Do These Drawing Techniques Undermine Your Drawing?

[@stephentraversart]

These are two unhelpful habits you can get out of and improve your drawing immensely! Remember the LIKE Button if its helpful.

[@TheMightyPika]

Learning not to draw in symbols has been a difficult and humbling experience.

[@stephentraversart]

I’m sure it will also be worthwhile and productive for you all the best with your drawing 😀

[@bradzaruba9686]

a 28-minute Master Class. Thank you, Stephen

[@stephentraversart]

Glad you think so. Thanks 😀

[@suzannestevens8257]

You're an excellent teacher.

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Suzanne 😀

I stopped drawing when I was 20. Now after 30 years I decided to learn to draw and I'm loving your channel. Amazing one!!!!

[@stephentraversart]

That's awesome! All the best with it in the future.

[@fabianmendozap]

Reminds me a lot to the "drawing on the right side of the brain" theory from Betty Edwards' book. Icon-Pattern drawing is a strong signature of left-side drawing, being the one that's more logical, making decisions based on efficiency, taking "shortcuts", you see it is pretty common in cartoonish styles mostly. The right-side focuses on detail, and things just as the eyes are actually perceiving them, and you try to get as close as possible to that keeping in mind the features you mentioned, like perspective, foreshortening, distance effect, and such; but still not aiming to extreme realism at the end. That's the charm of drawing!

[@stephentraversart]

Yes, these things don’t just look cartoonish, I think that’s their origin. Childhood cartoon watching and drawing. 😀

[@bradzaruba9686]

I have read the book and am certain that is how I draw.

[@ShirleyMcMahon-f4r]

An excellent book. New information though is that the brain works more in unison rather than complete left and right purposes.

Well remembered book! I'm gonna read it again

[@milehighslacker4196]

This book revolutionized my drawing. I need to practice it more. Steven's approach is masterful as well!

[@gregrobinson3163]

Love to see more of you drawing in real time rather than being sped up

[@stephentraversart]

I have a real time drawing playlist and some of my live videos are real time drawing as well. Have you seen them?

[@PaintingandExercise]

You can slow them down on KZbin settings. Use the "gear" icon.

[@Cannibal.]

Just as important as teaching how to draw. Is teaching things to avoid doing. Thank you for this.

[@stephentraversart]

You're very welcome😀

[@suneetakulkarni7616]

Superbly explained and exemplified. Beautiful examples!

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was helpful!😀

[@i_do_notconsent4968]

You busted out my grass, lol. This video made me chuckle, over and over. GREAT lesson!

[@stephentraversart]

Haha. My pleasure. 😀

[@annette8400]

Another tough-love video, and I WILL strive to do better work! Thank you, Stephen!

[@stephentraversart]

All the best and remember to have fun with it as well. 😀

[@ranjancse26]

Thank you, Stephen, for your valuable lessons for representing the effect. You have literally uncovered the whole new possibilities for the artist to focus

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was helpful!😀

[@cesarvides9729]

You're absolutely right. For realistic drawings, people should avoid symbol drawing. However, this style of drawing is extremely effective and charming when employed for more of an illustration style.

[@stephentraversart]

Of course. I have to make an assumption that people watching my videos want to draw realistically or I’d never be able to say anything clearly. 😀

[@cesarvides9729]

@@stephentraversart and then you've got over thinkers like me who can't decide what style they want to focus on. Love all your videos, by the way. You've got a great way of teaching and a very pleasant voice.

[@gillesker]

Actually into the animation and graphic design industry, a lot of style are based upon symbols to avoid being too realistic. Illustrators try to invent their own symbols to get an original style and their own graphic language. This is super interesting because I come from the graphic design and animation world, I’m self taught and I come back to realistic drawings just as a hobby and personal artistic development. So many stuff to unlearn.

[@debilita9999]

This is the MOST HELPFUL video from you Stephen. With the perfect examples. Thank you, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[@stephentraversart]

That’s great to hear. Thanks 😀

[@debilita9999]

@@stephentraversart I think ive finally understood (hopefully in full) the "draw the effect" thanks to these examples. Truly was a hurdle for years for me. the last bottleneck preventing me to soar. truly thanks.

