Don't Fall into the Self-Taught Artist Trap!

[@mg8642]

Fantastic video. I really like your helpful steps on how to avoid the trap and overwhelm. Thanks.

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure. Prepare to really improve con your drawing. 👏👏👏🎉

[@james.vanmaanenberg]

Thankyou for saving me the time.

[@karincarter5489]

All you say applied to me until I discovered your video's ! I have always done a bit of pencil sketching but when I saw your amazing pen drawings, I knew that this is what I want to learn and where I want to be ! My efforts are improving all the time, and this is because I enjoy the relevant content and tons of information in every FREE video ! (have I mentioned how much I appreciate it that you offer these valuable lessons without charging even 1 dollar !? I don't do paypal etc so even a small fee is a no-go for me!) I am very happy to have found you ! You speak my "language" !!!😊

[@stephentraversart]

Very enoucraging to hear Karin. Just tell all your friends who draw about my channel and we'll call it even.

[@soulchorea]

this video encapsulates ALL of learning in the internet age - it really takes a lot of discipline to even just hold yourself back from the "advanced levels" that are so easily available

[@stephentraversart]

I’m so pleased this was helpful. Thanks. 😀

[@xdmomentum8346]

Hey, I’m just replying here because I felt lead to share the gospel. Please consider the message I write. To anyone reading this, please repent and believe the gospel! There is a loving God who wants to know you and save you. Jesus died on the cross and resurrected so we can be forgiven of our sins and be saved. Please consider the state of your soul. Believe in Jesus, turn away from your sin and follow Him so you may have salvation. Life is short, please make the right choice today!

[@Honey_Badger_xx]

Interesting. I too am an ex teacher and I agree with your points. One of the main problems I have encountered, with online art instruction, has been very poorly designed classes by people who are really more focused on building their following and KZbin channel than actually teaching the skills budding artists really need. I found a nearby university college where I can attend in-person classes at a very reasonable price, and the difference it has made to my art is like night and day.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for your comment and experience. Yes, not all drawing videos are the same, that’s for sure. I’m glad you’ve found such a productive path ahead. All the best with it. 😀

[@sherrym.2413]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate this video. I was feeling so confused by watching various KZbin artist demos. I was actually regressing. I knew that there was something missing in my art journey. Your insight on this matter is spot on. It all makes so much sense to me now. Thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

It’s always so satisfying to read comments like this Sherry. Really glad this video has encouraged your feelings about your art. Onwards!😀

[@MaureenMo71]

I was also a high school English teacher (British Lit). I should have known by the way you explain everything. Kindred spirit! Thank you so much for all you do. This was particularly appreciated. Thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure Mo. I haven’t taught since 1982, but KZbin has made me realise I never stopped being a teacher inside. Glad to have helped. 😀

[@RoboAdobo]

Excellent insight, I am 2 months into my self taught artist journey and this is exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks!

[@deniblaze8337]

Oh my! I have a BS in Psychology, and fortunately, I know how I learn. But I did not know where to find the resources until I found your videos! THANK YOU so much 😊

[@stephentraversart]

Wonderful! Welcome aboard my channel, and please tell any friends who also draw you may have.

[@soupcans7427]

This is a very eye-opening talk. I spent so many years hating myself for not effectively cobbling together a skill-set out of assorted tips and tricks. Thinking of learning as its own skill is a much more helpful way to consider it. Thanks so much for this!

[@stephentraversart]

Always glad to help. 😀

[@themysteriousdomainmoviepalace]

I love your painting on the wall, there. It's rare I find an artist who gives great advice and I like their art as well.

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you. Much appreciated - not that I give painting advice - don’t feel experienced enough there. 😀

[@paulrob86]

Another excellent video. People also learn in many different ways, some by watching, some through repetition, some by jumping in and doing. When I was doing my engineering qualifications I struggled with the maths, the teacher had a certain way of teaching which I struggled with. He just assumed everyone knew what he was talking about and the pace was at those who did understand. When challenged or asked to slow down and explain why he did certain things we were told we should know by now. I just managed to scrape through with help from work colleagues. The following year a different teacher, different methods and it all started to make sense. Learning to draw by teaching yourself is also about finding the right way for you. I am one who learns more from watch then having a go maybe with a lot of trial and error. When confronted with something in a drawing I an uncertain of, pick up a sketch book and do a trial run, maybe several times tweaking techniques until I get the look I want. Then I go back to the main piece and try and replicate it using what I had learnt. I have always wanted to draw, having that desire to do something also made the learning process easier. Learning should also be fun rather than a chore.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Paul. Yes, the learning experience is different for us all. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. All the best with your drawing. 😀

[@ObsessedwithZelda2]

My advice for learning is to always practice anything you want to stick after you learn it. With a lot of ‘tip’ videos especially, I think ‘I’ll keep that in mind’ but will I really? Utilizing it soon after will better help it be worked into your mind. Most people know this but some of us struggle to apply it if we have confidence in things like memorization skills etc. Don’t fall for it.

[@stephentraversart]

Yep, in the end, we have to actually draw to improve. Other input counts for nothing if not applied.

[@vividfox8287]

I was slowly learning many of the points as I try and teach myself. The problems became glaringly obvious as I watched someone else start from the beginning. I felt like they were focusing on the wrong things, and told them the info that was actually important for their develeopment. After seeing it in them, I started to see it in myself. Making your own curriculum is like a full time job itself. Luckily, when you get into the rhythm of learning, things that you should be doing is more obvious, and therefore make it easier to teach yourself.

