People always say, "This has been done before!" or, "This story has been told a million times!" but that's the way with art, there's no new or bad ideas, there are only horrible or amazing executions. The last point really stuck well with me in that regard.
Dario Wirtha even if it was free it ain’t free it’d be taxed to hell, so I agree let’s start a petition to get diplomas from CZcams tutorials and turning in our homework to show what we learned, call it CZcams university! I mean it could either be a joke or one of those great ideas that I’m kinda brushing off again, I’ve done that before lol
I think I missed some but: Create the kind of thing you yourself would enjoy. Everything should be a choice not something done automatically. Specifics are more interesting than generalities. Be aware of how accessible your work is. Less is more.(Or it can be) There are very few rules: everyone finds his or her own way of doing things. Content dictates form. You don't need a brilliant idea. It's just as good to take a simple idea, and execute it brilliantly.
For the people who think this will be a one way ticket to drawing good, please don't think that way. Being a good artist takes practice and determination and there's no easy button to it. The best way to get better is to just draw, even if you think you're not good enough or if you think you're too good, just draw and finish your drawings, there's always room to improve and different styles to try out.
Ya know, right before I put this comment up, I wondered how many people would comment that I used the word determination with Asriel as my prof.pic, I never expected it to happen almost immediately. Now I'm trying not to laugh while at work, thanks guys
Okay, I'm 8 minutes into the video. I like to draw, I like to write, and I've been working hard on a couple projects. I look up a lot of tips, and I begin to hear a lot of repetition. It gets annoying after a while as people regurgitate the same thing. In some cases, it's a matter of all these "creative" people who have almost put themselves into an autopilot-state where they allow their so-called individualism take over. The funny thing about that is the more different everybody tries to be, the more striking similarities rise to the surface. Kind of like hipsters... But I digress. I paused the video at the 8 minute mark. I think only 3 tips have gone by, and I had to stop watching and just hit the subscribe button before I became engrossed. Honestly. Great content, man. This is the first video of yours I watched, and it won't be the last. I can already tell that I will be able to incorporate your insights and wisdom into my creative processes.
same here... im on my fifth tonight... i found him by accident he popped up in my recommended... and I totally dig this guy.... like i said above... hes an artist's Artist...
im 13 and my realistic drawings dont up to par with reality as I want it to, and I progressed ALOT watching your videos and I wanna say that your my inspiration and thank you for making this videos.
Hello Kitty 5lol you are 13 tbh you are still learning how to draw I can assure you, you have a long road to go. Think of yourself when you are 23 looking back. Never stop learning !! Get the basics right. Don't bother about rendering everything perfect. It's ok you'll get where you want to get soon if you keep working on it.
If you're 13 the it should be no problem your mind can still take new ideas me I'm 29, I realize that if I am ever going to learn to draw properly I have about 6 years to do it before it'll become next to impossible.
@Petercross I don't know it's 3 years since I wrote that and I actually changed my mind I cna still learn stuff fine. It may take some more work but an active mind, one that keeps learning will not lose it's plasticity.
Dear mark crilley, I started out drawing terribly, I was inspired by the girl who used to sit next to me, her drawings were amazing. I have a brother who likes to draw and has autism, so when I showed him a drawing I was proud of, he'd say that it was terrible. So I started watching your videos, slowly, I started improving, more and more, now I'm better than him. And I wonder, why did I care? Any way, the point was, your videos are amazing and helped me a lot, with my art, and my confidence.
I will remember these advices for sure. But can we stop for a moment to appreciate how good this artwork is? She is so cute, totally feels like a wife material. :D
Stormy -BlackNoiseStudios- That's interesting question because You're kinda right. I don't exactly know myself why. It feels like she could have a personality I'm attracted to. But, it's just a drawing anyway so. :D
Your words in this video (and practically all of your videos) are full of wisdom. Thank you so much for being a CZcamsr. I've watched your videos since I was in 5th grade (now I'm in my 5th semester in college), and while I'm not studying art as a major, I constantly find myself coming back to your videos for more of your pieces of advice for not only my hobby, but also life. I specially liked the last advice about brilliant execution. Anyway, keep on being yourself, Mark! You are amazing!
I have been finding these videos REALLY helpful and knowledgable. I don't have a lot of interest in creating a graphic novel but, I have been taking notes on what I do and don't like in books, movies, music, etcetera. 1. I hate drama. I hate it with a passion. I have seen too many TV shows where the girl is like "We made love! I thought that meant something" and the guy was like "It was my job. That night we spent together was purely business" and I'm just sitting there like I... DON'T... CARE! I don't care who slept with who. I don't care who's been seeing someone behind their backs. I don't care that one guy looked at you funny and now your whole day is ruined. I just don't care. 2. Framing in action scenes is key: You can have the most interestingly choreographed action sequence but if the cameraman looks like he got 5 pints drunks before shooting the scene, it's going to look like crap. We need to know who is doing what and where everyone important is. 3. Natural dialogue is more interesting than millions of details about a distant planet noone knows about. This is why I love star trek. They make everything sound so natural and easy to understand. As opposed to other sci fi movies where it's like "Dragnoth is inhabited by a billion zarthnods who eat planktofs for breakfast every morning" "planktofs? What are they some sort of zinethbrods?" "they are the 5th starlight.." Just... I don't care. I feel Pulp Fiction has some of the best natural dialogue. I think the director did that on purpose because the characters and scenes are anything but normal but they talk just like normal everyday people. 4. Subtle connection. I LOVE subtle connections between what characters say or do early on in the movie, and how that same thing takes on a new meaning towards the end of the movie. Stuff like in How to train your Dragon when Hiccup is looking down on the captured toothless, and regretfully says "I did this" before untying him. Hiccup says that later when he thinks Hiccup is dead and he leans over the downed toothless saying "I did this." Both characters are feeling lose but they meaning of the phrase takes on a slightly different meaning. I LOVE that. 5. This more applies to lyrics but I hate songs that are too personal or talk about "I" too much. Songs need to be relatable so that anyone listening to that song can glean something from it. Some of the worst lyrics I ever heard come from the album The Astonishing by Dream Theater. I don't know what happened but oh my goodness the lyrics are god aweful and go against everything I learned in writing class. 6. Characters need to have personalities. Some characters are conceived purely for the plot of the story. Other characters make the story happen. A good example is comparing the characters from the original Star Wars to the characters in the prequel star wars. The characters felt natural and that the world was building around them because of their flaws and personalities. The characters in the prequels are there purely for the story's benefit and serve no better function. They are completely unrelatable. Those are just some things I noticed when watching things.
