How To Draw Realistic Portraits From Photographs

[@crayons1584]

People say its cheating because of taking the exact line art, but shading is not easy. Shading gives SO much life to a portrait, it looks like plain old lines without it. Knowing where to shade and highlight is a talent.

[@kreativekawaii5629]

Dream Pop I agree🙌

[@jackiehahn5960]

It's still not okay to post it and not mention that you did trace the original photograph. Rendering a portrait is beyond important, but if you did this for some kind of AP/HL drawing class, it'd be counted as cheating (in fact you could be suspended at my school). It's like plagiarism, in a sense. You didn't cite your sources. Proportions, and the structure of a face need to be understood, before starting something so daring like a human portrait(and that's also how you develop your own style). Shading, blending, and rendering can also be learned just as well by drawing and shading basic objects, like cones, cylinders, cubes, etc. If that's boring do other still life, then animals.

[@CartooonTHAT]

i trace image too. i do always feel i am cheating.

[@kirandhanapal8466]

i don't trace images because it takes a lot of time and it doesn't give any benefits for me as an artist.

[@rainband8491]

What other things could I use other than charcole

[@Etru17]

Oh man. It's just annoying how some people watch this video, listen to what Trav is saying, then completley say something like "that's called tracing, and it's cheating." Really? Didn't you just watch this video? Did you listen?

[@gayandtired5370]

ManMana EXACTLY

[@alkaline-diet8276]

I usually turn my volume down when i follow tutorials and for this one 😂 I'm not even gonna try I only got a pencil and sketch book

[@winay007]

So good to hear those lines around being a true artists rather than just being a draftsman. Thank you!

[@kairinaminemix]

wow... so much ignorance in these comments. He's telling the truth that most artists use this technique to get a highly proportional face. The rest is up to your technique on whatever medium you use to color or shade the portrait. I know because this transfer technique is the very FIRST thing they teach you at art class. It's kinda a baby step for beginners. I don't use it anymore because I don't like drawing realistic portraits. I just feel they look unattractive in the form of a drawing than in a photograph, but that's just my taste. Anyway, people have to be fully aware that realism artist use this technique. It's up to you though how creative you get after using it, just how SketchyTrav turned Justin Bieber in a demon XD

[@Naturecatchmaph]

+kairinaminemix You also sound ignorant...

[@pannixell]

I'm an artist (I'm 15 and have been drawing for about 3 years) and I'm a pretty good at what I do for my age. I have never used this technique to draw a portrait and I will never use this technique because you cannot build up skill on drawing proportionate things and placing outlines correctly if you trace the contour (aka outline) every single time!

[@Naturecatchmaph]

peyton scarberry I'm 24 and I am finishing my associate degree in graphic design/fine arts...Everyone has their own way of doing things. Just because you don't agree or like it does not mean it cannot work for them. it is art...have an open mind.

[@SaebaRyo21]

+kairinaminemix Exactly, I feel the same !

[@thihonglientran410]

I\'m not sure but ,if anyone else wants to uncover learn how to draw realistic portraits try Skyarza Portrait Coach Star (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some great things about it and my work buddy got excellent success with it.

[@CommonSenseless1993]

Did you idiots even watch the video? He was tracing on purpose to make a point. I'm sure that this guy can draw portraits in his sleep at this point. He was just demonstrating how unimpressive it is to draw using this technique.

[@morganmore6]

BigBad Bryant I don't think they did from the BS comments I am reading.

[@pmurphy5948]

100% agree his watercolor "test" that was a self portrait basically is the definition of EPIC portrait painting, and he was just messing around lol. I ADORE SketchyTrav and Jazza because they don't BS they help US grow as artists vs "look at me and what I can do, and it's a trick and no I won't show you"

[@bsrinivasulu3425]

😡

[@lizzies8588]

when doing a realistic drawing yes, that's one simple trick but really the method that makes it look realistic is shading and if you want to do a realistic drawing you have to learn how to shade properly :D

[@dinosharttt]

You already have the picture there

[@dinosharttt]

That you traced

[@DenZuck]

And now Bieber can do a duet with his second head.