[@stephentraversart]

Great that you’ve got into the learning rhythm with your drawing. Such a productive thing to do. 😀

[@tamayothegamer8433]

Thank you, I REALLY needed to hear this. I'm learning how to draw but I'm my biggest bully. I was so unhappy with my drawings that I thought that not only were they hideous but I should apologize to every artist I know for daring to think that I could obtain the same skill they have.

[@Defileros]

already knew art videos were just small parts of a greater whole but I've gotta thank you for laying this concept down clearly and the part where you basically say "you got to focus your efforts on specific areas"

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was helpful

[@ms00kye]

You’re spot on. Something I sort of organically realized going the self taught route was that I needed to narrow my focus and be more selective about who to learn from. I have specific teachers for the things I wish to learn and improve on. That and being able to give myself constructive criticism and to compare myself to myself first

[@stephentraversart]

Sounds like you’ve learnt a lot a lot. Thanks for sharing your experience 😀

[@samiyrah4244]

Immensely affirming video. Thank you! I've been an artist since childhood yet only attended a semester of art school. I'm now a psychotherapist attending KZbin University since 2020 to improve my watercolor skills. I've stuck with qnd feel great wanted to learn my about drawing with pen as when I've tried recently it ruined my watercolors. I have only been watching your videos for the past two months. Extremely helpful in understanding watch my challenges have been in not only understand perspective but how to create depth with pen. Thank you Thank you, thank you. No more bold one dimensional black lines. I listen our vides before work, like now. I'm running late. Then layer I watch the full video again. 🙏🏽🌷🌿

[@mocarver]

As a want to be, beginning drawer, you are spot on with how to get started and who to follow.

[@stephentraversart]

Great. All the best as you start this amazing journey. 😀

[@cinderblockstudios]

This is easily the best piece of advice I've ever heard from another artist on this platform! I hope more people find this!

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you. I’ve also just been told it was a waste of 20 minutes. Glad to hear the relevance and timing was better for you. 😉

[@abbyrudh1399]

i think every word he spoke was straight out explaining my situation and it baffles how relative it is to me

[@stephentraversart]

Wonderful to hear. Thanks. 😀

[@joannsmith9]

He was offering some very insightful information for those who have insight

[@stephentraversart]

I hope so. Thanks Joann 😀

[@yorkiemom4272]

I jumped into doing art full-time. I was trying to improve my skills, trying different mediums, choosing various subjects, and finding my style. I went from one thing to another. It's been almost a year, and I finally decided to stay with one medium, one subject, one style, and develop that. I seek videos specifically on this topic. It has cut down time and money and smoothed out my frenetic journey. This video is so good. It reinforces what I learned the hard way.

[@mg8642]

This is the stage I'm at. It's so hard to choose! 😅

[@barryduncan8555]

I've recently taken up sketching again. I also enrolled in the Urban Sketch Course. These are my goals. This is exactly what you have confirmed in this video. I want to improve my line drawings and learn watercolour painting and will hopefully stick to it. You are 100% correct about learning today. The amount of information can sometimes hinder your progress. Your channel is a great find for me. Many thanks

[@midnightopera]

I am a self-taught artist as well. And i was jumping from one book to another or one course to another. But lately i realized i needed to narrow down my studies to topics that i really want to improve on.

[@stephentraversart]

Sounds helpful to me. Thanks for sharing your experience 😀

[@midnightopera]

@@stephentraversart No problem. 😀

[@makingdifference9902]

It feels good that someone understands what I am going through😢. Thank you for creating this video ❤

[@stephentraversart]

It’s easy to assume others don’t struggle, but I’m sure we all have a lot in common in this area😀

[@emgjagogg]

This video is so very thoughtful and considerate! I have fallen into the trap of watching so many videos that probably don't relate to the skills I need to be developing because the artists are so good and/or their art is so extraordinary! After 3 years of binging various artists' videos, I have decided that strong drawing skills are what is going to help me create the kind of art I want to make. I am glad I found you!

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for sharing your experience here. Hope it’s going well for you. 😀

[@vanessalim2637]

Such an interesting video that all beginning self-taught artists should watch! I am self-taught myself and I find that you’ve summarized the problem of solo learning very well. I really wish you had released this video a few years earlier! That would have saved me lots of time.😅 Thanks for sharing your point of view Stephen!

[@stephentraversart]

I’m glad you’ve found my channel now Vanessa. Pleased to hear how you’ve been helped. 😀

[@TheMultiverseTraveller]

You worded my experience so well! I've been trying to get into art for half a year now, but I never seem to get better further than the basic shapes. It's only through watching this video that things suddenly clicked, and now I feel like I can actually progress! Thank you!

[@DennisCNolasco]

That's why I recommend in-depth books that cover the fundamentals instead of watching videos. Even some so-called video "courses" I've taken seem to be lackluster and was just made because it had a popular artist "teaching." For videos, the better courses are those that are built around a specific curriculum rather than just random stuff that seem cool to take.

[@stephentraversart]

A printed book can have a lot of benefits not as easy to find in videos. Thanks for sharing your experience Dennis. 😀

[@heatherh3457]

Absolutely. Once again such sage advise. I have spent almost 3 years searching out and critiquing art instruction videos in my quest to become a watercolour artist. So why do I feel so indebted to you for improving my art? Number 1: You give such sage advice about the process of learning to be a visual artist. Number 2: Your insight into teaching some baseline skills that every artist can benefit from such as perspective, effective mark making and values. I am constantly asking what have I learned from Stephen that will help me with this next step. Another of my favorite instructors has been essential in my understanding of composition and he is a oil painter. These things are essential no matter what the media so don't be afraid to go cross medias to learn the essentials. Thank you as always.❤

[@stephentraversart]

Wow. Now there’s a happy start to my day, reading this. Such kind words Heather, thank you. I’m so pleased you’ve found my videos so helpful in these ways. I’ve really only been drawing since mid 2018, but I painted in oils for 10 years before that - Australian trees and flowers. I was surprised when I began to draw how much things I had learnt through the painting were relevant to my drawing - especially line versus form, edges, creating effect, depth and values. I’m actually wanting to start watercolour - it teams up so well with drawing. Have all the stuff, just need to make time. The watercolour work of @stephanieabower inspires me. Worth a look on Instagram if you don’t know it. Thanks again, and all the best with your art.

