Gesture drawing practice is the one habit that professional digital artists and art school instructors agree on almost universally. The question is how to make it effective rather than just filling time.

The mistake most people make: drawing gestures and trying to make them look good. Gesture practice is about reading and responding to movement and weight, not about clean lines. The lines should be fast and approximate.

I use the 30/60/120/300 second timer progression. Start fast, get slower. The fast timers force economy of mark-making — you can only record the most essential information. The slower timers let you refine, but the foundation was laid fast.

Progress measurement: I save one gesture sheet per month. After three months, the difference in quality of line and understanding of pose becomes visible. Don't judge daily; judge monthly.