Sketching People with Stephen Silver

Stephen Silver gives his insight on drawing people and creative character design. He’s currently raising money for his new book. Support his kickstarter at: kck.st/2cPFWMz
Stephen's KZbin Channel: / @stephensilver
I had an incredible opportunity to sit down with Stephen Silver for my latest vlog. He’s worked for Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Disney, and pretty much every other major studio. His work includes Kim Possible, Danny Phantom, and the Fairly Odd Parents. If you’re interested in learning about character design and cartoons, don’t miss this one.
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CREDITS:
Artist | Instructor | Producer
Stan Prokopenko (www.stanprokopenko.com)
#StephenSilver #Sketching #CharacterDesign

[@ToXiiCUnlucky]

Ahahahaha this guy was just roasting people left right and centre

[@papay100]

yea I'm laughing so hard at this, the way he was staring at people passing by

[@ppppp524]

"She's got some kind of rat's nest on top of her head goin on so I'm gonna draw that"

[@ToXiiCUnlucky]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@everydaybodybuilding2282]

hahahahaha it's so savage

[@everydaybodybuilding2282]

im crying lol i just got to that part. hes so nonchalant about it

[@Enzo_Matrix92]

The character designer from Kim Possible, everybody! He knows his stuff.

[@jd3587]

And danny phantom, right? He’s the real hero!

[@jacobwilliams5808]

@@jd3587 I believe that was Butch Hartman himself.

[@TheAroSpecWallet]

@@jacobwilliams5808 no he just took credit

[@SuperFilmregisseur]

Fairly Odd Parents????

[@gregoryshultz]

For those curious, his woodless pencil is clutched to a Caran DAche Fixpencil Crayon Holder 0012. Very pricey at around $35, but it is made of metal.

[@ChrisGilbert31]

Thanks. I was just wondering what that was.

[@lakitu21]

Greg Shultz do you know any cheap options?

[@ajmcmullen960]

Greg Shultz do you know the board he is drawing on?

[@Victoria-so1in]

thanks. I really want that!

[@ColoredMud]

I found mine at a yard sale along with an art bin full of higher-end art supplies for 35¢ X3

[@ppppp524]

I am voicing my support for more videos like this.

[@nathancrocker5274]

I absolutely love this guys enthusiasm!

[@ProkoTV]

+Nathan Crocker (CrockerComics) ya he's awesome

[@bobmussini]

we need more Proko + Silver!!!!! A 2 hours video would be fine! Please…

[@ChaseGamesify]

So basically the key to character design and cartooning is to pic out everything a person is self conscious about and draw it. Gr8

[@Crunchyr1ce]

He's hilarious and really great at caricaturing and finding stuff to exaggerate. I think he should make a disclaimer about the fact that he's not trying to make fun of these people - the characters he's drawing isn't THEM per say, only inspired by them. So if they say "I'm not that fat", it's like "of course you're not, this is not you. This is just a depiction of a character that was initially inspired by your appearance". Or Ceci n'est pas une pipe, basically.

[@aywancfc]

'But when I see you, i think, fat person is what I'll draw' 🙈 idk. Still sounds bad..

[@Crunchyr1ce]

aywancfc haha yeah probably.

[@zellafae]

Annika Sooooooo true!

[@amberdreams_0]

It's one of my favourite things to watch people drawing and see how their work builds from a few faint lines into something recognisable - and this was so fascinating. I love the message about practicing and not overthinking the sketches.

[@myeahok]

Who else thinks Proko looks like the most adorable Russian bobble head?

[@sir_arsen]

before i subscribed to proko, i thought he's russian. because his surname Prokopenko :D

[@topenterclips]

Brilliant

[@sextuspestus7054]

Its funny how nasty and mean this would all sound to someone doesnt draw.

[@davidphilipsmusic]

haha so true. Take away the drawing and have this guy taking photos instead and it'd be so offensive hahaha great video

[@sabahbubbler]

That's someway how deaf people communicate. They use appearance and features to identify a person. Which sounds mean but normal to them. Let's say you have a mole, they'll indicate in sign that that's the identifying feature from what I heard

[@patrikpass2962]

@@sabahbubblerwell.... deaf people can see faces as everyone else wtf. Do you ask someone to say hello so that you can hear who they are or what?