1. Create the kind of thing that you yourself would enjoy. 1:12 2. Everything should be a choice: not something done automatically out of habit. 3:00 3. Specifics are more interesting than generalities. 4:28 4. Be aware of how accessible your work is. 6:05 5. Less is more. (Or it can be, anyway.) 8:14 6. You don't need to obsess about finding your own "style." 10:00 7. There are very, very few rules: Everyone finds his or her own way of doing things. 12:09 8. Content dictates form. 14:02 9. You don't have to do the thing you love professionally. 16:53 10. You don't need a brilliant idea. It's just as good to take a simple idea, and execute it brilliantly. 19:28
I found my style litterly on the street... When I was driving I saw this super cool graffiti of a black guy wearing a dark red beani and a green hoodie. I had great difficulties drawing people because I always tried to do it perfectly... so in trying myself at realistic looking people I actually created more alien characters than anything else. But with that one glance at that graffiti it changed the way I drew people: Instead of very stiff the lines became more and more round like in a comic book. The hands, feet and faces became bigger and more expressive. So my advice for all guys who now admire my style and ask me how they can find theirs is: "Maybe your style is trying to find you..." Most of the time i get this face then: -__-* Then I tell them this story and they will know the true meanings of my words :) Thank you for reading this and thank you guy or gal who made that graffiti
Omg, when I talk while drawing, my line ends up going into a FULL ON SENTENCE FROM A LINE TO WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. I have no Idea what I'm thinking while drawing and going into a sentence, but I don't think I should talk while drawing just yet. Your videos are so inspirational, Mark, thank you.
In reference to the Toy Story plot not being the most original story, I'm reminded of Jim Henson's The Christmas Toy which was done in the mid-late 1980's and has LOTS of the same scenarios and characters.
I've been watching your videos for at least a year. when I get frustrated trying to figure out something to make my drawings better. I'll watch your videos and it inspires me to continue working. I really love your work. Thank you for posting your process of making your art.
I was creating my own characters and therefore always got everything wrong. I'm not a beginner, but I'm not exactly an expert either. I got to the point when I wanted to give up so badly, but then I went on CZcams and found your inspiring videos. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME SO MUCH MOTIVATION TO CARRY ON.
I started drawing manga style about 4 years ago and I still don't have anything like an own "style". No two of my original(!) drawings look the same and honestly, I like it that way. I love experimenting with shapes and I can't imagine drawing a character the way I do only because "I always do it like that". Maybe one day my drawings will have something like a style (means that they will be recognizable as MY work) but until then I'll just have some fun ^^
My younger self did the opposite of most of your advice XD My characters were mary sues and rainbow colored One of them was so edgy he had scars IN HIS EYEZZZ!
Hi, Mark! Just wanted to say that finding your channel and watching you draw has really brought back fond memories. :) As a kid, manga was the thing that really got me into drawing, and I have a very vivid memory of you coming to visit my local library and doing a talk about being a successful artist. Hearing you speak, and knowing that I'd read your stuff, it was basically my first chance to meet an idol! Getting to meet and talk to you as a kid really encouraged me to keep going, and now, well, I'm halfway through getting my degree in sequential art to become a professional comic book artist someday. So thank you, and please continue teaching and inspiring young artists to do what they love (and do it well)!
Love your videos. You have such a great approach to the creative arts. I bought the super realism challenge book. Read it cover to cover and loved it. Thank-you for sharing with the world.
I don't think I would be where I am with my art now if I never found your one video way back in the day 5 years ago, I have to thank you Mark. I have both your mastering manga books (from when I drew a lot of straight manga) and I'm going to be buying your other books. Thank you so much for making your videos, you are one of the major events that got me into art!
This may be weird but, I've visited your video's not to learn (well i do, do that) but to calm down and just think, something about your videos are really calming, and, that's not something I can say about most non-music channels, so thank-you...
To mark. When I turned 13, I bought your book mastering the art of manga. Although I was taking an art class in school, your book helped me with my own art style and taught me basic drawing techniques. I want to say thank you. I've improved in my art work and this video will help me with a few creative stories I'm planning on writing. +1 subscriber, you deserve it.
