How to draw from reference

[@MayoGoblin]

See bruh, this is the type of art advice I love. He isn't trying to get you to draw a specific way, he's trying to get you to find your own style of art. A++ work

[@RamblingGreek]

Everytime Will Terrell laughs , a baby seal is born.

[@alexnewmann25]

He just pay baby seal to laugh for him

[@TROLLKILLER97]

That laugh... That laugh is like all of the joy in the world super-compressed into a drop of gold.

[@rafaeldantanna2670]

He's laugh always make me happy, haha. It's so innocent

[@Sweetcommando]

this guy has the best laugh

[@Thegetitguy]

-.-

[@cwoherem]

Yeah, its like Goofy, lol

[@yonatahn9775]

Sweetcommando lol the origins of sweetcomando

[@MarelisaFabrega]

I scrolled down to the comments section to say the same thing. Fantastic laugh!

[@banupriya8530]

Even I do, see 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Trgman2001]

Everytime I hear a Will Terrel Chuckle it makes my day :)

[@Mysticsloth]

Every time Will Terrel Chuckles, a cute puppy is born. ; )

I second that!

[@chiroxxxrt]

It does makes me wonder how happy he is with life n how he gets through with life when it beats us up from time to to time whish I can chuckle like him,not the same like him but yeah hope u get what I'm saying

[@nox6438]

So many cute puppys were born then [love the laugh]

[@Mrrabott]

You should draw a character based on your laughter man! It's awsome :) haha

[@edmundsgn111]

I'd have to say your methods of teaching are the best ive seen sofar.. you actually teach us how to get rid of our baggage, instead of just posting tutorials.. and when you give these, you still manage to let us self-reflect which motivates us to actually "BE" productive.. You sir, are a true boss when it comes to teaching..

[@jroob]

You mention one of my favorite phrases in this video, which is: "You need to know the rules to break them". That's a piece of advice that I completely and totally ignored when I first started out as an artist. I had grown up watching Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z, and other cartoons like that, and I had always copied the style that I thought looked best. It was a big eye-opener when I started taking art classes as a Visual Arts major in middle school and was taught that advice, because I realized that looking and being inspired by other's art was only half the battle. Years later, I think that's the best thing I've learned throughout the entire time I've been drawing. Thank you for sharing that with your viewers!

[@FloraSora]

Aw man, dude I miss this content so much. I'm mad that KZbin made this so hard to find. Though maybe it's because they're trying to push newer content, which is fair... but still! Classic video! I still think about this, and it's been 9 years!

[@Courtney34J]

I found your channel a couple days ago and I've been obsessed ever since! not only do I love your style and love watching you draw, your personality makes the video enjoyable. You enjoy drawing and it shows. I also love the advice you give. I've been drawing for almost 9 years but I'm not satisfied with my work, so I just stopped drawing. I haven't drawn in a year or so, but you really have advice on everything. especially since I'm one of those artist who can copy something really well, but I can't communicate my own thoughts. I need to learn anatomy and perspective of the human body and do more of these, reference then from memory.

[@JreyTroit]

you get back to drawing?

[@Courtney34J]

***** no I haven't yet, I'm graduating from college next week and I'm dealing with finals now. I said I'll start back once I'm done with school so I can dedicate more time to drawing

[@JreyTroit]

+Court “Sunny” Symone Oh ok, I understand what you mean. I did the same while in college as well. Good luck with your finals by the way. Once you start back do you plan to share your work?

[@Courtney34J]

+JreyTroit thank you! and yeah I do. I'll probably put it on my instagram though, I always share my work on there

[@JreyTroit]

+Court “Sunny” Symone no problem. what is your instagram? I too put my work on there as well. pretty much all I use insta for.

[@samiasaif6296]

you are an awesome teacher! i like that you dont actually do those "how to" vids cuz theyre not actually teaching us to draw. with these types of videos, you learn new things, and you have a good laugh, so thanks so much

[@waukonstandard]

THIS IS FANTASTIC! YES! Finally someone verbalized drawing in a way I get! 'Building up a verbal language' - awesome! Thanks!

