An under-used drawing practice by beginners and drawing students | Pros use it all the time

[@LinLinvy]

As a beginner myself, I think most of us don't use it simply because we don't know it's a thing. Art teachers, at least those I know, never touched on this subject. So thx a lot for this! It looks a very useful thing to do.

[@alphonsodunn]

It is super useful!

[@wannabeartist2023]

I have been doing art since 2 years and draw almost everyday (1-2h normaly) but i dont use it bc i have alawys a plan or when i so tze sketch i get more ideas that i incopprurat or i just write the ideas down for the next art piece (but it could be bc i do digital art 99% of the time also may i ask if u will do inktober?sry im just excided)

[@thgritic102]

My HS artist teacher may be a bit of a bish, but I am thankful she taught us about thumbnails before doing our main projects. Another one being my Drawing 101 teacher in college, but he was speeding through it. Definitely depends on the art teachers for sure.

[@christopherdavidson368]

Yeah it’s mind blowing that schools don’t teach it, because it’s very useful. I haven’t even heard of thumbnail sketching until my sophomore year of college when I had a visual communications class. It’s been pretty simple to do and it’s so useful because you can have a better understanding of what you want to create. It’s so useful and I wish that I learned that sooner.

[@Gray712]

agreed! i never knew it existed until i saw it being used by artists on youtube 3 months ago.

[@braxtonagee412]

This is what I do everyday and have been doing for years. One thing I've learned is that after a quick sketch session I find myself wanting to branch out and experiment. Before I know it I've started on a bigger more complicated project almost involuntarily, something I would have procrastinated on had I allowed myself to think about it.

[@alphonsodunn]

That’s the beauty of the creative process

[@AlottaBoulchit]

I LOVE doing thumbnails. My sketch books are filled with them. Many times I don't have time to work on a piece but I'm afraid I'll forget the idea and simply writing down the idea isn't enough so I thumbnail! I've often found myself idly flipping through my sketch books when I can't think of anything to draw and stumbling across a thumbnail for a piece I never got around to. ❤️ It's also fun seeing thumbnails evolve from your initial thoughts to more solidified visuals. If folks aren't utilizing thumbnails in their practice yet they definitely need to start now! Thanks for sharing this tip for those who'll need it! So many artists are going to benefit from this! ❤️

[@alphonsodunn]

I have a similar experience! 🙌

[@mustachetwiddler6594]

Totally agree. I've embraced thumbnails ever since I learned it as part of the storyboarding process for animation. Lots of iterations for testing because they're so easy and because they're so easy it lowers the expectation of quality that holds me back sometimes when starting a piece.

[@alphonsodunn]

Exactly!

[@Kksaeyi247]

One of the main things I struggle with is feeling like I'm ruining a paper with a "bad sketch." So I remedy this by having "dirty" sketchbook dedicated to really rough drawing for practice. Most of the time it just lines and scribbles trying to figure out perspectives and positions for anatomy. And half of the pages are just filled with notes and lists because I don't buy notebooks

[@axelford5514]

I have had the exact same thought, but it had never occurred to me to set aside a book just for it, thank you for giving me the idea.

