2018 Goals | Oil Painting Timelapse + Chat

Happy New Year’s Eve! Today I’m showing another small portrait study and chatting about the best ways I’ve found to set artistic growth goals to help you approach your New Year’s resolutions.
**To help me with my 2018 goal of simplifying my recording schedule, please leave me a comment letting me know what kinds of videos you want to see more of!
My Gear + Materials:
Surface: 5x7 inch Ampersand Value Series hardboard panel, www.dickblick....
Easel: Sienna Craftech Large Pochade Box, www.dickblick.... (accessories other than the glass palette are sold separately)
Oil paint brands: Sennelier, Winsor & Newton, Daniel Smith, Grumbacher, Williamsburg, Rembrandt, and Gamblin
Medium: Liquin (aka earwax of the gods)
Brushes: Blick Masterstroke, Daniel Smith
Website: www.sheppard-arts.com
Instagram: @sheppardarts
Music by me
Love + Thanks again to all my viewers and subscribers!

[@chocolatier8247]

The oil time lapse + chats are my favourite videos to watch.

[@gimmealargesalad]

As much as I absolutely love to obsess over process videos, your chats relax me and make me feel less nervous while I work.(I listen to the chats while I work) To me it sounds like you're relaxed when doing them too? I hope you are! As for my 2018 goals, I do the themes as well! This year I'm focusing on strength. My health faltered so much this year and I need to get on that quick! I need to do more studies to strengthen my foundations. I also need to work on my mental health because aaaaaaah I'm going to die at some point from stress and anxiety! I should squeeze in exercise as well to strengthen myself overall. I should take better care of myself because I owe it to myself but also because the life of a sedentary artist is strenuous on the mind and back hahaha And heck yes to glasses of wine! ;D I wish you a happy new year and that this year will be kind to you!

[@JeremyMyser]

Chats are the best. Process videos are a dime a dozen on KZbin, but the candor and authenticity you display in these chats is truly unique. You take the issues and questions we all have as artists and share real insights in how to tackle them. I get so tired of people spouting off the same meaningless platitudes that they have gotten themselves. You truly have a gift of imparting genuine and grounded hope in the hearts of some of the most sensitive and self conscious of people on the planet. For that reason I say thank you, and please keep doing the chats (even if they aren't art related). ...and I am on the edge of my seat for every video to hear your liquin characterizations.

[@DavidMiller-ot8qq]

I have gone back over some of your VO timelapse videos and considered some of the other comments here. I have a suggestion. As you chat over the timelapse, maybe you could add notes that relate to your process. Even if it was the same each time it would really drum them into our minds. For example, - check proportions -block in shadow shapes -compare values etc. maybe certain videos could focus on one area for more detailed notes such as -edges.

[@andrewharland9439]

The special thing about your videos is that they help give a sense of perspective as to what I am doing and where I need to be heading. I am still very much learning how to paint and my resolution is to make every mark count and be right; which means to try to never go too quickly and lose control. Very grateful to you.

[@LillenArt2]

In 2017, my goal was 1. learn value 2. get better at faces / portraits. I spent a lot of time working in greyscale, doing studies, gesture drawing. It took me awhile to figure out my personal taste, which turns out to be a mix of fantasy art, dark art, surrealism, Asian art and more things than I can list. This year (2018) I want my focus to be color. I also need to take a lot of my work to the next level by making it more polished. I would like 10-15 polished portfolio pieces (fine art / illustration) by the end of the year. I'll start by doing some colorful landscapes studies and re-working some older pieces. I have a sketchbook full of ideas I've wanted to do for a long time.

[@LilyDuVeauLilysMix]

I love your speed paintings with voice over. I also love your camera work.

[@paintingwithjeremy1005]

thank you for this video and this channel. The timelapse+chat are my favorite videos of yours. I like to put them on while I prepare myself coffee.

[@johncollado1151]

Happy New Year, Cynthia... unfortunately what I would like to see more from your channel are your voice over digital paintings similar to your three part series that you said was exhausting. I really enjoyed them and I could see your traditional painting style in them which is what I am after for myself. Another item that would be interesting is your thoughts and use of color in your paintings. Color has always been a challenge for me so that would be helpful also. In all that, I would just like to see your videos more often because I enjoy your style of painting and and the way you teach it. Again, the best of the holidays to you and hope you have a great 2018.

