Drawing Meditation #36: The Mystery of Form

[@inb4230]

It's like H.R. GIGER with a deeper understanding of anatomy,that's gorgeous work

[@brozfranz4814]

OMFG I hate you so much you're too good. I LOVE how you can make surreal things look so real and alive, while maintaining a mystical and surrealistic atmosphere. You need more subs.

[@pedramtajeddini5100]

It's so hard not to copy your style because it's amazing

[@tanakafupa4255]

sat down for 8 minutes and realised ive learned nothing, but what a soothing and suductive voice you have. ive been tricked.

[@zacharyhorvath3615]

Man, as someone who’s been drawing for years but only recently began to talk with other artists, it’s amazing to hear the thoughts and discoveries I’ve had being shared by someone else with such elegance, and deeper insight. That’s why I like your channel so much-I can both relate to these topics that you present, and then dive deeper in. I didn’t know the word ‘form’ in regard to art until maybe 2 years ago. I probably would have used the term volumetric, or contour-hatching. However, I can remember while sketching on the F-train, drawing the face of a person, marking in their eye, and then without looking down, my hand traveled from the deep pit between the eye and the brow, and then up and cross over the bridge of the nose, picking up the pen at certain points and then landing it when needed. It was like flying a plane over a hill (or what I imagine flying a plane would be like). I knew this was a big evolution, and it began to inform how I would shade, as there are some things that aren’t necessarily there but feel inherently true to me, though what is true continues to grow and evolve as I practice.

[@StevenZapataArt]

Glad you’re connecting with the content. And very very glad that it’s connecting deeply. Yes those key moments on the path are really memorable aren’t they? Those events stand out because they feel like your subconscious rising up and “teaching” you how the do it right. Wild.

[@zacharyhorvath3615]

@@StevenZapataArt yes! It’s odd because I feel sometimes when I finish a drawing that I share authorship over the art with a foreign and supernatural force. My other theory is that perhaps it’s some type of collective-knowledge that’s been deeply engrained into the subconscious, building upon the progress/innovation of past generations!

[@agent_energy5330]

We don't deserve this kindness❤️ thank you so much!

[@tylerbowendesigns4089]

This is a profoundly amazing piece man! Fallen angel of sorts, fantastic!

[@StevenZapataArt]

Yooou got it. Thank you!

[@eugenenciu902]

Awesome, Thank you... a pleasure to watch, a pleasure to listen to!

[@colinredwood]

dope artwork and you speak of great knowledge

[@jdjemkins3885]

Amazing artwork! Not just what's on the paper, the deep philosophical insights as well.

[@emselurniak]

I am in love with your videos! Listening to you this past day has helped me get my enthusiasm and desire for drawing back. Thank you.

[@ronstewart1704]

Amazing! Thanks for the insight on how to create, so realistically, from imagination. To understand how to render nothing into something, just by understanding form and shading. Awesome to see you in action. Thanks

[@dragoon3084]

All of these videos are incredibly valuable, thank you Steven!

[@ryanthompson3446]

Wow man, your art is so inspiring.

[@EricYoungArt]

This is a fantastic video, very inspiring in many different ways. Bravo!

[@ΑριάδνηΤζουνάκου]

First video of your I come across. I am amazed at the art and I love your narrative style. Subscribed immediately.

[@merpderp7223]

Appreciate your hard work mate, loving these videos!

[@estoton0036]

As someone with aphantasia this whole minds eye exercise was basically impossible for me (no visual imagination and if my dreams happen have visual components i still cant access the memories of that) but its interesting how I can still store and utilize ideas and blueprints for drawing certain things even though I cant visually access any of that information.

[@StevenZapataArt]

Now that’s very interesting indeed. Would love to hear more about how those blue prints uh...”feel” when you access them.

[@estoton0036]

@@StevenZapataArt The blueprints for me are like a combination of word descriptions of basic shapes, textures and colors that make up an object and usually these dont have some kind of big picture overview its more like if I start with a specific shape I know what to add to it and in what order to build it into what I remember the words represent. Accessing them feels like I am following a written explanation that is telling me step by step how to draw something in my head but in a way it also feels like there has to be something more than just the words going on in the background to make all of this possible since often the word descriptions dont seem complex enough to hold all this information I am using for drawing.