[@tomczakify]

I really tried to read everything here but you struck gold with your honesty.Thanks you're setting us straight by letting folks know that there are many many ways to LEARN to draw. I getting out my pens, markers, pencils and getting myself the biggest light box I can. IT'S MY CAT & I'M SKINNING IT. Take that.

[@trumanmblack4035]

I've just realized that I'm drawing and doing all these art things that I don't like and only do it for other people, thank you for actually opening my mind.

[@Rikana]

Also forgot to mention that I love the twist you put in the portrait. That's the personality comment I was talking about! It's more about you than a mere representation of something else. Great job.

[@HmongHeroo]

...honestly, it's quite ..nice and quite good for beginners just to get used to how the shading would work when it comes to the tracing. And amazing input and tips that you state when it comes to drawing in general. Wish i had seen this quite a long time ago.

[@lvvol3494]

You totally just improved his face

[@charliep4361]

Lvvo L mean😂

[@samruddhpatil355]

JB looks better than Da shit this man drew

[@imyellowman1238]

@@samruddhpatil355 you wouldnt get the drawing anyways

[@nimityaka]

ugh I'm tired of hearing stuff like "why do you draw only girls? why don't you paint with oil? why do you use ballpoint pen instead of filling in with huge black marker? why don't you use landscapes?" and so on, and so on... these comments/questions simply piss me off. I DRAW WHAT I WANNA DRAW USING TOOLS I WANNA USE

[@SheldonMap]

I agree completely.

[@suprsam7]

nimityaka Sure, but stay open to constructive criticism if you want to progress. Also, you can make HUGE progresses quickly by diversifying your subjects. But in the end, you're right, it's all a matter of personal choices.

[@jze8190]

I feel your pain! I like "some" critic from artists, but not from someone who dose not know what they are saying. I draw what I want when I want.

[@johnnymomo6724]

nimityaka I totally agree! You should be able to draw whatever you like without taking hateful advice for it!!!

[@morganmore6]

nimityaka just say why are tell me your opium go do it your self.. I hate when people feel they know what you should draw or paint and how... what the HELL!

[@ericescobedo6086]

It's transferring guys calm down its a technique used by a lot of people

[@ethangang5921]

DeeZe Nuts

[@sbtmirza329]

i totally stopped drawing for a couple of months for the same reason u did. now this video made my confidence come back!!! i am gonna start drawing again. i will draw what i love from now on.. thank u so much!!!!!! subscribed!! u r very talented n your wife too! blessings to both of u 👍👍👍👍

[@darthgaul1]

"You should use whatever means you can to create the are you want to create" I love this quote.

[@greenpig4725]

took a lot from this video and you have inspired me to go and draw what I love to draw instead of trying to copy what other artists are doing

[@MarkPhillipsRoShin]

For someone as young as you to have such insight is rare. I suppose it is a product of the talent that you also possess. Thank you for sharing and for being encouraging of artists to express and find themselves through their art.

[@DaxterMaster]

It is a technique used by a lot of professional artists. They say that you get paid to make the portrait as realistic as possible. To me I think measuring with pencil before you even try any of this is the best technique if you want very close proportions.. but most artists use projectors then shade it themselves. Anyway, if you have really good outline with shitty shading the portrait is not gonna be good so I dont mind this technique at all although I have never used it nor the projector.

[@storytellermg7976]

Hey! People get paid to lie and cheat all the time. Doesn't make them artists.

[@Drestudios]

I really don't understand why so many people are hating on this video - this is a very common technique that any educated artists has learned in school. There is *absolutely nothing wrong with doing transfers*, it is meant for commercial art and is an amazing way to practice rendering without having to focus on the line work. Thanks for posting this!

