Pen & Ink Exercise | How to Draw a Boulder or Large Rock

[@UncleBigBen]

A good teacher always starts from the fundamental! Great work sir!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks. Fundamentals are fundamental lol

[@Traveller-qg4xi]

I like when you analyze the picture before drawing. Thank you. It's really helpful

[@alphonsodunn]

: )

[@avajarvis5639]

Yep, rocks are very excellent subjects. My tutor assigned me rocks a few times during my apprenticeship, most recently so that I would start giving background objects some personality. Rocks: good exercises for your entire artistic journey. I'll note that a crumpled piece of paper or foil also is a good substitute when stuck indoors on a rainy day.

[@alphonsodunn]

Yup thats also a cool exercise

[@deckofcardssilver8592]

the boulder that you drew got better than the real photo

[@alphonsodunn]

Lol thanks

[@daveh4208]

I've been learning to draw now for a few months just watching various youtube video's and this is probably the best video I've seen explaining the basic theory on how to build structure for a 3d object that I'm trying to recreate in a 2d plane. Fantastic job. I wish this had been the very first video I'd watched. Most videos just tell me to outline the structure, but they never get into the basics like you did here. It was so simple but until you explained it, I hadn't grasped it in my mind.

[@everyoned4463]

Thanks! I wouldnt know what to do without your tutorials.

[@aiglos888]

Thank you! You are a good teacher!

[@Windkisssed]

Great video exercise! I drew rocks for several months and thoroughly enjoyed it!! Thanks for the tips! Lauri

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂

[@jebstone4935]

oh boy, ive been struggling with rocks forever and have been waiting for your more in depth guidance on how to craft them.

[@alphonsodunn]

Right in time

[@hectortrejochavez6107]

Miss you man. Finally got your book. I love it!!! For me its just a hobby. Friends those are designers are buying it.

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much

[@sophie-vw2pg]

Thank you so much, Alphonso! I love your teaching. I just bought both of your books.

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks much

[@teoalvarez3341]

Simply the BEST !

[@killerbait8240]

Thanks for actually making you book affordable, because some books have the same guides as you or less but cost more than 40 dolllars

[@alphonsodunn]

🙏

[@wisedup20]

Thanks....breaking objects down to simple forms will be very helpful to me. I dive into the beautiful detail and drown in it way too early. Also your voice is very soothing and clear. A good teacher.

[@whosunluqy]

you’re a awesome teacher man

[@roseyrose2182]

these sketchbooks are my main brand I use, mainly the small mixed media ones or sometimes recycled ones that have over 100 pages for like sketching

[@Olga-wf3bb]

Thank you! I've already bought your books. I'm so happy now)

[@nancymikyska2832]

Thanks Mr. Dunn. I'm always in awe of your skills both as an artist and a teacher.

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks much

[@Magic65750]

I am a novice acrylic painter. I have learned so much from you in a few days!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks

[@teresaluna1936]

Awesome tutorial Alphonso! Congratulations on your second published book. Wishing you the very best, always .

[@ginnysullivan7392]

You present fundamentals progressing to your fab work in the most encouraging manner. A+ young man.

[@debdennis7853]

Very useful tutorial- many thanks 🙏

[@gerrid9092]

Your videos are so educational and enjoyable. Hope you saw the great review of your book that Steve from Mind of Watercolor did lately also. Of all the drawing books that I have, I’ve used yours (and workbook) the most!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much. I did see it. It was so nice of him

[@lisebossard4273]

Always great videos with great pedagogy thanks again Alphonso !

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂 Thanks, and you’re very welcome

[@Srishen1]

Simple but very effective way to learn . Thank you.

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks much

[@maxboi1549]

I started painting for like 3years(only pencil),and 4weeks ago i bought some pen, but afraid of using them! but after this video ,i was like: you know what! i'm gonna do it NOW! Tnx for talking simple, i needed that .

[@terryparker394]

Exactly the video I was looking for wrt drawing rocks , explained a lot ,many thanks Alphonso.

[@jafarallwin7580]

Thank you.

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂

[@t4nkman]

Hello from the U.K.! Total beginner here & I bought your book (a simple guide) today from amazon.

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks so much

[@elsagrace3893]

Alphonso Dunn you totally Rock!

[@alphonsodunn]

Lol

[@mauricejerome3392]

indeed : )

[@susanvk4844]

I have both your books. They are great

[@alphonsodunn]

Thank you

[@mikehaq6632]

He's like, "See what I mean." then gives a stroke and there is a rock. When I try to draw, it looks like a thing out of the universe -_-

[@sarsky22]

XD, mee too. I think we should start with some of the previous vidéos

[@louisklein9207]

Love your videos. Ive learned more here then anywjere else. One request though. I noticed that in this video and your videos on mountains I get lost in how you're adding details during your spped drawing part. You covered it some in a couple of your mountain videos but would appreciate if you could spend more time in how you're rendering the details. Thanks much

[@ticiusarakan]

Tnank yoy sansai.your works always great.

