A line-drawing exercise you never knew you needed

[@felixvvvw1578]

Guys Try to lock your wrist and work from the arm it helps a lot for preventing shaky lines. It works for me as a tattooist and graffiti writer and might work for you as well.

[@idontcheckmynotifications]

Art can be so stressful, your videos help calm me down about it, thank you for so much content over the years

[@alphonsodunn]

Glad I can help! 🙂

[@benclarkson4205]

If art is stressful for you… you need to find a new art form

[@Gui1000K]

@@benclarkson4205 uh, no

[@nameless_kitten]

​@benclarkson4205 Sometimes art can be stressful. This does not mean that we need to change something, there can always be “not your” day even if person really like to draw

[@smolltaco5667]

​@benclarkson4205 horrid advice, if anything is stressful you simply need to take a step back and think as much as you have to, "what am i doing wrong" "am i doing too much" " should i worry?" And "im stressed from something else"

[@lindacsmith13]

I always knew that I drew better in certain directions but you put it into understandable language. I'm a big fan of turning my paper! Thanks.

[@alphonsodunn]

We do what we have to get and maintain the best lines. If you have to turn the paper, you should

[@I3atosai]

I’m a simple man, I see Alphonso, I click.

[@RadishTheFool]

I'm a simple woman. I see a positive comment, I appreciate. People like you make the world a kinder place. Thank you. ☘️

[@Mrs.LadeyBug]

I’m a complicated woman. I see Alphonso, I also click. 😃

[@bernalesjames9110]

I love women

[@rogeliomartinez9173]

I'm a human with the lowest IQ which is 0.5 above of the chimp ( my cousin),and I can say I see n most significant thing I understand what Alphonso has to teach.

[@midnut9036]

@bernales is a simple man, he loves women

[@smile--]

I appreciate how you use cheap drawing tools, it shows to new artists that your tools don't matter as much as your technique.

[@sharonbroadrick5341]

Thank you. I'm a lefty who grew up schooled in the world of the right handed. When I began to draw, I knew I felt better hatching in a different direction from others in the class but in the strict world I was in, expected to follow the style of the professors. You also just explained why I have always loved Leonardo's drawings. I Never knew he was left handed! I feel you have just given me permission to be myself! Also, Steve Mitchell of "Mind of Watercolor" recommended you in one of his videos. I must thank him.

[@cibablea]

I don't know of many who teach with such clarity, confidence and skill. These subtleties are priceless. Thanks for sharing.

[@simonmiller7841]

You make everything seem so light and simple. Please continue making this content. You make art approachable and fun to explore.

[@alphonsodunn]

I will

[@blessedandbiwithahintofmagic]

The very specific, atomic parts of each process - line marking, for example, are really important - these very specific details are really helpful, excellent job here!

[@mayb.wright509]

Just stumbled across your video. wOw. Loved it. I could listen to you for hours, and can tell what an amazing soul you are just from your voice. Haven't been nearly as consistently dedicated to art as I would like to be. Life gets in the way. Discovering your channel is one of the many gifts I've received on my journey back to it. Blessings.

[@archonic_]

i had those books checked out from my library, i just now realized you made them! thats really cool, and the way you describe things is clear and concise!

[@nailahassan5035]

Your philosophy is just brilliant, love your teaching methods, unique talent!

[@janmariebaldwin1415]

One of the first things I learnt as a tattoo artist was how pushing a line vs pulling a line towards yourself made a big difference. Pushing away was so detrimental to the skin, and now I always pull when drawing if possible for a more natural and fluid line 😊

[@MsSoapify]

I'm a beginner, I'm right handed and once I tried this I immediately noticed that all the strokes going towards the left were my more uncomfortable strokes! Thanks for pointing this out, it really helps

[@deborahverhoeven5663]

Thanks! I’ve drawn for many, many years, and never looked at line direction like that. Can’t wait to try your exercises. 🙂

[@Oddman1980]

I love this! Simple exercises like this is what I always wanted. I've always wanted to learn to draw but I really struggle with it.

