Learning How to Draw

Get the full drawing basics course - proko.com/drawing
Drawing is a visual language that can be learned just like any other language, and anyone can pick it up with the right guidance and practice. This lesson covers physical skills, like hand-eye coordination, and intellectual skills, like understanding perspective and shading that you’ll need in order to draw the images you imagine or observe.
Keep in mind that these skills can be learned and improved, regardless of age or natural talent. Like any skill, becoming a good artist is mostly about spending a lot of time practicing and studying :)
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
00:59 - Can I Learn to Draw?
02:43 - Physical and Intellectual
04:42 - The Mindset
While you wait for the course to start, check out our
OTHER FUNDAMENTALS LESSONS:
The Basic Elements - Shape, Value, Color, Edge - • The Basic Elements - S...
Shading Light and Form - Basics - • Shading Light and Form...
How to Shade a Drawing - • How to Shade a Drawing
How to Draw Gesture - • How to Draw Gesture
Structure Basics - Making Things Look 3D - • Structure Basics - Mak...
Drawing Measuring Techniques - • Drawing Measuring Tech...
The Illusion of Depth - Contrast, Aerial Perspective and Form - • The Illusion of Depth ...
The Illusion of Depth - Perspective, Details and Overlapping Forms - • The Illusion of Depth ...
The Illusion of Depth - Edge, Line, Cast Shadow and Paint Thickness - • The Illusion of Depth ...
Top 5 Shading Mistakes - • Top 5 Shading Mistakes
Top 5 Drawing Mistakes - • Top 5 Drawing Mistakes
DRAFTSMEN PODCAST:
Season 1 - • Draftsmen Podcast - Se...
Season 2 - • Draftsmen Podcast - Se...
Season 3 - • Draftsmen Podcast - Se...
#howtodraw #newartist #beginningtodraw
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WATCH MORE PROKO:
Latest Uploads: • Finger Drawing Mistake...
Figure Drawing: • How to Draw Gesture
Art of Caricature: • The Art of Caricature ...
Popular Videos: • How to Draw the Head f...
ABOUT PROKO:
Instructional How to Draw videos for artists. My drawing lessons are approachable enough for beginners and detailed enough for advanced artists. My philosophy is to teach timeless concepts in an entertaining way. I believe that when you are having fun, you learn better. I take pride in producing high quality videos that you will enjoy watching and re-watching.
CREDITS:
Artist | Instructor - Stan Prokopenko (www.stanprokopenko.com)
Producer - Stan Prokopenko (www.stanprokopenko.com)
Script - Stan Prokopenko, Jesse Martel
Production Assistance - Stephen Clark (www.peppermintgentleman.com), Ash Lo Russo (www.artstation.com/ash_lorusso ), Sean Ramsey
Editing - Ash Lo Russo, Sean Ramsey, Stan Prokopenko
Cartoon Animations - Cody Shank (codyshank.com/)
Publishing - John Birchall, Alex Otis
Additional music by the KZbin Audio Library

[@ProkoTV]

We’re about to get started! Next week I'll release a video with a more detailed outline of exactly what we'll be covering in this course. And then we'll officially start with the lessons in January. Hit the notification bell so you never miss a lesson :)

[@gaysasuke5618]

Yes! Okay! I'm excited!

[@Homegirl_s_painting]

🎉👍🏻👍🏻

[@aetherland1883]

Hheheheeh I don't care, I don't care, I will make AI art and you can mald all you want ;)

[@Rafas216]

@@aetherland1883 seu cérebro vai encolher

[@showman139]

Can you review some drawing books? Your video's are an excellent source. There are still people who need books as a safety net or for stylistic reasons. Your reviews would be awesome if you can.

[@MegaDman16]

I'm 30 years old and have always wanted to learn how to draw. I tried to learn from many different sources, but most of them either confused me by skipping steps or the lessons were too tedious and didn't really help me with the basics. I like watching your videos so I brought this course with the hope that this will be the right way for me to finally learn.

