Design Cinema - EP 82 - Applying Reskin

[@SeerWS]

I have spent two decades struggling against creativity and motivational issues. I'm past it now. I've produced hundreds of videos, written/produced hundreds of melodies and songs, designed hundreds of graphics, developed hundreds of websites, written thousands of articles and poems.... Etc. Here is the single most important thing I have learned: people think inspiration must come before creation. The opposite is true. Creation creates feelings of inspiration. Or, as you call it, euphoria.

[@SeerWS]

(The key takeaway being that someone practicing a new skill should not wait to "feel" like doing it.) Remove motivation as a prerequisite....you don't need motivation, you just need diligence, a stubborn choice to keep learning. After a time (months or years) you'll find that you love using this new skill. This avoidance period is why we have school - a social structure which holds us accountable until enthusiasm and confidence have been built. But if you understand all this, school is not your only option. You can also teach yourself!

[@MatthewRaymer]

Ersan Seer similarly I struggled until my early thirties with creativity issues. My creative endeavour was speaking. I found that the ways I'd been taught to speak were the barrier to me being the best speaker I could be. I'd been taught that you must outline (or even worse *script*) my speeches. I spent hundreds of hours preparing speeches and talks in this algorithmic - mechanical fashion. In a fit of frustration one day, I just let myself think about what I wanted to say for a few minutes, then went and did my speech. It felt comfortable; it felt real. I found then that even the preparation process itself was my finding venues to speak informally about what I had read about or had studied or had watched. After successive cycles of doing this, I found that I could speech with power and confidence. So, I agree: creation births inspiration.

[@brentlio5578]

+Ersan Seer ... Why is there a comment here posted by me? LOL What? LOL

[@JaggedCanvas]

@@SeerWS i know this was 6 years ago, but the constant flexing and bragging was completely unnecessary. Hard work is key we got it. But keep your bragging to a minimum, notice how feng zhu never brag about his achievements.

[@olyna]

Today... I know exactly what you mean, I'm leaving it in appreciate it every single second every single minutes, every single hours every, single months, and every single years to come.

[@benelmashiah]

Wow, been watching your channel for years and didnt think these videos could get any better, yet you pushed it even further with the quick tips and video effects... So much value for free! thank you so much Feng!

[@ToHinshe]

Feng, I really need to thank you, when the dream of work drawing was dying i discovered your channel and concept art. Now living concept art and I start a course in CGMA, I wish I could afford FZD, but... Thank you for all these videos man.

[@colinmccarthy9445]

ToHinshe I love that he provides this service to all of us who can't manage to go to his school, and he does it for free. I am into digital painting purely as a hobby, and this is so awesome to have at my disposal to help me learn and refine my own skills.

[@LeKikoojap]

this transparent marker stuff really changed my approach to drawing, can't thank you enough

[@olyna]

I watched this video 5 years ago, and I was really impressed by the artwork and the quality of the content and advices given by Fenzu. I'm watching this today as a better artist and I still get the same amazing feelings, and get so much inspiration from it. And from every single one of your videos for that matter. Thank you so much for producing such a high level content. May you live Forever.

[@RaliVanMinks]

Thank you for another great DC video! I think this stage is the best - your ideas are there and your imagination is ready to roam. This is so much more interesting to look at than all the polished, finished illustrations. There's gorgeous illustration out there, but this sort of sketching and ideation phase is something that you really need to work hard to get to. And the organic feel of Feng's sketches is always so inspiring. The procrastination advice was spot on, too. From personal experience, not having a clear idea of why you should do something or if you constantly focus on how you might fail at what you do, they both lead to procrastination. The only thing to do, as Feng said, is draw the line and work on your self-discipline. If it's hard starting, apply the 2-minute rule. Tell yourself: just 2 minutes, and that's it. And then you'll be drawing for a good couple of hours without even realizing. Do this for 2 weeks, and you got yourself a habit. :) Keep drawing guys, eliminate distractions and focus on getting better every day!

[@bluegiant13]

Feng did go very deep a couple of times,really philosophical approach. love it ! Its not there,but its really there ,cool paradoxes.