[@marcingolab6227]

What this comes down to is which joints you use to make the stroke, which is why the line quality also changes when you draw smaller or bigger things. For example, you may notice your lines are best (and the most consistent) when you do a down stroke because you only move your wrist and not your fingers. But then when you want to make an upstroke, you move both the wrist and the fingers and the line comes out wobbly. On larger drawings you can have a similar problem with the elbow vs the wrist, or the shoulder vs the elbow. In each case, you can try paying attention to which joints you move, or simply turn your page around to only use the strokes you're best at.

[@fiolettbjorn7461]

Preach! Sometimes just watching others hatch helps me stay aware of these nuances and stay mindful of my intention

[@judithpool8177]

You always help me to keep being tune into myself with you brilliant and so crystal clear.

[@camaradavitinho]

man this video is great, the tips are so on point! I can't believe you synthesized all that information so clearly in just 7 minutes.

[@serijas737]

You have a very unique approach on art and I hope you'll continue to grow and be successful. Thank you for your practice.

[@Aiden-wg4pu]

bros been sharpening that pencil since the dawn of time

[@meltdownremix1996]

This is stuff that I had somehow never considered, but makes SO much sense now that you talk about it! Ive always had a lot of trouble with stuff like hatching, so now I'm going to have to sit down and practice these things. Thank you so much for another great video!

[@alphonsodunn]

My pleasure 🙂🙏

[@Xitaychin]

Thanks! Good explanation with good voice even those who aren't native english can understand.

[@chiptenor]

Great practice suggestion and explanation. You're a wonderful artist, Alphonso. Keep up the videos. Thanks.

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much! 🙏

[@aikotitilai3820]

an exercice i'm definitly going to practice ! thanks you sir for sharing your knowledge. I'm subscribing to your channel

[@MaeloLambo]

Great video. Thank you for sharing..

[@superfly2449]

I never thought of this. I have learned something new.

[@nathgv2356]

very nice teacher and you sound like a very kind person. Thank you, I find this usefull but it was a very soothing video at the same time

[@maryldoty2400]

Thank you for simplifying line work and now to practice it!

[@alphonsodunn]

Now worries. Happy I can help

[@ZZeeman]

My guy, thank you for this. I have been able to work out a position for vertical and horizontal straight lines. Felt awkward at first but getting g the hang of it.

[@drawingwithpri]

That is the best pear I have ever seen! It's amazing how lines can help your drawings so much.

[@alphonsodunn]

You can do it too🙂

[@Queenread82]

I own the books (thank you, clear examples and instructions) but my brain really likes watching your videos.

[@ZadenZane]

Yes I noticed that I slant my drawings so they look fuller on side than the other. Sometimes I deliberately turn them upside down to even this out ✍️

[@smarterthanawaffle]

Great exercises. Thanks! 😊

[@marymiller1339]

Thanks so Alphonso for sharing your talent with us. I just purchased your books and can’t wait for them to come!

[@sherryrogers426]

You really are an incredible teacher! Thank you so much for sharing all of this!

[@mikerodriguez413]

You are amazing artist AND TEACHER!!! I bought your book and workbook and will keep supporting your amazing work! Thank you

[@jimjr4432]

I always enjoy your videos. 'Mindful' is something I need to remember. Blessings and thank you.

[@oversipelio983]

Outstanding. I'm struggling with that right now.

[@rainbowfox1934]

Incredibly useful exercise.

[@dmat7148]

Really excellent example of how simple exercises can improve confidence in drawing…this reminds me of a quote from the book Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg ~ “You change best by feeling good, not by feeling bad.” I like your teaching style and just subscribed, thank you for this video 😊

[@matthewwalker7359]

I really appreciate you making these things accessible to anyone willing to take the time to learn. You are a great teacher and your explanations are clear. Thanks 🙏

[@larryglatt2548]

Being a left hander I totally get this, especially with shadows. BTW, I love your new to me 'Chop".

[@carolynbeldin4275]

Your technique got me drawing again. I am a portrait artist…thank you ❤❤❤

[@alphonsodunn]

Thats awesome! Keep going!

[@gothhankhill69]

this is so simple but so intriguing. will give it a shot over the next couple of weeks in my downtime.

