The fact that anybody’s dream would be to so much as burp like me is absurdly flattering.

Let me tell you a few things that I tell every artist, though:

• You have more ability than you think.
• The statement that you cannot draw X, Y or Z is probably untrue.
• If you want to draw something, there is nothing stopping you.
• Comparing yourself to other artists is gonna do nothing but get you down.

With that in mind, though, find things that inspire you. You found me - that’s a good start. Next up is a little art analysis. Choose your favorite works from your favorite artists - or in your favorite styles - and stare them down. Pick them apart. Figure out the exact techniques those styles employ that you love, and incorporate them into your own work. I love the way Adam Hughes puts thicker borders around the outsides of his figures, with the inside lines being more subtle. So I started doing it myself. That’s kind of all there is to it.

You can ask people for advice, but put it to work! Other artists can give you their two cents, but improvement lies in the practical application of what you hear.