[@natwixterthan18]

I love this video. Not only because you give really good advice, but because your laugh is awesome xD

[@EpicDopeFreshness]

Mblaq? Kpop friennnd! c:

[@headlikeorange3600]

Your laugh gives me life :D

[@katiecocker4543]

You guys should really watch his videos to help improve your drawing but also if you just love to draw. He has some really great tips and it's always so amazing to watch him draw using the tips.

[@samiasaif6296]

Katie Cocker heyyyyyyyyy

[@burntsushi6516]

I watch alot of artists here on youtube but I have to say the reason I love your videos the most is that you truly show just how much you enjoy drawing and art in general. Really makes me smile!

[@TheArtistLazlain]

This helped a lot but- I realized that I did this before! I was doing an art challenge called "Frog Week" on my amino, I drew this Tree frog Dragon and I used a Reference of a Red eyed Tree frog and I LOVED IT! I still have it and its probably my best picture yet!

[@TheMaxibonzGaming]

This is the most helpful advice I have ever learned for drawing, ever, period. Thank you so much!

[@FloraSora]

After a long day of drawing and worrying and researching, it's always great to see somebody who's pretty much made it. At least made over what I perceive to be the toughest part of becoming a professional, payed artist. I don't even care that this video is a year old, shine, shine on Will Terrell!

[@SonyaBatten]

At last I found someone who has actually explained how to go about getting your own style, in a way that makes perfect sense! Thankyou so much. Im off to practice right now.

[@JayTheSpaceman434]

SO MUCH LIKE IN THIS VIDEO!! You are the only person who has explained drawing in a way that my mind can wrap itself around. Not only about the actual art of drawing, but understanding that I'm going to hate my drawings for a long time before I start liking them. That has allowed me to take a huge step forward and just to draw, trusting that with each drawing I am building my "visual vocabulary" Thank you so much and I hope to meet you someday.

[@5blackcat12]

Beside being a CRAZY awesome artist and motivator. Your giggles give us life.

[@EnterOsaka]

Your little chuckle or whatever is so contagious and cute! This is an awesome video! Thank you!

[@jordynsmith4067]

I just wanted to say thank you for such an amazing video! I have always been a "good" drawer but only when I copied. I watched several videos and all of them said the same thing, " just practice you will get better " but then I watch this one and its perfect! You definitely got a new subscriber!

[@eileenjohnston6835]

I am a portrait artist and your suggestions are highly applicable to realism. When I take time to draw faces and the human form from reference ( over and over and over), and use plaster casts of the planes of the head, skeleton, and skull, then when I am drawing a live model from life I already have a memory of what normal is. My job as a portrait artist is to see and draw that slight variation that makes a person who they are. I doubt that I will ever be an accomplished landscape painter because I am too uncomfortable in plain air to take the time to fully study nature. It is my experience that the best plein air painters that I know **love** being outdoors and have drawn the landscape enough ( over many years of** daily** practice) to have fully internalized both what is normal and the variations from normal that see before them.

[@streetmould1736]

Your laugh is one of the greatest things I've heard, and your art is amazing. Keep doing what makes you and many others happy.

[@PhantomDrawing]

This video inspires me every single time.

[@KailasProject]

Okay, that "It's like breathing." comparison just made my day. It's perfect. No one could have found a better one. Your vids are so fun and insightful to watch.

[@TMcocoa]

I appreciate the fact that you teach us how to learn instead of picking something to draw and have us copy what you do. I think that doesn't teach you how to draw at all. I actually know how to draw but I'm always looking for tips. Thanks!

[@missnye2195]

Well, this video pretty much ROCKS. Just yesterday I studied and drew a pinfish on a stick that I had caught earlier that day. I kept thinking "How does this fish look different from every other baitfish in the gulf?" Perfect timing for me to watch this video. Thanks!

[@charlesedward2985]

Subbed and liked! Thanks! I was always a drawer from imagination too. I like just making stuff randomly from my imagination. But it gets frustrating. I started drawing from reference more recently and when I go to draw from imagination/memory it kinda makes me come up with cooler stuff so its definitely worth doing. When I can strike the right balance between the two, I love my original work - But when I get too stubborn to draw from reference I wind up hating my work and feeling like I'm wasting time. i think the conclusion for me is, time spent on the page is never time wasted... No matter what happens, practicing on my own is #1. Alot of people would say if you practice WRONG you're gonna get WORSE results. But I think the desire to go out and find how to do something only comes from trying to do it my way so many times and getting stuck. Then when I go to learn something, like watching this video I get alot more out of it because I've already had a lot of experience, even if its experience making mistakes.

