Am I Failing Or Not?

Am I doing well in my artistic journey? Sometimes it's hard to tell. Here's some thoughts that should help encourage you to keep going and that you can indeed learn to paint in color.
Pinterest Link
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Bill Cramers artwork
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Music licensed from artlist.io
VASHZA Null

[@lilith_inthesea]

Thank you so much for sharing your pinterest link! What a great resource for color/lighting study. The fact that it’s years-worth collection and you sharing it with us is very kind of you. Will definitely put it to good use!

[@LightingMentor]

You're most welcome Lilith! I'm happy to share it. I've noticed you've commented on several of my videos. Thank you for coming back and watching more!

[@lilith_inthesea]

@@LightingMentor Of course!😊 Your channel is honestly a gem of resource and inspiration for light/color studies, something I've always struggled with. You really have a way of explaining and illustrating things so it is easy to grasp, and I truly appreciate that. Been learning a lot. Best of all, your videos are really encouraging, that it's okay to be where I am and moving slowly but surely with practice. So thank YOU for your time & hard work creating these videos. Looking forward to future contents as well as cheering you on your channel's growth!

[@Winznut]

Thanks for sharing the Pinterest link. Really cool stuff to dig through.

[@lucaciuffolo1026]

Thank you ever so much for this channel. I've been wondering how to improve colors and lights. There was this time where I wanted to do a color study but after starting it I stopped 'cause I thought:" I wish I could just improve with this" and here you are tho. I started doing color studies again and I'm so happy I found this channel. So that I know it works and I also know the RIGHT way to start and to do studies :3

[@LightingMentor]

Yay! I'm so glad you're trying studies again! Keep creating!

[@natalie_popova]

you're super comforting and inspiring! thank you ❤️

[@octoBadger]

It's great to see the variations from a single reference. Can you possibly share some of your simple light reference photos also? The cracked eggs, bottles, fruit and knick knacks etc you talk about in your earlier videos? I'm not a great photographer and struggle to find interesting easy references. Many thanks again Jeremy - your channel is absolutely one of my all time favorites :)

[@LightingMentor]

Thanks Richard! Yes, I've been thinking about putting up some original photos on my website for people to use as study reference. I'll post a link once i get some time to put those online. Great idea!

[@akeelyaqub2538]

This cant be real, a youtube artist who actually teaches not only what to study but HOW to study it to?! Nah im dreaming

[@minetruly]

What really makes it obvious that this is a wild fever dream is that he doesn't charge.

[@akeelyaqub2538]

@@minetruly even the ones who charge barely teach anything lol, i've paid for a few courses here and there and they're pointless. Drawabox is better than all of them and its completely free.

[@Elemental227]

I really appreciate the pinterest link! One of the hardest things I find that breaks a bit of motivation is having to dig up references on the fly to study with

[@maxandash807]

I'm not even a digital artist. But there are still so many golden nuggets in your videos that I take plenty away to apply to my photography and retouching. So much great information. Please keep making these.

[@AlSeg]

Most underrated art channel, thanks for all your tutorials and reflections, really nice content, you've opened my eyes to the complexity of color which I was scared of, but it is actually pretty fun

[@juice2090]

I’m so glad this showed up in my recommendations. Such a gem. It would be fun to see a collaboration with Marc Brunet!

[@LevantWasTaken]

I always mix him up with proko lol

[@AnimaKon]

when you are on internet a lot of people just copy each other works and style we don't usually see all the diversity we can see in those made by your friends

[@LightingMentor]

I'm glad you enjoyed seeing these. Yes, the variety is amazing to me

[@Miwihut]

I really, really love this channel and am looking forward to watching your upcoming videos! Getting into digital illustration seems a lot less intimidating after watching this. Thank you!

[@LightingMentor]

Thank you!!! I'm so glad you feel inspired! Keep creating!!

[@Roke1222]

Good lord, what a gift your Pinterest is, I’ve been building mine for months now, I feel like I was gifted a Time Machine

[@LightingMentor]

Haha! I'm so glad you can enjoy my Pinterest link. Might as well share the time machine :)

[@nny2234]

Muchas gracias, el color siempre ha sido mi dolor de cabeza, he llegado hasta evitar pintar con color, pero gracias a tus videos donde muestras el proceso tal como es me has salvado.

