I Wish I Had Started Drawing with This Tool Sooner

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I've been practicing pencil for over 13 years and I'm constantly finding new tips and tricks to manipulate graphite. In this video I dive into the new ways in which I blend graphite to get soft and nuanced textures. I hope it inspires you to get experimental with new tools and ways of manipulated graphite in your pencil drawings.
The brands for make up brushes that I use are EcoTools and Black Silver brushes by Dynasty. Let me know in the comments if there are any makeup brushes or other tools you use in your practice.
For tips, works in progress and extra content, take a look at my Patreon:
/ jonodryart / jonodryart
For more of my work visit:
Website: www.jonodryart.com
Instagram: / jonodry
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@jonodry?is_fr..
Facebook: / jonodryart

[@jeancriner9378]

Your dedication to your art and sharing ideas with others is wonderful. You have a God given talent.

[@RegnaSaturna]

'A make up brush is a brush designed to move powder around.' That really clicks with me.

[@paul_domici]

Your work is so fantastic Jono! It's hard to believe it's just graphite!!! It's amazing!!!

[@soowzy]

Always a pleasure to find a new video from you in my feed. Love that you share your evolving process, thank you!

[@jondoh587]

I prefer working with charcoal, rather than graphite, but seeing how you work feels very similar. For me, it's kind of a meditative-iterative process. Lay the charcoal pigment down, pick it back up with blending tools and erasers. Lay it down again and pick it up again, working in the textures and value shifts. Over and over. It's incredibly slow but I don't mind. I love how three-dimensional forms rise up from the paper from the interplay of shadows and highlights.

[@JonoDry]

I was playing with charcoal earlier this year and loved it! I’m just nervous about using it again on such a large scale, I can’t really afford to mess any of these pieces up. But hopefully next year I can play with it again

[@Osas_Ad_Arts]

Yes same

[@interestgainer9801]

Can you start tutorials

[@thedudrandom6692]

He has tutorials on his Channel

[@interestgainer9801]

@@thedudrandom6692 I know but I want more

[@neverforgetwhouwere]

Yea it would be so great for full on beginners! Like which tools to buy and how to start:D

[@thedudrandom6692]

@@neverforgetwhouwere he has videos for that already

[@Bright-It]

Artists work hard and go through all emotions to find space in Arts, during their time in this world. Average people are interesting and expect that someone will transfer all knowledge and experience in few minutes. Someone once said “should have app to do it for me”. A true artist discover his own way. Art schools don’t teach arts, but support students to succeed.

[@jondoh587]

I also enjoy using makeup brushes for creating painterly artwork. I have powder brushes for using with dry charcoal and foundation/cream brushes for acrylic paint. Love the silky smooth blending they allow.

[@MsGnor]

Wow Jono, I hit pause thru this vid to appreciate your majestic artwork! Thanks as always for sharing your tips & techniques. Such a fan. Take care 🥰❤‍🔥🐘👁🧸💖✨

[@hickorygolddoc]

Beautiful work! Just came across your video. Also a great video so am following you. I have dabbled in all sorts of artistic endeavors. Spent 20 years doing custom framing. When in Jr High I sold my charcoal drawings, ink drawings for $10 bucks to pay for my horse! Lol. Am no spring chicken now but we rebuilt our house and I finally have a room I can do things in! Kids are grown and have families. Going to down size my Flock of sheep. And have some fun! I just have a love of creativity! Exciting time and glad your video popped up!

[@glintytv]

Thank you for talking about the value of making mistakes. It has changed the way I live

[@markfw54]

Thank you so very much. You are truly inspiring and have provided me with the encouragement I needed to return to my studio in the new year with a focus and a goal.

[@SerenWen_art]

I’ve used Pan Pastel sofft tools with graphite, worked quite well for me, but I’m nowhere near your level! Thank you for sharing some of your process with us, it’s always fascinating to see how other artists work!