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

I have what we call a "trucker can"... It's a box with a handle (usually metal, but mine is plastic) and a spring-clip (like a clipboard, but wire instead of metal sheet) on the "top"... Inside I keep cardboard "partitions" between "good stuff" and "sh*t" and the clear paper on top. That allows me to use any cheap CHEAP filler I can get my grubby hooks on... and there are smaller compartments for things like pencils, pens, erasers, and such... You can't carry a LOT of supplies in it, but it's damnably useful, especially if you're going to sweat about a "paper budget"... SO I buy 10-packs of ordinary ball-point pens, and reams of copy paper, printer paper, typing stock, or whatever... frequently going after "liquidations" and "sales" where sometimes I can buy whole boxes of paper for little to nothing... AND the practice comes down to "make marks on paper" and experimenting... It's amazing how you almost naturally quit "being precious" about strokes when the paper you're marking up cost less than a cent a page. This wire clip doesn't interfere with my wrist like an ordinary clipboard (part of my love of the thing) but it still securely holds down one or two sheets at a time (depending on what I'm doing)... SO I can keep all the rest of my stuff out of elements, and from being whipped away by the wind when I'm sketching or doodling outside... It travels easy, and holds a solid structure whether across my arm or on my legs or whatever... so any angle can do you. At my house or apartment (depending on travels) I can go through the partitions and decide whether or not to even keep the "sh*t" (usually abandoned experiments, but some are still helpful in reference for one reason or another)... and which "tupperware" (read "generic plastic casserole") to put the "good stuff" in. Good stuff is stuff that can be (or needs to be) used in future works... NOT all my sketches are intended as finished products on their own... Many only wait to become elements in much bigger and more elaborate projects. Anyways, the "trucker can" is a popular device for truck drivers to keep forms and logs in when they're on the road, and they provide a clip to retain the forms in any weather and a firm platform to sign and write on when they have to quickly take care of "the bookkeeping" whether in the cab, standing at a guard shack or office window, or in a restaurant... so it's just what I know to call them... AND I'm even thinking about adding a small battery powered LED to mine... haha... ;o)

[@kerkyberky6793]

I love thumbnailing because it feels like I’m creating multiple tiny artworks. It’s so great to start with and it really gets me in The Zone.

[@alphonsodunn]

👍 I feel the same way

[@kristopherspikeknapik5696]

Thanks for the video. Everything you said is so true. A few days ago I started doing thumbnails and it has been a huge stress relief. I got into an almost rapid fire idea mode and my second guessing and over analyzing went right out the window and it was just : have idea, draw idea. Encouragement is always welcome.

[@alphonsodunn]

👏👏👏

[@UrraSergio]

Absolutely agree. When I discovered this "tool", my job was greatly simplified and improved. I think this advice always comes in handy.

[@annehunter265]

Thank you Alphonso. As a beginner I never thought of doing thumbnails. This has solved a problem for me already.

[@Elkitrust]

This guy makes art content about things artist channels never talk about and I love it

[@ritawashere5787]

I am a beginner. I've been watching videos and practicing and learning fundamentals. So happy this video popped up. It makes perfect sense! Now when I say I'm a beginner, pencil or pen to paper really studying and practicing for about a week. LOL I shared this video on Pinterest and hope it helps your Channel. I've been drawing every morning for a couple of hours. I'm taking a quick break at the moment. I'm just trying to create good habits, that will as usual as blinking my eyes. Thank you for this video and I look forward to checking out the rest of your Channel.

[@josiemthomas]

Thank you for your tips. I am an over thinker. I’m trying hard to just enjoy the process and not get caught up in perfecting subjects. I am self taught and am always learning. These type of tutorials are so helpful.

[@alphonsodunn]

Youre very welcome!

[@rs-mt6kl]

Ya know, yeah! Why do I start with something big, instead of just messing around until I find something that inspires me to make it bigger? Thank you for reminding me I don't have to start big! It's hard to remember that sometimes, starting small brings the anxiety of starting way down XD

[@alphonsodunn]

It sure does. Big time!

[@EHENRY.artspeech]

Thumbnails are indeed a more progressive approach to creating bigger compositions. Glad I found back your channel.

[@eddieposting]

my hs art teacher always made us thumbnail stuff out before we started on big projects (frames & all), so i was very surprised to learn that some of my college classmates had no idea how to thumbnail. some advice that i’d like to pass onto beginners from my own prof: if it takes more than 5 minutes, that’s no longer a thumbnail! don’t worry about the details, it’s all about the speed & setting the layout ^^

[@alphonsodunn]

Sound advice!👏

[@thgritic102]

Thumbnail sketching is my shiiiiiz! It really helps place down how I want something to look like in the finished project when I have 4 thumbnails mapped out. Sometimes I choose one I think is the best. Sometimes I combine some of them together to create the finish piece. I am surprised not a lot of artists talk about creating thumbnails though. I remember doing some in HS art class for sure, and annotating them because it was taught first before doing any projects (teacher sometimes approved one or two for us). I think artists on YT think only comic book/manga artists and storyboardists/animators do it the most, when that's false. All artists in any genre should map out some thumbnails before moving onto sketching. Probably would benefit them more instead of switching up the main sketch multiple times then giving up.