[@heatherh3457]

@@stephentraversart Oh if you want to dive into watercolour one of my FAVORITE artists is Poppy Balser, a fellow Canadian. She is absolutely amazing! She paints plein air right through our 'difficult' weather conditions. Now that's dedication.😄 Peter Sheeler from the same area, Nova Scotia, does some really whimsical line and wash you might like. I look forward to seeing some pieces of yours.❤

[@shilpaswamy3610]

I'm learning perspective and basic drawing skills from these videos 😁 Heather I'm in the process of learning composition as well. Which artist is this?

[@heatherh3457]

@@shilpaswamy3610 It feels strange promoting him on Stephens site ( I hope you don't mind Stephen) but it's Ian Roberts. He is on KZbin and has two excellent books out.

[@shilpaswamy3610]

​@@heatherh3457 thanks a lot 🙏

[@lavanyaravichandran8456]

Thank u so much! Your video appeared on my feed just when I was getting overwhelmed about creating a module for myself! This calmed me down and made me focus on my present journey. I’m so grateful!

[@stephentraversart]

Glad I could help! I hope you check out some of my other vids. I have a playlist on this sort of advice for the self taught artist if you’re interested 😀

[@Bongobert]

On the topic of not mistaking skillfully made videos to be better… there‘s I think a relatively fine line between putting time and effort into all aspects of your craft, video editing included, and the whole thing beung smoke and mirrors to make you click. Because I think making good looking videos can show that you‘re someone who takes a lot of care and has a good eye for what looks good, which as an artist I‘d say is a pretty useful skill, but on the other hand, I‘ve met artists who couldn‘t care less about presentation but are actually the craziest designers I‘ve ever seen. It can be rough finding good materials, but it‘s not impossible. Also, a lot of people on art station if you ask them how they did certain things, they‘ll just straight up show you

[@stephentraversart]

Don’t disagree with you. Always nice to have the best of both if we can. And there’s also nothing wrong with watching more for entertainment than education, unless we don’t realise that’s what we’re doing. We all get to choose. Thanks for your thoughts 😀

[@Paintedtrout]

Sooo helpful to everyone. I sort of figured this out, I thought, but the hard way. This is a priceless video. Thank you, STEPHEN!

[@stephentraversart]

Well that’s great to hear. Thanks. It’s not always clear how useful the information will be when I plan it out, so it’s helpful to hear. 😀

[@annangel4828]

😮Stephen! God bless the KZbin algorithm! It thrusted your vid into my feed. I've been painting for a few years now, but I'm all over the place. I've done still life(botanical), landscape and attempted portrait. I needed to hear this. Thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you Ann. I’m just as pleased to have you aboard. All the best with your drawing journey 😀

[@Karina-winsmore]

You described my feelings perfectly. I started drawing very recently and at a very late age. No prior experience whatsoever, my school did not taught me anything as well. I found a tutorial series, aimed for complete beginners. Drawing straight lines, circles, boxex, building basic objects from boxes and so on. And when it was over - i was completely at loss what to do next. I searched was some more stuff, but it was too advance for me and only made me feel terrible and discouraged from proceeding further. Understading what i need to learn is hard. For now i stick mostly to redrawing other peoples art and trying to "learn to see", i click on a very few guides as they usually only make me confused and anxious. Marc Brunet was not helpful at all. He has entertaining videos that promises to teach you every thing in the world but he really only advertises his payed course.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I hope you manage to find resources that match your needs. 😀

[@NoctilucaBloom]

Hey Karina, I realise this comment is 6 months old and I hope you've been doing well on your art journey since. As someone who stopped drawing for years and then had to relearn most of what I knew, I felt your confusion. What eventually worked for me was sticking to pencils and pieces of different sized papers I stuck on a sketchboard. No colors, just finding objects with different textures and sketching them. Glass, metal, wood, plastic. Matte, shiny, transparent. Backlit, natural light, whatever you feel like. Nothing too complicated, especially in the beginning. Learning how light and textures should look and how to give that effect only using a pencil. It was frustrating at first, because I couldn't even tell properly what I should shade first and how hard I should do so. But once my hand got used to it it was very rewarding. And my eyes learned how to LOOK. I started out drawing twice a week and could definitely see a difference at the end of the month. My lines looked more confident, for one. I did this for about 6-7 weeks and made my sketches more complicated, sketching multiple objects together. Then I moved to human figures, as that was something I wanted to do, and it was very baffling again, because human bodies usually have smoother, rounder shapes. Now, I'm still working on those, I don't know for how long. There's no shortage of things to learn with so many poses to try and hands and faces, etc. Please take note that even though it's been years, I have drawn before. I do not know if this will help you at all, and everybody's timeline will differ. But since I was struggling with what to do first and it was keeping me from doing anything at all, I wanted to share. Good luck!

[@Karina-winsmore]

@@NoctilucaBloom thank you for the kind words! Although i havent learned almost anything in this 6 months and im ready to give up as drawing makes me even more sad 😄

[@coolrunnings3]

@@Karina-winsmoreWhy not try watercolour? I copy most of my paintings but I enjoy the painting process and often the result a lot! I do plan to learn drawing later though😊.

