Reilly Method and Advanced Fundamentals with Jeff Watts - Draftsmen S4E03

Jeff Watts is the founder of the Watts Atelier and my art instructor. I recently got to invite him into the Proko studio to film a special Draftsmen podcast where we discuss his own artistic journey, the elusive Reilly method, and more. If you want to learn more about the Reilly Method, check out Jeff’s new course on Proko. You’ll learn the academic approach which emphasizes the use of rhythm, abstraction, and geometric shapes to accurately depict the human form - www.proko.com/watts
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
03:16 - Reilly Method
05:51 - What is Rhythm in Line Art?
13:58 - Rhythm vs Gesture
16:54 - Abstraction
18:50 - Thinking vs Feeling
22:45 - Teaching Fundamentals
28:07 - Self Discovery Through Art
30:40 - Art as a Kid
37:29 - Purpose for Creating
49:42 - Maintaining Skills
56:17 - Using Reilly Rhythms for Imagination
01:02:55 - The Future of Art Education
01:06:45 - Value of Traditional Art in AI World
01:25:59 - 1000 Monkeys
Jeff Watts episode of Drawing Basics (coming soon!) www.proko.com/drawing
Reilly Method class - www.proko.com/watts
Watts Atelier - www.wattsatelier.com
Caricature Course by Court Jones - www.proko.com/caricature
Brian Knox - / brianknoxart
Erik Gist - www.erikgist.com/
Loomis head - • How to Draw the Head f...
View Artwork Mentioned in Episode - www.proko.com/731
“Draftsmen” is available in audio. Subscribe on these platforms to keep up to date:
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#jeffwatts #teachingart #artfundamentals
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CREDITS:
Guest - Jeff Watts (www.wattsatelier.com/)
Hosts - Stan Prokopenko (www.stanprokopenko.com), Marshall Vandruff (www.marshallart.com/)
Production Assistance - Alex Otis ( / alexotisillustration , Charlie Nicholson ( / shloogorgh )
Editing - Charlie Nicholson
Intro Animation - Cody Shank (codyshank.com/)
Intro Jingle - Tommy Rush ( / tommyrush )
Music Used with Permission Intro - The Freak Fandango Orchestra

[@Draftsmen]

Hope you enjoyed this special episode! To learn more about Reilly Rhythms check out Jeff’s course on Proko - www.proko.com/s/W1Tq

[@MultiHeheboy]

Please another podcast

[@guystudios9878]

Man Marshall sure has been working out and gotten a lot stockier

[@ArifRWinandar]

You've heard of Marshall Art, now get ready for Martial Art.

[@THUNGUNS]

Martial Vanbuff

[@shabeeryawar]

Now I want marshall, Stan and Jeff in one of the podcast episodes!!

[@TheOneRioji]

Right?! That would be amazing!

[@ishheredia9626]

Whoa 90 minutes of picking Jeff’s brain? This is a gem of an episode

[@jayedwin98020]

Have Jeff on more often, please. Also, never get rid of your chairs!

[@DiaGnostiKS]

It always brings me happiness to see new episode of Draftsmen podcast. Thank you. 👍

[@Dookie_Blaster]

Same. Welp, see you in 4 months!

[@DiaGnostiKS]

@@Dookie_Blaster 4 months? Now that's optimism XD

[@OoziHobo]

There is no great resource on the Reilly method, and this podcast episode is no exception.

[@edwinbeta2806]

😂 I was scrolling looking for this comment. For someone who doesnt know what the method is, this explained almost, literally, nothing Fun to listen to nonetheless but it’s funny

[@Gillium-001]

Yes, exactly. I did a couple of months of Watts online and none of the videos I watched explained it at all.

[@pseudonamed]

On AI: it's a lot easier to dismiss it as a threat if you are already very established as an art authority with a comfortable income stream. It's a much bigger threat to new artists, especially those selling digital work.

[@winklerdraws]

This format where you interview another artist in the studio is so good to watch (and hear), would love to see more of this. Anyone with me?

[@BP-ok7qg]

I'm soo glad I didn't turn off my notifications... Let's go Proko and Buff Marshall❤‍🔥

[@johnedelmann6711]

After eight months of nothing?

[@poseidon689]

I loved the ending, the chat was between uplifting, scary, inspiring. A true rollercoaster of emotions

[@giakoner]

Hahaha Its fun watching Stan teasing Jeffs, hilarious episode.

