First, let me make a brief introduction of what to expect from my postings. Most of the material I can expect to come strait from my three gigantic (and therefore non-portable) books which have been the bibles of my work since I started drawing. The only worthwhile parts of my drawings have been strait from these, called the Famous Artists home study course and dates circa 1960. My art teacher in high school had a version that dated around 1970, but I have not been able to find much about getting copies today, not even back prints. They come in 3 hard cover binders in a surprising size and weight and cost a good deal of money for the time, I hear. At the same time, I've never found anything remotely comparable, even when taking into account the many, many how to art books I've purchased since.
The course was written by many famous illustrators of the time, back when illustration for magazines was common. Leading the team of about ten famous artists was Albert Dorne, one of my favourite illustrators of all time. Much of the text was written by him.

Random Albert Dorne Illustration

It's all in the details. Nothing in this image is an accident, and that's the best way to approach a composition. You'll learn how to see how the bottle behind the chicken helps the overall clarity of the drawing, and that's important to us. People must know what's going on at first glance, or we lose them.

So onwards. In no particular order, I hope to cover these topics. Most of these will still be from the comics angle, that is to say, the highest quality in the shortest amount of time, just like the old illustrators.

Pencilling, shading/texture
Anatomy of objects
Inking and pen control
Practice things
Composition
Mood and effect (pen and tone)
Anatomy of people and animals, real and conventions
Backgrounds and perspective
Expressing cloth
Toning the four surfaces
American Illustration techniques
Print, paper and supplies
Toning techniques
and, like, more. Feel free to ask questions. If I can't answer, I'm sure Mr. Dorne can. I welcome constructive observations from the artists as well.
I'll put up some actual stuff as soon as it's ready.
For now, I'm sleepy. Welcome friends. I am Potato.