[@fulicious2991]

Maybe Marc Brunet isn't for you yet! Like Stephen said, if you'd like you can bookmark them for later when you do need them

[@dragnflei]

The “little of this, little of that” approach you talk about reminds me of a jr high/high school art course. They’re kind of overview courses and they’re designed to be that way, of course, but I always felt that my kids came away from them kind of muddled. I’m self taught. One of my issues is that I’m terrible about making a choice of where to focus 😬. I’m settled on one and ink now. I struggle with any shading method other than stippling and with ways to draw background elements like trees, so I know I need work there.

[@stephentraversart]

Have you seen my hatching playlist? It’s a way of thinking rather than patterns of marks. My trees playlist may help with the background trees. Or just look at my drawings of houses with trees behind them. Have fun. 😀

[@КекКок-м9б]

Не попадайтесь в ловушку Художника-самоучки! 00:00 Введение в проблему • Видео посвящено художникам-самоучкам и их проблемам. • Автор считает, что многие художники не чувствуют улучшения своих навыков. • Видео не предлагает пройти курс, а объясняет, как избежать ловушки. 00:51 Курсы и обучение • Курсы предоставляют структурированный и последовательный материал. • Навыки развиваются через логичный процесс, включая обратную связь от преподавателя. • Навыки разработки курса отличаются от навыков рисования. 02:46 Самостоятельное обучение • Художники-самоучки должны сами выбирать материалы, методы и техники. • Обратная связь ограничена самокритикой, что может демотивировать. • Важно научиться учиться раньше, чем рисовать. 04:42 Личный опыт автора • Автор избежал ловушки благодаря опыту преподавания. • Важно знать, какие ресурсы использовать и когда. • Переизбыток ресурсов может быть ошеломляющим и неорганизованным. 06:04 Проблемы с ресурсами • Видео и материалы в интернете могут быть противоречивыми и неорганизованными. • Качество обучающих материалов варьируется. • Художникам-самоучкам приходится принимать много решений о том, какие ресурсы использовать. 08:01 Как избежать ловушки • Важно четко фокусироваться на конечной цели. • Конкретные цели помогают выбрать лучшие материалы и методы. • Углубление в одну область рисования облегчает освоение других областей. 10:51 Конкретное обучение • Чем конкретнее обучение, тем легче найти важные и полезные материалы. • Двигайтесь от простого к сложному, чтобы эффективно переходить на следующий уровень. • Добавляйте полезные видео в закладки для будущего использования. 11:50 Выбор видео • Не смотрите видео, к которым не готовы, чтобы не ошибиться в своих способностях. • Работайте с ведущими видео, чтобы получить последовательный подход. • Избегайте постоянного изменения вида искусства, чтобы сосредоточиться на одном направлении. 13:20 Полезные советы • Используйте множество различных областей, но поверхностно. • Не путайте искусно сделанные видео с полезными для обучения рисованию. • Оценивайте видео по их полезности для вашего процесса обучения. 15:36 Советы и хитрости • Советы и хитрости могут быть полезны, но не всегда связаны с процессом рисования. • Используйте советы в контексте урока, чтобы лучше понять их применение. • Практикуйте использование советов на своих рисунках. 17:01 Обратная связь • Художникам-самоучкам важно критически оценивать свои работы. • Используйте конструктивную обратную связь от друзей или семьи. • Обратная связь помогает улучшить рисунки и сосредоточиться на правильном направлении. 18:45 Эффективность обучения • Учитесь не только рисовать, но и учиться. • Выбирайте полезные ресурсы для достижения конечных целей. • Сосредоточьтесь на процессе обучения, чтобы избежать случайных и разрозненных подходов. 20:14 Заключение • Рисование должно приносить удовольствие. • Используйте доступные онлайн-ресурсы с умом, чтобы избежать ловушек. • Продолжайте учиться и развиваться, несмотря на трудности.

[@fatherburning358]

Im just finishing a cert 3 course totally unrelated to my art. You are absolutely correct. I feel im ready to be a productive student just now, 6 months later. It has improved what content i actually consume because im approaching my self taught learning with focus. Last couple of months has been compositition mainly with values in addition. I have been learning productively and effectively. Thanks very much for confirming what ive just learnt. 😊

[@stephentraversart]

Wonderful! Glad to give you confidence. 😀

[@helenalimo3133]

Thank you, that was very helpful. Now, I'll try to finish the drawing book I bought first and move on to new topics later. I hope this will speed things up.

[@juliansw239]

I love your Tshirt Stephen 🙂 Wise advices, it s so easy to wander in our own art journey instead of focusing on acquiring a skill

[@stephentraversart]

In the end, it all depends where we want to end up in terms of our drawing. But this is how I've ended up in the place I'm in. :)

[@soulfulladiti]

This advice is exactly what I needed because I just started my art journey and I subscribe to any channels that i see are related to art and followed so many artists and it is all so overwhelming like where to exactly start and what I want my end goal to be and all. thanks for this video very much😊

[@stephentraversart]

Glad you found my channel. All the best with your drawing journey 😀

[@fulicious2991]

Great video! It gave me a lot of food for thought

[@stephentraversart]

Wonderful 👏😀

[@elizabethlang3022]

Super helpful, interesting vid, Stephen! Thanks for the time and effort you put into it. It's so easy to jump around and get lost in the data seas. Great advice to choose just a few folks / sources and stick with them while focusing on learning how to draw just a one or two types of subjects. Then expand from there. Cheers ~

[@Babyjohn8170]

Wow! So powerful and true. That explains a lot. Thank you for sharing.

