Tips for Drawing Backgrounds!

[@ArtofMaximus]

Why U doing a background episode!? U guys can just trace 3D models!

[@ducktaledudette]

Yep, this is why I watch BaM, for beautiful moments like this

[@Nothers90]

🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓

[@gergolaky3624]

Yea I agree why U doing a background episode!? U guys can just trace 3D models!

[@arthusmariet1825]

Channel lore

[@funlabsdesignstudio]

🤣

[@asakusamidori1fan]

i don't really like drawing people but I love drawing backgrounds, when I used to watch gravity falls I used to screenshot EVERY scene when there's no characters and just the background. I still have the collection on my old tablet,I really love backgrounds, especially the artstyle in gravity falls xd

[@grimsonforce7504]

Finally backgrounds are getting the attention they deserve. Its such an underrated topic unfortunately. Backgrounds are just as important as the character(s) drawn on them.

[@BaMAnimation]

they really are!

[@monkeydgoofy8074]

you don't want your characters floating in the void now do you

[@Ziedmac]

@@monkeydgoofy8074 every character reference sheet: "hold my beer"

[@monkeydgoofy8074]

@@Ziedmac xD

[@avivastudios2311]

I always appreciate backgrounds in film. Sometimes they're better than the movie.

[@moonrat1955]

“An environment is a character.” This is exactly what my professors taught us in school! And also it’s good to remember, just as you pointed out, the environment is a character who compliments the main character (if the environment isn’t the main character itself)

[@RNorthex]

I actually kept finding myself in the dilemma that drawing characters without backgrounds just doesn't ever feel interesting enough, but by wanting to draw backgrounds for everything not many projects get done. They just do so much for storytelling, it feels like wasted potential not to have them nearly every time.

[@BaMAnimation]

Gotta have them, at least for the establishing shot so we know where we are!

[@wotwott2319]

@@BaMAnimation hey BaM, would you guys do an episode on how to make simplified backgrounds just to add flavor to a character portrait?

[@chesspiece4257]

try some patterns instead of actual locations? or just draw the part of the background the character is standing on?

[@HormtSilgsong]

⁠@@BaMAnimationcould you do the thing wotwot suggested?

[@fictions_in_motion_07]

Omg thank you so much for this. I may find backgrounds a lot of work too, but it definitely a great, especially when it comes to storytelling. Not to just replace the blank canvas behind the characters we draw, but to show a story within a story. Give the audience some snippets like clues that could help them put together a story that creators are telling. Backgrounds rock just like character designs and everything else within the making of animations.

[@BaMAnimation]

every object tells a story!

[@Skitdora2010]

go back and watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit and pause in Toon Town and look at all of the extras they drew in that.

[@ReviveGuyv]

I've drawn my share of backgrounds, but it's always more complicated than I think. I could literally spend one day drawing frames, one day on a background. Biggest takeaways for me: Express more, tone down distant details, and mind the horizon more.

[@Grim_Grim.]

its rare you find a channel that gets straight to the point clearly and concussively. I have watched so many videos on this and learned nothing and suddenly in 14 minuets I feel as if I can draw any background. that's earned a life long subscriber my dude

[@MANGLORIOUS]

The little details at 13:57 are really fun. I see a Moana poster, a Miraculous ladybug poster, and a paisley purse. It’s really fun and lively looking.

[@veronica.theswamphag]

I used to yearn for the 70s, 80s, and 90s, but as someone who would never have been able to go to art school to learn this stuff I am so grateful for the internet and the people sharing their amazing knowledge like this for free 😭 thank you so much 💞

[@RAVEVelvet]

Oh my God how convenient that I'm currently trying to learn backgrounds and bam just uploaded a video that's super usefull!! These guys sure have helped me alot

[@animalfort3183]

Real quick: I am currently tracing some of my old photos for references of buildings that don't exist anymore. These structures can't be found even online. For this, I thank you for reminding me of the importance of changing the final outcome of these scene's through understanding it's perspectives and avoiding tangents. Cheers!

[@cristianlavado6891]

This is the best channel for animators, illustrators and comic book artists, not only because they are true professionals in this area ,but also because each video has great content, they are very very funny with an intelligent narrative. Thank you guys for share your talent.📝🤓

[@Thejollyjujube]

I’m a comic artist but I love your content and find it super useful even in my field! Great video as always, I missed u ☀️

[@kiritoken1180]

What comic..? 🙂

[@Thejollyjujube]

@@kiritoken1180 for now, it's just small editorial projects, or collaboration with self-published magazines. But I'm working with an agency and doing tons of proposal, so hopefully l'll publish something soon 😁

[@kiritoken1180]

@@Thejollyjujube 😅

[@pariahpariah7048]

@Don't Read My Profile Photo couldn't resist mate😂

[@CodenameKOALS]

@@Thejollyjujube best of luck!!!

