10,000 Hours Isn't Enough

[@BeckBishopStudio]

Hey Brandon, I really appreciate these videos they really bring me back down to reality and remind me of the importance of discipline and focus in your work. All too often I get overwhelmed with wanting to learn too many things at once and end up scattered and unfocused. As a result, I don't spend enough time on one thing long enough to really master it and then get anxiety about not being good enough. It's a vicious cycle. lol.

[@BrandonDayton]

I know the feeling! Honestly, I make these videos for myself too. One of the unexpected benefits of focus (and choosing one thing to focus on) is that has a calming effect. You aren't using too much brain power wondering about what is the right thing to do -- you're just working. Of course, you do need to sit down and decide what direction to take from time to time, but the trick is to do that as infrequently as possible. One a week, at most. Best of Luck!

[@BeckBishopStudio]

That's great advice, thank you!

[@ashtonphoenyx]

I'm the same way

[@backnforth8401]

So this basically means you'll be on a constant grind everyday for the rest of your life improving your craft. Throughout you'll journey, you'll face challenges, frustrations and misery for the sake of being the best. In the end, what matters is that how it all brought you to the top 1% of artists.

[@Turbopasta]

I had a stroke about two years ago and I still haven't gotten full control of most of my leg on my right side. I can walk, but not for too long because of pain, and my toes drag if I'm not careful. I've tried different physical therapists, repetitive motion reprogramming, physical training, only...I'm pretty sure I haven't done it enough. I do practice walking constantly since I live a mostly normal life, but my body doesn't improve because I have to lock my leg and use compensation techniques to walk, which makes relearning even harder. Because of this, I've hit a plateau a while ago and it literally feels impossible to get any better than I already have. Even though I feel shitty about not being better yet, I still have faith that correct deliberate practice for the right amount of time is all I need to get better. I have a new physical therapist now and I'm optimistic for the future. She's showing me exercises I didn't know about before, and I'm forcing myself to use my weak leg more often so it can get used to movement again. Regular practice just means using my leg a lot in ways that I used to think might be good enough. Deliberate practice is forcing myself to do exercises from a trained professional in ways that I'm certain will make me better. I can definitely attest to the idea that correct practice is 100% necessary for real self-improvement.

[@BrandonDayton]

Thanks for sharing that experience. That is challenge that is way beyond anything I've ever had to grapple with. Best of luck with your continued improvement!

[@lindawilliams747]

Congratulations on being so dedicated and persistent. It is also gratifying to read an articulate comment, written well and thoughtfully. I have decided reading replies is a waste of time in general. They are often incomprehensible; the American educational system is lamentable. Best to you.

[@DaleDMin]

I read somewhere... In order to do something well we must first be willing to do it badly.

[@FITZFACTOR]

Great video man, thanks for making it. I found the lobster bit particularly interesting, and it really reminded me of a section in The War of Art where it says you can basically use resistance as a compass to see if you're going the right way. Great to be reminded that facing challenges is exactly what you need.

[@BrandonDayton]

I love War of Art. I probably got the idea from there in the first place. I need to be reminded of that all the time.

[@stewartgillett6333]

Great words . I tell my daughter very similar things . If you want to do then do . Talent is a relentless struggle through failure . Learn to except it . Forget the hours and the end product . Live for the love of the process . This will always look after the end goal . Be patient and most importantly be stubborn . Anything is possible . Search for learning material that suits your learning process . We are all different . We all learn at different speeds and need different explanations on what we are trying to learn . Anybody can be anything they choose . The first step must start with courage . Except a mess but also remember you are now moving forward . Respect to you sir .

[@cffee_]

Piano is a difficult to master instrument because of its historical key placement. Delibarate practice for it would be chromatic scale using ableton push or janko keyboards.

[@BrandonDayton]

I'll have to remember that for my piano channel!

[@juliensays]

What's your piano channel?

[@emini6]

Weird personally I find piano easier to learn (more enjoyable) than drawing. Of course writing an musical piece is difficult to master for sure.

[@daniell.varela9777]

It's always fun watching the process of the drawing.

[@s1xto]

i decided to learn drawing a week ago and i have found a miriad of good videos and tutorials, and it's super useful! But at the same time i'm getting overwhelmed and don't know where to begin or what am i lacking...the basic shapes are somewhat acceptable, but i tried shading and it looks too straight and unnatural. This video gave me some insight. :)

[@IShallCallHimTaders]

I've always wanted to get back into drawing. I used to do it in school and got to an... eh, subpar level, but it was beyond stick figures by orders of magnitude. Unfortunately, because I only drew in school as a way to escape. The moment I finished highschool I no longer had the need to draw to occupy my time. Now I regret the 10 years I've spent not doing it, cause I know I might be kinda good at this moment. Maybe not great, but at least good. Now I feel lost, I don't know where to start, and Hate what I sketch.

