What I Learned From My Early Sketchbooks

Here's a look at my sketchbooks from 2010 to 2016. There are some tips and also things I've learned from the few years of sketching.
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[@Coananlover]

'Lousy Sketches' *pulls out a work of art and scoffs* Your art is astounding.

[@XiaoFeng895]

Little Mac For hobby I do calligraphy and design with chinese and english characters. I also think that my calligraphy is not good.Yet my friends think my calligraphy is good. Maybe that is because they dont do calligraphy drawing but i feel that i can always keep improving my art.

[@XiaoFeng895]

Little Mac Having a sense that you are not good enough is good. It helps too motivate me to keep making me a better calligraphy artist.

[@bozomahoney]

Teoh, I found your channel 4 days ago and I have been watching it every day all day... I love that you have no music in the background because it makes for easy listening. Your camera work is excellent. You show the work at hand and what you are doing. You sketching style is amazing! Your product reviews are exactly what I have been looking for. You talking about how the paint glides across different paper styles. THAT is exactly the information I needed. It is so informative, I could watch over and over again. I just need to look back at one of the videos where you were in a book store and you recommended a book for beginner sketchers; that would be me !! Thank you so much !!!

[@teohyc]

+LuvAndHugs Thanks for your support 😄

[@cottonmouthxx7828]

Thank you for showing these ! :) Its funny how I wish I was at your "cringe" level right now haha :)

[@francisco5434]

Your style is very free and flowing. You are very open to experimenting with media, equipment and technique. Most importantly you are prolific, doing lots of drawings. It goes to show that you only need to dedicate 30 minutes to an hour a day and you can build skills and confidence and have something to show for your time in a short period of time. Thanks for sharing your work!

[@teohyc]

+Fran Cisco Thanks 😁

[@jimcordle3085]

Hi Teoh....I am retired and wanted learn to sketch just for fun. I have viewed most of your work and really have enjoyed your presentations. You provide wonderful instructions and provide easy to understand examples. Thank you for taking the time to share your talents with us. Happy sketching! Jim

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Nice! I wish you joy and fulfillment on your artistic journey! ❤

[@maggielatham656]

So very nice to see and here about your progression as an artist. You and your videos serve as an inspiration to people all over the world.Your open, honest and down to earth nature is wonderful and refreshing.

[@teohyc]

Thanks ヾ(⌐■_■)ノ♪

[@aartistanimation4186]

hear

[@2003mandiman]

I totally agree!

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

I don’t see much progress, just drafts and more drafts… never anything properly finished.

[@laurelschmitz6750]

These are sketches not final art to be framed and hung. They are feelings, ideas, visual notes, they are not to be perfect. Your sketch books display exactly what a sketchbook is for. If you are doing a study on trees...you go out and sketch trees, study how they grow out of the ground...how the branches twist and turn. I sometimes will be out sketching ...it becomes an exercise ...example: I see something and I'm drawn to it.(no pun intended). I scan (with my eyes) the highlights of what I see...and quickly sketch it. Sometimes I scan it , and then close my eyes and draw without opening my eyes. But they are sketches drawn in a learning process. And I love your sketches. and no right or wrong, good or bad in any of them. Did you have a low self esteem in the beginning of your art?...because, you are really, REALLY good and very talented. extremely talented. I hope I didn't insult you in this comment...I really and truly like your art and videos. Thank you...

[@teohyc]

Thanks :-)

[@lurklingX]

I’d hang many of these, personally. I’d also love to see a book or comic illustrated in this way. ♥️ it’s an immersive experience I haven’t felt in a long time.

[@PortrayArt]

I used to sketch a lot growing up especially in high school. Then I got so busy with university and now working full time but watching this video made me reminisce about those days I used to just sketch for me... thanks so much for uploading this! I'm seriously going to buy a sketchbook after work and start drawing again!

[@teohyc]

+PortrayArt That's great. Go get the sketchbook 😁

[@2003mandiman]

Did you start sketching again? 😊

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

If you work full-time, it’s 37.5 hours per week. You sleep about 7 hours a day. Eating and chores take up to 1 hr per day. If you have to travel to a full-time job, you have 69.5 hrs for your personal interests. If you work from home full-time, you still have 74.5 hours left every week just for yourself! You’re not busy, you’re lazy! Big difference! Do art, stop with excuses!

[@rogerehinger6694]

Yeah, I'm an older man who once enjoyed painting and working with pastels. The people in my world get impatient when I'm still working on some sketch or painting after an hour. Thank you for saying approximately how long a painting took to do. I gives me a silent satisfaction knowing that I am not the only one who can take time to get a piece done. My companions may be bored but I am enjoying my time spent at paint and paper.