[@GirlWithASlinky]

I think my favourite format is definitely these ones, the timelapse's and chats. I find them really relaxing and lovely to do work along with. I feel like I can get out of my head easier and not overthink what I'm painting/drawing during these types of videos :) (but I am a fan of all your videos)

[@Jipposan]

For a year I now I have tried to draw an hour per day where as some days I don't feel like it and other days it takes half a day with drawing and doodling stuff. That was for last year and I try to keep it up still. For 2018, I think I will try to focus myself more into learning human anatomy and use of colors. Emphasis on anatomy but I am really bad with colors. As for your channel - It is a spot on for me. You sound really happy and joyful when you explain about your art and how you do your paintings. I find your videos very inspiring and encouraging and they do offer a good way to see your workflow and plenty of other things. I think I learn something new every time with your videos.

[@jpmacdonald3047]

Cynthia! So glad you've decided to update your channel regularly now. Your work and your approach to art is very inspirational to me, so thank you!

[@truenorthtarot]

By far my favourite videos from you are these time lapse chats. Watching your process and listening to you tell your stories on how you solve problems is truly valuable and helps to keep me focused. Thanks again for the effort you put in to making these.

[@catherinedicaire5753]

Hi Cynthia! To awnser your question ; I love both time lapse and process video. I think the q&a could be add at the end of one, like a 3minutes time frame where you answer one or two question. I'll watch every video anyway ;) As for an artistic goal, I want to have a better understanding of lighting. I went through my old stuff and just want to bang my head of the desk... I've start my goal by reproducing picture I've selected from various movie I like, with amazing composition and mood. (Crimson Peak for example.) I realise I smudge everything so much it seems like we look at it through mist or smoke. So I try to work more like a paint-by-number and smudge afterward. Still a lot of work to do, but watching your video always make me want to work harder, and I thank you so much for that! Happy new year!

[@misuher4170]

I would love to see any kind of format involving oil paint. Happy new year

[@elrisha]

Hi Cynthia! I really love your videos, whether it's a timelapse like this with a voice-over or the more in-depth like the Alice painting, and different mediums are interesting to me even though I don't do anything digital. You are so inspiring to me! I started playing with paint and drawing in October after about 20-some years of not using my creativity for anything fun really.. Becoming long-term sick and stuck in bed has been a blessing in disguise in that regard, it really forced me to do something useful with my time and I discovered that I really love it! I hope you don't take on too much or try to please "everyone" to the point that this channel becomes something that drains you energy-wise and eventually results in you just can't be bothered to do it anymore. So if I have a say it would be that you do what YOU want with your channel. Thanks to the knowledge you share with us about painting and drawing, and your wonderful way of looking at life and art and how to challenge ourselves, I have a strong feeling that your subscriber number is just going to rise. Happy new year! -Ellen.

[@petrstranik1770]

I would love to see some life session with a Q&A. Something like Friday night live from Jeff Watts atelier...All the best Cynthia in 2018. Love your work so much...

[@SarahBurnsStudio]

I'm binge watching all your videos right now! Your work is so inspiring, and I love your chats. Thank you so much for making these videos!!!

[@carlyross7217]

Hey Cynthia, I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your perception and attitude on art, particularly your technical understanding. So much so that I've gone back to uni to study fine arts- largely because of your channel. I am a 2D animator, but I've let my traditional art skills fade a lot and I really want to learn to a strong art foundation to become a more well rounded artist. Thank you for always being a comfort to listen to, and above all, an interesting mind.

