I wrote ~5000 words on what 40 hours of studying drawing can do. I know my drawing is not great, but it has improved considerably, and I believe it is a story worth sharing.
@nina_kali_nina thanks for sharing. I am half way through and this was already quite insightful!
I esp felt the part of learning lines and basic forms. People seldomly grasp that it is an acquired skill to draw a straight line without a ruler or a pretty ovaloid. I had this lesson to in a book but it. Is. So. Consuming 
in every way.
Anyhow, I am looking forward to reading the other half bit 
@ppxl best of luck!
It is indeed a skill, and a skill people often forget they learned. For example, in the crosshatching sub-chapter, Betty Edwards wonders why not everyone has the crosshatching figured out, and just tells the reader to practice it (without any specific exercises provided, maybe not to overwhelmed the reader)