[@vulcanoz1746]

the name of the video is "How To Draw Realistic Portraits From Photographs", not "how to transfer"

[@SCFowler1175]

What you say in this video is interesting to me because when I was young I used to draw all the time. I took art in Jr high and was living with my grandparents at the time. After a few months of bringing my work home my grandmother asked why I didn't draw life pictures like you mention, landscapes and animals. She told me to stop living in a fantasy world. I feel like that killed my passion for drawing. I didn't want to draw real life, I loved to draw what was in my head. To this day, I've not drawn since then, about 25 years later. I want to pick up a pencil again but I feel like I no longer have the motivation, perhaps the passion I used to have

[@Aendhal]

I recall learning the transfer technique in art school although the way it was presented by my instructor at the time was in order to fix up your own art or take a pic you really dug that had been done on shoddy paper or been ruined by time and move it to new paper. Nice to see it again though, I haven't done it in years. Thanks for putting up!

[@RR-gw2uj]

I'm glad you brought up how people in social media are using this technique to draw and then boasting as if they did it freehand...soooooo true. So many instagram artists are frauds just trying to get likes and follows. Definitely a good technique to learn from, but yeah freehand is still the artistic king. There are so many artists on instagram drawing cars and celebrity portraits and acting like they drew it from their head and it's obviously a lie cause it looks like a transfer from a pic and their other drawings are crap. Great vid!

[@legoworkshop2908]

I came here to learn more about drawing portraits but was instead bombarded by the truth. I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. I love drawing, it's the one thing that I really know how to do. My best works have always been the one where I've drawn out of pure passion. However, recently I've started to beat up myself after seeing all these great artists create beautiful pieces that I can only dream of ever making. I kept asking myself, "Why can't I draw like that?" I got frustrated with my own art style and began forcing myself to practice these realistic portraits and stuff. I kept trying to learn so eventually, I ended up here, still trying to learn...but instead of a lesson on portraits, I was given the reason why I loved drawing so much in the first place. Art isn't about being good or bad or competition, it's about self expression and passion. It's about enjoying the flow, rhythm, and the essence that is you. Draw to please yourself, not others.

[@jeff0566jsm]

Thank you so, so, much for this short but very informative video! I'm a man of 62 and decided I want to start drawing, my heartfelt beliefs is that everyone has some type of artistic side it's God given... Bless you my friend... I'm now a true follower! Respectfully, Jeffery S Mercer Mentor, Ohio

[@alexquacksal0t]

This is AMAZING. I used this technique to draw Robert Downey Jr. and it is probably the best thing I've done in my life.

[@annahaney6680]

I have run into the same issues as a writer. I tried to jam myself into one genre, and it was wrong for me, but I didn't want to admit it let alone be okay with it. Finally, I have seen the light, and I am much happier and more productive. :) I found this interesting. Thank you for your time.:)

[@daytonagreg8765]

Others have commented the same… the lines aren’t enough. Shade takes talent. BTW, drawing with grid assistance actually helped me understand proportion without grid assistance. It was like training wheels. ROCK ON. Enjoy your journey.

[@kosherpork3034]

Excellent video. Thank you for sharing.

[@alisonpudwell4054]

Thanks! I don't really know much about celebrity portraits, but I've been trying to recreate an old family photograph in sketching for ages, but my family isn't recognizable quite yet freehand. I'll try some of these techniques!

[@savannashutter]

Thank you so much for this video

[@mitchellsink2584]

This was so good. Awesome trick to get good results fast. Though some will definitely say that was cheating. Lol. But my mind was blown away by the simplicity.