[@postresearchhub]

My favorite kind of videos are these ones. where you sit down and talk about your experiences and give advice on the things you talk about. Last year, I told myself i will do at least one oil painting & one digital piece a month. Be it a quick study or finished" ( and i say that lightly) piece. as well as start studying forms and shapes/ anatomy and figure drawing... I have done one thing only, and that was doing digital artworks on my phone. and nothing else. What you have said here, is what i wish i have heard before. i put too much expectations on myself. and i think i pushed myself away from what i wished to achieve.But never the less, i have improved a bit. even if it was on one kind of artform. Thank you for sharing and creating these videos. I hope that maybe in later videos you can teach more things is digital art as well. those videos were awesome too. i keep taking notes. XD

[@nicolekandah4342]

Your perspective is so helpful! Thanks so much for sharing! Such valuable information plus insanely skilled work!

[@bfpeake933]

actually, cause I usually watch all your vivd's, I enjoy all the different styles. Keeps me interested ~

[@Quigimon]

Oh wow, switched it up from coffee this time. You asked quite a few questions. Here's my resolution: Work towards drawing people in a more believable perspective (tired of potato people). 1st step is to draw more from life. 2nd is to focus more on the sketch and make sure it's right before moving on. 3rd is to not worry about details too early on. As for the channel, I have to admit that I appreciate all forms that you have shared with us. But a schedule might not hurt. Have videos come out at a frequency. Obviously since process videos are so intensive they would come out less frequently. That gives you a chance to work on them over time without killing you. I follow a fellow youtuber who hosts a two to three hour live streams doing art and answering art questions twice a week. That seems pretty intense. Happy new years, looking forward to many more enlightening videos from you.

[@TartantazCreates]

I do not have any goals yet. I do not make new year resolutions I never stick to them but I am thinking carefully about what I want as my artistic goals. In the mean time I will continue to paint portraits. I primarily work in acrylics but I'd love to learn to paint in oils too. I loved your Alice in wonderland series as I learned a tone of things from that but as I know first hand of how time consuming it is to make videos for KZbin I consider that to be a treat type video series the kind you would do only when you have time to do it. I simply love to watch you paint. I enjoy your chats too but consider that a bonus. Watching how you paint is my favourite part. How's that for simplicity lol 😉 T x

[@lancered7920]

Another great video, thank you for sharing. My favorite video format you have done so far are these time lapse chats. Your insights and topic discussions are great. As for 2018 art goals, my theme this year is craftsmanship and its all about getting back into my craft and really studying it. Three things I want to focus on specifically: get back to doing more studies especially in lighting (single session paintings), develop a wider range of character expressions & emotion, and lastly through experimentation find out how I like best to meld my drawing & painting/rendering into a unique voice that is my own. Looking forward to more of your videos in 2018!

[@jenndelbosque9980]

I love the time lapse and chats...I watch them while I'm working. :) I really enjoy the tutorials too because they are absolutely helpful!!! Thanks for sharing your art life with us!

[@madnesslives]

All of your content is fantastic; it's hard to choose which format is best. I really enjoyed seeing the process behind your alice in wonderland redesign. But videos like this where you share insight about your personal growth are also helpful and encouraging on an emotional level, which is sometimes more important than learning the details of your process.

[@DestinyFineArt]

I been watching you for a long time, I am an artist and you inspired me to make art tutorials too! I hope the art community can benefit and learn from my videos like how you inspired others! Love Destiny fine art coll

[@laru09]

I really love your work! My favourites types of videos are those where you show your evolution, from sketches to how you appropiate the references to produce your own image, and of course when you chat, I find it really inspirational and I think you are being really thoughtful about what to talk in each video.

[@SamReevesWrites]

Ironically, your New Year's Resolution is the same as mine. A week ago, it was "to become more proficient with an abstract style," but as I began studying abstract art, I realized that my primary weakness is being able to simplify shapes. Additionally, I want to learn to use watercolors. Plan of action for each of these. . . well, probably Step 1 is learn how to become more proficient. Practice daily. And maybe (cross my fingers) find a mentor.

[@annmariecreativeexpression4619]

I love your video growth chats the best. I enjoy your process videos as long as the videos don’t become too much of the “how to” of oil painting. I like when you talk about how and why you choose the subject matter you are painting. The “how to” I can figure out for myself. I’m a pencil and watercolor artist and I find your videos very useful for my artistic growth even though our mediums are different. My goal for 2018 is to improve my constructive drawing skills.