[@ProkoTV]

I'm definitely not skipping ANY steps in this course! We're going over the very basics, while still being useful to those who've been making things with pencils for a long time. I hope you enjoy it!

[@Dawg.Wit.]

Youngest F2 player...

[@taraishot100]

Sounds like you needed the Michael Hampton book

[@zenxdy.]

been a few months hows the progress?

[@philipflorentin]

How is it going? ☺️

[@CarlYota]

It’s worth noting that the reason they say kids are better at learning piano (even though adults actually learn it way faster) is because the kids are happier with minor abilities and improvements. A kid thinks it’s cool to play a one finger version twinkle little star whereas an adult isn’t “rewarded” unless they play a competent version of a Yurima piece. Obviously it takes way longer for the adult to feel rewarded and often they quit because it isn’t fast enough. So loving the process or finding a way to take joy in smaller milestones is key.

[@neelzen9975]

Interesting perspective, I think it does make a lot of sense. I set high goals for myself and rarely enjoy the little victories or see the fun in mastering little things along the way and maybe that needs to change.

[@maxadey]

Took a class with you at Watts Atelier in Encinitas about a decade ago. Really cool to re-find you and see how far you’ve gone. Trying to get back into art after my career taking off. Keep doing what you’re doing Stan.

[@lemardogonzalez1575]

I am saving to buy the anatomy course, enjoying gesture drawing, starting from zero, and doing it for fun. Thank you Proko, its a challenge but I'm getting better at it.

[@jimtekkit]

As a new artist it's easy to feel like I've suddenly run out of artistic ability if a drawing doesn't come out right. But doing a bad drawing (or even abandoning a drawing entirely) doesn't mean that you're a bad artist. In fact, some of the best drawings I've done were the result of messing up the first attempt and then attempting it a second time. It's the result of critiquing a bad drawing and then changing my strategy to do it better. There's a lot to be said for sketching a "thumbnail" drawing before starting the full-size version, it really helps to avoid major problems.

[@AceDigitalPro]

I'm so glad I found this class. I went to a trade school in Massachusetts and took Drafting as a trade. After graduation I went immediately onto the computer and never touched a pencil and paper again. I've also had a thought in the back of my head for a long time about learning how to draw just for fun. I've been a professional photographer now for twenty years and now doing more video production and video editing. I want to start using drawing for sketching ideas, storyboards, etc. I signed up for your course and look forward to learning to draw. I'm also going to listen to the podcast. Thank you for creating all of these great resources.

[@SketchedbySte]

I've been drawing for many years but I know that a Proko drawing fundamentals course like this will be fantastic and worthwhile to fill in any thing I missed early on, or just as a refresher! Never thought I would be so excited for a fundamentals course 😆

[@Alkonium]

Something I've had trouble with is thinking I need to be good at drawing before I can enjoy doing it. That and being very results-focused and being somewhat impatient with progress due to wanting to make up for a late start.

[@H1dront390]

Hey proko! Thanks for every tip. Although I am experienced in drawing (not professional), I still keep coming back to basics for me to FULLY understand it even if I know it already. I took a break a break from drawing due to me pushing myself, and understanding myself a bit before actually having fun in my drawing journey now I found myself procrastinating, I need to find a way to stay focus while having fun specially when drawing and animating. I wish other artists their luck and dedication.

[@alturass8062]

Uuh i am excited for this course series and what contents will be included. Definitely will check the channel regularly 😊

[@rojox2]

i've been drawing for a while now but proko always is helpful no matter what skill.

[@ProkoTV]

Thanks!

[@armellebiampamba4257]

I'm already pretty good a drawing but have an opportunity to teach art to preteens and need some reference to help me teach. This really helps show me how to communicate to an audience who may not have the basics quite yet

[@TheAddvertiser]

thanks for the tut, as a 3d modeler, your drawings inspired me for a new 3ds max course soon

[@dgomes7048]

Perfect drawing introduction. Just perfect

[@artawhirler]

So happy to see you doing this! Thanks!

