but I just get so over whelmed that my stuff doesn't look like a photograph that I get discouraged and not finish anything :(

someone halp

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You can achieve a huge amount of realism with graphite. Assuming you have bought yourself a proper tin of artists pencils. Start with the lighter grades and work to the softer ones. Hard pencils do the outline and the light areas and soft ones do the dark areas.

Secondly, like starrynight401 said. You adopt a style that fits. If you want you can look in my IB at my apples. Although the photo isnt great, I achieved the image and got it realistic looking and I used bold streaks of paint, which is my style. I remember my art teacher used to be amazed by how I painted so boldly.

Its a style and you have to settle into it.

But I find a lot of art is in your head, you just know how to do it, without really thinking.

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Punctured bicycle on a hillside, desolate,
Could nature make a man of me yet?

Sometimes, if I just get too flustered over it... I set aside and start on something else. I don't even look at it for like a week or two. After so long, I return to it. It's like it's a whole new painting again, but only partially done as it is. It also helps me get back into the rhythm of things.

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http://kollegelyfer.blogspot.com/