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it made such sense to you. All the best with your drawing 😀

[@Michael-lq5di]

Self taught artist is the TRUE creative 🎉

[@stephentraversart]

We often need to trust our own creative instincts more 😀

[@lizporter4700]

I trained in a different profession and then was involved in long term training of others. I did do the internet ‘lost years’ surfing Ytube to learn to draw and paint, but made halting progress. Then I checked curriculums of art schools at ateliers. I then created a curriculum for two years and sought out instruction from good quality content creators. I agree that minimising the number of people you learn from is the most efficient way to begin with. This has been invaluable. I also understood how I learn and choose people who reflect that. I ensure I have access to regular critiques from professional artists in a similar style to the one I naturally lean towards. It needs personal discipline but I have made steady progress. So this video is excellent advice.

[@kirya7177]

I've been trying to learn to draw on my own for a year and I came to many same conclusions in this video. It's so important to actually decide what and HOW you want to draw and it took me so much time to finally answer this question. Before that I was watching various videos on "how to draw..." and while I gained some knowledge - it wasn't as consistant as I hoped Now I've decided to learn how to use ink and pencil and apply it in my digital art. Thank you for such an informative video !

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it resonated with you Kirya

[@lilybay1]

Thank you for the reminder that you have playlists available on your channel. Yup, I’ve been jumping around finding instruction here and there. No consistent logical pathway. Keep repeated learned material and not progressing. I’m sure the playlists will lead me forward

[@stephentraversart]

Fantastic Lily. All the best with it. 😀

[@KhasAdun1990]

This makes a lot more sense to me than drawing various simple things every day. Draw what you want, getting more advanced as your skills progress.

[@stephentraversart]

Makes a lot of sense to me. Thanks for sharing. 😀

[@hdx6167]

This is a very helpful vid for me, trying to figure out my style for a long time. This is gonna be a new start for me. Thank you so much..

[@stephentraversart]

Really pleased to hear this. All the best with the new start. 😀

[@StarContract]

This video contains universal information that can be applied to mastering a wide variety of skills, from drawing to even skateboarding

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks. Although I think I’ll stick to drawing 😆

[@Laura-dw4yo]

I am so glad I found your channel! I love how you explain things. Do you have a playlist that takes complete beginners through the fundamentals?

[@rrochi8539]

I appreciate the advice, practical amd helpful thank you

[@stephentraversart]

Just what I like. Thanks. 😀

[@mingulay29]

What you say was definitely true before the age of the internet. But now we have some great artists showing us how they paint, step by step. And classes depend very much on the teacher. If I went to a class given by the esteemed artist Ian Roberts I would come away thinking shape is everything in art, while mood and atmosphere are vital elements for me. Therefore I can seek out my teacher, the one who resonates with me and who I can learn from.

[@stephentraversart]

Yes, it can happen like this. But not everyone is in a position to assess if a given teacher is suitable for what they are wanting, or even be aware of the need and importance of it. Alerting people to this who might benefit from knowing it was my purpose. Thanks for adding your thoughts. 😀

[@jobjehaaijman1871]

I think it is also very important if someone knows its own learning style. For me it is ok to look around, see many videos and it feels like traveling around and gathering ideas. I just take pieces of what I see with me in my mind. During my creative proces when I have an idea where to go and then there are moment these things come back and help me. I have never liked fully organized journeys or courses that decide for me how I should learn, built up skills. It hardly ever fits the way my brain processes information.

[@stephentraversart]

Of course we should choose the journey which most gives to us what we are wanting to achieve. There is no best path, just best for each of us individually. You sound in a good spot with it all. 😀

[@katemccarthy2463]

This is so on point. I' fit this category big-time. Thank you for this video

[@stephentraversart]

I hope it helps you move forward. 😀

[@currentlyplayingmorrowind3167]

I can't believe I've only just been reccommended this video, it is so relevant to what I'm going through. I have struggled with improvement for such a long time and that is because I wasn't aware of how to learn in and of itself, part of learning art is learning how to educate yourself and how to use the tools in your toolbox, unfortunately I still struggle, I still think my art is awful and the conflicting art advice is so difficult to get around, there is also very little criticism you can get even if you join spaces that are predominantly for that, because even if your art is bad the consensus is to always be kind and that unfortunately clouds peoples judgment, even when asking for very harsh criticism I wasn't able to get very much out of it at all because it was sadly sugarcoated in order to not hurt my feelings, and if it's not this kind of situation it's just that there are not enough people who are skilled enough to give you the advice that is personalized for your current issues. A good teacher knows where their student is lacking, social groups don't have that kind of awareness and it's why people pay for the courses, because the feedback you get is personalized to your specific issues. When you were talking about the conflicting information and thinking something is wrong with you... I really felt that, that's what I always default to. I have autism and ADHD and so I always tend to think that either I am too stupid or not intelligent enough or normal enough to understand the material and I always felt like it was an issue within myself, I still have these thoughts and very often, because I can't find what I need or be a good enough judge of my own work to improve. Unfortunately for me, art is always going to be a consistent painful struggle, I will still go through it because I love art and it's innate. There are not enough resources for people with autism or ADHD who have these struggles that are clear and straightforward, the main things I struggle with are perspective and foreshortening, because the reference material and videos are almost never straightforward, even after 8 years I still have no concept of what 1 point, 2 point and 3 point mean. I still don't understand foreshortening.... because it's not explained well, it's not simplified in a way that people with these learning disabilities can understand, but it's my goal to understand them and simplify them beyond what is given so that I can go on to teaching others and helping them overcome those struggles that I have had to face.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for sharing your experience. A lot of perspective videos (most?) teach in a way that may be suitable for architecture, but not for artists having to draw it in real life environments, not boxes on flat ground. And they never tell you what they haven’t told you, so you think you should understand it all when you haven’t had it all explained. My perspective playlists may help with this. But draw what you love, and then it will always be a pleasurable experience 😀