[@chaoscore09]

His laugh cracks me up every time. Awesome video!

[@AwildTrollAppearsXD]

that laugh at 2:25 is the most adorable thing love you dude

[@VELOC1RAPT0R]

one of the best tutorials I have ever seen, this is the missing link I have been looking for. "what is the thought process for going from drawing reference straight to drawing from imagination?" I want an entire channel based on workflows and logical thought processes

[@Andrea-i5r]

I am one of those people who get frustrated not being able to draw without reference but i can see how this can help and i will try this method out glad i found your youtube chanel

[@friendlysheep8476]

I've already seen this video but I wanted to let you know what a huge influence you were on me and my art. Your struggle to find yourself and your voice is really captivating. Take care.

[@CloudyStrifes]

This is a true teacher I've grown so much from this you have truly gained my respect I wish you the best.

[@DCwarrior3]

Were you ever an art professor? If not, you'd be so kick-ass. So encouraging, and your advice is the best I've ever heard.

[@Edyorke]

This is the most useful thing I have watched in a while! Thank you! I was obsessed that my illustrations weren't as good as others but I wanted it to be "pure" so I avoided drawing from reference because I thought it would change my style and taint it. But that's not a bad thing, styles develop, they aren't innate! These are words of wisdom!

[@xxBlueCinnamonxx]

You're seriously an amazing teacher! I used to be really into drawing since middle school and high school but I thought going to college to study Vet Med was a safer bet for me since I didn't have much confidence in my skills as an artist. But thanks to you and a few other youtubers I'm back into drawing and painting again, and who knows maybe I'll even opt for a career change.

[@DNea7]

dude your positivity puts me in a good mood

[@ScotCampbellwindowpainter]

I love the fat shark and his expression. So cool. I love how you do your lines, it gives the work such roundness and depth even before you add your shading which impacts it even more, fullness, rich!

[@JackieGuro]

I remember I played around with the idea of drawing realistic portraits, animals etc. I realised quickly that's not for me. Drawing straight from the imagination is so much more fun! I'm not going to look at reference photos while sketching again. I see now that I need to do much more research first. Your videos are great! Very, very helpful!

[@beetlewing]

Best explanation of style I've ever heard.

[@gailfattori6518]

I would really love some videos on how you approach doing specific facial features, bodies, head shapes etc. That would be brilliant. Thanks for doing what you do. I find a lot of inspiration in your work and your videos. So fun.

[@JellybeanDoctor]

I love how much personality your drawings have!!!

[@trappedinacrystalfor10000years]

He's honestly my favorite artist on youtube

[@lovel2940]

Will, I learn more from you in 10 mins, than I've learnt in 5 years from my art teacher, keep it up!

[@0okamiseishin]

I don't know what it is about your laugh but it cracks me up. It's like a cartoon in itself. That aside you're a great teacher and I'm totally subscribing! =D

[@sheesh_meesh]

I just found your videos today and I'm so happy I did. I have been artistically blocked and lost for so long and this has sparked my creativity again. Thank you thank you thank you!

[@shimgapi5063]

Your laugh just makes my day! Fantastic video, thanks for the upload! :)

[@ilicia_08]

Excellent advice! Reminds me of what my high school art teacher told me: To break the rules you have to actually know what they are. I haven't drawn from reference in a long time. I should get on that.

[@sirrhynus4280]

I not only learned how to improve my drawing, but also how to improve my handwriting. Thanks Will.

[@persephoneblack888]

I was feeling really awful about not being to draw exactly what I saw in reference images, and this videos is just what I needed to instill hope and inspiration in me. Not to mention you have the most energetic and joyous laugh! Thanks so much for making this video. :)

[@g-mads]

You have the absolute BEST laugh. It makes me so happy. It's just like bottle pure amusement.

