You Don't Need Talent.. I'll Prove It!

[@ProkoTV]

If you liked this sketch tour, check out my Kickstarter :) I just launched it, and I’m releasing two books! One is focused on my art. It’s a collection of my charcoal and graphite drawings, showing years of practice, experimentation, and growth - www.kickstarter.com/projects/proko/proko-art-books

[@USgovernmentactual]

Hello Proko, I started drawing around 2 months ago, I did see I bit of improvement but almost nothing, I like to draw everything but mostly faces, perspective and surrealism art, I use a 2H to 10B scale kit for pencils, I don’t see much improvement, I’m almost 13 and I didn’t draw much for the last week due to lack of motivation, I wish that I could send you pictures of my drawings, I love your channel, 90% of what I learnt with art was from you. Thank you

[@ProkoTV]

@@USgovernmentactual If you'd like, you can join the Proko community and share your work there to get some feedback from other artists. It's a great to get a clear idea of some ways that you can improve. You can find over at proko.com/community. Totally free! Thanks for liking our videos and letting us be a part of your learning!

[@RemoteGhost-u2t]

​@@ProkoTV I have been waiting...You delivered ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jamiececilielange5249]

​@@USgovernmentactual It takes a long time to get good at drawing. It's also okay to sometimes draw less or take a break. If you really enjoy it, I hope you keep going, because you will get better, especially if you challenge yourself once in a while. It's not only about the result, but also enjoyment and expression. Try to find a topic or process you like. Make some silly doodles once in a while.

[@SownJevan]

Artist should show their bad art because the more bad the past is, the more brighter the current looks, it is a reflection of how much you worked. Also, it gives hope to people who otherwise get discouraged and believe that they don't have talent. The master persona was something in da vinci's time but modern people think about art differently.

[@besthobbit]

I agree. I love seeing good artists' bad work because it gives me hope that I can be that good someday. Totally understand why most done though. 😅

[@BitchOfMiracles]

Exactly! Artists who aren't confident need to look back on where they came from and see how much they've grown and progressed instead of comparing themselves to others. I still keep my old deviantart account active with all of my flawed pieces so I can show myself and others how much I've improved over the decades I've been creating.

[@mmonkeyman1403]

I churn out bad sketches everyday! Anything “bad” can typically be made good just through re-working or spending more time on it. I’m not always motivated to do that though!

[@hammill444]

Unless it never improves. Like mine. Then it becomes just a large collection of bad art.

[@SownJevan]

@@hammill444 Don't get discouraged man. It's like hitting your head in the wall. It WILL break. Some people may have higher perception but at the end of the day, the visual library is what is important.

[@omnesilere]

Thank you. Honestly I'm one to see great work and think, "why do I even try?" It physically pains me at times how good other people are and knowing I'll just never amount to anything worth a second of anyones time. This is a small bandaid, thank you again.

[@ProkoTV]

Glad it helps!

[@Malovane77]

Forgive me for saying so, but despair or jealousy is not the attitude to take. If you admire something, and understand what it takes to do such a thing, which is more than most people, you are capable of doing it too. It is simply a matter of how much you want it and how persistent you are about going about and doing it. Learn to enjoy the journey.

[@martijnwouterse3275]

The immense level of humility, and showing your own starting point with such openness is just amazing. This is downright inspiring to me! Two years ago I started drawing, and constantly I'm afraid I won't 'get there'. This helps me so much, thank you.

[@NB-ca]

This is probably the most inspiring video from you I've watched to date. More teachers should take note and do likewise. The most crippling handicap of any aspiring artist is thinking they are not talented enough. This video dispels that myth and gives the power back to the individual by saying, "You will be as good as the work and dedication you put into it." Thank you for that and Merry Christmas as well.

[@paul329869]

No, Proko, I’m not discouraged at all! I’ve been completely and totally and absolutely inspired but influenced by what I’ve and I’d seen in the past 12 days! Thanks!

[@pauliedaartist7]

Same here, Paul!!!

[@jozimastar95]

For some reason good art always made me feel unmotivated but these for some reason for me inspired

[@SolomonAkotor]

My respect for proko just grew a hundred times, thank you for sharing this with us.

