Oh man, I've recently enrolled in a "learn to draw" type course in college and literally every week I go through a roller coaster of "this ain't so bad" to "THIS IS HORRIBLE IM NEVER GOING TO GET BETTER" to "oh wow I like how this turned out, I am getting better little by little". Rinse and repeat. It's weird.
Best quote ever. "Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through." Ira Glass
The artwork at 6:25 is mine and I'm kinda drowning in happiness! Thanks for the amazing feedback, Mary! 🎉 It means a lot ❤ I'll get back to painting now 🌞
Your art is awesome! Well done! I agree with what she said, it does look like the cover for a sci-fi novel or something like that. Very awesome. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Mary, all of your videos are uplifting. You have such a unique and captivating art style. Every time I hear your encouraging words and think of how awesome your art makes me feel, I just want to keep going.
I've been watching your videos since i was in high school and I'm almost 22 now and you never seize amaze me and to bring a huge smile to my face, love your style, your personality and everything about you! And now i delved more into watercolors rather than acrylics/oils bc of you, THANK YOU Mary for everything you've done, you'll always be an inspiration to me! Much love! Keep making art!!
One of my goals creatively for this month is to finish my sketchbook (there are 7 pages left I think). When I do, I might try making a sketchbook tour video. It's awesome being able to see that I have improved a little since when I started the sketchbook (a year and a half ago).
Hi Mary and Mary! I'm a watercolor comic artist (over 100 watercolor comic pages under my belt, woop woop!) and I'd like to add my two cents, if that's ok? Not only should you do the thing, but maybe do the thing in a small, easy to control way to figure out if watercolor is the right medium for your comic. Maybe do an 8 page mini first, and see if you can hit a production stride that works for you, before you commit to doing watercolor comics on the regular. Watercolor comics are a totally different beast from watercolor illustrations, and are massive time commitment for often very little payoff, so you really need to enjoy watercolor for it to be worthwhile. I also suggest you find a community of likeminded artists who either appreciate what you want to do, or have experience doing what you want to do, to help you along your path. A support group for comics, especially in webcomics, is a HUGE help, and there are so many wonderful comic communities out there who would love to help you learn and grow. This gives you a place to show your work for critique, to get insight from others who have more experience than you do, and to get encouragement from artists who actually know what your future will look like. I belong to Ink Drop Cafe (inkdropcafe.com), and their Discord has been a huge help and resource for my work. I wish you the best of luck, and should you ever need a little additional watercolor help that's comic focused, you're totally welcome to check out Watercolor Basics (nattosoup.blogspot.com/p/watercolor-basics-series.html) for watercolor help!
My son and I were looking for awesome time lapse videos and we came across your videos! My son got so inspired to paint! It's super awesome! I finally uploaded my first video on you tube as I am an emerging artist. It feels a little nerve wracking but seeing you doing this, is so incredibly inspiring!!!! Thank you for this amazing video!
I have been struggling with ideas lately and have spent a lot of time looking for inspiration on RUclips and pinterest and that is how I found you. Definitely subscribing!
It's been a while since you uploaded this, but thaaaaanks so much. Felt so discouraged throughout the last weeks, and I keep finding myself on your channel whenever it's getting to the point of low-low. And it helps. *magiiiic* So thanks, 2017-Mary.
Oh wow thank you so much for the feature!! When I saw my piece I was so overwhelmed! also love all of the advice in this vid about discouragement in art, always good to hear positive advice 💛
This video was great as always. And I really needed a motivational speech so this came at the right time. Also thank you so much for the feature (my painting's the one at 10.00min)!! Your feedback really means a lot ❤️❤️
Gahh!! I LOVE all of the pieces you featured! Those cats are amazing! Please please please please, let's meet up when you are in Phoenix! That would be the best! Also, it would be pretty rad if you did "Blue" as a theme in the future!
My focus this month is to paint digitally. I want to improve! So I'm taking part in Sarah Cosico's #30DaysOfHarry challenge, and paint Harry Potter art every day on Photoshop :D Anyway, i love your videos so much Mary, so inspiring and fun, always ♥
Hi. First off, I've been following your videos for a long time, and though I'm not an artist, I love to watch you at work and also enjoy your sparkling verve. I'm looking forward to GoT7 just to hear your analyses (but my ulterior motive there is that you affirm things I perceive myself). Anyway, I live in Austin, so I'm excited about your upcoming appearance with Dante at the Cherrywood Coffeehouse, but neither I nor the coffeehouse have been able to find you or Dante on their events calendar. Could you confirm and get back to me on that, pretty please?