[@surfbirdie5759]

I made a curriculum for my art class of one after watching this, thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

Well done. And you’ll always come top of your class. Congratulations Birdie 😀

[@lizleiart]

Thanks Stephen, I'm listening to your back catalogue of videos to drown out the awful gym music - the ones like this are sooo useful to me. I am that person that collects tutorial videos like it's my job 😅. But after a year or so, I realise that I definitely need to stick to only a few artists otherwise I don't really get deeper than 5 tips for this or that. I thought I had found a course on drawing figures, but I think it's too advanced (even though they say it's for beginners), so I'm going back to the other course 😂 and sticking it out. Plus getting back to life drawing which actually was really helpful in getting rid of perfectionism. Thanks for these and keep doing them - with or without the mike 😂

[@stephentraversart]

I have a playlist on this sort of thing for the self taught artist. If you haven’t found it, it’s a good way to locate these videos of mine quickly. Glad they serve such a range of issues for you. 😆

[@lizleiart]

@@stephentraversart thank you Stephen. Woo plenty to watch! ☺️

[@Trid3nt861]

As a self taught artist I am always trying to improve, constructive critique is always appreciated. I find blind praise to make me uncomfortable as I am always striving to improve.

[@stephentraversart]

Getting accurate focus for what we’re about to do is so important 😀

[@krzysztofmathews738]

Some excellent thoughts, and well said.

[@tabaldak5184]

I totally appreciate you. I have learned so much.

[@stephentraversart]

So great to hear. All the best with it. 😀

[@suzannestevens8257]

You're an excellent teacher! Thanks.

[@stephentraversart]

That’s kind of you to say Suzanne. Thanks 😀

[@andersenjart]

Follow your heart, listen to your gut, move forward. Thank you for the advice. Really helpful.

[@stephentraversart]

And try and get a few early nights. Thanks for your thoughts. 😀

[@ConfuzzledOwO]

Ive taken quite a bit of classes but despite that i still consider myself self taught because ive never been the kind of person who could understand something by someone telling me. Usually i learn alot more through experimentation, and what someone told me only really clicks with me once ive figured it out myself years later 😂

[@stephentraversart]

If we find out what works for us, we’re on a good path. All the best with it. 😀

[@mattherman6189]

Be a self-taught teacher and then a self-taught artist. Then self-teach yourself to be a good student! Research, direct observation, emotional/motivational intelligence, and most of all common sense. Apply these to all three... and you've got a chance. No teacher is going to "fix you"!

[@stephentraversart]

No, but if you’re not careful some teachers can mess you up. 😀

[@onionpainter]

great video! 👍

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for watching! 😀

[@dorothygladsjo3510]

Well, hmmm I have been watching various artists and just picking the parts that excite and inspire me….

[@stephentraversart]

Of course, if that gives you the drawing results you want, keep at it!😀

[@Rumi1028]

Very interesting, in a way you are right and wrong too. I trained as a architect studied Urban designed and worked as a landscape architect and an urban designer, now i have taken an interest in urban sketching so i watch your videos as they contains a lot of architectural content and other watercolour artists who i feel will help me get to what im seeking and this is a interesting challenge, Im critical of my work but it dosent pull me down. as i know i have improved in the last 6 months Most of my work is archetectural but i have improved my plant and portrait drawing skills too. Most importantly while a course may helo me in some aspects but need not necessarily give me what im looking for. In the end im confident in my direction, however what may help me is if someone like yourself looks at what im doing and suggest ways to improve. Thanks is you get to read and respond to my concerns.

[@stephentraversart]

It’s great that you’re pushing yourself into new directions Jalal, especially when you have such a strong foundation as architecture. I’m not completely sure what you are asking, but I do give individual critiquing sessions, but I have to charge for these. If this this is what you are interested in are you able to send me a DM on my Instagram account and I can give you the details.

[@LenaMarita]

I wish I found your videos years ago. I have wasted so much time on acrylic, watercolor and abstract painting clips. Just as you warn... Have bought lots of expensive artist supplies over the years.... just to copy other people's work. Now I only follow you😅😊

[@stephentraversart]

I’m honoured Lena, thank you. I hope a more focused approach proves very fruitful for your artistic improvement 😀

[@zakariatalukdar2552]

This is not just a self taught artists trap it's more than that. This should be generalised to other fields as well

[@stephentraversart]

It certainly applies to anything we are learning. 😀

[@zakariatalukdar2552]

@@stephentraversart thank you so much sir. These advices we get in your channel are very fatherly man-making advices

[@MrPaulOnion]

Loved the realization at 14:37 had me genuinely laughing

[@stephentraversart]

Me too! What a terrible edit and sound that video has, just listening to a bit again. I’ll have to try and learn some new skills there and get some new gear I think. 🫣

[@ameliamay5246]

I found this channel recently and everything just sort of clicked for me. in the parts of the Internet i frequent, there's a focus on character design and portraits but that just doesn't appeal to me. Your art has been a huge inspiration for me to focus my efforts on what i genuinely enjoy drawing, that being architecture, and the past few weeks have been the most fun ive ever had making art. thank you so much for all this amazing content!