[@ink_tea]

Man, your advice about motivation and practicing is SO valuable. I can't explain how helpful it is to have it explained by a pro, thank you so much!

[@annawaiq6360]

This video was very helpful. Thank you so much that you take the time for us Feng, even after a 10 hour shift. I love that dedication and you can feel that you want students to learn and develop.

[@nicklegend3788]

@FZD: This was an amazing episode and super helpful on so many different levels. I love the marker concept to break up the fear of the design process, as I love the simple multiply, screen, and dodge, usage for the rendering. Your ability to get one to really think about what they are thinking about is truly a gift. I love watching these videos because with each one watched I feel you unlock more doors in mind, some that I didn't even know existed. THANK YOU!

[@velkozinspace5704]

Incredibly helpful approach and technique to starting out the sketch

[@SansP3ur]

Feng :: Brilliant work and I couldn't agree more with your perspective on procrastination. I'd also like to add that some people will indulge in a distraction not solely for the fun factor, rather that it's a form of escapism which has a different type of emotional rooting. It's more fear based and could be signalling a 'fear of failure or success' and/or emotional conflict due to internalized expectations. Ironically (and to little surprise) more time and effort often goes into avoiding something then what goes into simply doing the work.

[@erlson]

Feng Zhu, your videos never get old.

[@iamnachman148]

Hello Feng, I have been watching your videos for a LONG time now, and the videos that helped me the most were your real time videos. It was extremely helpful for me to see what you are actually doing, and how fast you work. Please do more real time videos!

[@centralquality1]

Feng, this is your best lesson yet. I loved your words on motivation, that's something I really needed to hear.

[@Maruceroooo]

I love this guy! Seriously, this advices are the best thing I could hear this moment. I can't wait to try it out. I'm at a point in my life that I have to make a decision about making art as my job, or try something else, and listening and seeing this guy do what he loves is just contagious. Thanks Feng!

[@cosmotect]

Feng, you and all that help you in this work. I want to join the hundreds that have expressed gratittude for this work you do for us. I don't know if you fully realize the absolute massive positive imprint you leave on us, and through us on humanity as a whole. The momentum you help us achieve will reverb through history :) I swear if i become this proffecient in my area (which is modelling) I will do the same, and further pass on the "vibe" :)

[@sqealerr]

Great video, Those little tips that pop up are really helpfull too. Awesome series. Thanks a lot.

[@fellen1611]

I got so excited when I saw you put out another video so quickly!!!! Thank you so much for all you do for us. You deserve an award!

[@RevellAndRepend]

These videos are helping so so much, absolutely invaluable information For me personally, just watching this stuff gives me a huge morale and confidence boost after walking into a wall, during or even before drawing. Im not entirely sure but, i think my brain subconsciously connected hearing Feng's voice with wanting to start drawing lol Anyway for what its worth, thank you! You're helping more people than you might realize

[@TheMrmomo55]

Line drawings always show true skill!

[@xenos76]

FZDSCHOOL one thing about procrastination that you might need to take into account is people with depression, adhd, or anxiety. Personally as someone with ADHD who procrastinates, I have found it very difficult to do anything that I want to do that is not enjoyable. Some people with ADHD have found success in doing short bursts of homework and this is what doctors recommend. Some people with ADHD do not have the capacity of their peers to understand the long term value of a task and playing video games gives you an instant feedback system. That being said, I definitely find great progress in sitting down for extended periods of time drawing and pushing out my idea as fast as possible so I have something I can work with. I find however, that if I don't get all my materials in front of me before I start, a simple distraction kills that motivation or creative energy. It might be helpful for some people to break down the drawing into specific tasks like making a light marker silhouette before taking a break, starting the line drawing in the second period, and finish the drawing in the third before moving onto rendering. These are just some things I have noticed and things that have helped me however.