[@alphonsodunn]

Well said!👍

[@stephanie.kilgast]

Indeed, all my artworks start like this. I call them "ugly sketches" because they look like nothing, but they serve their purpose.

[@equesdeventusoccasus]

Always great to see a new video from you. Thumbnail sketching is something I don't always do, however when I do it's usually when I have several ideas about how I might want to make it drawing and I need to figure out which way to proceed. It's good advice to use thumbnail sketching more often.

[@MangaBear]

Also Mr . Dunn I hope you enjoyed your 4th July with your family and friends it's good to see you expanding your teaching. Your subscribers are grateful. 👌🏾

[@alphonsodunn]

I have the best and most supportive subscribers! Thanks so very much

[@kiranp2325]

the best hands to learn from so many thanks.

[@scottpitner4298]

Yes! For many of us who think too much sometimes and have a hard time deciding, these will help to make that decision and give more confidence before starting a drawing

[@alphonsodunn]

Exactly! I am one of those too lol

[@dannykuang9433]

We learned this heavily when I was in university and I still push it on younger students and aspiring artists now. Can't tell you how many young folks don't thumbnail now.

[@alphonsodunn]

Its sad because it is so useful

[@jamesjoy7547]

Thank you for this! My high school and college art teachers praised my ability to throw together a half-dozen thumbnails playing with composition and balance. But, for some reason, I later convinced myself that I had "evolved" past them, that I should be able to create almost-complete drawings with no preliminary sketches. I need to be reminded (often!) that drawing is a process, not just the final shading and textures, but basic composition too

[@sca8217]

That Tombow fudenosuke is a lifesaver ...

[@notGedo]

Oh my goodness thank you so much for this! I have been stuck with front faces and stiff poses for so long. This method is incredibly helpful! I will recommend this video to everyone for now on

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂🙏🙏

[@katattack907]

Great tip, thank you! I usually work from photos so I usually work out my composition digitally, but this is such a useful technique for playing with shape and size relationships before committing to a final design, especially if working from life or imagination. I'm going to start working this into my practice!

[@icedragon5896]

I used this for a good month straight as I was doing gesture drawing! I highly recommend it, as it really reinforces getting the most out of the least amount of your drawings and sketches. I went from having a lot of trouble with gestures (taking 5-10 minutes to draw) all the way up to getting the most important details, and form/shape in 1-2 minutes. it was such a significant improvement. If only I could do the same now with traditional color, like colored pencils... lol It also is pretty helpful for proportion training too, if you set it up right!!! it's so versatile. definitely try it! I always did 8 "panels" divided up on a single sketch page, back and front - so I got the best balance between features, shading, shape, and detail, and size. One of my sketchbooks is completely filled up with construction training.

[@Chia_Mochia]

That's such a great idea! I've always struggled with gesture drawing and straight up decided not to do it, but with that method I feel like I'll enjoy it more! I'll definitely give it a try!

[@thesketchylittlebird]

I really loved this video (especially your little bird sketches!). I only just recently decided to start trying this after watching numerous KZbin artists and realizing that most of them were doing thumbnails. It's helpful for when I don't know what to draw, and I can just play around with things before investing time into something bigger that has the pressure of needing to be "finished." I have several "The Art of" books (such as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - The Art of the Movie), and just like you said, I only ever thought of these as something used for storyboards. It never even occurred to me that I should be utilizing this until I saw others doing it. I agree that it's silly that it's not being taught in basic art classes. Imagine how much further a lot of us would be if we'd learned it sooner?

[@j9andphoenix]

I used to do a lot of drawing but often wasn't satisfied. This makes perfect sense. I think we want to launch into a project so much - going to try this on a few ideas this weekend!