[@nickvreys]

You are a huge inspiration for me. You made me push my own drawings further, really embrace the dark values and I've progressed so much in a short amount of time because of it. Thank you.

[@timeenuf4200]

Truly inspiring. Thank you for sharing your time, talent, inspiration and art.

[@johnjones928]

I definitely think there's a market for a more consistent graphite/charcoal range of brushes. I've bought a few sets and have found there's about 5 or 6 types that I use regularly, from the largest pom to the short, stiff bristled ones. I also like the egg shaped foundation applicator sponges, a clean one can actually remove powder to lighten and/or even out an area. I find it's easier for me to start with a lightly applied mid tone and add or remove from there. I'll even tone the paper before starting an initial sketch at times.

[@terrigelbaum8066]

My darling man, you have made be a better artist because of your flawless crafting of what you do. I adore you, your gift. Thank you for what you bring to this planet. Blessings to you.

[@markthompson4859]

Hey Jono, I discovered make-up brushes early on in this journey and I love the flexibility they offer. They just add to the piece in an amazing way and along with the other tools, are indispensable. So, I love your approach to art. I am thoroughly enjoying the perpetual discoveries I make about drawing. You are a great source of inspiration. Where I am at the moment is really a foundational phase and I finally see the benefits of foundation techniques. Patience and pace are indeed key. Thanks for sharing. Take care.

[@dougwallis5078]

WOW Freakin WOW!! Your work is breathtaking!!

[@lisasteel6817]

I was originally a watercolour artist so when I started predominantly working with graphite and charcoal it was natural for me to use brushes and I eventually too found that makeup brushes were the best ones. The other advantage of makeup brushes is that they are often double ended, two brushes in one.

[@douglaschandler199]

You are the king of pencil drawings.

[@Azat_Bizhan]

Jono, thank you for sharing this. You are the one who inspired me to start drawing with pencil. 👀📚🖌 ✌️

[@louisesrensen5529]

Im very thankful for your sharing. I worked with acrylic for many years but gave it all up, when I became a christian, because my artwork was very occultish. I didnt paint anything for 3 years but recently felt a need to pick up drawing, and honor God through that. And in my drawing graphite is a new thing for me. I also like working with coal but thats a bit more messy. Graphite has another skill in itself. Its more firm and in a way more gentle. Sometimes my drawing paper gets dirty from grapthite or coal and I leave it on as an effect.

[@adamfernandes4312]

I love that he's used himself as a model for several works

[@joeblankenship377]

I bought some make up brushes a while back. They really are perfect for graphite. The short, stubby ones are great at blending.

[@-AT-WALKER]

Met a former beautician at Art school, her degree show was portraits done with makeup. Expensive way to do large work but for matching skin tones of women wearing makeup 👌 Karen if you read this, hope you're well!

[@reneecourtneyjewelry]

Beautiful work, beautifully done.

[@2creates1]

Amazing work!!

[@davianburke]

Love your drawings Jono, God sent gift.

[@studio107bgallery4]

Your drawings are a true gift to Peeps of Planet Earth❤❤❤ Thank You for sharing your process!! As an artist using graphite as one of my primary mediums, Your process and astounding imagery has inspired me to push graphite to its limit!! Always tried not to use an eraser, but now I see anything goes to create an exceptional image❤❤❤ But your cosmic talent is key to their success!

[@cmralph...]

Always love finding the joy of new tools and techniques in the studio! Great recap! Thanks for sharing. ❤🧡💛💚💙💜 Cutting my own masking stencils out of old plastic food containers was a good one for me - saved time and money PLUS it allowed me to custom make them as needed.

[@kentschandorff6111]

WOW-AMAZING - I WILL FOLLOW YOUR WORK - HOPE I CAN LEARN JUST A LITTLE BIT!

[@angeliamoore6973]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@BTSHIQ]

Your art is stunning!

[@irinasrebot2793]

Unbelievable Art, just beautiful

[@cindicopeland9731]

You are not only talented, but also wise.

