Learning to Sketch from Imagination

One of the most requested topics I get from artists is how they can learn to draw from imagination. Well, that’s exactly what we’re going to focus on in this demo. You’ll see me go through multiple stages during this drawing session. We’ll start by researching our subject (a chameleon), then do some warmup sketches from those references, and then finally finishing on a few sketches where we take the visual characteristics of our subject and simplify it using our imagination. If you enjoy this demo check out the premium course where we will continue to explore drawing from imagination and other fundamental drawing concepts - proko.com/drawing
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
01:12 - Searching for Reference
02:25 - Warm-up Sketching
13:35 - Sketching From Imagination
22:43 - Final Sketch
RELATED LINKS:
Intro to Drawing Basics - • Intro to Drawing Basics
13 Types of Lines and How to Use Them - • 13 Types of Lines and ...
How to Draw Confident Lines - The Tapered Stroke - • How to Draw Confident ...
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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, Sean Ramsey (www.peoplewhodrawstuff.com),
Script - Stan Prokopenko, Tiffanie Mang (tiffaniemang.com/)
Production Assistance - Stephen Clark (www.peppermintgentleman.com , Sean Ramsey, Charlie Nicholson
Editing - Hongju Lim (www.hongjulim.com/, Sean Ramsey, Stan Prokopenko
Publishing - Alex Otis, John Birchall
Music Used with Permission
Intro - The Freak Fandango Orchestra
Additional music by Epidemic Sound

[@ProkoTV]

Hope you enjoyed this bit from the course! Get more demos like this when you sign up for premium - proko.com/drawing

[@malutangabriel6096]

still the kangaroo won't be forgotten

[@krsmanjovanovic8607]

Where and when can I put my drawings for critique? My whole art journey I lacked guidance from an experianced artist so I wasted lots of time figuring out right way to do things on my own 😢

[@josueoteropedrazasffs3532]

I been a follower of yours for a long time an i want to say something. I Think you really improved alot on how you draw imagination in it shows now Good gains man. Also this is very informative thank you for making content!!!

[@hypno5690]

my man you should not be teaching this lesson. You are great at plenty of things but this aint it.

[@ixchelssong]

​@Krsman Jovanovic I think you have to get the premium entire course to get critiques of what you do. ( for the ProKo course at least.)

[@bobstone8446]

In my opinion Proko’s channel is the most consistent when it comes to quality of content.

[@privatlukis]

Your motivation 👍

[@olavpettersen9465]

Well, there is also Aty, but I definitely agree that Proko is high up there.

[@houndgirl7365]

Just some fun facts about chameleons for those that don't know a bunch -they have a prehensile tail meaning it's used to grab things not quite balance. -their eyes can move separately (thus the interesting lids). Usually the only time the eyes are focused is when their is prey and their concentration is focused. -they have a wide mouth and can puff themselves up when upset. This can also be used as a defense mechanism towards predators. I always find it interesting when people wonder in the world of reptiles and don't know alot (not a bad thing) it's fun to bring up fun facts. Hell if my entire childhood and my career wasn't centered around animals I probably wouldn't know much either, but I live spreading facts/info ^^ you should research these guys further there is a lot of behavioral stuff that can help with design. I know you are going off of image alone (thus far) but yeah read up on em they are really cool animals (REALLY difficult to maintain in captivity though unless you have the experience and equipment).

[@TheMenticore]

Something that always amazed me was their tongue especially after I saw a video that explained the mechanism. The different things that work togeather to create a smooth and precise motion is just fascinating to me. I am not sure if it was exactly that video I had watched back then, but "Smarter Every Day" has a video that tries to explain how it works.

[@xSakuraStrawberryx]

I already know all this so please don't act like you know everything and I know nothing.

[@jordanfangon2468]

@@xSakuraStrawberryx he’s being informative, not condescending.

[@jaimejaime1178]

As per "Sakura's" comment... all I have to say is that... "Everybody was having fun until someone ruined the party"...

[@cnd140]

Their tongue is like a javelin launcher. They have a hard “bone/cartledge “ in the tongue that makes it shoot out of their mouths quickly with a blobby end that has thick saliva with wide surface that traps the insect. Then when the insect eneters his mouth the saliva thins out so it can be released from his tongue. Way cool and unusual.

