Well, I'm pretty sure this question's been asked to death, but I'm bored, I s'pose, and I made a plan to get back into drawing this year so here goes.

I need some advice on how to improve my art. Recently I took a look at my old art pieces from 2013-2014 or so, and it reminded me of how I used to love drawing. I gave it up after that period because I felt like my art wasn't improving, and personal issues made me disinterested in most of my former hobbies. Now I want to get back into the swing of things, but I feel disappointed because I didn't stick with it and get better, and (cough)...

I'm honestly caught in a bit of art envy, because I see all these artists with their god-like art, and I see mine and it makes me feel like there's no point in improving if I'm not getting any results. So how do I improve my artwork? How do I stick with it and not get burned out, and how do I know if I'm improving?

Hi, Maybe you could just forget how better the artwork of other artists could be compare with yours. You have always boss above boss.

Besides some artists are just more known and popular than others. It could be possible those artists are known and poplar because they are indeed great, but it isn't always. So you can just stop to compare your self with other artists and just make what you want.

One of the first things I learned as an artist because I used to have this issue was that:

a) there will ALWAYS be artists that are better than you. Once you get to the point of personal satisfaction there will be someone else you consider better. The idea is to aspire to be on a level that you're personally satisfied with, and use the artwork of others as inspiration. If the artwork of a particular artist serves as an aspiration then yes, use it, but realize that for most artists it takes years for them to get to a level where they're considered professional level.

b) The second is focus on what you're bad at and draw it until you're sick of drawing it. If you're bad at hands, draw hands until all you're seeing is hands in your dreams. If you're bad at anatomy, take life drawing classes, peruse anatomy books and yes, it may take a while but nothing comes easy.

I love your avatar! He looks very handsome.

Anyway, have you considered taking some art classes at your local community college?

The thing about art, I believe, is that it should be just something you do as a person. Would you still call yourself an artist? Also, consider the idea of your personal style. If you have a style maybe thats why you dont see any improvements.