[@Zainab-ry5nb]

Wow, this video took an unexpected turn 5:45

[@goaticorn8702]

lol your intro was so on point. People in the art world (generally) hate celebrity art portraits. People will even go so far as to just pick random instagram people to practice portraits on rather than celebrities. haha

[@goshinebullies]

I learned this technique 18 years ago when I was 10 in my cartooning class. Everything you said in this video is spot-on truth💯

[@jaimenegron2274]

Wow, watching this video got to me a little bit. I'm not a great artist, but I've been told I'm pritty good by family and friends for years. Lately I've been sketching celebrities using sketchbook pro, and I love it, I can free hand comic book characters, Gothic art, flames and so on. I've used a similar technic as shown in the video using sketchbook pro. I'm back to drawing a lot more and enjoying it. Yes some people say that technic is cheating, if it helps you get better as an artist so be it. This guy has a point in the video,but at the same time if drawing with pencils or just charcoal or just doing oil paintings makes happy, do what you enjoy. And yes when people like your stuff you want to get better at it.

[@MindfreakMKA]

For people that think this is "cheating", it's not. You still have to understand shading, as well as highlights and depth perception in order to produce a drawing like this. Using this method does not make you any less of an artist. Besides; have you ever seen a tattoo portrait that was done without using this technique? Absolute trash. And sometimes, even WITH this method, you can still produce terrible work. What I'm trying to say is that this technique is a guide, not a magical cheat sheet that's going to make you an amazing artist.

[@Samantha-oy9yy]

Marcus Aubry it's kind of a cheat because u don't have to go thru the struggle of getting the face shape the eyes nose mouth and other proportions right

[@MindfreakMKA]

DaSamyBanana Army I understand what you mean, but utilizing tools to make it easier is not cheating. if you can draw a perfect face without using this, that's great. but you'd spare yourself so much time and effort by just doing it this way. Either way, you're still producing the same art. this way is just faster. think of it like drawing a perfect circle. You could either spend hours trying to master the technique, or you could simply use a stencil. There's no shame in making the work a little easier, you know?

[@MindfreakMKA]

DaSamyBanana Army Now, in your defense, if you were to trace a cartoon, and say you drew it, that would be cheating. cartoon characters only have lines that can be easily traced. but a real human face requires a lot more skill. simply tracing the proportions doesn't make the drawing look complete; which is why this is not cheating.

[@Samantha-oy9yy]

Marcus Aubry ok I get what u mean ur right

[@jackiehahn5960]

It is cheating. Tattoo artists, create their own work. They create a design, they drew the design. Then after the approval of the person wanting the tattoo, they will then trace it and apply it to the person. If the person asking for the tattoo wants a specific design by a specific artist, then so be it, but that is not cheating, why? Because it is a request, and a very, very specific one by that. That is completely different to this. This is taking a skill that takes a very long time to perfect, bypassing, proportions of the face, contour drawings, 3d shape, perspective and so much more. You can learn to shade, by drawing basic shapes, like cones, cubes, spheres, etc. These will teach basic structure, shape, proportion, lines and light. If that's boring they could try still life, move onto animals, etc. Drawing, is a skill that takes time to learn and develop, doing something like this could actually harm a beginning artist's career. They would be set back, only knowing how to shade, most likely, incorrectly. Time and effort is what makes great art. And if you were to post this, online or submit any art using this technique, that is truly cheating. That is truly harmful.

[@kathleenann8232]

I love how you put your own twist on this portrait! I love it, its beautiful.

[@ashnikfield4224]

Guys this is perfect! Tracing is a perfect technique! It doesn't do any major work for you at all. It just gives you an idea where all of the parts of the face should be. It helps you with shading, and highlights of the drawing. I love this technique and it works really well for me :)

[@stevehalling816]

You are so right tracing, transfer Nd many other ways of getting an image onto the paper has been used forever, even the old masters used these techniques. I've heard things like anybody can trace an image but can they turn that outline into a beautiful piece of art? I think not

[@beckyholt]

So many of the famous and heralded artists of old used the camera obscura which was an image projected through a hone into a box and they traced the image. The truth is as long as you are working your technique and and practicing your control of the medium in which you are working you are continuing to extend your abilities. Art is art, there are no right and wrongs of it. Of course we all have our preferences as I do myself and yes you can tell the ones who use the method described here but it is all still relevant. The most technically proficient artists are the ones that people often adore and collect and they tend not to trace, or do they? Very interesting video and helpful to students of art of all ages. Thank you for posting.