[@RavenStarMedia]

I actually just started adding backgrounds to my art, and now here I get this as a notification! Might help inspire me to add more backgrounds now!

[@HiVisl]

I love drawing backgrounds. It actually fuels character drawing because it forces you to think about how to place the character in the overall composition, how to make room for the acting, and how to draw the character(s) in perspective and to one another. Great episode!

[@liziseclecticadventure338]

I *just* began realizing the amount of story a background can tell about a character. I come from a simple pencil sketch childhood. No color. I was actually afraid to try to add colors to my artwork. I wasn't familiar with how they worked (water color vs. Marker vs. Acrylic, etc.). But I began using color and now... I'm OBSESSED with learning how to fo backgrounds! I'm not sure how color unlocked it, but.... yeah.

[@marcypotato6435]

this made me respect backgrounds even more, i kinda always knew that theyre not just something rushed for characters to run around in, but rather an environment that tells a story within it. so i like that you treat it as a character, it gives me a whole other *perspective* to it (and maybe can help me draw interesting backgrounds idk) *TL;DR: perspective is hard* :') but what i think why artists tend to avoid backgrounds (like me) is because it can feel intimidating, i can imagine a cool background with a mood and story for a character to live in, but i immediately get frustrated and overwhelmed because there are so many elements that makes a background good with so many objects that has to be in perspective or they will feel out of place (which we obviously dont want).. which is what this video stated at a point, instead of thinking about it as complex buildings or whatever you can think of simple shapes, just like characters. characters and figures seem to be the thing to start with for any beginner and eventually they stick to it and it becomes a comfort zone, maybe cuz drawing characters feel more impressive like "omg it just looks like mickey mouse", or maybe because characters are the focus in most media and artists wanna draw their favorite people, i rarely see someone being like "i started drawing because i liked the backgrounds of looney toons" or something. while anatomy can be an analogy for the elements and objects working together in a background... but.. is anatomy really what you think about when you see spongebob the question "why most artists only draw/start with drawing characters" interests me and i doubt i even scratched the surface uh maybe cuz characters feel simpler to draw, more appealing? cooler? ..or maybe theyre just hot idk

[@RakibSWN]

Thank you..Waiting for colouring episode...

[@Fatih_M177]

This is honestly helpful, my art is honestly great on its own, and i am still learning and improving, but without backgrounds, it can sometimes look bland, i am happy with this video

[@orenjidesu7290]

I always fascinated by how Studio Ghibli Artist render their Background Art that fit perfectly with their characters and storytelling. So their Movies was my main inspiration and motivation to become background artist/painter/illustrator

[@phillipjohnson8903]

it's nice to hear the line about there being multiple vanishing points for different objects in a background for the LONGEST time thats been my biggest hurdle. I can't wait to get into backgrounds going forward

[@fareschouihi3]

Welcome back, we missed your content guys

[@mad_hatt]

Finally a video that helps me! I know perspective, I can draw a background from a reference, but I can’t make something from memory or create an interesting composition. This was exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!

[@unaninated]

This is amazing, I have always struggled with creating background environments for my characters. I gone so far as to learn 3D just so I didn't have to. But watching this video really reframes my thinking on how to go about it (Trearting it as it's own character, which is silently telling the audience more about the characters who inhabit it). I will definitely be taking your advise of starting with my own environment and go from there.

[@BaMAnimation]

Success! You rule

[@Thylacinuscyno]

Bro literally taking a bunch of objects and making them into a bg is such a good idea. Thanks!!!

[@RetroReviewsMovies]

I can’t wait to watch this video at least three more times to make sure I gain every piece of animation knowledge.

[@KahruSuomiPerkele]

I'm happy to be among the

[@MANGLORIOUS]

Dude, i’m so damn inspired to draw backgrounds now. Love the tips! I stay far away from backgrounds because I have a distaste for perspective, but this video’s encouraging me to give it a try

[@BaMAnimation]

it's really easy once you add a grid!

[@ephemereaux]

Absolutely incredible video. I’m a college junior majoring in Fine Arts, and throughout ALL the perspective drawing units I’ve taken, no one has ever really explained how the horizon line works in perspective like this. That short animation showing how different camera angles affects the horizon line blew my mind lmao. Excited to try all this out!!

