How long does it REALLY take to learn to draw?? Advice from a full-time Illustrator

[@5wm562]

As a natural artist I would have to say that the most important thing to learn to do is to _observe._ Let that sink in for a moment; if you don't have a strong internal grasp of what even a straight line looks like, you will never be able to intuit how to physically reproduce it. I've been asked this question hundreds of times in my life, and the one time I actually taught someone how to draw, I had them spend 20 seconds looking at a banana and then blindfolded them and told them to draw it...and they did. The hand only fabricates what is already rendered in the mind. When you draw you are not creating the object but rendering it. Those struggling to learn to draw (and I've observed many hands trying to) are struggling to say "create" a circle or square or line. It is simply impossible, because all these things already exist. That being said, it is more important to scan objects with your eyes; find the fundamental shape that a thing is composed of, and trace the outline of things with your finger. For example look at a row of cars and with your finger trace only the outline of the vehicles and nothing else. Also do this with your eyes until the object you are tracing disappears. You will notice this right away because the object will 'pop' out at you seeming to exist apart from everything else. Another exercise is to find shapes _inside_ of other objects (if you've ever observed the semblance of a cloud to some other thing for instance, or noticed a random pattern that llooked like "Mickey Mouse ears or Spongebob, etc.). This builds memory muscle, an inventory or relative objects that seamlessly flow to and from one another.

[@ElieBeth___]

It’s like we’re sitting over coffee and you’ve just given me a much needed pep talk on everything I think I knew deep down but was afraid to admit. This was so needed for me right now. Thank you!

[@Terrelli9]

Thank you for this video. It’s really encouraging. I’m blessed in the fact that my parents and friends encouraged me from the beginning to approach teaching myself to draw through KZbin like it’s a traditional 4 year college degree, so I’ve always been able to segment it into “classes” where I’m focused on one aspect of the technical process at a time. But my struggle has always been trying to force style and color palette instead of just letting it happen naturally and going intentionally in the direction I’ve been going naturally. When I force it I’m always disappointed in how little it looks like what I’d planned, but when it happens naturally (albeit more slowly) it’s exciting. For instance, for a long time I wanted to used the Golden Age Illustration color palette (neutrals with small pops of saturated warm shades) in a modern style. One day I did it without even realizing and it was such a thrill when I realized what I’d done. Forcing it is especially a struggle when it comes to line art. I dread line art, not because I don’t enjoy it but because I don’t get it. I know what I want to do but I can’t make my hand do it or figure out what materials I need to get the exact look I want. I guess that’s my next class. Just gotta loosen up and keep going. Thank you for normalizing the struggle. It helps.

[@KendyllHillegas]

Thank you so much for sharing that, Laura! So interesting to hear your perspective. What a gift to have supportive family and friends, and to be able to pursue your creative work and developing your skills with intention. I totally hear what you're saying about forcing it when it comes to style. For me, I had to just completely let that go for a time, and only invest in the areas/styles that my hand naturally seemed to want to make. Now that I'm "fluent" in my style, I find that it's much easier to push myself both technically and stylistically. I attribute that to the fact that I essentially needed to learn to walk (my natural style) before I could work on running (styles, techniques, etc that are less intuitive). And, if you don't *want* to do line work, you don't have to! I don't particularly like it either, so I've build a style around avoiding linework.

[@Terrelli9]

@@KendyllHillegas That’s a great way to look at it. Thanks!

[@GiaArtz]

This was super encouraging. I think I’m in the stage where I’m okay with pushing through the ugly stage of my drawings. I see improvement but I’m not quite where I want to be. At the same time I’m confident I can get there.