[@georgev2346]

Great lesson! Nicely Done!!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks 🙂

[@tabithablaine43]

Got your first book, yay!

[@alphonsodunn]

Yayyyyy

[@JohnAlbertDiPasquale]

I bought your Book! your book is the best in teaching unlike other books too much text, you get to the point which is ... JUST DO IT!

[@alphonsodunn]

👍👍👍thanks so much

[@soupysquazzil]

So full of knowledge

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks. I want to share it with you guys

[@lindacsmith13]

thanks for the basics, much appreciated

[@alphonsodunn]

Very welcome

[@AXMENT]

I love you man.

[@HystericalDark]

I suck at drawing rocks and mountains, so, many thanks for this vid

[@ManassesBoccaldi]

That remember me Alfredo Alcala works. So amazing

[@glorisyoung9696]

Love your videos!

[@celderdailydrawinghero4294]

Good drawing. thanks!

[@robertwolfe1670]

Thank you so much. You make it simple to understand.

[@alphonsodunn]

Very welcome

[@tombryan720]

Great work

[@dormantnotdead01]

Your tutorials are very good!

[@conradsmith9332]

I realy needed this as I'm drawing a crumbling greek statue and this will look great as a nice texture on it lol. Nice vidio.

[@alphonsodunn]

Niiiice

[@maryklassen9322]

love all your content, I bought your book.....should have bought the work book too. :)

[@MBernhardt03]

Great video, would like to see more of these. They would compliment yours books nicely!

[@alphonsodunn]

There will

[@tlsartstudio3387]

Great advice good sir I am looking forward to getting your new book soon!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks

[@peepeeohpeedraws2887]

This is great!!!

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂

[@WEYffles]

I finally got enough money to buy your book! I'm so hyped for it to arrive! Gotta get ready for the next Inktober :D

[@alphonsodunn]

Yayyyy 💪 you can do it

[@robertomontero9457]

Cool demonstration sir☺

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks

[@ignaceboitaclou3666]

Very good , thank you Alphonso .

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks, youre welcome

[@zinazoo2201]

Helpful 😉

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks

[@BoutiqueSheShe]

You amaze Bro!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks

[@shurlburt3217]

THANK YOU!

[@artobia986]

Great video

[@ginettelachance3280]

Thank you!✨✨✨🎨

[@alphonsodunn]

Very welcome

[@mauricejerome3392]

This was very helpful, thank you!

[@alphonsodunn]

Glad it helps

[@Hexbyte965]

Nice work Alphonso.

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks

[@ТарасШалай-у5ю]

Awesome.

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂

[@katemoonkate]

I like how you talk with your hands, and your voice too. commented b4 about fountain pens on yr ocean waves tut. Also that knife-sharpened pencil is styley

[@alphonsodunn]

: )

[@carlyblankevoort3856]

Superb!

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks

[@shinysidesmusic9463]

I'm sure Captain Raymond Holt would love this.

[@veronicanichol3736]

Thank you for your help

[@alphonsodunn]

Very welcome

[@erwingotlieb8591]

Thanks for sharing it! You're a Rock-star :)

[@alphonsodunn]

Lol cool pun

[@mizo2452]

great drawing foundation,thx Q: im always having trouble making a planner version out of some smoothed forms, for example the human cheeks when they are bulged up at smiling , any idea how to make simple planner version to make that form recognizable in planes only without using curves?

[@alphonsodunn]

I address this in my book. Studied the curvature of the forearm and pretend that current form exist within a box. This gives you an idea of where the basic planes are and where you can make the edges. Otherwise look for the light and shadow, where does the shadow appear to begin

[@hymns-harps-harmonicas1934]

Just purchased you’re book on Amazon good stuff good stuff.

[@alphonsodunn]

thank you so much

[@hymns-harps-harmonicas1934]

My pleasure

[@Argadeux]

Good video 👍🏼

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks

[@supimcactus]

very nice. thanks

[@alphonsodunn]

Thnks

[@moonram2569]

Super interesting (as always) :) :) Thanks for links to all supplies. There are way too many products in the market to confuse the mind :) :) Love your books !!

[@alphonsodunn]

I know how it can be

[@maryriley6163]

I really like your rendering of that big rock. I thought it would be easy for me, but I ended up with something like a poorly erected tent. So then I sketched a copy of your sketch and got a better feel for how you pictured the rock as a more interesting shape. I am learning many things and one of them is that I have an appalling lack of imagination. But I soldier on as it’s all up from here😊

[@awayforthewin1325]

A tutorial on drawing floors and ground would be very interesting seeing as it is an amalgamation of several different objects together to form one entity, very challenging for a beginner like myself.

