A very quick still life just trying to focus on proportions
I think this will be a good exercise for my observation skills and to help with my bad proportions
3.3.25
2 minute poses gesture drawing
A 5 minute portrait, I was seeing if its a good idea to set time limit on portraits
4.3.25
2 minutes gesture trying out different approaches
After the first few I just drew the line of action and tried a gestural silhouette
Some portraits done on around 1 minute each, really just trying to get proportions not worried about any details
Trying to get a 2 value painterly look
5/3/25
gesture 2 minutes drew line of action, circles for head pelvis ribcage, then focused on silhouette
Portraits took a different approach I drew the silhouette then added guidelines on top
I feel the silhouette helps me with proportions. So the construction was done after the silhouette. 
Very random and rushed perpsective practice, Trying to find the right reference.looking for that more 1st person look
6.3.25
2 minutes gestures
About 10 minutes per portrait Really cant get the features to look accurate
7.3.25
Should I try to stop drawing symbols or will it go away naturally
do I need to slow down and get the details right?
I'm not much further in my art journey than you but I do think they go away eventually, with the right mindset of trying to draw what you see rather than what you think you're seeing. To get there however require a lot of intentional observation exercises. I can definitely see improvement in your last 3 posts, so you're on the right track.
Only suggestion I can give right now is to study the individual facial features, I think that'll level up your overall construction. The nose especially in some of these is a bit flat looking, so I'd start there. Keep it up! 
@vstriferv Thanks, I 'll keep in mind to really observe and focus on the features
10.3.25
11.3.25
Your practice is definitely helping you improve. So keep at it!
Are you using your shoulder and elbow when you are making your strokes? it looks like you might mostly be drawing from the wrist, which results in shorter and sketchier strokes. If you are, you should try to use your whole arm. It has made a world of difference in my own efforts.
@JimSt I really need to work on my line quality, thanks for the reminder
