SELF TAUGHT ARTIST SECRETS AND STRATEGIES

[@ActionHankBeard]

We live in a time where there’s so much free help online. The biggest hurdle for new artists is learning to become self motivated and to stop expecting immediate results. I stress this so much when people ask for advice on this subject. The reality is you have to sharpen those fundamentals before you can really start making the kinda art you see in your head.

[@scarecrowhobo]

True, i consider the art community to be blessed (and cursed because of ai) because of the accessibility to a lot of knowledge on the internet that sometimes i wonder if going to a uni will be worth it for even learning at all, of course it wpuld be good if i go for more professional jobs. For me the biggest thing i struggle with everyday is consistency and disipline. I notice the problems that spring up in my development is just mainly me getting distracted by irl and youtube shorts which i need to find a way to lock out of my feed, its way to easy to get distracted nowadays :(

[@DigitalArtcast]

There is so much emphasis on self motivation and being self driven but in the three industries I've worked in on the job training and mentors have always been a staple of entering a new job. Art lived alone with a barren wasteland of seniors at the top earning a fortune and juniors in a hunger game situation fighting for jobs it's so unbalanced. When Interview artists they talk about how the industry as it stands is over run by seniors and there isn't enough fresh talent because of capitalism everything is profit driven. If you enter a studio and aren't hitting the ground running and keeping up you can be fired in a few days. I've experienced it first hand and it's brutal. A British writer and game dev set up a government backed scheme here in the UK where studios were paid an incentive in cash to take on interns where most of them were hired after their year placement but what was the biggest concern is there just isn't enough places or money to help everyone. We need studios to step up and take a chance on new blood and try to be patient with their learning stage. Anyway rant over it's just my two cents

[@mangArtist5]

Sitting at my desk at work, listening to Trent and dreaming about the art projects I want to work on when I get home, I get a feeling that everything's gonna be alright, and I'll get to where I want to be one day

[@cillamarie6298]

Still going strong? I believe in you!!

[@michaelmeacham4517]

Where do you work? Do you do anything creative?

[@Brokenlance]

His work from 12 to 14 was such a punch in the gut. My god I used to feel like I was decent for my age but clearly not

[@zakariyajeffali6520]

Comparison is the killer for enjoyment in something...

[@Billy.Bacsko]

When you talk about the philosophy of "value" it is something that inspires me more than anything out there. Thank you for these talks, and where your advice has led me to, creatively, and personally.

[@TrentKaniuga]

Thanks Billy! I always look forward to seeing your comments pop up. Sometimes I think I'm giving too much "advice" videos. Ya know, I'm still figuring a lot of things out too. But we're all on the journey.

[@mostafanajafzadeh]

@@TrentKaniuga There are only so many videos about the technical side of the art to produce, before you run out of the ideas. The mental side of this career that we've taken, is far more challenging and demanding of our resources and sanity. That's why is trumps everything else and sits front and center. I personally get more value from these style of videos rather than the technical ones.

[@mikekazz5353]

One thing I like to share is buy cheap stuff first like ultra fine tip sharpies, bic mechanical pencils, printer paper or line paper. That way you get a taste of it and see if you like the flavor if not then you didn't lose much, this pretty much goes for most hobbies.

[@TrentKaniuga]

Yes! Some folks get tripped up thinking that they need expensive tools. But you can learn to improve your art skills with simple paper and pencil, building up to more pro level tools over time.

[@BusinessWolf1]

@@TrentKaniuga Funny story about that, I had been drawing on paper since I was born, I did digital editing in photoshop for 3 years, then got a non display drawing tablet and my skills just didn't transfer. I kept at it and now I'm somewhat better than I was on paper, but for me the lack of a display just obliterated my (low) skill. I don't regret moving on from paper at all though, I love digital.

[@3Dgregor]

Many times I draw/paint better using cheap supplies because I don't fear about waste expensive paints or paper.