[@alphonsodunn]

hmmm

[@austinfalvey5782]

Can you do a tutorial with pen on how to draw the moon I've been trying but struggling, It would be awesome if you did

[@alphonsodunn]

Hmmm the moon?

[@austinfalvey5782]

@@alphonsodunn yeah it would be cool to see the craters and lines and shading still

[@antoniogrande5252]

Thanks!!

[@alphonsodunn]

Very welcome

[@DavidMonoArt]

The video rocks.

[@alphonsodunn]

lol thanks

[@Zingam]

Hey, Alphonso, can you do any of these Pen & Ink Tutorials digitally? I love Pen & Ink and I want to achieve the same effect on a drawing tablet. Somehow it doesn't click for me. Also what never clicked for me is how do I get to work faster. And I need that because drawing is a life long hobby for me. I am never going to make any money. Recently an younger artist asked me: "Why do you do that? I wouldn't do that if I am not making money out of it." I just love drawing crappy rocks sometimes! :)

[@alphonsodunn]

He asks that because hes young

[@suzubee9602]

That's very strange to me. I've been drawing since I was young because I like it and to me it was never a "I want to be an artist when I grow up" thing

[@serkanustam]

best rock ever 😁

[@alphonsodunn]

Lol

[@aaronboddie7167]

Hi I'm working with the both the book and workbook, I've been trying to understand consistent layering for shading any tips?

[@alphonsodunn]

Consistent layering?

[@alexanderhendrix490]

Go slow. I found myself going fast and it looked okay but make every stroke deliberate

[@magicgardendesigns]

Great videos! I started with trees and I can see the progress, but now I'm having a really hard time drawing woven patterns, like willow woven baskets or sculptures. Could you do a tutorial on that, please? I've found tutorials only for kids..

[@alphonsodunn]

Hmmm thats a good one. I will definitely try to add one

[@tuongtran5353]

to properly draw the layout of the rocks is also in accordance with any rules. Do you have to follow the 1 point rule? thanks

[@alphonsodunn]

Not necessarily

[@tuongtran5353]

@@alphonsodunn ok thanks you very much

[@t4c00p]

Gah, you got me. I just bought both of your books off Amazon. Gonna be pretty busy starting next week. :D

[@alphonsodunn]

🙂

[@HerradaJulio]

Thanks

[@alphonsodunn]

Very welcome 🙂

[@Martycycleman]

More please.

[@johnsmith-vp3sn]

it would have been a lot more helpful if at the end you gave us a very zoomed in close up shot of the rock so we could really see every little bit of detail you put into it ! still an amazing video i definitely learned a good bit watching this thank you !

[@alphonsodunn]

Thanks, good point

[@joancc]

I received your first book this morning in the post...I am delighted with it! Thank you for writing/ drawing it! All the best:-)

[@alphonsodunn]

Youre very welcome and thanks so much for grabbing a copy

[@effie924]

Thank You Alphonso ;)

[@alphonsodunn]

Hey!! Youre very welcome

[@amberblyledge7859]

I don't care about the theory, I came to learn how to draw a freaking rock. Stayed for theory and rock.

[@alphonsodunn]

Lol

[@glorisyoung9696]

What does that symbol at the beginning stand for?

[@cam7686]

i understand the 3-plane idea but when it comes to breaking up the object i get confused. how do you know which mini plains in a single main plane to shade darker than others?

[@MangaBear]

Thank you alphonso

[@alphonsodunn]

Very welcome

[@edwinggg697]

any chance to buy a digital version of the workbook? I can't find it in my country :(

[@alphonsodunn]

soon and very soon

[@Paradis_Pestilentiel]

Sadly I'm french and it's not easy to understand everything ... anyway you're more than awesome !

[@alphonsodunn]

Sorry

[@kai-ln1ez]

Can you teach how to draw blood? Differents scenes.. Like gore

[@alphonsodunn]

Hmmm

[@TheGabrielMoon]

Are you going to remake the old videos? Because the oldest is with a bad audio and cam

[@alphonsodunn]

Lol yeah I plan to redo some of them

[@theking11029]

Sir please make a tutorial- shiny metals.😎

[@alphonsodunn]

Lol That one is overdue

[@4mb127]

Rocks, grass, trees and clouds is 90% of all art ;)

[@alphonsodunn]

Haha 🤔

[@Blingoose]

I wish I had motivation to continue! More than 2 years of learning to draw with my weaker hand and I think I'm burnt-out. The positive side of my journey is that I'm fully comfortable with both of my hands. Just lacking the creative side of drawing.. thus no motivation to keep on. Damn.

[@alphonsodunn]

Lack the creative side of drawing? You already have it my friend. That is developed over time

[@Blingoose]

@@alphonsodunn Thanks for the good words, you are definitely right.. but as I said, I wish I had the same motivation as it was in the beginning