I'm sure anyone who has tried to pick up a pencil understands how frustrating drawing can be.
When I was in college I had two drawing teachers. One drawing teacher was very strict and unforgiving. The other was very loose and open minded. Continually he would say, "I can't teach you how to draw, but I can show you some of the rules." While the other one would say, "NO, it's like this.", taking my fingers like I was a three-year old and repositioning them on my pencil.
Drawing or true discipline in art is something you have to learn from someone else. A master. You can try to reinvent the wheel, but you'd be better off listening very closely to someone who has been at it longer that you and build off that.
There are tons of "How To Draw" books out there. But there aren't so many art books that teach you "How to Think". Lots of books or tutorials are quite similar to what you see above.
The ability to draw is an indispensable skill for all artists. No you don't have to be a Rembandt Van Rijn, but the ability to "visualize"what you want to communicate will take you far.
Burne Hogarth the great illustration master, is arguably one of the most referenced artists in terms of dynamic illustration. (ie, American Comic Books). His books like Dynamic Anatomy or Dynamic Figure Drawing are a staple in almost every artist's library.
Found an interesting clip of master Hogarth actually drawing and breaking down the human head in an instructional film. He breaks down like a science where the points are of the human head, but again he left out one important point. How to think.
Here are some art instructors, tutorials and books which I have found to be particularly informative on thinking about your approach towards drawing.
Matthew Archembault - Drawing Tutorials Online
Mike Mattesi - Drawing FORCE
Walt Stanchfield - Drawn to Life