[@srabantisaha9285]

Hello Stan, I am a 48 yrs old middle class housewife from India with a passion for painting. The tiny fragments of gems like this video helps me a lot .... Thank you from bottom of my heart 🙏

[@privatlukis]

I like your admire 👍

[@rzeka]

This is what I love about the internet! Someone can upload a video sharing their knowledge, and then someone from across the world can view it for free.

[@mantiscore90]

good luck on your painting journey!

[@rzeka]

@@mantiscore90 holly shit skelly is REAL?

[@mantiscore90]

@@rzeka do we not all have a little of skelly in us

[@oyehoyesyaapa]

I'm an ADHDer, lol been attempting learn drawing humans, dynamic figures, and portraits from imagination but it's been a challenge. I've honestly learned so much from you, thank you Stan. I'm aiming to get a few of your courses to build my confidence once I have a job to pay for it hehe. In the meantime, I really appreciate your free content :)

[@zaiphu]

I’m the same, no job, adhd, trying to teach myself art. We got this!

[@jorgecosta8580]

Same here, but learning how to tattoo... ADHD procrastination really shows up when we try to do something that we're not good yet

[@aduhm1520]

⁠@@jorgecosta8580i’ve found with my adhd that I tend to really enjoy working on the fundamentals of any particular skill. I just get really good at one area without thinking about the rest. it makes everything so much less daunting but is also fast paced enough where my adhd doesn’t give up. not sure if this helps but I hope it does!!

[@aduhm1520]

but as an example i’m also practicing tattoo techniques and styles. I love japanese traditional but I just spent a day or two only doing dragon heads. using the exact same technique/method each time. seeing progress that quickly is incredibly motivating

[@itshel2677]

I like how Stan accidentally makes an impression of Vito Corleone at 7:08 but seriously Proko is just a great channel and the videos help me stay motivated while exams keep raining down on me

[@jbkhan1135]

The Drawing Basics course is great, I highly recommend it!

[@ProkoTV]

Thank you!

[@privatlukis]

Your motivation 👍

[@ravindupathirage1884]

Once a drawing legend said "Myeh😐"

[@leandorr3299]

The kangaroo incident

[@enniusdrusus867]

He's clearly gone over it. Should've turned it into merch though. Would've bought it.

[@leandorr3299]

@@enniusdrusus867 yea for sure

[@hankhumble3552]

There’s bootleg merch

[@KiX-K4T13]

Shhh NOO! 😂🤣

[@J.5in]

Never gonna dissipate!

[@KiX-K4T13]

Wow, thanks! Stan is being generous lately. I'd love to see more of that in the world. Thanks, Stan! ✌😆

[@NateRock119]

I’ve been stressing about this and you released this at the right time thank you Stan

[@thorneblackwood3834]

Good morning, Mr. Proko. I hope you are in good health. and thanks for your videos, thanks to them I have made progress and a lot of motivation.

[@AR-pb2zh]

This is awesome! Love how you are stretching yourself!

[@KyarNyoThin-kc2wh]

I love seeing you drawing. You look so relaxed and comfortable.😍

[@dnyaneshwararts]

This session is awesome I learn a lot the power of imagination 👏😊🙏 thank you so much sir Your teaching thought process is great 👍

[@ric8248]

I love how in the last one you applied the concept of letting the ground win from the previous video.

[@JeanneBook]

Wow! More free stuff for us. Thanks Proko! I've been really wanting to get some premium stuff from you but no budget yet so thanks for this💚

[@Mangesh_Don]

Myeh

[@suryakrishna4662]

That was so fun to watch!!! ❤

[@kyuubi64]

Wow I got to learn a lot from this video's.. 1st studying a bit about the subject soo you can imagine it without changing it completely to something else 2nd precticeing on and on to build confidence over it Finally I can draw

[@arknark]

You had me at PREMIUM. Thanks Proko, you guys rule

[@legion321]

Been watching your vids recently got back into drawing your vids have been helping me

[@thestellarelite]

Thanks for posting this free lesson! I really love longer videos where we get to see the process. Also I love lizards 😂

[@asfasfasfasf124]

i was hoping you would teach us to draw a kangaroo from imagination again :(

[@ProkoTV]

NEVER

[@xSakuraStrawberryx]

@Proko OMG NOOOO 😧😧

[@artasky6093]

​@@ProkoTV😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@Raul-gm1jc]

I like how you teach because it's not boring to watch

[@shtreben]

im so glad when my sketches looks good! Thank you so much!

