How I grew my art skills, faster

[@alanbudgen2672]

This is something that I realised only recently. My example was, some folks pick up a guitar learn 3 chords and go on stage. Others need to know all the music theory first. I'm the second. Same with my art and making. I need to know everything first before moving on. The trouble is I'm fascinated by so much, and need to know it all. Great video.

[@longstrideillustration]

I'm in the same boat Alan! Thanks for watching 🙂

[@paninokapatricia3752]

Im like that too

[@geckonia]

"A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one." Shakespeare said that. It was meant as a compliment... and that's how I take it. :D

[@longstrideillustration]

Shakespeare was indeed one of the best with words 🙂 Thanks for watching!

[@jackdavid23]

Chloe thanks for creating and sharing this video. I know it's a real struggle and it hit me as I felt am in this cross road. Geckonia this Shakespeare compliment ofentimes creates a dreadful thought. Say in my case, I started with graphite and learned charcoal 20 plus years ago. Did few pen and ink/stippling in between. Fascinated by watercolor, then wanted to combine Pen and ink with watercolor, this has led me to frustration. Now doing it full time, fell in love with colored pencils but can't let go of graphite, charcoal and Pen & Ink. Hence, need to digest this video. ❤ 😂😅

[@jackdavid23]

Urg I was actually commenting on Chloes five steps to becoming a better self taught artist. References this video in the middle and somehow mixed it up....😅

[@longstrideillustration]

@@jackdavid23 🙂

[@diaryofdaksha]

It's always the KZbinr who's underrated who gives the best advice!!! Thanks for a wonderful perspective 🎉❤😮

[@longstrideillustration]

Glad you think so! My channel is still pretty new, I started in mid-Jan 2023 and learning as I go 😄 More to come!

[@williambrady1192]

Very timely advice Chloe, thank you.

[@MrsBarnabas]

I am seriously concerned about the proliferation of "Type of... " ideas over recent years. None of us ever completely fits into one box, and trying to make ourselves fit one particular box, in whatever field, and discovering that we fit none only adds to anxiety. It's as bad as reading your daily horoscope and trying to make it fit your day! No-one has one particular 'style' of anything. We are complex and unique individuals, each with complex and individual approaches to every single thing we do. My art 'style' and also my 'learning' style differs dramatically depending on the medium / support / colour choices I'm using / subject I'm studying, how I'm feeling at the time, the topic I've chosen... oh, any number of reasons!!! And so does everyone else's! We can make up lists of 'norms' which can be helpful, but what about those who don't fit the 'norm'? I've been teaching in one form or another all my life! What has been my biggest learning / teaching tool? Adaptabilty!!!!!! In a class of four art students, every single one will produce a different version of what I teach them. In a throw-down of a large workshop, not one of those pieces of work is the same as the next. It's my job to encourage that variety, not make it conform. It's my job to help each student overcome their particular problem and not allow others to say, "Oh, can't you do that / don't you get that yet?? There are fundamentals of teaching that have stood the test of time, but still adaptability has to be a key to successful teaching. The fundamental rule is: Explain, demonstrate, work with them, to ensure they've understood, then _set them free to do it themselves_ while we stand by to help if needed. And then do an overall summary of the lesson with them - letting them do the feedback. That way, we get to know our students and can adapt for the next class, and the one after, and the one after, and the one after that. Our state school systems don't allow for this, because of various shortages, of funding, staffing, etc. Please don't let us as art tutors / subject-specific tutors, start encouraging our students to find a box they fit into!!!! We are the lucky people - very, very lucky people!!!!!! We get to know our students, and can carry out the fundamentals will relative ease, so let's make the most of our opportunities and help our badly pidgeon-holed students to recover their poise and individuality. Why? because it feeds into their self-worth and into their school work / every-day job, and makes their lives so much happier!!! Please believe me! I've taught (+++) children who've been written off at school, but who, having discovered something they can understand, and someone who understands, begin to have confidence and their school reports reflect that. I've taught adults the same things, with lovely results. (+++ Guitar, singing, art, Sunday School, etc, etc). Not because I'm special. Not because I'm 'brilliant', or blowing my own trumpet. Far from it!!! It's simply because I've been somewhat unconventional all my life, and I understand very well how it feels to be marginalised, because I don't conform to the norm, and they can't fit me into a box. Please, let's keep our 'boxes' for keeping our supplies in reasonable order, and dump them for the purpose of tutorials, workshops, etc whatever topics those tutorials / workshops, etc are teaching. 🤗