[@dequanbogan1597]

in this video I realized that I was one of those people that drew to impress people and I figured out wat I like drawing and not carring about wat other people like so thank u

[@Wimo_draw]

To be honest this helped me a lot once I start my realistic drawing I started using this method cuz it's so time saving and I do recommend with time u will be able to draw in free style realisticly without guidance 💓💓💓💓

[@cheniqueanthony4852]

I also hate when people ask me to draw things that I'm not interested in but this is so amazing the way you eventually turned it into. But I never knew professional artists drew portraits by outlining the actual picture. I feel like I'm cheating if I trace even a small line on any portrait project I work on. I actually use a ruler and measure the lines and draw that way but i want to stop doing it that way and draw FREEHAND completely but eventually I will because I actually just recently started drawing but once again I love this video. good job!

[@irishelk3]

Did you punch it when you were done ?

[@mattallen5228]

Irishfox this made me laugh thank you sir.

[@maxfenn7866]

The oddest part about how this video helped me more than I think I’ll be able to explain. Is that I barely watched it. It was just playing in the background I’m working on some proportions and trying to bring a piece or realistic portrait to a neo traditional tattoo style. I’ve been drawing on and off since I could hold a crayon. As you mentioned in the video sometimes I’ll put it down for way longer than I should based on stupid discouragement. Drawing for people has always been kind of a pain but it’s great when they enjoy it and hey it buys dinner sometimes. But listening to people I’m certain ways can really make it hard to enjoy practicing or develop your own style and/image. The reason this video helped is because not only have I had a fucking hell of a few months sanity wise. I’ve also been diving full scale back in to art and tattooing recently. And I’ve been getting some negative feed back for turning down ideas and almost being a hipster snob as I’m trying to develop this style and image I have in mind and truly enjoy. But I really think you just helped me make a fair amount of progress over at least the next few weeks. And if you ever find yourself near new haven ct. and want a free beer. Or you end up doing any live chats. Notify me for sure

[@Lw31413]

Hello! I Love your work, I love to draw and paint but I have a hard time coming up with my own concepts would you have any advice?

[@Rikana]

Wow. I never even thought about this technique. That's interesting! I've had a lot of portrait practice (it's never enough) and I tend to pick up on a lot of patterns and details that amateurs don't see; which I like because it puts your own personality and philosophy into the artwork - providing it with more meaning. But, unfortunately, those are things that many people don't see. Drawing a real life model is never the same as drawing from a picture. I'll probably use this technique for portraits of friends if they ever request it. It'll save me time (its not like I can't draw and I'm already experienced with portraits; but you can never learn enough!). Great video!

[@7greentoads]

Great imagination. I teach my students to draw from looking instead of grid or tracing. I work in a school for the arts through my church. If any of these kids take art class in school, they will be taught to trace or use grid. I was taught the same in school growing up, but thought it was too much work compared to looking at something and drawing it, lol. My 8-year-old son and I love to look at your sketchbook videos. And, may I add, if anyone watches other videos, they will see that you draw your own subjects, not trace them. Had a chuckle with a few of the comments here. Do your research folks. We loved the 2014 sketch books year in review by the way.

[@jamesonfrancois3938]

I've been doing free hand drawing for all my life, In all honesty I thought that people who were able to draw celebrates were just super gifed, but as I got older and realized a few tricks, that's when I noticed a change. Now that I've watched your video and realized what's going on. I can stop being so hard on myself, and at the same time, realize what's fake and what's real. Thank you. As for me. Ill try this just for fun. But I'll remain as a Free Hand artist.

