Don’t Always Trust Art Advice From Professionals - Sometimes It’s Wrong!

[@drewm6119]

Thank you for this. I had one industry mentor who worked at Ubisoft and she would tell me to try certain techniques, then come back a few weeks later and deride my work and say that said skill she taught me was useless and I "didn't have that spark." She was really rude and catty and when I called her out for it in front of the mentor program founder she fake cried and said everyone was bullying her... not all industry pros have your best interests at heart. Luckily I've found a genuinely supportive mentor now. And he isn't mean to me! lol

[@irislilly7515]

She sounded horrible, oof. How did you find your industry mentors if you don't mind me asking?

[@joseleonardo8248]

So sad to read this. Who was that mentor though? If it's possible to know so others don't fall in the same problem

[@drewm6119]

@@joseleonardo8248 I didn't really want to say in case it comes off unprofessional. Charlie from Ubisoft Leamington - she's one of the hiring managers, so keep it in mind if you'd like a job there!

[@drewm6119]

@@irislilly7515 I was part of a mentoring program called Limit Break - I'm not sure I'd recommend it as they blamed me for my mentor's behaviour. However, I did find my current mentor through them! He's amazing.

[@irislilly7515]

@@drewm6119 Thanks for the response! Glad it ended up working out for you.

[@Riley_MDS]

There's so many KZbinr artist who does this kind of "Don't and do" thumbnail that immediately break my intention to watch it, i mostly rather look at my favourite artist and then study their work on how they do it, observing it instead and try to deconstruct the possible method on how they can do it.

[@jacobotoral6050]

Same

[@chillarttalks]

absolutely. " DONT DRAW FACES LIKE THIS!??!" get me out

[@ksdaiprai]

Totally agree. In so many cases I prefer studying their work directly, instead of listening to their words about it.

[@Kimmieziven]

Yeah watching their process also helps to know how they construct and render it. Some artists dont use the advice they gave to others

[@Eirdis]

This was helpful actually. Would actually love your feedback on some of my art videos. I’m figuring out what people like watching, what’s useful or entertaining. Would mean a lot! ❤

[@adammartin4455]

I remember at university, I basically remodelled an entire project based on the advice of one well-meaning tutor into something I wasn't really as knowledgeable/interested in. When it came to assessment, two other tutors reviewed my work and didn't really get my project, but loved my original idea. That's probably the biggest lesson I learned at Uni. Now I always try to go with my gut.

[@meandidraws]

After around 12 years of being a musician/illustrator I can definitely say that taking advice from everyone is a recipe for a disaster. It's even more clear when you get one piece of feedback from one person and a complete polar opposite from another person. Be careful who you listen to, guys. Thanks for the video, Adam!

[@shi9845]

I remember a professional art teacher trashing my Bridgman studies advising me: "Never learn anatomy from books, you learn it from life drawing!" Her art looked the part. I've done many hours of life drawing. I would not be able to stylize, exaggerate or even properly describe figures without having studied anatomy properly.

[@bluefox5331]

True! Artists didn't do illegal dissections for nothing.. that knowledge is gold ;)

[@taysmane]

I know that it's not entirely the point of most of the video, but the title itself helped me make up my mind. I am currently thinking about dropping out of art school (3D modeling/sculpting). I noticed rather early on that it probably wasnt for me and that I should have stuck with self learning, but decided to stick to it because my teachers kept insisting that "This is the correct way into it". Now, after almost 2 years I find that I almost resent the field, just THINKING about opening Zbrush or Maya makes me anxious beyond belief, I was in the military, saw my fair share and despite that never had anything close to a panic attack, now I get one once a week. Feel like I wasted 2 years of my life with nothing to show for it, didn't learn anything except for the very basic things... Regardless I'm rather excited to actually do what I love again, on my own terms this time. Thank you for your words of wisdom once again Adam, you always upload when I need it most!

[@Istebrak]

Thank you, Adam. Love your content!

[@stargazer4934]

Istebrak is THE absolute most underrated and overlooked artist and teacher on youtube of all time. I have never been to a stream of hers and not learned something. Im overjoyed to see her get some, albeit brief, recognition.

