I really think this video is the one that made me improve from 0 to 100... "instead of focusing on produce artwork one should focus on learning through the process". When I started to practice expecting a bad drawing, when I started to "risk" a good drawing by trying something new on it, was when I started to learn properly, I used to hate my failures and now I when I see a bad drawing of mine I see the things I've learned from them, this way of thinking seriously changed me on a personal level. I am not a good artist, but now I've discovered the true joy of drawing. Every person who want to become an artist should take this video seriously.
It’s so encouraging to hear your enthusiastic response Kestrel. As is the case with almost all my videos, this is a lesson I’ve navigated in my own drawing journey, so I’m really convinced of the value of it. Thanks. 😀
for anyone looking for a simple subject to start with, try donuts. start with plain donuts, when you're comfortable add glaze, add sprinkles in varying amounts (drawing a donut full of sprinkles helps with foliage), then start doing donts on plates, then add coffee mugs (or tea), do spoons, sugar cubes, probably a laptop/tablet, then a table to place all your stuff, then try a small cafe scene
I JUST READ his BIO on his Website...YUP, I have subdued the "desire" to paint everyday and just to be an artist for the past 25 years too. But I think life has taught me enough now to KNOW that "you gotta do what you need to do and its never too late to start" ... Thank you Stephen. Wish you all the best!!
Thank you, Steven. I was stuck in that place for years to the point where i began to hate art. Thankfully, i changed my focus, and now i enjoy playing and experimenting and exploring and gave up trying to produce a finished piece. It has made a huge difference!
Suppose it depends what you want to get out of your artwork. For me, I am a hobbyist. I recently picked it up from watching pastel/charcoal portrait videos on RU-vid. Now, my art is far from perfect but I find enjoyment in the process and afterwards I love going back over and seeing how it 'pops' on the page. We can certainly min/max our learning experience but the key thing, I think, is to retain that passion what got you into art and enjoy whatever it is you create - warts an' all
Within one hour, I listened to three videos for the first time watching you... Deep and interesting words... One of the most beautiful things I have heard in this field... Words that come generously from your heart... We thank you very much.
It’s such an important point to understand. And if we draw from a reference careful observation is the start of our creative thinking. All the best with your creative thinking. 😀
This is so insightful! I am also someone who chose not to have an art education, I was feeling like I am missing something very important. Not giving myself enough room to improve and judge all of my drawings as finished artworks not sketches was making me feel anxious and not talented enough. So I gave up art altogether, I am now starting my journey again and will follow your advice. Hopefully, I will learn how to learn throughout this new process.
Sounds like you’re well on the way. It’s like learning the piano. We practice and we improve. It should be work and fun at the same time. All the best with this restart. I wish you every success. 😀
I though I was self taught, well I am to a certain degree, but I have used videos such as this for advice for hints and tips then go and try them out. I started drawing simple objects, learnt to draw shapes, how to show depth with shading, how to use tonal values. Each day I would try and draw something more challenging, look at that went. I had a drawing exercise I would do daily, I would draw ten boxes all about the same size then each box was about drawing ten different patterns and line shapes such as fish scales, long wavy parallel lines, brick patterns, circles, etc. all designed to develop muscle memory while learning to draw loosely. I try to draw every day, i still give myself challenges, the fun ones are the timed ones. I have been drawing for five years now and my skill level has improved significantly from when I started. I am still learning, still trying to improve further.
What wonderful timing of this message. I've just decided to go back to the basics, with drawing and watercolor. I know so much more than when I started 2 years ago and I enjoy every time I sit down with my supplies. I particularly like your words about copying someone else's work to learn... but when I try my own hand, I don't know where to start! So back to the basics, enjoy the process and move along the continuum of making and enjoying art.
I’m wanting to learn watercolour as well, so I need to take my own advice and experiment and have fun, and not be over concerned with the results while I learn. All the best Penny with your fresh start!😀
I’m curious here about you saying not to copy other artists. A well known technique for painting is to “copy” AKA “study” a grand master’s work. This way you get to identify the decisions the grand master made and why. Colour, value, stroke, buildup, blend, etc. Would that not be the same with line work ? Study say a Marvel comic artist’s lines, hatching, spacing and weights. This way you’ll gain knowledge on how that artist did something and why. Obviously you need to do this on multiple works to figure out what the different styles and techniques are. Once you get this then surely you can use this knowledge to put into your own work. I understand that just copying and claiming you ‘know’ how it’s done is not the right approach and maybe this is where basic line work practice is needed first (and maybe this is what you’re alluding to ?). Curious to hear what you think.