I don't know if it's the sort of the you'd be into, but there's a set of springs you can visit in Austin called Barton Springs that has two species of salamander that are only found there.
NEW ORLEANS?? i live in louisiana ahh! i don't think i'll be in town that day but i still hope you have fun! be sure to visit the audubon aquarium, there's a big room where lil parakeets fly around and land on you and it's the best
Oh my gosh! It really is a relationship! XD When working with one medium over the other and the time spent on said mediums...wait, does that mean that I'm cheating on my mediums if I'm doing traditional and woodburning? Oh no....don't say anything! They can't know that I've been seeing each other!
Im love your channel, is so fun! I came across this particular video because I'm trying to accept that I cant do digital just because I dont have the training time that i have with traditional...but also, it just feels so much more dificult, methodic, i dont know... and im a loose artist. I dunno Im just thinking because I need to talk about this with someone lol. Thanks
Here is something my Still Life teacher sent to me: The entire painting process comes down to a series of corrections. The goal is to end with a beautiful painting not to get it right with the first stroke of the brush. One would do well to approach the process from the onset as one big glorious mistake that, through adventurous problem solving, you are setting out to make right. A look at the pentimento on any great masterwork is proof enough that no one gets it right the first time. Mistakes and problems ARE the process . You simply get quicker at correcting and solving them. Work freely and do not worry about making mistakes. You can always correct mistakes later. As you paint, remember there is always an awkward stage in every painting. You might begin with a flawless drawing that quickly becomes lost under layers of paint in an attempt to match your color or value. Or, individual objects within your composition might look correct themselves but they don't seem to 'fit' with each other. Find the place in your painting that reads the strongest and most accurate. Do not re-work this area but begin working out from this area...comparing what is right to the areas that are somehow not working. And in the end, if all is, in fact lost, accept failure graciously and simply start over. You will find that your second attempt is more concise, direct and accurate. Painting is a journey in which you never reach the end. The more you paint the more you will find this to be one of the most beautiful and compelling aspects of the craft. There will always be something both challenging you and moving you forward. Remember: Patience, Practice and Persistence. From John Rizzotto teacher at Gage Academy
I bought a book about drawing dragons, because that has been my dream for like 3 years. So I spent the night only drawing dragons and I didn't get eany sleep. Pls send help. But do you have eany tips on knowing the right time to stop before you realize it's the morning...?
1. I have so much trouble coming up with ideas for art!!!! 2. How should I practice and improve with my art when I don't know what to practice? Any tips? By the way, I love your videos!!
I dunno if this has already been done but maybe "Vague Elegance" or "Emotions" lulz Love your videos Mary! I've been watching you since 3rd grade (9th grade now haha) Kep mekin urt!
Maybe the term next month could be something like "earth"??it's something open ended that could get really simple or intricate or weird and I think the outcomes would be beautiful!
I become frustrated and disheartened when my work isn’t as good as I want it to be or when I feel its quality is declining instead of improving! I look back at old ‘successes’ and think, “I’m losing it “. But, I’m not really losing anything. Maybe the subject wasn’t one that suits my style or maybe I just hated the subject entirely !! Maybe I’d chosen the wrong medium. I could have used pastels when I used graphite..or vice versa. Or I just approached the task the wrong way, somehow. Some days my ability to draw accurately seems to have disappeared. Some days, I’m just depressed by life and politics and getting older and the sudden smallness of my world that I think, “ Ugh ! I don’t even want to do anything. Not paint, not draw, not get dressed. Who cares and why bother ? “ All that passes.
can you tell me how do u streach your watercolor paper ? providing making waves? I see this wet technique in which you make the whole paper wet etc but iam to lazy for it -.-
Speaking of being discourage and walking; when I was 1 I started walking and fell head first into a chair and cut my forehead. Didn't walk for a while but now 22 years later I'm totally FINE! 0.0
so.. i looked up the meaning of extravagance on google and i found there are 2 different meanings.. the first one means being wasteful or overusing resources.. the second one means stylish or glamour and such.. And im not sure which one is intended for the challenge.. pls help :')
She realy makes me happy
Trev vor aye, shes a positivity munchkin ^_^
I appreciated the compliment about my eyebrows more than I probably should have..
You've earned it!
Flo the best is that I actually did my brows for the first time in like a year. It was a great compliment!
That "just do it" section is absolute gold.
THANKS!
Mary Doodles what was the song clip you used? Really enjoyed it :)
Oh man, I've recently enrolled in a "learn to draw" type course in college and literally every week I go through a roller coaster of "this ain't so bad" to "THIS IS HORRIBLE IM NEVER GOING TO GET BETTER" to "oh wow I like how this turned out, I am getting better little by little". Rinse and repeat.
