Most beginners struggle because they draw what they think they see (a symbol of an eye) rather than what is actually there (a series of curved lines and shadows).
The belief that drawing is an innate "gift" is one of the most persistent myths in the arts. In reality, drawing is a learned cognitive skill—a form of visual literacy—that relies more on than manual dexterity. For the absolute beginner, the challenge isn't training the hand to move, but training the brain to see. I. The Philosophy of Seeing Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner
Drawing an object without looking at your paper. This forces the hand to synchronize perfectly with the eye’s movement. Most beginners struggle because they draw what they
Quantity leads to quality. Doing twenty 1-minute sketches is more valuable for a beginner than one 20-minute drawing. For the absolute beginner, the challenge isn't training
Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner: A Roadmap to Visual Literacy Introduction
Drawing is the act of slowing down the world enough to truly understand it. By shifting focus from "the finished product" to "the process of looking," any beginner can move from stick figures to sophisticated representation. The only barrier to entry is the patience to look twice and draw once.
A medium-tooth sketchbook (around 70lb–90lb) prevents the lead from smearing too easily.