[@3amAfterlife]

This is an awesome tutorial. I've thought about these things while drawing, but never thought of a way to put it in words. Especially in such a way that non artists could get too

[@ab-gail]

Never even thought about that. Thanks Alphonso!

[@chrisddawson]

Really appreciate this - it’s good advice!

[@emilleum48]

Alphonso, I purchased your to help my line drawing, it is wonderful. This is a great video. These are the type of elementary steps,which I and others just skipped over. I will try to ingrained your exercises, thank you, MSG Leum

[@alphonsodunn]

We all skipped a few fundamental steps, but its never to late to still implement them

[@mmirandaxx]

Great insight, thank you!

[@isaacchirgwin5943]

Love your videos and drawing workbooks. They've helped me dramatically increase my skills in art.

[@cosmicnomad9324]

Thank you for the lesson..i think it will help me a lot

[@susanproctor7512]

Thanks, so insightful and helpful!

[@jazzew]

Wow, cool! I really didn't think of that hard, only that I'd try lines one way, give up, then find a more comfy way of drawing them. LOL Great exercise, I'll give that a try! :D

[@mudassar84]

I am from indonesia and your work is highly appreciated

[@cathykodra3169]

Your tutorials are excellent and truly clear and helpful. I ordered your two pen & ink drawing books, and they are supposed to arrive today. I’m looking forward so much to learning more from you!

[@prabhsky]

My god these are the best drawings tips I've ever seen! So simple yet so genius. This is such a good series! Thanks Alphonso!

[@alphonsodunn]

🙏🙏🙏

[@DesArtandInk]

one of the best art tutorial channels period. :)

[@littlebighead4482]

you have such a way of explaining things that i just understand completely over others, i love your videos

[@alphonsodunn]

🙏🙏🙏

[@clanreid2556]

Great tutorial! Thanks 🌟👍

[@thinker1098]

ha, i didn't even think about this! it turns out i was accidentally developing this skill, as i used a program for 3 years to make all sorts of drawings without knowing how to turn the canvas. i was sort of forced to draw lines in 360 degrees lol

[@NiamhSinclair]

amazing idea! Will be uising this technique ^^

[@TamaraKane]

Thank you, Alphonso!

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂🙏

[@userNEREMAR]

I just found your channel. Instantly subscribed! 👍

[@kevinc.8885]

you make drawing seem so simple

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much 🙂

[@inlovewithkarate29]

Thank you for the informative video!!!❤

[@jeanettecook1088]

You are very talented and also a good teacher. Thanks for a very instructive video! I'm also a new sub. 👏

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much

[@hallivard]

I own this book! Unforgettable lessons that will make your art pop!

[@petesuchon7340]

Thanks for the tutorial.

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂🙏

[@vagabondslotmachine]

The most famous hands on the internet! Thanks, man 🙏🏻

[@tonycook7457]

always good stuff thank you. could you post a fresh video showing specifically the technique of holding the instrument of choice. Most of us (I'm sure, like yourself) need to overcome our own tendencies to keep a"death grip "on our pencil/pen by training our brains to hold the tool higher rather than closer to the tip. your previous urban sketching video always touch on this subject- utilizing loose lines, but i would like to see a expanded 5+ min on various techniques of holding pens, pencils and maybe even brushes a great example of this is found "Why don’t more students practice this way of drawing?"

[@alphonsodunn]

You got it. No worries, I’ll work on it

[@ArcticBanshee]

Recently decided to do a little personal project, involving line drawings of things like ghost ships. Realized my line shading is abysmal. This video explained to me what my problem was lol. Literally, back to the drawing board! Thank you.

[@edgedeep]

Excellent advice. These exercises are a great skill hack❤

[@AdeptusMumbles]

You provide so many educational videos. I bought your books. I focus on pen/ink at the moment but I have definitely improved since I found your channel at start of the year. Thank you again for sharing your knowledge in digestible segments and concepts

[@rayvirgoe7231]

Love your lessons.😁

[@Spudcore]

Great video. This is such an obvious (in retrospect) aspect of drawing that I don't think I ever consciously considered before. Of course your hand is going to prefer moving in a particular direction that is comfortable, and moving contrary to that comfortable direction will tend to feel "wrong" (until you get used to it). For me, I think a big part of it is my unconscious anxiety about smearing or smudging my lines with the ball of my thumb, so my lines are more hesitant in those directions.