[@Nadiaxel]

I've enjoyed and learned so much from your videos for such a long time now. Your channel is, in my opinion, one of the best for artists on KZbin! Keep it up, guys! You are killing it!...(in the best way XD)

[@nestycruz891]

Love the effort you both put in the video👍. Been drawing BG's for years, since its part of being a layout artist in an animation studio. Still, I've learned new things today from this video: "...old villages are organic places that form over time". And... "BG are characters. They may not have speaking roles, but the feelings they convey are clear".

[@itsyeduk]

BAM ANIMATION BACK??? THANK GOD!

[@donovan802]

I’ve been rewatching your videos waiting for the day you release another video! And it’s obvious why you’ve been gone for so long. I’m doing backgrounds too. We’ve missed you.

[@BaMAnimation]

We missed you!

[@EdmundoAlvarez-o1z]

Backgrounds are so underrated. If you played Mortal Kombat or Donkey Country you know backgrounds played a ver big role

[@SOM_-sy6pv]

Finally after 9 months! so happy you're back, cause of your valuable content!

[@digofr]

As a background designer i have to say, this is one of the best vídeos about it. Simple but with a lot of information. Nice work guys! Cheers from Brazil ✌️

[@scrindoingily]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS VIDEO! So many people just skip backgrounds when it makes the image say so much more about the character

[@funlabsdesignstudio]

You guys are Rad! Thx for all the inspiration. You remind me of what it was like in animation class all them yrs ago and man do I miss it! Love being around silly creative people drawing all day and having fun coming up with funny entertaining ideas! I studied 2D animation some yrs ago but under the intense military style sgt like drilling critique majority of our classes self esteem dove to beyond un-epic proportions. 🤣 Now after yrs of continued practice drawing and building back up my beaten down self worth I am now starting to develop my own animations once again! Yay to healed self esteem! 😂 Backgrounds are definitely under rated but definitely worth creating. I have recently been drawing more of them. I think people feel intimidated by them but thanks for making another amazing video!

[@AttiArtss]

These guys always make it exciting for me when I know I'm about to head into college for animation, its fun knowing that my ideas always have a chance to spring to life and there's always a lot to learn

[@artbylash]

You guys just made me want to practice more background works. Btw submitted some of my characters for draw my art. Fingers crossed that you draw it

[@BaMAnimation]

We'll do our best! Thanks for your nice comment it makes me smile

[@minetruly]

Thinking of backgrounds as characters was mind-blowing for me. You have revolutionized how I approach backgrounds, and I'm actually inspired to do a bunch of practice with them. Thank you!!

[@rrrsleepy]

bam animation has posted a new video! today is gonna be a great da- wait it's midnight

[@CWRoederer]

There are only three channels I’ll immediately stop what I’m doing to watch a new video from and Bam is the biggest one.

[@haoqw]

They’re back!

[@gabrielgallart1288]

Welcome back guys! We miss you

[@roobbllle]

Even if you want to make comics instead of animations, you should learn to love designing and drawing backgrounds. They give you so much potential for storytelling, and help keep your pages feeling immersive and alive. Endless pages of just character close-ups gets boring really fast.

[@sonseraedesigns]

This is excellent. I have tried for years to look for a background painting class for 2D Animation. There is only basically one teacher out there that has a long waiting list. All of the other programs that teach background painting, you have to sign up for an entire four year program at art center of Pasadena. This is why so few people are actually painting backgrounds. There’s just not enough courses That teach this in great detail.

[@ijerofei]

Oooo my gaaaad

[@nidhi4482]

OooOo my gooaddd

[@ghostapparition6179]

Wow

[@Shortay123]

Ooooo gad

[@Krosstheroad]

hali cow

[@nickvita4610]

Just found this channel today, and I gotta say you guys produce incredible content. I majored in animation and motion media and, across the 4 videos I've seen so far there's been more high quality, concise, and easily understandable information than my entire university experience provided. Crazy to me that you guys put these videos out FOR FREE. Can't thank you enough

[@LotusMouse]

The problem isn’t that I don’t know how to draw backgrounds, I either can’t fill the space of a background, or just don’t possess the skill 😅

[@Blanche_255]

Skills can be built up!

[@bunnough]

IT'S LIKE YOU READ MY MIND- I recently subbed because I remembered your perspective video recently and went back to watch it because it's still something I struggle with (along with backgrounds itself)- all of which I want to improve on. So...perfect timing!