[@MRBallSlapper-gy1lr]

the encouragement and reminder that I need. Art is something that often takes months just to see any signifigant progress and it is hard when you don't get that immediate reward... but pushing through and being consistent is worth it. In terms of art I am pretty good at most things but the one thing I struggle with is shadow and light. So I have been really wanting to practice my shadows and light more... coloring in general is something I am not super comfortable with and it takes me a long time compared to sketches. Thank you for providing the resources and insight though. I will try and take the advice to heart.

[@Lobstrique]

thank you! it was incredible to see how much variation there can be :) btw your advice to quickly fill the canvas with basic colors was revolutionary for my process. i've known about it for years but never used it!

[@LightingMentor]

Hi again Mary! Thanks again for coming back to watch and comment on more of my videos. I'm delighted you're finding this helpful

[@alostmountain]

Damn dude, that pinterest collection is awesome. I'm learning a great deal from these videos, thanks for making them.

[@LightingMentor]

Yay! I'm so glad you're enjoying these

[@eliasmendezlicitra808]

Thanks you so much for the resources, im trying to do 30min every day its great

[@LightingMentor]

Awesome! Keep creating!!

[@charithareddy302]

Ah! Your videos are the best. Thank you :)

[@Trid3nt861]

I randomly saw your channel a few days ago by sheer chance and saw your color theory study. I tried the 20 to 30 minute color life study you suggested and I actually like it. I actually don't worry, I just do what I can and step away from it after I save it. It helps to re-wire my subconsciousness not to worry and my art anxiety isn't as bad. As a person with ASD I at times have difficulty retaining several studies (I worry every day that I have to perfect something I study in one day or Im a failure type of mentality). Keep being awesome.

[@willowtree6487]

My friend is a professional artist, and very good at seeing where tones, values and hues are off; and I set myself a challenge to find a KZbinr that got it right. It took a while, but you sir, are it! I am so glad I found your channel, especially as I love the games you’ve worked on.

[@LightingMentor]

Oh wow, thank you!!!

[@nedanother9382]

fantastic tips communicated nicely....thank you

[@MissLadyStarling]

I’m really enjoying your channel! You hv not only a huge knowledge on the topic, tone of experience and art talent but apparently also a delightful way of passing that wisdom! I’ve already learned a lot, and can’t wait for the one about ‘atmosphere’. Besides, your voice is super calming yet motivating, your videos are not too long and it’s not only theoretical, you’re showing the audience how exactly we can study the different aspects of light. I had a huge art block but well, not anymore! 😊Looking forward to more videos and I wish for this channel to blow up as it’s made of value and honest art advice, without clickbait’s and all the ‘marketing’ luring techniques! So refreshing, I’m in awe!

[@LightingMentor]

Thank you so much Nefitesi13333!! Comments like this make it all worth it. What I really want to do is give the advice I wish I had gotten years ago. I want to share what I've learned through the years so other artists can find the love of light and color and all of it's wonders like I have. Keep creating my new friend!!!

[@santone1849]

Another great video again , the Pinterest page is excellent some lovely images on there

[@altaybasar1981]

I really love your videos, your mindset towards learning progress! Thank you for inspiring videos!

[@LightingMentor]

Aw thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed these

[@shazg567]

This is the first time I've set up my easel of my own volition and been excited to paint in a long time. Thank you for your videos, hope to see more!

[@asterqing]

Extremely glad this channel popped into my recommended. I started doing colour studies of objects in my room and I'm learning so much. Thank you for posting!

[@_sourgrapes_]

You're a really excellent and inspiring teacher! Thank you so much for these videos. This gives me so much hope and makes me feel like with enough practice, I can be capable of making the art I want to make.

[@rayemelissa]

PS, thank you for the treasure trove of amazing light!!!!

[@LightingMentor]

You're most welcome friend!