[@unLUCKY95]

colin swenson-healey This is an interesting point. I've found that throughout my life drawing has been just about the only activity I can do for a prolonged amount of time... but I have mild ADHD and autism (along with tendencies towards multiple learning disabilities... my brain is pretty fucked up lol) and the two can really conflict and cause me to become extremely frustrated. Autism sometimes makes me a little too obsessed with small, meaningless details, but if I get them wrong after multiple attempts, I then start getting irritated, the ADHD comes in and every little thing becomes a distraction, even just the sound of my computer humming or people talking in another room... and then I start to get even more annoyed with myself after realising that I'm devoting too much time to unimportant details. There have honestly been times that I've become so frustrated that I'm nearly brought to tears from trying to avoid procrastination, not because I don't enjoy drawing, but because I have absolutely no control over the way my brain works when it comes to distractions. I recently had to make a difficult decision to take a year out of my education between college and university because the last two projects I did at college left me in such a horrific mental state that I just couldn't handle any more at the time. I didn't draw at all for three months afterwards because I was afraid of getting into the same state. Since watching Fengs videos I have learned so much and progressively gotten back into drawing in my own time. No other teacher I've had has ever taught me how to deal with procrastination and how to build up ideas like Feng shows, and it certainly has made the design process easier for me to handle. It's a much more difficult process for people with mental disabilities, particularly ADHD, to learn how to stay focused and get on with work. For us it's not just as simple as being able to do it because we enjoy it - I can be playing a game I absolutely love, but the second I have an idea to do something else I find myself doing it without even thinking about finishing what I was doing. In fact, sometimes I even completely forget what I was just doing because my mind has been racing, constantly thinking of new things to do. It is getting better with age, but it still comes on strong if I get stressed or anxious... which is again where having autism conflicts... all I can say is it sucks and we just have to try our best haha!

[@cosmotect]

+Elliot Johnson Damn, I feel you.. And I thought I was just fucked up, and never meant to reach the hights of the profession.

[@MaxSeinsei]

Awesome vid, as always :) Question: Are you going to make a new video about character design soon? I know there are already some on the channel, and they ware really nice, but I thought it would be nice to have a video of the whole process, from sketching to rendering, with all the thinking process behind it :)

[@paul_gilbert]

Awesome video.. such a great teacher, compelling to watch your work and listen to your knowledge

[@AjiMaho91]

Probably my most favourite DC so far!

[@Dude707LoL]

Feng. You're very inspiring, thanks for all the useful tips. Every time I watch your videos, I learn so much stuff, it's amazing. Thanks sooo much!

[@icemarv1491]

You are awesome as always Feng, really helped me a lot not just in applying reskin but also on how to get rid of procrastination. Thanks.

[@riteasrain]

Beautifully done! Learn so much from these vids!

[@picosdrivethru]

one of my fav. episodes, just what i needed to hear atm. feeling a bit low. needed a good coach talk. thanks.

[@TheDreamMachina]

I like how you pulled in video game terminology. It made me think about drawing on a whole new level.

[@darkchild130]

This is absolutely brilliant.

[@Noldy__]

Thank you so much Feng for the tips on how to ground procrastination. Mine has to do more with being afraid of the white paper of doom, it just intimidates me a lot. Will keep your pointers in mind.

[@saladbowl85]

Thanks Feng. Great advice as always

[@orfeo787]

Feng, you made a human face on the left upper mech. On the right leg joint - so coool.

[@jaroldsng]

very nice one Feng Zhu, always learn a ton of stuff from your videos!

[@longarm358]

Thanks Feng , great video.

[@Sedkitgar]

fun to watch. Thank you

[@BurleighW]

30:00-:32:00 Drawing is certainly fun when you get into it- I agree with that. Procrastination isn't necessarily because you don't enjoy the activity, but that you fear you will fail or produce something that isn't worthwhile. In my opinion overcoming procrastination is about overcoming the fear of failure.

[@cameronforbes6276]

Dude ur stuff is so good it hurts you have inspired me to really practice art again seriously thanks for that

[@mikew6147]

fun and professional as always, thanks ! cant wait to see ep 83

[@TheARTnSTUFF]

great episode! :) Here is a suggestion: you could display all tips from the episode together at the end (these little tips that pop up throughout the video). Because they are really helpful and in a concentrated form, but going through the video again just to find them would be a hassle.