[@larak877]

I really connect to this, thank you so much for the advice, Will. I also fell into the pit known as "copying other's work", though since watching this video, I've tried to limit myself towards drawing from reference (for example, I was trying to find foundations for character designs for a personal project/comic strip), and eventually, I started to draw on my own, trying to project a story between two characters, and though it might not have been portrayed as perfect- people seemed to think my comics were funny, and they appreciated that I seemed to tell a story through my drawings. I want to thank you for the help, keep up the fantastic work! x

[@YousifPhotoshopTutorials]

Oh my god this episode made me feel so much *inspired* ♥ thank you Will

[@busyfreeguy]

Dude. You're completely right. I love copying other people's work. I just have to make the next jump and adapt this into something that's mine. I loved what you came up with and could clearly see your progression / influence. A+ video

[@ethel2681]

this is one of those tutorials which make so much sense but you need it pointed out by someone as good as you. Thank you so much for this. I'm off to research skulls and spend a few days attempting to draw them. Hopefully I can learn.

[@crazyfreakarmstrong]

This is the best drawing advice I've ever heard.

[@dave5194]

great advice, I got here after looking through a lot of Mary Doodle's stuff, glad I did. Also I adore your voice and laughter, your characters' expressions are amazing

[@glumdrop_x]

Thank you buddy. I'm someone who relies on references way too much. It's good to know I'm not the only one who gets frustrated at this. Will try to follow your tips and draw from imagination as well.

[@davidm5853]

***** THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I was/am SO frusturated as I grew up an "artist" aka human copy machine and grew into a professional airbrush t shirt artist copying everything and I cant really do realistic stuff because i find myself focusing so much on copying rather than the art! its 4am and Im sitting up so lost and I think you might have given me the answer! Yes it will take work but you helped me so much! Thank you

[@Aspenavius]

This helps so much. I'm still terrible at drawing from reference, and because I don't do it enough I am continuously frustrated drawing from life that I don't enjoy doing it. So I keep drawing from my imagination like I do WAY too much. I'm certainly improving, but when people would tell me to "draw from reference" and "draw what you see" whenever I HAD done just that (I guess they'd seen something that I seemed to draw based on how I thought it looked). Long story short, it was a frustrating experience, so it was a bit hard for me to understand how to incorporate the two (even though it's actually a pretty simple concept to grasp). Anyway, long story short (again), thank you for this incredibly helpful video!

[@HogashTheOrc]

i love your style, i love the way you explain things and i love your laugh AH AH OHO HO HO XD Thumbs up!

[@chrisherself]

He reminds me of the laughing shark XD /watch?v=qh_IFymXS9o

[@Nintarie]

This video was great, despite feeling like I have the opposite problem to the one you spoke of; I always found it easier drawing things from my mind than trying to draw from reference/still-life. I'm getting better though, especially through great advice like yours!

[@TheYoshie007]

I love your videos so much, the drawing definitely is half the fun but your words of advice are the other half that get me inspired, that cheer me on and just make me want to go out there and draw! Thank you so much 😊

[@mrdbt]

you are something special.. i have seen more than too many videos on youtube about this whole subject, and what i find interesting on your videos, is that you speak in a language everyone can understand.. i actually felt like you made this video (and some other videos) especially for me. Thank you :) Greetings from Israel.

[@zachraybraunlin9914]

Thanks Will, Your drawing advice is perfect, but it's your positive view on drawing/creating that is so inspiring!

[@staceejane]

You're handwriting analogy made me feel so much better about trying to draw. I have zero skills. Practice, practice, practice!

[@marinamondor123]

Thank you so much Will. I haven't been drawing for about a year, and you voiced exactly how I felt. Frustrated and unable to convey what I wanted in a drawing. I shall try this!

[@alexismartinez7562]

Thanks, Will. You motivate me a lot with your drawings and your videos. Sometimes, when I'm depressed, you make me keep drawing and don't give up with some stuff. THANK YOU!

[@Peteru69]

I realized just how insane your penmanship is. I'm going to have to do some of these, even through it's a long while ago I drew something very cartoony.

[@joshuarussell4321]

This really helped, I have never used reference to draw. Now, however, I'm gonna start doing it with all my characters and see how much they change! Thank you!

