Best Technique for REALISTIC DRAWING / PAINTING - SIGHT-SIZE Method : Tutorial and Demonstration

[@ohplease587]

Sometimes some of the simplest and straightforward Videos are the little gems that you find on KZbin. This is one of them.

[@melaniegardner1151]

So good to see this technique demonstrated. Have read about it quite a bit. But to see it live is so much better. Thank you

[@beccagee5905]

I think knowing and practicing any technique helps when drawing or painting. It's all about first building self confidence in your ability enough to take risks. I've taken many art classes, studied other painters, but the best lessons are the ones I've learned through my mistakes. Especially when I've forced myself to push through to solve those problems. Definitely taking breaks to stand back and studying what you have done compared to the object you are painting/rendering allow you to see where you need to make corrections. It's far easier to make corrections early on, rather than after details have been added. That is one of the things I love about oils, is the ability to constantly make corrections.

[@chriswhitehouse8982]

Yes, this is the best way to learn how to draw accurately. I never went to art school, but just trying to learn on my own. I started out using sight-size and drawing Bargue plates. And now I still print out my reference photo to the same size I want to draw. I have a board on my easel and tape my photo right next to my drawing paper (just like Florent does). And it really does help to stand back from your drawing and compare. Thanks Florent!

[@catsgallery3864]

Your explanation of this site-size drawing method is so clear, and it makes me want to use it.

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thanks, you can give it a try. It's a good exercise.

[@kiranp2325]

Florent, this is the technique that my college has started us with...(ultimately to do realistic art) but without explaining anything about the set up. After watching you again, hey!! it will be well worth it. Have been following you for a while... soon, we should have a better relationship with your lessons for my art. Have a lot of confidence in your education. So many thanks, again,,,,.

[@LukasVos]

I simply love your videos! I think you have the best channel regarding classical medium painting/drawing. Your expertise helps me a lot at my current bigger project.

[@tomslater2062]

Did site/size Bargue studies for a couple of years. It completely forces you to draw what you see, as opposed to drawing what you know. Also very meditative!

[@nikunjmajithia5002]

But that means every single little detail lol how would we finish

[@nikunjmajithia5002]

I agree though but it means every single bit lol

[@theunraveler]

This video brings back fond memory of my time at an Atelier art school where I have to stick a masking tape for both my feet to denote where I was standing.....lol good times

[@henriquejanuario881]

Great lesson! thanks for sharing! Sometimes times I just train using a similar method...putting a photo and a drawing paper side by side in a table and make the standing drawing ...big hug!

[@TheAlbinpro]

Florent, could you do a video discussing or perhaps showing rendering techniques? Would be amazing. Great video as always.

[@Ane_artdesigns]

I’m a self taught artist, so I’m not quite acquainted to various methods, but I like your teaching on this matter because practicing realism fundamentals is a lot of work without knowing the size and sight techniques. When I started drawing last year I pretty much draw using my table easel (professional easel that u have quite costly & unaffordable for me right now), so that being said I’ve done portrait drawings and caught me huge surprise why my final drawings looked crooked or ended up sideways or different angles!🤣this all made sense to me now. Although, that mistakes was not a total waste because I was able to learn different angles as well. Drawing is fun because along the way I discovered ways that added enhancements to keep persevering to improve my skills. 😊

[@daphnemarais1540]

Would love to try this "Sight Size" You explained it so well, Thanks Florent

[@huntsail3727]

I enjoyed this even though I have used sight size in the past. Your explanation was very clear and understandable. I also learned something, I can make the subject bigger by putting it in front of my easel. I never did that before, nor have I ever seen anyone do it. But it makes sense. I plan to give it a try. Thanks

[@UnityMisfit]

I am so happy i found this channel!

[@gloriamcleod5719]

Florent, love your videos. I like how you provide an overview of the subject and put it into perspective. Thank you.

[@musicdiva4ever]

Thanks for this video ! I had no idea what sight size drawing was until now . Your video will help me with my sight drawing assignment 🙏🖼️

[@TheGrreatDane]

Hey Florent, I just want to share how much I appreciate your videos. I will buy your painting tutorials very soon as well. Thanks again.

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Like and share to celebrate the return of my old skull buddy Albert ! ;)

[@dougg1075]

Florent Farges - arts where did the skull come from?

[@dougg1075]

Proportion without distortion. Make a great t-shirt

[@stephenlaw9565]

You're such a wonderful teacher !

[@ElaineCicconi]

Florent I am new to painting and I love your videos

[@Hiscomiingissoon]

You are an amazing teacher! Easy to follow and thorough in your explanations. Thank you so much!

[@notafan1275]

Thank you! You've explained it a lot better than my drawing teacher (at least, in retrospect, I think that's what I should have done...)

