Episode 1 - Lesson 1 | Learning how to draw with DRAW A BOX | official critique review & progress

[@SpottedJournal]

This video took me longer than expected, I'm excited to share what I've learnt, I tried to fit as much a I could in hopefully it's helpful & everything makes sense!

[@back-seat-driver1355]

No it is not helpful! Interested drawers should go to drawabox directly! Why listen to this boring personal experience?

[@farzeenmirza5633]

I was exploring and somehow find Draw a box website, i played the video and somehow end up on the linked channel uncomfortable.. but wasn't sure if the website is really teach me something and then I saw your journey...quite amused by your progress..and now I am going to try it by myself. So thank you for the review and for sharing your progress with us. ✨ Happy 2025✨ keep shining 🌟.

[@SpottedJournal]

@fareemirza5633 thank you for the encouraging words. It’s what I needed to hear as I’ve been a bit harsh on myself lately. I’d love to hear how you get along, have fun and happy 2025 too 🥳🥳

[@DeterminedGoat]

I just started draw a box over again after having to cut my first try short last year. Seeing your experience with the patreon influences me to sign up as well. I'm looking forward to getting started on the 250 box challenge. It will be cool to see your videos of your results as we go through at the same time. Keep going and posting. I've subscribed.

[@SpottedJournal]

Hai Determind Goat, thanks for subscribing

[@HadesPsd]

Lovely stuff! So glad to see you working through DrawABox. Those critiques were really insightful, and I completely agree with the comment about art style, in that it will come organically.

[@SpottedJournal]

ah thanks Hades, I don't believe both your and Phoebe brought it up the exact same day, but seeing you lot draw has really inspired me. I've heard that it's even more fun after Lesson 2, so exciting to be on this journey !

[@jemportal4166]

I've never heard of this platform before, but I'm definitely gonna start it now! Thank you for posting such a thorough video on this 😊😊

[@SpottedJournal]

You are most welcome, I am glad you managed to find it useful, enjoy the ride! 🤗

[@birdie4263]

thank you for the review. this was actually helpful. I'm gonna look into this program. it seems like just the one that will help me too. wish there were more videos like this on YT reviewing artist courses. this is very nice.

[@SpottedJournal]

Thanks for the lovely comment Birdie, I love to learn and happy to share too. Love to do more, f9ngerd crossed they will be helpful too 🤗

[@danielangelomaniego4994]

Thank you for this video!

[@SpottedJournal]

You are welcome 🤗

[@RadishTheFool]

Hello Jenny, thank you very much for making this video! My goal for this year is consistency, and I think (hope) the straightforward exercises from DrawaBox will help me work towards that. I've just started reading through lessons 0 and 1 yesterday evening, and doing some superimposed lines in my sketchbook (where I plan to make an overview of all the different exercises). And now I've watched your amazing video. It's been so helpful and fun hearing how you approached this course, seeing your homework, and reading/hearing what kind of feedback you got. All of this has really motivated me to set up a working space today with a pile of printer paper nearby, and start my days doing those exercises and/or drawing for fun. I think it could really set me up for a productive day.

[@SpottedJournal]

Hello Quinacridone, This is such an amazing message to receive, thank you for your kind words! I hope you're enjoying exercises so far, how's it going? I too was eager to get going in the beginning, I pulled out pens and sketchbooks but after reading lesson 0, I thought to myself, I might as well do it properly if i'm going to spend time on this! The structured exercises make it great to follow, i love this sense of direction and led. But it does get intense, as I mentioned my brain was fried at one point haha, to take it easy & do keep me updated, i'd love to hear how you're finding it. We can do this!

[@RadishTheFool]

@@SpottedJournal 😊 Your reply made me very happy. I haven't reached my goal of doing a bit of art every day yet, but that's fine. That's why it's a goal. So far, I'm managing taking it easy and being fine with it. I've done some exercises, but not very many of them, and not for very long. Just a page or so at a time. I've mostly focused on figuring out how to draw for fun. And especially, what I want to draw for fun. In the end, I bought some books (my answer to anything). I like drawing mushrooms, but I don't want to go onto pinterest every time I want to draw. So I bought an amazing book on mushrooms. I also bought some books about geometric patterns, so I can draw stuff I like even when I don't feel inspired. How about you? What kinds of things do you like to draw?

[@SpottedJournal]

​@@RadishTheFool Hey Duck, thanks for your message, I hope ya doing well! Ahh.. yes consistency is so hard, i was the same in the beginning too but then found it easier to draw first thing in the morning because that's when i'm most energised. Maybe experiment on timings to figure out what suits you and if everyday is too much, maybe start off with once a week first then gradually add it in. Glad you found a book that feeds into your mushroom needs, they are pretty looking things and fun to draw. I like drawing them too, they are very whimsical too. Another thing i like to draw are faces but i have no idea why!

[@jettartz462]

I am so glad I watched this before taking a look at the site lol. This was so helpful, thank you for the recommendation! I really learn more about perception

[@SpottedJournal]

Ahh its my pleasure and thanks for the feedback Jettartz! if you take it on do lemme know how you get along. Have fun!

[@jettartz462]

@@SpottedJournal I plan on taking the very first lesson, but I hope I can finish it lol!