[@Badartist888]

Being completely new to drawing as an adult and as someone who has tried a few times. Enjoying what I'm doing has been a game changer. I try to do a comic page a day and, when I have time, I decide from my last page what I want to work on improving and spend time working on that. Learning to not care about the massive skill gap between my imagination and practice (and what I see other artists doing) has been what has allowed me to invest more time into drawing as a whole. Kind of getting out of the mindset of 'I have to be good/ improve' has been a game changer. Without that emotional labor I do a lot more art so, ironically, improve more. But yeah, getting out of 'tutorial hell' regular forced practice in favor of actually doing the stuff I enjoy and enjoying it is something I can really speak for. Especially for new artists. Like yeah, watch some stuff so you know about perspective etc but if you find yourself watching multiple tutorials and realise you never actually spend the time doing it... then less tutorials. I think of them like multipliers. But at the end of the day 0(hours)x2 is 0. But if I'm working out something new, then a tutorial on it can do wonders. I find one area I have really improved is in composition. Something that, while you can learn some theory, you really need the practice of a bunch of pictures to 'get'.

[@MissAdoptaCat]

I could watch this video everyday for encouragement. You are so well spoken and at the same time so personal in your approach. Yes, please make more videos like this one. The artist community needs you 😁,

[@justcasey5228]

This is such a great video and has so much good advice! I gave up on regular art making a decade ago due to my inner critic winning out, and really not having a good way to continue to learn/grow in that season of my life. I've been getting back into drawing and painting over the past year, and at this point just tell my doubts/insecurities/critical nature (I tend to hold myself to a unreasonable standard) to be quiet. :) It's good to hear that a lot of these thoughts and feelings are normal and you have to work through them!

[@farahabid3743]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this beneficial video! It was so reassuring and easy to understand. I’m motivated to keep going and stay “in the moment” to simply enjoy the process and be kind to myself. You are such a kind and sincere teacher !

[@MakerFishmeal]

This video was super super encouraging. Thank you so much for making it!

[@earldelacruz3727]

Thank you for this. You're a life saver 😊😊😊

[@emmaneary6120]

Thank you for this. Your videos are aways very insightful and inspiring. I made a real effort in 2021 to try and practice art almost every day and I'm really pleased with my progress. I've been tracking my time so I can see how many hours of art I did in the year (I'm yet to add it all up) - I wanted some way of comparing my progress to something tangible. I've found a process I enjoy and I definitely think drawing the subjects you want to draw is much more motivating than drawing something you're not interested in.

[@amandadouindraws8343]

I always love your insights Kendyll! 💗💗💗 For me - I struggle with sticking with one medium long enough to master it. I have so many art supplies and so it’s taking me a bit longer to reach the level I want with all of them lol… so I claim Mixed Media Artist! Lol. Then I don’t have to stick to one right..? Haha.

[@paulinabm_]

Amazing advice!!! Thank you so much for this. Again, I find this useful for more than just art. 👏 You made great points about the importance of our own confidence, patience and acceptance that things take time and effort, and the fact that we all can learn to draw, the same way we can learn to read or ride a bike. It's just a matter of enjoying the process and be willing to put the time and effort. 💕

[@neginsalimi5640]

Thanks alot for your great video, you are a great motivation for me. I love you

[@laurenvonduyke-dadmun9928]

Thanks Coach!

[@hyaladoesart]

I wish you could see my work, and honestly tell me if I am improving. I am in art school, but I feel so inferior to professional artists, and even my fellow students. I draw every day, but I still cannot draw from my imagination.... I am so close to giving up on my dream of being an illustrator and just go back to the office. I am worn thin, idea after idea passing by and my skill cannot capture it.

[@kittenloveer1625]

Hey, how's it going? I hope it's gotten better. Don't give up. Never give up.

[@JB-jt6oq]

Look, I've always drawn since I was little but I never really studied, I started 9 days ago and I haven't noticed much improvement... But that's just something that comes with more time, right?

[@NC-ij9rb]

This is very helpful

[@josephgiunta4430]

Good advice here.

[@channel-pk4mr]

Good luck new friend 🙌

[@majesea]

kendyll - what is the favorite part of your process?

[@baffledbrandon3132]

In my experience, creative people are notoriously awful at mathematics.