[@zachnotzack4890]

this'll be useful when I have time during summer, thanks

[@fandeandreaarruti]

This is so inspiring. Nice to see some colorful sketches.

[@privatlukis]

Your motivation 👍

[@DrawMish]

Very good Information, Thank you, I love it! 👍

[@brendazonneveld3990]

Love the video! thanks Stan ❤

[@kamilsandej]

That was very useful! Thanks

[@erickovando7979]

Great video, thanks!! 🖍

[@RayfieldA]

Mr. Proko, I hope you've watched some video clips of Chameleons to see that their Eyes are probably more Cone shaped which kinda pivots about as they look around rather than having multiple eyelids.

[@lobnarose9139]

Thank you proko , it was interesting to watch .✨

[@privatlukis]

Good motivation👍

[@reghunathvr8295]

Imagination drawing class helpfull sir.... 👍❤

[@nwansawarna]

I realy love it, and enjoy the curse..thanks poko

[@chanthorndrawing]

I love this inspiration drawing🥰

[@traumwelt1975]

amazing course and cool drawing of a chameleon, you're good ;)

[@art.felipe_santos]

Amazing!!

[@veronicalucyart]

Such an awesome video, congratulations, love it :)

[@privatlukis]

Your motivation 👍

[@santiagosarasola6772]

Been wondering this for a while, pretty much since this new course came out. What are some books or complementary resources on line quality, value,simple shapes, measuring proportions, etc. (the topics of this course)? Proko always talks about Vilppu and Bridgman when he talks about Figure Drawing or Anatomy, but never seen him talk that much about this subjects before or who are some masters to study to become proficient on this fundamentals.

[@lo9in]

Thank you !

[@yuko13371]

Proko focus a lot on fundamentals , and kinda leaves imagination behind so this type of video is great ! ( Altough i think imagination is a fundamental )

[@Artbirch]

You are right. Drawing from imagination is another fundamental skill.

[@_alfn.saraya1648]

Thank you so much 💕

[@lilithart5614]

Thank you for releasing these free videos bc I'm too broke to buy the complete course.

[@samanthastanley2647]

Length matters 😂 this is helpful! Stellar content!

[@birukhailu7113]

Thank you

[@CHORAOIN]

Great 💥 Thanks for vídeo 👊💥

[@stephaniesteph481]

very nice.

[@annshaman3428]

Дякую, було цікаво і пізнавально!

[@sketchesdrawing40]

nice work 👍👍👍👍

[@kirstymca]

Very cute chamaeleon - but so sad :-( I just want to cheer him up. I liked the very first one you did, but looking back, this one has so much more character

[@reganmmasi1246]

Thank you...🙂🙂🙂

[@madurandoafuerza6122]

I am saving money to get this course. Nicaragua is not a great place for artists. Thank you very much for your videos

[@alielshobaky5791]

Thanks ❤

[@ThatDynamoArt]

You're amazing.

[@saiparisailo7378]

I like how you say mahp in the start

[@martinaholekova1775]

I feel so sorry for that chameleon guy - he looks absolutely depressed :D Amazing video! Thank you!!! :)

[@alaskawolves]

this helped a lot! thanks proko

[@Graphic_Saif]

we want more video like this

[@lillowh6126]

I learned a lot but mostly that drawing from imagination should be fun.

[@vinayakgaming105]

Really funny video 👍but we want more videos on drawing from imagination 🙏

[@SadielVidal]

I reqlly love the fluid strokes when i doe them i get like ah sensation fr now practicing too hold te pencil difrently

[@patriciokearney8418]

que videazo loco

[@dattatrayajadhav5625]

Good drawings

[@ivanbozhkov1105]

I am great at art, but I cannot to draw sketches so clean and correctly, thank you!

[@BlueDevil7474]

From the moment Proko flashed the picture of the pig on screen, all I've been able to think about now is a Pigmeleon.