[@X_luvs_art]

I’ve been repeatedly watching your video on how to draw the human figure and it really helps

[@alphonsodunn]

Glad it helps 🙏

[@X_luvs_art]

@@alphonsodunn 🙏🙏

[@LouieRaphaelExtravaganza]

I use this kind of thumbnails when I design on a page every map for my escape rooms games. Particularly useful to see a general view of the area with simple visual description of objects and triggers

[@mattbaker188]

you have been a great teacher to me and down to earth you deserve all the success that comes your way thanks for ever way you have helped me

[@DarkTider]

I use this for bigger illustratons and they are pure gold!

[@darlenesassmann9418]

Thank you Alphonso, these would be fun to fill a a sketchbook. It looks like so much fun and so interesting!

[@awkward_chaos8322]

This sounds so much more convenient than scribbling down a description of my thoughts in my iPad notes lol. I have so many ideas flying through my brain every minute that it gets hard to keep up. I definitely struggle with a standard of perfection in my drawings and get frustrated when I don’t meet them. Absolutely going to utilize this, thank you! :)

[@alphonsodunn]

Thumbnails help a gazillion

[@CosmoAttempts]

There’s a similar approach in music when doing mix balancing. Turing the volume down low so you can listen out to hear what elements still stand out. This is useful to ensure the key components are not getting lost in the track.

[@alphonsodunn]

That’s interesting 🤔

[@Scatterbrained_Watching]

As someone who really struggles with picturing things in their head, I do this a lot. Almost for every single piece that I don’t have a concrete idea or reference for. It’s very very useful indeed

[@alphonsodunn]

👍👏

[@potatoid-0158]

Your books helped me improve my inking techniques dramatically. Forever grateful for your contributions to art education.

[@alphonsodunn]

The pleasure has been mine 🙏🙏🙏

[@carm9716]

I love thumbnails! I can't imagine not doing them because it helps me figure everything out.

[@yshihootelle]

I have been doing thumbnail sketching for a long time now, idk how or when I started doing it (either picked it up from other artists or just did it one day then continued using it) but I didn't know it was that important until my art teacher pointed out that I do thumbnail sketches, then talks about it to the class. It really helped me along the way of my art process and just putting my ideas down into paper to remember it later.

[@alphonsodunn]

You used them without realizing lol

[@achord9204]

Love your books and videos -thank you. My teachers always say do a thumb nail sketch thank you for validating this

[@jonr6680]

It's interesting the artist perspective on the purpose, these are like taking quck notes in words and can be used by non-artists for literally any task but especially design and layout, to explore different options quickly, dozens to a page. They act as triggers to your memory when reviewed later so are useful in journals. Or even accident reports or... anything. I.e. the artist mindset is applied by non-artists without thinking e.g. the act of framing the composition is ordering what your imagination is projecting conceptually or in reality and so magnifies your ability to think about the subject.

[@alphonsodunn]

I love it!!

[@jonr6680]

I should also have said, us non-artists look to you for guidance and inspiration, to hopefully escape the dismaying perception of drawing like we are still 5yo!

[@PirateOfTheNorth]

I like thumbnails for finding poses. I was taught to use them and find them useful so I don’t waste time trying to find composition and such.

[@alphonsodunn]

Theyre awesome for that

[@babann_57]

I use them often to figure out how i want the general composition and proportions to look, then draw it bigger while looking at it for reference or blow in up in size in clip studio and use it as a base for a more detailed sketch. Started doing it at random when i figured out i struggle less with proportions when everything is smaller and easier to keep track of, plus it's easier to get the vague shape you want when you're not worried about it looking clean, and you can put down a bunch of ideas then decide what you actually wanna draw

[@alphonsodunn]

Thats a smart way to use then

[@RadishTheFool]

I love the idea of adding thumbnailing to my practice sessions. Thank you! ☘️

[@opalg6162]

Thank you. You are a great teacher. I ordered both your books yesterday. Can't wait for them to get here

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much!!

[@pamzavada5269]

I never used to make thumbnails cuz I thought of them as being too bothersome. Only after realizing how helpful and necessary they are for composition, etc. did I become a convert. And I always find that they are the best sketches and drawings that I do because I do them very quickly and, therefore, very loosely. Often they are rendered better and easier than the painting I'm planning to use them for because I often struggle to remain loose.

