Observation for Drawing Success #1 - Learning to Observe the Details Needed for Accurate Drawing

We focus so much on actual drawing skills we often forget that our drawing is dependent on our ability to see the details we need. Fortunately observation, like drawing, is a skill that can be learned and practised. In this first video of a series, Stephen starts with a bad habit many of us are in our observation which we need to break if we are to draw accurately.

[@marnichi1773]

I love how you teach Stephen, you’re so clear and informative whilst remaining friendly and personable :) thank you for making these videos!

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure! Glad to hear it's helpful to you. :)

[@elreaper8458]

Man I cant believe these videos are for free, this is awesome

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for the appreciation Faisal. Tell your friends! :)

[@judigibbs]

Very clear instructions. I am made SO aware of how much I have to learn about perspective and the need to work on drawing what I see. Thank you for explaining this and helping me to not just copy what other artists do (as you mention, that way I am not learning anything). Thank you for your time.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Judi. Today’s video is a new one about perspective if you’re interested. 😀

[@user-tg6xc3gu5y]

many thanks. we really need that

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure 😀

[@davidwang3222]

That is a great demonstration of how to draw a building in a right perspective ! I love it as I can see the difference between two drawings and why the first one is not right . Your explanation gave me a key to such problem . Thanks !

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks David. Yes, I agree that seeing things side by side is a great way to learn. Keep at it!😀

[@isapizza6733]

Very helpful information! I think I’ve actually leaned a lot, I’ll try my hand at building observationals in the morning! Thank you! (P.S. what pen do u use? I love the intensity of the black!)

[@nathanwilson6183]

Glad you made these videos. I my desire and goal is to become a professional comic book artist and need a very good foundation.

[@stephentraversart]

That’s great to hear. Thanks Nathan😀

[@rajannair7195]

Very informative, well presented with value-filled content. Eagerly waiting for the next one. Thanks, Stephen

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Rajan. It's encouraging to hear it was helpful, and I'm working on the other videos now, so stay tuned. :)

[@handymotte9937]

That `s it , we draw what we " want " to see...and we are unhappy with our sketch.

[@beastsayer6721]

This video gives me a new ideas for how to see objects . I know now how improve my drawings . Thank you very much for sharing your valuable knowledge with us 😊

[@stephentraversart]

What a great comment to read. I’m so glad to hear it. Sounds like it’s time for you to do some drawing!👏

[@beastsayer6721]

@@stephentraversart yes sir

[@Puppylover202020]

Love seeing the errors! (that’s my speciality 🙄) - I learned a lot!! Thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

We have to learn to embrace our errors if we draw with ink. Otherwise perfectionism becomes the minimum requirement level, which will just discourage us from trying. Onwards! :)

[@laurapicasso1958]

Thankyou very much for these videos. I lesrn a lot. And I put on practice in my new drawings.

[@stephentraversart]

That’s so good to hear Laura. This is why I make them. All the best with your drawing😀

[@russelsteward3412]

very useful info, more like this please!

[@stephentraversart]

There are #2,3, & 4 with more on this if you check my content. 😀

Fantastic series Stephen. Thanks a lot!

[@stephentraversart]

Glad you

[@stephentraversart]

Glad you found it beneficial Mariano. 😀

[@StephenBell]

That was very useful, thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

Really glad to hear that Stephen. Thanks. :)

[@johnwoodward1004]

Great video Stephen and explains so much of my failed attempts to draw accurate buildings. The two drawings for comparison were great.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks John. So now you're all set to give it another go! All the best with it. :)

[@sriramamurthy1946]

Thank you sir.🙂

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure 😀

[@sridurga6720]

Thank you 👀nice video 🙂

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure 😀

[@MRK1099]

Great content

[@stephentraversart]

Always appreciate hearing this. thanks. :)

[@SketchingRocks]

This is very helpful when you have a properly sized photo reference to the proportion of your prospective sketch, almost an exact copy. BUT...what if you are on the street in real life trying to capture a building in proper prospective? Do you have videos as such done without that cropped photo pterodactyl?

[@stephentraversart]

I’ve just done my first location sketch since Sydney went into COVID lockdowns etc. When I sort out equipment to allow me to video as I draw when on location, this will be a great topic to consider. But todays posted video may be a bit helpful. It finished up a bit larger than I planned, but still fortunately fit on the page. Not too sure about the pterodactyls. 😀

[@monarabah8841]

😍👍🏻👍🏻

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks. 😀

[@zozosaad3973]

I'm looking forward to learn engineering drawing but I can't understand the English language, and I use the translation app to write this, I hope you put the Arabic translation you'll get a lot of attention in the Arab community.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Zozo. Maybe that will be possible. :)

[@Kebaili_Sami]

Well ....thats a Great video Stephen, I just starting to pay attention to details in the last months, and ..... I feel my brain is FULL and overload with information, and it took a lot of time to draw something simple. So whats the fundamentals concepts to practice detaitls drawing ? I'm a Mechanical Engineering student, this fiel is like pacific ocean of drawings.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Sami. When it comes to detail, my approach is to draw the effect of the detail rather than the exact details. Same as I do with leaves on a tree. Does this help?😀

[@Kebaili_Sami]

@@stephentraversart thanks Stephen I understand.

[@DaMadpenciler]

Hello, this is a great video sorry but what do you mean The effects of the drawing?

[@amarion]

@@DaMadpenciler this is late but it might help someone. instead of drawing every single leaf on a tree, you look at the general values of the leaves and draw that. geoup the values together instead of seeing them as separate entities. this is also how people draw hair, its not every single strand thats drawn but rather dark and light areas in the shape of hair. he has a good video on it that i will link

[@amarion]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJinip-jh9yLfJosi=_VDFiSUVCiopmQp-

[@nathanwilson6183]

Do you have a full course on Observing?

[@stephentraversart]

I, but I have a playlist with 4 videos on it.

[@nathanwilson6183]

@@stephentraversart, any plans to make a full course a in the near future? I sent you an email from website concerning the critique service. thanks

[@theworstgamer3062]

its been a year stephen

[@stephentraversart]

Certainly has. 😀

[@nishankpandey7200]

Hello sir, this video was very helpful 😊. How can I start drawing in smart way as a beginner without being misguided by youtube channels, free or paid online drawing courses and actually learn drawing daily without wasting time & energy ? I want to learn hyperealistic colourful drawing like @marcellobarenghi without copying him, so what should I do to make realistic colourful drawings ?

[@stephentraversart]

I have a playlist for beginners which while it doesn’t go into colour, does cover a lot of basics over a wide area of drawing concepts and skills helpful for the beginner. And it it’s free😀

[@stephentraversart]

I also have a daily drawing series with over 80 videos on another playlist 😀

[@nishankpandey7200]

"Thank you so much sir for the valuable advice on starting drawing! I've been following your channel and find your tips really helpful. I was wondering if you could consider making videos on colorful drawings too? I admire your style and think it would be fantastic to learn about incorporating colors.