[@vstreet7583]

Pure inspiration. You are a beacon of light. THANK YOU! Dg

[@Lulette_]

I always feel like my skills aren't developing and watching this video really changed my perspective. Thank you so much, I love it

[@daniela2994]

It were your videos of you painting and being relaxed with the process, even if it doesn't look pretty at a specific stage, that made me feel good about painting again. I have been doing colour studies of just simple things that I found had a pretty light shining on them and my last one was a cup of coffee in a very lit coffee shop. Painting the coffee was a bit of a challenge and I felt a bit frustrated but I persevered and tried to calm myself down. Now I look at my painting and it is looking so good that I just want to keep going, adding more details. I'm not counting the time, I just continue while I'm happy painting it! Before that I painted a bowl with 2 eggs and stopped when I was satisfied, definitely not as detailed as this current painting and I'm happy about that, it wasn't meant to be. It still turned out good because I learned a lot. I'm so happy with your channel, I know it may seem excessive but I've been in an art block for more than 10 years and now being able to paint without anguish, frustration and self loathing just feels...impossible. Not even therapy healed this for me and I was in therapy for more than 4 years. I am so impressed with what I can do and excited about learning new things that before scared me and it's all because of stumbling upon creators like you. Years mourning the loss of this part of me and now it's back from the dead, it's magical and I'm eternally grateful to you. Thank you so, so, so much!

[@dallinjc]

Love these. Thank you

[@suzettemarytackney3326]

Absolutely brilliant Art channel, learning so much, mind blowing!!!

[@felicity4841]

god thank you so much - currently aiming to get into the gaming industry, and i NEED to get that draftsmanship up there. can't rush, but i sure wish i could do so!

[@susanwatson4836]

I am so glad I discovered your videos. You bring so much insight to the thought process of painting and creating. Being new to painting, I kept feeling like I was missing something. There are many wonderful videos out there with "how" to paint but lacking a bit on how to see what you are painting if that makes sense. Your approach has brought me to a new level.Thank you!!!

[@LightingMentor]

Yay! I'm delighted that this was helpful. Keep creating my friend!

[@katelynmurphy7333]

Thank you Jeremy! Another great lesson, and very encouraging. I noticed you frequently say "Give yourself some grace" and I think that kind of mindset will help keep me progressing more in the long-term. As a more junior artist, I'm looking for some solid ways to keep "impostor syndrome" at bay, and experience the freedom and joy of creating, like we do as kids. Cheers! - Kate M. from Full Sail.

[@toddgipe1748]

Gifted teaching! Thank you!

[@LightingMentor]

Thanks Todd!

[@ChristopherHemsworthCreative]

Thank you so much as always for your content! I got so pumped just seeing that you had a new video up!

[@LightingMentor]

Yay! I'm so glad you're enjoying these. I see you've commented on several of my videos. Thank you!

[@ChristopherHemsworthCreative]

@@LightingMentor Absolutely! I'm a devoted student of yours now! Deal with it! Hahaha 😅

[@maxim5880]

You are amazing my friend!

[@GiorgosZacharioudakisgiozaha]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!

[@LightingMentor]

You're most welcome friend!

[@rayemelissa]

Thank you sooo much for doing these videos! Now that my daughter is back in school, I’m setting off on my own journey with art. I have an IPad Pro for color studies and would love any helpful hints on using that tool. I have been playing with oil and encaustic painting for that last several years as my daughter has been growing up. I’m a novice with no art education and I keep hitting the blocks of my limited understanding. These videos are giving me a jump start and the motivation to practice and learn skills to grow. I love the spontaneous moment of the creative process and seeing where it takes me, with your tutoring, it’s to infinity and beyond!!! Keep ‘em coming and let us know how to help support this endeavor.

[@LightingMentor]

Yay! I'm so delighted you're diving into digital art. I hope you find it really rewarding! It's so nice to meet you. Feel free to ask questions any time. I can't wait to see what you create

[@noorabudief5209]

Thanks a lot

[@krishnapriyab8510]

Thank you Thankyou sooo much

[@lakervoxx597]

Thank you so much for sharing your Pinterest... Every time I watch your videos I get so inspired!

[@LightingMentor]

You are most welcome my friend!!

