LEARN ART ON YOUR OWN ( Ultimate study method) 

Summary: - Always have a goal / intention before every study - Don't copy references 1-for-1. Instead, we can do a mixture of these 1. Deconstruct & analyse them 2. Be creative & use your own imagination to create new ideas 3. Add storytelling 4. Merge multiple references 5. Replicate the essence

I've been burnt out watching tutorials, trying to get insights into what other artists do and their process, I've barely made any actual paintings and I'm already exhausted. Kind of ridiculous. But this video was pretty amazing, never thought of referencing in that way and adding minimal story components. Im gonna re-watch this and start working on something that feels right.

Yeah the thing I've figured out as Ive been learning art is use it or lose it. Only do a study if you will use it right away. Otherwise this knowledge becomes forgotten and you will have to the study over again when in the future you do want to learn it. As I've been using this method, everything that I do study sticks because im only studying what I really need.

"flow state = right level of difficulty for you" THIS IS GOLD THANK YOU

AMEN to the idea of "painting the essence of something" rather than painting exactly that thing. Even if we're trying to paint a portrait of someone, by painting the essence of that person (ex: exaggerating their prominent features), we're delivering a more intriguing version of reality. Afterall, that's our purpose as artists! Not to replicate what is already known, but to improve upon it :).

I been drawing for almost 11 years and I been wondering why I lost compassion in my arts, this video opened my eyes. Don't always take Art seriously like work or a job, also put your own creativity and have fun, trying something new, THANK U 😳💕👏

As an artist , I’m not a beginner and I didn’t see any improvement and I’m a perfectionist I always get burnt out because of this. I’m still young and I always forget the be creative part it actually changes my whole perspective on how I should learn art. Thank you so much for this

Thank you for this. I was always bored to the point of burnout with "mindlessly copying," but I thought it was the best way to improve. This is such a refreshing take on using reference, and I'm almost mad that I never thought of doing it before. Your explanation was super simple and concise. Thank you so much for opening up a whole new path I didn't even know was there! This is just what I needed to get out of my current rut.

The fact that this kind of content is free is mind blowing, what a great channel for us aspiring artists, thanks!

Been looking at art tutorials on RU-vid for a while now and this video changed so much of what I have been watching. Thank you so much for posting this, it really changed the way I look at learning art on my own.

I'm still a very beginner artist (like I haven't even started with colors or lighting or so, I'm hyperfocusing on shapes/perspective/design/my lineart etc. first) and I'm not sure if my approach to studying is good, but the way I've done it until now is first of course choosing what I want to study (basically the goal point you mentioned in the video) Currently for example I try to learn ornament buildings for a royal empire/city. To do that, I first need to understand the shapes and designs they're often using. One thing I found for example in the references was that they use lots of towers that are either completely cylindrical or partially cylindrical and partially cubic, with their ceilings either being pyramids or domes. For example I just picked a tower from my references, highlighted the basic shapes on top of the reference (basically trying to break them down to simpler shapes, as it was mentioned in the video) and then highlight the detailled things they use to make them look more fancy (like pointed arches, many smaller pillars, etc.). After I traced everything with a highlight color I note the conclusion and try to understand what's going on there and then I try to sketch a tower adding those elements. What's missing for me so far I think is really using more references and also other elements that could fit into the design (crossreferencing) and I think also adding my own story and ideas. The part that I'm unsure of is whether it's really necessary for me to take the elements that go into the type of setting I'm aiming for and then anaylze and study them indepth one by one. Like taking a tower and only focusing on that, then moving to another type of building or maybe gates or so and only focusing on that, etc. I'm seeing many people just studying the whole thing but... I think I'm the kind of person that needs to approach things one by one and slowly before I really understand what's going on 😅. This video did help me alot though! I'm glad that I didn't do everything wrong, as I was already doing some things that were mentioned here.

ngl the time my art improved the fastest was drawing from 1 portrait photo every day to learn face anatomy but in the mean time try to improve the color of the photo. The combination of daily practice, observation and thinking about how to improve it while I draw really boosted my portraits, my color, and my understand of face anatomy

This reminds me a lot of pitfalls one falls into learning languages... or even choosing/building hardware to for video gaming. One spends so much time researching and figuring out 'best practice' based on outside information that one doesn't take/have time to actually make use of that. I feel like this might be the secret sauce for why artists I used to love that grew so far in their art while always posting about guilt for not "studying" art more and instead doing their fanart postings. They did do some studies. But they spent a lot of time using it for things they cared about too. So they grew. Probably moreso than if they had been "being good" and doing exclusively those studies.

I'm glad I found this video. This was really helpful actually. I usually copy references 1 for 1 and have just been bored of doing it and feel stagnant just doing it. I'm going to try and take these tips and really implement them into my practice and work. Even something simple as your mountain reference and adding a story to it really made a lightbulb go off. Thanks!

