Don't Skip the Concept Phase!

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Illustrator Clint Cearley discusses the painting process and the need for many junior illustrators to put more time into the concept phase.
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[@Swatches]

This video was sponsored by Skillshare.

[@GabrielAnnMarina]

lol

[@trahapace150]

The process is just as fun if you change your mindset. Dont see it as something you must do see it as one of the most freely creative parts of the piece....you cannula with anything, color scale, proportion....its the part where you can create and be free to explore without the fear of messing something up, it stops you from painting yourself into a corner that you didn't see

[@PlazDreamweaver]

I feel like each step in the process can be equally enjoyable, as each step is crafting something beautiful. It's especially great for more perfectionist types, who enjoy putting their 100% into things.

[@Renee11123]

You're absolutely right. In the process, we're free to explore, experiment, and even discover something new. Thank you for helping me see this part in a greater perspective. I'm going to apply this in my art and everything else I do.

[@PlazDreamweaver]

I've been drawing for 18 years -- since I was 4 years old -- and it's never come to my mind to focus on the concept stages. That could be due to my prior desire to draw/paint just for personal enjoyment, but now I want to also improve, and I believe this will be extremely helpful. Thank you so much.

[@Swatches]

Good observation; this topic is often a determining factor between hobbyists and professionals.

[@aldamis8384]

This is a CRIMINALLY underrated video. This totally gave me a eureka moment. Thank you for the help you provide 🙏

[@Swatches]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Renee11123]

Thank you so much for this advice. I admit, I skip the concept phase. After listening to your video, I have a greater respect for the planning/concept phase and aim to change my mindset on the process that I find boring at first.

[@hassassinator8858]

Underrated channel. Thanks a lot, my guy!

[@Swatches]

Thank you too!

[@ninja.android]

I've been in the facebook group lurking and not posting, but never really saw the videos oops!!... This video is eye opening and helpful on how to improve with actual steps on how to do it without just "practice makes perfect". I wish I could upvote it more than once. Thank you for sharing! Personally, the concept phase is always more fun, because is like the brainstorm and once I have the sketch is harder to do the good work. But now I understand why. I'm not a scholar artist, I've always painted for fun and hobby and just dreamed of being a pro but it's overwhelming. Breaking it into steps like you mention here might be really basic but I haven't seen it before like this (so simple) and I'll start to be more thoughtful of the process following this steps :D

[@Swatches]

Glad you found it insightful! Artists often prefer the concept or rendering stage more than the other and that can equate to going into either concept art (concept phase heavy) or illustration (rendering phase heavy).

[@LillenArt2]

I always wondered why I was so terrible with color, and then I actually started doing color studies for each piece. World changing.

[@wongarnold]

Absolutely essential knowledge served on a plate, writing down the process tests me to see if I really know what I am doing.

[@JoshAshConceptArt]

I need to listen to this everyday before I begin working on my art lol. Thanks Clint, great video!

[@RafanTasTiiiC]

Same 😂

[@daveylevsonart]

your videos are super helpful and clear!!

[@SuperBerecik]

Thanks a lot for the film !

[@zadrhovadlo]

Great video! Thank you Clint ❤

[@Felipecaro]

super useful video to watch several times thanks

[@Thesamurai1999]

Hey Swatches! I was wondering what you think about artists like Ruan Jia, Wei Feng, Huang Guangjian or other chinese painters. They very often skip all these stages and just start putting down colors and do whatever and seem to make a master piece out of it.

[@3lit3gn0m3]

No one responded, so I'll take a shot. It's a rare case when someone is skilled enough to do that, and is by no means the standard to set for yourself. If you can do it, then more power to you, but it's not something anyone "should be able to do." Most pros would probably tell you that their ability is a result of building a visual library over years or perhaps decades that they can draw from. There's so many ways to draw everything, so until it's effortless to draw most things well, then it's not a realistic expectation by a long-shot. They can imagine what they want immediately as well, so there's some extraordinary imagination piled on top of the experience. It's like compiling a bunch of S-rank stats together, and the result? Throwing things onto a piece of paper and knowing almost exactly what you want. All that said, some complex art almost requires this step, so no artist is 100% capable of skipping 100% of the conceptual stage. Even the artists you mention likely do it, just not in the way most others do.

[@Thesamurai1999]

@@3lit3gn0m3 Hello, thank you for the information! I appreciate it. And you're right, I found an interview of Ruan Jia where he says that the day he started to draw from references was the day he actually felt like he improved. I've currently set those expectations for myself. And it's hard ;-; I just hope I'll get to that level someday. Regardless, thanks for the input! =)

[@Clips_I_Guess]

I've always loved the concept portion more than the rendering process, but I always rush through it since I want to focus more on the challenging part of the drawing. I still try to do some small sketches and stuff, but it seems as though I've been stabbing myself in the foot with that mind-set.... Thanks for the vid, Clint.