[@catherinecervas3726]

Florent, I love your analogy of exercise/playing basketball. I like sight size/this method for practice of translating what is seen. Then when a creative technique is desired, it is easier to get a likeness of the subject with that built-in skill. Thank you for your videos!

[@kerryallen6476]

Yes, I've used the Sight-Size method quite a bit. I also teach it to my drawing students to help them understand proportions and aid them in moving on to comparative measuring. It's a great method, and very helpful for teaching realistic drawing. Thanks for your wonderful videos, Florent!

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thanks Kerry ! All the best to you and your students !

[@annieblooms]

I can see the importance of sight size - stepping back from your marked view point - gives you accurate proportion and being able to reflect Where you are in your drawing. IVe been drawing flat hence didn't get the image right so l should draw with an easel! Thank you so much for highlighting the relevant points to making accurate art work!! This was never pointed out in my art school...

[@KlavierEum]

Very good and useful explanation

[@edbianchi8839]

Thank you, very good explanation

[@cyng8497]

I’m so happy I found your video! I have bifocals and depth perception challenges and after hearing your beautiful explanation I think they have been the cause of some of my issues when painting & drawing. I can’t wait to try this technique 😍

[@chriswhitehouse8982]

As a beginning step, I have started drawing on an easel at 90 degrees, but start out doing sight size by taping my reference photo right next to my drawing paper. This way I can make direct measurements using a T-square. After doing this for a while, I will progress to using cast, still life, and/or live model. I think it is a good way to learn and train your eyes.

[@ArtistWizardry]

I didn't know about this method. Glad to have learned it and I'll practice. :)

[@kiranp2325]

humbled humbled humbled thank you thank you thank you so much.....

[@bettychilldres9860]

Florent you are a pretty good copier of subjects... after all of your experiences ofcourse. 😊

[@albertduplessis2482]

Thank You Florent, this is really valuable content. Atelier Farges....No need to go to Florence Academy anymore.

[@SimPilot-dl8zy]

I really appreciate you instruction. Thank you.

[@arturorejeb7874]

Excellent video !! I agree with ypu this is a really great method to achieve good habits. Thanks a lot, master.

[@stevecaudell8609]

Bought the Charles Bargue book and have done some drawings from there but used freehand rather than sight size method. Didn’t have studio setup yet.

[@catherinelevison3310]

Great teaching. I recently learned about this method however you explained it so well that I really understand it now. The first video of yours I’ve seen. Thank you for teaching from your immense knowledge base. I have painted exactly what I see for a long time now. I do paint flat on my table though. I need an easel.

[@seahorse5689]

Just found your channel. This was a really thoughtful and helpful video. Best explanation of sight sizing that I've seen/heard so far. Thank you!

[@markgiaimo6569]

A very insightful discourse on sight-size. I draw and paint with the comparative method and from time to time, place the canvas next to my subject to correct mistakes in drawing, values and color. (I sometimes leave an extra easel next to the subject so I'm not constantly moving the easel back and forth while working). But I find it rather tedious and mechanical to use the method from start to finish.

[@divinedia]

This is amazing reminds me of the method angel academy and Florence academy of art in Florence use

[@LeeAnnM]

Have had this method shown WITHOUT mentioning the need for 90’ easel which may be why I hated it...also I have really bad vision so I almost always have to use a photo reference. Love your work!

[@artscience9981]

Very nice video, thank you! I have moved towards using sight-size techniques as I have started to draw more complex objects, or larger scenes where the distortion introduced by having the paper at one angle and the plane of the picture at a different angle becomes really noticeable.

[@bettychilldres9860]

THIS is a very common drawing technique that most artists already know about and DO practice. I DO practice this technique in my drawings... just a common tool for drawing for more accuracy. I also use a technique called FREE ASSOCIATION... but only AFTER I have marked out my perimeters ONTO the canvas. Then mark a few more measurements WITHIN your subject (as you call "sight sizing"). THIS technique IS a pretty good accurate "main stay" for the artist. 😁🌿👍🖼🎨

[@ercm2393]

This is GREAT!!!! And very well explained!!!

[@crisalidathomassie1811]

Thanks so much for the video. I am familiar with the sight size for painting but not for drawing. This is a great video to know you can draw this way too. Great job.

[@seherrathoreart758]

You explained it really well❤

[@birkoffhimura4607]

I usually use a ruler which also helps me to scale up or down.

[@yematosan8837]

Perfect bro 👍👍 vary helpfull

[@rodrigomartinsdemedeiros2966]

I think this is a very interesting method...Thank you very much, master!

[@trojanette8345]

4:58 -- Great technical drawing. Also, you are a great narrative instructor. Do you believe this painting methodology is how the old masters achieved such highly stylized and and detailed technical paintings?