[@renatogonzaga1481]

I love "simple" sketch. It transmit the ideia of the original place with lightness and the style of the artist. Really like your color drawings

[@lilbluebell]

Love that you can look back at earlier sketches and learn more. This inspires me to sketch more

[@judithsopher4711]

You seem to be critical of the work in the smallest sketchbook, but I think they are wonderful. I like these the best, in fact. I wish I had your patience. Thank you for your videos.

[@MarcosSilveira]

That sketchbook of Cambodia is a must have!! Beautiful!! You're a very skillful artist!

[@JeanClaudePeeters]

You are right. If it was published , I would definitely buy it.

[@ravenfox13]

Whenever I feel a little out of sync or I need to feel inspired, I just watch your videos and it makes me feel better. Stay creative and share your talent to the world ;)

[@teohyc]

Thanks for your support :-)

[@myrkflinn4331]

Landscapes really were or are your strongest point. Especially seen in 2013-2014. I truly suck at scapes and mainly do people so I suppose I am the opposite xd lel

[@higherground711]

It seems to me your drawing skills were always good. Yes there were differences when you first started off, but I think your drawings always looked good whether there were mistakes or not. But you put a lot of effort into working on problem areas and you can really see that when you look back at these sketchbooks. I'm just starting out. I've got a lot to learn admittedly. I aspire to reach your level of skill one day. I'm going to try some sketches in marker as well. These won't be in a sketchbook. Strathmore sent me some Bristol paper and I've been wanting to give it a try. We have a large picture window that over looks a picturesque part of Dayton Ohio. That sketch will be a home work. I'll be grabbing my bike and backpack going out for on location practice as well. I wish I lived in area like yours where the whether's warm year round and just have to deal with rain instead of freezing weather and snow in the winter like here. If I ever win the lottery lol I'm moving somewhere where it's warm year round. ヽ༼ຈل͜ຈ༽ﾉ You just might see me in Singapore.

[@teohyc]

+James Barton Thanks. Haha. It's all about practice to get better. Those who spend more time drawing will get faster better. I know there are young kids nowadays with amazing drawing skills. Singapore is hot and humid. I like the sun but the humidity makes people sweat too easily.

[@higherground711]

I'm from South Carolina. I could handle it. ;-)

[@aliciachapman]

Teoh Yi Chie your art is amazing and very inspiring to me. Thank you for sharing it. :)

[@lurklingX]

The line work I find is very interesting, even in the early sketches. The transition to gray washes, fascinating. Then the color style I just find so compelling. Some of the colors/compliments you chose just floored me, they look incredible! It’s funny that the style is loose and almost cartoonish, and yet has so much emotional content. Fantastic! I absolutely love it. Don’t dismiss your early work! I think my favorites were in the grey washes phase and the early loose color phase, and the right after that when you were more clean lines. (Current phase lost some of that loose expressionism, which i seem to prefer in your work. But still many beautiful pieces and wonderful color choices.) thank you for sharing! I cant believe you can do these so quickly! Now i need to watch you work (i hope you filmed a few. About to go look! 😆👏)

[@mmmmlllljohn]

So practice, practice, and more practice! Thanks for sharing your lessons and talent.

[@ArcaneWorkshop]

6:00 my favorite one, I love the vertical panoramic effect

[@scooterkev6978]

The ununiform lines are the beauty of the composition. With the dash of transparent watercolour over the top to pop.

[@ngan9081]

I know others have said it well but still I want to say thanks for show your progress! It's a great motivation for at times the poor drawings do get me frustrated.

[@emmalouie1663]

I like the black and white and gray markers.

[@prismatic4793]

Your work is wonderful. I really enjoyed seeing all your neat sketches. Thank you for sharing your work with us.

[@teohyc]

+Prismatic Thanks 🙌😀

[@LarkOnWheels]

I think your work is marvelous- both older and current. Very inspirational.

[@teohyc]

+Lark in TN Thanks :-)

[@anastasijac.r8732]

All your sketchbooks even your old sketchbooks are so pleasant to look at.

