For new artists I would say I agree with this and have some ideas to add: "30% line quality and exercises on volume & depth" - If this just means drawing lines, curves and boxes, I think 30% is a bit much. Maybe 30% for a week or 2, but then you'd get really bored. I think after a few weeks of spending 30% on this, drop it to 15-20 minute warm up each day. I guess that would be 5-10% for you if you're drawing 4 hours per day. However, if line quality exercises means focusing on line quality while drawing something exciting like bugs, people, or machines, I think 30% sounds good. "30% arachnids & insects, to practice perspective and proportions." - I would add gesture to that. The thing about my Figure Drawing Fundamentals course is that most of it teaches you fundamental concepts (gesture, structure, exaggeration, proportions, measuring, shading) using people as the subject. You can go through the course and apply all the information to something more simple like bugs. Just drawing an easier subject to practice perspective and proportions wont necessarily teach you those things faster. You have to also learn HOW to do that stuff correctly. That's where my figure course would help you. "I was a bit dis-heartened to hear this as I love doing figure and gesture drawing." - If you love it, then do more than he suggested. "Could I really improve more at drawing figures and portraits by drawing less of them?" - Yes, because as a new artist it's not the body that you need to learn (anatomy) its the fundamentals of drawing. Fundamentals can be learned by drawing anything.. But again, just drawing doesn't teach you those fundamentals. You need to hear someone explain how it all work. Watch my figure course lessons and apply all the concepts i teach you to whatever you choose to draw. If you get bored with bugs, challenge yourself and change it up. "Wishing you all the love and all of the TikToks your hearts could desire." - Thank you kind sir!