[@SpottedJournal]

You can do it it @jettartz just take it easy, don't grind it. For me, I find it helps to get these practices done first thing in the morning when the motivation is peak Test around what suits

[@SirDude555]

After Two Years, I have two questions, 1. How do you measure time with a Donkey? 2. Did you make it all the way through the DrawBox? BONUS QUESTION: If not, why and what else have you done to learn?

[@SpottedJournal]

Heya 🤗 1. With one donkey at a time.. Maybe one for the ancestors haha! 2. Not yet but I most likely will 3a. Bonus - why? I've not completed it yet because i had to figure out my purpose and intention first. Doing the course without an aim felt like i was drawing for the sake of drawing. 3b. What ive learnt - I have now figured out my subject matter/themes I am drawn too and want to draw about. Next step is to figure out what visually excites me. I believe, once I've figured that biggy I can start to retake the lessons to improve my draftmanship with more intention. Hope that makes sense. By documenting my art progress here, I hope it shows how long it truly takes for pros to get to where they are. I've learnt it's essential to have a very messy beginning and we just gotta plough through and get the crap work out, listen to our own guts and do what's right for our own path without negatively comparing it to others. I share more on what I learnt in the first year of taking my art career seriously in journal video 42 🤗 where are you at on your art journey?

[@SirDude555]

@SpottedJournal, Thank you for taking the time to answers my questions. Yes, your comments make sense, well, except for the Donkey. ;-) 555 I'm just coming back to drawing after decades away. I've doodled since 1984, but never put much effort into learning how to draw. I can copy other artists simple work pretty closely, but many things are flat or off. I'm getting excited about drawing again since I am making the move to digital, for many reasons. I like the idea of the iPad and Procreate App. I don't have intentions to turn this into a career. Just want my cartoons to not look like garbage / rubbish?

[@SpottedJournal]

@SirDude555 I am excited for you, it's so fun to learn to draw from different perspectives, practice and see the improvement overtime. Is this your first time at draw a box? Do you have instagram, love to see your doodles!

[@SirDude555]

@@SpottedJournal, Thank you for being excited for me. :-) It is fun, just need to find my place in the art work. I think I finally found (hopefully) the media that I connect with. Pencils, Markers, and paint are NOT it. We will soon find out of digital is it. As for instagram or other soc media, I do not at this very moment. I am working on building a YT ch to document my progress. Hopefully it'll inspire other 50+ year olds to try the hobby. It's hard for me to believe some people think they are too old to start drawing, painting, etc. I thought thats what old people did when they got, well, old. ;-) 555 As for DrawABox, I have not signed up yet. That's why I was asking if you completed the course / stuck with the program. Website said it's like a 2 year journey, not a 2 month sprint.

[@SpottedJournal]

@SirDude555 awesome! Good luck with your endeavors! Re never too old, i think it's a mindset/confidence thing, we are lucky to feel that we are never too old. I am also still figuring which materials speak to me - we shall find out. Lemme know your youtube channel when you set it up! Love to check it out 🤗

[@gUyDyN]

Don’t take me donkeys... 🤣 good stuff Jenny! I’m glad your enjoying this journey! I in turned enjoyed the b face 😜

[@SpottedJournal]

Haha, thanks Guy!! I wonder how many times I look like this angry person... 😆

[@WildDaisyGaming]

The 'Style" vs "Fundamentals" you have to liken it to learning to ride a bike, you still have training wheels and wondering why you can't do BMX racing. Cart before the horse. You will find your style as the fundamentals become second nature to you and your imagination and creativity start to emerge because those fundamentals just flow without excess thought.

[@FedericaScaramu]

Hi dear! Lovely video, and guess what? The long version is going strong! :D You were afraid of it, right? Go Jennyyyyy goooo

[@SpottedJournal]

Ahhh Federica, your messages always makes me smile, thanks for cheering me on and the support. I hope you are having a wonder week. Let's keep going!! 🌻🍓🌻🍓🌻🍓🌻🍓

[@catboyhole]

man... i am attempting this challenge and struggling with simple boxes feels so disheartening.

[@SpottedJournal]

It is difficult doing the same thing every time, with the 250 box challenge it helped to think there is a number to hit to reach the goal. It helped how many boxes to kinda do each day. what are you finding a struggle?

[@catboyhole]

@@SpottedJournal it feels difficult to stay motivated because of a lack of improvement. i think i just need to stick with it though. hopefully things will get easier with time. ^_^

[@SpottedJournal]

Yes, that's a good mindset and a lesson I also learnt when learning how to draw. Just gotta hang on and see through the less satisfying & uncomfortable parts. Let us know how it goes! (/^▽^)/

[@Dietpepsiahh]

Speaking from my own experince, I started and quit DRAW A BOX 3 or 4 times because no one seemed to give enough of a (CENSORED) to spend one or two minutes looking over my homework to tell me what to fix but had all the time in the world to gush over people who looked like they were Pro's. I never knew about the paid option till now and will give it another go using the paid option, but I do not recommend the free option, not unless you love being ignored all the time.

[@SpottedJournal]

Yay, go you! I am pleased to hear you are going to give it another go and I hope you find it useful this time round. I did find it encouraging & helpful to have feedback. Wishing you all the best!

[@ginnyzeng5076]

I hate draw a box but love it at the same time

[@SpottedJournal]

I'd love to hear what do you hate and love about it?