[@mayobous4491]

Man, where I live I can't pay for your workshops even if I had the money (political stuff that, far from solving anything, it only makes it all worse). I can't wait to move to another country, I'd buy all of your content. You're one of the artists that keeps me going, that gives me hope. In a place like this, time is scarce (imagine wasting two hours literally waiting for a bus, and another two hours in a line to buy just, chicken). The sacrifice that artists make here are triple, in the pursuit of improvement. Sometimes it feels like there's no point, but then I listen to you and I fill myself with strength and perseverance. I know all this resilience will be worth it, and as soon as I'm able to make financial operations in the world, I'll definitely be supporting you, it's the least I can do after all the force you give me. Thanks!

[@TrentKaniuga]

You are too kind. But art tutorials are far lower on the priority list than what you described. I do not know where you are from, or what it is like to struggle with simple things like food supply and transportation. I will be praying for you to find security enough to pursue such things as art in your near future.

[@mayobous4491]

@@TrentKaniuga That means so much! Thank you again, truly 🙏

[@eiffno.01]

​@@mayobous4491where are you at? Where do you live I mean?

[@mayobous4491]

@@eiffno.01 Why, Cuba, of course

[@eiffno.01]

@@mayobous4491 and you are familiar with Kenneth Rocafort right?

[@sukreawa2106]

I went to art school and the students, that stood out were the ones, that also practiced their skills outside of school every day. We had amazing teachers, don't get me wrong, but I think art school mostly provides you with information, some projekt to focus on, focus times and a community. All of these things are very helpfull in getting better, but also not exclusive to art schools. Communties like the one that Trent has created can fill the same purpose. I really don't believe that anyone needs art school to become an amazing artist. I went because I like to actually see and meet the people I am learning with. But most of my learning happened outside of school

[@_aiborie]

This video inspires me to reach out to community or like-minded people that I know of. I keep on forgetting that I don't have to do this alone. The isolation has been getting into me which makes me feel lost in the journey and those moments had been scary. Thank you for making these types of videos Trent.

[@charlysteiger]

when I was a teenage I focused too much on School.....at the end I made it to illustrate for newspapers, magazines, commissions, etc....but If I could go back in time, I would not focus that much on school.....it doesn't change your life to get an 8 instead of a 10....but it does change your life to put ALL In what you really want to achieve.

[@CesarIsaacPerez]

I learned how to draw by pausing Streat Fighter 2 and trying to draw the poses on my notebook.

[@retrosuperheroart2202]

Great! A Classic Trent TMNT ! I made an homage video/style challenge of your Creed style. Hope you like it! Re-reading that Creed TMNT crossover brought back so many 90s memories! Thank you Trent!

[@dplj4428]

Our teacher collected and saved our first day drawing. Then on day 30, he hung them around the room next to our last homework. No names on front. I had forgotten that first drawing. We were all surprised at our own and every person’s improvement.

[@DigitalArtcast]

Another amazing video trent we defo need to get you on the podcast

[@Lizard1582]

I could listen to Trent talk for hours about his time working in Blizz and Riot.

[@iry.71]

Man, you're so inspiring, with your words and your drawings. Thx for that

[@apples2892]

Dude your art is fire! These videos where you did the speed painting teaches so much just by watching the process.

[@artistvye]

The potential in childhood in-person excitement is interesting. ✨✨ 1. What role does friendship play in creating and appreciating art? 2. How do friendships within artistic communities influence the development of an artist's style? 3. Can art be used as a tool to strengthen and deepen friendships between individuals? 4. How has social media impacted the way we form and maintain friendships in the art world? 5. In what ways can art be used to address social issues and promote friendship across diverse communities?

[@legendarymonkey6445]

Personally my excuse is ether I don't have time or I'm just not ready. I needed to hear this today. Thank you Trent.

[@zillakilla1618]

I don’t want to go to art school because I don’t want to waste time on anything but art, plus I’m broke l. Self taught artists where you at?

