The Fundamental Drawing Mistake No-one Talks About!

DON'T MISS 14:14
It's the clearest demo and explanation (I think) of the creative thought processes I go through in translating a photo into a drawing that captures a strong sense of realism. But if this is what you want to do with your drawing, make sure you also watch what comes before, which lays the foundation of the less helpful ways of thinking that plague many self-taught artists. It's a natural, but devastating error.
#drawingvideo #howtodraw #stephentraversart #drawing #artvideo #artist

[@donwalls8192]

I’ve been questioning the use of photos to draw from. This is helping. I’ve been stuck on the “why copy a photo” question.

[@stephentraversart]

Drawing from life is a great option, but drawing from our imagination is not wise until we have an adequate body of reference material in our minds. Otherwise we’re drawing g what we imagine things are like 😀

[@donwalls8192]

Enjoying your videos. 72 and still working at drawing!

[@XD-rd8zd]

I recommend a video by Drawing Art Academy "Drawing from Photos vs drawing from life".

[@JohnYoung-o8g]

Good time to ask a question. In your drawing showing at about 2:10 I see that some gray has been added for shading in the windows and the roof areas. It appears to be adding shadow. It isn't hatching so would you tell me (and anyone else who's interested) how this was done? What art pen or brush technique was used. Thanks so much

[@stephentraversart]

The value is from COPIC Sketchmarkers. I use various shades of Neutral Grey. 😀

[@adoxartist1258]

Very helpful! Saving in my playlist. Thank you.

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you for your kind gift. Much appreciated.

[@Steviepinhead]

Another nicely explicated central concept with well chosen exemplar illustrations!

[@stephentraversart]

Glad you liked it Stevie. It’s a great concept. 😀

[@fernandourrea3677]

Gracias Maestro. I wrote your advice in my journal, really I always pulled my hat when I see your drawings. Australia has to give you a medal for your tenacity and discipline.

[@stephentraversart]

Thank you for your honouring words Fernando. All the best with your drawing 😀

[@troygoggans5495]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge it has been most helpful.

[@stephentraversart]

My pleasure Troy. All the best using it. 😀

[@RicDreamlandAvalon]

Amazing video, really helpful, muchas gracias maestro Stephen

[@stephentraversart]

Great to hear. Thanks Ric😀

[@katyakaterina5232]

this is great!!!

[@stephentraversart]

Glad to hear Katya 😀

[@shiggydiggy6847]

I mainly draw figures, but same things apply there. The more studies you do the more you start getting into the mindset of picking one particular aspect from a reference that you want to capture instead of copying the whole thing. It also makes it easier to transition to drawing from imagination. Since once you start having trouble with a particular thing like the foreshortening of an arm at a given pose you can look that up and draw the rest without reference.

[@randyhelwig9589]

Where did you start this drawing ? The first drawing with the trees on either side

[@stephentraversart]

This was not freehand. It used a 4x4 grid on photo and paper with a pencil underdrawing. So it didn’t matter where I started. 😀

[@killerredpanda299]

Thank you Stephen, helpful as always

[@tomrees4812]

I like to draw on location and have been very reluctant to draw from photos although I have hundreds of my own that I could use. I think you have explained the reasons why which up to now I have never felt comfortable I will definitely use your advice in future and hopefully will produce some drawings I am happy with. When it is too cold to stand around outside it would be great to just take a quick snap on my phone if I’m out shopping say then do a quick sketch when i’m back in the warm!

[@stephentraversart]

Absolutely! Photos should be a tool for our drawing, but not a dictator. Glad it was helpful 😀

[@alexch5106]

Hi Stephen, Great drawing. Are you going to the symposium for urban sketching in argentina?

[@stephentraversart]

I wish, but not this time.

[@barblallier9413]

Very interesting, you are a gem! 😊

[@stephentraversart]

And you are very kind. Thanks😀

[@ivanasantiago8913]

❤❤❤

[@fuzzydragons]

12:26 you get the sense of the scale of the cathedral and the scale of london in the distance 😀🥰

[@stephentraversart]

Creating effect is the name of the game. 😀

[@ismail-art]

Dear Mestre, amazing... best regards 🙏

[@stephentraversart]

Very kind of you. Thanks😀