[@felipericardovoigt4251]

Jeff Watts is my favorite art instructor, and I'm so happy to ear from him about his personal development as an artist, he reached a spiritual level of artistry and I'm so glad he acknowlegede It the way he does. What a life, what a journey as an artist, I can't wait to see what will come next

[@sueb1676]

Two fabulous artists and instructors. So talented and generous with their knowledge & skills. (Back off A.I.! No room for you, yet!). I’ve been doing Watts Atelier on-line program since last Fall. Excellent! Makes you feel you’re having a one-on-one experience with Jeff! I’m learning so much! Taking Sculpting, etc through Proko - the best! I could listen to Jeff and Stan (and Marshall) everyday. Love the podcasts. So inspiring. (Bring on the 1,000 monkeys!) Thank you, thank you!

[@MrEvilPuck]

I teach 10 kids how to draw comics, they are 10-14 years old, 5 girls, 5 boys. We draw on paper with pencil and fineliners. We eat snacks, listen to music, sing along, love laugh our asses off when we do comic jams. They are all exactly like my brother and me 40 years ago, sitting at the kitchen table drawing comics in the 80´s. Some things don´t change and make you forget about A.I.

[@paul329869]

1:08:10 I do excuse me, Proko, but I must beg to disagree, but AI may and/or might be dominant in the movie industry today and/or tomorrow, but there’s one thing AI and that industry can’t and shall not do, HEART AND SOUL, IN REAL ARTWORK! Thanks, and have a greater Mother’s Day for you and your Mom.

[@melodyneumann7789]

Jeff is a national treasure

[@dinoblaster736]

always excited to see a fresh draftsmen ep :)

[@bifrostengaged1371]

Thank you for uploading. Thank you Stan for bringing Jeff!

[@phoenixjames6126]

Great episode. I love it when you guys get people to interview or talk to. Really allows a shift in perspective. Hope to see more episodes, you guys rock.

[@manubiondo5713]

This is one of my favorite episodes yet, Jeff is such a great teacher

[@ZarkArt0]

Thank you very much for exposing us to such a new and talented artist, and I really did enjoy this episode of the draftsmen podcast. I do miss Marshall and hope he's doing good.

[@ZarkArt0]

@@charnich ah I see! That's good to hear, can't wait for it to be completed

[@davidwalz3317]

It's great seeing Jeff Watts, always insightful

[@zacharycieszinski5465]

Appreciate you doing the video and continuing the podcast, hearing Jeff talk about art principles was insightful

[@eadamic17]

Hi. I randomly stumbled across an episode of Draftsmen the other day, and listening to you two instantly re-kindled my love for drawing after years of depression and anxiety trying to make a living out of creative work. I cannot believe I was unaware of you before. I just want to say thank you for taking the time to record these!

[@flipthrough6806]

This is amazing. Jeff is the man when it comes down to the breakdown to any skill set of art. Thanks so much. 👍🇺🇸

[@nonono9681]

Wow, nice that you guys are back, love to hear to Jefferson Wattselier and Stanivlav Prokopepenko talking about art, what a delight.

[@sebastiancheriansyoga9103]

Loved this one. Jeff's philosophical and spiritual approach along with Stan's technical and analytical thinking makes a very interesting experience.

[@shoopy44]

This is absolutely fascinating. Their thought processes and vocabulary really highlight how masterful these guys are.

[@sueb1676]

These two men are such an inspiration to me! Thank you for this wonderful interview. Many priceless nuggets… artistic and spiritual.

[@anima6035]

😍😭 oml you're back and with Jeff Watts?!? Hell ye!! Still need Marshall back in my life tho ❤ miss you Marshall!

[@ILoveCiniminis]

Jeff's approach resonantes with me very much. I have been always wondering about these things and feeling them when I'm drawing. This is what I've been interested in for some years.

[@zedharith6695]

Thanks Proko, one of the best episode of the Draftsmen Podcast. This one I really took my time listening and digesting. I would rewind again and again to understand what Mr Watts said. So pack that I had plan my time to listen to it, part by part rather than just making it background noise. Thanks Proko!

[@tristonho451]

I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EYES!! NEW DRAFTSMEN PODCAST EPISODE!!!

[@inkstickart]

I really think just like Jeff watts exp. with color! I always tell poeple that I paint with my gut and not with my brain. this is awesome. I have to look into this more. thanks for a great podcast

[@indepthliterature]

Great discussion. The Riely method fascinates me and for the figure in particular, it opens up a lot of doors, however for portraits I find a lot the lines distracting and unnecessary but it is a really fun method for thinking about the forms of the face.

