How to 'get better at art'...

Kids, this is how you "get better at art". YOU STUDY. YOU PRACTICE.

Here's my method. I usually draw over the legit thing to get a feel for what I'm drawing. This is just me, but it helps me understand the structure of the face better than just copying. Once I feel somewhat comfortable, I take a crack at it myself. Now, it may not turn out how you like.. MULTIPLE times. That's when you go back and study again.
(which I need to do for the snarls )...

It's a repeat process with good results.

Now, here's what you DON'T do. You don't completely trace over the animal, make a new layer for that trace, and start coloring it in. You won't LEARN ANYTHING.

Of course, this isn't the only method. There are tons of art and anatomy books out there. (READING'S GOOD FOR YOU, YA BRATS.) You can also sketch and sketch and sketch... and sketch until it looks right...

Oh, here's another don't. Don't heavily reference other people's artwork. It just makes your style look... well, like you don't have a style. The artists you copy off of all have their unique style, and mixing them together in your own gallery looks shabby, incomplete, and undesirable to look at. >:T

So. I hope you all enjoyed my advice. Now go start practicing.

Art & Chaos -
Photos - Google