[@harrisonsnatt901]

100 000 %. She has been a staple of my personal art education for over 5 years (sheesh ) and I cannot sing her praises enough!

[@esbeng.s.a9761]

Im a write and I have had that my mentor saw something diffented in my story than I saw. And she tried to change it to fite her view more. Im glad I didnt change it because it is the story Im most proud of

[@PigmanMovie]

I'm a Writer too, plus I teach Writing to some of My Friends, but Reading this Made Me Realize that Most of My suggestion on making Someone else Story Better, is by Suggesting Changing the Story (with Good Intention), instead of Giving Advices, to the Point where, it's My Story now. Which After Reading this Comment made Me realize that I'm Re-Writing Someone else Story, instead of giving Advices.

[@fowlerillus]

I loved this, Adam. I can relate to this - the industry and just the nature of learning art has changed so much since I was a bright eyed student. Great to hear your perspectives as always.

[@ericmasker6330]

I haven't been this excited for a new video from anybody IN A FOREVER. I'm working on updating my portfolio and these are my fuel.

[@meikahidenori]

I feel you on the book hunt. I spent years hunting down a copy of Scott McCloulds Making /understanding comics. I loved that book and sent to to a friend who thought would get as much benefit out of it as I could. I belive in sharing tools and advice, as you never know what someone might find useful and what others might not. When people ask me for advice, I refer to those books. They offer more advice than I ever could. I may have to get another copy... I found so much in that book that was useful to me and would love a recap 😆

[@meaningoflife7199]

I learned this a long time ago, everyone must experiment and find out what works for them, i like to apply a bit of each of their advices that settles with me

[@littleravendesigns5587]

Man I swear your videos always pop on my feed just at the perfect moment! I agree with you! I have gone the route that so many artists and top Etsy sellers advised but I swear nothing works for me. So I finally decided to take my own way, I am retaking art courses and advancing my style and learning new techniques and programs. I finally figured out what I want to do instead of wearing many hats. I am finally focused and determined!, also I make an effort to practice almost daily if I can. I have to say thank you because many of your videos have helped me realize where I wanted to go and ask myself the tough questions. Your videos are real and deep which I rarely see from other artists! Thank you again!!

[@ENUFbyMNT]

Thank you for your always thoughtful insights. I’m trying to hone my style and listen to my inner voice and overall gain confidence in sharing the things I make. I am a recovering people pleaser and that impacts my art process greatly so it’s been a long road. But your videos and everyone’s comments help me stay the course.

[@gabrielbruce1977]

Every. Single. Art mentor I've had. Save one, had a very narrow view of what counted as "viable" art. Comic artists said I was too busy "unifying" (pencils, inks, and colour all done in one go) and had to pick a niche of what part of the process I wanted to be good at. Classical anatomy artists said I had to draw humans live, no looking up references on "the Google", it didn't hit the same as drawing a live model. Folks in the game industry, in visdev, told me my style was too consistent and I had to copy more. A lot of "do what I do", a lot of destructive, critical advice. Which would have been great if I'd been seeking that, but I was literally twelve (and fourteen, and sixteen, and eighteen) and just wanted to know if I was doing basic things right like lighting and cloth and hair and pose. I wasn't asking if I was employable. Then recently I got both into your videos and I took some live painting classes with a local artist. And it was like night and day. He didn't care I was painting a scene from a show I liked, he just pointed out that hey, wouldn't the shadows here have some reflection from the ocean? And they would! They totally would! I have very literally learned more from him and from online spaces and people than I ever did trying to learn the "proper" way.

[@Anyabydreamstate]

I was there when Chris said that and I'm very glad to hear what you have to say about all this! it's amazing to get a perspective into this specific career path. Illustration and speaking about art and life is my passion. Love to get this insight and very relatable wisdom. agree fully, so many people have asked me when i'm going to be working with a company. My answer is I dont want to and that always gets a shocked reaction lol As always Adam, GORGEOUS piece. Tatiana

[@benlin1526]

I really liked this one, keep it up. I mean I like your other vids too, but this one spoke to me in particular today. The music was nice too.

[@silentobserver888]

Love your content forever man. Your soul shines through these dialogues. Thank you for sharing these intimate memories and moments on your journey.

