Secrets? Hmmm I guess it depends on what you're specifically asking about but really you get what you put into it. Anywho, if there IS a "secret," I guess I would say the secret is to learn perseverance. Life and art will get you down and you're gonna feel not as good as others and want to quit. You're gonna think "why even bother." So perseverance is the key to getting better. Keep trying even though you dont see the point in it, then look back at your work from where you started and you'll see the growth. I have to keep reminding myself this all the time