How does regular sketching from life benefit artists?

Regular sketching from life significantly enhances an artist's understanding of proportions, which is crucial for creating realistic and compelling representations of subjects. When an artist sketches from life, they observe the subject's dimensions, relationships, and spatial organization directly. This practice allows them to internalize how different parts of a subject relate to one another in size and scale, leading to more accurate depictions in their artwork.

Understanding proportions is fundamental not just for representational art but also for developing a solid foundation in anatomy, perspective, and composition. As artists practice this skill, they become more adept at translating what they see into their own artistic expressions, resulting in works that resonate more realistically with viewers.

While other aspects of artistic development, such as analytical abilities, creativity through abstraction, and commercial success, are influenced by various practices and experiences, they do not directly stem from the process of regularly sketching from life as effectively as an improved understanding of proportions does.