[@Nocturius_Fi-Core]

Thanks for that video! As someone who draw mostly from imagination, patterns and symbols are easy traps. With your clear explanation, I will be more aware of it!

[@stephentraversart]

Exactly my hope from the video. All the best with it. 👏👏👏

[@tinyfacemcgee9211]

What a fabulous video! While you were on vacay I backslipped into symbols! Now I’m back on track. Thank you thank you. I love it when you outline bad drawing techniques, it really helps a lot. We don’t know what we don’t know but we know it looks bad💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@stephentraversart]

Exactly what I hope to hear about my videos. Thanks for letting me know. Wish it were vacay!😀

[@karincarter4962]

This was super helpful ! Thank you !

[@stephentraversart]

Excellent Karin. My pleasure 😀

[@CallMeCJorDandy]

Thanks ! this helped me understand a little bit more , keywords i will remember is: Suggestive and simple ✍

[@stephentraversart]

Excellent. Glad it was helpful 😀

[@verdedoodleduck]

Thank you! Nice subject. Very useful examples of abstraction. A first for me - I actually saw a couple of necks you drew. :)

[@stephentraversart]

Haha. A moment of weakness!😆

[@nikkiwells1688]

Enlightening 😮

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Nikki 😀

[@dibujarselo3026]

Muy bueno, gracias,

[@jayasingh2739]

Thanks for the lesson 🙏

[@stephentraversart]

You’re welcome 😀

[@tinahogg20]

Excellent advice! Thank you!

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks Tina😀

[@MrThaeron]

So now I understand a little bit why when I used a vector-based app to draw on the ipad I was confused. I'm just a pencil/ink on whatever paper dabbler so your 'draw the effect' or the impression of the scene is what I strive towards. With your comparison to drawing the "symbolic" representation and then filling it with a pattern that turned on a lightbulb which resulted in so many concepts with which I had recently struggled falling into place. I look forward to your videos, though I've only recently subscribed. Your output and content show you are very passionate about not only the artistic work but the philosophy behind what we are doing and why we are doing it.

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you. Glad you have found my videos helpful 😀

[@SherryVardabasso]

Excellent!

[@stephentraversart]

Many thanks!😀

[@elizabethbarnes3969]

Very very helpful. Thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

Happy to oblige. 😀

[@kathyschick5023]

Very useful. Thanks!

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure 😀

[@exmoorbeastie]

Really interesting and helpful Stephen, thanks a lot!

[@stephentraversart]

Great to hear, thanks. 😀

[@samankucher5117]

awesome advice thank you 🙏🏻

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it’s helpful for you 😀

[@Jaxplode]

Great explanation!

[@stephentraversart]

Glad it was helpful!😀

[@C4D00]

Obrigado pela partilha e parabéns pelo vídeo!

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks 😀

[@madurandoafuerza6122]

Someone has to say it and you did. Thank you. Amazing video

[@stephentraversart]

I appreciate that! Thanks 😀

[@SepulvedaBoulevard]

Thanks! I needed this😀

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure Vera. 😀

[@Robinia77]

Can I know what pen do you use in you different videos ? Thanks

[@stephentraversart]

I use Copic Multiliners for the line work, and Copic Sketchmarkers for the tone, using the brush end, not the chisel end. I use Neutral Grey colour for the tone, usually 4-6 tones each drawing. The markers are refillable and the pens can have their ink cartridges and nibs replaced. I mostly desaturate the colour when I post to make the tone look more even. Occasionally I use Mitsubishi Uniballs when I’m drawing diagrams to illustrate a technique or theory. 😀

[@13megaprime]

Just started watching your videos, very good techniques. I'm having trouble 'translating' what i see in my reference and what 'effect' i should chose. Especially when the reference has a lot of complication, such as the scenes you show at the 24 minute mark. Do you have any videos or advice that i can use to help bridge that gap? Efect drawing is a new technique and i want to make meaningful practice

[@LukeSeed]

He has a lot of videos that detail how he gets various effects. A synopsis might be using marks to represent values and perhaps, when appropriate, a small accurate section to illustrate and suggest the detail that the rest of the marks are representing. How close was that Stephen?

