Chris Ayers and his amazing sketchbooks

This week I chat with the author of the Daily Zoo books Chris Ayers about his sketchbooks and going over 7 years of drawing everyday without missing a single one. Chris Ayers' website & blog links below:
www.chrisayersd...
chrisayers.blog...

[@Floatharr]

Today is day 365 since I saw this video and started drawing every day. Still haven't missed any days, and hopefully never will. I've been doing 2 A4 pages of pen drawings and 2 or more hours of digital art streaming every day, and the hours I've put in have really made me improve dramatically. Thank you for being an inspiration.

[@scottrobertsondesign]

Nice! That's more than I could last on a daily basis.

[@daniellapointe2590]

Floatharr thats would be very intersting to see your improvement since day one to the 365 days.

[@EpicDopeFreshness]

Daniel Lapointe Yeah.

[@Floatharr]

Daniel Lapointe Flowerade I stream on twitch every night and upload the results to twitter after the stream, come say hi if you want to see the art :D

[@EpicDopeFreshness]

Floatharr Aiisshh, I don't have Twitch. ;_; Why you no upload on YT?

[@wanderingwade8877]

I never heard of Chris Ayers. Thank you for this upload. What a great interview. It's very inspirational. I love his work. I was cracking up at his drawings. I'm going to commit to a sketch schedule too.

[@loganhughes4473]

Chris Ayers has got to be the most inspirational person I've ever seen, i love his work, and his story!

[@by3_jud3]

I can't believe I've never seen this before, I'm a cancer survivor: stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma, to be exact. I love to draw, it's just passed the anniversary of me being in remission. I think I'm going to start something like this. Thanks for inspiring me.

[@cornelduhaney8460]

"These ones were done with my left hand..." *Turns off computer and goes to sleep*

[@TheSchrewer]

Cornel Duhaney literally just read that comment AS he said that and thought exactly the same thing. Everyone's born equal right

[@shreyaspai3791]

*Turns off computer and cries self to sleep*

[@drawingmaniacsterben7144]

try to think about it as opurtinity!!!!

[@MaghoxFr]

*burns sketchbooks and art supplies*

[@SuperFcsmith]

Just discovered Chris and I’m very impressed and inspired. I’ve been doing animals in my sketchbook for about 25 years, most in the same book. But luckily my sketchbook has over two thousand pages, so I won’t run out of pages for a long time. Thanks for the interview, excellent work Chris.

[@levissketchbook8983]

I just wanted to say that since I've watched this video, I have not missed a day drawing in my sketchbook. I've drawn every day for a month and a half and it's become a habit. My thanks to Chris Ayers for showing us his sketches and Scott Robertson for having Chris on.

[@lanceburn1]

am just getting over cancer so I understand the effort you must have put in over the first couple of years. so thank you for the inspiration to start learning to draw this is something I would like to be good at as I love art so from today I'm going to do a drawing sketch what ever even just doodle but I'm not going to miss a day and I hope I get to year 8 like you thanks again l burn

[@darthnihilus9964]

This made me really sad.

[@bboylilizzi]

One of the most creative and varied sketchbooks that I have seen. Great work and thank you for sharing and motivating us!

[@rjmunt]

That horse reminded me of my holiday at that exact same place in Italy. Amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@diegomesa3978]

27:20 AWESOME drawing!

[@nawangsherpa3209]

I really appreciate your hard work to inspire the artists around the globe.Thank you so much guys.

[@SteveHarpsterDraws]

Great drawings. I'm going to start writing down the dates on the back of my sketches. Thanks for making this video.

[@Floatharr]

I watched the video twice back to back because I was inspired. 19:48 I might as well have said this myself, it's sometimes hard to get started but a lot of fun when I get in the groove. I have the bad habit of planning on making beautiful work every day, but in the end I procrastinate on starting if I don't feel like I can accomplish everything. This video got me thinking, and the solution to the problem is really simple: the only absolute rule is to draw something new, just for myself, every day. Being conscious of it makes easier to plan around it and having to think of something new eventually forces you out of comfort zone, and having it separate from anything else stuff makes it more resilient to things that might otherwise cause me to stop drawing. At least in theory. I've been drawing every day for a while again, but I'm making it official today by calling this "Day 1". Thank you for the video.

[@artsketchbook]

This was so great to watch! Thanks for sharing!

[@caruby6969]

Loved the conversational vibe of this clip, so informative and well paired with the vibrant and fun drawings. Very inspiring.

[@cgtoche]

Very impressive work! Thanks Chris for sharing it with us.

[@PascalGaggelli]

Awesome sharing. Very inspirational. Thanks

[@Doomroar]

Man the snouts were great!

[@varflock9777]

Wow, a BioMeat avatar!

[@RobotJeeg]

I loved each second of this video!

[@prestonowens4594]

As a student I find this to be very inspirational. Thanks for sharing these pictures guys.