Good video Mark, as per usual. I can attest to #9. I myself studied to become an electrician instead of studying art (the opposite of what most people expected, I believe) because now, no matter what happens, I have a job and a skill that is never going to stop being needed in society, no matter how bad things turn out, and that is peace of mind. So even though art and creative work are my absolute passion, I am happy that I do not need to rely upon that to stay alive, because having that become a potential source of stress and toil would really just suck the enjoyment right out, I feel.
six is so true.... How I found my style: at first I just drew a cat, and then always when I watched cats drawn by other people if I saw something amazing about their style I just picked some details ad now my style is pretty much unique.
Addressing #10: actually I find that ideas are like wine and cheese: older is better to a certain extent. Multiple people have worked on the idea, refined it, clarified it etc. It's the difference between working with raw mud that you scooped from the river bank, and working with manufactured clay. If you have an original idea, great! but recognize your finished product might be a little cruder than normal. Somebody has to be the brave soul who does it first though, and you might be inspired to try the idea again and get it a little more refined this time. If you don't have an original idea, then use an idea that you simply like. There is no shame in standing on the shoulders of giants and don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. There is so much focus on originality these days, that people often lose sight of the fact that this is not really very important in terms of the value of a piece of art. An interesting new way of doing something familiar can be just as compelling and just as valuable as doing something entirely new.
I think I really needed to see this video. Honestly, I've always wanted to do some form of artsy thing as a career. Whether it be making a comic, writing a novel, making music, or animation, I've always wanted something. I still do, but lately I've been fretting a lot about my style, and how to get where I want to be with my art. Not knowing where to go or how to start is terrifying, but it always good to just watch someone else draw, and explain some tips that I know I will take into consideration for my own art. I guess, what I'm trying to say is thank you for your videos. I feel like I still have a lot to learn, and I always feel enlightened after watching your videos.
Mark i've been watching your videos since i was in middle school and i'm in university now, when you used relevant examples, like john lennon's song or baymax it seriously helped to clarify everything you'd said please do that more often
I like how when ur going over your pencil marks u dont worry about whether or not its perfect.... u worry about the essence of what ur drawing and dont stress ( cause it will reflect in your work.. the struggle to stay on a line exactly) i subscribed because as ive listened to like 5 of your videos... u are an artists artist... u do great work.. consistant... clean and u know what ur talking about ... and i dont get the arrgance feeling from you.. ur humble and ur good... So... im here and im now a fan of your creation and you personally... thank u for what u do ... u do it out of love of your craft and i think its great that u are passing along ur wisdom for the rest of us. Thank u so much...
The best sound advice I've ever heard. Especially the style one. In art school the teachers were all "you have to develop your own style" - how anyone can develop a marketable industry standard style in just 2 years was ridiculous. Then "the industry professionals" who came to talk to us always contradicted this; saying to not pidgeon hole yourself and that you need to be flixible. Trends come and go and you will limit your opportunities if you stick with one style. I have since developed what I refer to as my "lazy style" which to me has it's successes and sells well and I can churn it out quickly if there is fast deadlines, but it is a stick in the mud sometimes and I like to continue developing and exploring other things.
I always listen to these kinds of videos while drawing,and I was just worrying about finding my own style,and then you said don't stress about it :O I guess it's some kind of sign ;)
Came in thinking this would only apply to visual art. Came away with brilliant philosophies and guidelines of public speaking for heaven sake. This is just too awesome.
Thank you so much for your wisdom. I am 26 and still currently in that phase of thinking that I have to be good at all of this but you helped me a lot with this! I love your style. I'm ashamed I haven't purchased your books yet. I will make an effort to soon! I need to work on realism for sure.
I just bought Mastering Manga 1 and 2 (soon to purchase no.3) and in the space of just a few weeks i have learned so much and can see a real improvement. It is so rewarding to realise that the stuff you're doing now that you couldn't do the month before just feels awesome. The books give a fantastic grounding and foundation to build on new skills - the advice is no-nonsense and straightforward and at each point and chapter there are loads of valuable footnotes about each phase of the creative process. Best investment I've made in ages and like i said - can't wait to get vol. 3. Do yourself a huge favour and get the books - you won't regret it.
I created a whole new playlist just to put this video in so it wouldn't be lost amongst my other likes and favourites. This is really good advice and an important reminder of things that we often forget in the world of creativity/storytelling. Thank you for making this video!
This was really reminiscent of myself in my early middle school years. I had wrote a couple horror gore stories in my day, and everyone loved it, so I thought that's what everyone expected of me, and I always just wrote the bloodiest and scariest thing with a weak plot. When, in actuality, I enjoyed writing SciFi and the occasional romance!
i had stopped drawing for a few weeks and then suddenly i found myself not being able to draw properly anymore then i watched ur videos again and its sooooo helpful u hav +1 sub keep up the good work!
heh...so this is the youtube channel I am going to be watching 12/7 for my summer vacation to get better at drawing(and drawing)...well that's good to know, now I can tick that one on my to-do list.
Watching this video had me thinking about my own story's and because of this video I noticed a LOT of mistakes in them. Thank you so so so so SO much mark!! 😄😄 You're my art and story hero!!
Looking into an artist, that is right handed, when I am left handed, is a tad uncomfortable experience for me. Really interesting. I am quite fascinated by why I am so distressed while watching this. Very odd.
You're pretty much the only person on this website I actually enjoy listening to talk. I listen to your advice and your kind of commentary while I'm drawing my manga characters for my story and your words help me with the designs and with the creation of my characters. And your content constantly teaches me new ways if doing things and helps me to figure out my own way, wether its noticeable or not. thanks for the great videos
Its funny you talk about daily habits and choosing to make different decisions instead. I was getting into a really strict schedule of always doing things the same and I was getting really anxious and depressed, and one day I decided to change everything up and it made me a lot happier.