[@LilyDuVeauLilysMix]

My suggestion for your videos is to paint peacefully in the zone as if no one is watching. This should enable you to create your best work. Then do a voice over and talk freely about whatever you like. Showing your best work is the most beneficial.💜❤️💜

[@mariah5202]

I really enjoy all of your content! I love the voice overs, (also partly because oil is so mystifying to me) and would love to see some more Q & A's , and the process video was SO darn helpful in getting me to ask questions about my own work. If I had to pick what Id like to see more of, probably just more chats! They're very relaxing and also very helpful with the advice you give. I personally just want to understand what im doing in art for my new year art resolution. I recently realized that my foundations are very weak and need some love, so Im going back to the basics and starting with studies. I also need to let myself breathe and have fun, and not stress out so much about deadlines! Hope 2018 brings you much happiness and progress, thank you for all your videos, they inspire me so much!

[@jonsiva]

This was awesome Cynthia. Really hit some notes that are occupying some decent realestate in my brain at the moment. I am loving what you are doing with your channel. I think your art time lapse art chats and Q&A are perfectly suited for youtube. They are light, engaging and insightful. I really loved your 3 part process video, but personally think an idea could be to sell these through gum road. I would definitely pay a dollar or two for such cool content. Really looking forward to seeing what you come up with next!

[@autumndawns8484]

Cynthia, I enjoy watching all the formats but your time-lapse videos with voice over are my favorites.

[@ShashaRavacio]

For now, I'm excited for more of these three types, Cynthia. Thank you so much in advance.

[@HumbleBeeStings]

My new year's goal is more of a mentality to have. In 2017 I had many artistic and personal opportunities come my way. When the did arrive, I simply wasn't prepared. Either I wasn't mature enough yet, didn't have a set process, or haven't had enough personal growth to deal with things. I was spending more time focusing on finding the gig than actually being prepared when the opportunity arrived. This year I will focus on personal growth, seeking out new and enriching experiences to prepare me when the time comes. It sounds kind of abstract, I just remember the person I was at the beginning of 2017 and the person I am now. So instead of waiting for the perfect moment, I'm going to go out and gain new experiences and memories. For the topic of your videos, traditional art is probably difficult to do all the editing for. I watch a youtuber, Florent Farges, and he splits his channel up in streaming and edited videos. Sometimes what he streams ends up in the compiled video explaining his thought process or a topic he wants to talk about. What I was thinking could work for you is to set up a 2 week rotation. 1st week has a stream where you do a painting and light Q&A live and then the rest of the week you can edit the video and talk about a topic for the following week. The footage would already be recorded and you can edit it and voice over like you usually do, but the content turnaround would (hopefully) be less work. I thought this could be an interesting format, because streaming is becoming more prevalent, even on youtube. Also I thought this method would be like 2 birds with one stone process. Happy New Year to you and I hope you have a fullfilling year ahead of you!

[@fupery3852]

I'd say these painting demo/chat videos are my favourite! I like to draw along while I watch and take a couple notes here and there - I've found some really great advice in all of them. Honourable mentions to the first part of your process video, though! It's so rare to find in-depth discussion of the planning/reference stages of a painting, but I feel like in some ways they are the most important and difficult parts.

[@sky2333]

We’re blessed and thankful to have your videos. As for a video request, I’d love to watch your studio tour, it will be really enjoyable. Thank you ❤️

[@DavidMiller-ot8qq]

Terrific effort on your presentations and subscriptions. My favourite style of video is your voiceover timelapse. It is consise and useful. I respect your insights and opinions. Keep up the great work.

[@catdobson2311]

For this new year, I'd really like to focus on oil paintings again, because I feel I can grow so much by allowing myself the freedom to make mistakes on studies. I'm also hoping to start selling work this year, and participate in a group show in my capital city, my first show since graduating college! Outside of art goals this new year, I also want to receive my next belt/grade in aikido (Japanese martial art of peace). I believe the goals are very achievable, and I look forward to seeing them through. In terms of your videos, I always love them and look forward to them, I specifically like how close your camera comes to your painting surface, to get right in and see the work as its made, and also kudos for that three piece digital painting, it was brilliant to see! i haven't any constructive criticism to offer, because I really like your approach as it is. Thanks so much for continuing your channel this year, it's helped me so much, and have a very happy and painterly new year! :) Love from Ireland!!