[@Darkness_Damage]

as a not-born-with-talent person, this helps a lot, thanks

[@tinahaart]

I am only 25 minutes in and I just had to comment how appreciative I am of you showing and explaining your entire journey, especially the bad parts because that’s EXACTLY where I’m at. I’m studying and things look bad and I know I’m capable of far better because I understand details. But this was so eye opening and such an incredible heart to heart talk from an artist about growth. Thank you!!

[@stingray024ify]

was drawing today, and i realized the crap i banged out in 20 minutes is better than the drawing i spent entire evenings on months ago!

[@lucaskremerart]

It is so cool to see this! Having the teachers at Watts draw on your pad right next to your own drawings, from the same angle with the same tools, was so educational and humbling. Realizing it's never the pencil or the paper, but how and what they are seeing, and the expertise they bring that makes the drawing work. Thanks to Stan and the team for putting these older drawings out here, inspiring!

[@devanshisrivastava1143]

It does help so much to look at a master's work when they weren't one- and realize that its very natural to make the mistakes that we are making... thanks Stan!

[@Endevide]

This is one of the best videos you put out there. It's not often that you see people's real progress. Every other video shows work that is total beginner and then - magic! - it's 10 times better without much explanation. Here, you went over things that might look insignificant to you but they are problems I face all the time. Today, it's the first day after months I picked up a pencil again. I'm easily demotivated so this was a great thing to watch. Please, please, do this again. It helps more than being told "just draw everyday!". Btw, I love your teachers tracing on top of your drawings. Many times I thought it looked great until I saw the corrections they purposed. It's these stuff I self doubt with.

[@dannuttle9005]

This is one of the most brilliantly insightful things I have ever seen. I have worked at drawing, on and off, for fifty years, and I see so many things here, positive and negative, that I have done myself. My focus later in life has been piano, rather than drawing, and my progress has been greater there (hours of work every day for several years). I saw so many striking parallels between drawing and music while watching this. Everything you say about dedication, patience, practice and commitment rings true.

[@vyse4907]

17:00 I believe that is exactly why some people need to see videos like this. Imagine you never had that confidence you talk about here. Seeing that people who are now great started out like this themselves once, is what would have given my younger self the courage to try and achieve something similar. It gives you a fair comparison of where you are right now with your idols when they started out. Always comparing your early attempts to masters that put in decades of work without even knowing that they had to put in that work to get there can be crushing. It is great that you are showing this and I think more artists should do so. At the very least, teachers should every once in a while to remind their students that everyone had to start somewhere and that it is okay if they are not that good yet if they just keep at it for long enough. Thanks for sharing this.

[@MerlinCross13]

Too bad it's having the inverse effect on me cause if this is the 'bad art' he did back in the day that's better than me now; what's the point? The only lesson I'm seeing is that I should have started drawing 20 years ago.

[@BananaTreeCat]

I love this so much! It's not just encouraging for people who feel hopeless about their current level, but it also shows us the mistakes you made (that some of us are also probably making with or without noticing) and how to fix them, plus examples of exercises we can do to practice :)

[@erikrfrechette]

As someone who has picked up and put down drawing/painting/sculpting for decades in favor of making a “living” in an office, this was easily the most enjoyable video in what has been an extremely enjoyable series. I have always envied artists with the courage to commit - to the process, to the practice, to the life! The determination and confidence required to maintain the discipline is even more important than any natural abilities or advantages! As I pick up my tools once again after yet another years long stint away - this time in hopes of illustrating a story I have had for many years, this is exactly the kind of video people like myself need to see. Thank you for sharing and for everything you have done with the channel! Have been watching for years and it’s terrific to see how the community Proko built has evolved. Wonderful stuff!

[@ron30865]

I watched the entire video! start to finish, quite inspiring! thanks for sharing your journey!!

[@Sycamoon]

Stan, that was amazing to see. Not only the beginner drawings, but it was also quite educational to hear you be so brutal and derisive about your younger self's efforts. I think a lot of us are that brutal in our self-critique and then lose heart, where as you pushed through. Great stuff.