[@adelarscheidt]

That was absolutely beautiful and inspiring

[@KatNicholson]

I have (and LOVE) all those books! (The published ones of course, not the sketchbooks!) … Can't wait for the next book from the Daily Zoo! Thanks Chris! :D

[@kangee]

Superb video! What a great inspiration! I've made multiple attempts at sketching everyday and failed in all of them. Will try again thanks to Chris Ayers!

[@aurangelica1]

I´m a big fan of Chris, I really love his work! A very talented artist!

[@Zatarain21]

I want to see more of this guy, please.

[@jonofelgate4430]

Went out to Kinokuniya and purchased both books and the Paris version after watching this. Great work Chris! And thanks to Scott for featuring :)

[@scottrobertsondesign]

Thanks!

[@Artstudioem]

this is just wow! thank you for sharing them with us!

[@Floatharr]

Must be the 5th or 6th time I watch this video and it's inspirational every time. Today is day 34 of daily sketching since I first saw the video and I have no intention of stopping. I try to draw a variety of technical exercises and visual library related stuff more than illustration type sketches, haven't really found "my thing" yet because I feel like I'm still learning. Thank you for this video, it's really helped me.

[@scottrobertsondesign]

Nice! You're being more diligent than I've been at sketching lately. I think I'm a little distracted right now with my How to Render book deadline looming. :)

[@jenovaizquierdo]

This artist art is beautiful, I feel like buying it, I will check were can I buy this amazing beautiful art. Congratulations to the artist for his gift and this art cure him.

[@mccutcheonpe]

Thanks for sharing. This is great! I enjoyed it very much!

[@putative3]

Just Lovely work!

[@moose8337]

I wish you would do like a 3 hour video of you just drawing with traditional media and just talk about all the art elements that you go threw in order to get a finished piece. I love your commentaries and the way you teach, I've learned a lot and want to say thank you.

[@Quietdogzz]

Love the video. Definitely some great tips.

[@raysace2490]

Lol. since my computer was low volume, I was confused when the third arm came in lol

[@mickyart]

Very inspirational... got to grab those books! ...

[@DagobertX2]

Epic stuff, thank you Chris and Scott!

[@PaulV3D]

Inspiring insight into the mind a some talented artists! Thanks.

[@FunkyLittleWhiteGirl]

I just ordered the Paris book and the exercise book from Amazon. LOVED this video!!

[@fluffygungan4344]

Beautiful work!

[@TheChadID]

Super inspiring! I would love to see some more artists, their sketchbooks, and their stories featured on your channel, awesome stuff!

[@kaylanichols5977]

You can still see his number.

[@Vt.X98]

Don't call then...😁

[@arturoarino]

this is just amazing and inspiring! just made me start drawing right away!! thanks!

[@julcrm]

Ahhh I was looking for this video for almost one year, and now youtube just recommend it to me. Things appear when you are not looking for

[@FrankTheDragonGaming]

does Chris do drawing videos? cause if not, he should. best use of color and line work I've ever seen.

[@dakellymon]

Nice stuff, very inspiring. Thanks for sharing.

[@ThomasNovosel]

I just found your videos, and this episode sold me the other day,. that whole "this is what 9 months later looks like" made me drop my breath for a sec at how big of a change it was. so... now im drawing monsters after dusting off my books.

[@daviddubois2702]

Hey Scott. Recently discovered your work (and by proxy Ayers as well) and Im a fan. Thank you for putting the video series out.

[@ondrafrajer87]

So much inspiration on one place. Great video! I love watching other people sketchbooks. ;)

[@CarlosArthur]

30 mins of awesomeness O.O , Sir, you should do this ones often with your own sketchbooks, and with other artists sketchbooks, there is more important subjects that you cover for sure, but this ones are really inspirational to watch :), thanks a lot for sharing this with us Scott and Chris :)

[@justinfleagle]

"These one were done with my left hand..." *shows Mona Lisa* *jumps out of window*

[@Animatedron]

this is just amazing.

[@yirui7176]

This is so inspiring! I am just a newbie in drawing and I would like to commit myself to it!

[@psethmalone6999]

How long has angry bird been out? 6:35 looks like one of them... serious question though

[@honeynut4048]

December 11, 2009

[@enjogior5489]

Wow... so his design was made first.... hmmm i wonder if it's a coincidence or...

[@anlsrnvschtny]

Red Cardinal bird

[@DestroyedArkana]

It's probably not a coincidence considering the actual gameplay was copied from a flash game called Crush the Castle.

[@KevinFloresKiNg_Of_ArTs]

Love the dedication you guys have, brings me inspiration as well! ;] Hoping to do this and draw more frequently every day!

[@Tyroswag]

this is so beautiful ....

[@richardking3328]

Such a great share, great work! :D

[@kilemk]

Awesome sketches man..!!!!!! keep up the good work

[@huglojsk]

I instantly like these

[@The_Sunset_King]

I keep searching for the word "cartoon" to pop up, but all I hear is artist, gallery, drawings... These are cartoons and would be perfect for Pixar. Cartoon isn't a derogatory word you guys! Be proud of what you are!!!

[@MECKENICALROBOT]

I suggest Rollabind, for managing the paper accumulated. I usually draw on loose paper as well. I fold it in half, and I use the punch to make holes on the folded edge.