[@teohyc]

Thanks ~(˘▾˘~)

[@anastasijac.r8732]

[@notopoli]

one of the best thumbnails on your channel if not the best xD

[@teohyc]

Thanks LOL

[@unechaine416]

wow. I did this exercise with a friend of mine last month with all my sketchbook since 2009 (so a massive amount of sketchbook of all formats) the first things like you said is that you have to be patient. and have passion.And when you see all the space this object take, you can say how much you are passionate :'). just by seeing the amount of draw you can say that you come from far. and I think it's a part of this technic to re-read all this "phase" of your graphic identity. and it drives you to so much emotion like.... sometime you so ashamed of old draw that you just want to burn the book and some time you see your "level up" phase and smile. anyway. Great video. And sorry for the poor English if you read this.

[@quinacridonerose3309]

Thank you for the tour of your earlier work...so nice to see the progression and growth in confidence.

[@teohyc]

Thanks ヾ(⌐■_■)ノ♪

[@rabbat1925]

Well, my sketchs're alway in my notebook (lined-paper, of course :v), though I sketch alot, I don't have even a sketchbook, so I never see how they changed through the time. It's great to see your old sketchbooks, it somehow changed me, i think...And that happens with pretty many of your video and posts. Thanks alot for your helpful sharing.

[@marjoriejohnson6535]

Looking at your first sketchbooks I can already see your style. Although much my improved it is still all yours.

[@txin999]

I always go back to this video whenever I get discouraged to continue urban sketching :) Thanks so much, Teoh!

[@MsMonika59]

You are such a wonderful teacher. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. 😊👍

[@deejaytori]

Thank you for showing your sketchbooks, including the early ones, which I really like too. Really interesting how the Cambodia notebook shows a distinct point of growth in your work. Great comments on patience. And that tiny sketchbook is such a gem!!

[@rosewang8209]

woow, it is a great found of your Channel today..Absolutely love it🤗

[@shirleycovey7309]

Clearly, Teoh, you were not afraid to draw people and complicated scenes from the very beginning and also commendable for a beginning artist. You are very dedicated to your passion and I love that!

[@teohyc]

Thanks for you comments. Haha. :-)

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

Yes, except there’s no progress. Still looks about the same, like kid’s drafts. I’ve yet to see a properly do drawing or painting!

[@apricot_rat]

I'm so glad I found your channel! I've been doing lots of stippling and it seems to let me have a lot of control, I'm going to gather the confidence and practice sketching for sure.

[@beth___morse]

you definitely seemed a confident drawer, they are amazing! they are so interesting :-)

[@beth___morse]

it is making me want to experiment with water colour more, i loveeee your drawings!

[@bluovalgal]

Very inspirational, Teoh! Though you can see "faults" in your earlier drawings, I still see artistic beauty, and it was really fun and interesting to see your drawing style change yet remain... you. Your style. Anyway, loved this video. Keep it up!!

[@teohyc]

+blueovalgal Thanks you. 🙌😁

[@cosminv8751]

I love the fact that you can actually see how you evolved over the years, with better proportions and better coloring even in doodles. This kinda' inspired me :3 thx.

[@MyChristi123]

i LOVE your style. simple but effective, and still has a lot of skill.

[@teohyc]

+Christina C Thank you 😁

[@joannemoore2556]

All I can say is ."wow"! You can really see how you've improved. Inspiring stuff Thank you for sharing. Your channel has reignited my own art and drawing

[@teohyc]

+Joanne Moore Thanks 😀

[@thesolitairegambit2556]

Just found your channel and is very awesome. Thank you for your tutorials and showing us all your beautiful work of art. Subscriber won! LOL

[@mosavitra-coursdedessinapa1031]

You are honest, courageous and talented. I appreciate your honesty stronger than anything. It is a breath of fresh air in this corrupted world; keep the good job. Just draw

[@hannahjane7469]

Wow I'm glad you listen often to your viewers and open to our suggestions. I think all online creators should be like you :)

[@teohyc]

+Hannah Jane Thanks. Sometimes comments have good ideas for video.

[@Amaditis]

So fascinating to see your style developing in these sketchbooks!

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

But it’s just bunch of drafts 😂 Did he ever even complete a proper adult level drawing or painting?

[@i.widiastuti8718]

I like the way you pick colors for your sketches, looked so vibrant! The black and white drawings are also very good.

[@alina.kuptsova]

So many lovely drawings! Love your works in color. The progress you made motivates a lot. Thank you for sharing!

[@delnichol8230]

Stunning. All of them. Love your style. Thanks for sharing.

[@scruffy281]

Your work is beautiful..........some people are just born with gifts. Beautiful!!! So inspiring....❤️

[@moupriya6122]

Among your videos the ones I love the most are the ones with your own sketches. These are amazing. You could sell some of these and young artists can keep them as inspiration.

[@haicautrang5304]

I think it is very good that you are open about your learning experiences. I've been drawing for two years and can get discouraged when I see earlier sketches.