[@juicedgoose]

Your fundamental rule is it's own box.

[@longstrideillustration]

Thank you for taking the time to watch and to leave a comment with your passionate viewpoint on this topic. There was similar debate amongst my cohorts when I did my MA and personality type indicator certs and so I can relate to what you are saying and empathize. My intention with presenting this information is to provide guidelines and if it helps others as it has helped me then great! Wishing you all the best.

[@onxiaftw]

Chloe your channel is a true inspiration please keep going

[@Drawing-in-Pen-and-Ink]

Thanks Chloe. Your video is incredibly inspiring and relevant. It has given me a fresh perspective on how I can approach my own art study.

[@longstrideillustration]

Great to hear ☺️

[@earthrooster1969]

What a great video! Visuals and what you have to say about our differing learning styles!

[@longstrideillustration]

Glad you enjoyed it! Have a great day!

[@SN-sz7kw]

I learn so much from you. Always glad to see another post. Thank you!

[@longstrideillustration]

Glad to hear it! 🙂

[@groth1m]

In my I really want to learn watercolor but I really enjoy pen & ink so I have been focusing on this medium. I am definitely a visual learner and I hope I can use that to better my craft as an artist.

[@longstrideillustration]

Wonderful!

[@AutisticCuriosity]

Really enjoying your work. I find the ‘spoons and forks’ approach to energy levels for neurodivergent people like myself. Also helps for people with chronic pain but want to enjoy being creative despite their limitations.

[@longstrideillustration]

I read up on the ‘spoons and forks’ approach - Thanks for the tip!

[@Redhackle]

Great talk today. Thank you.

[@pchykins6680]

It's very impressive watching this woman learning art - her method of learning is by constant practice and repetition...she just defied the common cliche about "art as a gift" because it's not... ART CAN BE LEARNED... the only thing, IMO that differentiates one artist from another is his/her "execution of perception"....styles and techniques are just skills.

[@longstrideillustration]

Thank you for watching! I agree, when there's a will, there's a way 🙂

[@isabellealgrinart6947]

This is very useful and definitely gave me food for thoughts!

[@longstrideillustration]

Glad to hear it Isabelle, and thank you for watching.🙂

[@majesea]

What is the name of the pad you are drawing on with the little crosses?

[@longstrideillustration]

That's a Cricut Cutting Mat 12in x 12in that softens the drawing surface from my wood table easel. I find it's more pleasant to use and perhaps steadies my linework (though this could just be my perception). You can find all of my tools on my website FAQ page: longstrideillustration.com/faq/

[@s_e_r.]

This was such an informative video! I've been self teaching for a little while but I feel stuck because I don't know how to stick to schedules (ADHD might have to do with it). I tend to get distracted with a project and neglect all else, so I struggle with organization. Do you happen to know any pointers? Thanks for the great material, btw.

[@longstrideillustration]

What works for me in that situation is to have a time constraint and a reliable means of accountability, then I say "no" to everything else that is not moving me towards meeting that goal. For example, set a time frame but also check-in with yourself after working on it for a few days to gauge if the goal is realistic, so that you can adjust it early-on to actually be achievable within changing circumstances. It's okay because when we try new and bigger things, we don't know what we don't know. Therefore when we fall behind on our "estimated goal", then it's normal to get distracted because our confidence is shaken by self-doubt. But if the time frame is both challenging and possible, then it feels rewarding to stay on-track with it. For accountability, either tell others about your goal, enlist a success partner in your efforts (a cheerleader or a mentor) - or make yourself a promise that if you achieve your goal there will be a significant reward, a humongous treat. And if the goal was not achieved, then self-assess your entire process to see where improvements can be made, journal your findings, and celebrate the learnings gained. Hope this helps!