[@somewiseguy6058]

You don’t really have to draw in the lines I just hover my hand over to see where everything is placed. It’s like Jeff said its a gps system

[@keldencowan]

It's really weird hearing this man talk about Frank Reilly's method and in the same breath saying you can't successfully use a mathematical approach to color. A good chunk of The Elements of Painting goes over exactly this. When I first read it, an 11 value scale was revolutionary to me. He was multiplying and adding values like Photoshop layers back in the 60s. He had methods for tone mapping and exposure. Now with things like BSDFs and lighting equations there are so many ways you could extend the methods he pioneered. It doesn't have to be that complex, but it is solid framework in the otherwise subjective fields of color and values. If you are going to springboard off his ideas and reduce his curriculum to "rhythm", why call it the Reilly method and not the Watts method? It's already hard enough to track down info on his ideas without the competing namespace.

[@jenniferparisi]

This was such a great episode. (though I missed you Marshall!) Thank you Jeff for sharing your wisdom and insight with the next generation of artists. I have loved learning from you, and this interview was so on point with answering so many of my own questions on art culture and what it means to be a creator in the market today.

[@Katsujin2]

Yeeess another draftsmen episode! Need more!

[@NateRock119]

Great episode very thought provoking

[@mangagnome9764]

It's like Christmas for my brain. This was so awesome!

[@aqua6428]

LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!! IM SO EXCITED FOR THIS

[@shehroz295]

I love this man!

[@zhoomgwenibmaadziwin1013]

upon watching this i felt the call of my destiny!

[@MrJvieira72]

Watts is a treasure.

[@artcafe2684]

One of the best Draftsmen you guys have done it.

[@AruaStar]

I would love another podcast with Jeff & Marshall together!

[@jeduardolopezo]

Now we need an episode with Marhsall, Jeff and Stan talking about.... whatever! Maybe how the AI thousand monkeys would link up via quantum singularity?

[@RawazDraws]

What a beautiful surprise! Wish marshal was here aswell

[@Dookie_Blaster]

Once you learn about rhythms, you start seeing it everywhere man, like tha matrix.

[@damien69ish]

This was amazing

[@juggernaut__21]

Damn this is the coolest teacher student podcast ever 🥰❤🙌

[@lilpedroart]

Jeff is the man dude!!

[@korosheht5446]

For the Reilly method i really like the "mastering drawing the human figure from life , memory, imagination " by jack faragasso he not only learned from frank Reilly but also worked with him and thought the mothods for over 30 years

[@HuangLin-bm1oo]

47:49 Kinda wish Jeff would talk more about trauma and being your true-self from self-healing, because it speaks to me a lot and I just made a sudden realisation that trauma was making it so hard for me to draw

[@lilpedroart]

Jeff needs a podcast for sure!!

[@misakijimenez]

"Stan, you gotta up level for this interviews..." that's real advice. You better do it!!

[@herbertscott9575]

Awesome interview 💯

[@imnooneh]

Amazing ❤

[@lmoney420]

This was great

[@doreangrey1712]

Great session

[@sam11_art]

Nice talk, thanks❤

[@jayedwin98020]

I like that! "Advanced Fundamentals" 🤔

[@BxEshadow]

I would really like to hear a episode where they talk about meaning of art, fine art that isn't related to illustrative, decorative nature of art. I did see a few times Stans lack of Art history knowlage that Marshall had to explain. Or myb its a topic that isn't idk for the general audience

[@alfiemarshall9224]

MORE DRAFTSMEN LET'S GO

[@ArtofComics]

I still actively create/build my a morgue files. It’s a great tool and fun exercise

[@Cyranowan]

I use the Reilly method and find it superior determining foreshortening a figure

[@nununotfound]

honestly Jeff's opinion on AI doesn't matter in the least as long as AI uses mass scraped non-consensual data and art, people are mad that their entire life work is being stolen for something that is replacing them as we speak, once the ethics of it get solved and we start seeing ethically sourced AI, then everything Jeff said about AI could be right

[@deebonash1495]

We need a trio. Marshall and Jeff and Stan

[@danielteran8067]

Believe it or not I was eating some enchiladas when I was hearing this podcast! :D

[@Supratim-Biswas]

Please make more and more Draftsmen podcast clips.

[@Noelzilla1]

Draftsmen should feature an artist in these podcast, honestly. I would like to see how that goes. :)

[@chomsky72]

I love these discussions. Jeff is very energetic and inspiring. I have to be honest, for me the Reilly method is a bit limiting, especially when it comes to figure invention. It is great for copying what's in front of you, but it's heavy emphasis on abstracting everything into flat shapes can be a bit stilting. I take the rhythms ideas of Reilly and combine them with constructive sculptural classic method (like Vilppu's way) for the best of both worlds. BTW, I totally agree with Jeff's take on color: it is far more intuitive than people realize.

