/ic/ - Artwork/Critique

never actually talked on /ic/ or gotten critiques. i've been finding myself in a really horrible slump and i've come to the realization that i have almost never drawn backgrounds or done architectural studies technical studies, anything useful, nothing like that just because i've always considered myself bad at it, and i give up so easily.

i feel awful cause ive been drawing since i could hold a pencil but my improvement pace has not been what i wish it was. i really want to branch out and get better but i'm nervous and have always stayed in my comfort zone.

pic related- it's mostly (digital)shit from late middle school, but the stuff on the right is from freshman year. this was 4-5 years ago. it's basically the kind of shit i draw nowadays, even though i'm a bit better now. this is just to show the lack of variety in content and i'm just really disappointed at how little my art's subject matters have changed from the stuff in this pic. i have no idea where to start branching out and i'm afraid it's too late. i'll post some recent stuff to show my progression. i'm not sure how harsh the critiques will be and i've already prepared myself for the "just give up now" kinds of comments.

is it "cheating" to paint backgrounds directly from reference? what kinds of backgrounds are best to start with?