Use ONE WORD To Level Up Your Art Skills In 2025!

[@phillipasuckling4261]

My one word is story. I have decided to really simplify my style for my comic in order to really get this across more. Also it will help with all the millions of drawings i will need to do otherwise im never gonna finish lol. Im looking at Jack Hamm's cartooning book - such a great resource!

[@LourençoJácomeSchwartz.2003]

5:35 You literally named everything I think I need to work on lol: Anatomy, dynamism, colour, perspective and environments.

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

Those are always the ones in the back of my mind, ha!

[@mariuszgaaj2814]

I need proportions, escpecially for portraits. There is nothing harder than human face, but when you can make portraits of people you see look acurrate or faces you construct look interesting, then you gain self confidence to propel you forward.

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

Ohhh, Proportions is a GREAT one! I'm only recently starting to do some imaginative portraits without reference, and it VERY quickly lets you know the parts you need to improve on/study more! The Loomis Method definitely helps, but fine-tuning each face is definitely a skill that needs focus!

[@RFSketch]

Great video Wesley I agree I feel that this year will be great for artists. Last year I spent a fair chunk of time drawing heads and learning to pain still have work to do in those areas but I am much more confident than before most of the time. I think the biggest block for me was thinking that I wasn't good enough and spending that time stressed and upset rather than draw this year I'm putting more effort into just pushing forward as well as perspective. I've had Scott Robertsons book for years but never really did much with it(always got overwhelmed. but I've been practicing by doing a few pages of exercises at the start of my sessions before moving to a diff subject or personal project and I feel more confident in perspective than ever. and I've started my own channel to show my progress. You along with some other KZbin artists have inspired me to make this year one of my best as an artist so far.

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

Outstanding progress!! I love Scott's books, and I agree, they're a full course meal to be sure! I think the way you're approaching it is perfect, as doing consistent bite-sized exercises will grow your ability faster than you'll ever imagine. I can't wait to see you progress, and I'm going to sub to your channel!

[@RFSketch]

@@ArtOfWesGardner thanks now I'm really motivated to work hard!

[@askialuna7717]

For me, it's precision, I've been at the beginning for quite a long time, and unfortunately I'm only improving very slowly. My hand motor skills are very stubborn about staying rough and not getting finer. A few years ago I could draw a little bit but not really well, and I hardly did it for a long time. Strangely enough, I'm relatively good at memorizing information cognitively, but it doesn't really help me, if I take composition, values ​​and so on into account, when unfortunately it looks like it's just my hand holding the pen is half functional.

[@copat13]

Great concept. My words is "basics". As an amateur artist, but a professional software engineer, surprisingly this going to be my focus on both areas. Line work, basic texture, perspective, shape, edge control...

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

Basics is a stellar choice! I can totally see the parallels between art and software engineering (as it's an art of its own!), and how sticking to basics and REALLY nailing them will skyrocket both. You got this, brother!

[@mariuszgaaj2814]

If your word is "Dynamics" than maybe you should take a look at lessons from Burne Hogarth. I mean 5 out 6 books he wrote start with word "Dynamic": "Dynamic Anatomy", "Dynamic Figure Drawing", "Drawing Dynamic Hands", "Dynamic Light and Shade" and "Dynamic Wrinkles and Drapery".

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

Three of those books are on my bookshelf right now! Hogarth's a beast!

[@colinreid325]

I can stress the impoartance of health, especially posture for younger folk Wes, I've just turned 76 and basically have to wear a neck collar most of the time because of cervical spondylosis, so it's important for people to watch theri posture. Just had my eyes tested, and I was just thinking of the nice computer I could have bought for how much my new glasses cost.

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

Oh man, Health is a fantastic one (and like you've mentioned, something that is oftentimes overlooked or taken for granted).

[@colinreid325]

Working my way through your Krita book.

[@fjohnson-o4t]

My one word for 2025 is "fundamentals".

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

Absolute banger choice! Honestly for me it was between Dynamic and Fundamentals, as I feel like you can never go wrong there LOL

[@brentp183]

If I had to choose a word, I guess: "Imaginative". More imaginative shapes, compositions, colour combinations, values, themes etc. As a beginner, my work looks quite mechanical so "Imaginative" works. I did have a phrase before watching this: "Doing more with less". I am getting better slowly but I'm really not efficient in my process. But just using one word does make sense to me. As always... an inspirational video. Peace 🤘

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

GREAT choice! I'm probably going through a bit of that myself, trying to make interesting shapes and compositions from imagination. It's tricky but TOTALLY worth the time (and headache, lol)

[@dgv802]

For me, this year, it's gotta be "Consistent".

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

To be fair, that's probably one I need to follow as well LOL. Fantastic choice!

[@eterno1610]

For me it is human profiles, i have learned basics but i stopped drawing and that is not first time. God, it feels like its hard and so i am scared to do it. I do digital art and subject is animals, i can draw/paint most of animals, sure i still learn some to know how to but when it comes to humans - damn. Edit: I just checked your website, I can't believe what i see there, courses for low low price, like damn, so I have question, could you ever make course on how to draw/paint dinos or dragons? I will sign up there eventually.

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

Humans are so tough to capture correctly, and what makes it super difficult is we are VERY familiar with what humans look like/move like, so anytime there's anything *slightly* off, we notice it a mile away. Keep grinding, it's definitely worth it!

[@eterno1610]

@@ArtOfWesGardner Yeah, that is why i am really afraid drawing humans. By the way, I just checked your website, I can't believe what i see there, courses for low low price, like damn, so I have question, could you ever make course on how to draw/paint dinos or dragons? I will sign up there eventually.

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

@@eterno1610 Ohh a monster/dino/dragon course sounds like a ton of fun!

[@eterno1610]

@@ArtOfWesGardner holding fingers! :D

[@sslushpup]

How dare youtube hide this from me for an hour... Edit: I love this video tho, rlly helpful info thank you wes!

[@ArtOfWesGardner]

I'll meet the KZbin algorithm out back and give it a stern talking to >:o