Q&A #1 | Answering Your Questions About Art & Other Stuff

I’ve been traveling all week! So today I’m informally answering your questions about art advice and my background while drinking coffee at 2am before a flight...
Website: www.sheppard-arts.com
Instagram: @sheppardarts
Love + Thanks again to all my viewers and subscribers!

[@CelticWind88]

"Stop trying to make everything perfect--" You said that right as I was realizing I was zoomed in way too far and descending into noodling. You saved me, Cynthia! :P

[@grenader6409]

It would be interesting to see edge control techniques in your next episodes. Like how to make firm, hard, soft, lost edges how to manipulate them.

[@angelakyepasion1832]

Grenader Did she make this? Please tell me she did. :'(

[@Quigimon]

One of my favorite art tips I like to hand out stems from my ADHD issues. I used to have a thousand hobbies which detracted from my art development. Im in school for art. I am paying for that education. So it needs to be the thing I focus on. I sold, got rid of, or hid anything that wasn't art related. I replaced a thousand hobbies with all manners of art mediums. I also read quite a few painting and drawing books as well as books on the old masters. But nothing beats following contemporary artists that are alive and can speak on what they know. On to the actual tip. I am interested in developing in several different mediums; oil, watercolor, charcoal, etc. So I read a bunch of books. The beauty is that I can find ideas in one media instruction that apply across the spectrum of art creation. I learned pretty quickly that even though these books might be considered specialized to the medium they represent. They have quite a bit of general art building skills tucked away within.

[@kyonas6047]

I love to see your art this comment makes me excited 😔✨✨

[@partingmist8550]

I also made some changes to my hobbies. I spent many hours playing games and was unhappy with what that was doing (or not doing) for me. I replaced most of those hours with art and I love it. It is so rewarding and I never look back on the hours and feel they were wasted anymore.

[@genieappel-cohen]

You are simply a wonderfully authentic person and I am becoming one of your fans. Thank you!

[@neveK009]

As someone in their senior year of illustration, that day job part was great. Thank you,

[@Cias_artist]

Thank you for sharing your insights beyond your instructional usual format. I completely felt your pain regarding the perfectionism tendency that so afflicts many of us. I’m on my early steps out of that mindset, so this truly resonated with my decision to let that part of me go as best I can. Thank you for sharing everything you do. :)

[@patrickbeauclair9903]

I've used both liquin original and Gamblin's Galkyd medium and they are pretty much exactly the same, they have the same purpose. If you use too much of either and your ratio of paint to medium is favoring medium then you will get that weird shiny, almost tacky texture with either of them. The only difference between them is that Galkyd is less toxic, dries slightly glossier, and dries quicker. I certainly don't prefer one over the other. One way to contract these effects is to mix them with linseed oil and stand oil (for thickness if you need it). It will still dry pretty quickly depending on the ratio of medium to oil that you decide on.

[@valorzinskiadventures7440]

I saw your art video 6 years ago, and i'm glad that I found you again. That Omens video is pretty unforgettable. I wish I could live in a city like yours, you seem to be living the perfect life.

[@JenniferGreyfeather]

lol "going full black swan". Oh yeah, I know those feelz. I sooooo enjoyed listening. thank you, Ms. Cynthia.

[@marcelamedeiros9524]

Some of your past experiences just hit like home to me. Sometimes I feel like I'm lost on thoughts about perfection and it's good to confirm that this is not always the answer

[@amitabhaart5636]

Hi, @Cynthia Sheppard , I have been following your art and fantasy paintings over several years now and I have learned so much from your art. Thank you, for making videos again :)

[@artist63]

Thank you Cynthia for taking my question. This video was very helpful and I look forward to your next Q n A. Of course you’re tutorials are great as well.

[@bernardpaulbrown3166]

It's educational to hear an artist speak of experiences, especially when not totally rehearsed and planned-out. Brava!

[@peterdeeduffield9018]

Well Cynthia as a retired pro (ha ha, I'm a mere boy of 73 ) got to say I identify with pretty much all your comments,and you bring a big smile to my face. Many thanks Peter Dee U.K

[@slytoffcntr]

Enjoying your story! Thank you!

[@catherinedicaire5753]

Thank you for taking the time to get back to us, even of my question is not answer, all the other one are so interesting. Hope to see an other video soon!

[@milkbread5036]

Thank you so much!!! Love your channel it's so inspirational :) About the perfectionist anxiety I also had that which caused me a lot of unnecessary pain and wasted time when it was all in my mind.

[@sky2333]

Thank you Cynthia! It was so nice to “chill” with you. I’d love to see part 2

[@beachlife2968]

Congratulations on your frst Q&A Cynthia and look forward to more.

[@LittleSqueesh]

Really enjoyed hearing your personal opinions and experiences in relation to these questions, thanks for sharing :D

[@fusciart1]

I'm currently a production artist doing packaging mechanicals. I'm glad there's someone out there that feels my pain. Nothing like typing in nutriton facts and ingredients or hazardous warnings.