[@BrandonDayton]

You gotta start somewhere. I've been meaning to start learning jiu jitsu ever since I watched UFC 1 in high school. I finally started last year. I've got years of work ahead of me. But hey, I'm gonna get older anyway. Might as well get better at something a long the way.

[@IShallCallHimTaders]

@@BrandonDayton thanks for the advice, cheers.

[@pbpyn]

Really glad you are making these videos, they are gold i tell you, gold! I'm having trouble switching from graphite to ink, whenever i draw in graphite i have little to zero problem shading and making the lines needed but when drawing in ink most of my lines turn out wobbly and the shading always turns out eradic and heavy

[@BrandonDayton]

Changing media is always awkward. Give yourself some time. Either inking will get easier, or you'll decide that you want to stick with graphite. Either way, you'll learn something valuable in the process.

[@amrhiamrela9951]

Thank you Sir. Hearing an artist's perspective on the deliberate practise was useful. Also you talked about what makes it uncomfotable is a sign to grow. I have been struggling with the idea of sharing my work online, I understand that getting critque of art will help me to improve, when did you begin sharing and how was your journey, would be interesting to hear your story. Any tips on how to overcome this fear would be really helpful for myself and many others.

[@BrandonDayton]

Thanks! I think talking about getting over the fear of showing your work would be a great topic. I'll think about it.

[@amrhiamrela9951]

you are awesome! Thank you. It means alot. :D :D

[@wiran_katts1347]

Very encouraging video. I've been feeling like coyote for awhile now so it's motivational to know it's ok to feel that way. thank you

[@janaangelavillaluz]

i really appreciate the videos you make!! the topics are very interesting and very fun to listen to while drawing. you help out alot! more people need to watch ur vids

[@BrandonDayton]

Thanks for the kind words and thanks for watching!

[@Littleinch]

Awesome video! Definitely something I needed to listen to and understand more! Thanks for you time and effort you put into these videos!

[@BrandonDayton]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@kevinwonart]

Glad you mentioned your older video on adding to your artistic playbook. That is one of my favorite uploads on your channel, and also how I found this channel. I went to my first figure drawing session today, and I was intimidated and nervous. I left early because my focus was drained by my surroundings. I was paying attention to what other artists were drawing, and what tools they brought. Mostly everyone had a large pad situated on an easel, while I came with only my 5x8 sketchbook and a pencil. I also got all worked up when someone walked behind me because I would be embarrassed of my drawings. I will go again next week and hope that I will be more comfortable and able to focus. I did notice areas I need to work on, such as being able to draw human forms quick enough and accurately. I really don't know where I want to go with my art. When I first started drawing, I was practicing so that I would be good enough to some ideas I have for a comic book. Now, that thought has died off, and I seem to gravitate towards to what I think people refer to as fine arts. I say this because, I find myself wanting to draw photo-realistically. BUT, I really love how the brush pen feels when I draw, so I've been drawing with that most of the time at home. And i've seen some real improvement with my ink pen lines, too. However, that means that I am not putting practice into my pencil drawings, and I can't practice shading which I think is really important to getting my drawings to look realistic. I also have a really hard time with shading. I noticed this today during the drawing session. What kind of deliberate practices can I do when I'm not really sure where I am going with my art? OR what can I practice, so that when I go to my next figure drawing session it will be more productive or I won't feel very embarrassed of what I draw? I feel a little directionless.

[@BrandonDayton]

You've got to commit to something, and that means letting something else go, at least for a little bit. By committing to it you'll certainly get better and will forever have that skill in your playbook. You'll also answer the question of whether or not it's a skill you want to continue to refine or if you want to move on to something else. The key is to give the other thing up and by okay with it. When I was young, I wanted to make music and art. I've given up music, and it makes me sad to think of what I could have done, but I'm okay with that sadness. I've made a commitment to art and I'm proud of what I've been able to accomplish by making that sacrifice. In this case you aren't making a big life decision, just deciding which skills to focus on for the time being, but the same logic applies. The question of feeling embarrassed is tougher. The mental trick I play in these situations is to tell myself that they may not admire my performance, but they will admire my commitment. I have to play this trick on myself any time I walk into a gym, 'cause I'm such a scrawny guy! They probably won't remember your first drawing, but if they do it'll only make your commitment and growth more admirable. A good topic for another video! You got me thinking. Thanks!

[@kevinwonart]

Wow, that was so helpful. Thanks!