[@BirdwithaBrush]

Thank you for sharing the steps along the way of your journey! I wish more artists would do this. I've listened to many an artist stressing the value of keeping a sketchbook, or even a 'messy' book over video of them doing work most viewers barely dream of achieving. Intellectually I know that your standards improve as you progress, and the artist genuinely feels that something they describe as a quick crappy little sketch really is. But for those of us much further back on the path, it's helpful to see the earlier stages where we can recognize work that isn't so great. It's also really helpful to be reminded of the sheer volume of concentrated practice that exists between here and there.

[@ZETAGeTh]

Thanks for these 12 videos. I've enjoyed them thoroughly. Every artist showed us something different, even things I couldn't really grasp, and that's why art is so marvelous. I thank you and I really hope we have more instances like this one. From the bottom of my heart, I wish a great 2025 to everyone.

[@medecko4394]

This helps me in a deep level. Artists inspire me to a big margin, but they also make me feel envious by how great their art is, and as much respect and inspiration I feel from them, I also feel like I could barely get to their level even with hardwork. But, I’m getting there, and this video helps me drown out that feeling. Thanks a lot ProKo, a beginner artist like me who’s still sloppy, and still needs to get better at shapes and anatomy really needed this video.

[@ΟΔιας-ω7ζ]

I think this is the most educational video of proko this last months. I am advanced but i started sketching with your videos. If i saw that then, i woud progress much much faster

[@angimauri8092]

THANK YOU! I'll be showing this video to a lot of young artists I end up mentoring and struggle with crushing self doubt- I always try to tell them about this improvement path that everyone walks on, no matter what stage in life they begin drawing- but Showing them how improvement looks in a video will be so helpful and encouraging to them!

[@ludovich.3303]

that's soooo motivating ! thanks for this cannel and teaching us !!! I enjoy sooo much thoses 12 days of sketchbook tour!!

[@G3rex]

I mean honestly, this acts as a fantastic pep-talk, great video. I hate how most artists are so ashamed or their old art that they feel the need to nuke it from existence, which just perpetuates the myth of 'oh they were just born talented' when you can't go back and see how they learned.

[@mojyoqueen350]

I love when artist show their life of progress. Personally, I feel nostalgia when looking on my old sketches, because I remember how happy I was with them and how happy I am with how much I've learned

[@lorifontaine]

Hi Stan! Thank you for honouring the process of learning and the determination you had to keep going. This is what we need to see: that our artistic superheroes are HUMAN and they had to study and keep going no matter what. I am grateful for this video and for all the work that you do. Hugs from Canada.

[@eineicia7116]

Thanks for all the sketches! And thank you for showing us how we all start from somewhere.

[@lhirondelle7140]

This was so valuable to watch, thank you for doing it. We might know things rationally (that it's not about talent, that you need to practice, etc) but to feel motivated emotionally it is important to see actual persons showing their personal journey, several times (the brain needs lot of convincing...) The critique you do along the way is also so useful. Like so many people here, I couldn't go to art school 15 years ago and didn't come from an artistic background, which made me lose all motivation for years. I am SO grateful for all the amazing resources on the internet now.

[@ckatzell]

There's so much valuable information in this video I have never once come across in the 4 years since I started learning to draw. Stuff you never hear someone talk about as a self taught artist and stuff you really miss out on. I don't have the money or the time for a proper art course so it was nice to watch this video and restructure my way of thinking about studying and approaching a subject. Massive thank you for this video, I'll be going back to the basics and relearning a lot of stuff with this video in mind.

[@bamnanaart]

Greatly appreciated Proko! Progress makes the process seem more human and possible

[@XxMyvxRocksx382xX]

thank you! i LOVE to see the very first works of artists since we always see their newest stuff , the comparison of early works to now is more motivating and inspiring than anything else!

[@purpleheart3431]

This is amazing to see, thank you so much Proko! I got back into drawing and the biggest thing I’ve learned is that in order to be good at something, you have to be okay with failing. It’s so reassuring that even the best artists start out making “bad” art!❤

[@debejackson]

I LOVED this video! It was so interesting to see how you were working on different skills at different times, and the results kind of went backward. That is so relatable. It shows that work and practice move the needle on skills. I have always learned so much from your videos and this one really ties together so much of what you teach! Thank you so much for showing your "bad" work and explaining the hard work required to see the growth!