[@Ubreakable-lr2dk]

Yes my friends at uni have to do many unevessary crap that waste Time that they could have invested more in fundamentals

[@oscarchavezart]

I hear you, going to art school is expensive and can be slow at time. But being self taught has it's benefits, you are like Rocky, training in the snow, running in the city streets, doing pull ups in the backyard from a homemade pull up bar from pipes. The better alternatives are ateliers, if you can attend one in person, go for it and give all you got. Watts atelier is a popular one, they have alot of videos on youtube. Draw a box is another grest one, they are free, for digital art, ctrl+paint is another free library of videos, also on youtube, it teaches you photoshop, the industry standard.

[@jeffreyhuntart]

I tried art school through a community College. Ran out of money and went to the military but through video like these have continued my own art journey

[@josuemartinez9688]

I'm broke too

[@ShotgunSandwichENT]

Right here!

[@Iad83]

Negative self talk was a huge problem for me. I grew up in a household that never celebrated success, always punished failure, and did not value art. I didn't realize that I approached things so as to avoid failure rather than pursue success. Took me too long to realize that and begin to turn perspectives around.

[@MomirsLabTech]

Wow I needed to hear this today. Thank you. I have so many loose sketches laying around that I haven't finished because I didn't realize I was thinking this way. Gotta flip the script and grind these out!!

[@pawekowalski1848]

I'd say making mistakes while learning is a success that should be celebrated (like a success bcs you've noticed where your weakness is so you can start figuring out how to improve there). Of course don't take this sentence too literal plus it can't work in every possible case, but I've started making a faster progress once I made a daily goal "Pick smth I'm most scared of painting/learning, then do at least 5 mistakes in the process, then pause&step away from it to figure out solutions." Sometimes figuring out a solution took me so long, that till now I remember what finally solved it so it's hard to make such mistakes again ;) Anyway, learning is much more enjoyable while being aware mistakes are inevitable- cause some will always happen, our brain tends to simplify what we see, like try to draw an elephant's head from memory, your brain will start thinking of its iconic symbolic shapes without accurate anatomy and other stuff.

[@lrdalucardart]

Kinda depends on what you direct that negativity at. Can be quite strong motivator depending one who or what you aim it at.

[@_HanaPanda]

I live in a similar household, never that ‘we’re proud of you’ or celebrating something good but always pointing out the bad and failures. 😢

[@Snaaaaap]

These turtles look amazing! I've just lost my confidence and enthusiasm a long time ago and havent been able to renew it.

[@tanix.9832]

Thanks man your a inspirational guy keep up the work also telling us these things makes me want to continue on my journey of an artiste

[@hollowedboi5937]

Find the best time when you are most aware and willing to do the hard stuff, and make that daily goal, “lemme just open up my sketchbook and make one line with the full intention of just that line.” Then once you have that down for a week, add onto it small steps until you can do 30 min to an hour a day just to practice a fundamental thing, then leaving weekends and free days for a small project to use those fundamentals for something you want to make. Chase quality time over quantity of time, and fundamentals over anything. Chase what you really wanna make and steer it in the direction of what a job you like may want to mix the two avenues. Find a good momentum and what works best for you. 🤙🏼

[@johnvonmartin7501]

Your fucking gifted at age 12 i can only draw anime or cartoons lol with no attention to anatomy. You had some sort of style already mate. Im impressed.

[@Jahsee65]

thank you soooo much, your words are ones I will hold dearly as I travel to great heights of improvement towards the game industry as a Character concept artist!!!

[@t.b.g.animation6185]

I am also a self thought artist i started drawing since i Can remember and now i am 33 yrs old and find another passion that IS animation....wish me luck

[@TrentKaniuga]

Good Luck!

[@t.b.g.animation6185]

@@TrentKaniuga thanks

[@proteus8133]

I’m looking to buy some of those gum road lessons soon. I’m Super excited

[@ZenchiArts]

Bringing up NLP just immediately grabbed my attention, so much to unpack. Will be giving this a 2nd and probably a 3rd watch just to assimilate everything mentioned, great video!

