quitting happens only once. If you stop drawing for a month that's fine, pick it back up. This is a life long journey. Again enjoy the process. As an aside check out www.artstation.com it's a concept art website where industry professionals post their work. Fantastic site for inspiration. Read this post: https://noahbradley.com/blogs/blog/dont-go-to-art-school https://noahbradley.com/blogs/blog/dont-go-to-art-school Pick up a copy of Art & Fear and read it whenever you feel discouraged. Good luck.