[@richk6877]

The timelapse + chat are by far my favorites and are why I come to your channel. There are many process videos out there. Thought provoking ideas are much rarer.

[@leandrorodriguesdacosta6144]

I love this time-lapse format

[@szabolcsnagy90]

It would be amazing to have more videos on using reference creatively! Mostly about things you can't really capture with your camera, like how do you paint ocean waves into your picture or dress your character without being an actual fashion designer?

[@ronnepony]

I love these kinds of video's so much because they help me think about my own art and they really inspire me. I also loved your alice in wonderland process video but i wouldnt have minded if there was an extra week in between if you needed that to finish the video without going over your limit. My 2018 goals is to look more closely at my references to make the likeness better, not so much realism but make the piece more recognizable if im painting a specific person.

[@elenavid5222]

I like your process video so much:D I would glad to see oil tutorials and your methods of simplification.

[@PaulBakerStorm]

Your videos are very inspiring! Keep up the awesome work. I love your chat videos with different themes, but a mixture of all kinds of videos would be nice to keep things fresh and interesting.

[@SmillyDonut]

I probably have too many art goals, but some of my main ones are: 1) to spend at least 30 mins a day on art - be ot sketching, studies, prep and design, or painting 2) study human anatomy with a focus on the head, hands, and feet 3) explore different oil painting techniques to gain a better understanding of the medium.

[@UrsulaDorada]

Oh whoa! Glorious video to start the year with! I love what you've been putting out so far, and as much as I loved the 3 part video, I find great value in the time-lapse chat. Getting to know how an artist thinks and how they organize their thoughts while working is exactly what I look for : being freelance and from another country, we feel isolated from this kind talk we would have with peers but they're all too far away. Also, I'd love a few videos for the digits artist try traditional, things like, tips for color mixing. Anyway,hope you have a great year moving forward and I'm really loving this channel! And for goals! Imma aim for a oil painting study each week, just to start the transition from digital to traditional :)

[@bigdickgini]

Quickly becoming a fan of these videos, Cynthia..

[@MillionPM]

My favorite format is the time lapse and topical chat. While I do learn from what you say I also learn from what you do. It’s like a visual puzzle figuring out why you are making certain strokes and color choices all set to the backdrop of a TED Talk from the perspective of a visual artist. I would even be interested in watching you with other mediums. (Except digital) I love using digital but the time lapse of digital art is a bit too disconnected for my taste. I like watching the hand movements and digital doesn’t lend itself to that very well. Hope this helps. And I am stoked that you have fired up your channel again. Thank you for all your help in any form. Watch for me in one of the up coming Spectrums. 😉

[@michaeljohnangel6359]

Another excellent video, Cynthia!! Brava! You have a lovely voice, by the way. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND TO ALL YOUR FANS!!!!

[@veloetstylo]

I do hope one of your goals for the near future is to do some more videos. Fifty five thousand subscribers can’t be wrong.

[@lob152]

Happy New Years! I personally want to work on composition...I feel like I've gotten comfortable rendering figures and figuring out value and shapes, but now I have to figure out how to put them all together to make my paintings say what I want them to say. I tend to work on a figure for hours and then find myself just chucking random things into the background and ending up with a really weird story XD

[@kapsican]

Happy New Year Cynthia! Your videos just help me relax so much, I love the positivity and your voice is so soothing. You just seem like you have a lot of experience both in life and in art and I absolutely love that about you. The video format I personally enjoy most is actually this one, a timelapse with a voiceover, because there are my two most favourite things about this channel: you (your voice, your knowledge and wisdom, your personality) and your art! And it really helps a lot just to look at the way you paint in order to figure out how you do it. I'm so eager to see what your channel will evolve into and just know that I'll stay with you all throughout the way :) Love you!

[@reginaz.3986]

I really like to see more of your timelapse videos. Your work is really inspiring and beautiful.