[@soteroElias-mi6vy]

I'm older didn't have this or an art community tried all my life , realized I was not getting hired so I made my own comics small movie was made producer tried to steal my stuff (learn contracts ) so I killed the character ...is still do art glad you had a great art life

[@number1forthewin]

That's the problem, I dont have friends likes drawing and likes to draw, I am the only one loves to draw. I only draw if I saw something inspiring but its not always.

[@alexandraws_33]

WOOOOOHHHO my evening is saved

[@reddevilsunited_2060]

"the only thing we are slave to is the prison we made for ourselves" Reminded me of "There is no comfort. U just chose your burden." line by Mobius

[@SinkrityBell]

I needed this right now, thank you

[@ankitasagar2304]

Amazing work sir

[@lindseydietz604]

Such an awesome video, I will share this encouragement and advice with all of my art friends.

[@jscotty8383]

Thank you for this video!

[@FootpathFriends]

So motivating!! And I LOVE your TMNT art !

[@Jay-ql4gp]

I wish I had art friends.

[@TrentKaniuga]

Join my discord! youll find like minded folks there. link is in description of all of my vids.

[@SrKAtaide]

Your earliest drawings remind me of my own. But I didn't stick with art, sadly. Thanks for this video. 😊

[@TrentKaniuga]

I sacrificed a lot of my childhood to learn to draw. And basically I’ve been working 70 hour weeks since I was 13. If you have a lot of good memories of that time, then maybe you did it right?

[@SrKAtaide]

@@TrentKaniuga My problem was that I have always been a perfectionist and in my teens I connected perfection with photorealism. That often ends in either despair or abandonment. But I began as you did with the TMNT, and this video brought back a flood of memories. :)

[@llareia]

Wonderfully motivating as always!

[@deadlee666]

This guy is my comfort youtuber

[@AnnuMannu67]

My art students (Grade 5) entire week "Ma'am has Mister Trent posted a new video yet?" Now I can say yes , yes he has. In what art class do you get to watch inspiring art video's like mine. Keep up the videos, My students love them and constantly want to show me how they improve their drawings.

[@jeanpierrepolnareff9919]

I feel like most people including myself, try to practice, get frustrated because you don't make a masterpiece on your first hour of practice and then suddenly you're making up excuses like you don't have time or you don't have the talent. We just need to get off our asses and prectice more hours

[@efdartworld]

Thank you for the inspiration 👑

[@FUBUKAMII]

I think the biggest struggle beginners face are their self doubt. Of course they are not good. They will be good. Just practice and have a self confidence.

[@MrNerdyBrit]

Man! your more comic accurate turtles are beautiful. I'm gunna binge your content like a junkie :P

[@AndrewMaksym]

Please make a game room review on Shadowgrounds. It would work so well for that. 💯💪

[@DCUOMultiverse]

Sketchbook Pro?? Love using it. The closest to drawing on paper in the computer I have seen. :) Love it. :)

[@TrentKaniuga]

Yes! They used to sponsor my channel, so I have many sbp videos. I’ve really missed my oily brush.

[@Thollis1987]

Whoa its been a moment. ❤

[@MyNamesHunter75]

What this says to me is i just need to get my Sh-t together and actually properly go through the fundamentals

[@ratchetandchank8648]

Ive made the same comparison to art as a series of ds bosses

[@hitochiquito8952]

Respect fir drawing tmnt og

[@MegaPieru3000]

Thanks Trent 🙏🏻

[@CyberValeth]

Not gonna lie I'm stuck between things with the head, lineart(generally speaking) and getting to the rendering stage. Line art because I'd like to have something physical to do when I don't have access to the pc/digital art. I found the industrial/comic method of doing the head easier to understand. But it means again I need to re-learn that and move on to getting my own works going, for now anyway.

[@BC-sh7en]

thanks

[@Kiroguramuu]

Hi Trent. Long time fan. I appreciate your content, It's really helped me at times. I'm interested in your tutorials to improve my skillset. Would the 2023 box set cover these fundamentals you reference in this video or should i look to your earlier tutorials? Thanks.