[@ihy8602]

This is really neat. Would have liked to see your sketches too, Stan :^)

[@ProkoTV]

Haha I'll be doing plenty of sketching stuff in the future.

[@FelleaFish187]

You might already have a plan, but I would love to see you quick sketching portraits, you've shown lots of figure quick sketches but never a portrait sketch.

[@sudipsarkar1903]

Nice

[@richardsmith175]

This was a great video. It gave me inspiration to do the same. This is great exercise for building a visual library.

[@LuizZ1233]

Nice guy at 13:41 Faith in humanity restored

[@vortex8973]

Luiz Guilherme yuuup

[@SoojArt]

Really loving the content you're uploading lately (not that I don't like the anatomy and figure drawing but having a little variety is kinda nice)

[@wanderingwade8877]

This is great because you get to see Silver actually draw live instead of watching the magic lines appearing looking at a drawing software recording. It's great to see his tools too. CARAN D’ACHE FIXPENCIL. [update] I got Stephen Silver's book. I like it a lot. Highly recommended.

[@LuisNgchongJrArt]

good idea of creating new characters

[@bobmussini]

I’m back again to watch this…. One of the Best Proko’s video.

[@kirthar7393]

awesome, thanks for sharing this proko!

[@FREAKCASTLE]

Thank you SO much for Sharing this. So inspiring.

[@MartinKohoutekchannel]

THIS IS PURE GOLD FOR ME! Thank you!

[@poprange]

Really cool, I need to wear sun glasses when I do this kind of stuff. People sometimes get scared when they realize they are been watched >.>

[@vijaykumarshinde7439]

Yeah

[@Seki09]

What?! This was the shortest 15 min video I've ever seen. I felt like wow, this is amazing, what's next? when it suddenly ended :(

[@skycarl]

Stan, this was a different cool, thanks man.

[@danjones3009]

He is so cool! Funny and real. Truly found this inspiring and helpful. Can't wait to get his book. Cheers!

[@anxxed]

Awesome! Inspired me a lot. Thank you for your vids :)

[@Chadley10]

I wish I had just an ounce of the man's talent....by far my favorite cartoonist.

[@bhausahebtodkar3925]

I love this video its gr8 guidance for live sketching and turn into unique character ...!

[@vkick92]

This video is fantastic! I never really understood how to quick sketch people or had the confidence to do so. He had some great tips here.

[@Sheilaalien]

That cleaning lady is coming for you.

[@jerrycreed1]

very inspiring, helpful for me to loosen up and lighten up. Gonna try it...without usual fear of fucking up...How can you screw up drawing folks at a mall? Thanks Stan. You too, Stephen.

[@jescollo]

This is such an aspiring video. It looks like so much fun and such a helpful exercise

[@CalvinBroussard]

man thanks a bunch.. i try to be so perfect most parts of my art and just watching your sketching opens ups so many ideas... great vid

[@fraicheness]

Amazing video, I love this man's art and approach.

[@bobmussini]

This was the best. I wish more videos like this, with you two

[@billymarroquin5246]

My son's just getting into drawing, and the advice I always give him is to draw from life, everything in nature. This helps hit the message home. Great video.

[@ujwallimbu9657]

The fact that he explains/talks while he is drawing is really helpful 😎😎

[@sohoshuffle]

I took his character design course as well! Very good teacher and really honest with criticism.

[@katec9893]

The sunglasses tip is actually very helpful! I was in a cafe yesterday and wanted to draw this couple but knew they'd know I was drawing them so I couldn't.

[@TheHomerpro]

Nice one. Refreshing to see another way of drawing portraits/seeing a different approach to drawing the face.