[@goldfish1871]

I love all of your process and time lapse chats!! I think what really has redrawn me to your channel is your speed paints but I really hope to see more tutorials and tips. I really enjoyed the self portrait you did where you talk about how light acts (more saturated the closer you are to the edge of the light) and I watch it fairly often.

[@zacnorman973]

Happy New Year. I would like to see a step by step video on how you prepare your paint,canvas,tools etc.. I also think it would be great if you gave insight on how young artist in college may want to prepare for industry jobs.

[@Paytonxoxoxo]

love everything you are doing!!!!! really enjoid your process videos like being a detective where you also explain your process and concepts

[@thesketchysteven]

I always enjoy your time lapse work with the VO! I was so excited and surprised to see a post tonight. Keep up the great work and thanks for your generosity and willingness to share!

[@_george84]

Happy new year! I am glad we get to see this "pilot" ^_^ I enjoyed the process the most (sorry!) but all formats are truly enjoyable

[@nikiobermajer]

My favourite videos are the re-paint part one, seeing how you plan your piece is very interesting for me and I learned a lot from that, the other one is the Q&A session, but I like painting and chat videos as well. Have a happy New Year!

[@janetyu1500]

I love all your videos ❤

[@travissennett1026]

I love any and all art related video content that is provided. Buuut, if I had to choose I would pick process videos. When I come to youtube I come to learn and being a visual person that means I am watching. If I am watching I can't draw or paint. If I want to just listen, I listen to podcasts or audiobooks. That is not to say I don't appreciate the Q&A or art topic voiceovers. I just tend to catch myself paying less attention to those and drawing instead. Also, whereas process content can be different for every artist a lot of the art advice videos can get repetitive. It's still good to hear the reinforcement of those ideas, just easier to zone out. Anyway, like I said, I'll be here for all of it. Do whatever you feel will enable you to keep making content and I'm pretty sure your fanbase will continue to grow. Btw, loved this study. It came to life very quickly! Thanks for everything and happy new year!

[@ravanbeek]

Happy new year! I very much like what you did so far. I find my self looking out for your video every week now. So for me it would be: keep up what your doiing and you have me as a fan for 2018

[@anuncreativecat9633]

I love the timelapse chats the best but I also just kinda love everything you upload c:

[@shaymaorabi7902]

thanx .. happy new year ❤

[@jalopy2222]

I LOVED your process videos. But I also love all your content.. any video from you is gonna be awesome, and I'd say just do you! you know? But yeah, if I had to pick a favorite, your process video was extremely informational, and entertaining and inspiring and gave me all kinds of direction and ideas for my own work. So thank you for that! Happy New Year! Can't wait to see what you do next!

[@SamReevesWrites]

As for your channel format: I understand the overwhelming workload of maintaining a video schedule. I've not been able to do it consistently yet, and I'll soon be at it a year. One thing that helps is being able to have a backup inventory should you ever miss a week. As for my favorite style of your videos: I absolutely loved the Alice in Wonderland series--which I imagine is the one that was hardest on you. To me, however, the format is not as important as being able to learn from you. Your work is breathtaking, and so if I can learn--even if it is just a little bit from a short video--I will be thrilled.

[@aprilrainsfineart3250]

I found the questions for resolutions you gave very helpful. I didn't form those ideas clearly but now that you mention them I see that over the years I've starting fitting my resolutions around them. My favorite videos of yours are ones where you chat about an art-related topic while you work and next I like the tutorials. I really enjoyed the three-part repainting video but I think it serves its purpose better as something spaced out. I'm not sure why, maybe it was the over-all length, or all the content in it, or something else, but that's what I think

[@davidglez1009]

As my goal in art this year I would be happy if I could have the ability to do such portraits as you do, no the same of course but just the way you capture the expression of the person is fantastic. I will keep watching your videos maybe I get some tips.