Simple Request: In the future would it be possible to get a time lapse to a finished drawing before you put the pen/pencil down? I love your content keep up the good work.
I do admire how you guys can ink traditionally and not make mistakes. When I tried it I made mistakes and the ink pen ran out real quick. So I just stuck to pencil and darken it digitally to look somewhat like ink.
I just bought both of your mastering manga books. I was having a lot of trouble with drawing guidelines for heads, but your method for guidelines is great! Thank you so much!
I am a lover I the arts, and so I love art channels from YT. I you you and along with your being an amazing artist, I noticed you interact with your fans not many people do that, so when bigger CZcamsrs do it, its cool.
Watching someone else ink a drawing is so satisfying
Ikr?
Was thinking the exact same thing. I also LOVE to ink my sketches,even tho it takes away from the realism
I fully concur.
BUT HE DIDNT INK IT COMPLETELY OMFG THAT BOTHERED MEEEE
+onlythesmiles yea me too
People always say, "This has been done before!" or, "This story has been told a million times!" but that's the way with art, there's no new or bad ideas, there are only horrible or amazing executions. The last point really stuck well with me in that regard.
There are almost no new ideas. Only new interpretations of old ideas.
Your insight into drawing is like a free college education.
+Micah Buzan Thank you!
Micah Buzan IKR it’s like having free professional art classes
;)
Education should be free. If the government cared about our education as they claim we ought to get our diplomas through CZcams tutorials.
Dario Wirtha even if it was free it ain’t free it’d be taxed to hell, so I agree let’s start a petition to get diplomas from CZcams tutorials and turning in our homework to show what we learned, call it CZcams university! I mean it could either be a joke or one of those great ideas that I’m kinda brushing off again, I’ve done that before lol
No. 1 1:15 No. 2 3:00 No. 3 4:29 No. 4 6:05 No. 5 8:20 No. 6 10:00 No. 7 12:05 No. 8 14:05 No. 9 16:50 No. 10 19:28
i love you so much
tysm
Thanks :)
Thanks.
I think I missed some but:
Create the kind of thing you yourself would enjoy.
Everything should be a choice not something done automatically.
Specifics are more interesting than generalities.
Be aware of how accessible your work is.
Less is more.(Or it can be)
There are very few rules: everyone finds his or her own way of doing things.
Content dictates form.
You don't need a brilliant idea. It's just as good to take a simple idea, and execute it brilliantly.
For the people who think this will be a one way ticket to drawing good, please don't think that way. Being a good artist takes practice and determination and there's no easy button to it. The best way to get better is to just draw, even if you think you're not good enough or if you think you're too good, just draw and finish your drawings, there's always room to improve and different styles to try out.
Thank you for this.
inspiring! btw is that toriel? kinda funny consodering the words you use XD
+Person seeing marks video fills you with determination. save?
Ya know, right before I put this comment up, I wondered how many people would comment that I used the word determination with Asriel as my prof.pic, I never expected it to happen almost immediately. Now I'm trying not to laugh while at work, thanks guys
+Jannes Kruidenier Undertale. Yes.
You have such a steady hand...give me that hand.
(Tears hand off from Mark)
(Gives) here ya go mate!
Mark: WHATTT TE F-
Mark: OH NUU I CAN'T DRAWWW-
Pfft mark doesn't need BOTH his hands to draw
How does one talk....and draw at the same time
I sing when I draw..am I the only one?😳
Omg Annie
i do too
I play the same song over and over XD It just inspires me I guess..
I'm surprised at the amount of people who can't talk and draw O.o
I made a music playlist for drawing... .-.
those curved lines are so smooth omg i'm in love
Thank you Emily ^^
u lit a spark in my heart when i was 9 u taught me how to draw :)))))))))))))))))))))
markcrilley haha no prob :)
You are so right
They were cha cha’ed real smooth
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE GUY AT STARBUCKS? I need that story finished. Even if you have to make up an ending just. WhaT HaPPEnS
Yes.
don't fear the reaper is a really awesome song, just plays one note several times.
the guy orders a coffee, drinks it, and exits the Starbucks and goes home. LA FIN
he was so ugly that everyone died
He orders a coffee... and DRINKS IT.
Holy shit I bought one of your books without evening KNOWING it was you- OMG I'M SO HAPPY NOW
^_^ Thank you
Wich book was it
hahaha same
Okay, I'm 8 minutes into the video. I like to draw, I like to write, and I've been working hard on a couple projects. I look up a lot of tips, and I begin to hear a lot of repetition. It gets annoying after a while as people regurgitate the same thing. In some cases, it's a matter of all these "creative" people who have almost put themselves into an autopilot-state where they allow their so-called individualism take over. The funny thing about that is the more different everybody tries to be, the more striking similarities rise to the surface. Kind of like hipsters...
But I digress. I paused the video at the 8 minute mark. I think only 3 tips have gone by, and I had to stop watching and just hit the subscribe button before I became engrossed. Honestly. Great content, man. This is the first video of yours I watched, and it won't be the last. I can already tell that I will be able to incorporate your insights and wisdom into my creative processes.
Thank you so much!