[@ЛюбовьБажанова-й2г]

That video was really helpful for me thank you 🥺

[@Djinn667]

My biggest issue isn't the ideation process, but rather the inability to finish out any projects. I kinda just get scared of screwing up the final painting and say "I'll get to it later". Then I never come back to it.

[@rubengardinerart]

Excellent videos thanks for this

[@Swatches]

My pleasure!

[@HalfWarrior]

Thank you Clint!

[@stefanmichael1385]

Thank you!! So helpful!

[@Swatches]

So glad!

[@geserdasilva3815]

God bless u Clint

[@SoulOctavius]

Yea I found the concept process pretty boring. But then I found a new trick that made it way more fun, and reminded me of the Lego building process. Building a drawing like building a sculpture. Now I finally was able to make the drawing how I had it in my head. But you're right you do gotta go though that process, or it wont come out right. I spent 1 whole day on the drawing ans still not done. Because of that it came out way better then if I had stopped after working on it for 12 hours. Some drawings need to be worked on for a few days for it to realy have the best quality. Probably 1 whole day just figuring out the pose for the drawing, and getting the proportions right. Then day 2 for working on the lighting/shadows, and Day 3 for working on coloring. Then day 4 working on the background. So you have plenty of time to fix or edit any of the big mistakes you'll make in the drawing.

[@nerzenjaeger]

I must admit that so far EVERY image I have ever done has been improved by even the slightest bit of prep.

[@Swatches]

Crazy eh? Improvement through iteration.

[@peterjacksonanton4814]

Hi Clint, How solid should a student's fundamentals be before attempting finished illustrations? I'm currently at the early intermediate level, going through classical realism training and doing lots of observational drawing to improve my skills. But I wonder if I should be dedicating some time each day to creating my own work, given that I want to go into fantasy illustration. Any input would be much appreciated. Thank you for the videos!

[@Swatches]

Peter, I recommend students take on finished illustrations, in moderation, because fundamental studies and full illustrations practice different things. Fundamental studies are great for improving a specific skill or subject whereas full illustrations are necessary because they bring all those isolated fundamental studies together. They make all the separate bits of knowledge and understanding being gained into a cohesive skill set. So, we want to practice in narrow studies to improve, then we want to do a big piece that requires us to blend that new knowledge into our workflow. I see the ratio of time between the two being the biggest point. At the very beginning, the student could do well with 90% studies and 10% finished illustration but as they improve the balance begins to even out. If you want to do fantasy illustration then put more time into the finished illos, say a 70/30 or 60/40 split. Practice the workflow of doing a finished illustration, that is a skill often overlooked. Get familiar with how to take a piece from step to step and how to push a piece to finish. The commitment to finish a piece, even when it's "being difficult" is a great practice in itself. Hope this helps

[@peterjacksonanton4814]

@@Swatches Yes, this helps a ton! Thanks so much for the thorough answer. I'll start allotting some time every day towards an ongoing illustration

[@yihang7355]

So if I'm just starting to use digital art, how should I start? Since I have years drawing in traditional but I am looking for information on how to start digitally because I see so many steps, so many videos that sometimes they only say "draw draw and draw" But I need methods to go step by step :( my tablet will arrive in a few days and I see that there is a lot to go, hopefully I can achieve it 🥺

[@Swatches]

Didn't realize until reading your question that I have never made any sort of "beginner's guide to digital painting" video. There are LOT of different methods and workflows in programs like Photoshop and Procreate, all depending on the kind of image you're wanting to create but you want to start with the program. Look for beginner's guides to whichever program you're using so you know where everything is located and what it does. These art programs have learning curves, just like watercolor or pastels. Once you're familiar with the tools then you can get into learning different painting approaches. Oh, forgot, I do have a video on Blending Modes that you may find helpful, kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZi0dH6PpNt-jq8

[@antonioblanco3086]

impatience is our enemy! Clint how much time do you spend in concept phase?

[@Swatches]

Not to be dodgy, but it does really depend on the project. A standalone character image won't take nearly as long as a multi-figure scene with background and architecture. I likely spend as much time in the concept phase developing the composition, values, colors, and design as I do painting it to completion.