[@natv6294]

Have you seen the latest posts from Karla’s twitter? There is an app now that selling artists styles with names. No bright future unless we stick to our rights. They haven’t done the same to the music industry and law doesn’t see visual arts and music separately. The Ai corporations don’t care about artists at all, artists needs to be United now more than ever. We all want to be excited for new tech but not on the expense of other people.

[@Fokkusu]

this video came to me basically as "there is a yang for every ying", which I believe its true and its being proven constantly in everything, this excellent video exposes some of this for this topic and I'm grateful for it.

[@blackspetnaz2]

Adam Thank you, I really enjoyed this and your other video “Ai is not the worst thread to artists, very good.

[@sean.chiarot]

It was probably the The World's Biggest Bookstore. I loved that place!

[@AdamDuffArt]

Ah yes lol - gotta love that name

[@bitemyshinymetalass7393]

Oh yay new vid! Im cautiously optimistic about today already!

[@melonruler3521]

no way this man worked on wonder over yonder that was like my favorite cartoon growing up and now im watching his youtube.

[@louis-philippedesjardins459]

Yo Adam, super cool content lately! I'm definetely enjoying the videos a lot. I was curious to know more about your experiences with art directors or maybe your own experiences with directing with students or on projects. I think it might be an interesting subject if you ever feel like talking about it!

[@ericduchesnes7340]

Thank you Adam !.. 👍 ❤ 🕊

[@MariaIsabel_Fufuria]

Hiya, Adam! Another video I'm looking forward to~

[@zerobemix]

Thank you for this so much Adam!

[@marikothecheetah9342]

You can be a great professional and a lousy teacher. teaching may seem easy, but in reality it's much more difficult and effective teaching is even more difficult. Teaching is about showing the way (or ways) but NOT only the teacher's way (which really should be one of examples). I'm an amateur artist and art is also my therapy. I've watched hundred of tutorials, advice videos, how to, dos and don'ts and it always was at some higher level of doing things. Nothing totally basic, even if their video was named "the basics of this, and that". Also, many professionals forget their beginnings and they cannot fathom, why others don't see or do things more quickly etc. because it is so easy. But only for them. It's much easier to teach people at an advanced level than total beginners and as pros often forget theirs they are not always the best teachers to have.

[@henriquecardoso7786]

The number of KZbin notifications on your app sure are terryfing hahahaha

[@AdamDuffArt]

Lol - I have no idea what that means tbh - is that how many unanswered comments or something? Good lord if that’s the case then I’m in trouble!

[@trenton9]

I would not have gone to art school if I had today's volume of accessible tutelage back then. I don't regret art school. I use those lessons to this day. But I can't say I would do it the same way again.

[@Stettafire]

Quite right. Once a professional told me all art had to be lit in a very same formulatic way. No ifs or buts "that's the only thing people buy" I'd never heard such phoey in all my life. Moreover he gave everything the most ugly exaggerated rim light you've ever seen. Human? Blue rim light. Rhino? Blue rim light. Everything he did looked shiny, dispite skin having a soft texture which diffuses light or rhinos having hard leathery skin which scatters light. Nope, all as smooth as a pin pong ball. Urgh

[@herbertscott9575]

“Absorb what is useful, discard what is useless and add what is specifically your own” -Bruce Lee

[@wkkleric]

I'd love to hear you go deeper on this education democratization idea, some time. For you it was obviously quite hard to gain access to the resources you wanted, for me it was easier, and then these days it's like literally everything is amazing and free. Definitely does a number on the mentality when you work hard to learn something then it's just "acquired" by the next gen or whatever, via fuckin capillary action. Think this is a more interesting topic than AI art, for me. And as the elder, here, you'd have a good perspective on it.

[@ArtwithAmarBrisco]

Believe I share your pain if looking for art information was a pain in the late 70s to the late 90s. Also the luxury of networking and meeting people in the arts was not readily available as it is now. That is why I never can get the difficulty many artist have nowadays learning when everything is at their fingertips. All they need to get is discipline and the focus on what they want to learn. I do feel the internet has many 21 century artists lazy and entitled. I am familiar with both animation books as well the Preston Blair and the Richard Williams books. The closest to getting feedback for art or anything cons did become a thing in the 90s but it was not easy to come by.