[@socratesthecabdriver]

I just watched your older episode, am i to old to draw from season one, i already watched this two times in the taxi and once at home 😂❤

[@nunya7092]

i haven't watched this podcast in so long and just now i was overwhelmed and stressed until i clicked on an episode... immediately felt better and calm 💖

[@bambambam5663]

Jeff is titan.

[@nrisagire3311]

What’s up draftsmen, I miss the regular uploads. I have a question about letting go of your older and unsatisfactory work. Since 2021 when I started drawing again, I’ve been extremely productive, to the point that holding on to all my drawings and doodles is beginning to border on horsing disorder. I have four large containers of drawings, doodles and paintings and only about 10% are worth keeping and 2-5% are worth showing to another human being. I realise I will have to dump them eventually but the sentimental value is preventing me from doing that and actually causing me a bit of anxiety. How do you learn to let go?

[@KiX-K4T13]

Omg! ❤ Hi guys!

[@blu_nades]

Damn Marshall you changed

[@lorawaring883]

neat show

[@RawazDraws]

I can see where master watts coming from when it comes to color, studying and rellying too much on color theory,wheel and charts can put you in a box where you dont try unique combinations or be more expressive with it

[@zanggittai4764]

I wish Marshall was there too, that've been so interesting

[@doaflamingo3713]

pls do more of these

[@plantythepottedplant6316]

1:16:00 It all goes back to... The Reilly Method Is gonna be in the back of my head for the next week lol

[@okitasan]

Was lucky enough to learn from Jeff, Stan, and Erik back in 2011 at Watts! I remember him talking about starting a website platform back then and could’ve had no idea it would become like this. And to comment on what Jeff talks about here 32:41 - going to Watts was the first time I experienced a high level art environment, where everyone, especially the teachers, were at an astronomically high level. That made such a huge difference in my motivation to learn. For young people who whose parents dont understand what you want to do or those stuck with teachers who do work that don’t inspire, seek out and do whatever you can to pay for good instruction. It will change everything.

[@JohnSmith-uc8gg]

Attended Watts around that time myself, I can attest to this

[@dougg1075]

In another life I would have loved to go to Jeff’s school. His dad is bad to the bone too.

[@jojogarcia8766]

I want a shirt, "It's all about the Reilly Method BABY!"

[@uhoh7545]

1:19:48 one of the turns of conversation ever.

[@Frch015]

LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@Garl_Vinland]

Stan: *Trying to sell his classes* Jeff: "Well, i think you're either born with it or not, you cant really teach it." Stan: >:(

[@nocturnalbluerose]

Yeah Hahaha. It was funny watching Stan trying to pull it back . He's like whoa whoa wait a minute. Also i remember him saying that he's in that Camp that had to learn to draw the technical way. He looked a little dishearten, and i felt bad.

[@twomoledmiddlefinger353]

need more draftsmen. it's ok even if it's not about drawing n stuff, just need hear more marshall podcasts

[@spatula8476]

Love you guys! Have you ever thought of making the podcast around book reviews? or something like that? I love hearing your guys' two cents

[@spatula8476]

Tell marshall to SINGGG~~

[@Vrailly]

Any reason for the hiatus?

[@gorgoth9320]

Now we need a Jeff and Marshall episode. This was awesome🤘🏻🔥

[@0ia]

I miss Marshall.

[@Draftsmen]

He's hard at work on the Perspective course but he'll be back again!

[@0ia]

@@Draftsmen Woo!

[@thepeoplesartist2863]

💯💯💯

[@artcafe2684]

I think I agree with Jeff Watts that some of these skills are not teachable. Just like you can't teach how to hammer a nail without hitting your fingers at a rapid rate. You can teach how to hammer a nail and thru time and repeat process you develop a sense of intuition of where your hand is relative to the hammer and the nail. However, the first few times you'll be timid in hitting that nail and you will probably hit your fingers a few times. So you can teach the technique but you can teach the intuition that comes from repeated use. In another example we can provide instruction on how to walk, but we can't teach how to maintain balance and/or keep yourself from tripping on everything. Even from time to time as expert walkers we tend to still trip even after 40 or 50 years of walking. Also guess what happens if you stop? The muscles lose the ability and you have to learn the process all over again (although it takes less time to learn it a second time). So you must continue to do your exercises to continue to be artistically fit.

[@greyareaRK1]

One possible path this might take is that AIs will become personalised (run locally on your computer) to the point where you can feed all of your art into it, and it will help create new pieces. Meanwhile, publicly available AIs must only use art with permission (except for long dead artists) in their databases, and share royalties with artists in kind.

[@ochavezart]

That is a good future, I do see it being a posibility.

[@mobara9087]

I'm counting seconds to see Jeff watts video about line.

[@ligiadan9233]

🤩