[@stephentraversart]

What a wonderful and satisfying comment to read Amelia. Thank you for sharing your experience here. I’m sure there’s even more fun ahead for you. 😀

[@raymondelf7520]

best artist are mostly self taught most university artist are robotic and mostly the same if teachers see your very good they will put you down nost of the time self taught artist do not have theses problems the most original artist in comics to fine art are self taught as they dont have someone telling them if its right or wrong they correct these things then selves to be come even better artist university's are a business self taught is a way of life

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks for your thoughts Raymond😀

[@foreverkurome]

Learning smart is really important. It's no good spending your time doing things that don't advance any skill that pertains to the thing you're trying to teach yourself. I can draw some basic lineart now and I did it by a combination of drawing a bunch of hard to follow curved lines to gain better control cus I needed that for clean lines and looking at 100s of different shapes and tried to find where they break down, like where the curves can be split up, didn't make any sense to me at all I just saw meaningless blobs so I stopped that and I started with ultra basic stuff like breaking down a single straight line which obviously doesn't break down to anything but infinite points or a bunch of smaller straight lines. Then I went into a square breaking that down to 4 lines then I was like "well really that's a rectangle so yeah" then I went into a cube and thought "how tf does this break down apart from 6 squares, that's my math intuition but this is art" so I took a 2 week break then went back to a square and noticed I could do a better breakdown by saying it's two right triangles, this doesn't really help me with my lineart form but ok I obtained diagonal lines from something I previously only considered as a bunch of right angles. Then I decided to draw an arc from one of the right triangles of the rectangle I'd already got and thought "well that kinda looks weird, that's not so uniform... Like my lines should be eventually" messed around with copy and paste for fun and after some hours decided to paste my arc containing rectangle around the place saw that I had a really eccentric ellipse, looked around my room and started seeing a lot of the nonlinear objects in my room contained at least a portion of this ellipse i had. My dresser e.g. Had rounded corners which was kinda similar to the edges of my ellipse. Then thought "ok so ellipse could be quite key if I can see it in a lot of things. Eventually after a lot of this I arrived at "well ellipse are great but they're still symmetrical which is artificial not organic. If I want organic then making the ellipse an egg would be good and in reality nothing stands perfectly central so I should also rotate the ellipse but really my ellipse is already egg because a human an ellipse cannot be drawn ever" After that went back to my cube and noticed I could get it by dragging my square and if I spin a cube I'll get a cylinder and "a cylinder is kinda like a leg or a stool... Well actually a lot of things around me are somewhat cylindrical but. Finally arrived at stuff like "if I take two ellipse and connect them using hyperbolic curves I'll get a hyperboloid which looks lot like a simple torso, I can vary the curvature of the connection and I'll get more male than female as I decrease and increase respectively then I looks at my uncropped profile image and thought "well my waifus body kinda looks like two merged hyperboloids and the rest of her looks a bit like a tracteroid but this is anime form so I should take care Uhm yeah anyway i guess what I learned from doing this is that 1. "this reminds me of topology" 2. When you're trying to make things look organic keep trying to abstract away from symmetry and 3. When breaking down an object, break it down into manageable chunks that simplify the shape but that also don't take away from its definition. Now I can draw a little bit of lineart and understand how objects break down. I also found some beauty in it to an extent because I found that much of the junk I drew like hyperboloids, ellipse, ovoids and cuboids was actually in the stuff I previously considered as blobs. Someone gave me some old books on construction some months after this and I noticed these shapes, especially the ovoid ellipse and hyperboloid were actually in many of the examples! The rotated forms of these were also in the examples regarding drawing in perspective. That's the best thing about teaching yourself something; when you eventually come across material that shows the same stuff you taught yourself because it means you actually taught yourself correctly. Next I want to learn some shading and how to do the stuff I taught myself on the computer because my digital art is beyond terrible. But yeah, wanted to share that.

[@applesauceandhoney2407]

Great so I am going all over the place and not getting perspective, composition and vanishing points at all! So now....I choose you . I am going to start fresh. Which playlist should a beginner watch? How long to keep watching and when to turn off the watching and practice on my own? To just draw over and over cubes/box's or try to print simple landscapes to practice perceptive? better to draw from real life ( like my living room couch or outside) or a printed photo? I end up watching a ton and not drawing so much because it does not seem to translate and I feel bad about iitI know it is a lot of questions !! THANK YOU

[@stephentraversart]

I have a playlist of ten perspective videos which I think covers a good range of perspectives topics. There are actually 12 on it. I would recommend watch each one through first, just concentrating on it. Then practice afterwards. 😀

[@applesauceandhoney2407]

@@stephentraversart I watched them all!! and some twice! Now I think I just need to sit and draw and try. ALthough when I try I get so frustrated by how it turns out as it looks all wrong. SOmething is not translating still.

[@applesauceandhoney2407]

Just keep going? Try to find a course? Use reference image or go into real life and just keep going?

[@isabelleg9118]

I suggest starting a sketchbook. Try sketching school videos to get started. A daily practice makes sense in learning

[@applesauceandhoney2407]

@@isabelleg9118 ty

[@ichirofakename]

Content starts at 9:05.

[@katefarmerpallotta9710]

Very helpful for me, thank you

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure Kate. 😀

[@juanlebron1898]

I think there is a caveat to the suggestions in the video. If you are a beginner, it's hard to know your goals because you haven't even experimented with materials enough to know what you enjoy. I think beginners should feel freedom in experimentation and play to find out what they like to do in the first place.

[@stephentraversart]

Absolutely. But my caveat on the caveat is that beginners can fall into habits, such as copying other drawings, that they don't realise won't help them draw original drawings, which I think is more often the intention. Thanks for sharing

[@juanlebron1898]

VERY true. In fact, that exact thing happened to me the first time I tried to learn drawing. I only did technical studies and didn't think about drawing from imagination. This works for what some artists want to do, but not for what I wanted. It made the whole experience very stale and tedious. Now, I do a 50/50 split between studies and personal projects and I couldn't be happier.