[@TrentKaniuga]

For the fundamentals, focus on the Easy Art Lessons 1-35. www.gumroad.com/trentk

[@ArjunPaints]

Amazing art

[@dbrownj]

Damn this is a good video

[@Tenguartstyle]

I Want to be a Comic artist but i dont know how i can let the People see my Art and make some new. I Like Todd Mcfarlane and other big Comic Artist

[@Otagel_3000]

Thank you so much for your efforts, sir 🎉

[@d.wright610]

Amazing video, can someone explain to me why he paint everything green first then goes over it with a different color? I've seen other artists do this too but I'm new to digital art

[@TrentKaniuga]

I paint with values first (grayscale). The colors don't matter. You can change them later. Whats important are the fundamentals.

[@bayoushade7837]

When you are talking about fundamentals, what specifically are you talking about. I recently started drawing again and have been going over perspective, light and shading. Is there anything else you would suggest? Thank you

[@TrentKaniuga]

I mentioned a few in the video. But construction is very important. You should be able to confidently rotate an object using primitive blocks and spheres. Color theory ties into light and shadow casting. Also composition, flow and various methods of contrast to control the focus of your paintings. Anatomy is a lifelong pursuit as well.

[@KillerTacos54]

Great video!

[@kayliewolf3097]

Trent you are such a big inspiration to me, And I’m a fan of comics so that’s a plus. I have a question, well a few. Is procreate a good app for beginners? And what iPad should I get? I’ve heard iPad Pro but That’s expensive I’m fine saving up for it it’s just idk what iPad I should get. Also how do I save my artwork on procreate. Hope you see this comment, you have experience and I hope I get the information I need thanks for these vids

[@SirPatrickNaughtington]

Hey Trent! I love your stuff. I did all your easy art lessons and your Hearthstone illustration workshop multible times. It was a lot of fun to watch and defenatly worth the money. But im really having a hard time replicating your work flow. Excpecially how you just block in the colors at the beginning of the painting process. You make it look so easy to get the forms and values right. Somehow it doesn‘t work for me all that good. Do you have any recommendations on any media that may help to better understand that part? Or is it perhaps just a lack of reference or experience?

[@TrentKaniuga]

Did you watch ALL of the Easy Art Lessons? In lessons 20-25 I show you how to block in color, set your layers up and add color. I also talk a bit about temperature and color selection. www.gumroad.com/trentk

[@SirPatrickNaughtington]

​@@TrentKaniuga Thanks for the reply. It motivated me to pick up your courses again and continue practicing. I guess your lessons really contain all the information i need xd I probably just had unrealistic expectations about the learning speed. 😁

[@bzd1983]

Is there a step by step process video of this painting? Thanks

[@TrentKaniuga]

yes. There is a real time version of this painting in my Box set volume 9. www.gumroad.com/trentk

[@Badartist888]

Yeah I need to 'learn' less and practice more. Really in the tutorial trap. Far easier to put on Trent's latest video and act like that is helping me master art when what I really need to do is a couple of hours of fundamentals.

[@seriousame]

Can i start to draw at age 24?(i mean idk the fundamentals yet), what should i do?

[@TrentKaniuga]

Heck yeah! Why would you NOT? 24 is a GREAT age to start pursuing something that you're passionate about.

[@seriousame]

@@TrentKaniuga Is that it? oh god I'm glad I'm on the right path, Thank you for motivating me, my mind is clear now. For the past 3 days my mind is out of nowhere questioning my own decision, because I feel really sucks at drawing because i think i didn't make any progress at making basic lines and blocks.

[@dplj4428]

Not everyone is knowledgeable enough to make choices that turn their art into profit. Some people are practical, doing certain work for money so that can do and enjoy their own stuff. Got to know business at least well enough to budget and protect your name from crooks and fraudsters. Other art electives will give you experiences that feed your main dream. History, architecture, engineering, digital and analog art feed back to each other.

[@shad5325]

artist at age 16 xD i start drawing circle at 27 😂 and still cant get it right

[@hussanchambers5536]

🙏🏾

[@kannon009]

I just don't know the fundamentals. I have no idea what I should be improving. I feel there is so much stuff that builds on each other, that makes it hard to find where to begin. At least for me.