[@allineedismusicnlove]

I'm too near sighted for this lol

[@lauraaljundi]

it's very helpful thank you so much ❤

[@mayarasampaio9667]

That's amazing! Thank you so much for showing his process! :)

[@sloppynyuszi]

You look less suspicious of you draw with your finger on an iPad or even more so on a phone. I use Zenbrush on my iPhone when I travel on the metro and just draw random passengers on my to work. It just looks like I’m intensely playing some weird game.

[@ed209mk3]

Nice tutorial, learned a lot, thanks Stan and Stephen !

[@ewamenamiesz]

i love this guy, that was very helpful video - im actually using his tips to draw cartoonish people

[@pinchweasel3689]

Really interesting to see how he sketches. Thanks!

[@MisterJang0]

He sounds like he has a Britsh accent mixed with a New Jersey accent.

[@JGunlimited]

Capturing essence like nbd

[@EdwardSargeant]

What a great video. So interesting to see the evolution of these characters.

[@kovacspistol]

Wow that shot of looking over the bushes, how did anyone not notice that. 'eating her ice cream..yapping away' 🔥🔥🔥

[@Sambulemme]

This is just Awesome!!

[@TaylorGessler]

This was awesome. I love stephen!

[@Alisa-utube]

Awesome! Thanks for that video. I've always wanted to watch a pro doing people sketches.

[@davearrow1624]

This dude is awesome, love his work.

[@jasoncavanaugh1556]

Great vid! This was a good break from the normal content

[@CaCriGuz]

I was looking for something like this !!! Just in time. awesome demonstration of something that every artist should be doing. I am very encouraged to try this out. Cheers from Colombia :D

[@Test-zd4mp]

I love how he pretty much insults people in a really settle way

[@simplelee92]

Very cool! I've ordered a copy, it should be here tomorrow :)

[@NicoleRoy-Artist]

Thanks so much for this....I love Stephen....never seen him before and I could watch him sketch all day....what a breath of fresh air and inspiration!!! :D

[@Drrays01]

Awesome!!!

[@LilChuunosuke]

Glad I watched this. I've wanted to try practicing drawing people from life and capturing the face by sketching people in a public place, but I was afraid I'd be noticed staring at people. Now I know to wear sunglasses! Haha.

[@jakzilla95]

This was fascinating to watch! I really should go out people sketching more often!

[@StayfDraws]

Nice video Proko! Interesting to see Stephen out in the fields. I have met him several times. Great artist and guy!

[@ProkoTV]

Thanks Stayf and I agree. He's fun to watch and learn from.

[@Rook818]

Amazing video. Very inspirational. He looked like he was really having fun with it to.

[@KingFishStudios]

Proko thanks for this. Just bought Stephens book. Can't wait!! Anticipating the Christmas season just got greater. Oh yah!!

[@alonsovilca7013]

Does anyone know where did he get that sketchbook with many colors sheets

[@bennydelph987]

Hi This is great, Like Stephens approach, Thank for sharing Henk

[@roguevalleyvegans234]

That was fun! Thanks for doing this!

[@trentkuhn]

this was so helpful

[@rodirgoc3772]

I saw this video around the time it came out but then I lost it. I didn't remember what the channel was, what the title of the video was, who the artist was. It sucked because it had so much valuable information that I wanted to remember. The best piece for me was honestly the idea to wear sunglasses to avoid not only spook the people but to avoid getting self conscious. Finally, after 4 years I found it again and I can't believe it was a Proko video.

[@Alex_Dul]

I' can't wear sunglasses over my regular glasses! I have gotten used to people giving me funny looks though. People realizing I'm drawing them sometimes opens up conversation. Great demo! :)

[@ayckrazon]

I usually wear sunglasses over my sunglasses

[@pedrobangz2552]

like before watching the video, i like those kind of videos

[@mozy837]

Where was this? so cool to see 2 channels I follow team up!

[@ProkoTV]

+Moises Saldana at a coffee bean in Irvine

[@bananadraw2765]

I live near the spectrum. That is cool

[@pjlewisful]

That was a lot of fun to watch! Made me want to go out & capture characters on paper.