Soooooooooooo long(in a good way: ))
same here... im on my fifth tonight... i found him by accident he popped up in my recommended... and I totally dig this guy.... like i said above... hes an artist's Artist...
im 13 and my realistic drawings dont up to par with reality as I want it to, and I progressed ALOT watching your videos and I wanna say that your my inspiration and thank you for making this videos.
Thank you!
Hello Kitty 5lol you are 13 tbh you are still learning how to draw I can assure you, you have a long road to go. Think of yourself when you are 23 looking back. Never stop learning !! Get the basics right. Don't bother about rendering everything perfect. It's ok you'll get where you want to get soon if you keep working on it.
I'm 14 and I am fond of creating realistic stickmen
If you're 13 the it should be no problem your mind can still take new ideas me I'm 29, I realize that if I am ever going to learn to draw properly I have about 6 years to do it before it'll become next to impossible.
@Petercross I don't know it's 3 years since I wrote that and I actually changed my mind I cna still learn stuff fine. It may take some more work but an active mind, one that keeps learning will not lose it's plasticity.
Dear mark crilley,
I started out drawing terribly, I was inspired by the girl who used to sit next to me, her drawings were amazing. I have a brother who likes to draw and has autism, so when I showed him a drawing I was proud of, he'd say that it was terrible. So I started watching your videos, slowly, I started improving, more and more, now I'm better than him. And I wonder, why did I care? Any way, the point was, your videos are amazing and helped me a lot, with my art, and my confidence.
how much did it take you ?
dam that must of been tough to have a classmate and a family member be better at drawing at one point and have to like compete with them
TheDestroyer73 it was, and I felt so upset
W.D GASTER I've been practicing for about a year or two.
Annabelle Lavin do you draw like EVERY DAY ? cuz i used to draw every day now i draw like every 3 to 4 days
i still can not talk wile drawing HOW WHATS YOUR TRICK
Ikr like if I'm drawing and talking I'm like "Yeah..........and.......hold on........gotta do this line......real quick........." And yeah XD
Practice
I suppose you could film it then add the voice afterwards
+Sketchtastic ! I knew someone would say that
+AnimeGawd Gaming haha, that's me😂
Why didn't you finish the picture?! I was left hanging here!
Humble Leprechaun “drawing”
I will remember these advices for sure.
But can we stop for a moment to appreciate how good this artwork is?
She is so cute, totally feels like a wife material. :D
Waifu
waifu for lifu!!
+otram How do you know? lol
She looks like any other anime chick i've ever seen. Why this one in particular?
Stormy -BlackNoiseStudios-
That's interesting question because You're kinda right. I don't exactly know myself why. It feels like she could have a personality I'm attracted to. But, it's just a drawing anyway so. :D
I don't know why, but the pen strokes on the hair was so satisfied
Satisfying*
and I agree,most of the time my stroke are from up and go down but I might want to try from bellow and go up
It's because he does the line thickness perfectly despite not changing pencil once, just by lifting and lowering the pencil.
I had my art school interview today. Couldn't had done it without you!
Your words in this video (and practically all of your videos) are full of wisdom. Thank you so much for being a CZcamsr. I've watched your videos since I was in 5th grade (now I'm in my 5th semester in college), and while I'm not studying art as a major, I constantly find myself coming back to your videos for more of your pieces of advice for not only my hobby, but also life. I specially liked the last advice about brilliant execution. Anyway, keep on being yourself, Mark! You are amazing!
Thank you so much Sharon :)
+markcrilley can u draw more
I agree! I'm not even a big fan of anime or manga but he gives the best advice :)
I like how you casually throw in the plot of "FRIENDS" the tv series.
+Selina Wzw i was like, well thats just friend right there ahahah
Come on tell us what happened to the guy at Starbucks
And that's when you realize "Oh shit, he was right!"
It's a starbucks... he paid for coffee and got brown water.
I don't know I was kind of wondering what that crossroad mankind was before was about and what had great potential?
Wait... Damn
Mark, you're my Bob Ross
I have been finding these videos REALLY helpful and knowledgable. I don't have a lot of interest in creating a graphic novel but, I have been taking notes on what I do and don't like in books, movies, music, etcetera.
1. I hate drama. I hate it with a passion. I have seen too many TV shows where the girl is like "We made love! I thought that meant something" and the guy was like "It was my job. That night we spent together was purely business" and I'm just sitting there like I... DON'T... CARE! I don't care who slept with who. I don't care who's been seeing someone behind their backs. I don't care that one guy looked at you funny and now your whole day is ruined. I just don't care.
2. Framing in action scenes is key: You can have the most interestingly choreographed action sequence but if the cameraman looks like he got 5 pints drunks before shooting the scene, it's going to look like crap. We need to know who is doing what and where everyone important is.
3. Natural dialogue is more interesting than millions of details about a distant planet noone knows about. This is why I love star trek. They make everything sound so natural and easy to understand. As opposed to other sci fi movies where it's like "Dragnoth is inhabited by a billion zarthnods who eat planktofs for breakfast every morning" "planktofs? What are they some sort of zinethbrods?" "they are the 5th starlight.." Just... I don't care. I feel Pulp Fiction has some of the best natural dialogue. I think the director did that on purpose because the characters and scenes are anything but normal but they talk just like normal everyday people.
4. Subtle connection. I LOVE subtle connections between what characters say or do early on in the movie, and how that same thing takes on a new meaning towards the end of the movie. Stuff like in How to train your Dragon when Hiccup is looking down on the captured toothless, and regretfully says "I did this" before untying him. Hiccup says that later when he thinks Hiccup is dead and he leans over the downed toothless saying "I did this." Both characters are feeling lose but they meaning of the phrase takes on a slightly different meaning. I LOVE that.