[@jo-annejacques5400]

This is a great idea. I have just received your books and am excited to read and practice pen and ink. Thank you for sharing your creative process!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much!

[@カーティス_Kātisu]

Mr. Dunn I've watched your videos ever since and I bought one of your books but hearing you voice again wow, it sounds different but Thank you for being my best virtual teacher.

[@alphonsodunn]

Could be the mic

[@alexgreychuck7605]

Love your books and your channel. Thanks for posting.

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks much

[@Cederlof_Ink]

Alot of my art I do on stickynotes, it keeps it small and focused and let's me just freedraw alot. Love using sticky notes.

[@raurus8202]

I swear to god i tried this *once* and when I went and did the character I was drawing it turned out to be the best character I ever drew, damn

[@fbpliegorrivero8869]

Absolutely, an invaluable resource ! Notan sketches, textures, shapes, composition, etc.

[@SON3AM]

I can say without a doubt that drawings I did thumbnails of before doing the final piece had a more cohesive feel. I mostly do them for studying, but I'm slowly doing them for other types of work as well. They help getting the ideas straight, especially when I'm having a less than ideal day on my head; they clear up the noise.

[@MangaBear]

Could do you more of mannequin study if you don't mind Mr. Dunn ? Woman , man, children and animals would love to see them

[@Jayantea]

More like if you dunn mind

[@adlibra1]

@@Jayantea haha

[@LARADEKA]

*_I see this method of "Quick Sketch" or "Quick Drafts" as a primary tool for doing Storyboards._* *_If Quick Sketches can give a quick look in the artwork/animation you're trying to do, then they are very simplified forms and shapes that can help us grasp what we have in the back of our minds. Especially when it comes to perspectives and posing, it's a quick rough layout of how it works._* *_I can see this all the time in background art and landscaping._*

[@SofDiane]

As he sketches while talking , I’m amazed that he’s drawing from memory. Or else he has multiple people sitting, many windows with views and tables loaded with still life objects. Thank you. I will incorporate your technique.

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂🙏🙏🙏

[@rodrickdubose659]

Congratulations on being included in ARTIST MAGAZINE. thanks for sharing your talent.

[@alphonsodunn]

Thank you!

[@brazzilianboy]

Your words drill deep on my brain, idk why but your videos help me a lot to learn more and more, thanks Alphonso.

[@alphonsodunn]

Thats awesome! Glad I can help!🙂🙏

[@inkscratch]

Not to mention once a page is filled up with these it's very satisfying

[@jimmyt6180]

Wow! Very nice dissertation. Thank you!

[@Fredster9984]

Nice tip. Helps you work out the basics and setup. Thank you for your video!

[@andysimmons2648]

Thank you for this. I sometimes do a thumbnail sketch if I’m planning a scenery drawing or urban sketch. I got the inspiration from one of your urban sketching videos but I forget that it can be used for all drawings. I’ll try to remember.

[@mbaker9861]

Fun way to explore observation, spontaneity & composition! I need more practice. Thanks!🙃🙂

[@serenak2505]

Happy to see a new video from you!! Thanks for the continuous contribution to artists. Congrats on the article 😊

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks much🙏

[@agold1702]

Great tips! Congratulations on the magazine piece!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much

[@CraneStyleNJ]

I have to do this more often. Thanks!

[@missylulu]

I hadn't ever heard of thumbnail sketching, but I sure will try it today, Thanks for all your videos!

[@atin8996]

The first time i saw this was in collage and ive been using it ever since. Sometimes i will even sketch the thumbnail subject and then position the box after to see how it will fill the paper from different orientations or distances to see if i really need the whole subject. Or if it reads better as a close up on the head or something even though part of the arm might get cut off or something

[@alphonsodunn]

Nice way to use the frame

[@Snow-Willow]

You are so right that this is an underused tool. I even learned to do this in my graphic design course at Tech Center, and in my RapidVis course in college. Granted those were a long time ago for me now, but I still draw a lot and I have just kind of neglected doing thumbnail sketches anymore. I tend to jump right into whole canvas rough sketches, and just scrap them if I don't like them. :P Thank you for this video and reminding me of this, it would have saved me so much time and grief when those full canvas roughs turn out to be something I don't really like the look of.