[@momentarilylapse]

Add me to the chorus of people saying thank you for sharing this! Your courage to share these will give so many other artists courage to keep going. The progress is absolutely mindblowing and I admire your skill even more now that I can see where you started and how hard you hard to work to get here!

[@ranitojordaochilaulejunior7399]

As someone else said in the comments, i need to pratice more. Thanks for the vulnerability Stan, your progress is amazing and inspiring.

[@Jagcycle]

It's not bad at all. It's learning. That's always good.

[@janicebrown3333]

Thank you so much for sharing your skill progress over the years! As a former teacher myself, this is very encouraging to young students.👍

[@besthobbit]

THANK YOU. I get so annoyed when people say "you're so talented." I know they mean well, but imo it REALLY diminishes the amount of time and effort it takes to learn and get good. Best video. Also, I feel like it gives people this huge misconception that they can't get good if they're not just magically good. I know growing up, I always heard people calling other kids around me "talented" and it made me think "why bother trying if I'm not talented?" I could have been so much better all these years later if I wasn't under the assumption that you had to have this magic sprinkle of talent since birth, and that it's actually study, practice, and HARD WORK that gets you to that point.

[@chriskopeikin2702]

@@besthobbit really, I have no issues with being told that, I haven’t felt that the comment has judgements about how hard I have worked and if it did I really wouldn’t care because I know. Lastly, I do art for myself so I could care less what anyone says about how hard they feel I tried to create it.

[@devl6673]

That's why I pretty much never picked up a pencil or crayon after 1st grade or so. Not until my mid 20s. And then I stopped again until my mid 30s. I'm going to learn how to do this if I'm 90 when I do. And yes even his stuff from 12 to is still more advanced than me currently 😂

[@madiko]

Thank you for sharing, Stan. It is refreshing to be reminded of the intricate way to mastery. I also admire your honesty and kind humility to share your path and struggles with the community. Very inspiring indeed. Cheers from Germany and please give my regards to the whole team at proko. You are amazing and I am looking forward, what you have in store for us for 2025. 😘

[@anaxagoras9812]

Amazing 12 days of Proko! Can't wait to see more projects and courses from you guys once the Drawing Basics Course is finished.

[@Leikjarinn]

This video should be the first video any art class should show at first year ✅

[@jackfelldown1]

I love how Stan's instructors always start with "Yo..."

[@phoenixvision100]

This is so encouraging! I just bought the beginner course yesterday, and it is so nice to see an example of progression from beginner to master!

[@ProkoTV]

Enjoy the course and good luck on your art journey!

[@pibyte]

Nice! Thank you so much for sharing your art journey with us! Seeing how hard work, studies and practice results in growth is very inspiring and encouraging!

[@artycin1]

Thank you so much for all the videos. The first one I watched was on values, which was enormously helpful. And I identified with so much of this video. I will definitely share to artist friends.

[@lmunityentertainment]

Thank you for this man it was a huge help and a stress reliever!

[@jyayasinath]

Such an inspiring video and a great conclusion to the 12 days of sketchbook tour! Master artists inspire us but there are times when I feel that I am making zero progress.. that I can’t ever be better or like I am chasing an impossible goal. Showing that a master artist like you had the same doubts and struggles gives me hope. I am definitely going to keep coming back to this video whenever I feel lost.

[@debqua]

I’m at the beginning of my drawing journey, this video is fantastical. Invaluable. Thank you

[@elire_17]

17:41 When I am discouraged with my drawings and see no progress, I just think “I will never be a professional artist like A or B”. Then I found this video ( also Marco Bucci) showing your beginning and I see myself. You are living proof of my future if I keep going 15 or 20 years. Instead of comparing, my focus is what do I create that makes it MINE? What is my advantage? Thank you for your video ❤

[@oneilshallangwa9695]

Hey man, this may ur videos changed my life. 4-5 months in I got ur beginner course and it just blasted the door right open😅. Haven’t stopped drawing since, thank you very much for everything ❤

[@TheCommonPencil]

I think my unfair advantage could be optimism or stubbornness. 🧐 Thank you for sharing all this!

