Improving drawing skills using multiple books?

Hi Meg welcome to POL , sound like you have a mini library it’s something we all do or have done buy books .  My advice would be to read them but don’t take them as the best options to learn , gaped a couple of cheap sketch pads to start with and just get the pencil out and sketch what you see . Anything in and about the house to start with , do it your way whilst taking ideas and suggestions from the books . Post some on here so that people who know what they are doing comment on them , don’t be afraid if you think they aren’t good enough, the critique will be positive and helpful to develop your skill. There is a thread called sketch a day where people put their every day sketch on , it’s a good pace to put your work as quite a few of the members use it and chat about what they have done etc. Good luck in your art journey and most importantly enjoy what you do. 

Hello again Meg , Alan Bickley as me to paste this message as at present he is not able to open messages and answer then .  I’m sure he will see any reply from you and answer when he is able or  I can pass it on .

Brilliant advice Meg from Paul and Alan.  My little addition would be to just draw what you see.  A tree, a cup, your hand.   And look and look and look.   You will enjoy its a great journey.

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain is actually quite a useful book, while being scientifically - nonsense.  Leaving the cod-neurology to one side, though, it contains a lot of useful advice. There are good videos on YouTube, as well: as Alan and Paul say, you don't have to take them literally, just take what you can from them and if the advice seems a bit weird in places, then feel free to ignore it: just make sure that the video you're watching has been put together by someone who CAN draw, rather than showing a lot of other people's work and presuming to explain how it's done; you know how it's done, you show us yourself! Get yourself a sketchbook - actually, make that two sketchbooks.  One you can carry around with you in your pocket, say A5 in size, and a bigger one, A4 or bigger, for when you get home.  Keep drawing - examine your own work; analyse it - if you're not happy with it, don't keep doing the same thing; look for an approach or materials that might give you some different and better ideas. And - keep your pencils sharp: especially to start with - a Staedtler clutch pencil, with its own dedicated sharpener, is excellent.  I say "to start with" because a great many different things can be done with blunt pencils, carpenter's pencils, carbon pencils, very soft - 8 or 9B pencils, and of course charcoal and conté crayon.  When making a start though, sharp pencils will train your hand and eye better and more quickly, and will show you where you might be going wrong.  So will ink - fineliner pens, pigment based ink pens, fountain pens, even gel pens and ballpoints.  If you want to add to your library of art books, try a book I've just bought, Adebanji Alade's The Addictive Sketcher: crammed with good ideas and even better examples.  If you want to save money - well, don't stint on drawing materials, but you could do a lot worse than buy those children's colouring books you often see in supermarkets or convenience stores: I bought a couple, with lions, zebras, elephants etc on the front, and people snigger when they see it; but actually -- it's excellent paper: and so it should be, the last thing we should be doing with artily-inclined kids is fob them off with rubbish materials: keep an eye open for them when on your next food shop: landscape format sketchbooks, no indication of maker, but emblazoned with the non-ambiguous title 'A4 Drawing Book'.  (Yes there are far better papers out there, but these are very good for the price, should you happen to spot them.)

Choose one book that resonates with you the most or that focuses on the fundamentals of drawing. This will be your primary resource and guide. Take the time to read it thoroughly and understand the concepts it presents. Moreover, many drawing books are designed to provide a structured learning experience. They often introduce concepts gradually and offer exercises to practice each skill. Follow the book's recommended sequence of lessons and exercises to build a solid foundation. I think regardless of the approach you choose, consistent practice is crucial for improvement. Set aside dedicated time for drawing and try to establish a routine. Experiment with different exercises and techniques from your books during your practice sessions.