[@jamesberrange3671]

Graphite is often an underestimated medium. Your techiques are the result of much hard work and perseverance and are wonderfully explained. Many thanks for sharing.

[@sharonnycum5414]

God has truly blessed this man with a beautiful talent. His art is on a higher level than anything else I have seen in a good while. Absolutely beautiful.

[@nelsonx5326]

Jono really is amazing.

[@MrSkosig]

Amazing work ❤inspiring ❤️

[@ChantelleArts]

lots of really interesting tips here ❤

[@lindacmiller948]

Thank you 🙏

[@herianart]

My favorit technique skill 👍 the best JONO DRY

[@anvk13]

This was really helpful Jono, thanks! I was thinking maybe pastel brushes might also work since they are meant to push pastel powder around. I'll have to try that out.

[@manniesreactionchannel3808]

That’s what I call dedication to your craft .

[@cab102361]

You are very talented

[@Artoilpainting]

Very nice👏

[@christinehowell]

I've yet to find any type of brush that works for me and produces the dark areas I'm looking for. The nearest has been the hard foam applicator with a small head but I find it creates blotches which are hard to smooth out. I'm going to try some EcoTools brushes as I can't help thinking that brushes are the way to go. Thanks for the tip.

[@jenni48.32]

What a wonder worker

[@K.ART_vlog]

so nice 😍

[@DEON1605]

Top artist ever

[@janicelancaster3020]

Love this which brands of brushes do you use please

[@ellonysman]

Mind exploding!❤✅❤

[@liesjehamers2700]

Hey jono, thank you so very much for sharing. I have the same experience in using make up brushes on grafite. So i'd like to share with you: have u tried the hydrophilic blender sponge, or a beauty blender sponge yet? These are also make up tools... i noticed they r very nice for blending graphite as well... hopefully this is usefull information 4u.... so keep on making these beautifull art. Big compliments 4u. bye 🍀🧡🌻☮🙏🙂🙃

[@doninis1354]

I have such huge respect for the work behind this really awsome art. I hope one day I am able to watsh a expedition of your work. I just went to Florence and saw the Venus live, it was breathtaking. What do you think, what will poeple think of your art in hundret(s) years. What will art than be?

[@ianbaxter2208]

You mediate through drawing, my dreams are what you see in reality

[@TheIronDuke9]

About 4 years ago you made a video explaining how you get your DARK backgrounds. I'm curious, is your technique the same for achieving this or has it evolved into a new trick by now? I still struggle with this

[@marymcandrew7667]

I have a set of old paint brushes that are worn down enough to be a bit stiff, I used these with conte pencils. Have you tried these? Nice darks.

[@Dave_1966]

Do you ever paint or draw with colour? And do you ever get frustrated with only using monochrome mediums? Love your work and if I ever win the lottery I’m sure one day l will commission one of your pieces 😊👍😍

[@choochoochooseyou]

You mentioned you keep going back to cotton wool. Would you include cotton buds in that?

[@Wamphyrii1]

Jono can i ask, do you free hand the outlines before the magic starts?

[@WakingAngels]

You’re voice is so soothing 🤭

[@Jelovias]

❤❤❤

[@mjeffn2]

The Public: “Wow! That’s a spectacular picture you made. I bet you could get 50 bucks for that.” Me: “Sometimes I get discouraged and wonder why.”

[@aliarab85]

can i order one please?..and if i wanna know how

[@Nadia-dg9vu]

‘IT’ cosmetic brushes and Morphe brushes work great.

[@khalidrashid3838]

have you tried Pan Pastel powders?

[@terryjackson8773]

I've found that the graphite powder you get from art suppliers and hardware shops is far too fine and tends to clogs the paper. What do you use? I make my own out of the clutch pencil leads that I use but it can be time consuming.

[@rolandodiazartist9138]

What kind of paper are you using?