[@jbkhan1135]

Now I really want to draw one... :-D

[@ArtM1]

Proko: "How to Sketch from Imagination" Also proko: Proceeds drawing from references. GG, WP. 👍

[@frontallappen4981]

You first draw from reference and then proceed drawing it from imagination. Can't draw things if you dont really know how they look, unless you have a photographic memory...

[@ProkoTV]

What they said below! The last time I looked at a chameleon was a pretty long time ago. I'm trying to avoid the mistakes of all those awful classical paintings of cats and babies. Peep a little reference and then let my imagination take the wheel!

[@ArtM1]

@@ProkoTV I get it, yeah. You have to build your visual library from somewhere. I was trying to be funny, but it probably came across differently. My bad.

[@crisvis8905]

At least he's using a references this time. Unlike that time a few years ago when he tried to draw a cartoon dog, but it looked like a hellscape kangoroo 😂

[@tobiassandstrom8236]

Wow

[@NefliteArts]

'Meeeh' - Proko, 2023 :D

[@aadyakapoor2583]

thankses

[@madmaster3d]

good video

[@xylvart]

great

[@saipavanchary0521]

Big fan from India🇮🇳

[@ricky_ali_art]

U r not alone

[@Mangesh_Don]

@@ricky_ali_art Myeh

[@orpindemorgane3280]

Super ! merci beaucoup ! Effectivement c'est un problème pour moi de dessiner d'imagination.

[@hugoamorim7151]

This is my biggest struggle, my drawing's with reference and my drawing's from imagination look like they were made by 2 completely different people😑😐🙄😟😕💀Ok nvm, my bad i though this was about drawing with no reference xd But i love ur videos so much, love how when you teach, u also are learning and having fun and not just teaching, u are enjoying urself🤗🧡

[@ultrabasiccat4017]

Arigato proko-sensei

[@ProkoTV]

Do itashimashite

[@abiel1961]

🤩🤩

[@jaysonfontela5761]

💖💖💖

[@shades_by_suchith]

What type of pencil your using for sketching

[@alreadypackedforHarvardbitch]

🥰

[@samankucher5117]

nice

[@BonnieRocks]

Great Lesson What pencil are you using? 🥰

[@tobimiley]

It looks like a red col-erase pencil to me.

[@BonnieRocks]

@@tobimiley thank-you staedler?

[@O-cDxA]

@Proko : You are an absolute master. This was a great video, HOWEVER, I was hoping for some tips on how to draw from actual imagination - meaning without looking at reference. I skipped through the video, and on each sketch, you are looking at reference. I envy artists that can draw from imagination. ( without reference ) If you have any tips on this, please consider creating a video on it. What does it take ? A photographic memory ? Thanks !

[@charnich]

there is a purpose to this - the sketching without reference starts at 13:35 but it builds on the ideas Stan discovers while doing warm-up sketches with reference. Basically the point Stan is making is that sketching from imagination comes from building up your visual library - which is done by sketching from reference

[@Datdus92]

anyone remember the meme?

[@joh3981]

A lot of fun seeing Stan not understand chameleon eyes. Of course that’s not the point of the video and I like it a lot, but still.

[@chandi182]

The athletic chameleon has Fear and Loathing vibe

[@prashanth9435]

04:04 That's what she said !

[@J.Illustrate1156]

kool

[@ChameleonboiVR]

Bro I love chameleons so much I put them into my name

[@gayleweisfield1582]

You could understand no eyelids, it's a rotating socket with a pupil.

[@weabouo3182]

Mya!

[@user-bj9xd1lw2x]

which color pencil you used?plz

[@ProkoTV]

PrismaColor Col-Erase

[@capadealgodao]

🙂

[@FlowstreaksL]

I often try imagine really hard and it is not anything but a bunch of circles and cylinders 💀.

[@magicpeach8531]

how did he do this without erasing, teach me!!

[@Nemesis-qo7nn]

From Imagination.From reference.

[@quritannn8989]

The creature says "Meckkkkk meckkkk meckkkk"!

[@christophertomlinson8097]

I feel like you draw Leon from star fox but as a normal chameleon

[@Moodboard39]

Unique animal of the animal kingdom