OBSERVATION FOR DRAWING SUCCESS #3 - Learning to See the Parts, not the Whole

Drawing problems can be more about a lack of observation skills, not a lack of drawing skills. In this situation, to draw more successfully we need to learn how to observe all the visual information available which we can then use to draw accurately. In this series of videos, Stephen Travers explains and demonstrates the technique of observing the parts of a subject, rather than seeing it as a whole, as a means of creating more careful, accurate observation. Perhaps your greater drawing success lies in observation techniques, rather than more technical drawing skills.

[@handymotte9937]

My enthusiasm for drawing grows with every video I watch. You are a great teacher and thank you for all the good tips.

[@stephentraversart]

Awesome! Thank you!😀

[@018Cat]

This series has helped me so much during Inktober. I was drawing a 1-point perspective streetscape last night and when it came time to draw the windows, I remembered your video on perspective mistakes. I really paid attention to the angles, lines, and spacing. They are the best windows I have ever drawn in perspective 🙌🏻! Thank you for so generously sharing your expertise.

[@stephentraversart]

This is great to hear. I often wonder how helpful the information will be as I'm putting these together, and if it actually makes a difference to people's drawings. So this is the best news to hear. Thanks

[@waltereaton6404]

Excellent advice! Thanks!!!

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure Walter 😀

[@lizbamford1037]

Excellent series. You are a terrific teacher. Thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks. I appreciate that Liz. Please tell your friends. 😀

[@judigibbs]

Very helpful AGAIN. There is so much that I need to learn but it is really great to (sort of) know where to start as you do and then work from there. Thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you Judi. The best way to learn is to make sure you keep drawing all the time. That’s the way any teaching you watch will make the most sense and help you. Have fun. 😀

[@fanatlarge]

Very interesting and helpful, again.

[@stephentraversart]

Always encouraging to hear, Planta. thanks you.

[@monarabah8841]

Very helpful 😍

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you again Mona. 😀

[@MoffatPeter]

Great series and fantastic KZbin videos. Your approach to seeing and comparing is a giant step over most of the drawing videos. Really enjoying your videos. Be well.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Peter. It's encouraging to hear my approach works so well for you. :)

Better each time! Thank you very much

[@stephentraversart]

That’s great to hear. Thanks. 😀

[@Coco-ne5ix]

I love watching you draw. How do you know your drawing will fit on the page?

[@stephentraversart]

Haha. don't worry, I have my share of towers which run off the page! I usually start with a sense of if I am drawing smaller, larger, or same size as my reference, so I position my starting place accordingly. But it's not an exact science. The important thing is to never adjust the proportions of your subject to make it fit on the page. Always let it run off the edge if necessary. We learn valuable lessons that way, and our drawing is still accurate.

[@rajannair7195]

You are so talented and the tips are valuable 👍

[@stephentraversart]

Really great to hear that Rajan. Thank you. :)

[@phenomenalphoenix1]

Stephen Traver once said " If we forever start again then we will never learn.

[@stephentraversart]

But if we finish something, and then redraw it, we learn even more!🙂