Don't Draw from Photos Without Watching This!

[@stanwellback]

This video was an absolute revelation. I knew there was something wrong with my own sketches, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Thanks to your video I realise that they lack depth. My error now seems so obvious, but I was totally oblivious to what I was doing wrong. Now that I’ve utilised your advice, my sketches have definitely improved. Thank you so much for sharing this technique.

[@stephentraversart]

That’s great Duncan. I hope you have fun exploring this technique in your drawing. 😀

[@weaselscreamer]

I've been wondering lately why some of my drawings look like the last one you showed, and it makes sense now that you've explained that I've been using the same heavy lines to convey information further in the distance. Thanks so much for this video, it's already helping me to focus on the more salient elements that I want to convey to the viewer and giving my drawings more visual interest:)

[@stephentraversart]

It’s always great to hear my videos have been useful. Thanks for sharing it. 😀

[@danielgrezda3339]

I want to thank you for a tip you gave in an older video. I was drawing and thinking "Oh, if I get good at the fundamentals, I will be set to make my manga." And while I had a basic understanding of the fundamentals, my drawing's were either barebones and you could barley tell what it was, or cluttered to high heaven so that you couldn't tell what was going on. But then I stumbled on one of your videos and you said, "We suggest details, not draw them." and it changed how I draw these past two days. I'm just getting the hang of suggesting, but it has radically improved my art and shown me other way's I need to grow like proportions and observation. Also, I'm not sure if you addressed this in one of your videos, but how do you measure proportions when drawing at a small scale, like a tenth of an a4. I usually thumbnail and draw panels at that size because it is faster and I like drawing at that scale more, but it is hard to use rulers for proportions like you do in your videos, so how do you draw at that size?

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Daniel. Yes, drawing the effect is probably my most important style technique- that, and not using a ruler. I really don’t draw smaller than A5, and even then that is more planning, and not to be a finished drawing. But the principles are the same, although you have to be more sparing in your lines, and use finer lines I guess. Keep practicing for the scale you need, and critique your work afterwards to direct you how to improve. It really sounds like you are on a good path to do this. All the best with it. Please tell your friends who draw about my KZbin channel if you think they would also find it helpful. Happy drawing. 😀

[@maeduss]

13:53 I’m in shock! Tysm… As an architecture student, this has helped me (your explanation was very easy to comprehend)!

[@absamatYT]

hows architecture school

[@antonjorch]

Oh thanks so much for this video, as an artist even when you are familiarized with the concept sometimes we make the mistake of forgot about this principle, good refreshing content and incredible drawings. keep rocking.

[@stephentraversart]

So great to hear. Yes, we can all do with reminding of things we’ve once known. All the best with your drawing Anton. 😀

[@lw8281]

Thank you for an excellent video on drawing from photos!

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you. Have you drawn this one yourself now? 😀

[@MarkoVuckovic-ik1ze]

One fundamental question, do you draw the perspective lines with a pencil before using permanent ink?

[@stephentraversart]

No. In these freehand ink drawings I draw directly in ink. I do make guidance marks often with my pen, but they are then obviously still visible at the end of the drawing 😀

[@gerarddeheide4584]

Thanks for explaining this! Keep up the good work. Always en enjoing you video,'s

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Gerard for the encouragement. If my channel is helpful, please tell your friends. That would really help me a lot. 😀

[@linhuskun]

i don't know how to thank you enough

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was so helpful Carlos😀

[@ninjainart]

Thank you for this video.

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was helpful. 😀

[@sd8544]

@stephenTraversArt very useful tutorial ! It applies to sketching (of all types) as well. Thoughts ?

[@stephentraversart]

Yes. And it applies to painting as well😀

[@MarmiteBrot]

Thats what i was looking for 🙌🏼

[@stephentraversart]

Glad to show it then!😀

[@peckerdecker]

what would be intersting is IF this artist was drawing from the actual envoironment. so instead of the photograph postion- the artist draws in the location and then we see HOW the final artwork would 'look' diffrent? just a thought

[@stephentraversart]

It’s just down the road. I’ll give it some thought.

[@شعلانالشعلان-ذ8ح]

فديوهات رائعه ومفيده شكرا

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks 😀

[@preparedsurvivalist2245]

Ive come to realize that most drawings from photos, or even from life, have minor to major accuracy/proportion issues. Incorrect angles or shapes that dont correlate concisely. And ok, thats normal, most can not generate what they see with absolute fidelity. But the problem is that we essentially have an error and we then have to keep working around it and living with it. Thats why it really helps to get accurate outlines so that our perspectives and figures are proportioned correctly. Then we can focus on other techniques and spend more time on the details, without suffering from an inaccurately laid out initial drawing as we invest more time and effort into our work.

[@stephentraversart]

All sounds very sound. Thanks for sharing with us all😀

[@tinyfacemcgee9211]

💕💕💕💕💕