[@Luna-in5nb]

Thank you for this video. Your sincerity makes me feel like it's okay to be where I am right now. I feel that I am regaining my footing again ❤

[@LightingMentor]

Yay! Yes, you can do it! We live in a world of highly curated social media and often can judge ourselves too highly by others who appear to get everything right on the first try. Sadly we don't see the years of struggle that are put in to make those skills work. I want to give a very honest opinion in my videos of how this can really be done, each step along the way

[@Luna-in5nb]

@@LightingMentor Thank you for this reminder :"] The approach you are taking with this channel is tremendously appreciated. ❤ Looking forward to your future videos

[@tynce563]

That pinterest account is a god send!

[@stanzinnorphel5865]

Plz keep making videos❤

[@emiliaperez4075]

Thank you so much! Inspiring and helpful

[@LightingMentor]

You're most welcome!

[@Gemma_Rashida]

Just the other day I was thinking, I have to put together a reference folder of photos and paintings to do studies from - and LO AND BEHOLD! One appears ready made in my youtube feed. Thank you for the video and the link!

[@LightingMentor]

Yay! I'm so glad you could enjoy my Pinterest link too!

[@evehalcyon2063]

this is such a good video thank you for this!!

[@LightingMentor]

You are most welcome!

[@fablesquad9210]

❤

[@Sqwifeve]

I'm really enjoying your videos even though I don't want to be a digital artist but I'm hoping they improve my art.

[@maithao6406]

You inspire me to start digital painting!

[@LightingMentor]

Yes! Go for it!!

[@Firli]

Thanks for the sharing, I have been doing color study for almost a month now. Its pretty fun so far

[@LightingMentor]

Sweet! I'm so glad you're giving this a try. Keep creating!!

[@my_self69]

Had some Free time and was thinking what to do with it. Thanks to your Video i got the Inspiration to do some Studies and to get better at art :D Soo Thank you :DD✌👍

[@LightingMentor]

Yay! I'm so glad to help inspire you to try out some studies

[@eyekzmusic]

Amazing resource. Thank you

[@LightingMentor]

You're most welcome!

[@hernanechevarria9614]

Great as always, very inspiring

[@LightingMentor]

Thank you!!

[@RubyOnyxx]

I don't remember subscribing to your channel but I am so glad I did.

[@LightingMentor]

:) I am too. Thanks!

[@Anastasiabruno]

Sir, I am really feeling down lately about my art, I don’t know where to start (I will start art academy in a few Days) and I just feel like the more videos I watch the more I feel like I can’t do anything and I don’t know where to start. I feel confused, so I just don’t do it, I feel so unmotivated. Because I feel like I should choose difficult pictures because in this way I will learn more etc My biggest challenge is HOW should I study art and color? Take a book? Read it and do the exercises? How can I correct my mistakes? What ARE my mistakes? Generally, what should i do? I want to do illustration Should I stick to realism? But I want to make OCs but if I get used to drawing OCs and stylized style I will LOSE my ability to make realism. Sorry, but I feel so lost You are really a gem

[@LightingMentor]

Hi Anastasia... I know that feeling. You are not alone in this feeling and I think all of us artists have had times where we feel lost. It's a terrible feeling and I'm so sorry you're at this place. I find that small steps and small wins help. Art is an overwhelming thing to learn. In fact we will always be learning. I still have this feeling too even after having done art professionally. But it can be overcome with small steps. I think if you try just focusing on one little step at a time and see progress it will make it seem more manageable to grow without feeling so much overwhelm. Remember that there are a lot of artists who make this look easy, but it's not easy. Often social media makes it look like you should be perfect on your first try, but those instagram posts and youtube videos often do not show the years worth of work that went into building a skill to make things look easy. They are never easy and everyone who is skilled had to go through that tough moment of learning, trying, failing, trying again, failing again, trying again... before they start to succeed. So keep moving forward, one little bit at a time my friend. I believe you can get there. Just keep creating. One day at a time! Keep in touch and let me know how things are going

[@Anastasiabruno]

@@LightingMentor thank you so much, your message is so sweet and motivating! It's true! So many artists just say "the one drawing exercise that will change your life" or "do THIS thing to improve right away" when these kind of things are not possibile at all

[@doomdog797]

Great videos…couldn’t do this with Color blindness lol but great info

[@donaldyatomi4835]

love your videos Jeremy!

