Hi Stephen, just found your channel today and decided to watch this video. I’m glad I did it. I love to draw but not consistently. Mainly when I need to paint. Many years ago I was drawing very often but the desire went away. Now I’m in the process of getting all materials needed an set up a space where I can just sit and draw. Your video is more like a wake up call, very interesting, full of great advice and most important do not aim at a finished drawing. I will go back and follow your videos from the beginning of this journey. I’m a self taught artist and I have successfully learned a lot about oil,painting, my favorite medium. Thanks so much for your time, your knowledge, all the work you put in to make such exclusive drawing videos. Very helpful and inspiring.
That’s brilliant, the idea of deciding the night before what you're going to draw in the morning. That way it’s in your head overnight. I think that means your brain things about it in the background and the next morning is ready, even eager, for it. Thanks!
Yeah, I still have that “worry factor” going on. I will give it a go though as it would be quite fun to see how I start off versus where I’m at in ten days. 😊
Very interesting ideas. I am approaching 80 years old, would like to do some artistic stuff, but long ago internalized the conviction that I couldn't do anything artistic. (My parents discouraged me.) I took a watercolour class several years ago, and did all right-- not the best in the class, but clearly not the worst either. That's a nice little woodland you use for a backdrop; I don't have anything comparable. But if I am to draw, say 15 minutes per day, it needs to be done very nearby. Or from photos; but I have a strong feeling that I ought to draw from direct observation. Thank you for the suggestions.
We're never to old to give it our best Alan. Good on you for the watercolour course. My advice is to draw from photos while you find life subjects that you can easily get to. that woodland is my backyard with some clever camera angles - but it is beautifully natural I think.. (Although none of my bush drawings are from there). Drawing from photos still has lots of skills overlap with drawing from life, so when you get to draw outside you'll be further along. All the best with it, and have fun.
Hi Steve, Perfect timing for me. May for me is a month of building new habits. Mostly it’s building up a daily habit for exercise. Drawing is a habit I want to develop to help my paintings. I’m finding I love drawing with ink as pleasurable as paining with watercolour. I’d follow along with your daily exercise videos but I’m trying to develop the confidence of creating in my own. Love that you pointed out the trap of drawing/exercising too long and putting on a limit to make it a daily habit. For me that’s going to be 10 -20 mins max. 30mins becomes something I’ll have to schedule. Love your style. Thanks again.
Thanks. I always love being timely. For me, my oil painting for ten years helped my drawing when I began it. I think effort in any area does pay dividends in others. All the best with it. 😀
I started drawing 4 years ago and I told my personal trainer about it. I told him that some days I feel like drawing and other days my motivation is just not there. His advice was to draw every day but on days when I am not feeling the desire to do draw something quick and simple. To be clear my trainer is not an artist. While it is not exactly what Stephen is suggesting in this video there is a consistency in the message. Drawing every day, even just a quick sketch, without judging the drawing will produce good results in time. Whenever some one suggests that I am talented I just tell them that the only talent involved, in my case at least, is being stubborn. I still have a long way to go but I am enjoying the journey. I hope everyone else learning to draw is also enjoying the journey even if it is not a very scenic journey when you start... I think Stephen's advice in this video is applicable to a lot more than drawing. Glad to give it a thumbs up!
@stephentraversart these tips are so insightful ! Thank you !! What works for me to develop the habit - 1. Buy a less expensive sketch books ( $5 - $10) 2. Keep sketch book and pen on the desk (easily visible) 3. Block / set time (preferably in day light) in day (Mon-Fri) for sketching on desk from reference [This is training] 4. Go out and do a plein air sketch on Saturday / Sunday [Game day, weather permitting ] 5. Keep a bunch of reference photos ready for sketch practice on Mon-Fri 6. Watch a video first thing morning on Mon-Fri related to sketching/drawing More aggressive ways to develop : a. Practice sketching 'whenever you find time in a day' - 24x7 (Mon-Fri) and make a point to learn from it each time. b. Buy lots of sketchbooks and pens to keep pressure on self to consume it 😃
I'm going to start doing that today thank you very much for this idea just never thought of it I've drawn most of my life but I'm still have a little bit of issues with perspective so if I do these drawings more hopefully that'll help me and I am terrible at trying to use pin so I'm going to make myself do it. Thank you 😊
Thanks very much! You've motivated me to start this from tomorrow (albeit with minor modifications to the system you suggest). During the Covid lockdowns, I'd ordered a whole bunch of art supplies and started teaching myself to sketch from CZcams channels such as yours, but I don't do any nowadays-- exactly for the reasons you diagnose. Hopefully your 15 min routine idea will not only help me restart to continue, but also reduce my hesitation with pen as well as unnecessary clutter from my trials (for starters I intend to use the same reference photo for the next 7-10 days for this).