[@stephentraversart]

I have a whole playlist which show different subjects drawn detailing the creation of this effect. Here’s a link: kzbin.info/aero/PLwjv2r1KZs1RdXpapYftk9ajpX4uq5BeS&si=iBaOFXt1oz8GJM8Z

[@stephentraversart]

kzbin.info/aero/PLwjv2r1KZs1RdXpapYftk9ajpX4uq5BeS&si=iBaOFXt1oz8GJM8Z I’d say, ‘My playlist on this topic will show yo’😀

[@stephentraversart]

And as well, every drawing in this video has another video just on drawing that particular drawing. So you could look through my thumbnails until you see the drawing you want more detail about. 😀

[@13megaprime]

@@stephentraversart excellent, thank you!

[@Trid3nt861]

I am trying to draw reference poses upside down as it helps to let my right brain hemisphere work. The Right Side Of The Brain book taught me that

[@stephentraversart]

It’s a great way to improve our observation skills. And a bit of extra fun as well. All the best with your drawing 😀

[@sutil5078]

I notice that ink drawing can easily be heavy handed, more than ball point or pencil drawings.. I think it is because the range of tone is limited to strong tone.. so I think less is more when it comes to ink so things pop out more.. any thought?

[@stephentraversart]

Variation in line from the one pen is not as easy. Choosing the best pen(s) for a drawing is important. I often change the one I thought after a minute’s experimenting with marks on a scrap of paper before I start. 😀

[@ObsessedwithZelda2]

I wonder how to take these concepts into color though, especially with rendered art... anyone know good artists to look at for examples?

[@stephentraversart]

I’m afraid I have no experience with digital art at all. ☹️

[@megwelhehe8299]

Thank you stephen for your drawing videos it really helps me alot since im a self-taught. It improves my observation on what is important to capture and translate it into drawing.

[@stephentraversart]

Great to hear Meg. All the best with your drawing 😀

[@DavidJoyal]

"Evergreen trees" are actually the same as fir trees or pine trees, trees that lose their leaves (hardwoods like Oak) are called "deciduous trees." Otherwise, great video!

[@stephentraversart]

Thanks David. In Australia most of our trees are neither pines or firs nor deciduous. I’m sure we are a little more relaxed with how we throw around tree terms because of this. Appreciate your clarification 😀

[@DavidJoyal]

@@stephentraversart No worries Mate! I didn't even realize you were from Australia.

[@mittenista]

I got a bit confused because you were saying evergreen when, I think, you meant deciduous. That said, this is so incredibly helpful. You inspired me to break out of my rut and start drawing again

[@stephentraversart]

I could easily have said that. Might be safest just to look at the pictures!😆

[@JTonyArts]

This is gatekeeping.

[@stephentraversart]

Sorry, I don’t understand 🤔

[@klondike3112]

Gatekeeping what, exactly?

[@JTonyArts]

@@klondike3112 gatekeeping, without context, that one technique is inherently, objectively better than another one. Technique and style are to be chosen as best fitting a context. Patterns and symbols are super in many drawing contexts, and saying you should avoid them at all costs is a subjective statement spoken as an objective truth. It is obvious. One style does not fit all, and clickbaiting is beneath our host’s work.

[@JTonyArts]

@@stephentraversartobviously you don’t understand.

[@klondike3112]

@@JTonyArts This video is clearly a tutorial for new artists, wondering why the bricks on their buildings look wonky or why they struggle with their trees all looking too dark and scribbly. This artist mainly does realistic architectural drawings on this channel, so most of his tutorials are made with that in consideration. If you create more stylized art with the conscious, intentional use of patterns and symbols, great for you and keep doing it. Regardless, they can and will negatively affect the appearance of a drawing. That pretentious, boisterous attitude is not welcome here.