[@lixxer10135]

plz make a video how to color this

[@Lets_Take_OFF]

Watch some colour theory video, you will learn that also😄😄😄

[@derekwalker647]

I was literally looking up tutorials for backgrounds and once again, you all come in the nick of time!

[@JustDEV1]

0:02 gravity falls?

[@AmbroseReed]

Perfect timing!! I do a print every month and am focusing on big location-focused lore for the last four of the year. Backgrounds and atmosphere will be a huge focus so I appreciate the tips!

[@jojogarcia8766]

Why are you doing backgrounds? You guys can just use AI... (Please, dont)

[@chidorirasenganz]

AI is dope

[@jamirfunnyking1247]

Buster

[@4thdimensionalexplorer]

It really has a lit of great potential. We need to regulate it though. Its just stealing right now and letting big money profit from artists real work. We need artists protection. These ais shouldn't be allowed to be fed q persons art to learn from unless it's in public domain or the artists receives royalties from the ai software.

[@mainemoragriegaart757]

I've watched lots of BG tips but you guys made it much easier to understand to a person like me who struggle a lot when it comes to BG designs. It really is hard for me to include BG and understand the values to everything when you're a character design artist. It's just a lot to take in. So, I'm just glad that I found this channel. Thanks guys. I wish you more subcribers and stuff. 😁👍

[@KarpoCottage]

I've been wanting to learn to draw backgrounds for years! This has gained me new inspiration to try again!

[@goodollita]

Finally a useful background video! I think most artists don’t like backgrounds because they require more research and thought, and you can go wrong pretty easily with perspective!

[@EngineMusic]

one of my favourite artists is Simon S. Andersen (the creator of owlboy) and i was mostly drawn to his works BECAUSE of his backgrounds! like, the detail in some of his stuff is downright inhuman! especially the art for edm artist 'savant' and his album 'Zion' i've always wanted to try and get properly into backgrounds, but never got around to it, but it truly is one of the most breath-taking artforms, and with it, you can hide so many details anywhere!

[@matthew1385]

Glad you guys are back, your videos are always great. BAM!

[@BaMAnimation]

No you!

[@erezkz]

for me, it doesnt even matter the subject, I'm just happy to see a post from you guys! please keep this channel up. big appreciation for your content 🤍

[@crypticcorgi8280]

Idk if I am outing myself as just being a big dummy. XD But 3:53 _"Objects that are rotated have their own vanishing point."_ One little phrase next to the visual example helped make this thing that frustrated and scared me away from backgrounds for so long just instantly click and make sense. Also the concept of tangents is probably why objects and character looks so wonky and muddled in my backgrounds. I think these might be very basic things to know probably. But you never know what you don't know, ya know? So I appreciate this so much, these are game changing information for me.

[@PoboiDraws]

It’s always a good day when Bam Animation uploads

[@whyishehere3930]

Im soo happy u guys found the time to make another video!!! U two are one of the most important reasons I started drawing again. Thank U so much

[@paolabarr5692]

Woow en serio explican todo increíblemente bien, muchas gracias por compartir sus conocimientos y ahh ahora ya quiero ver la segunda parte 🥺❤

[@Jasmera]

You guys have the best background tutorial videos ever! Very easy to understand, fun to watch, and informative. I always coming back to the perspective grid video and Im sure I'll be coming back to this one millions of times!

[@MustafaKulle]

Dear Brent and Max, Thank you so much for this video. It has helped me so much. This has given me the guidance I need to improve my skills. I am working on a manga. Here are my guilty confessions I want to share with you and others: 1. I've been avoiding the drawing of backgrounds many times because I worry that it will distract the reader of my comics away from what's actually going on in the panel whether it be a dialogue or an action. 2. Another reason is, it also saves time because even though I have drawn an establishing shot to show where the scene is taking place I don't feel the need to keep drawing the environment over and over again. Maybe it's a shortcut. 3. I don't know how much detail is too much or how much is too little. I end up falling into the perfectionist trap. So yes, I am still learning. Thanks again. 👏👏👍👍

[@legionarmatay4399]

Just as I was complaining about my lack of knowledge about backgrounds I see this video. THANKS

[@RayfieldA]

What great timing! I'm sweating over a board deadline, working in Storyboard Pro rather than Photoshop but using similar tools to perspective for BGs.

[@lilgreenhen]

Fantastic video. I'm a bg artist for a published 2.5d video game, but this was still a good refresher on horizon line and composition. I definitely need to practice through personal projects more often.