[@artawhirler]

Thanks so much for showing us your early work! I still remember how discouraged I felt as a teenager, comparing my own drawings to the work that Norman Rockwell was producing in his 50s! He had been a professional illustrator for much longer than I had even been alive, so it really wasn't a fair comparison; but nobody told me that. If I could have seen the drawings he was making at the age of 16, I would have been inspired rather than discouraged.

[@RemoteGhost-u2t]

This is the most I have gotten out of a 40 minutes video ever😔. Thanks you so much stan!! Even though you just made me realise so many of my mistakes🤧.

[@stevenseymour4372]

Sorta does give you a glimmer of hope that with study and repetitive practice and of course great instructional videos by proko that it can be achieved hours and hours of drawing and having fun with it, don't quit!!!

[@tsampa]

Thank you Proko. This is really inspiring, encouraging and ..... I have my pencils out and practicing my basics again.

[@ProkoTV]

Nice!!

[@TheStickyB10]

Thank you for this inspiring video! I'm a hobby artist and I have started your basics course last week after two years of my drawings looking like garbage and it's amazing how I already see a difference in my lines and shapes after only completing the first two sections and practicing after work and on the weekends! I definitely agree that dedication and practice trumps talent because I was never a person that comprehended the elements of visual language before starting my art journey and absorbing your advice. It's a skill that while some people can pick up on it quicker than others, anyone can master it with time and dedication. Thank you!

[@arknark]

This was a fun watch. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays everyone! Wishing you nothing but the best, in any circumstance. Let's all grow in this next year

[@denontown]

it helps to look at my own old arts too, knowing that back in those times -- i felt as if i made zero progress too, comparing to what i'm doing today... although i'm not that much further, it helps to remind myself that i'm steps ahead of where i once was, that i did make progress and my hard work did pay off

[@kai-e6n]

Many artists try to hide their "worst" art and are always adviced to present perfection. Ironically this is also how we tend to act in our daily life... Always having to wear a kind of a "make up" sort of thing. Present ourselves as if we are always in line with perfection. Couldn't be further away from the truth. Not only showing our journey, from when we struggled up to becoming a master of our craft inspiring, but shows tremendous noble qualities. Majority think that people let's say clients are only attracted in perfection. My experience is different. Our capacity to be genuine, if this shines through, others can perceive that. Yes, high quality art work helps, but a dodgy, hiding behind a mask kind of person, never will gain any followers. I don't think you have so many followers only because of your artwork.... I think it's your personality Proko. A good humble person always will get along with others. A proud show-off kind of personality once they reach a "peak" of stardom on KZbin or wherever, nobody cares in the end. Those who year after year are able to nurture students and develop trust between them are rare.

[@UjjwalPrakash-c3w]

18:02 It felt like Marshall's vocab power, fabulous 😍😍😍

[@kvdraws]

So much great knowledge in this video. Timeless advice! Thank you Stan!

[@ZDoesArt-Hi]

Ve been watching proko for a while now, I really take in every lesson you guys make and even the slightest advice helps me a bunch, I’ve been posting some of my art on KZbin for a while now and I’d love for you to give me some advice or feedback, thanks for everything!

[@MrAnperm]

I've got so many good notes from this vidso. Thanks for sharing, Stan!

[@JackCats0]

Your instructor's sketches are so useful!

[@phoenixvision100]

I definitely want to see more videos like this!

[@ThirteenRoses]

So I decided to start learning how to draw a little over a year ago, but didn't really get serious about it until this year and looking back on the stuff I have just over this year the progress I've made is kinda crazy to see. Like there's alot of "why am I doing this stuff," "I'm not getting any better," etc, but you take a moment and look back and seeing the progress you've made largely by just putting in the hard work and it pushes you to keep going because now you know that you can do it, you just have to work at it. No one starts out knowing how to draw and you never stop learning. With instructors and resources like Proko and a bit of elbow grease, anyone can learn, develop, progress, and enjoy drawing and artmaking!

[@ramashishrana]

Beautiful sir .loved it ❤❤❤

[@lucasrojas5665]

I've been waiting for this for a long time

[@verticsuprise5095]

I think this video along with the comment does quite help a lot, I have been harsh on myself recently especially since I'm now learning animation. The support I receive for art online feels quite... paradoxical(? for lack of a better word), because of my lack of confidence but also knowing that I am growing and these people do find a type of value in my art.