[@ChiJaHaNi]

Happy New Year! Great advice on setting and fulfilling goals. I also love hearing your latest metaphor for Liquin 😃. My main artistic goal for 2018 is to learn to draw the human figure...a precursor to learning to paint the human figure. I'm taking an online drawing class to meet this goal, and my hope is to be able to accurately (decently) draw the figure from life and from imagination by the end of 2018. I really like all three video formats and I can't pick a favorite- though that process series was phenomenal! I love the chat videos because I learn a lot and they are so relaxing to me. I wish you the best in 2018! Thanks for sharing your art and your wisdom!

[@randolfjones1024]

Would love to see some portrait studies in photoshop and how you compare your processes along with oil

[@kaipars]

Happy New Year Cynthia!! S2 great video, like improvement goals! thank you so much

[@barnBR5-49]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and for your inspiration. Happy new year and the best to your future.

[@supadad-_-9086]

As long as you keep pushing these oil painting portraits I’m good lol

[@caleche8655]

As you suggested, I would like to make a suggestion to you ... Could you install a 2nd camera pointed at your palette, so we can see how you mix the colors during your work. It would be fantastic to find out how to dip in the palette. Some other youtubers have managed to put a second image on the screen. I sincerely hope you will do that for us. Happy New Year to you Cynthia. :) Agnès, from France.

[@paintingwithjeremy1005]

I do have goals for this year. I'm very focused on improving my income, and exposure. Also, I am woeking on increading my time spent painting. goal #1. upload a video on my youtube channel weekly. #2 Start using twitch. #3 exhibit my work at a minimum of ten conventions #4 get my work into at least three gallery shows. #5 set up a painting area where I live to facilitate better access. #create at least one painting every month.

[@tdrobinett]

Thanks for the videos! I don't feel strongly about it but I enjoy the casual chat videos more. I tend to find vids like these(like a podcast but with art happening) that I can play while working on my own artwork. As for goals I'm setting a goal to finally start fleshing out my own IP. I've been wanting to for a long time but have never really enjoyed environment painting. Starting in a week however I'll be taking a Schoolism class from Nathan Fowkes with the intent on getting comfortable in that realm. Happy New Years. Looking forward to your next video

[@SheppardArts]

Congrats on taking the Schoolism class- love Nathan's work! Happy new year :)

[@giovannicalabrese7777]

tbh I love everything you do

[@Rooibos_Marvelous]

my resolution for this year is learn to draw and get to work as a professional Illustrator.

[@jcandye1]

I really enjoy this format, but there are some artists like Happy D and Kiri Leonard that do sort of Day in the life of the artist type videos, like vlogs and stuff, and I think that would be cool for you as well! :D

[@TheKevphil]

PROCESS VIDEOS! ;) But make them multi-part. For my interest, I'd like to see more digital art, but maybe you could look at apps like the much under-appreciated ArtRage, which despite many more elaborate (and expensive!) alternatives,is surprisingly good, especially at approaching painterly effects. Joe Robles is a good example.

[@kelawoops]

My artistic goals for 2018 are to make more finished paintings/ilustrations (not just sketches), keep composition in mind, work on interesting conmcepts/stories to tell and work on using more details in specific parts of a painting/drawing. That is all. I've been wanting to work on all that for a while, but maybe it's too much to do it all at once???

[@GuenevereSchwien]

I know from a year of making KZbin videos that you will have easy weeks and stressful ones. My best advice is to make a few videos at the same time so you have some lined up. This is my goal for 2018 since I didn't listen to this advice and had to drop certain things in order to accomplish a video each week. I enjoy your insight and don't mind what format they come in. I do prefer the more finished paintings over studies as I am a realist painter and enjoy the look a bit more. But do what you do, don't try to please us.

[@milkcee12]

Wow!! I was just scrolling through Noah Bradley's channel and I found out you were a Magic: the Gathering artist! You and Noah make really great content :)

[@irinavega7]

Your videos are very helpful and inspiring! Happy New Year!

[@Durandalite]

I'd say my main goal would be to develop a few good oil paintings. Trying to develop a body of work in oils. And uh, also get work with MTG :#

[@wilsonfilho5667]

Beautiful.

[@banisarkar411]

Hi Happy New Year! I am beginner in art and trying to learn how to paint in oil. I like your videos . You have been great help to me. Chat is so important . Please explain more and more. One question, why did you use cerulean blue in lightened area in portrait ? Please reply me . I want to learn. Thank you very very much. From Scotland.