That's what my lecturers used to teach in my school, but the way you convey these ideas are much more concise. Great job!

Im not an artist at all but I like to see the different perspectives of improving and learning in the context of web development all of your points still make sense in a way: - Always have a goal before implementing/writing any code: Which prevents you getting lost in details, looking at the bigger picture and save time. - Don't copy code 1-for-1: If you follow a tutorial of some sort, adding your own ideas can help you a lot understanding the fundamental ideas behind the tutorial. If you watch a "How to make Todo List App" tutorial and follow it strictly, then you'll only know how to do a Todo List App and nothing else. - Be creative: Creativity in software engineering is essential to good problem solving. If you cant think of a thousand potential solutions you are having a harder time finding a good one. But creativity can also be your knowledge generator because you are asking yourself more questions and therefore learning more. Example from Design: What would happen if I make this button round? What would happen if I make only one corner round? - ...

I am JUST about stucking in a phase where I feel like the practices I've done is not helping nor improving anything (or barely), this is such a lifesaver and THANK YOU SO MUCH for existing ;)

These drawings/paintings are amazing 😍 knowing that one day I'll be able to do that as well is incredible. I have a long way to go, but seeing work like that is SO motivating

Thank you so much for this, Tyler! I feel so privileged and lucky to get such useful knowledge for free.

I love the way you explain things. Thank you for your hard work!

This was just perfect for me! I've been practicing my anatomy and the structured way you presented learning was just what i needed to help plan my studying improve. Thank you so much for the info you are putting out there ❤❤

Those are fundamental points to unlock the creative uniqueness. Thanks for bringing it up.

this helps quite a bit. Ive been stuck for a while now and i think this video helped me capture a better frame of mind for learning this craft.

beautiful video, really helped break down the concepts I was looking for. I was on the other side, really pushing big ideas without great execution, constantly refining taking a lot of time to get a half finished concept. this process seems really great for adding that creative side while having a clear goal and skills to achieve, breaking down the ideas into shapes and putting them back together

The 6th point is what I’ve been doing unconsciously . I dont always copy the reference word for word, I find it quite boring. Though my fault lies with everything else. Quite frankly, I don’t do studies so I’m improving at a slower rate. I just can’t find myself to sit down and focus on one concept for over 10 minutes if it isn’t a finished piece or sketch. So what I’ve been doing to kind of make up for that is incorporating the things I find difficult to draw in does sketches and finished illustrations(and gradually, although slowly, I’m improving). I also observe a lot without really putting it to work but that has helped me when I do have to draw something finished.

I couldn't agree more, the secret sauce in design school in my opinion has always been project based learning. Going to date myself here saying sure we started out with marker rendering, technical drawing, viscom (perspective) and scaled construction (physical model building later on solidworks I did ID almost 2 decades ago.) Everyone of these were applied in company sponsored design projects we had to develop for weeks or months every semester. I think that's why I grew allot faster in this period than in highschool where I mostly did still life's with exception of art competitions and fan art. Application is key to growth.

Thanks a lot Tyler ♥️this video just came in the right moment! I really appreciate your videos​ and your work sharing knowledge!

So good Tyler, youre such a great artist and teacher!!

This is brilliant. Thanks for the knowledge Tyler

You are literally a genius. I've been stuck in an art rut for a couple of years because I've been mindlessly copying references instead of doing my own spin on the subjects. Thank you so much for this video :)

Great content as usual! Will definitely be sharing and implementing these more myself!

I often wonder where Kane went after he left the Brotherhood of Nod...colour me surprise he became an art teacher

I really love the ideas you present here. Great ways to really take drawing to the next level! Thanks for sharing

Great video. What really helps for "Implementation 'aka' Applying Knowledge" is understanding. Kim Jung Gi (RIP) said this many times about how he can draw from imagination. For instance, if learning mechanical objects or in the case at the 4:52 mark, a fundamental understanding of tanks and why they're shaped and designed the way they are. I've seen plenty of tank concept art which is just plain wrong and not believable. Cool designs, but completely unbelievable. If drawing figures, an understanding of anatomy (baseline) that will take you beyond a plastic or wooden mannequins, but more importantly bio-mechanics: how far can limbs bend or twist back? what are muscles? (1st, 2nd, 3rd class levers) How does the body balance itself (beyond contrapposto)? Art is so much more than art as it can encompass so many more fields that include science (especially if you do scientific or engineering illustrations).

Thank you for sharing Tyler. These tips are very helpful. 😊

Thank you so much. This is exactly the advice i need right now!!!!!!! It's the kind of advice i dream of and hereit is! You made my dream come true. Not a step by step tutorial but real guidance. Thank you. My next project is study and REMIX!