Yes, it can be helpful as part of a more formal curriculum. But in practice, for the self taught artist it is more often a short cut to a better looking drawing than could be otherwise done because the lines can just be copied without any creative thinking. But no skills are developed to then allow original drawing. We are talking of different categories of students here. 😀
Oh dear, I started painting during Covid…but I’m a fraud! All my paintings are from copying tutorials from various artists (Bonny Snowdon , Zara, LAW, Jason Morgan etc) I obviously don’t understand the process because I don’t know how to produce my own art from my own references… I need to learn how to learn! Aaand I have purchased ALL the mediums because I don’t really know what I like best. I live on a beautiful island in Alaska and want to paint/draw what I see! I want to compose my own reference photos! I want to know how to develop the creative part of how to choose where to start, what medium to use and how…I don’t have the overall feel for how to even how to choose the composition. Am I a lost cause??? Honestly, artists all say that we can learn to do our own from copying theirs, but I haven’t found that to be true…
Think of learning the piano. With very simple pieces at first where you build skills bit by bit. Once you’ve mastered those skills you move on. And you do practice playing, not give performances. We need to understand that for a lo g time we are doing practice drawings, not producing artworks. But this takes pressure off us as well, so we can enjoy our practice. And all the supplies will still be there in the future when you’re ready for them. All the best. 😀
Nonsense. Someone with the discipline to look realistically at their weakness by attempting something beyond their ability is a great way to learn and question how things were done to get the results they want. As long as you understand you're working to learn and not to create a masterpiece. Get comfortable with failing and figuring out how you failed and working on that one thing untill you understand it and can do it. By all means try to paint an old masterpiece, then sit back, compare and then focus on each of your weaknesses and practice your ass off until you can move on to your next weakness, all the while trying to paint the masters. You will be astounded when the day comes a year down the road and you see how much you are improving. Then get back to work. So try the complicated ones that interest you. Drawing cubes and cylinders for days on end is the fastest way to loose interest. Mix in the basics with going beyond your reach is the best formula
Thanks Roger. I am a big advocate of self critiquing to get a focus for improvement. But for many beginner artists, with lots of enthusiasm but no guided direction, they can lack enough awareness of the discipline of drawing to identify the weaknesses in their work beyond something not being quite right. And trying to create an artwork when they draw can seem a natural goal, when they haven’t thought of practicing components or realised the benefit of it. If someone is able to look at their artworks and identify their weaknesses and focus on the areas they need to improve on, they have already moved beyond the beginner drawing development level this video is aimed at. Thanks for your thoughts. I’m sure people will find them helpful. 😀
There’s a difference between pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and tackling something way beyond your skill level that will just demoralise you. Nobody is talking about “drawing cylinders and cubes for days on end”. I would argue that expecting too much of yourself too soon is the fastest way to lose interest. Been there, done that.
This is a bit extreme. Nobody said just draw cubes and cylinders. In all training this principle is important, a gradual sense of mastery is the only kind there is. In training horses for stadium jumping, it is known that if you start a horse on a jump they can't quite handle, you will 'over face' them and possibly ruin them forever. Our confidence is more resilient than a horse's, sometimes. Your approach feels joyless.
@@simonestreeter1518 Whats joyless is telling people not to push their limits to discover what they are. Your comparison to horse training is absurd. Of course no one would attempt a physical act that could hurt them, but how many kids try to dunk a basketball knowing they probably can't jump high enough. The fun is in the attempt, and one day they suprise themselves and do it. I wouldn't suggest trying to free climb 4000 feet just without years of practice, but if your 12 year old wants to paint the Mona Lisa go for it. The will have fun, learn they need practice to improve, and understand their present limitations.
@@rogerdestre9980 No, I'm sorry, but the psychological damage is what hurts the horses, not anything physical, and the same type of psychological damage can be as bad and last longer than physical damage. Especially if you are of a sensitive (read: artistic) temperament. You are missing the point. Success builds confidence, which leads to more attempts to grow.