[@heinavaara113]

Amazing Art

[@mistergun0054]

Nice work

[@sealbatross]

I love love love your vids

[@rabidL3M0NS]

Well this got philosophical quickly

[@AkashLahaPotrait]

Gorgeous

[@StevenZapataArt]

Thank you!

[@ricardorivera806]

Interesting concepts Steven!

[@StevenZapataArt]

We always dive into the niche stuff around these parts...

[@SlayPlenty]

13:50 amazing analogy holy crap

[@a_clairexr4467]

Jesus Christ 🥺❤️ you're a God send

[@henriquem5985]

Steven Zapata: we cant dream each others dream David Lynch: hold my coffee

[@tbcserelmz1192]

Thats really nice I been tying to get at this type of level, its hard though thinking about taking some classes to learn how to shade properly

[@Happylluk]

Hey bud just watch your proko shading video. It was great. Really love your process. Have a great Christmas. Keep up the great work dude. ! ;)

[@roninnovastar1321]

I think, Very High Caliber Artist H. R. GiGER would Definitely approve ! and also, would have been a bit envious of your talents !! It Really would have been great to see both of you collaborate on a project. Too bad he passed.

[@jeansantos1673]

Master

[@CaneCorso1]

Mind Blown! Where and how the Hell do you come up with these drawings? I just started drawing about 9 months ago and that is my biggest obstacle (Imagination). Since I found your channel I've been obsessed with your drawings and your style and techniques. I'm trying to find my nitch or what style I'm the best at. I love doing landscapes, barn's and trees, but I still come back to your work. I would love to know how you found your groove and how I could make my mind expand to learn more. I know that's asking allot lol. I would love to be half as good as you one day. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. Love your work!

[@agradoville]

Love the art. Love watching your techniques and process. I notice 3 different pencils being used here, can you give more details on the lead differences you are using?

[@StevenZapataArt]

I use an hb for most of the work, and then black colored pencils or palomino blackwing pencils for the darks

[@WolfikCZ]

heyy it looks amazing, what is in the cup?

[@StevenZapataArt]

Probably chai tea

[@LikeAwesome]

hello, Steven! you have the outstanding knowledge of form, shadow and light so I want to ask you a question. is there any literature about fundamentals of light and shadow that you can recommend? I have no problem with basic shapes like boxes, spheres and cylinders, but as soon as I start to draw something like human face - I have no idea how to paint shadows correctly.

[@StevenZapataArt]

Well something like the head is specific enough that the quality of your lighting is based on your understanding of its structure. If you understand the basic boxes, spheres, and cylinders, then any one moment on the head is not far from that, but putting them all together requires intimate knowledge of the head. I recommend Andrew loomis and George Bridgman as a start for head construction

[@LikeAwesome]

​@@StevenZapataArt I think Im not really explained my problem. I am 3d artist and I like to make humans, creatures and etc so I have a basic (at least) understanding of form and anatomy, I know face planes, muscle flows and etc. BUT when I paint (in 2d) I always stumble at shadows. I cannot understand where will that exact shadow from the hand fall onto the body. I know it is a matter of hard work and years of experience before I will understand it freely, but at this stage I literally have no idea about light and shadow. I read the book about drawing and part about light and shadow is just on 2 pages. thats why I asked you about literature! Thanks for the answer! Much appreciated! p/s: sorry for mistakes Im not a native speaker

[@gabrielwendt4528]

@@LikeAwesome To me it sounds like a problem of perspective which goes hand in hand with planes and structure. Maybe it's about how light works in general?(depending on the light source and how far an object is apart from another object, the softness/hardness of the (cast)shadow changes, you might get ambient occlusion happening if the 2 objects touch, etc.) - for that stuff i would recommend videos by marco bucci but im not certain that thats what you are looking for. I remember there being a playlist by sycra for the basics of light and shadow which includes how a shadow of basic boxes is shaped when it falls onto a flat ground plane and lots of other stuff. It should still be on youtube and maybe it can help

[@schattenkabinett9224]

in the year 2525 if Giger is still alive :D i like your style. very cool

[@harshbhati2811]

Hey Steve, can you upload audio podcasts of these streams on other platforms?

[@overlex]

For a second, I thought HR Giger had a KZbin channel 🥲🥲🥲

[@cyborgar15]

Ya,reminds me of his stuff..so cool

[@irgendjemand4064]

Do you use references or is that all from your mind/imagination? Fantastic, unique work

[@StevenZapataArt]

Most of it is from imagination, you can see a moment in the video where I have a reference picture of a hand available.