[@AlaskaCulmone]

Love your videos. Will you be coming out with an online course?

[@stephentraversart]

I’ve answered the copy of this question 😀

[@atoqdemon]

Amazing video very helpfull for all of us you have a new subcriber and also i have a question. Did you recomend to use books for learning art, do you think that everything you said can be aplied to books ?, the book im studing is "How to Draw" from Scott Roberson (is a perspective book), wish you a very good day and thanks for this video ❤

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you, sorry, I haven’t used any books myself. But I think it generally applies to all teaching inputs. And don’t minimise your own intuition in what you might do. 😀

[@PatsyBaconcrumb]

So! Pick what you want to learn.....

[@stephentraversart]

It usually works best to focus on one area at a while when we’re starting off. 😀

[@dibujarselo3026]

Muy buenos consejos, gracias.

[@stephentraversart]

De nada 😀

[@patsysirmanart6956]

I enjoyed this video. Excellent points to consider. I have wondered what exactly self taught actually meant. I'm still not sure. What is the opposite of self taught?

[@stephentraversart]

The opposite is being formally trained through organised classes in some sort of course which steps through a curriculum 😀

[@patsysirmanart6956]

@@stephentraversart ah...I understand. However, it seems to me that no matter the source, we always have a teacher moving us forward so self taught is not really an accurate descriptor. You have taught me things that I may never have stumbled upon on my own. Teachers can teach but learning is our own responsibility. But, we need teachers so we can learn. Thank you for your reply.

[@rafriedman]

Well said! Brilliant!

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks you.

[@PatMcDonald41]

Thank you, excellent

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was helpful Pat

[@NancyParsons-y3g]

There are several folks on YT teaching “loose” drawing and painting; particularly called “Urban Art”. It encourages a lack of straight lines; opting for an image that has the impression of the subject. Some is good, others verge on the edge of cartoons. I want accuracy, but not architectural technical accuracy. I’m very confused about how to come up in between the two styles. I’m not moved by abstract art. Any suggestions.

[@stephentraversart]

I think what you want describes my drawing style, so why not watch more of my videos? My more recent ones also contain more of my understanding of the drawing process which I think you’d find interesting. All the best with it Nancy. 😀

[@mariecarnogurskymn6817]

I disagree with some of this. I think switching up your teachers and techniques, even if those teachers and techniques may contradict each other, is the best way to learn drawing because it allows you to draw inspiration from a number of sources and cultivate your own unique style. I think the biggest trap of a self-taught artist is just that - not drawing inspiration from outside sources and not having anyone to give you feedback

[@stephentraversart]

Feedback is vital. But if we have no drawing class teacher we have to do it ourselves as best we can. Exposure to different techniques and styles and ways of thinking king is great - but not for the beginner. Once we find our own natural starting point - which of course differs for each of us, it can be helpful. But at the start we lack the skill and understanding (in most cases) to not just get confused. I have videos on how to use the work of other artists in a helpful way. Thanks for your thoughts. 😀

[@nkyw255]

Thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

You’re Welcome. 😀

[@justintanner2389]

Thanks!

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was helpful Justin. I appreciate the SuperThanks 😀

[@syg5999]

I love how you realize the mic wasnt properly set up in one clip then like a minute later after adjusting it it cuts to a clip where you do it again hahaha

[@stephentraversart]

I hope I’m better at teaching and drawing than at editing 🤣

[@syg5999]

​@stephentraversart you absolutely gave some very valuable insight into what I and many others likely struggle with in art and being self taught. This video has definitely made me realize that my approach might be the issue and the first step to fixing that would be actually knowing the issue. Thank you! :)

[@Michael-lq5di]

Teaching is but someone's opinion they want to convince they believe is the only way

[@stephentraversart]

I don’t agree at all. I’m forever saying in my videos that this is ONE way, that there are no rules, that we should draw however we need to, in order create the drawing we want. 😀

[@boudica3356]

Art is art.

[@celanvaril6200]

?

[@Creepo_J]

Thanks

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure 😀

[@anette-ze1sf]

"ahh, this is rubbish, I'm hopeless"...how did You know?

[@stephentraversart]

Because we all know what it is to be human!😀

[@fjohnson-o4t]

At first i wa "oh god another clickbaity title" but later i was "golden advice".

[@stephentraversart]

Haha. Glad it delivered for you. 😀

[@AlexBrown-js2gx]

You sound like Ash from brawl stars. He’s one of my favorite characters and “rubbish” is used a lot in his lines

[@ms.pirate]

So, your saying I should go too art "school" and go into 100,000 dollars in dept?

[@stephentraversart]

Not at all. I never did. I’m self taught, and I share ( for free) the things I have discovered that have helped me in my drawing journey. Some of them may help you. But I’m saying as a self taught artist I need to do for myself the things a teacher would do if I were taking a course. As a trained English/history teacher I have some experience of the functions of a teacher which I can now apply to learning drawing - firstly for myself. What I think has been helpful, I share with you. 😀

[@Jerry12533]

i think the most harmful online art sutdy gide is people who allways have that grinde set on perfect pratice. or the fastase way to improve

[@CradleGamer]

Sir, I don't have enough money to buy your course.😢😢😢

[@CradleGamer]

Plzzz.... Help me, I much interested to learn fine art 😢😢😢

[@stephentraversart]

My course is not freehand drawing, but uses grids. Try looking at my playlists to help find the videos most helpful. 😀

[@CradleGamer]

@@stephentraversart ok sir