[@desertbloomke]

Thank you for the video✨ I'm an artist that's in the midst of trying to find out what type of illustrations I could do. I've been an artist since my young years and it was a personal choice to just slowly explore it throughout my life as i make it. I'm majorly inspired by animations and book illustrations, and to me scenes are not just captivating because of the people, but the backgrounds they're set in. I would like to be able to put out full scenes, where the coloring, lighting, people and background tell a story in themselves. It's a lot of work but what in practicing art isn't! Thank you for the tips. They give me direction on what resources to pick while growing in my art capabilities

[@justinemaeganm.freyra7256]

THEY'VE RETURNED. Bam animation is back to educate us once more

[@thornfrederiksen8437]

I like to think of backgrounds as a reflections of my characters. If my characters are sad, the weather will reflect that. And this helps my characters never feel out of place.

[@anadespot5780]

You guys have been my holy grail for animation tutorials since you started posting. Thank you so much, you always answer my exact questions in each video you make!!! There aren't many straightforward animation tutorials out there, on youtube or anywhere else, so I can't even describe how much you helped me in the past few years. And also, you are both hilarious and I would like to be your friend. Is that cool? Love you guys! Thanks once again, you have no idea how helpful you've been

[@oobbbear]

This chennel is my life source it teaches you more stuff in a 15 minutes video than in 3 hours long art school course, thank you for existing basically every question I had for bg drawing are solved here

[@BaMAnimation]

We made the channel we wish we had when we were young animation nerds 😀

[@jowbee4675]

Missed you both! Glad youve posted again

[@CarlosMagno-hp2bo]

Sensational video, in my humble opinion I consider the background as important as the character in the scene itself. Because it is about showing the whole environment in which the whole story takes place. Just like if you remember your favorite spot.

[@kanadchakraborty7434]

I have huge respect for background designers. 😬❤‍🔥

[@freebeerishere]

This might be the most valuable video I've watched all year

[@veraartcloud7740]

You guys are awesome. I've dabbled in background art but always defaulted to natural landscapes due to the loose and organic lines being easier to draw. But this is giving me inspiration to try those more complex or strict city scrapes and lines, thank you!

[@lasha1205]

I must say, I enjoyed backgrounds more in animation as a child and more so even to this day. and my love for Art developed from there.

[@sukeyd.artist]

This is the best explanation for perspective I’ve ever seen, thank you.

[@kiritoken1180]

🙂❤️ new motivation to draw again... It's been 3 or 4 months i stopped drawing..

[@caspremedia]

One of the best animation/art channels on youtube. thanks for this, the background aesthetic is more important than the character design imo. although both are critical to get right.

[@heyfri]

Soys geniales, muchas gracias por este tutorial!! A mi me encantan los fondos y sigo dibujando para mejorar.

[@Brianna-eo8nu]

The kings have returned!!

[@DukeCartoons]

Ah man... you guys are amazing. I've been looking this info for years... I mean, is like you took like 20 other videos and tutorials, and made a milkshake with it, concentrated juice of background designing. This is generally the easy way in to get into the animation business if you are a beginner, but is not an easy job... thanks for these tools, as always.

[@manuelmedina38]

it really amazes me the amount of dedication that u guys put in your videos. So higly educational, entertainment, very high value content. It is so much easier to grow as an artist with all the information that is shown. Backgrounds has been difficult ofr me, but with all the tips here, i will definetly try everything and practice more! As allways, thank you! I hope you guys can submit more helpful videos!

[@spookybells5099]

Thank you this is really helpful.

[@gescheitine]

Thank you very much. What a great idea ! I’m drawing and backgrounds are giving me real hard time. Your video helps me determine what are parts of my issues as well as the solutions to try to solve it. I can’t wait to see your next video. Thank you 🙂

[@sofyasolovyeva6476]

This is an amazing, understandable video for such an overwelming topic. Thank you!

[@IronKore]

I needed practical artists like you and this is only when am seeing this

[@mizukikatsuart]

I decided to suddenly rewatch your video about perspective and noticed that you have a new one :D

[@DAMN__________]

"Stop thinking of it as a background, think of it as a character" For me the video could've ended right there, advice is priceless

[@miirapak]

Thanks guys! I love making backgrounds

[@happyboogaloo]

Thank you so much for making this video, I’ve watched a few other background tutorials but none of them really tackled the topic the way you both have here

[@cjhamilton_art]

Haven't been taught about the background size thing at school yet. That is quite interesting, but makes sense!

[@joshuabarish4347]

This is the best channel on the entire internet. bless you both.

[@BaMAnimation]

You made my day by saying that! ❤️