If you are trying to teach yourself to draw, the best advice I can give you is to keep your practice drawings to yourself.

It's fine to proudly show off what you can do in the early stages, but if you do that, be prepared for criticism.

When I was practicing at the start, I remember how I couldn't believe that I could draw certain things. (It still surprises me!) My first instinct was to show someone, and I invariably got criticism on what was wrong with the drawing.

I recall that I felt hurt and disillusioned. Some people are ignorant of the fact that you are just starting your learning to draw program.

I did show my family but I prefaced the display with "Please, no criticism, I know it's not perfect but I'm excited about it." They understood, of course. They are my real cheer squad.

Make sure you can handle criticism before you ask for it.

Even now, when I look through my "learner" drawings, I don't want to show anyone. They're my secret.

You are allowed this privacy. Don't feel uncomfortable about it. It's you who will benefit in the long run. You can't afford to get disenchanted with your drawings.

The fact that you think they are great is your motivation to move onto your next drawing. That trend is called practicing and that's all you need to do to be successful as an artist.