[@ivaylo.nikolov]

Enjoyed this episode a lot! Thanks for sharing the Starcraft addiction story, video game addiction is a very big thing... many people suffer from it. Also loved the designs , 1 and 4 were my favs ;)

[@Alumx]

So great to have your videos back :D I got a couple of questions! How do you organize your photo references by mood? And how to become better at painting concepts with aid of photo references? what kind of exercises could a newbie do for these? I tried to work with photo references but It never looked right, and also I'd spend so much time looking for photos, that could be used.

[@cocolonger]

Great tips. keep it up!! thank you for sharing !

[@mike-synthetica]

Love these videos!

[@TheMonkeykrunk32]

Thank you so much, you made you realize how meticulous I am with my sketches. You are amazing!

[@tuncer1234]

Wow this episode came so fast! outta nowhere! Must.. watch....

[@wollie4649]

thanks for the awesome videos!

[@sergiocanada2692]

Feng, I do want to thank you for these videos. They are a great source of inspiration and really good fun to watch. I particularly like the parts on how the job-world works. I consider myself to have a big issue with procrastination, but in my opinion it has more to do with fear to finish something and noticing that is not cool enough... If you have some tips on that, it would be much appreciated! And on the same line of thinking, another question that raises is: How to create something "cool"? Where is the "source of coolness" to be found? Cheers!

[@nawangsherpa3209]

awesome!!!!1best tutorial video out there in you tubee!

[@k0walsk]

Thanks for this, awesome technique! I have a question.The technique seems to rely on there being a lot of detail/content in the linework. I myself am in car design, where, instead, super sleek surfaces etc are top priority. Do you know a fast technique for that kind of thing?

[@dsarrazin]

You discuss a lot of techniques to help out with the design, which is wonderful and very helpful. Did you already do a video that focusses more on workflow (e.g. how key is it for each designer to find a workflow that works for them? how do they go about it -- anything that helps other than trial and error? do most designer wind up using many different workflows depending on the work they are doing or sticking mainly to one?) Thanks.

[@longlei276]

Marker technique.. it's great!

[@phantomapprentice6749]

Great video

[@AndrejCilic]

Question: Hi Feng!! You said in EP56 that you have color palets with colors that you saved of the years of your professional work. Could you explain briefly how you organize them and how you pull them into a working file. Thanks a bunch! Best of wishes, Andrej

[@artistjosephtubb]

Feng this is very inspiring! I completely relate to your statement of a professional making drawing look easy. I have a lot to learn still. Are these sketches done in Photoshop or Painter?

[@ExiorasMusic]

Artist | Joseph Tubb You can clearly see it is photoshop by looking at the icon on the window frames.

[@artistjosephtubb]

Exioras Cool, Sorry wasn't entirely sure. I've Never used painter before.

[@blencriz]

Your videos are always motivating me to draw :D

[@KreeTerry]

Another great video, these videos are some of the most influential videos to me as I shift my studies from graphic design to concept design. I have noticed recently that when I do my initial sketches and then marker over them I tend to really make them too contrasty and usually a little on the dark side. Do you know if any exercises that might help me tone down the contrast in my initial sketches?

[@JimmyClay-art]

This is the best video of internet 😳

[@MyName56765]

Thanks Feng!

[@sethlaster]

Hey Feng, I love your videos, you are always so inspiring and energizing to watch. Question: How would you explain to friends and family that it is possible to get paid to do concept designs? i.e explain the large time investment getting skilled can lead to paid work and that it's not just a pipe dream? thanks for your time, keep up the awesome videos!

[@FPdesignfab]

These are awesome. What tool are you using to rotate canvas? I've never seen that red arrow in Photoshop.

[@LotionExplosion]

Hey Feng, I was wondering if you could consider making a tutorial in how you create layer masks, shading, opacity vs flow and how much opacity (5%? 10%?), changing saturation, etc. I'm doing it all in black and white like you recommend, but I'm still having trouble blending the shadows in. Thanks!

[@mohsinmughal9383]

HI feng zhu thank you, your videos are awesome, please create some video on your perspective line how u create it,and then how you put object in that line,how we think for perspective line, please take three two four different object and make some video.thank you.