[@teohyc]

+Rebecca Nelson You should get encouraged when you see how far you have come.

[@cindyluong3860]

I love your art style. So loose and the color combinations are beautiful.

[@teohyc]

+Cindy Luong Thanks 😀

[@mochiluvr222]

i love seeing the singapore sketches! makes me want to sketch more of my neighbourhood too

[@NoxMoony]

I remember seeing some of your old sketches on your website back around 2009-10 ish, this was really great to see. Your older drawings and paintings were really quite good but you've definitely improved a lot and current stuff looks awesome!

[@teohyc]

+Nox Moony Thanks 😁

[@keengoon116]

Your video get's me inspired to do more sketches and studies from life, I really need to practice that. Thanks for sharing! :)

[@elisabethseeger5837]

I think a lot of those early works were really good and each time the experience is as important as the result. Very encouraging for peopke I think.

[@bryanwatt9751]

Great to see your progress! I'm looking forward to my own to!

[@beckywebster90]

Love to see your art style develop...inspires me to 'just sketch' have fun with it, practice, practice, practice. Of course, I would be only hopeful that someday my art would look like yours. I really like when you switched from marker to watercolor. I like the loose 'messy' (as you call it) BEAUTIFUL :-)

[@sheilasinghal2922]

Another great video! I always try not to look at my old sketchbooks. I will now have the courage to go back and see what I can learn from my old mistakes. 🙃

[@ItsMe-jd8ou]

I admire your work so much. I like watercolors but I realized I would need to learn to sketch. Thank you very much for sharing your progress. It really inspired me

[@kathys9999]

I like the water soluable graphite drawings, they are my favorites !

[@lauraluduvig9124]

Hi Teoh! It's so nice to see how your art evolved year by year and piece by piece, with new techniques and with a ton of practice! Thanks for sharing!

[@NamikazeH]

I want to thank you so much for your continual emphasis on patience and the fact that you gave the approximate time it took for you to draw these sketches-- they're absolutely gorgeous, and the word "sketch" makes it sound like it ought to be something quick and that carries with it connotations of carelessness and maybe less forethought and planning. It makes it sound like you just magically get these done in 45 minutes total, when in fact a lot more thought go into them... Thank you. It readjusts my views on it into something healthier, and really helps with calming down my natural impatience.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

I’m curious if he ever made a properly finished painting or drawing? I keep seeing drafts after drafts, mostly primary school level.., but not a single fully completed painting that doesn’t look sloppy and like a draft for a real painting. So… there’s no progress 😂

[@mararsc]

I found your channel a few weeks ago and I "became addicted" to your videos. lots of useful information and lots of inspiration. Once again, thank you. Obrigada!

[@teohyc]

Thanks 😁

[@BleakeACE15]

This is inspirational. Its been 3 years since Ive stopped drawing but Ive started again. my technique is improving greatly thanks to your videos! Thank you!

[@teohyc]

That's great. \ (•◡•) /

[@melanychaiquin8020]

You are SO talented. I ran into your channel by chance a while back, while looking for watercolour tutorials, and I've been obsessed with them ever since then! I would totally buy an urban sketching / watercolour teaching book by you!

[@chelseaxie6240]

I'm so glad that I found your channel. I spent my whole week to watch your videos. You inspired me and I've learned so many knowledges and techniques from you. I'm a beginner with watercolour and watch how far you have come really encourages me! Thank you for all your time and heart and soul to take these amazing videos!

[@teohyc]

+Chelsea Xie Thanks for your support 😁

[@dancingdev1088]

thank u for sharing...ur initial ones were also piece of art

[@teohyc]

THanks :-D

[@HaNguyen-zy2em]

Your sketchbooks are amazing. I wish I can own one of them. Especially the Kahdi one. So colorful and detailed! 😍

[@bigp8869]

like seeing the process in people sketchbooks. really cool sketches

[@teohyc]

+Pete southgate Thank you 😁

[@blueplague5911]

I love seeing the progress in your sketchbooks. I want to see more videos of your process while drawing in your sketchbook, too. I just love your style.

[@teohyc]

+Blue Plague Thanks. I like process videos too but they are more time consuming to make so I don't make them as often.

[@blueplague5911]

Aw, yeah. Don't overwork yourself too much. I like all of your videos, too xD

[@snowbird5381]

I love your urban landscapes and buildings - so impressive and beautiful! I want to learn to sketch like that.