[@TrentKaniuga]

Thats why I made the Easy Art Lessons. www.gumroad.com/trentk

[@ClodiAlmeida]

Nice

[@احسانالجيلاوي]

❤❤❤

[@Biff.future]

“I taught myself how to play basketball and you can too. When I was 13 yrs old and 6’8” and shooting 70% from 3pt range, I practiced for two summers and then went pro by 17 and you can too!”

[@TrentKaniuga]

Baseball sux.

[@Peter-wl3tm]

How does a beginner learn construction, that’s what I want to start learning.

[@danieldeanallen]

Ive been asked to make some workshops for kids in my local community. As you are a teacher, which beginner course of yours can I purchase to help me know what to teach them?

[@TrentKaniuga]

You should probably buy all of them.

[@danieldeanallen]

🤣@@TrentKaniugaGuess I asked for that. Ill find the door.

[@halidramzan2803]

❤

[@stormk-1130]

Some times i burn my brain thinking how to be good at something that you repeat over and over, and still suck a ton. How can i learn stuff more faster? even when i saw a lot of vids and read some books, still cant lolipop

[@TrentKaniuga]

write down every one of the core fundamentals of painting and drawing. Each week, work on one of them. Ask yourself "how does THIS one thing work?", then focus on that. For example, spend a whole week JUST focused on sketching PERSPECTIVE. Once the week is over, move on to CONSTRUCTION, or VALUES. If you need a guide, you can just get my EASY ART LESSONS. www.gumroad.com/trentk

[@TonyTheKryptonknightLongshore]

Trent- you have a Discord channel? May I ask for the link?

[@TrentKaniuga]

its in the description of every video.

[@geeky1818]

Any plans for more Creed comics?

[@TrentKaniuga]

I talked about that in my most recent video before this one.

[@ducksoff7236]

Lonely introvert with no friends...................grrrrrrrreat...........

[@ShivamYadav-fp1hb]

🙏🙏🙏

[@mikenelson1624]

✨🤙✨

[@Tony-cj6jy]

Something not explained well enough for beginners. You need some art foundation to build the work around. For me drawing and painting from observation is a regular (daily) thing i came to enjoy. If you just focus on the fundamentals without something you derive joy from it's going to burn you out. For him it was copying and making comic panels. Once you cultivated a creative foundation you'll be stronger to dive deeper to take on harder problems like perspective and anatomy, you'll also be in the habit of doing stuff rather then watching videos.

[@hammerk3153]

What software does he use

[@TrentKaniuga]

Sketchbook Pro and Photoshop

[@savitrizuzanka1312]

Dear friends, Unity destroyed our hearts 😢

[@satur9dreamer]

the art you use as a time-portal "this is how i used to draw as a kid" doesn't really inspire your demographic, lol, it's too good. XD

[@fredericko5832]

🍀 Promo*SM

[@curlAlldizzle05]

Just teach me how yo use procreate... I'm more a dinosaur artist.. 😂. I like the paper drawing...

[@TrentKaniuga]

I havent been using Procreate since I don't like to draw on the screen. I just stick with Sketchbook Pro and Photoshop, and SOMETIMES clip studio paint. but thats just... basically exactly like photoshop except for the interface.

[@sandrahart6195]

Q: Would you call yourself a fan artist because of ninja turtles?

[@sandrahart6195]

Great picture!

[@mrh4900]

Deez

[@NnaemekaAmamasi]

Wrong foo....drawing is talent....don't mislead folks...,!!!

[@TrentKaniuga]

I pity the foo!

[@nochnoch5208]

You're advice is not substantial.. or do u even call it an advice? All u did was story telling of your life.

[@TrentKaniuga]

Yeh. It would be SO much more entertaining if I just made stuff up.

[@_aiborie]

If you didn't get anything from the video that's says more about you aka skill issue ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

[@punishedphr1610]

ninja turtles

[@samuelusifo8046]

❤