[@Monkey20952011]

For some reason even though i watched you do it when i did it and it worked my jaw dropped lol. This is a really cool method!

[@yvettechauvin3978]

Thank you, I have been struggling with what I love to draw, and what others think I should draw. I will now keep to what I love to draw and paint.

[@gieoden]

i just found your channel and gosh you are so awesome. i watched this vid because its about justin and im a belieber but wow, your message really hit me. for 2 years i've been drawing portraits because its the only thing that others appreciate and not the kind of art that comes from my mind. Really hoping that one day I'll also be as good as you are (lol i feel like that ain't happenin). Thanks for being an inspiration tho.

[@Dennis-xs9cn]

Interesting video. Enjoyed it a lot. I’m a novice artist watercolour hobby and transfer at moment mostly from my own photos. My sketching is improving and currently sketch on drawing paper and then transfer to watercolour paper with light box.

[@Pinselgeschichten]

Travis, I absolutely agree with you - especially regarding the topic of capturing someone's personality when you draw from a photo. The only way I would say that might work is, when you are the photographer (and I don't mean a snapshot on a phone) and later on draw/paint from exactly that photo (no transfer but using the photo as a guideline only) and add a little "flavour" that is typical to your drawings/paintings.

[@SketchyTrav]

I agree, if you take the photograph and use it to make the art you want then that is just using everything at your disposal to make the art you want to make.

[@om0rfia]

Hey! For inexperienced high school artists do you recommend this technique over the grid technique? What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[@subokitsubaka2264]

So many professional artists use this technique,even high paid youtubers portrait artist use this technique also...so in high school you can use this😊

[@DantheArtMan]

Yes! Thanks for blowing the whistle on this stuff!

[@sophiac7778]

Indeed thats also the reason ive stopped drawing because I am so tired of trying to please people.. we should never draw only for what people like.. we should draw for ourselves and things we like.. thanks for the video and your speech inspired me! :)

[@shaunah.creations9233]

I used to draw a lot of anime back in highschool. I loved it. And I just dabbled back into it recently. I've been painting flowers which is new to me and I love it. But going back to anime was like a nice warm blanket for me lol. If that makes sense. I just love to draw and paint whatever makes me happy 😊

[@pacificfirebrush]

I think that is the greatest Justin Beiber portrait ever :)

[@finnrobinson]

Thank you. You have only just made me realise something that ive known for a long, long time. I need to stop making art to please people. Thank you sooo much for making this video, its amazing!!! I will now only draw what i want to draw! Thanks again! Ps... thunbs up!!!👍

[@yuliadan2668]

AMAZING! I was struggling for so long on how to draw realistic people good. And I love to draw but I could never get it right. Your video was the only one I actually found helpful. So THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!😍😍😊😊😊

[@reddesilets]

Good video. I've not taken myself seriously as an artist in like 20 years. I suddenly decided to try and draw a portrait for a surprise for someone this past weekend. I knew I'd be out of practice and considering the time lapse, I guess I did "meh". But I really wanted to do this portrait and was kicking myself pretty hard for not keeping up with my skill and developing them over the past two decades (I've dabbled, but nothing really good at all since I was a teen). This put it into perspective (no pun intended). If I want to draw a portrait from a photo (has to be, since it's a surprise), I need to transfer (was doing grid but don't have the right tools to scale it as big as I was trying so it was slightly skewed in the end - oops). In the meantime, I can work on developing my skills on other things and if I can get portraits up to par, then I will draw a new portrait for this friend, with no photo needed. Thanks. :)

[@mykulpicasso]

Hey thanks. I am drawing a celebrity picture for a friend she is paying me. And I just said this, this morning in my head. I'm basically copying a picture that a photographer took. And I had to understand as an artist people just think it's cool. Which it is. Glad you have the same thoughts. Hopefully I could get good enough to draw people in person. Thanks for touching on other artist work nice tip. I'll keep my eyes open for these techniques.