[@SheppardArts]

Production art may not be fun, but it's an important job! I'll have the words "Hydroxyisohexyl 3-Cyclohexene" permanently burned into my soul like a merit badge. :)

[@fusciart1]

Cynthia Sheppard lol. Riboflavin is one that’s burned in my memory.

[@richardbrummel926]

Your deep love for Liquin makes me smile. I struggled with it, and figured they named it "Liquin" because "Soupy Mess" was already taken... but I'll have to give it another look. Loving your channel.

[@buzzlightyearandco]

Thank you so much for posting these videos, your insight into technique and growth as an artist is really inspiring.

[@irinavega7]

That was awesome!!!! Its a pleasure to hear your thoughts!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!

[@jojokollio731]

thank you for the video Cynthia. Seeing that other artists had to do random jobs before they went pro is really inspiring.

[@TartantazCreates]

This was really interesting. Thanks for this Q&A session. I look forward to the next

[@Oxagaxo]

Awesome video. Learnt a lot from this. Thanks

[@alansartlog]

Recently discovered you and I just want to say I've really enjoyed your videos, especially this one. Also I second a sketchbook tour or a sketching video or something. It would also be cool to hear about your process, beginning to end, doing freelance illustrations.

[@mortysnerd]

Really sincere and encouraging, way to go Cynthia!

[@ire-ethereal]

Thank you so much for making these videos, each one has been so inspiring!

[@M32_722]

I loved it. It really did help me. I’m going to draw like crazy, but not for too long 🙂

[@evertonzomer2821]

Hey Cynthia, lov to hear u talk. Great tips. Glad u are back here in youtube.

[@johncollado1151]

Definitely enjoyed the Q&A. Looking forward to the next one.

[@SamReevesWrites]

Thank you for the information about perfectionism. This is where I have been most of my life. I think I might be trying to surface from it, but I won't know until I can look back on it with some perspective.

[@rubysabanal6617]

You are brillint and pragmatic in your own way. I learn a lot from these videos.

[@thewwart7382]

I like hearing your thoughts and exposing the real side of art. In my mind currently I would ask... After closing my self off from the Art Community for so long. What are some decent ways to come out of the shadows? Be more seen? And make myself more well known?

[@_george84]

Love the video!

[@catherinepoloynis]

"Perfectly imperfect"... I like that. Probably the best advice there is. Wabi-sabi

[@jalopy2222]

I miss you Cynthia! Come back! You are such an inspiration and informative artist.

[@milapesic8638]

Awesome, the last one is precious tho!

[@MacMalte]

thanks for the insights

[@kevfang]

I'm so hyped that you're making videos again! Any words of advice regarding learning digital painting? I'm struggling to translate traditional painting skills into digital. Sometimes I don't even know how to start a digital piece! That along with not being used to the feel of tablets is making things difficult for me. Any tips?

[@Mags1720]

I am really enjoying watching your process. I usually work in dry mediums and really want to learn oils. I have tried several times but I just can't seem to apply my knowledge in to oils. They always look chalky and dull. How can I teach myself to paint a vibrant portrait? Many thanks Maggie

[@myrtlebeachairbrush]

Not bad that was kind of a cool video I've always been more fascinated with why artists create what they create so if you could do a video on that that would be neat to

[@mattt3819]

Really insightful, thanks for taking the time to post/answer the questions! Definitely looking forward to the next one of these! Though I have to ask, where are you pulling the questions from?

[@SheppardArts]

These questions came from KZbin and Facebook.

[@ilonabrask9781]

omg you're my favourite youtuber

[@christinatrager7803]

I could watch JUST for the Liquin names. Absolutely agree on the film review videos to build vocab and sharpen grasp of vernacular design. Question: am I seeing use of liquid graphite in your fast sketchbook flip-through (4:05)? How are you getting the clean, smooth blended tones?

[@SheppardArts]

Not liquid graphite (haven't tried that but sounds pretty cool), it's just 6B pencil, occasionally blended with a stump, occasionally not.

[@granpicci]

Thank you Cynthia! this was really helpful message to get! I started years ago to begin my professional career as self taught artist and that led me to a lot of doubts... some of the answers you gave us today cleared a bit the air for me...so thank you deeply

[@ValkiriStudio]

I remember that pendant, my hair got caught in it at IlluxCon, hahaha! I really love these videos you have been doing Cynthia, it's so nice to learn more about your experiences and working methods. Would you do a sketchbook tour video?

[@SheppardArts]

I remember that! :) And sure, I could do a sketchbook tour at some point.

[@ozzyali6389]

Oh wow what a fantastic idea! Cynthia if you could do a sketchbook tour and give some in depth advice it would be a massive help x Ozzy

[@tkaefring]

Full Black Swan! Hilarious.

[@pdpete]

Brilliant!