[@vinicioravagnan4452]

The Character Designer From Johnny Test 2021 TV SeRies Revival

[@hereticalabomination7910]

This guy has taught me something me things that could actually help me in my drawing career. P.s. I am a young teen, not an adult yet

[@kimgonzalez1591]

I love how he would describe the people! lol everyone is a character

[@ALvatar3]

Great video

[@ramyahegde]

Amazing stuff!! Thanks for this video Stan! :D I'd always wanted to know how an artist puts down the first marks while trying to capture the essence of someone. I'm gonna take the information from this video and use it when I go people sketching this week. Thanks again :)

[@vanrb5310]

Great stuff. Creating cartoons from real people. Very inspiring!

[@Hamazan]

AWESOME!!!!!

[@Hamazan]

Oh my god, look at his sketchbook! This is a treasure.

[@gucciland]

What kind of clutch is he using that fits a whole pencil?

[@mr.bonkers8525]

He'd be a lot less verbally descriptive regarding physical characteristics if he were sketching in a black neighborhood. "This guy's got a really flat...uh, anyway, and his lips are hu..eh...voluptuous. I'm getting looks now, the glasses aren't working. I need to go."

[@dibujosinlimitesmp]

I know this is not the most important thing in this video, but where can I get one of those camera holders or whatever it's called. Loved the video.

[@seanramsey]

Stan built it himself. I think he may do a video sometime on how he made it.

[@dibujosinlimitesmp]

Sean Ramsey thank you for that information!

[@hankhumble3552]

clerks cartoon

[@thegrump6283]

this cat is savage!

[@TheInkPages]

I'm curious: what set up is he using for his camera and stand? I've been trying to find something but so far what I've used aren't working for me.

[@ProkoTV]

+JL STRAW I built it using parts by RAM Mount. Camera is a GoPro.

[@popculturechameleon5100]

what kind of setup does Silver have on his drawing board- camera and mount- I want one

[@ProkoTV]

+POPCULTURE CHAMELEON (calibur 454) I built it using parts by RAM Mount. Camera is a GoPro.

[@popculturechameleon5100]

you need to do a video on how you build the crane set up and which parts you used

[@JessieEffendi]

Hey Stan, would definitely love to see the exact parts you used to create this mount. I've been searching for a good mount so I can start recording my own videos with my camera. Thanks!

[@kukunia2189]

So I need to get sunglasses and go :)

[@arturogomez2375]

Hi Proko, i really sdmkre you dude :-)

[@hunor.p]

Am I the only one that noticed this at 2:07????

[@InterDesignOnline]

Proko I would like to know what kind of camera clamp that is. I could use one just like it.,

[@patbollin]

@Proko - Did you build the drawing board, too? I'm trying to figure out how you've got the RAM arm affixed to the board. Thanks

[@seanramsey]

His RAM mount has a clamp that can grab onto most hard surfaces. There will probably be a quick vlog in the future on how he built it.

[@patbollin]

Sean Ramsey Thanks

[@shlerbe7836]

Where can I get the camera mount used to record his sketches ??

[@supernaturalswampaids8083]

Darude - Sandstorm

[@apostolospaschalidis5642]

''You have to wear glasses................''!!

[@deeman524]

I'm assuming that is a red crayon? or is it erasable.? But that looks like so much fun, and I love to chill at the mall, but it will probably be awhile for me. Good lesson and advice!

[@deeman524]

Dat WoF I thought so , but it didn't look like it, I've had plenty of Colored Pencils, that One there must have a very soft pigment. I wish so bad I could just relax and do quick sketches like that, But I put away my Sketch Pad for about 30 years, I'm just now getting back into it, I got so much catching up to do.

[@stuchoob4062]

disney used a red china marker/greese pencil. Looks like that. Now I want to buy Listo 1620 Marking Pencils after googleing. He does say what he is using.

[@ayckrazon]

@@stuchoob4062 you don't need fancy tools to get a polished result but I can appreciate those pencils

[@TheMightyWumbo]

Where you get that pen thing my art store doesn't have any