[@WhiteStoneAcres]

I work with charcoal & graphite a lot & from my experience, the most fun I have is drawing from my mind's eye & from life. Trying to render from a photograph (to me) is th most frustrating thing. It puts so much more pressure for everything to be just right/perfect & I've gotten very discouraged trying it. Thanks for this video, new subscriber!

[@lewismulraney1]

hey trav your exactly right buddy i just wanted to ask with charcoal does it need to bee on a certain paper or can it be on anything an then pen/pencil you used were can i get one

[@gentlereader9457]

Brilliant video, thanks so much. You opened my eyes to what I do to myself. I put myself off my art by comparing to these 'realistic' portraits. I started by drawing from life and trying to capture the essence of people and the life in them. I love that you used the words I used to feel myself. I found you very inspiring and thank you. I love what you did!

[@silly7eraph]

very educational and helpful, great lesson

[@BriYvonne]

I totally understand where you are coming from. I have always loved drawing but I was scared to have an unstable career so I went to college and studied computer science, which I like as well. I can draw but my skills are limited. I can draw from a reference photo and I can draw a more cartoon looking person from memory but I still need a reference to get body proportions down. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to just think of something, and draw it. That's what I am working towards. I'm glad you were long winded lol it opened my eyes

[@gwenstone6077]

Loved the video! Your insight to art and allowing yourself; inspiring others to draw how/what they love is contagious! You are so kind and non judgmental in your approach about drawing, and thing in general. I really appreciate your candor and kindness.

[@achenarspire924]

Thanks for the demo. I wondered how to get the exact proportions and wanted to know if you used the same methods as RelationPix (artist from Wales or England who traces her photos); or the method of the FivePencils guy (puts the photo on a grid). Seems like the same type of method for both of them ...and you as well. I like to do some art in my spare time and like going to some art galleries --haven't met an artist yet who was good enough to draw from memory. Enjoy looking at your work-- very spontaneous and fluid !! Great job.

[@Marinedice]

Great video. Very encouraging for beginners. Honest and genuine advice. Much appreciated.

[@jacobsilva5278]

this is by far the best and most informative art video about portraits on yt!!!!

[@ashleyydrew4970]

Jesus Christ you explained the whole "drawing what people want" so perfectly! You draw beautifully and very unique. You're very inspiring! Thank you so much! This is only my second video watching from you and I'm already in love with your mind set and will be joining your art journey with these videos. Can't wait to see more from you!

[@coryhernandezhernandez1272]

i really like you keep it simple and honest. you are a true artist. you said it just right. thanks

[@jonnylucero7987]

thank man u made so much u opened my eyes again to my imagination for a long ive only been drawing what I thought people would like so thank you

[@GooberFace32]

You, fine sir, have won the Internet! Thanks for making my day with this fine tutorial on how to draw Justin Bieber :).

[@lyndsaylou09]

Great video! I agree with a lot of your points you brought up. I feel like my constant road-block is not using my own mind to get inspiration from. I too often rely on those photos of people or landscapes and don't use my own resources.

[@ashnikfield4224]

I have a great way to get an accurate sketch without tracing (even though tracing Is a great way to learn shading :D) Color the back of your reference photo with a soft pencil. Then put it on the paper, and press a pencil into the main points of the face, such as the corners of the eyes and mouth, and the top of the head. Then you can draw all of the rest of the face without tracing :D you get the exact proportions of the face. I tried it and it really works! ive become twenty times better with this technique :D Tracing is a good way to learn shading if not already. I love this video :D

[@TeejayLeigh]

Wow this was very informative! I've always been able to draw something just looking at the original picture, but NEVER from anything realistic looking. This is a great trick!

[@SuperSlayer96]

I totally relate to what you had to say. I've been reluctant to doing transfer but have come to terms that it is a tool to help achieve a final drawing. Especially to just get the basic gesture and, like you- use my imagination to expand from there too wherever it takes you. Like I said, a tool to help aid in the creative process. Nicely said. For all the haters. Haters gonna hate. Quite struggling and eccept that there are many means to meet an end. Nuff said. Peace!

