So, you think you can't draw?

You just started, and you can't do half of what the other artists can do, who are you age?

Don't have the fancy stuff like, an Art Tablet, Copics, Fineliners, etc?

And all of that makes you feel so pathetic and down that you want to scream?

Believe it or not, we've all been there at some point.

I'm not usually on Equestria Amino that much anymore (you try and manage stories on Fimfiction, an Art Book and school life at the same time!) and I have no reason to tell you what to do but, trust me when I say that you've got more talent than what you believe.

Maybe drawing is not easy. Maybe it is a struggle. But, it's through that struggle, and that effort to get there, that makes it possible.

You want to see my first drawing compared to my most recent?

See? You can improve if you just PRACTICE.

You also don't need all that fancy stuff either.

You have replacements. Very effective ones.

This is my 'set up'. I usually have my bed instead of the table but, eh.

The Copics you see above, I only have 6 ('Cause I'm broke af) but, I don't use them a lot, really. I usually only just line my drawings. So, they aren't really a nesseccity—color pencils work just as well, honestly.

Then I have 0.3 and 0.6 fineliners. I used to use a black ballpoint pen and that really worked just as well. The only difference is that a fineliner is a bit more...black-er.

Next, instead of buying a $1000 Art Tablet, you can get a cheap IPad (I recommend IPad Air). And you don't even need to buy a super expensive app. There are two free apps that wok just as well as Paint Tool SAI. the first one is called 'Ibis Paint X' and the second one, I'm sure you've heard of at some point is 'MediBang Paint'. They're surprisingly really good and easy to get as I myself use 'IbisPaint X'. With that and practice you can create something beautiful. An example of what you can do is:

Now, I'll give my best attempt on a tutorial. Though, there may be QUITE a few differences from the show style, since I like to draw the ponies sort of more 'realistically'. So, you don't have to follow it 100%

These 'useless' circles make up the basic body structure. It's called a 'base'. Don't worry if it's not perfect. It's just a rough sketch.

Outline the body using the circles. As you can see, my style is different. I have the muzzle more realistic, the body is larger and the chest is puffier.

Remember: WORK IN LAYERS. If you're working on a digital device, use layers. It makes your life so much better.

And there is the final product! If you attempt this—digitally or traditionally—send a picture in the comments below! I'd love to see it!

Next, if you've got the basics down and you can draw a pony, you need shading. Now, not ALL artists need shading. A piece sometimes looks better without it. It's your choice if you do want to do it.

You have to keep in mind that a pony is made of simple shapes. Mostly, rectangles/cylinders and circles.

So, you need to know where the light hits a regular circle and cylinder to get the it right.

Imagine it's hitting from the right, currently.

See?

Here's it with a pony:

If you follow the lighting, it's not that hard!

You can literally draw anything if you practice. As lame and 'useless' as it sounds, that's the best advice I've gotten towards Artdom. You need to try and follow it.

PRACTICE.