[@theunraveler]

The Old Masters used a technique called 'camera obscura' to achieve high levels of details in their artwork.

[@trojanette8345]

@@theunraveler Yes. I've heard of the same. However, doesn't the camera obscura tool' turn the target item upside down to the naked eye? Then, you are expected to flip it back around in your mind. Am I right?

[@theunraveler]

@@trojanette8345 Or you can just draw it upside down and then flip the canvas around when you are done. Would your client know the difference?

[@trojanette8345]

@@theunraveler Funny.

[@KEP1983]

@@theunraveler this isn't true. There's very little evidence of the camera obscura. It was also ridiculously impractical at that time and couldn't even get a low res image. If an artist needed a technical aid, they'd look through a Durer grid with a stabilized eye piece. That offers far more clarity than any lens available back then, plus you don't need to build a whole room just to make it.

[@reohere3655]

I love the way ur hand looks i wanna draw it soo bad

[@ilovelemons4902]

Thank you so much for this video! It has helped a lot!

[@divinedia]

Thank you

[@bakotademon5543]

Really thanks so so much...💜

[@kristiLB93]

I'm late to this video. I'm trying to learn the sight size method. I was referred to a book called On Sight-Size Portraiture by Nicholas Beer which is helping alot and also combing KZbin for tutorials. Thanks for posting this!!

[@srikantap]

Many thanks!

[@arturstarak3170]

I usually tend to move alot when I draw/paint. It helps reducing my tunnel vision and keeps me off from insanity if I work for hours hehe. Respectfully, Arur

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Moving is a great way to channel the energy and stay focused you're right ! Thanks Artur, cheers.

[@RorianTube]

Interesting! I'll try some day Very well explained

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thanks !

[@9chardin]

another GREAT video!!

[@markthimesch09]

Great video, Florent! Cheers from the U.S.

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thanks Mark ! Hi from France !

[@pepeaguilar2205]

Mr. Florent, do you have tutorials on free-hand portrait techniques? Muchas gracias! : ) THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR VIDEOS!!! : )

[@Gyncop]

Thank you so very much!!!!!!!!!

[@JH-pe3ro]

Something I would add about the setup is that if you need to work in a more constrained setting, you can adapt sight-sizing method into a slightly more comparative form by using a smaller sketchbook and a smaller subject in a book or on a screen. Working in a small format, you can hold it up side-by-side with the subject and then put it down again to draw, instead of leaving the canvas in the same place to draw and stepping back to observe. It won't be quite as accurate as having a fixed canvas and moving to a fixed position to view, because you won't hold your drawing the same way every time, but the results are very acceptable for studying from books, and it allows me to take additional measurements from more directions by moving my sketchbook around the subject in different positions.

[@chriswhitehouse8982]

How did you measure the left and right sides of the skull? I have seen some people draw a vertical line down the middle and measure off that, but it didn't look like you did that?

[@ivanageenko1279]

@FlorentFargesarts Please tell what is the name of the black fabric you use for the still life and for the background?

[@RobertF-]

I do a modified form of this oftentimes. Even if I'm drawing in a pad on my lap, I will sometimes still draw something the approximate size that I see it. For example, if I'm drawing a car in front of me and it's visually about the size of my finger held out in front of me, it will usually be much easier to sketch it looking about the same size on my paper instead of drawing it much bigger or much smaller than it appears to me. So it's like a modified, casual form of the sight size method.

[@HerradaJulio]

Thanks, good video

[@eduardojosesales9319]

Yesss Teacherrrrr!!!!!!!

[@Eksteen5]

Loved the video Florent! I remember using this technique when I did a summer workshop at FAA in Sweden. It’s a shame I was unable to continue using the technique when I got home. I live in a tiny flat so my studio is in the living room. No space to step back from my drawing. Perhaps one day I will have a bigger space to work in. Keep up the good work. I will purchase your videos at some stage. 🙂

[@robdog114]

Sorry to reply on an old comment, but how was your experience with FAA ?! I'm currently self studying while I save up money to attend the 3 year program at FAA Florence.

[@Eksteen5]

@@robdog114 Hi Rob. I don't think I'm in a position to give you an accurate answer. I did a 1 week intensive course in one of their schools in Sweden. I absolutely loved it! I learned so much from the two teachers. Both have moved on though, but I still follow both on Instagram etc. From what I've heard from other people is that there is a huge focus on the classical way of drawing and painting. 8 hours of drawing a day, once you've passed that painting starts (no colour though) and then you move onto colour. i think it sounds amazing!! I wish I had the time and money to attend the school. Hope this helps :)

[@robdog114]

@@Eksteen5 Man I get so excited thinking about attending the 3 year program. My family is a bit concerned over the idea of attending tho, but art is just something I've always been passionate about. The rational part of me tells me to stick with my monotonous gov job and do art as a hobby, while another part tells me to take a leap of faith and attend the academy and come what will.