[@alvinjones670]

Unique technique I've never heard of this method!!!

[@rosettarose8553]

Hi, I really agree with your idea that you should draw what you like and what you enjoy drawing. If you don't you can become too critical and never satisfied with your work. Great video.

[@bambihomer9919]

Thank you for sharing this technique, I have been having a rough time recently with regards to my artistic ability( mainly due to all of the celebrity portraits I see on Instagram etc) and this has made me realise that things are not always as they appear and has given me a lot more confidence in my own abilities. I haven't felt like drawing in months but now I just want to start sketching. Thank you for that:)

[@omgitsarjun]

Holy crap this took such a left turn half way in, I love it!

[@franticpanda2008]

Woah! I love your take on that picture!! I have to draw a self portrait for my studio art course, and I was looking for realism tutorials but now... gah I'm just so inspired O__O You have such an amazing talent!

[@mobiitees]

This is, without a doubt, one of the most helpful art videos I have ever seen. Thank you for taking the time to make this. It gave me my art RAWR back! Haa!

[@carriesills7603]

Transferring is not cheating (reading some comments below.) I've been a professional artist for 40 (OMG, I'm old) years! It just gives us the ability to know where the main features are, it takes a lot of talent to finish the portrait, no matter what medium is used. For me, it's a time saver, especially for a commission. People want the portrait to look like the person.

[@skkuzz]

what type of pencils did you use for this picture? they look really nice

[@katiexx9765]

i found this very helpful to me, i draw with any spare time but i could never seem to do faces i have tried for years.. (even though i have only been alive for 12 years lol) but now i can! thank you for making this vid!!

[@dumpling2426]

No offence but I love how you trolled on Justin biebers face xD

[@joyfulartist5254]

Love to the opening music while showing your illustrations.

[@tomrichards1581]

why man? there are about 7 billion people around the world and you decided to draw Justin Bieber

[@BayuKurniawanID]

Epic comment, lol

[@CartooonTHAT]

i drew Justin Bieber! i drew alot of different people too! lol! nothing wrong with that!

[@mightyelf2660]

+Cartooon THAT i also drew him, both front view and 3/4 view,lol

[@kevintuesday1484]

Tom Richards i drew my face on his body

[@rainingkat4092]

he's great tho

[@Blade-ew5ln]

Hey, I know this is an old video. However, I would like to take the time to say thank you. I haven't been through the rest of your videos yet, I do hope you have included a few more things about what you have learned attending an actual illustration class or school. I think there were a few people who really didn't understand what you were getting at with this video. I feel like for someone like me who is learning to draw completely on there own. Having someone who has an education in the field and not just sharing what they know but what they have learned is vital. I hope you have or will continue to share more of what you actually learned in the classroom. Thank you.

[@mylovelyman2]

Thanks so much for posting this. Really admire your down to earth and straight forward approach. I have wondered about this for a while. I was really critical of my lack of precision. So thanks Dude. Good work!

[@Lea-dl5ie]

what specific pencils or pens do u recommend to make a sewing more realistic??

[@jupiter9974]

I like everything you said about your philosophy toward drawing and art

[@EvssandRubzz]

Woah Travis you made it look realistic, and bam all of the sudden bieber is some creepy thing but still great skills!!!! Keep up the good work. You're a good motivator !

[@TheAz132]

This helped me a lot! I want to draw my great uncle who died in 2010 for my grandma for Christmas. I think I'll do this for a practice drawing and then use the grid technique for the finale drawing. Thank you!

[@archangelspence]

Great vid man! I cant count the amount of times teachers have told me not to draw things or in a style thanks for this!!

[@semajruffin6536]

thank you for bringing that to light and helping to motivate me to practice more.