[@justil396]

The thumbnail Level 1 drawing ended my whole career

[@justzach253]

I bought the class the day before this came out and when i got the notification for this first lesson i was so excited!

[@xanalexander910]

So excited to watch the new course, i learned how to draw with ur past course but still i would love to watch it

[@cookiemonster3147]

Thanks Proko!! A great video again!!

[@nagatouzamakiamvs2277]

Proko always gives great tutorials that have helped me out alot. I have question,do you think a begginer artist should start by learning to draw boxes in perspective,perspective,form and anatomy in that order

[@ProkoTV]

I'm starting the course with Line, then shape (accuracy, design gesture), then Perspective, Form, Light and Shading.

[@aldofabriziomichelangelliv5880]

I just love you man, amazing work!!!!

[@pabloalonsorodriguez8339]

Fantastic job! Thank you very much :)

[@fernandoboyz]

Very cool video, and I love how you dropped the pencil on the ground and didnt cut it!

[@troychriscarretas2657]

I started drawing at age 2 too and also mostly right handed like you but can also draw with the left in a wobbly way

[@radoartcraft]

Even for a guy who already know how this video looks very inspiring. I like how you dropped the pencil on the ground and didnt cut it. :D

[@bearifiablepau2095]

This content is amazing. Thank you. :)

[@RmhGames]

I have been drawing for 2 years and it isn't bad to get a new view point of the basics and hone them although i'm starting an expermint to enhance my line confindence and killing worrying about making mistakes by drawing with a pen for a month and it'a going pretty good. I hope the course doesn't dive in pencil techniques too much cuz I will be doing it entirely in pen i'm excited !

[@williamwinn948]

the drawing heads Tutorial Was a huge help for me, Thank you. I'm a lefty Can't write or draw with my right hand

[@artzone_182]

Really helpful,thanks for sharing,,

[@kgsimpt]

Thank you !

[@antonioblanco3086]

Thanks Proko very nice content

[@lechungus1832]

Yesssssss a new courseee

[@radu7472]

I'm curious where this course fits in with your other courses? Would you recommend someone who is very new to drawing to focus on this course before attempting the figure drawing course for example?

[@Aspi-vision]

I bought de fundamental course premium ! I believe Stan is the best teacher online and the enthousiasme is contagious ! Greetings from Belgium !

[@vernon137]

thank you soo soo much !!

[@TASmith10]

Bless you Stan, you're a treasure! :)

[@cartoondrawingnetwork]

Amazing Tips. Thank you 😍. I hope I will become as good as you one day

[@jaydagoatdark]

❤ TYSM!

[@ahmedkamal323]

Stan's left hand drawing looks like my drawings after 2 years of learning .

[@ProkoTV]

I do my best! I honestly really like the left handed drawing. I had a lot of happy accidents during it that made it feel organic.

[@zidnyknight3611]

Thanks

[@tadeumiranda1100]

Thanks (from Brazil)

[@echofox3487]

Very encouraging

[@ForeignLifestylestory]

i use to draw when i was in high school. but when i got out , life took over.. now im 60 and trying to pick up a pencil. got to get the hand and mind working together again.

[@juliuspringles2239]

thank you.

[@deniskdenisk1985]

Велика подяка за контент 🙏

[@IvePage]

Does this course have some information on composition? And which day in january are you gonna drop lessons?

[@JREVY22DECEPTICON416]

Great video I love drawing. Please make more drawinf videos 📹🙏

[@is_this_the_real_life_or]

Thanks :)

[@carriebarnes118]

Omg the beaver and the babe 😂😂😂😂 I’m losing it. You go, Stan!

[@ada19878]

gracias

[@lisaleedubois]

I have aphantasia and I'm impressed by your talent. Can you please do another video on how your imagination works compared to someone without aphantasia. I am an artist but not on your level.