[@tripplejaz]

Would it be possible for you to do an episode covering perspective briefly; especially the perspectives used in environmental/character design?

[@dominiccanis406]

Hi Feng. Thank you very much for your videos and help. I've been struggling with finding the height of my cubes. I've been using the diagonal vp to find my squares, but am having trouble with using ellipses to find the height so that I can make consistent cubes. Every now and then, cubes made later on in my construction don't have the correct height compared to the first cube. Is there a diagonal vp to find cube heights? Also, if I use ellipses to find my squares on the floor, or to rotate my squares, I find that I am fairly off when compared to when I use the diagonal vp along with 30, 45, and 60 vp's. Is it better to just fully depend on those vp's to find my squares and cubes instead of using ellipses?

[@dominiccanis406]

Fred Carrillo I found my answer after looking through Loomis' "Successful Drawing" again as well bits and pieces of other information from the internet. I previously rushed through it not thinking how important horizontal groundlines, vertical notches and measuring points/arcs were. I just needed these to get my first cube. I can use mirroring to go from there. I was doing Scott Robertson's technique of using elipses to find and rotate squares and cubes, but I am not accurate enough with it for tight drawings. For rough sketches, the elipse technique is good enough. I am still too careful about my perspective drawings. It's really slowing down my learning process. Your and Scott Robertson's Gnomon and KZbin videos and his books are utterly indespensable for self learning for design. Thank you many many times over!

[@hypodrone6198]

Hi Feng! Thank you for all Design Cinema episodes! Question: Have you ever considered publishing a handbook covering some of the basics not covered by your videos e.g. constructing perspective grids, basic color and shadow theory? "Foundations 00" perhaps? :)

[@Yann_Moax]

Q&A: Do you recommand to focus on traditional medium (paper/marker) for students? Awesome video as always, super interesting :)

[@everydaybodybuilding2282]

Not sure if you'll see this, but you just said to sit down for 5-6 hours with some music and do anything. Do you really think that's what I should be doing? Basically that's what I do all day right now. I log 8-10 hours a day painting but sometimes I worry I should be structuring my practice more. I've only been studying for about 2 months now, but I mostly started traditional portraits and I have moved into painting now. I have done quite a bit of figure study, but should go more broad with my study? Or do you think focusing on one thing is viable for my foundations?

[@mobius8954]

I just paint without specs for multiple hours until I find a weakness in my fundamentals. Then I focus on correcting that weakness.

[@theUglyManowar]

I agree Mobius. In general though I subscribe to Joseph Cambell. The best art is always inspired art and inspired art usually always comes from "following your bliss". ( unless you forgot you were passionately interested in a certain direction in the first place. In which case, you might be screwed. Unless you can simply just return to what was "cool beans" to begin with. Haven't met many/any talented artist that did not have a muse they were passionately following so chances are talent will have no problem being inspired. Otherwise I would question whether one was "talent" to begin with ) ( on the other hand I narrowly define talent as a nerd who is nerdily interested in the cool sh|t. Nerds rule! )

[@megahugepancake]

Hi Feng, question here: I'm currently studying in 3D animation in college but after watching tons of your design cinema episodes, I got very interested in concept design, Is it something that I can slowly change into as a career or is it completely different in term of job? I'm worried that everything i'm learning would be too different and pointless if I pursue the design career. Thanks! Keep up the great work and stay awesome!

[@justinnixon5823]

I would love if you were my teacher. I totally agree with the video games I don't like playing games any more I want to design.

[@erelmatita3559]

Justin Nixon Me too, man. I still like to play, but I would prefer to design, paint, draw for it rather than spending time to play one.

[@M1d32]

erel matita I like Titanfall, but oh man I would love to design stuff for the next one!?

[@digitalconcept2paint]

Justin Nixon You've been chosen, I invite to my channel :P

[@justinnixon5823]

PAINT WITH SOUL i just add your channel.

[@KitchenKnife0]

Thanks for the quick upload! Question: From what you've seen how often do concept art students have a background in industrial design? If a student doesn't, would you consider it a disadvantage going into a concept art school?