[@deborahbarnes8475]

❤

[@Nadia-dg9vu]

I still struggle with the dark background. Can’t seem to get it black. What I missing?

[@padamvara]

Nice video😍 ❤ form india

[@PK080483]

Do you ever use white graphite/charcoal pencils?

[@onceuponatimeinindia404]

hello sir, i'm a fan from India ,I tried to recreate your 'iris' drawing with charcoal pls give it a look

[@SAMZIRRA]

Wait till Jono finds out you can airbrush graphite too

[@tusk242]

I love the 8b , question Graphite is LEAD, a poison. Do you wear a mask. Being a female , yes I used a make up brush. or the sable and the Oil brushes. Loved my Kneed eraser. Being Frugal, money tight, and not close to art stores. I would use children' 9 grade mechanical pencils , from 'Dollar TREE" but then they went to grade 7, which is common to an basic pencils 2H.or HB? Been awhile since I bought them. Living in a tiny apartment, the lead dust was getting all over everything, so I stopped. And was told it is not really Art, or if I did do some abstract, I was told it looked DEPRSSING. No one would want to pay more than 5 dollars for an original. verses time spent and cost.

[@cdifferent5]

why is your volume always low 😭

[@JonoDry]

I just struggle to speak loudly 😂

[@MoreScareMoreCandy]

​@@JonoDry I find your speaking volume and tone quite calming. It's nice to watch a KZbin video that isn't screaming at me. It feels more like we are just having a casual conversation with you across the table.

[@demej00]

I can't stand to spend more than 30 minutes on a painting. These works are impressive but would kill me. I use a correction fluid pen for hightlights. It leaves nice broken lines for a beautiful artistic touch.

[@alanbyrom7241]

Thank you so much for sharing your videos, they have taught me so much, to the extent that I have recently completed my first large drawing: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZLPip2VqbyUfq8

[@dr.truthteller9768]

So the big elephant in the room is behind this statement; "Hello, my name is Jono and I paint with oils".......We know you don't like color, but we are dying to see what you could do. Make a black n white painting. Fail in front of us if that's what happens. Have fun with it.

[@eioclementi1355]

Этот комментарий, скорее всего, будет удален

[@Juan-mt7wl]

Bla bla bla bla

[@greekveteran2715]

Best Drawing supplies: Best Mechanical pencil: Pentel Graphgear 500 (0.5mm) + Ain Stein leads Best Lead Holder for drawing: Faber Castell TK400/TK4600 +TK9071 leads Best Lead holder for sketching: Koh-I-Noor 5340Best Charcoal pencils: General's (Best white charcoal too!) Best Wooden Graphite pencils: Faber Castell (9000/Pitt matt/Aquarelle) Best Kneadable eraser: LYRA Best Plastic eraser: Faber Castell Dust Free 187120/Tombow Mono Plastic/Tombow Dust Catch Best Fine detail eraser: Tombow mono Zero 2.3mm Best Colour pencils: Faber Castell Polychromos/Caran D'ash Luminance Best Sharpeners: KUM Masterpiece/KUM Automatic longpoint/M+R Round Brass Best Paper for drawing: Hahnemuhle Dessin 150gsm/Arches Watercolor Hot Pressed Best Sketchbook for dry media: Canson 180 Artbook/Canson Universal/Hahnemuhle 120gr Best Paper for Polychromos: Fabriano Artistico Hot Pressed Best Sanguine/Sepia pencils/leads: Koh-I-Noor Red chalk/Conte Sanguine Best Paperstump for blending: Conte a Paris (the older ones,they are still in stock here and there)

[@AkwanySteveArt]

Thank you Soo much Jonodry,you inspire me alot into the world of hyper realistic art🫶🏾

[@suziedoozie6478]

I am in awe of your talent! You are so Blessed! And I am Blessed to witness your talents….I wouldn’t be surprised if your work ends up hanging in a museum! Good luck with your future masterpieces!

[@rolandodiazartist9138]

What kind of paper are you using?