[@HelloItsNBG]

Level 1 on the thumbnail actually looks so good no cap

[@Shallwedraw]

Very beautiful

[@doc_annonymous]

Big advice, HAVE FUN , I used to do realism and think I sucked and got bored drawing, now I don't fucking care I draw whatever and I have fun and it's fine if I draw ugly things, I try to get better perspective... But I have fun

[@faqir1531]

You earned new subscriber today I am an drawing artist learning tattooing now , i am big fan of Kim jung Korean bald guy ....godfather of self art

[@M_is_lost]

Hi, How are the new lessons structured? Do they appear like weekly? I'm interested in this course, but I think I will continue some other courses I have first

[@Tetronus]

Very cool

[@AC-re9sc]

I wish I could get this course. The price is much for me. Will there be any sales or offers for this course?

[@drawingfandome]

The sound effects in this video made it so much better 😂

[@ericksilvaII]

You dropping the pencil was a nice touch

[@ProkoTV]

It was definitely planned and not an accident at all.... 👀

[@Manticoraa]

Enjoy the journey

[@mtw_insignio8098]

@Proko Whats your site that I can use for live lessons if you got them. I keep running into an issue where ill go strong for a while. Ill achieve that goal or wont get to where I want to be and then im like "ok so what now" I get lost and then just fall off.

[@SepetTV]

i have finished DAB courses. I wonder if i should just go straight to figure drawing or take this course

[@blackcitadel37]

Draftsmen thumbnails are a genre of art on its own.

[@jehutolentino7970]

Hi Proko Can I ask how much is the course? Thank you!

[@Jmt19842003]

I have ADHD and my biggest problem is trying not overwhelmed/ over think it. I also some fear. Fear of wasting time, money, and supplies. Advice?

[@ArtStuff__]

Wow.

[@greekveteran2715]

Please, what's the white pencil used on 5:14 ?? I've tried Polychromos and Polycolor, but none works. Would pastel white pencils work? Carbothelo, Faber Castell Pastel?

[@lottaincraftland]

It looks like white charcoal, you can try Koh-I-Noor Gioconda for example.

[@greekveteran2715]

@@lottaincraftland Thank you very much, I really appreciate it!!

[@cooldude9640]

I feel like at some point during the drawing process my skill falters. I can draw the shapes and shadows, I can create good sketches and bases for my art but... when I actually get to the part where I can erase my bases, everything goes wrong. My proportions that looked just right are now jumping out at me with all the errors and slight mishaps, and everything I do to try and fix it only furthers the problem. My lines lack confidence no matter how fast or slow, or any technique I've heard of and used has worked. It's not like I don't try, I use something I hear such as rather than going slowly over your sketch, you should do it fast to give your strokes more confidence, or instead I slowly make several sketches, to build and fix any line waviness yet, no matter how many times I try an idea consecutively, I just can't do it. It gets really frustrating and I'm at the point where I'm just going to quit art in general.

[@mlungisindlela6810]

Thank you Sir.

[@socratesthecabdriver]

Sensei Stan sir, all my life i thought i couldn't draw anything because my hand righting is to joke about 😁 draftsmen rocks especially in the taxi 😃🙏

[@maxwellhowland8246]

3:13 summarizes it pretty well 😂

[@rb3537]

Looking at the program online, it shows 96 lessons currently. Is each lesson 1 week? I know the videos aren’t one week, but would this be similar to taking a college course. You get this weeks lesson, then need to spend the week working on it and refining it? Is that how this course should be completed?

[@ProkoTV]

Exactly! The exact amount of lessons can shift and change. But the course structure is following along with a lesson, getting an assignment and a demo video of it being done by Stan. Then, if you're there for that portion of the class as it occurs, you can submit for the critique videos. If you're later than when those critique videos are being made, you can watch the critiques to apply them to the assignment you did.

[@micha4431]

Mindset is the hardest.