[@stellahaenig6846]

Grazie Alphonso, tutorials molto interessante e utile

[@secondconflict570]

I find myself changing the way I hold the pen/pencil/brush etc too. So if I'm drawing a line that starts at a point and goes down, I hold it like usual with the tip of the pen on the page and the end of the pen pointing towards my body. But for a line that starts at a point and goes up, instead of holding the pen like usual and using a pushing motion, I hold the pen so the end is pointing away from my body and use a pulling or dragging motion.

[@quinn9334]

That is a badass pear, good job

[@johndoe-rq1pu]

I used to start every drawing session with a couple pages of methodically hatching through 360 degrees so that I could make sure I wasn't only shading in the most comfortable direction. I was kind of frustrated that I never had that "riding a bike" moment where it went from being impossible to being trivial. So one day I went to the bottom of the stack and got a couple of 5 year old pages out and compared them to the ones I'd just finished. They were the same. I think that's the day I gave up trying to improve at art.

[@Ivan-bk9xs]

Was it just hatching that didn't improve, or did no other art skill improve?

[@maryellencudney3440]

Get Alphonso' s books, do the exercises, and you will improve!

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Wow..amazing simplification ❤

[@neonheadmutt]

Loved this video! Helped me understand why I approach my lines the way I do and how to get the most out of them. I really want to get your workbook but it’s impossibly expensive from Amazon sadly :(

[@no.1.2.u]

Bro I thought I was the only one that recognized this. Like damn does everyone else just draw lines amazing no matter the direction because I sure don't lol. But I agree, practice. Practice. Practice. Your weakness(es) get stronger and your strengths become 2nd nature. I really like this video.

[@wileycom]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU, Alphonso ! 🥰🙏🏼

[@alphonsodunn]

Most welcome 🙏🙏🙏

[@SDW90808]

I love this guy! My all time favorite vid was when he did an ink portrait with a ball point pen he got from the bank. It shamed me to stop focusing on the tools and to get off my assets and just draw.

[@alphonsodunn]

😄 I remember that portrait lol. Glad it helped

[@carlyblankevoort3856]

Makes good sense.

[@bootlegmozart]

i genuinely wonder if having mastery over all vs knowing which ones to stick to is better. I didn't know DaVinci favored a certain tilt! I wonder if his speciality of it was relative to his skill too. That's so cool!

[@barbarajohnson1442]

Excellent advice!

[@fierypickles4450]

That is the most perfect pear i ever seen

[@zeeeeroin9981]

I started taping my paper down. Forces you to learn hand and line mobility.

[@MicahBuzanANIMATION]

Simple yet effective practice

[@RoddVeiler]

Wow, i didnt realised that! Thank u

[@Rojo731]

Wow. This was so interesting, absolutely terrific!

[@melitalyell6915]

What an awesome video, thank you for sharing g your skills with us all😊

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂🙏

[@karamarinas]

Oh Awesome! Very helpful. Any updates on your third book by any chance?

[@alphonsodunn]

Its coming on well, I'm super excited about it! Will be providing updates soon

[@karamarinas]

@@alphonsodunn oh cool! Thanks.

[@yeshuaiscomingbackrepent2357]

Thank you so much! ✏️🖋️✒️

[@yeshuaiscomingbackrepent2357]

I am left handed and I also use RIGHT hand to paint, it has helped my angles very much!

[@AmanCreatesArt]

Excellent video. Subscribed! 👍🏽

[@irismaguire]

This is an excellent tip. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.❤

[@Komeiji0401]

I hope it's not too late but if it wasn't for you, I would've stopped drawing 4 years ago. You're the reason I started drawing everyday and I hope you keep it up with the vids!

[@alphonsodunn]

Wow! Thank so much for sharing that! That means so much. I hope you keep going💪