[@icykitten4528]

Please !!!!!!!! Do a sketchbook tour

[@GregHallArt]

I like the process videos the most, but am a fan of all 3 types you've done. Perhaps you can do parts of all 3 in one video? Maybe do timelapse chat to update from the last video (recap), show some process parts and then answer a few questions at the end...?

[@SheppardArts]

Wow, that's a really interesting idea :)

[@SamReevesWrites]

This is a great idea. I like this Three Act Structure sort of format.

[@vidyawitch]

I want to focus on discovering my workflow in sketching, drawing and painting- for different mediums. And, of course decluttering my workspace & living space. Also, getting into a daily routine that helps my creative journey. And about the videos in this channel, I love them all. I loved it when you were explaining why u make an artistic decision, such as choosing a particular colour, value, shape or an expression. It was incredibly helpful to know the thought process that goes behind creating art. And your approach to sharing knowledge is realistic, mature and solid. I truly wish if I had you as my personal teacher of art. Can I ask you a question? Is it ok to wish to be excellent in painting, wanting to write a novel series and composing music? Is it too many? Could you share your thoughts on having different streams of artistic pursuits? Thank you Cynthia. Good day! And Wish you lots of love, happiness and success. :)

[@SamReevesWrites]

I have this same problem. I enjoy art, writing, and within the last year, doing voice overs. People who don't do any of these things often tell me, "Why not just do them all?" Well, that's a nice thought, and I do believe everyone is multidimensional. However, if you want it to be a career and not just a hobby, a person needs to focus or accept life as a dilettante.

[@vidyawitch]

Sam Reeves i want to illustrate the scenes of my fantasy novel...a newbie in art...as i try to learn more about art...it attracts me more n more. Wish i cud magically replicate what i see in my mind.

[@SamReevesWrites]

As with writing, illustration rarely transfers perfectly from the mind to the page. The good news is that with hard work sometimes on the page it's better.

[@LillenArt2]

I just got a new desk (nothing fancy just a flat table from IKEA) but it feels so much nicer to have a clean space. I highly recommend it. :D

[@jojosusu8035]

More videos please 😊

[@jpdana9792]

Thx a lot.

[@richardryndak16]

Goal: Reach 100 numbered art pieces posted on Instagram by Feb 15 (currently at 85) and reach 200 by Dec 31. My criteria for numbering are vague but it's usually something I consider "finished," even if just a sketch or a study. The purpose is to teach myself how to draw/paint in various media - currently working on oil. I love listening to your chats while watching you paint. As I'm learning how to paint, I'd be interested in your comments about why you are doing such and such at a given moment, but part of the charm of listening to you is the free-ranging topics instead of just another tutorial. Thanks, and keep up the good work. Richard @chromadiaries

[@bonitagillenwater8787]

Would like to arrive at better workspace. I have too many things, too many books---I desperately need to pass these on. Any thing you can show on how to pare down. Drafting table to easel? places for paint, pastel? Any way you can show where you do the "other stuff". I am stuck in overwhelming array of things.

[@SheppardArts]

This sounds like a good topic to cover in depth when I eventually do a studio tour, and I can relate to the art book hoard. I use what I call the "goldfish bowl method" for a lot of things: my clothes, art books, my portfolio, etc., which is where I designate a space for something that's a certain size, and when it's full, I donate something to make room for a new item. If you know young artists or students who would appreciate your art books, they make great gifts. I know I always have less trouble parting with something when I know it's going to be used again.

[@notan...]

Awesome! Any preferences in terms of lighting?

[@MandoTeresia]

How have you been feeling this year? Did you figure out your work schedule?

[@ThisWasLeftBlank]

I would like to focus on building a concept art portfolio (even though its the trendy right now) that focuses on character design. Saying this, does anyone have any great references or bread crumbs to feed off of in terms of; How I should focus on layout/presentation and what should be in it to impress? Other portfolios I can view that can give me some push? etc.? Conceptart.org has helped a lot thus far. As for channel content, keep doing you color bender!