[@nerzenjaeger]

Cynthia, would you agree that painting/drawing from life as much and as frequently as possible is the best way to improve? Be it only from photographs?

[@lucaslopes3256]

Please do more Q&A's!

[@LordFirekaze]

Thank You this helps my artist journey

[@highwizdaisuke]

i love you Cynthia youre awesome

[@kyonas6047]

For me i feel like every hour i should take a rest for like 10 min if i didn't take those 10 min i am gonna start just moving my brush without thinking

[@JoshuaMeehan]

great q&a! question: what conventions do you recommend for artists?

[@USCBeastmode]

Yeah I’ve had artist block my entire life😜😂🤪

[@3dk126]

I often hear your humorous love for Liquin in your clips. Do you really only use this one medium? Do you have a second fav? Are there times you use a different medium to achieve a look Liquin can not deliver? Love your conversation clips! Thanks

[@SheppardArts]

Haha, great question! For most of my life, (apart from a brief experimental phase with Maroger medium, which a teacher made us use), I used the conventional linseed oil and turpentine combo, because I didn't have a lot of formal training with oil, and those were the words my parents and teachers always used, "linseed oil and turpentine." It never flowed well for me, and up until I was 26 or 27, oil painting felt like an uphill fight against poor fluidity. That was until another artist kindly pointed out that YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO MIX THEM TOGETHER... :) I felt like a complete idiot for not knowing that until my late 20's, and immediately tried mixing different parts linseed and turp, and finally found a blend that worked well, (roughly 2 pt linseed:1 pt turp). Once I had used up that batch though, I had trouble repeating the same blend, so I went on a hunt for alternatives. My dad gave me an old recipe that involved venice turpentine and stand oil, and maybe I mixed it poorly, but it was too thin for alla prima. Neomagylp is pretty nice, kinda similar to Liquin. Liquin was just the one that did exactly what I wanted straight out of the bottle, and has been my go-to for the last three years. What's your favorite medium, and how did you find it? :)

[@3dk126]

Cynthia Sheppard Cynthia Sheppard Thanks for your reply. I always need to learn things through trial & error myself. I don’t have a favorite yet but as a early student of oil painting I have primarily used Galkyd. I Intended to explore Galkyd Lite and Neo Megilp next. I bought a small bottle of Windsor Newton Liquin Original based on your praise of it all the time. I used some on the palette and it did seem like creamy butter. I look forward to doing a painting with it. I was surprised to see you compare it to Neo Megilp as I thought it was in the gel family of mediums. Thanks again for you advise!

[@SheppardArts]

More related in how they make the paint flow, rather than their native consistency. :) My approach to painting is very much based on how things look and feel, and rarely scientific. Best of luck on your medium explorations!

[@SaltedMallows]

Would you ever consider doing a tutorial or talking about how you create motion graphics?

[@fael3140]

888° like, miss you so much. Thanks to exist.

[@Sparxdd]

i liked this. :)

[@artisty6847]

Cynthia,...please appear on youtube again... I am looking for your video for a long time...

[@bamajama13]

Senpai noticed me! :D

[@lucaslopes3256]

do you ever use paint thinners or do you only use your painting medium?

[@Bursadesain]

nice video, thank you

[@xXSoralinkXx]

So, what is so special about Liquin? You keep talking about it again and again. :D

[@SmillyDonut]

xXSoralinkXx It's an alkyd resin medium that allows your paint to dry to the touch in 24-48 hours depending on how thick the layers are. It's also great for people who do a lot of glazing. Many contemporary oil painters like to use Liquin or Galkyd. Galkyd does the same thing as Liquin, but is less toxic and more expensive.

[@haliart598]

OMG YOU'RE SO CUTE MARRY ME

[@gimmealargesalad]

Hello again! I was wondering if you could answer an important question. I often see so much drama in the art community and have no idea how people deal with that kind of thing. Have you ever had to deal with a toxic artist? How did you diffuse the situation? Did you ignore it or put on a professional face?

[@sutil5078]

it depend in his profile or type of drama, but, tell me what is he or she like,

[@sdfsdfs13]

Two questions for the next time, if you would. 1. What do you think are the ways of making money as painter? 2. Do you have a formal company (LLC)? How do you pay taxes as a freelancer? By the way, I'm not a professional painter and not intending to be, just out of curiosity.

[@Kevin_EndStepMTG]

Will you sign cards at planetcon? :)

[@SheppardArts]

Absolutely! Trying to find out if there's a specific time or place for that, but if you find me I'm happy to :)

[@Kevin_EndStepMTG]

@@SheppardArts Website says there is a specific place for celebrity autographing and pictures..... Is there an artist alley? Or will you be with the Celebrities:)

[@sky2333]

I think I’m in love with you

[@2209009pm]

I don't think you got to take one sip of that coffee during that entire video.

[@PenDanger2]

Hehe. But who is your moral compass?