[@ChaosOrZen]

Kevin Won I find it really rude when people cruise the floor while you're drawing. I found a studio where everyone works while the model is posing and when we break I cover my work. I didn't start leaving my work uncovered until i was happy with the progress. I also don't like to chat with the other artists during breaks. I plug in headphones and take a short walk. I also plug in headphones while drawing. it helps to isolate me so I can concentrate on my work and not my surroundings.

[@wheatart4274]

The irony is that I actually like the opposite. When doing figure drawing, I loved looking at other artists, to see their perspective of the model and how they might tackle the image. Did they start with the head? A really loose full body gesture? Straight into detail? One of the best things about group figure drawing is that I didn't have to stay inside my own head. I was able to learn by asking the other artists how they approached problems, and it really helped me learn. It's harder for me now with so much isolation, because while I can talk to people online, I don't get that real-time learning and progression that I got from groups. I can't say I really understand wanting to be isolated, but I can respect it. :)

[@ChaosOrZen]

I can appreciate your social nature, and in fact, many artists are ready and willing to share and critique. However, as our studio points out on the website, some of the artists are teachers and while they seem to be willing, this is their day off and their opportunity to sharpen their skills. We are encouraged to not offer or request critiques and are advised that open studio is not a class. There is no instruction. The studio offers not only reasonably priced classes, but it offers discounts to the students who use open studio to practice what they learn. Unsupervised. And without soliciting advice.

[@ColoredMud]

This was very inspiring and helpful, I'm soo glad I found you!

[@coolbreeze2409]

I loved The Edge, saw it 20 years ago in the theater. Powerful movie, one of my favorite Hopkins roles and excellent soundtrack.

[@coolbreeze2409]

I've also read The War of Art by Pressfield. Essential reading for the struggling writer!

[@kal_delet]

The art is incredible man. Inspiring stuff.

[@C4nadian]

I love the philosophical aspect to your videos. I struggle with drawing clothes. having watched your videos i may look up how fashion designers draw clothes. Also i really want to get better at drawing people in different perspectives likes (worms eye view, aerial, etc..) any good tips? i haven't been able to find many techniques or tutorials for this.

[@BrandonDayton]

I've been working on an in-depth tutorial for perspective, but I'm not sure when I'm gonna finish. When in doubt, look up reference! I like to study movie stills for that type of thing.

[@C4nadian]

cool thanks for the reply !

[@jeremydelagarza8317]

New Masters Academy has a lot of great tutorials on perspective.

[@ProjectFight]

this is soo important! I love your videos :P

[@BrandonDayton]

thanks!

[@laifu6317]

I'm pretty intimidated by interiors and environments when I draw comics, any ideas on how to target that?

[@BrandonDayton]

That all comes down to construction, perspective and study from reference -- and how you plan to use it. In comics, you've got to be very particular when it comes to establishing shots, but there are lots of ways you can fake it otherwise. I'd maybe do some studies based on movie stills to get a sense of how you might incorporate everything.

[@user-hc1ky9ly3x]

thanks for explaining to me while i feel like shit while im productively practicing that helps bro

[@ChipsMattGaming]

Hi, great video, loves the drawing ! Do you have any tips or help in trying to get better at focusing on small details, because a lot of times shifting my brain to go from very big shapes to small details is difficult for me!

[@rolsonDotcom]

Love the intro music man!

[@BrandonDayton]

Stockmusic.net!

[@-_-3315]

I have a lot of issues with line efficiency/making every stroke count. Do you know any exercises that help with that in particular?

[@BrandonDayton]

I'll have to think about that. Perhaps try drawing with a marker or something else that you can't erase. Take your time to think about what you do before you make each move.

[@wheatart4274]

Inktober would be excellent practice for that! Whether traditional or digital, make sure that you can't take back the marks, like Brandon said, and then try it for the month. Also, perhaps look into Chinese and Japanese Ink painting? (I took some books on them out from the library, so it's on the brain haha) A lot of that style is based on minimalism and using each stroke to tell a story. It's a neat style to study!

[@CameronSend]

Link for the rabbi video mentioned at 11:00?

[@paulcallahan4279]

What your saying is much like what Jeff Watts says on Mastery," by George Leonard.

[@BrandonDayton]

I'd love to hear more. Link?

[@BrandonDayton]

I'm liking what I'm seeing! Thanks for sharing.

[@paulcallahan4279]

Your so welcome and i'm glad you like this.

[@popsickles4425]

inspiring!

[@raffaeletarallo6251]

HI! What type of pen do you use for inking? Thanks so much!;)

[@BrandonDayton]

I've got a video just on all the tools I use. I've got a few I use.