[@irgendjemand4064]

@@StevenZapataArt Amazing!

[@tboola8322]

do you have classes for shading ??? or even anatomy ??? pls respone

[@StevenZapataArt]

Check out Secrets of Shading on my Gumroad! Link in description.

[@jeangonnella]

Steven, I draw also and I’d like to see what you think of my work. I started to mess around w new idea and need someone who also draws to tell me what you think. Also I’m interested in knowing if one can get a doctorate in drawing?? Hope to here from you...lmk where I can email you ...thank you

[@StevenZapataArt]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a doctorate in drawing. Check out my workshops in the future if you need feedback, my schedule is unfortunately very tight these days

[@jeangonnella]

I will. Thank you : )

[@extraman497]

You are ---> Allen Williams Vesrsion 2. Skillfully. How much time was spent on this artwork?

[@StevenZapataArt]

Allen is a huge inspiration, thank you. I believe this one was faster than most of the value-heavy drawings I do. Maybe 20-30 hours?

[@dougg1075]

Gigerishly bad ass!

[@christopherwiley1460]

You could do a sleep story for calm

[@StevenZapataArt]

Sounds good let me know when you can get me on the phone with them

[@tcm2336]

Quick technical question - what medium did you use for the background? I know its not, but it looks like shoe polish and a sponge lol. Whatever you used gave a beautiful finish. Also great video, wonderful drawing and fascinating ideas. You have gained a sub :)

[@StevenZapataArt]

That was PanPastel extra soft black. They make the sponge as well

[@tcm2336]

@@StevenZapataArt Thanks. Il have to get some at some point and have a play around😊

[@МаксУстинов-ч8с]

Трудоемкая работа... Привет Вам из России

[@zambiasi6017]

8:00 my waves are a bit wired, they move when i see the bigger picture, but they look like a crapy jpeg when i focus on them

[@dummyaccountwoop8921]

Hello Steven I just have one question I'm really curious about and hope you might answer. Do you, by chance have the ability to control your hallucinations and see it in reality but know that it's not real? Kinda like having schizophrenia except it's the opposite and it's good because you're self aware that it's your own visual creations from the mind and that other people can't see it. Schizophrenia on the other hand is where due to personal mental stress and pain the brain is forced to create imagery to alleviate it's own pain and think that it's actually real and that it exists even tho other people can't see thus being dubbed as crazy. I've met a lot of people with this ability but the funny thing is they all thought it was normal and other people could do it as well, and aside from that they all have the ability to draw really well from imagination referencing the things they see in their minds. I honestly wanna be able to do that because I feel like it will give me a boost towards understanding how things visually work but right now I don't have a reason to do it and was hoping you could confirm this and maybe somewhat give some advice, Thank you

[@StevenZapataArt]

I wish I could do that! But I can't. I can..."see"... things very vividly in the shadow realm of my mind's eye but I certainly can't "see" them the way I see real stuff out in the real world.

[@dies.vandal999]

😍😍🔥🔥🔥

[@carloscs1007]

👍👍👍👍👍👍🙏🤝

[@sweetloveelmo]

Can't wait for you to feel compelled to create the art in Frank Herbert's DUNE Universe. Does this idea resonate with you?

[@thelosttraveler5808]

H. R.Giger Junior.

[@paulglobule4351]

Math question : we can do 3D in 2D, can we make 4D in 3D ? If yes, we might just be too "small" to see it : do you think that a 2D guy would understand a 3D drawing ? Meditate on this ;)

[@alexalexeich7329]

And what do you mean by the 4th dimension?

[@paulglobule4351]

@@alexalexeich7329 it can be anything, i never saw it, did you?

[@BlackOreoCookie]

"Forget your SO, children, parents, pets" Me, an orphan without an SO, children, pets or siblings: 👁👄👁 (Sorry, I cope with humor 😂)

[@albertozermeno7816]

Excelente trabajo amigo impresionante ,te envié solicitud a facebook (Beto ZR)

[@tamborelconejo]

my god....

[@IIJamesII]

Far out, man.

[@frogonaut5586]

Don't kill spiders

[@paulessenson7920]

He kinda sounds like Leonardo Dicaprio a bit sometimes...