5. This more applies to lyrics but I hate songs that are too personal or talk about "I" too much. Songs need to be relatable so that anyone listening to that song can glean something from it. Some of the worst lyrics I ever heard come from the album The Astonishing by Dream Theater. I don't know what happened but oh my goodness the lyrics are god aweful and go against everything I learned in writing class.
6. Characters need to have personalities. Some characters are conceived purely for the plot of the story. Other characters make the story happen. A good example is comparing the characters from the original Star Wars to the characters in the prequel star wars. The characters felt natural and that the world was building around them because of their flaws and personalities. The characters in the prequels are there purely for the story's benefit and serve no better function. They are completely unrelatable.
Those are just some things I noticed when watching things.
why did u write an essay for a comment?
why not?
I don't know how someone hasn't liked your extremely composed and intelligent block of text yet! xD
Jordan Peckham tldr?
Scott Karrasch What?
The Incredibles is one of the best movies of all time. It's incredible.
these videos are so motivating. In fact, a lot of the improvement i have made within the past year can be attributed to mark
marilyn munet 39 minutes ago
Thank you Elley!
+markcrilley where did you get the marker thing you were using to outline the drawing😊😊
+Nio Pabalan it's called an inking pen
1. Create the kind of thing that you yourself would enjoy. 1:12
2. Everything should be a choice: not something done automatically out of habit. 3:00
3. Specifics are more interesting than generalities. 4:28
4. Be aware of how accessible your work is. 6:05
5. Less is more. (Or it can be, anyway.) 8:14
6. You don't need to obsess about finding your own "style." 10:00
7. There are very, very few rules: Everyone finds his or her own way of doing things. 12:09
8. Content dictates form. 14:02
9. You don't have to do the thing you love professionally. 16:53
10. You don't need a brilliant idea. It's just as good to take a simple idea, and execute it brilliantly. 19:28
Miki falls is in my school library!
Miki falls was the first manga I have ever read and when I read the first page I instantly fell in love with it, great job!!!
I can't begin to tell you how much I needed this video today. Thank you so much!
Thank you-- glad I could help :)
I found my style litterly on the street...
When I was driving I saw this super cool graffiti of a black guy wearing a dark red beani and a green hoodie.
I had great difficulties drawing people because I always tried to do it perfectly... so in trying myself at realistic looking people I actually created more alien characters than anything else.
But with that one glance at that graffiti it changed the way I drew people: Instead of very stiff the lines became more and more round like in a comic book.
The hands, feet and faces became bigger and more expressive.
So my advice for all guys who now admire my style and ask me how they can find theirs is: "Maybe your style is trying to find you..."
Most of the time i get this face then: -__-*
Then I tell them this story and they will know the true meanings of my words :)
Thank you for reading this and thank you guy or gal who made that graffiti
Shoot I use the 005, 01,01,03,08, and 1 Brush. Great pens and effects! I love how the ink never fades.
Omg, when I talk while drawing, my line ends up going into a FULL ON SENTENCE FROM A LINE TO WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. I have no Idea what I'm thinking while drawing and going into a sentence, but I don't think I should talk while drawing just yet. Your videos are so inspirational, Mark, thank you.
In reference to the Toy Story plot not being the most original story, I'm reminded of Jim Henson's The Christmas Toy which was done in the mid-late 1980's and has LOTS of the same scenarios and characters.
That drawing reminded me of Monika
JUST MONIKA
I've been watching your videos for at least a year. when I get frustrated trying to figure out something to make my drawings better. I'll watch your videos and it inspires me to continue working. I really love your work. Thank you for posting your process of making your art.
Thank you!
I was creating my own characters and therefore always got everything wrong. I'm not a beginner, but I'm not exactly an expert either. I got to the point when I wanted to give up so badly, but then I went on CZcams and found your inspiring videos. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GIVING ME SO MUCH MOTIVATION TO CARRY ON.
I started drawing manga style about 4 years ago and I still don't have anything like an own "style". No two of my original(!) drawings look the same and honestly, I like it that way. I love experimenting with shapes and I can't imagine drawing a character the way I do only because "I always do it like that". Maybe one day my drawings will have something like a style (means that they will be recognizable as MY work) but until then I'll just have some fun ^^
My younger self did the opposite of most of your advice XD
My characters were mary sues and rainbow colored
One of them was so edgy he had scars IN HIS EYEZZZ!
Hi, Mark! Just wanted to say that finding your channel and watching you draw has really brought back fond memories. :) As a kid, manga was the thing that really got me into drawing, and I have a very vivid memory of you coming to visit my local library and doing a talk about being a successful artist. Hearing you speak, and knowing that I'd read your stuff, it was basically my first chance to meet an idol! Getting to meet and talk to you as a kid really encouraged me to keep going, and now, well, I'm halfway through getting my degree in sequential art to become a professional comic book artist someday. So thank you, and please continue teaching and inspiring young artists to do what they love (and do it well)!
Love your videos. You have such a great approach to the creative arts. I bought the super realism challenge book. Read it cover to cover and loved it. Thank-you for sharing with the world.
Thank you Patrick!
+Daria Morgendorffer I'm sorry that was a little mean, but still stop being a piece of crap.
UhcolorSs Technical Wow!!!!
Tip: Green is not a creative color.