[@shockwavebramble]

Awesome! I miss the old intro jingle though :D

[@osueboy]

what brush you use? pencil, hardness? etc?

[@Botchy1997]

Does he use a special brush to make the line drawings look as if they're drawn with a pen or is it just his style?

[@GlobeWarrior71]

Hi Feng, i actually have a problem when i draw sketches, i start with the big shape like you do in this Ep 82, but when i start the details i just put some random box, triangle everywhere, did you have any tips to avoid that or is it just a lack of imagination ? thx for design cinema

[@MikoGot]

great!

[@evilmatches8065]

потрясающе

[@botlane]

Hey Feng, looks like your brush set is different from before - smaller and simpler. Mind sharing the .abr file through some link like mediafire? I think it would help many of your viewers too in terms of confidence when using your brushes.

[@VoidloniXaarii]

thanks a lot!

[@MrCaptainInternet]

Btw thanks for the vid Feng...This technique is so useful, i came up with my own spider tank lol

[@unaffectedpurple9927]

I'm curious, what kind of devices does he work with? I mean like a tablet? Does anybody know?

[@canti505]

Can anyone shed any light on the blueish and yellowish 'dodge' step here, towards the end? I've tried a soft brush with those colours loaded on a new layer on top, layer mode on Color Dodge, set 10% opacity or so, but it doesn't look right. Cheers!

[@93hothead]

Are these like the photoshop default brushes??

[@kassikullles]

Question: I wonder if its possible to get a concept artist or illustrator job in NASA for example to design landscapes on different exoplanets, alien life etc. And would it require degree in certain areas like biology etc?

[@louisda8729]

Markus Härma You would likely need a degree in physics if you where to design for NASA.

[@ShadowWind82]

Hi. Thank you a lot for your video. Very like your thumbnails design video. Can you make some thumbnails video about armor design? ( for example a some female Elf sorcerer) And also very interesting to see how you making a thumbnails of interior (for example a sci-fi clone-lab or robo factory).

[@DavidHunanyan]

Noice as always!

[@justmemo1993]

What program do you use???

[@werewasyo]

i would love to see these in a game

[@justinnixon5823]

Amazing work I am going to an Art school and I am having some issues already. This teacher made me feel like shit for something I did not do. I was wondering want kind of advice you have to motivate me to keep pushing me forward. .

[@dimebag5884]

Justin Nixon Get over it and keep going. Shit happens, if you want to draw then just keep drawing.

[@93hothead]

Schools are pretty shit but what do you mean you did not do? And is the teacher good at drawing himself? If he is just bite the bullet and learn if he is not you need to start telling him what you want to do

[@MrCaptainInternet]

Damn! how the heck you get thick to thin lines so easily...some sort of macro to reduce the size of brush?

[@ink_tea]

Megatron You can scale the brush size down or up using the [ and ] keys (respectively) in Photoshop. But I don't know about a macro to instantly change sizes

[@8thlvlMage]

I couldn't watch this episode because I punched a hole through my monitor as soon as the video started. Give us a spider warning next time! :D

[@thefoxialbunny]

Who the f$%& dislike that?!

[@jasoncroghan5818]

My thoughts exactly. Keep it up Feng, great stuff!

[@MrS0NlC]

Is that Donald Duck at 7:59? lol

[@MrZhengHe]

i want to ask how to make a good line weight, line weight make the picture more interesting than a picture have all line at a same size

[@velequest]

I was a video game artist for 5 years. This year I burned out completely, I feel like I have nothing left. I'm creatively empty. Sad huh?

[@ScepticPwnageGaming]

cameron O what games did you do art for?

[@digitalconcept2paint]

***** Maybe my first video will help You all a little bit of... to get some inspiration.....? But It's really sad, BTW, God bless Ya and BTW have a great day ahead... :)

[@dvo8412]

I'm addicted to Starcraft2

[@roelgeurtsen6897]

your third joint, you pothead :)

[@williamolney2833]

What kind of brushes/pens do you use to do the drawings in this video?

[@marinaneil5814]

Looks like a Tachikoma :)