[@ahmadresham3786]

Never disappoints proko😊

[@Sageoftheforest7]

Very important video, thank you for sharing it!

[@Ali.M]

Thank you so much for sharing these!

[@drawing_art-11]

Very nice video 🎉🎉 I like it so so much 😊❤

[@mgnwln]

Greatly appreciate this video, Stan. Very encouraging.

[@MaximMelamed]

There is definitely such a thing as talent. But it's not what most people think. It's not automatically knowing what to do without learning. Talent is more the innate ability to see the world in a way that you can translate to creating art. You still have to learn how to do it properly.

[@Here4TheHeckOfIt]

Nice! This is inspiring. Both my mom and brother were very good. My brother was drawing disney style cartoons and cell overlays by 10 years old! I've always wanted to learn how to draw, but I talked myself out of it.

[@kuroakikitsune]

I need to practice more.

[@michellefueg9579]

This actually made me feel worse about myself, but it also showed me what I can improve.

[@RelaxingdoodleArt]

you are so talented, and creative, amazing

[@Michael-hb8nq]

One of my favorite , Proko , Videos.

[@ginofication]

Best Art Video Ever! - Thank you Proko

[@seanfaherty]

looking back on my sketch books I agree. it's just hard work

[@missshannonsunshine]

I need what you did even before this. To me it looks so great and I’d need several tutorials to get there

[@ProkoTV]

00:50 is me too

[@memochill7049]

This gives me more hope to keep improving everyday!

[@mllestormmarvelicious3225]

Thank you ! Thank you ! Thank you !

[@VishnutoShiva]

Practice, Hardwork, Resolve, and Mindset (all four can be achieve)

[@jeanjoyeux]

I needed this today. Thanks a lot

[@Dy1anGaming]

39:49 Stan went from drawing f up hands to teaching how to draw hands ❤

[@rstaeouwxz]

Stan, even your first sketches are not bad :,) I hope I can draw what I want in future like you!

[@thegloriouschosenone]

hearing that you were about to go to an atelier when you were a junior has me feeling crazy jealous as a sophomore cause there’s nothing like that where i live- not even live figure drawing sessions i can go to i’ve basically only got the internet and photos to teach me but you gotta do the best with what you got yknow?

[@ProkoTV]

I definitely get what you mean. There was nothing in my area so an atelier was the main option. No larger art school or anything like that. Artists make the best with what they've got!

[@andiarbeit3591]

Thank you for your great content here . I just began my journey and hope to be able to create great artwork one day. But unfortunately my first tries are far far away from those you shared here for example at 1:18 😢 This is so frustrating . I know one shouldn’t compare himself to others but yeah - it’s still a thing . Anyway - let’s all stick together and help each other 💪🏼

[@albericponcedeleon2696]

17:51 a Legend make[S] their appearance. Seriously though, this 12 days series have been really motivating.

[@flutterin4595]

As a general art nerd, I did love and still love to see sketchbook tours of the various artists. And prokos one is so adorable xD

[@nivad75]

9:51 - 10:08 so insightful. thank you for sharing, this is awesome.

[@zsoltcseri3128]

This is a bad and contraproductive video from an artist, but the best video from a teacher. You made a respectful choice

[@That__Guy]

Steps to become a good artist Step 1: Love making art Step 2: Do a lot of the thing you love Repeat Step 1 and 2 forever

[@kjgoebel7098]

Yes! Drawing isn't like other skills: it's not natural. Running, climbing, throwing things, even thinking mathematically, these things have been making humans more successful for millions of years, but not making images with our hands. Drawing is the most purely learned skill I can think of. Everyone starts out crap at it. Talent makes a difference but it's insignificant compared to practice and care. Somehow drawing is where we worry the most about talent, even though drawing is where talent matters the least.

[@kemi_the_mathematician9585]

Excellent video! Anyway as for the rib cage, my art instructor told me to think of it as a "turtle's shell". We referenced to Gottfried Bammes' models quite a bit... sort of.