+John Johnson Next time I'll do a video with advice like this. "Songs should never be written in G major." ;)
markcrilley lol!
John Johnson fantastic reference xD
I don't think I would be where I am with my art now if I never found your one video way back in the day 5 years ago, I have to thank you Mark. I have both your mastering manga books (from when I drew a lot of straight manga) and I'm going to be buying your other books. Thank you so much for making your videos, you are one of the major events that got me into art!
+KittyCatChey Thank you so much, really appreciate your support :)
I have to say, I'm at the point where number nine was really relevant. That made me breath relief.
This may be weird but, I've visited your video's not to learn (well i do, do that) but to calm down and just think, something about your videos are really calming, and, that's not something I can say about most non-music channels, so thank-you...
Glad I can help :)
Holy crap I didn't know you made mastering manga I randomly ordered it because it had some good lessons featured in the preview
Thank you so much!
any tips on practicing realistic proportions and anatomy i have books but don't know how to go about studying them
Proko!
ty i have never seen this website i appreciate it
+markcrilley wow ur art is amazing!I have a loooooong way to go to get as good as you are
Don't use green. Because green is not a creative colour.
don't reference that im scared XD
Blue is not a creative color either. You can't tell us what we can't ise
I was looking for this dhmis reference
Now we can all agree to never be creative again
Green is life. Go green-
this guy sounds so smart just the way he talks is so collected and put together
Sometimes, I don't even listen to the tips, I just listen to hear you talk, it's oddly calming
To mark. When I turned 13, I bought your book mastering the art of manga. Although I was taking an art class in school, your book helped me with my own art style and taught me basic drawing techniques. I want to say thank you. I've improved in my art work and this video will help me with a few creative stories I'm planning on writing. +1 subscriber, you deserve it.
Subscribe to Sycra he is a good artist too, he also uploads every week
Watching you ink is so therapeutic I don't even know why. I feel so relaxed now haha.
Good video Mark, as per usual.
I can attest to #9. I myself studied to become an electrician instead of studying art (the opposite of what most people expected, I believe) because now, no matter what happens, I have a job and a skill that is never going to stop being needed in society, no matter how bad things turn out, and that is peace of mind.
So even though art and creative work are my absolute passion, I am happy that I do not need to rely upon that to stay alive, because having that become a potential source of stress and toil would really just suck the enjoyment right out, I feel.
I would like to thank you mark for your videos, they have really helped me pick my pencil back up with more confidence.
six is so true.... How I found my style: at first I just drew a cat, and then always when I watched cats drawn by other people if I saw something amazing about their style I just picked some details ad now my style is pretty much unique.
Addressing #10:
actually I find that ideas are like wine and cheese: older is better to a certain extent. Multiple people have worked on the idea, refined it, clarified it etc. It's the difference between working with raw mud that you scooped from the river bank, and working with manufactured clay. If you have an original idea, great! but recognize your finished product might be a little cruder than normal. Somebody has to be the brave soul who does it first though, and you might be inspired to try the idea again and get it a little more refined this time. If you don't have an original idea, then use an idea that you simply like. There is no shame in standing on the shoulders of giants and don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise. There is so much focus on originality these days, that people often lose sight of the fact that this is not really very important in terms of the value of a piece of art. An interesting new way of doing something familiar can be just as compelling and just as valuable as doing something entirely new.
I think I really needed to see this video. Honestly, I've always wanted to do some form of artsy thing as a career. Whether it be making a comic, writing a novel, making music, or animation, I've always wanted something. I still do, but lately I've been fretting a lot about my style, and how to get where I want to be with my art. Not knowing where to go or how to start is terrifying, but it always good to just watch someone else draw, and explain some tips that I know I will take into consideration for my own art. I guess, what I'm trying to say is thank you for your videos. I feel like I still have a lot to learn, and I always feel enlightened after watching your videos.
drawing and talking about these important things... you are amazing!
I have those pens they're so amazing.
Mark i've been watching your videos since i was in middle school and i'm in university now, when you used relevant examples, like john lennon's song or baymax it seriously helped to clarify everything you'd said please do that more often
I like how when ur going over your pencil marks u dont worry about whether or not its perfect.... u worry about the essence of what ur drawing and dont stress ( cause it will reflect in your work.. the struggle to stay on a line exactly) i subscribed because as ive listened to like 5 of your videos... u are an artists artist... u do great work.. consistant... clean and u know what ur talking about ... and i dont get the arrgance feeling from you.. ur humble and ur good... So... im here and im now a fan of your creation and you personally... thank u for what u do ... u do it out of love of your craft and i think its great that u are passing along ur wisdom for the rest of us. Thank u so much...
The best sound advice I've ever heard. Especially the style one. In art school the teachers were all "you have to develop your own style" - how anyone can develop a marketable industry standard style in just 2 years was ridiculous. Then "the industry professionals" who came to talk to us always contradicted this; saying to not pidgeon hole yourself and that you need to be flixible. Trends come and go and you will limit your opportunities if you stick with one style. I have since developed what I refer to as my "lazy style" which to me has it's successes and sells well and I can churn it out quickly if there is fast deadlines, but it is a stick in the mud sometimes and I like to continue developing and exploring other things.
I just love your videos, everything you say and recommend it is exactly what I need to hear. Thanks for so much awesomeness
Thank you Ana!
I always listen to these kinds of videos while drawing,and I was just worrying about finding my own style,and then you said don't stress about it :O I guess it's some kind of sign ;)
I would watch a 10 hour video of Mark Crilley teaching me how to write a book / draw.