[@esthersims9134]

Thanks for sharing - It really helps us to see how you have progressed and learnt as you go. I tend to be embarrassed by my old work - and I don't like showing my failures - but it's nice that you have shown why there is no need to be ashamed of mistakes in art - simply learn from them. Thanks very much. I love watching your videos - they are so relaxing.

[@teohyc]

+Esther Sims Thanks 😀

[@good_youtube_handle]

I always love watching your videos. I really enjoy hearing the birds from the open window. It's really nice and goes well with your content. ❤️

[@teohyc]

Thanks 😁

[@Vitarusvita]

Just found your channel a couple of days ago and I'm amazed by your art. The amount of useful information and your explanations are perfect! Special thank you for not putting any music background in your videos. Subscribed)).

[@arifadu5273]

Invaluable advice, thanks for sharing 👍

[@cisp360]

Teoh, you have many beautiful sketches

[@hemjoo]

Wow, nice to see familiar local scenes sketched. Great sharing. Wish I could sketch like you!

[@teohyc]

+Hem Joo Yeo Thanks 😀

[@munnaza23]

I love going through your videos. Thank you for sharing your sketchbook experiences. There are so many tips and things to learn! I love your Cambodia sketchbook, Barcelona sketches and hongkong ones most!really inspiring.

[@annesocialbutterfly]

Yes, patience is key. I often get frustrated because I can not get certain sketches right. Practice defiantly makes better.

[@teohyc]

It's like playing basketball. You don't think about your lousy shots. You just keep shooting and improving.

[@JaneArtsyOtternutKirkwood]

Thanks for sharing your art journey through your sketchbooks with us Teoh, it gives beginners like me so much hope and encouragement to work towards improving. :)

[@teohyc]

+Jane Kirkwood (Artsy Otternut) Thanks 😁

[@eileenjohnston6835]

This was very encouraging to your progress. There is hope for me.

[@aylinbegum5744]

Hi Teoh ! Your sketches of Spain are very well done

[@LivLuvHaul]

I love your style!!! I'm so inspired now!

[@teohyc]

Thanks ヾ(⌐■_■)ノ♪

[@catrenabelgamh1001]

your pictures and coloring is very nice to me

[@sooyaa311]

ahhhhhhh i love your works teoh im a beginner artist and you really helped me alot eventhough im not into sketching outside you really helped me when im purchasing something !! your reviews is just the best . tou deserve more!!

[@beuvelain]

I love watching your artwork. You inspire me and teach me a lot :)

[@woolywonders5546]

Excellent determination and discipline. Great drawings, certainly can see improvement and evolution of your style!

[@VerasPlanet]

These are great sketches, by the way! I recognize a lot of the places in Barcelona!

[@teohyc]

+Vera's Planet Thanks 😁

[@Bocsaphoto]

I love your art style. The simplicity of the shading is easy on my eyes. I want to draw like that one day haha

[@Akaawol]

Love the SG images. It's Oooo I know that place!

[@confidential5897]

This is immensely helpful! It's really encouraging to see your progression from 6 years ago. Personally, it had finally clicked recently that my own problem is getting values right and from this out appears that is something you really worked to improve. So there's hope for the rest of us, right?!

[@teohyc]

+confidential Thanks. From my own experience, the most important thing about values is actually the difference and contrast, and less about the actual darkness of the value. So you should always think in terms of contrast. If you want less contrast, values have to be closer.

[@mikenoneofyourbusiness7122]

What progression? It used to look like children’s drafts and still looks that way now.

[@describer99]

I think your early work is very good. It's better than most beginners.

[@teohyc]

+describer99 Thank you 😀

[@mrbanana9538]

The cafe at 15:23 is right outside my house. Such a talented artist was so close !

[@skaffadigettliv261]

I love your stuff man! The thing is that some of the pieces which you said that you did not enjoy, how ever look very individualistic. That is something a lot of people only can aim for.

[@aoutsky]

Very interesting to see your evolution, Teoh! Thanks for sharing!

[@lnorr1]

I enjoyed looking through those. thanks very much for sharing. I thought the sketches were great 😊

[@KittehNow]

LOVE your work, your style, your instructions and suggestions. Your videos are such a pleasure to watch and im learning so much

[@MissConscious]

Wonderful video, I enjoyed seeing all of your old work. I use to draw all the time and stopped 6 years ago as I lost interested from depression. I'm getting back into it again and have picked up doing watercolors. I'm constantly trying to remind myself it will get better I more I do it though atm I'm still cringing haha..

[@darhopkins5433]

Teoh, thank you so much for sharing your talent. I find your videos very entertaining and inspiring.