[@shylothebeekiller]

THANK YOU. so tired of miserably doing still life sketches and not really doing anything with the knowledge.. i find myself rote copying things from life and not really knowing why, or when the fun is going to start. You really made this look fun! I will be doing this for a while. Thanks Will.

[@pixiestix39]

I love your videos, everything you say just makes so much sense... I don't know exactly how to explain it. Point is: awesome work, and thanks for sharing your techniques with us. Also I really liked how you explained and shared different ideas as you drew, so the viewers don't get tired of only watching... Not that your work is boring to watch!

[@cooltimus89]

15 mins of pure genius tips :) thanks man

[@mccreature]

Your command of that brush pen is inspiring!

[@nnaidirem]

I seriously love this video. I am not very good at drawing but looking for ways to improve because I just remember as a child I enjoyed it so much. This video really brought me back to my childhood for some reason gave me hope to say that YES! I can get better at this. Thank you!

[@sandwich_technology]

Great video. I liked the analogy with the hand writing. Also: sycra

[@kissedbydemons]

I love to just sit down and listen to your videos and sketch. It gives me great inspiration.

[@Mierontie]

Thank you, this video helped me a lot. I've been stuck in drawing from reference, because I kind of fear drawing with my own style. I'm afraid that I won't succeed, but with reference pics I know what to do. I'm going to try this method of yours first thing tomorrow : ) Thanks again for sharing this inspirational video!

[@floquence]

I've been trying to come up with my art style, and I must say....this video perfectly explains how to go about it. Thank you!

[@grettaboone6592]

I love how light hearted you are. I also enjoy your advice and find it genuinely helpful. Plus I really like your style and your fat sharks.

[@KeshArt]

Hey Will,really love your videos..are you a freelance artist or u work for some studios.

[@shinli6622]

hellooo keshhhhh

[@superdog619]

Awesome video bro! Ever since i started watching Steven Universe, I've been really wanting to draw the characters. They seem so simple and yet have ton of detail in them, which I love. Your video has to be the most laid back explanation of how to draw better. Other videos I've watched just felt so drawn out that drawing just seemed so boring.

[@TheAjjw09]

This is the best art advice I've ever received. Thank you

[@lennyzeppelin]

your laughing reminds me of some disney character, it's so cute and your way of explaining this stuff is really good, thank you

[@lenoralb]

Excellent lessons! I haven't gone back to drawing (not like I would like) since last October. I had a loss in the family the beginning of this year and getting back to my creative style is taking more effort then I thought it would. Nevertheless, I appreciate you taking the time to teach. So many artists don't for fear that the student would excel beyond the teacher. I am grateful that you know better.

[@coolcoolercoolest212]

This video is great. The music really keeps things going and fits the mood.

[@ercoleleo163]

I love the way you laugh, it's contagious!

[@ercoleleo163]

***** giá

[@SDW90808]

I watched this the first time a couple of years ago and continue to use the concepts. Great stuff!

[@bendikSolbakken]

Thank man! I've been drawing a lot lately. But only from my imagination. This video was a real eye opener!

[@srhoades7389]

This video is SO VERY AWESOME!!! I never really understood the use of reference, bc I'm ALWAYS going to the ref pieces and drawing out of my head less. I never heard it put this way. Thanks a TON.

[@DerpGnome]

I love the way you explain this process, it just lets beginning artist realize that it's okay if it takes time and a lot of practice to become better and finding your own style. Plus, you make me laugh by laughing in the video, so much more fun to listen to instead of those polished 'how-to' videos I usually find on youtube ^_^ Thank you for sharing all these great tutorials!

[@mattrawli5851]

The way that his bad drawing is my absolutely godlike amazingly spectacular drawing

[@jolienhellebuyck9840]

your laugh is adorable! and i love the way you explain things! totally subscribing!

[@andrewmaize9581]

So many bad art videos out there but this guy right here damn this is some art gold this is a life saver to so many artists out there ive been copying references for 2 years now and scared to do my own stuff but after watching this I feel very comfortable now geting into creating my own art! Thank you funny guy! 🤣

[@notanikea]

I really like that comparison with drawing and the own handwriting because I always used to copy some letters from other people to get a beautiful handwriting, but after a while I changed it again and now I have my own "style"