im new to drawing wanna learn to different environments leaving this comment so that i can return in a month to talk about how this strat worked for me
When I got to the end of the video I decided to watch it for a 2nd time !! Very relevant information for me ! And all comes down to self discipline !? 😅 I'll keep on trying !
We need to set up motivation. Have a studio. I keep all my writing and drawing stuff in a van and drive away at 9am every day to park somewhere with great light. There are too many distractions at home.
thanks so much for this Stephen. I started this video assuming it would be just a review of 3 or 4 ideas I already knew and just wanted to be reminded of. this was so much more thorough and deep and informative than that. I'm planning to watch it again and take some notes. I've wanting for a long time to be more spontaneous and less slavish to my references when I draw, but within minutes ot starting, those more precise and perfectionistic habits creep in again. it sounds like this may finally be the path toward learning to be freer and more expressive in my drawing. thanks again for this one and for all your videos and the work that goes into making them.
It’s certainly worked for me Alan. I have a few videos that deal with perfectionism as the main topic you might find interesting as well. This has certainly been beneficial for me most unexpectedly. All the best with it. Thanks for sharing your experience 😀
Thank you! I have been considering getting back to sketching/drawing as a way of practicing,.. And suddenly your video popped up!! Yeah! These are exactly the motivating techniques that I needed to hear today!!🎉 I'm all in!! ❤ Thanks again
I find that combining the excellent advices of this video with the ones about doing consecutive drawings of the same subject and warming up sqetches of the more challenging elements are most benefical at this stage of my learning journey. Thank you for your generosity in sharing so much.
I cant find your video on mark making , line drawing which you mentioned in one of your other videos 😂 problem is i cant remember which! I am struggling with how loose to make a line 😅
ok ok that basically right. But you can draw everyday. If you don‘t know WHAT do draw and practice than you even wouldnt develop when you dont practice the right things.
I have enjoyed aspects of a lot of your videos but I am puzzled at your encouragement of drawing from reference photos instead of real life. Why don't you advise students to find things in their environment to draw?
Hi Stephen, just found your channel today and decided to watch this video. I’m glad I did it. I love to draw but not consistently. Mainly when I need to paint. Many years ago I was drawing very often but the desire went away. Now I’m in the process of getting all materials needed an set up a space where I can just sit and draw. Your video is more like a wake up call, very interesting, full of great advice and most important do not aim at a finished drawing. I will go back and follow your videos from the beginning of this journey. I’m a self taught artist and I have successfully learned a lot about oil,painting, my favorite medium. Thanks so much for your time, your knowledge, all the work you put in to make such exclusive drawing videos. Very helpful and inspiring.
Sounds like a very good idea, I will get everything ready this evening and start in the morning when I have my cuppa. Thanks Stephen.
All the best with it. 😀
I will, I will. I will. So difficult but so important. Yes, fun is the reason! Thank you Stephen.🙂
All the best with it. 👏😀
Vary motivating. Thanks for the pep talk. Keep up your good work.
Hope you try it out Darran. Thanks.
I do, but I was letting time get away and forgetting that it’s practice.
Stephen, excellent video. Drawing is a skill and with this type of intentional practice will improve.
Thanks, have fun with it.
That’s brilliant, the idea of deciding the night before what you're going to draw in the morning. That way it’s in your head overnight. I think that means your brain things about it in the background and the next morning is ready, even eager, for it. Thanks!
Certainly helps me off to a quick start. Thanks 😀
Yeah, I still have that “worry factor” going on. I will give it a go though as it would be quite fun to see how I start off versus where I’m at in ten days. 😊
Absolutely. I’ve just posted a video where I list the unexpected 5 ways I’ve benefited from doing this. It’s not just for beginners I’ve discovered 😀
Very interesting ideas. I am approaching 80 years old, would like to do some artistic stuff, but long ago internalized the conviction that I couldn't do anything artistic. (My parents discouraged me.) I took a watercolour class several years ago, and did all right-- not the best in the class, but clearly not the worst either. That's a nice little woodland you use for a backdrop; I don't have anything comparable. But if I am to draw, say 15 minutes per day, it needs to be done very nearby. Or from photos; but I have a strong feeling that I ought to draw from direct observation. Thank you for the suggestions.