[@Espartan67]

Hermoso trabajo, gracias

[@TheLukaszencja]

really awesome. watching your videos is one of my favourite routines on fridays :D

[@bethjackson-king8355]

Lol he said he likes to "doodle" love it! Awesome work

[@bobbydigital316]

Randomly popping up in my feed in 2023. I hope Chris is still alive and well and managed to stay over the cancer.

[@scottrobertsondesign]

Yes, he's doing well.

[@wolverinemarko28]

hi there, pretty cool video, a lot of good info in my opinion so THAAAANK YOU

[@JWJSSIFII]

great video, and great interview. especially liked the interview aspect of the whole thing, mayble because I regocnized myself alot in what you went over. I'd love to hear a longer conversation about what you talked about at around 20:00, the diffuculty of starting vs. the reward of having started/looking back at past work, and styles of working (1 a day vs. 6 days in a row, one month of nothing) I myself lean more to the six days spurt - one month of nothing style, and it really makes me anxious during the long down times. I always feel like "i've lost it" or im all out of inspiration.

[@ic.xc.]

I need one of these sketchbooks one day for my kids... But god there is so much work and ideas to so many things in just one drawing of his.. Im thinking animation movies and short films, its crazy.

[@BlenderGameArtist]

very inspiring video! Learned alot.

[@DwayneVance]

Great stuff Scott. Great interview

[@JeffreyKahnartist]

Awesome work!

[@Holdsworthands]

those pen lines are so beautiful

[@AJMandourah]

I really enjoyed watching this video this morning... I have a suggestion regarding the possible next week video scott. Can you do a video talking about the small details you add in your Mech/vehicle drawings, for an example the engine part and such. I find my drawings just too plain and doesn't have that mechanical look . -Anmar

[@LinekeLijn]

Love this!

[@OutcastAngelV]

My mother was diagnosed on April 1st as well

[@bargoroth5609]

Great video, learned a lot from this. Especially keeping a daily drawing routine :)

[@j062]

I've started daily sketching. It's such a fun thing to do. I'm not even close to being as good as Chris like seriously, not even close, but I'm really having fun with it. I'm on day 51 as of October 19, 2017.

[@lastname354]

The snout is awesome, wish i came up with it :O.

[@aliasmaxx5074]

srry for the question, what was the pen he was using? 12:00

[@amitkumarmahato8352]

God , i found treasure ! 😍😍

[@perferstrategy]

Chris Ayers is incredible at drawing animals I'm trying to draw everyday.... Some days for hours some days 5-10 mins I have a job so its always a little hard to sketch somedays. I'll keep trying though :D

[@antonzemskov8932]

Amazing!

[@aWandering_soul]

Hello, Chris i admire you, you are Amazing!! :D

[@baseballphreak5]

a lot of these should be made into t-shirts!

[@JaneDelgadoArt]

first contect with your channel and I really enjoyed watching this video :)

[@jarodkrupp9224]

Me too

[@WinterinBerlin]

i m curious to knw how many new calls he ll get now :D

[@jacklynrinde8562]

What mediums does Chris often use? I'm guessing pencil, watercolor, colored pencil, and markers? Thanks :)

[@JorgeValentinCruz]

Awesome video. Truly inspiring work.It really motivates me in trying to do the same. I'm ordering my copy of the first book right now. I get the other one once I get my paycheck next week. :P

[@deqdweoifjiow]

All the creatures are fun.

[@makeitmodded]

So I mainly use pencil, not much pen. I am not good with my line work and I need to learn a lot if I am going to want to be a good drawer. Do you think I should start with pen? I am a bit incriminated because I am not good with cross hatching and I mess my drawing up all the time trying to do it.

[@scottrobertsondesign]

+Tiki Torchs The thing about sketching with a pen is that it is not very forgiving so you have to think before you draw and it will also make your line control more of a subject to practice because it will stand out if not very good. Just practice without big stress of results right away, it takes time.

[@makeitmodded]

Scott Robertson Yes of course all my lines are bad right now. I just have not used it at all and it looks interesting so I though I would give it a shot.

[@aWandering_soul]

You too Scott :]

[@icrazygamery.t623]

It stopped on my birthday. 1:27

[@Peppershaker]

9:59 is that a Frank Zappa I see?

[@LAZA11]

A fool thinks himself to be wise, But the wise man knows himself to be a fool :)

[@roninanwar]

Is Chris using reference for some of these sketches? I know this is an old vid but if anyone knows thanks. I love these videos.

[@roninanwar]

Nevermind. They just answered that. Thanks.

[@nasserdadparvar]

very interesting. why he doesn't have the Instagram account

[@mollycromb4412]

I like how you said "I'm bearing my soul," and then turned to a drawing of a bear.

[@Redrosefortomorrow]

hahaha nice save on covering the number :)

[@theuglyhiccup8956]

How do you go about publishing something like this? I am really interested in creating an art book, but have no idea where to start. Anyone have any tips for artists who would like to eventually have a book?

[@geniuscrash66]

Wow, serious skillz :0