[@LightingMentor]

Thanks Donald! Hope you're doing well my friend!

[@MaryGadsby]

Thank you so much!

[@LightingMentor]

You're most welcome

[@vulkath]

I'm using your face as my profile picture on discord... Thanks to my sea slug friend for showing you to me ^^

[@noiJadisCailleach]

Thanks for the pinterest link!

[@LightingMentor]

You're most welcome

[@leinardesteves3987]

Hi Jeremy! Do you do 1 on 1/personal coaching sessions? There's a lot of questions I need to be answered and I just don't know where to start, painting is so different from drawing where in even your brush work can affect how it looks and I find that even that can affect your perception of the color

[@chuforeichi]

I tried color study twice on an egg, but I don't think I'm understanding anything. I'm just getting better at matching the color to the photo...?

[@hillauch]

Sent here by lucidpixel Edit cool video btw

[@chiefalchemistalbedo8675]

Alright, it's time to stop making excuses to myself and actually start using the watercolor set and sketchbook I bought. It's high time I stop worrying about whether I need a pencil to sketch or not, and just straight-up paint and do my painting studies.

[@LightingMentor]

Yes! Give it a try!!

[@DYIFruitTrees]

Love the knowledge your sharing . Do you only do digital art or you do also paint actual canvas?

[@LightingMentor]

I mostly do digital art but I also love oil painting. I have been spoiled with digital since there are not chemicals and mess. Ha!

[@sagingmilk]

Can you please make a video gor intermediates? Its hard to improve when you’re in that artist plateu where your expectations are greater than your skill level. It’s like anything that you make you don’t like because you see all the flaws in your art.

[@warlord76i]

Well i realized something trough these videos and it hurts. I'm no artist. I thought that if i can make something and sell it on Microstock sites, that will make me an artist. Well wrong! Im self thought and stock i think has nothing almost to do with art. Its definitely not. Because there u leave out critical things ,of design principles which are essential for other arts and that is right there what i didnt learned enough. Also i lost my job and i thought that i can find something where 3D is needed but wrong again. I need way more to learn and now I'm lost. I don't even know if i should continue with this. maybe its just not for me. But 10 year almost in 3D and now i have to realize that i didn't learned the right stuff. Its a blow, trust me. Yeah i know product photography kind of, and it thought me a lot but its just not cut it.

[@LightingMentor]

I'm so sorry to hear this Istvan. I hope you can find ways to learn and use your knowledge for your career. To me the most important thing to remember is that people don't just want images, they want something that moves their emotions and speaks to the soul. So our art must aim to share a deeper story

[@warlord76i]

@@LightingMentor Though i wont give up. That's for sure. Just i need to change a lot of things.

[@seansolorin8374]

In terms of studying color and light which is better? Studying from real life images or through other artist works??? I'm conflicted with how to balance studying from various sources and images...

[@LightingMentor]

I suggest doing studies from both. Vary your references. Real life will get you to use your own eyes to interpret. But studying other people's artwork too will allow you to start noticing themes that many artists use to make things that are better than reality

[@bluebeesmarple]

i love your videos :) but what i simply can’t grasp is things like grass and foliage that have such small texture with the same color, no matter how much i stare at references lol what brush should even use? idk

[@LightingMentor]

Thank you! I'm glad you like it! To answer your question... why don't you try starting by seeing grass as one big thing and forget about those tiny details for a moment. Blur your eyes and see it as a big blob of color, and paint that in. Then you can add a few smaller strokes later on to imply it's grass and give it some texture. To paint every blade of grass will drive you insane. But seeing the light rather than the objects will make painting complex things so much easier. I hope this makes sense

[@bluebeesmarple]

@@LightingMentor oh thank you so much for responding, i never expect it what a surprise lol but yeah i’ve tried smth like that but it stays a blob forever without much texture, or shaped too cartoonish (in a bad way, i love cartoons), i get too stuck in trying to draw things that have set rules of its anatomy and placements and then get lost with what to do inside of the blobs of nature, but i’m working on studies and found your videos quite helpful so i really appreciate it my grandma paints with acrylic and seeing her build the textures of nature is so neat but it does not click in my head :P (but in exchange i have to keep giving her anatomy lessons >:)

[@twopintsofmilk]

Cheers Jeremy

[@LightingMentor]

Thanks friend!