First time I ever watched one of your videos… congrats, I subbed! Amazing stuff you’re saying! So helpful and some good information to share! Thank you!

Dude, this content is gold!

Great video as always! I really needed to hear this.👍

Oh wow! This is really helpful! Thank you for the advices.

Great video. I always wondered how to go about studying art and one of the things I think I lacked was purpose or intent. I tend to copy things or just draw only from my head without thinking what I wanna accomplish and without reference. In a way I wasn't using my brain while drawing and studying so hopefully I can improve further. Btw extra points for being a Jet Set Radio fan lol.

This is soo helpful, thanks for these tips, that's something what i missing! 🙏

This video was so helpful thank you so much, i just have been having a hard time, thinking that before i started to learn the basics of drawing my drawings were better, obviously not technically but they have a soul i think I was loosing but hearing this makes me understand i was looking my improvement at the wrong way, i am going to try to implement your advice from now on, thank you so very much!! 🥰🌟✨

Really great video, I really needed these tips. Thank you :)

that's... actually a really good advice. I do think mindless copying is good though, the point is to create habit , but it totally makes sense to seal habit by trying to apply the concepts behind the mindless copy into something new as a final step of that practice.

Great video...this was really helpful and lot to digest....Thank you for all your teaching....💓

The key point I got from everything explained is to mix it up. Thank you.

This is the way! I knew it there was something missing with my practice because my drawings did'nt feel meaningful, i was just grinding pencil lead, thank you so much.

Really helpful video. I'll try to think about this more and maybe come back to this video

thank you! Its like in the back of my mind I knew this but when I study, I completely forget to do it.

love the added jet set radio logo

So to what I'm understanding... Having a project in mind, and doing studies to work on that and eventually applying them to the project is the best way to learn?

Jet Set Radio, dude you rock!

Thank you for these invaluable tips. I am a beginner artist, so it becomes overwhelming sometimes. No progress, no improvement. Now I feel more confident and I might need to rework my routine=)

Its really nice to know that this is a common theme among artists. I can draw a reference pretty accurately from Pinterest. But making something of my own seems almost impossible. This video is really helpful for encouraging the out of the box thinking

Thank you. I think (!) I have learned something valuable from this.

fantastic video. rigorous!

I'm admitting a few things. Like He said I have been practicing and studying in the most ineffecient ways for a year. Mindlessly copying and grinding on anatomy ,perspective composition without actually trying something new. It got so bad that I eventually dropped art for almost a year. After this I'm going to study more effeciently. While also have fun and implement my own ideas when I also work.

Really interesting and useful!🤩

So much props for the Jet Set Radio logo in the piece at 13:22!

this window was amazing

Art is not copying, it is analyzing and studying what your draw, especially in figure drawing

Wow coool! So far I'm in the phase of "observe & analyze - simplify & basic sketch - paint the final thing (rn I fell in love with line and wash technique and I'm starting to flirt with acrylic painting 🙈🤭) So yeah I'm not there yet - you know to be able to create freely my own stories and designs, I still haven't fully master the language. But I'm slowly getting there and it's awesome to do regular comparison with a younger painter self and see the progress and change! 👌🏻🥳 So thanks for this video because it showed me an ultimate level of using art skills! 🧡

I found instead of just focusing on one thing to practice, I picked up an old comic I made and started doing that and using it to force myself to draw things I would avoid and to mess around with it's look and style as well as storytelling. It may look awful and rough as guts, but when I do writing/drawings outside of it you can see ton of improvement despite my thing I'm mostly working on is awful to look at 🤣 but that was sort of the point! Do what works for you (as I find master studies just don't work at all for how I learn!)

You are very underrated

Great video! I`m doing it now! 11 pictures already done in that way! Yes, watching too much tutorials isn`t that bad, but you have to do pictures YOURSELF! The 1:1 copying is good for getting started, but at some point you have to go further. Thanks for making that clear!

Good video keep it up man

Adding a story does make you think about your painting more but I wouldnt say it necessarily improves the picture. Depends on what you want the picture to say.

Indirect referencing has been a game changer for me

I really like the production quality

Thank you and all the best

1. Wonderful video 2. When you were explaining the tip on the end, you and I had completely opposite ideas on which subject was uncanny, good thing I'm not a professional artist in any capacity lol

Good stuff!

I think I've been struggling with this lately. I've been having to study and learn 'properly' in a class for the first time and I always get lost when I try to get into my personal art. Bc I can't translate what I learned into what I do for fun, bc I am still in the mindset that I'm still learning, I'm trying to apply and tackle how to apply what I've learned and not just having fun with it anymore. It's a challenge not bc ohh I can't wait to do it and more technical challenge. Like I should try this and see how to make it look correctly for when I do it for fun. Or it starts fun and then turns into a study, turns into a chore, turns into a thing to get through.

Finally something I was doing right ;___: Thank you for a great video

Great concept and I appreciate the insight, but where can I buy a shirt like this?? Love the texture.

I'm 2:19 in, and I'm pausing to leave this comment before watching the rest. I've come so far in my ability to execute any given style. It's inbelievable how much I have improved from where I started. But every week, I hate my art more. The more hours I put in, the more stuck I feel, despite seeing clear and objective improvements. If this video helps, given these problems, I'll come back and reply how it helped me. Because I'm at my wit's end with being held up by the one thing that arguably I'm improving at the fastest of all the areas I've been working in...

I haven't been able to achieve a flowstate in years. Hell all the technical skills I developed have rusted beyond usability,earning that if I start drawing again I'd basically be starting over from scratch with the pressure of knowing what I used to do

I wanna learn to draw so well that people would actually ask for the prompt :)

I'd like to make a small suggestion. When you're actually writing in your videos, try using a "capital letters" format. Capital letters are easier to read. To achieve upper or lower case, just use large or small versions of the capital letters. Not a big thing, but possibly worth considering.

I am 66, never took art, I doodle and have done 3D with Cinema4d and lately Houdini. I am begging to get the interest in art as a hobby as I move into retirement next year. I need do brush the dust off imagination. what do you have for a begging artist both pencil and paper as well as electronic with tablet and photoshop? I like this video, it give me hope and a direction to go

Not sure if this helps but me and my sisters would play this game where we would all write something down, then pick out 3 notes at random from a box for example "cat, tea party, ice cream stall etc." then draw something from that. Maybe that could help make the learning process while drawing more fun. Just an idea.

thank you!

All I had to do was look objectively at what I wanna draw, and when I run in to a problem, practice a solution till I overcome that problem. Never once stopped to study anything that I don't know or need, in 2 years my progress was enormous! And biggest drawback I had, was simply stop playing games and actually start drawing... lol. Which I had understood that 15years ago.

I can remember the source but a comic artist recommended to watch your reference for 30 seconds. Then draw it, very quickly. Then draw it again. I don't know if it works. It supposedly helps to make your art look less like the reference but still look grounded.

Thanks for the great content. May I know what camera and lenses did you use for filming?

much appreciated

Thank you

Can't imagine how many final RL bosses one has to kill in order to get this badass tablet.

This is helpful, references are handy but just copying it doesn't help you long term. I'll take note of that.

I tried to improve my art since 2020 and I can safely say I’m actually in good position right now 🗿

13:10 nice

i like the penguin on the right ngl lol

been drawing and practcing drawing for 16 years and never improved lol. turns out practice will never fix my aphantasia or my dyscalculia yay. i went to many art schools and never improved despite s practice and experience. hopefully this video helps me

This is exactly how I learned C++ on my own. I could never get excited about "printf("hello, world ");" (we were studying C), so I came up with self-challenges like, let's change the color, let's use pseudographics and make it look like a window, let me see how I can do something like that in C++. "Let's do the same but differently" gives more in-depth knowledge and is much more satisfying.

Andrew I didn't know you drew 😃

So, don't learn like an AI! Don't just draw Datasets, but take inspiration from reference and implement it into your own stories.

I have a 10 and 12 year old who love art. Do you do classes for them? I think they are above the typical art for their age...but they are still learning too.

Basically, what I got from the video, thanks to me actually taking notes😂, was that you can use referencing as a way to study art. I feel like it's a step-by-step process, so once you're comfortable with one step you can move on to the next. And so here are my notes: 1. Analyze your references. Don't just mindlessly copy. Break down the picture to learn the structure, value, colour etc. Then copy INTENTLY. 2. After copying intently, IMPLEMENT the knowledge. Apply the knowledge by drawing something new using what you've learnt. Design your own version. 3. Then use indirect referencing - don't copy a reference exactly as it is, just use most of the elements in the reference to create the art piece. 4. Then add a story - Start with a reference but then add a story to it - add characters, objects, buildings etc. - Helps push design skills because you use the elements to add composition and emphasize the story. 5. Then use cross-referencing - Use many references and put them together into one idea. Blend them all into one idea. Bonus - Paint the essence of something rather than the exact version of the thing - you don't have to copy the reference exactly as it is, just capture the essence.

So curious how you recommend applying it to anatomy? I’ve only been drawing a few years and have been struggling with it. I definitely see improvement but it feels slow and overwhelming still. Like I can decently copy a reference (definitely not one-for-one copy level, but decent) but don’t know where to start with modifying.