[@stevewills1238]

Great stuff

[@Gyncop]

Thank you!!!!

[@davidisgreat9073]

i LOVE IT!!!

[@mammymcewen]

What would be the best way to set up if you must sit . do to disability. Love you teaching style

[@mcquinn01]

It looks similar to the Barges method in that you are virtually tracing all the vertical alignment information. I could be wrong but I'm not convinced that this will sufficiently develop the brains awareness of vertical alignment.

[@gms9810]

That was cool

[@samuelmartinez-xw7sc]

Nice video!! Thank you master!!

[@FlorentFargesarts]

Thanks !

[@enriquemejia4802]

I icon posrait artist , tiktok Philippines country ,, artist in a fulture,,godbles you sir, thanks you too tenknik painting,,,

[@WHEREVER-I-ROAM]

Moving subjects back and forth Is a brilliant idea. Do that with a photo, statue, live human, anything you want to copy EASILY with PRACTICE (cant go wrong)

[@marypartridge5154]

Yes I find this pencil measuring frustrating but thanx a lot

[@Asgerdr]

How you did this pencil extender?:) thank you for the video, it's a great method, hate it at the same time because of the restrictions such as freehand drawing impossibility. completely another way of thinking.

[@marikothecheetah9342]

You can buy pencil extenders in artshops.

[@denihamdani2320]

@@marikothecheetah9342 aaa

[@cassandro9445]

You're the best, man

[@MrTelemikey]

Thanks for the vid! I'm painting at the dinner table [oops] and don't have the space to keep walking back and forth. That said, my easel is going 90degrees and I'm dong way more standing back. I do a lot of painting waves from a computer screen. Would you have any specific tips for that?

[@Dale_Blackburn]

Ah i can't find a damn wood board anywhere :D How can i draw on my easel? I need a big wooden board.. can you recommend any size?

[@dougg1075]

Would have liked a better look at hay figure drawing in the beginning:) good stuff bro

[@bozoclown2098]

What Brand easel ?

[@jilliancrawford7577]

It makes me wonder how this technique would differ if it's used on a digital tablet instead of with paper and pencil. That and how might this differ from referencing a grid when that option is available. I suppose I do some form of sight sizing from time to time if i really need to, but since I've never fully understood how to do it or do it properly, i can't say for sure if i have or hpw I've done it wrong is i actually have lol.

[@tkraid2575]

These kinds of exercises are supposed to train you to the point rendering realistic stuff like animals, humans or buildings become second nature. It's not meant to be treated as a permanent tool to create something. This sight see method is usually done by beginners in Atelier schools to aid them in developing that realistic and accurate mindset in drawing. Once you get past through that, drawing stuff whether it is on an actual canvas or on a drawing tablet doesn't matter because it's already muscle memory.

[@WeThePpleForThePple]

I only recently began painting and have gotten in the habit of painting while seated. Is this a bad thing? I do own 2 easels: 1full size, and the other a portable plein air easel. What is funny though is that I feel more in control of my brush work while sitting, and I prefer painting at my drawing desk with the table set at around a15 degree tilt rather than at my easels standing up.. In other words, I don't use my easels very much for painting. Now, if anyone could tell me why painting at a standing position is substantially more beneficial to my work, (aside from sight sizing), I'll gladly force myself to use a standing approach to my painting from now on.

[@Marwangamal]

Please, are you sharing that in details on Patreon ?

[@jen7662]

If the skull was a photograph, would you sight size the same way?

[@MegaFlashash]

what is the song playing at the end of the video?

[@westonhorton156]

Thank you GloryToGod

[@sujanithtottempudi2991]

Thank you...how about proportional divider?

[@FlorentFargesarts]

No need in this setting : there is no need to divide by one. Sight-size is 1:1, that's the idea. But you can measure distances and length with the tip of a pencil.

[@mmorenita00]

I love your accent 🙂

[@mockcosine4479]

Use it don't abuse it, got it.

[@Art_Svet]

Wouldn't it be better if you'd use a pencil extender?

[@stevejones9662]

you should check the angle of the top of the left eye as yours is wrong...Correct is a 10 oclock position and you have more of an 11 oclock position...get everything correct before you start to polish it up with that way of shading....which is usually done to try and cover up incorrect line work.....try to do just a line drawing and you will see where it needs to be changed

[@Max-dd7du]

Thanks for sharing, Florent. I never learnt this at art school.

[@test89267]

elaborate this topic further please.

[@KweenBee37]

I just don’t understand sight size. Never have.