Came in thinking this would only apply to visual art. Came away with brilliant philosophies and guidelines of public speaking for heaven sake. This is just too awesome.
+Daniel Hawkins Thank you Daniel!
Great tips that can be applied to many areas, as even illustrated by your examples.
Oh my God, it's been so long since I last watched a Mark Crilley video and I had almost forgotten how awe-inspiring this man can be ♥
Welcome back!
+Skitzageru Run! Thanks :D More like "Welcome back to the squad!". Hehe
I'm glad I'm not the only one who flips the paper around when I'm drawing😂
Thank you so much for your wisdom. I am 26 and still currently in that phase of thinking that I have to be good at all of this but you helped me a lot with this! I love your style. I'm ashamed I haven't purchased your books yet. I will make an effort to soon! I need to work on realism for sure.
no. 9: thank you, mark...
I really needed that, been confused about "money vs. happy", in my mom's terms.
This community is heaven :O
Such a good speaker cant believe i get so hooked to your video in this manner. I mean I'm watching you ink for 20 minutes.
Thank you!
I just love seeing you inking!
honestly i come to your videos because your voice is so calming like.. < w> idk. its just calming.
What? You're not going to tell us what the guy from Starbucks said? I'M DYING TO KNOW.
That's for the writer
He was so ugly that everybody died. The end.
You're not going to believe this...He ordered a coffee
I just bought Mastering Manga 1 and 2 (soon to purchase no.3) and in the space of just a few weeks i have learned so much and can see a real improvement. It is so rewarding to realise that the stuff you're doing now that you couldn't do the month before just feels awesome. The books give a fantastic grounding and foundation to build on new skills - the advice is no-nonsense and straightforward and at each point and chapter there are loads of valuable footnotes about each phase of the creative process. Best investment I've made in ages and like i said - can't wait to get vol. 3. Do yourself a huge favour and get the books - you won't regret it.
I created a whole new playlist just to put this video in so it wouldn't be lost amongst my other likes and favourites. This is really good advice and an important reminder of things that we often forget in the world of creativity/storytelling.
Thank you for making this video!
This was really reminiscent of myself in my early middle school years. I had wrote a couple horror gore stories in my day, and everyone loved it, so I thought that's what everyone expected of me, and I always just wrote the bloodiest and scariest thing with a weak plot. When, in actuality, I enjoyed writing SciFi and the occasional romance!
I turn my Adblock off when watching your videos :)
You guys should too.
+TheLinkzGamer Thank you so much!
I could listen to this guy for hours
i had stopped drawing for a few weeks and then suddenly i found myself not being able to draw properly anymore then i watched ur videos again and its sooooo helpful u hav +1 sub keep up the good work!
heh...so this is the youtube channel I am going to be watching 12/7 for my summer vacation to get better at drawing(and drawing)...well that's good to know, now I can tick that one on my to-do list.
15:43 Anyone else think of "Friends"?
omg yes!
Surprisingly when I talk like i'm presenting my drawling to others I draw better.
But.. when people hear me they think i'm crazy x.x
Watching this video had me thinking about my own story's and because of this video I noticed a LOT of mistakes in them. Thank you so so so so SO much mark!! 😄😄 You're my art and story hero!!
Extremely helpful advice / I love this channel very inspiring
Looking into an artist, that is right handed, when I am left handed, is a tad uncomfortable experience for me. Really interesting. I am quite fascinated by why I am so distressed while watching this. Very odd.
You're pretty much the only person on this website I actually enjoy listening to talk. I listen to your advice and your kind of commentary while I'm drawing my manga characters for my story and your words help me with the designs and with the creation of my characters. And your content constantly teaches me new ways if doing things and helps me to figure out my own way, wether its noticeable or not. thanks for the great videos
Thank you so much for your kind words :)
Kirito x Natsu? WTF
I was just mesmerized by that picture. I've always loved your art work.
Great advice, and i've read all of brody's Ghost it was amazing :)
+LabelledManiacs Thank you!
My God those ink strokes are amazing
+HMF Witchblade Thank you :)
+markcrilley eeeee! Ur welcome 😊😊😄😄😄
Its funny you talk about daily habits and choosing to make different decisions instead. I was getting into a really strict schedule of always doing things the same and I was getting really anxious and depressed, and one day I decided to change everything up and it made me a lot happier.
Dear Mark. I think you are one of the best animists that ever walked around the planet. Your videos are amazing and I hope to one day draw like you.
I always love your advice ^^
Simple Request: In the future would it be possible to get a time lapse to a finished drawing before you put the pen/pencil down?
I love your content keep up the good work.
+Aaron Dean Yes that's the way I'll do it from now on-- apologies! :)
I do admire how you guys can ink traditionally and not make mistakes. When I tried it I made mistakes and the ink pen ran out real quick. So I just stuck to pencil and darken it digitally to look somewhat like ink.
Mark drawing&talking=Perfectly on lines
Me drawing&talking: *Draws a line thru the drawing without noticing*
That's a nice lookin' Vespa!
Who else wanted Mark to finish the story about the guy in Starbucks? :p
I just bought both of your mastering manga books. I was having a lot of trouble with drawing guidelines for heads, but your method for guidelines is great! Thank you so much!
Thank you for your support :)
I am a lover I the arts, and so I love art channels from YT. I you you and along with your being an amazing artist, I noticed you interact with your fans not many people do that, so when bigger CZcamsrs do it, its cool.