[@catharinalangle4890]

I need a course that teaches me slowly like I'm slow brained. Need to remove some blockage in my head.

[@ankitabehera3003]

Can you a draw a moon light scenery not a professional one a normal one please?:)

[@abduraoof1109]

👏

[@ShameLink]

How long have you been drawing?

[@kazuki728]

in digital art math is to drawing as binary code to a computer, curves is to drawing as assembly to a computer, a full on drawing as high level language to a computer

[@al-mosheytidal1296]

Love the kopinski clip

[@zero-sv6bx]

❤️❤️

[@kimberlydorow2375]

Does anyone know what kinda pencils he is using from 6:02 to 6:21? I'd really love to try them out!

[@ProkoTV]

2mm NicPro colored pencils refills with a 2mm lead holder. I also use PrismaColor Col Erase pencils for this same kind of thing.

[@samanthamaggard3996]

I love to draw but I'm stuck on where to begin. I want to draw so many things, but feel like I need focus and work on basics. I am the type that needs someone to tell me exactly what I need to do....I need direction. I hope this course can help me. Will you give detailed assignments to work on what you are teaching?

[@tanialapina6496]

All raight!

[@the_goofiest_whajje]

I tried all of the advice in this video. I realized that art took time, but to no avail. I tried learning the fundamentals, no avail. I tried focusing on the most miniscule of details, and still no avail. I tried changing my ways, and well, you get the drill. Maybe it wasn't for long enough? Hmm... Well, either way, I feel like eating some nice, delicious, scrummy rocks! Good night~!

[@Whayumean]

Good morning

[@Manly_face]

I don't have any compatibility in this video I'm having a trouble time making drawings with muscle memory

[@CelestialCanvas7460]

Hey! I am from india.

[@pejhan]

[@Savagec668]

I was born with the ability to draw good so I guess I’m starting level 20

[@eehhh3791]

Dam 150 or something USA dollars isnt actually too bad but because my country is in NZ our conversion rate means I almost pay double. Scary but its worth the price. Probably need to find a job to help support me in this. I really want to push myself in Art again. I love it, but mucking around in my past life gaming and now 30. I really hate myself, But Ive always wanted to become a better artist. I miss touching my brushes and playing around with colours and mixing them on a palette. I so need/want this course.

[@Th3Jac0b]

Man I'm from poland I pay 4 times 159$ witch is my monthly rent

[@eehhh3791]

Aww thats very sad, Far wouldnt have thought @@Th3Jac0b

[@adamfikriduha]

lets goooooooooooooooooooo

[@KibumGaming]

Drawing is the hardest language I have ever tried to learn

[@silpheedTandy]

i'm actually more impressed by the "Level 1" drawing in the thumbnail, than the photorealistic "Level 100" drawing. the former makes me think of how rich the imagination, and how earnestly the person drew that drawing.

[@flooow3409]

no tf you are not 💀

[@shade4048]

Then try and draw smth like that 💀💀💀

[@inferno6012]

legends say he is a higher dimensional being came to earth just to teach us about the gift of drawing

[@GThePreacher]

Anyone can give updates on how this course helped you?

[@619gh8]

This video is great for all those ai "Artist" you should try this so that you can literally be an artist not an art thief

[@Joedidallthethings]

Bro, what’s wrong with an AI artists

[@619gh8]

@@Joedidallthethings a lot

[@lovenathan]

is it bad if i like the left hand pear more?

[@ProkoTV]

Nah!

[@fishdishanimations2192]

watch from here without sound 2:28

[@Crucial_End]

Where are those colored 2mm leads from? I have been wanting something like that since forever.

[@ProkoTV]

I got them on Amazon. Nicpro has a set of a bunch of colors, but they're a little scratchy. Staedtler has red and blue that feel really nice.

[@Crucial_End]

@@ProkoTV Thanks for the info. I will look them up👍. Looking forward to your basics course!