[@tanmay9108]

thanq

[@LightingMentor]

You're most welcome!

[@devanshchauhan5758]

dang!

[@LightingMentor]

:)

[@Atezian]

I just watched the video on colour temperature and now when I'm looking at your face at the start of the video all I'm focusing on is the temperature of light across your face lol

[@LightingMentor]

Ha! Great observation!

[@Kavukamari]

something that confuses me, is, recreating a painting is something very straightforward, looking at the image, and seeing what color is where, and putting your color on the page to match, that makes perfect sense, but what if you were going to take inspiration from several photos and compose their elements into an imagined scene, with a completely different lighting source? do you go the other way and start with albedo colors and then fill in the light and shadows afterward? doesn't this process go against the idea of a color study? I suppose at that point it wouldn't be a color study, it would just be a normal painting and the two have different methodolody?

[@Kavukamari]

I think maybe I answered my own question halfway through, it's just, I thought maybe this was THE WAY that people who are really good learn to paint, and it confused me when, in an imagined scene, you don't have a reference to use in that case, at least not a direct one, only reapplied references from other sources

[@LightingMentor]

So My next series of videos I plan to approach this topic. Studies are a great place to start, but the real goal of most artists is to do original imaginative paintings. I don't change my method for these and never paint albedo colors first. Some artists use that method, but I find that it overwhelms many people and it turns into a messy multilayered tech project and the essence of the art usually gets lost. Some people can pull off some amazing work that way. I wanted to share a more universal approach that can be applied even in traditional mediums. Anyhow, I will definitely be making some new videos soon that cover this topic directly. Thanks for asking!

[@Kavukamari]

@@LightingMentor thank you for your response, I intend on watching those future videos, because I really want to learn how to use these sorts of methods

[@ThomasChen-ur2gt]

can we get a discord for doing this together every week?

[@priscila5515]

What program do you recommend starting with? Photoshop? Procreate?

[@LightingMentor]

I think Procreate is easier to start with if you've not done much digital painting before. Photoshop can do more, but Procreate does most of what Photoshop can do, and is WAAY cheaper too

[@jeneral-jeff8402]

God’s work brother, God’s work.

[@fsalad]

Filling in with one color then two 😀😀

[@LightingMentor]

Yes, indeed

[@subhankitbasu620]

can i get your opinion on black and white value painting ?

[@LightingMentor]

Good question! Many artists do this first and I don't find it as useful. I have tried it several times and have not been happy with my results. I know it's important for good composition, but it's a workflow that doesn't think as much about light itself. Everyone must find their methods and there are many different methods. I feel what works the best for me is to focus on what light is doing

[@subhankitbasu620]

@@LightingMentor thank you for taking your time answering my question, i really appreciate it ! Since I have found your channel you have taught me how to see color and light in a completely new and natural way !

[@subhankitbasu620]

@@LightingMentor Hi, it is also my request if you can explain in one of your videos what 'shape language' is as i have heard the term but didn't understand it completely

[@kapeecoffee]

I started with a pencil then used my phone to color

[@LightingMentor]

Very fun! Hope you were pleased with the results

[@ymariejanineradam3680]

Subscribed!

[@LightingMentor]

Thank you!

[@Dreddwinner]

🧐

[@belibeli8089]

Sir!!! I want to thank you for your help keep going and keep sharing your amazing experience because it is well appreciated!!! Also please share your Instagram art account please??!!

[@LightingMentor]

Thank you BeliBeli! I don't have an instagram account at the moment, but I am planning something new early next year to connect more with this amazing community here on youtube

[@hebashamaa7695]

Just ca across tNice tutorials playlsit. tNice tutorialnk i might pull a sicky from work tomorrow and binge it!