[@s_e_r.]

@@longstrideillustration that was really good advice! Thank you for sharing ✨

[@christie4951]

Thank you for this. Do yo know, if you were to create a book or download of inking exercises like you showed in this video, I would buy it. (i.e., would you please create a book or download load of inking exercises?) :)

[@longstrideillustration]

That’s a great suggestion, I will!

[@christie4951]

@@longstrideillustration Hooray! Thank you!

[@thinginthenorth]

Very insightful, thanks! Due to time, unfortunately I am bit stuck with doing pencil sketches/practices instead (but want it to be) pen&ink haha

[@achievingthelegendary3925]

Hi! I'm about a month late but this video is superrrr informative. Now our learning styles match up exactly, I'm a read/write specialist who needs a lot of repetition to get things down. Any tips for someone just like you for becoming more efficient in both my learning and drawing?

[@longstrideillustration]

Glad it was helpful! For my final pen & ink projects, I typically will spend 65-70% of my time up-front in the setup, for example I'll do a lot of pencil study variations, and then the complete illustration in ink with fine liner pens before I draw it again from scratch with the dip pens on the inking bristol paper. It may sound like a lot of extra work, but the final takes less time and the strokes more confident, thanks to this "rehearsal" approach. Hope that helps!

[@squidbeakz]

I get made fun of at work because i always accompany items with a colour or a doodle. If i give someone more than one or two instructions to follow i label them with an icon. They never encountered a doodle/writing learner I suppose because they have a hard time understand that i'm intentionally prompting their memory with simple breakdowns rather than just a bunch of printed papers that all look the same. They call me "childish". I tell them my purpose is to decrease errors on deliveries and this is my method.

[@longstrideillustration]

Depending on the workplace or field of work, the doodle-learners can be less appreciated - I know this from personal experience. My thought on this is that we're each unique and have value to bring to the world 🙂

[@mrdudemakesthings6521]

Subbed!

[@longstrideillustration]

Much appreciated!

[@scoiataeli]

The learning styles are actually a very popular hoax - it was a school inspector from New Zealand who just made it up and introduced it without any research done backing his theory. There are actual researches on this topic proving these theory wrong, but there are rather small so it would be unscientific to present them as a proof. Nevertheless, the point is that it is combination of method and subject you are trying to learn that is helping you learn better. For example, geography with map and maybe travel rather then just reading about the places. Or in case of music you would probably want to include some kind of audio experience even if you do not “feel” like an auditory types. It would help retain the information.

[@MrsBarnabas]

_The learning styles are actually a very popular hoax - it was a school inspector from New Zealand who just made it up and introduced it without any research done backing his theory. There are actual researches on this topic proving these theory wrong, but there are rather small so it would be unscientific to present them as a proof. Nevertheless, the point is that it is combination of method and subject you are trying to learn that is helping you learn better._ Thank you for this, from the very depth of my heart!!!! (Edit to correct a typo)

[@longstrideillustration]

That's interesting about the hoax, I'd not heard that. The models (Spear, Knowles, VARK, Kolb) that I discussed are still being taught today both in the workplace and in educational programs, as guidelines. Nonetheless - I agree with what you're saying, learning is not limited to theories and models. The key takeaway from my video is that we each have preferences. Having more awareness about what helps us learn better can empower us to achieve greater things. Thank you for watching and for sharing your viewpoint. Cheers

[@chadclay1643]

I learn by winging it, the worst way

[@longstrideillustration]

You're not alone. Winging it is fun and works up to a certain point. My thought on this is when trying something new we're hesitant to invest the time or funds on learning resources until we're sure that we'll like the activity.