We're never to old to give it our best Alan. Good on you for the watercolour course. My advice is to draw from photos while you find life subjects that you can easily get to. that woodland is my backyard with some clever camera angles - but it is beautifully natural I think.. (Although none of my bush drawings are from there). Drawing from photos still has lots of skills overlap with drawing from life, so when you get to draw outside you'll be further along. All the best with it, and have fun.
I have never felt more motivated to get started on drawing. Thank you for your inspiring videos which I find both uplifting and relaxing.
That’s just what I was wanting from the video. Thanks for sharing Joan. 😀
Hi Steve,
Perfect timing for me. May for me is a month of building new habits. Mostly it’s building up a daily habit for exercise.
Drawing is a habit I want to develop to help my paintings. I’m finding I love drawing with ink as pleasurable as paining with watercolour. I’d follow along with your daily exercise videos but I’m trying to develop the confidence of creating in my own.
Love that you pointed out the trap of drawing/exercising too long and putting on a limit to make it a daily habit. For me that’s going to be 10 -20 mins max. 30mins becomes something I’ll have to schedule.
Love your style. Thanks again.
Thanks. I always love being timely. For me, my oil painting for ten years helped my drawing when I began it. I think effort in any area does pay dividends in others. All the best with it. 😀
Thanks so much for this. Your tips make so much sense. I totally see the logic behind these.
HOpe you can apply them gainfully in your drawing. thanks Ray
I started drawing 4 years ago and I told my personal trainer about it. I told him that some days I feel like drawing and other days my motivation is just not there. His advice was to draw every day but on days when I am not feeling the desire to do draw something quick and simple. To be clear my trainer is not an artist. While it is not exactly what Stephen is suggesting in this video there is a consistency in the message. Drawing every day, even just a quick sketch, without judging the drawing will produce good results in time. Whenever some one suggests that I am talented I just tell them that the only talent involved, in my case at least, is being stubborn.
I still have a long way to go but I am enjoying the journey. I hope everyone else learning to draw is also enjoying the journey even if it is not a very scenic journey when you start...
I think Stephen's advice in this video is applicable to a lot more than drawing. Glad to give it a thumbs up!
Thanks Victor. Appreciate these thoughts, and I think it does apply to a lot more as well. 😀
@stephentraversart these tips are so insightful ! Thank you !!
What works for me to develop the habit -
1. Buy a less expensive sketch books ( $5 - $10)
2. Keep sketch book and pen on the desk (easily visible)
3. Block / set time (preferably in day light) in day (Mon-Fri) for sketching on desk from reference [This is training]
4. Go out and do a plein air sketch on Saturday / Sunday [Game day, weather permitting ]
5. Keep a bunch of reference photos ready for sketch practice on Mon-Fri
6. Watch a video first thing morning on Mon-Fri related to sketching/drawing
More aggressive ways to develop :
a. Practice sketching 'whenever you find time in a day' - 24x7 (Mon-Fri) and make a point to learn from it each time.
b. Buy lots of sketchbooks and pens to keep pressure on self to consume it
😃
This all sounds like a great routine for your drawing progress. thanks for sharing it with us.
Working quickly also develops attention to negative space, which helps with accuracy and visual interest.
Negative space is such a help both in drawing and in the effects we can create.
I often do a drawing on a large canvas, so it takes a long time to do. This seems to give much satisfaction.
Whatever works for each of us is great😀
I'm going to start doing that today thank you very much for this idea just never thought of it I've drawn most of my life but I'm still have a little bit of issues with perspective so if I do these drawings more hopefully that'll help me and I am terrible at trying to use pin so I'm going to make myself do it. Thank you 😊
I’m always happy to have helped somehow. Thanks for sharing 😀
Thanks very much! You've motivated me to start this from tomorrow (albeit with minor modifications to the system you suggest).
During the Covid lockdowns, I'd ordered a whole bunch of art supplies and started teaching myself to sketch from CZcams channels such as yours, but I don't do any nowadays-- exactly for the reasons you diagnose. Hopefully your 15 min routine idea will not only help me restart to continue, but also reduce my hesitation with pen as well as unnecessary clutter from my trials (for starters I intend to use the same reference photo for the next 7-10 days for this).