[@antonioblanco3086]

@@Swatches Thanks Mr Cearly! I'm a self taught artist and I have learned a lot from you and your channel! I hope to be a professional like you soon

[@sugarplum9017]

I have ADHD and this hurts 😅

[@cloudsofsunset7323]

guilty. I am te type of junior beginner artist who LOVES painting and spend little to nothing on this previous phase. In my defense I didn't even thought it would be such meaningful until this video. But now I knooow I better practise doing it more concioisly

[@Swatches]

That's normal, as an artist begins to be more serious about the craft, they move from emotion-driven production to intention-driven production.

[@QuadroVF]

I do all that stuff in my head, saves time :3

[@radoslavtodorov9848]

While i watched that video i just skip some of the steps ,because i wanted to reach the interesting part of the process hahaha. Ok lets go back :D Thank you!

[@Swatches]

LOL, that's golden :D

[@otaviodiasleite5523]

Sencond!

[@RicardoDizonLefthanded]

third

[@Wildgarden1]

I love the concept fase, and find the painting fase very boring.

[@Swatches]

The love for one of the other seems to be a big factor of whether an artist goes into concept art (concept phase heavy) or illustration (rendering phase heavy).

[@Wildgarden1]

@@Swatches wouldn't it be perfect if 2 poeple work together on one painting? One concepting lover and one rendering lover?

[@rahmabodi9375]

FIRST

[@marceloblu4104]

this is the best "indirect" explanation of why abstract art is so quick to be produced (and always lame!)

[@en4017]

Death, it's one of the biggest events that will ever take place in your life. We face death everyday, conscious or unconsciously of it; death lurks around every corner of our life. Like a lion waiting to catch its prey, death comes for us all in many shapes and form; seemingly there is no one who can escape from the jaws of death. But did you know there is a reason why we die? The idea of death you're familiar with is only the tip of the iceberg. See we die because we've sinned against God. Death according to the bible is wages " for the wages of sin is death " (Romans 6:23). Because man sinned against God, we live in a fallen world, it was once perfect, but now in ruins. Now that sin exists, God is coming to judge the world In righteousness. It's appointed a man once to die and after this judgement" (Hebrews 9:27) The standard he'll judge you by is the 10 commandments, God's moral law. He's so serious about sin that he gave anyone who sins the death sentence, the bible says you've earned it through sinning against God and each time you sin you build up his wrath. “The soul who sins shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4) The punishment is the eternal fires of Hell " Where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:42) You will have to face God on Judgement Day. Will you go to Heaven or Hell? Here’s a quick test: 1-You shall have no other gods before me. 2-You shall not make any idols. 3-You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. 4-Remember the Sabbath Day. 5-Honor your father and mother. 6-You shall not murder. 7-You shall not commit adultery. 8-You shall not steal. 9-You shall not lie. 10-You shall not covet. Have you ever told a lie? stolen anything? used God’s name in vain? have you ever looked at anyone with lust? He sees lust as adultery, “Whoever looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”(Matthew 5:28) Have you ever hated someone? he sees hatred as murder, ”Anyone who hates another brother or sister is a murderer, (1 John 3:15) James 2:10 says, “the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.” Don't rely on your own goodness or good works to save you. That's like bribing God to let you into heaven; Nor a church, pastor, priest, or any religion. None of us are good at all, even murderers, rapists, even Hilter will call themselves Good and they'll try to justify themselves by their Good works. But the bible says: • "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all of our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like wind have taken us away." (Isaiah 64:6) God's definition of good is morally excellent and therefore he demands absolute pperfections. No one can ever match his standards. That's why Jesus said: • " No one is good except God alone." (Luke 18:19) If you have done any of those things, God sees you as guilty of breaking His law and the Bible warns that the guilty will end up in Hell. Will YOU be guilty on Judgement Day? "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) God sent His Son to suffer and die on the cross. Jesus took the punishment upon Himself and defeated death on the cross; not because your Good but because God is rich in mercy. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Jesus rose from the dead and defeated death. Repent (turn from sin) today and trust in Jesus and God will grant you everlasting life; you'll also be born again. He'll give you a new heart that desires righteousness, what is just and a heart that will love God. that is why Jesus said "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3) Then, Read the Bible and obey what you read. ☆ When Are You Going To Get Right With God? “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion“ (Hebrews 3:15) “Now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) • " Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) It's your choice. I'll leave you with this "What shall profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? " (Mark 8:36) If you're taking this seriously, Would you like a prayer? This prayer is not a guarantee that you'll be saved, that's between you and God. However, I'd like this to be a good start for your journey. "Father, I thank you for this person's open heart and ask that he/she would repent and trust alone in Jesus christ. I also ask that you guide their steps on their journey so that they would pass from death to life. In Jesus name amen. When you get alone before God and repent (turn from your sins) of your sins. Use Psalm 51 as a model to help you. When you find time please read this: www.livingwaters.com/save-yourself-some-pain/