[@abdulmalik2388]

I too love Artstudio but the ui management is so bad, prefer to use csp but man Artstudio brushes so good

[@AdamDuffArt]

Oh gosh - I can’t disagree more Every time I want something it’s just “there” That said, nothing beats Infinite Painter - that’s a whole different tier of UI design

[@pipecat]

@@AdamDuffArt totally agree! ArtStudio is the closest thing to Photoshop on the Ipad, can't believe i can work with all my keyboard shortcuts 🤩🤩🤩🤩 ArtStudio made me quit using Procreate

[@canoners]

For my kind of work where canvas size go to 10k pixels and hundreds of layers , I can only use CSP. Artstudio Pro doesn't have the stability to work with these sizes. Sad, cause it is a great app.

[@fuzzydragons]

def need to be careful with who you ask advice from since some people can be just an arshole in the way they try to 'help' people or in the way they talk.

[@RedRocksies]

I'd be super excited for future, maybe even AI art as well It's just few small things: late stage capitalism, ever increasing wealth gap, climate change, russian & chinese imperialism, rise of extreme far right in democracies everywhere... I have feeling it's gonna get whole lot worse for some time before it gets any better.

[@poetalegalis3635]

THE WORLDS BIGGEST BOOKSTORE; it was used is an Ai movie. It is close now regardless of being a landmark…🙏

[@AdamDuffArt]

Yes yes! Biggest but still nothing for me lol

[@Eh-yf4qs]

ahh, lemme watch this advice on how i shouldn't always listen to advice))))00)

[@pedrochevez2090]

If we shouldn't always trust advice from pro artists, then when should we? Are you a pro artist? My mind is being blown by the paradox in it all. Maybe that's the point lol

[@Scragg-]

I think the point is that you have to do the work and find out yourself. Instead of having blind faith in professionals.

[@pedrochevez2090]

@@Scragg- That's the paradoxical part. Doing or not doing one or the other IS taking advice from a pro. That's why i think the title of this video was carefully worded almost like how a politician words a statement. It's direct in what it's telling you yet not direct in what that advice is, simultaneously. But i do agree with your point. Taking risks based on what your gut and instinct and passion tell you is the best approach, otherwise you constrain yourself solely by yourself.

[@Aeiouaaaaaaaaa]

I think it’s good to take advice when you think it’s useful for your specific goals and fits your situation - which is still really vague, but I’ve taken a lot of advice from well meaning profs at school who either didn’t fully “get” what I was trying to do, or just wanted to offer some different options, which have seriously burned me out. I was so hungry for guidance that I took them almost indiscriminately, and I think it’s because I cared more about proving myself than setting boundaries for my work. It’s so hard to get that balance for me, and I suspect I’m going to struggle with it for a very long time.

[@AdamDuffArt]

Omg you have a point - I’m having a serious existential crisis now

[@metheiam5714]

Ultimately everything you do comes with a certain level of uncertainty. You can't know beforehand whether something works or doesn't, whether it's true or false, or even when you have learned if what you learned is actually useful. And if something works for someone, it doesn't mean it works for you or vice versa. I think it's all about your aim also. If you see some qualities that you would like to incorporate into your art in someone's artwork, then there may be something for you. There doesn't need to be a crystal clear goal in mind, but just if it sparks something in you, or in some way feels interesting or right. For example, if you want to create vibrant colourful marker art, find someone who does that. And usually if they have some youtube videos etc, you can get a glimpse of their teaching quality and the way they explain things, and see if it suits you. Then there are the foundations which allow you to observe and work better. Almost everyone agrees that these are important, so there's a chance that you too could find something of use in it. When there are multiple contradicting opinions, that's a telltale sign that you will need to come into your own conclusions about it, because everybody else has too (although it doesn't guarantee anything in itself, if the majority considers something to be 'right'). I've been thinking something similar lately as well, and i think the focus should be on doing, and search for help and tutorial when a roadblock occurs or something just doesn't seem to work. During a roadblock, search for varying approaches for the topic at hand. Ultimately you do this for yourself (unless you are a professional for hire, for example), and the result can look like anything you want it to. I'm not a pro artist, so this point of view is 100% trustworthy :P

[@SleepyRulu]

Ai art recently gave me some new ideas I never thought or expected.

[@pedrochevez2090]

I think AI art is showing us how much a lack in imagination people have become. Ironically, machines are showing us how to be human again.

[@RedRocksies]

@@pedrochevez2090 ... or then we just become more and more reliant on some machine only very very few have full root level understanding how it does what it does. Yipee. I think there are way better methods to nurture your imagination than using some ethically questionable phrase machine. Honestly, I haven't seen anything in social media AI "art" spam flood that I wouldn't have come up with myself. It's not like it has opened some lovecraftian pandora box of unthinkable thoughts and colors nobody has ever seen before lmfao.

[@pedrochevez2090]

@@RedRocksies True. But in the broader sense and taking in collective public social consciousness, i see more regurgitation than anything else. Just look at the entertainment industry. It only perpetuates like minded ideas and gets distributed by those absorbing it. Maybe I'm looking at it too deep but i cannot help but conclude based on what keeps being pumped out and accepted.

[@tam_76]

I can relate to this. I bought a portrait class a while back and then found out the entire structure was to make portraits exactly like the instructor. All the 'graduated' students made portraits exactly like the instructor. Anything different was wrong. Any imaginative work students did on their own was roasted because it wasn't in his style. Lesson learned. Be selective, and find supportive mentors who don't intend to just make copies of themselves.

[@dwintster]

It's true though when doing into a class the mindset is usually learn everything they know about that subject for that period of time. Once it's done you keep what's useful to you and disregard the rest. They can't teach you everything only their approach, that's why you take classes from a variety of people given the opportunity each one will give you their take on things. Over time you will find what works best for you.

[@canoners]

It's not all wrong. You learn from someone to "steal" their technique and knowledge, otherwise why do you want to learn from them? If you are going to do something totally different, do it somewhere else outside the class. It will be tough to grade your progress if you stray away from his lessons. What separates the good from the great though, the great will assimilate what works for them from the lesson and apply it to their own style, then go find someone else to learn from, steal again, filter, apply, and repeat.

[@marikothecheetah9342]

@@canoners they were supposed to learn the basics of drawing portraits, the general stuff that is a framework for creating portraits. You only copy artists to learn about their technique if it's something directly relates to you, but you usually do it AFTER you learned the basics. Any discouragement for deviating from 100% of somebody's style (which is different from said framework) is just an ego talking. If I learned English pronunciation from my teachers I would speak terribly, I went on my way to learn pronunciation, after they taught me basics of the English language.

[@marikothecheetah9342]

@@dwintster a teacher is for you to guide you, not to impose his or her way of doing things. They show their style, but they also should say to learn the basics and then develop your style. Seriously, that kind of talk, like yours makes me so glad I never took any art lessons, because with that approach, I'd hate it. learning from many is a good approach but you can't do it when taking a course, now can you? A good teacher gives you the tools and teaches you how to use them, but then allows you to learn to use them the way you find it most comfortable, not "my way or high way" which is exactly, what OP suggests.

[@canoners]

@@marikothecheetah9342 Sure, if the teacher replied or gave feedback in a condescending manner, then that is a totally valid criticism of their attitude. Otherwise if the teacher was asking politely to keep to the class structure, but the student still deviated, then is that not an issue with the student's ego instead? Then again it depends on what the class is supposed to teach, if they're teaching you the basics, then you try your best to follow the basics to show how well you understand it. If it's more project based, catered to each student, then yeah you are free to go in whatever direction you like.

[@DeviN99de]

[@comicszoneuniverse]

Secret in life : never follow ANY advice.

[@Simon-et4hu]

Is that advice? Mindblown by paradox :D Edit: I get your comment I’m just fooling around ^.^

[@OctyDrawz]

What are the main reasons behind that? :o

[@kit2691]

paradox moment

[@AdamDuffArt]

Well - that might be a bit extreme I’m personally grateful my mother told me not to deep throat my grandmothers cactus

[@OctyDrawz]

@@AdamDuffArt Based mom