Sounds great Aditya. Keep at it. 😀
im new to drawing wanna learn to different environments leaving this comment so that i can return in a month to talk about how this strat worked for me
Looking forward ward to hear in a month Kars. 😀
It's been a month.
Professor Travers Sir! Much respect thank you.
Kind of you to say. Thank you 😀
When I got to the end of the video I decided to watch it for a 2nd time !! Very relevant information for me ! And all comes down to self discipline !? 😅 I'll keep on trying !
That's great. Thanks
Thank you for these videos!
Glad you like them!😀
We need to set up motivation. Have a studio. I keep all my writing and drawing stuff in a van and drive away at 9am every day to park somewhere with great light. There are too many distractions at home.
What a great strategy!👏 Thanks for sharing the idea. 😀
@@stephentraversart
Yr Wlcm. Works for me.
thanks so much for this Stephen. I started this video assuming it would be just a review of 3 or 4 ideas I already knew and just wanted to be reminded of. this was so much more thorough and deep and informative than that. I'm planning to watch it again and take some notes. I've wanting for a long time to be more spontaneous and less slavish to my references when I draw, but within minutes ot starting, those more precise and perfectionistic habits creep in again. it sounds like this may finally be the path toward learning to be freer and more expressive in my drawing. thanks again for this one and for all your videos and the work that goes into making them.
It’s certainly worked for me Alan. I have a few videos that deal with perfectionism as the main topic you might find interesting as well. This has certainly been beneficial for me most unexpectedly. All the best with it. Thanks for sharing your experience 😀
thanks for your advice, i will definitely try it.
Thank you! I have been considering getting back to sketching/drawing as a way of practicing,.. And suddenly your video popped up!! Yeah! These are exactly the motivating techniques that I needed to hear today!!🎉 I'm all in!!
❤
Thanks again
Thanks for the encouragement Debra. So great to hear👏😀
Thanks Stephen! Needed to see/hear this!!!
So glad to oblige. 😀
I find that combining the excellent advices of this video with the ones about doing consecutive drawings of the same subject and warming up sqetches of the more challenging elements are most benefical at this stage of my learning journey. Thank you for your generosity in sharing so much.
So good to hear it's been useful for you Daniel. All the best with your drawing progress
This is my main problem 😂. I will follow the advice and NO excuses
Really hope it works for you. 😀
I cant find your video on mark making , line drawing which you mentioned in one of your other videos 😂 problem is i cant remember which! I am struggling with how loose to make a line 😅
Thanks for the help🎉🎉😊
Happy to help😀
Hi Stephen I enjoyed watching this and I am surely going to work in getting into this habit. I am new in the art stuff.
It’s a great habit to get into Tina. All the best with it. Hope my channel is a help to you. 😀
I'm sure it will.
Thanks
That’s very kind Manesh. Thank you 😀
Stephen, great stuff. Can you suggest a few reference photos for the 10 to 20 minute sessions you recommend?
I have a playlist of daily 10 minute drawings each with a reference photo on my channel Community Page. There's over 60 on it at the moment.
Your drawings are awesome. Are you or were you an architect?
My CZcams drawings, anything from 15 to 75 minutes. My INstagram ones are 5-6 hours.
Great video, where did you get the shirt my husband would love it.
Thanks Fiona. The shirt brand is Ben Sherman, but it could be close to 10 years old, so I don’t think you’d track it down. 😀
@@stephentraversart yes no luck with the current selection, thanks for answering the question.
How do you decide what to focus on and what to draw during that time?
Choose something to draw at a suitable level and of a size and time limit you can make work - at least have a chance to draw well. All the best. 😀
Hi, what size copic pen do you use to start a drawing
It depends on the drawing- its size and the amount of detail and what effects are called for in it. There’s no one pen I use. 😀
ok ok that basically right. But you can draw everyday. If you don‘t know WHAT do draw and practice than you even wouldnt develop when you dont practice the right things.
That’s why I made the daily drawing playlist, so people could have something to easily draw every day. 😀
@@stephentraversart Thanks Steve! I watch your videos DAILY, but at often I am a bit hustling to get to start.
I have enjoyed aspects of a lot of your videos but I am puzzled at your encouragement of drawing from reference photos instead of real life. Why don't you advise students to find things in their environment to draw?