[@Tac-0]

OMG YES, This is actually so good, im baad at drawing! but the ONE drawing ive done that was Ok was when i did a thumbnail drawing, not because i knew it was a thing but because having a 3000x3000 empty canvas is scary and hard when you dont know where the corners are so size is really hard, but when i literally made a box and drew within it , it was ALOT easier to begin and finish a drawing. Im gonna do ALOT more of this!!

[@alphonsodunn]

3000x3000😳😄

[@gaertlY]

Thank you for your work in youtube and for your books!

[@alphonsodunn]

My pleasure🙏

[@peterlennig]

Another great video from you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge 🌱

[@coutomarcelo]

I'll try this next time! Thanks, man!

[@anitajulaniya1959]

So handy and effective. Thanks. One of the best videos for art.

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂🙏🙏🙏

[@didda7906]

I‘v finally found your channel again!!!!

[@yollexart]

This was incredibly helpful!

[@shuu_tkm]

wow. I know about this but I always forgot to do it especially after taking long breaks which I'm doing now... thanks for the reminder! 🙏

[@ordinaryimages]

Good advice! Helps maintain contact with the medium and hand skills. I have dot grid sketchbooks full of thumbnail sketches and Notans. Notan might make a good video subject. Thx!

[@alphonsodunn]

Most definitely

[@mothmitchell7774]

When I watch drawfee videos they do thumbnails sometimes, seeing an explanation on it is wonderful, thank you 😊

[@stellaqaustralia]

Essential for video planning.

[@narutovpsr1]

Alphonso, I love so much your videos!! Thanks!!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much

[@gwensimmons_gigi1629]

Kudos on your interview!! Enjoying the workbook; informative vid. TFS!!🙏🏾😃👍🏾

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks much!

[@parsnip9850]

Wow! I've always somewhat grasped the way of studying objects and figures by using simpler shapes, but your explanation and examples made it a lot clearer on how to put this practice into effect + how to apply it to other techniques.. thank you!

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂🙏🙏🙏

[@ali74826]

great video! I'll have to remember to use thumbnails more

[@Hotlink410]

Congratulations on all of your achievements 🙏🏿 And thank you for your content. I will buy me a copy of your drawing book. Much love and respect.

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂🙏🙏🙏

[@Marcus123ification]

You are the man for real

[@zionbrock]

Really great info. Thank you!

[@Sick1982]

Great tips! Thanks! Subscribed!

[@wellingtonsilva8186]

Estou muito feliz por você Alphonso, você é uma isnpiração para mim e um exemplo para nós como estistas negros, meus parabéns pelo destaque do seu trabalho na Artists Magazine.

[@alphonsodunn]

Muito muito obrigado! 🙂🙏🙏

[@anonymousartist3645]

Thanks🙏

[@louisklein9207]

Hi, I was wondering if you’re familiar with Herbert railton. I recently fell in love with his inking, especially his haunted houses. Most seem to have a gray tint in some areas and I was wondering if you knew how he did that? I’m wondering if it was ink wash, watercolor etc.?

[@lisariordan2784]

This is great!! Thanks!

[@glossedi]

More artist should know about this because it's soo helpful!!

[@sgtpepper91]

What kind of pen is that? Is it like a small brush pen? It makes a great line

[@christinebravomom5711]

Congrats on the magazine article!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks much🙂🙏

[@creativeartmosphere]

Congratulations on the magazine article Mr. Dunn and your inspirational work! When I saw the cover of the magazine a little while back, I thought of your art and low and behold when I opened the pages, I was excited to see your article 😀 Bravo! 👏🏾

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much 🙏

[@maiastniki]

sometimes things dont occur to u unless u see it in action n those be the biggest breakthroughs

[@gerdriechers8426]

You ever heard of Wilhelm Busch? A master in telling stories with thumbnail sketches. Something like early comics. He was a master of geting the essence into a little picture.

[@sax1741]

This was really helpful! Thanks!

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂🙏