How I learned to paint ANYTHING! 

Pre Order a Commander Pikachu Print at www.alpayefe.com/store ⚡️⚡️⚡️ Only available for a short Time!!!

I used to think that I had to wait and paint a concept until I was “good enough” to tackle it. Then I realized I would never get there if I didn’t attempt it. That was a very freeing thought and as a result I’ve painted tiny things, canvases that are taller than me, murals, and experimented with all sorts of mediums. Once we shake off the rules and expectations and follow our passion and curiosity, it greatly accelerates growth. I didn’t touch oils for a long time, and was convinced I was “bad at painting” but when I got to university I had a professor tell me she thinks I am a painter. At that point in life I had reached the “why the hell not? Try it” phase. I switched my major to painting and approached each canvas with a “let’s see how I’m going to fail this time and what I will learn” approach and tried it. That first semester my work became an example for teaching other students. That change didn’t happen from practice, it happened from a change of mindset. Excellent advice as always, and I definitely want to get my hands on one of those prints!

I found a lot of truth in what you're saying in my own experience. I used to draw every day to get better but I realized drawing just what I wanted wasn't enough to grow. I had to learn more about proportions, shading, anatomy etc. Yes a drawing would come out the way I wanted but I couldn't do it again without a reference. Now that I've taken the time to learn these things (that I still struggle with but have gotten better at) I feel a lot better about my end results and how I look at art as a whole.

When I saw the Pikachu painting in the background in the last video, I felt like am I missing something? Why don't I know about that Pikachu painting? And here is the answer.

I'm ready for my art therapy and support, and Alpay Efe ever delivers. And regardless of your content the way you communicate is ever welcome - from someone who struggles to pay attention for more than a hot second, it is greatly appreciated.

The advice that scale changes the dynamics - incredible, we rarely get truly to a new scale, most of our sketchbooks we draw similarly in, only between sketchbook - canvas - wall do we get that experience of a different scale. This is insanely goox informafion - I will hear the rest of your channel out, this is going to be useful to to me!

People misunderstand the idea of 10 000 hours so much it became its own caricature. It's not about hours only. It's about HOW MUCH TIME OF DELIBERATE PRACTICE it takes to be a professional. 10 000 hours of conscious learning with mistake correction, practising difficult things, pushing the limit bit by bit - this is what it is all about, and this is what Ericsson meant. People should research some ideas more, than take it at face value. And yes, I did read the book, in which it is mentioned and described.

I have to relearn whenever I knit or draw, like using a recipe for reference when I experiment or make-do. I like the way you put the lessons and the words together. Especially, learning by doing.

well said, i always knew that mastering a skill would have a lot of depth to it and so the caveman "i spend 10.000 hour on thing, i become master right away" way of thinking would be just bs but i couldnt word it like this, well said

Aaaaaahhhh I freaking love this!!! 😻😻😻 and everything you said… you couldn’t be more spot on 👌🏻

I totally agree with all these sentiments - especially that using a projector is a time saver and that drawing and painting are totally seperate skills! I talk about that all the time when I teach. :)

So well said! 👌🏻

I am so glad to hear your thoughts on this. My father was a professional painter and decorator. He taught me how to paint large flat areas and how to load the brush. When I started to assemble scaled models I learnt another skill set, all about small flicks, layers, deliberate removal of paint, mixing paint with texture additives; Hell, I've even painted using mud to achieve the look I wanted. Stage props taught me what the eye percieves at distance and why big and bold was so important. So I totally agree about being deliberate and working through differing methods to achieve a goal. Practicing the same technique is deminishing returns. In the end it just made me a faster artist, not a better one.

I totally agree! I sometimes have to pause in the middle of a painting because I realize that I don't really know how to paint this or that yet. 😭

Your video echos my approach to painting. I trace a lot of my subjects. But I still have to use my artistic skills to make a painting. Over the years I've discovered that my drawing skills have improved simply because I appreciate how I might paint a scene or subject. One feeds the other. Great video as always 😎😎

Alpay this is one of my favorite's from you. So cool, thanks for sharing. Just ordered it now.

Thank you, @AlpayEfe! Your videos are inspirational! :-)

Man I love you. You always have the best advice and it is generally exactly what I need to hear :)

Keep up the good artwork

Man I love your videos. You always say what I need to hear ❤

Thank you for this video! I was wondering if you can do a video going through your materials, paint colours and how you keep your brushes in top condition. Your brushes seem so sharp and square!

It’s crazy you just put up this video, I started oil painting a few weeks ago but I’ve always been able to draw pretty well and I was just saying how I wish I had a projector to speed up sketching out my paintings lol. Love your painting though!

Beautiful painting, beautiful technique and a very beautiful voice 😊

Also, I use a projector as well. I have always felt ashamed of that, but it helps me get the initial form correct on the canvas and I actually can erase some it away but it helps me take off. I wish I could paint the under sketch like Sargent with his brush and then the details and likeness pop out towards the end of the painting but I dont know if I'll ever achieve that without proper training. Love your channel. I'm learning.

This is the coolest Pikachu I have ever seen 😍

Great painting and some great tips

I have just found your channel. Wow, amazing.✨️✨️✨️ I will continue my 🎨 passion but will admire your work.👏👏👏❤

Thank you for helping to go this Way!:)

Words for thoughts! That’s the way i see the content on your Chanel. Great way to promote your art and share your knowledge. Does of us that have the passion of painting and are on the journey of self taught learning are able to take your point of view as encouragement and inspiration and know that we will be able to also create a piece of art acceptance to hang on someone’s wall one day. PS. So sad i missed the print.

Nicely sketch and you are really great representations...

Thank you ❤

Don‘t listen to Alpay here! Eating your paint before painting is his secret to create stunning masterpieces like this one!

Alpay your art is so freaking awesome. I'll watch your vid later, just had to say it!! 🥰😻🥳

Commander picka looks amazing. I definitely need to stop beating myself up for not always using traditional methods. It defo allowed me to improve my painting.

Love this video. I went to subscribe after the video and found I was already subscribed. So glad.

nice work as always, the message about drawing and painting are different skills hits me the most because i leaned it the hard way, making me scared of picking up a pen and losing my confidence in drawing, but i think im doing good these days i started relearning all the fundamentals from the start

stunning

That’s nice work dude I like it

When I was younger, I always only drew animals and never drew people, but then I deliberately practiced drawing people and human characters. Now I suck at drawing animals, but I can draw decent human anatomy like hands, facial structure, muscles, hair, etc…

Everytime i watch Alpay i remain in awe, if i could just go grab coffee with’em and dive into art convos… ahh

It’s the difference between doing and learning. Described well.

Ich mag Deinen speziellen Humor. 😄☀ Und natürlich Deine Kompetenz. Danke.

Lol! I just wrapped up a course about deliberate practice for artists in training exactly when you posted the video!)

Very inspiring 👏:)

being a life long learner as all people should be, the most important thing is to do things you are not comfortable doing. Always be pushing your boundaries.

Love this video so true

Subtractive method was used by the 'great Masters'. We know that method is powerful.

Excellent ❤

Nice work❤

awesome

As always your videos are full of wisdom and a joy to watch. Even though I've been painting for many, many years, I've found the best way to learn how to paint clouds is focussed observation and careful attention to the subtle highly-nuanced shifts in values and chroma.🥰

I couldn't agree more with what you said in this video, I also had many misconceptions about painting and learning to paint including the 10,000 hours training/ practicing concept and that using projectors doesn't make you a real painter. Over time though I started seeing the pitfalls of these ideas noticing that I learn much more and my skills get a lot better when I deliberately put myself out my comfort zone; painting on a big canvas one day and in a small sketchbook the other, doing freehand sketching sometimes and using a projector at other times, painting from imagination when I feel like it and using references when my mind feels blank and contentiously trying new mediums, painting surfaces, subjects, etc

I'm a traditional artist, I draw, usually sketch characters and ink them on A4 paper, comic-ish style, colour with Copic markers and pencils. I agree with the size thing, I've always drawn mostly on A4 paper, I find it hard to adjust to bigger sizes haha.

I think it is important to stress (with regard to a medium) that it isn’t the addition or subtraction of that medium but rather the manipulation of it on any/all levels.

Dang it! My brain fell out.

I thought everyone knew to eat their paint before starting a painting. How else would they know if it would be tasteful?

As a digital artist i really amazed by what people do wiyh traditional media because i don't have much experience with it

super valuable video i appreciate the effort

Thank you for being realistic

*Watercolor artists nodding in agreement *

Deliberate Practice!

Thanks

That Pikachu belongs in the Louvre 😍

so, nice ❤️😍

ı love your art sir thanks for inspiring me with your knowledge ❤

How do you know what values to use when you creating something from your head? Because I can copy of a reference, but find it hard to make the painting look three dimensional when it’s my own.

This is incredible!!! How do you get good scans of your works for prints?

Sick painting, chill ambiance, and wisdom that make you think! Love these videos while I'm sorting and working on my stuff.

“Paint. Not draw.” I needed to hear that part. I love painting but often find that I’m afraid my drawing skills aren’t good enough. Despite the fact that I know my brain see things better when painting or even using charcoal, conte, etc to get the feel of the form. I’m still working on drawing, of course, but I shouldn’t let it take up all of my art time.

I agree with the projector. Especially when you're time poor. I can draw it on the canvas but when it comes to adding more subjects and you need to do it from various photo's, say adding more family members or animals it makes it much quicker and easier from a perspective view.

Facts

Expert advice

Thank you.

Ello from the Philippines!

All truth spoken here! True for miniature painting too. I've been using deliberate practice methods to help me do better, when frankly, I don't have time to paint a ton - it is a hobby for me. I want to improve, so being deliberate helps a ton! I choose a topic to improve, study it (studying helps so much!), then work very hard on that aspect of my figure - but let the other aspects be my "normal". My next figure will have an improved "normal" for that aspect which was practiced, and I can choose a new one to improve. 10000 hours.... meh. It isn't practice makes perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect. It is easy to practice methods that don't work, and then improvement can never happen! You are right on scale too. My jump from 28-30mm scale figures into hand-size busts was a scary leap, but so worth it. Still not up to large 2D art - larger scales have always challenged me.... but I don't have the apartment space for a giant canvas to try out right now ;) Someday when I can art-explode all over my home!

Starfox twisted with pokemon...I dig it

Master Sergeant Pikachu would be fun.

thank you for the video! I am starting to dive into color myself and from watching your video I had a question to ask. When it comes to how light reacts, why did you go with using the white from the canvas for the bright highlight? Wouldn't the whites of the metal have more blue or even light green? Again, still learning so any info helps! Love the soft shadow under the chin!

Where do you go for prints on stretched canvas? Do you remove it from the stretcher bars and send it somewhere?

The 10,000 rule was always about deliberate practice, but too many ignore that thinking it's an easy way to learn regardless of repeating the same mistakes time and time again.

Dude I'm very jealous of your skills😢😊

nice

what kind of paints do you recommend for paintimg faces?

Seyrederken benim ellerim titredi. Helal

Whats the name brand of the paint brushes an paints that u use?

Dear Alpay! What type of gloves do you use for oil painting? Thanks!

You're perfect

Good luck

I just LOVE this painting! How did you get the license to sell your version of Pikachu? Thanks for all your share with us

How do you get your paint to glide on so easily? I have a linen canvas that always catches my oil paint and it absorbs so fast :(

May I ask what canvases you would suggest to an artist just beginning to sell? I am accomplished in pencils but I now honing my skills in oil (my ultimate goal). I am terrified of buying an expensive blank canvas and messing up because I really can't afford jt at all. And is it okay if I create a piece that is good enough to sell yet it's painted on a cheap canvas from a craft store. Is that okay?

What kind of paint is that?

paint!

Correct me if I’m wrong, but that 10k rule include being present which does mean mindful of what you’re doing

Great video🙏 Love your content😄 I want to challenge you on one thing however. You mentioned keeping an open mind and fortetting about conventions. Could the distinction you make between drawing and painting be a convention? We often think of drawing as the linear or outlined aspects of the picture, which needs to be "filled in" with paint. This mentality obviously pairs well with the use of a projector or tracing. But using this method you lose a lot of the interpetation and designing that happens in drawing. What if drawing and painting was the same from the start? Drawing every paintstroke with intention.

I do 3D modeling and I want to paint I never learned how to paint and I think I just gonna follow your recommendation I can test so much of my own stuff instead

How do you avoid copyright issues when selling fan art?

I'm in love!!! ❤ But I'm also to late! Hast du noch mehr Pokemonbilder geplant? Ich würde für ein Glumanda voten!😊

Instructions unclear, I ate my paint.

Do you give classes?