[@ShadowIsMoi]

If you could help out... I'm SEVERELY lacking in my male forms. I draw females constantly, because I find their figures fascinating, but my males... Look like wooden boards with potatoes nailed onto them. And inking... 2 things I'd love to improve on traditionally before I target the digital side of art

[@wheatart4274]

Oh man, I TOTALLY can relate to that! Have you done muscle studies at all? Knowing what's underneath the skin can make a lot of difference when looking for shapes on the outside. I still struggle with drawing guys, but using a lot of photo reference/figure drawing has helped, and ESPECIALLY gesture drawing. Finding a creative pose that squashes and stretches different parts of the body can help combat all those straight lines that make up guys. OH! And I just remembered. There's an Olympic body chart here: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2502477/Can-guess-sport-shape-Olympians-body.html that's really neat in getting different body builds depending on what a person does. Really fun to help vary body types!

[@sirninjaraiden]

couple questions. #1 What pen are you using #2 Is that non-photo blue? I bought some non-photo blue prismacolors yesterday but they're too smudgy,like a crayon. But I've noticed you're blue lines look more crisp and fine.

[@BrandonDayton]

The pen is a 1mm Sakura Pigma Calligrapher. I discovered it by accident, and its become one of my most used inking tools. The pencils are indigo prisma col-erase. Yes, they are much crisper than the no-repro blue, and I love how they layer. Not great if you're gonna be doing lots of changes.

[@hermanmern]

first time here and im loving it!!!!

[@hermanmern]

listening for the 2nd time..

[@BrandonDayton]

Go for 3!

[@BrandonDayton]

Thanks for the kind words! Hope you like some of the other vids.

[@Sketchrcat]

Got any exercises or exercises ideas to improve figure drawing whole torsos? (And also especially for the hips areas of females, too).

[@BrandonDayton]

That's a great idea for video. It may not be obvious, but this video is actually the best place to start: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZStipufmb2MhdU

[@scruffysz]

Jake parker : 10.000min. Is enough Brandon : 10.000 hours is not enough

[@Meggobro]

Great video! What would you recommend for practising colour theory?

[@BrandonDayton]

Read James Gurney's "Color and Light"! Do master studies. Do paintings where you restrict your palette (just B&W ect.) Oh yeah! Watch my video on color theory too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIKTfXmhmtinf6M

[@sirninjaraiden]

Plse can you list the tools u use in the description so that i don't have to bug you every vid? i really like the stuff you're using. I bought the white out-like pen i saw u using yesterday.

[@oldmanlowgun]

you could just choose not to bug him.

[@sirninjaraiden]

i know. but i wanna know what stuff he uses.so unfortunately i have to. unless someone else knows

[@oldmanlowgun]

you don't have to. you choose to. tools don't determine your success.

[@sirninjaraiden]

yeah ur right.

[@BrandonDayton]

I'm gonna make a video that just goes over tools.

[@thundrbaze]

dumb question what type of pen is that?!

[@BrandonDayton]

BEHOLD. All my pens: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpK0hniQnq2Uaac

[@thundrbaze]

thank you!

[@snakemont]

Does anyone know which pen Brandon is using?

[@BrandonDayton]

I do! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpK0hniQnq2Uaac

[@kunai4721]

10001 hours is enough

[@catac1ysm13]

I really like that pen seems like it flex but iy flat

[@BrandonDayton]

My tools: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpK0hniQnq2Uaac

[@gianlucamagurno1019]

Hi Brandon, maybe you have received the following question million time, so excuse me in advance... :-) Anyway: Which kind of pen are you using?

[@BrandonDayton]

Ha ha! It's the most common comment, right after "please stop making such disgusting mouth sounds". Here's a vid on all my tools: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpK0hniQnq2Uaac

[@SilentAttackTV]

I find it very hard to draw cute girls, especially faces. Please help!

[@BrandonDayton]

That's something I might be able to demonstrate one of these days.

[@SilentAttackTV]

Thank you. Beautiful things are so hard to pull off because you have to be so subtle.

[@bluehacker122]

u need to turn up ur mic. i can barly hear u

[@spiritualhees]

No offense but 1 hour is all I need to learn to draw one specific part of the body

[@thomasbeckett9056]

No

[@mrtonyadkins]

What one man can do, another man can do! Except for being Michael Phelps! That dude is inhuman!

[@BrandonDayton]

I'll talk to the producers of the Edge about making a new cut of the film to account for Michael Phelps.

[@mrtonyadkins]

Brandon Dayton I often use the very same quote. It resonated with me also. Excellent philosophy. I also often say when someone asks me how I do something I tell them, "no one told me that I couldn't do it."

[@mrtonyadkins]

Brandon Dayton naaah, the movie was awesome as is.

[@BrandonDayton]

Ok, ok, agreed. We'll leave it as it is.

[@mrtonyadkins]

Brandon Dayton I love your videos by the way.

[@theconversation9103]

You're just a slow learner hehe

[@starpoop2173]

i need to know the type pen you use