It's weird.
Ryan Mayer Me too! Me too!😐
Best quote ever.
"Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through."
Ira Glass
The artwork at 6:25 is mine and I'm kinda drowning in happiness! Thanks for the amazing feedback, Mary! 🎉 It means a lot ❤ I'll get back to painting now 🌞
Oh wow! It's FANTASTIC work!
Mary Doodles Thank you so much!! ❤ And also I totally second the other commenterwho suggested that "aliens" should be a theme 👽👾
Thats amazing 😱
Your art is awesome! Well done! I agree with what she said, it does look like the cover for a sci-fi novel or something like that. Very awesome. I hope you have a wonderful day!
"I'm not talking about art anymore." "Am I getting drunk on water?" Mary you are so relatable XD
Mary, all of your videos are uplifting. You have such a unique and captivating art style. Every time I hear your encouraging words and think of how awesome your art makes me feel, I just want to keep going.
What about "Aliens" for a theme for one month?
YES!!!!
I've been watching your videos since i was in high school and I'm almost 22 now and you never seize amaze me and to bring a huge smile to my face, love your style, your personality and everything about you! And now i delved more into watercolors rather than acrylics/oils bc of you, THANK YOU Mary for everything you've done, you'll always be an inspiration to me! Much love! Keep making art!!
I think "cold" would be a theme which could lead to a lot of creative, magical and imaginative art works
next april fools just make a long silent video of trying pants
Oh you!
Mary, can you please so a workspace/studio tour ??? This would be so awesome and interesting 😍😍☺
Great stuff. Inspired to create something this month.
One of my goals creatively for this month is to finish my sketchbook (there are 7 pages left I think). When I do, I might try making a sketchbook tour video. It's awesome being able to see that I have improved a little since when I started the sketchbook (a year and a half ago).
Hi Mary and Mary!
I'm a watercolor comic artist (over 100 watercolor comic pages under my belt, woop woop!) and I'd like to add my two cents, if that's ok? Not only should you do the thing, but maybe do the thing in a small, easy to control way to figure out if watercolor is the right medium for your comic. Maybe do an 8 page mini first, and see if you can hit a production stride that works for you, before you commit to doing watercolor comics on the regular. Watercolor comics are a totally different beast from watercolor illustrations, and are massive time commitment for often very little payoff, so you really need to enjoy watercolor for it to be worthwhile. I also suggest you find a community of likeminded artists who either appreciate what you want to do, or have experience doing what you want to do, to help you along your path. A support group for comics, especially in webcomics, is a HUGE help, and there are so many wonderful comic communities out there who would love to help you learn and grow. This gives you a place to show your work for critique, to get insight from others who have more experience than you do, and to get encouragement from artists who actually know what your future will look like. I belong to Ink Drop Cafe (inkdropcafe.com), and their Discord has been a huge help and resource for my work.
I wish you the best of luck, and should you ever need a little additional watercolor help that's comic focused, you're totally welcome to check out Watercolor Basics (nattosoup.blogspot.com/p/watercolor-basics-series.html) for watercolor help!
My son and I were looking for awesome time lapse videos and we came across your videos! My son got so inspired to paint! It's super awesome! I finally uploaded my first video on you tube as I am an emerging artist. It feels a little nerve wracking but seeing you doing this, is so incredibly inspiring!!!! Thank you for this amazing video!
I have been struggling with ideas lately and have spent a lot of time looking for inspiration on RUclips and pinterest and that is how I found you. Definitely subscribing!
I love your Hair!!!!! This channel feeds my creativity so much!!!!
What I needed yessss
"Get some coffee, do some.... drawings".
Was I the only one that thought she was gonna say do some drugs? LOL.
I'll miss you too Mary. I will.
Thank you, Mary. This video (in particular the disappointment bit) really spoke to me.
Amazing yet again Mary!!
You seem way better, happier even. This is a good thing.
It's been a while since you uploaded this, but thaaaaanks so much. Felt so discouraged throughout the last weeks, and I keep finding myself on your channel whenever it's getting to the point of low-low. And it helps. *magiiiic* So thanks, 2017-Mary.
Oh wow thank you so much for the feature!! When I saw my piece I was so overwhelmed! also love all of the advice in this vid about discouragement in art, always good to hear positive advice 💛
Bidiza ooo which one was yours?
Oli Donohue Mine was the one at 10:19 ! The piece with the really creepy hands 👹
Bidiza Haha oh gosh that one's so pretty!! about to go stalk your Instagram lol, if you get lots of notifications from olidraws, it's me :p
LOL I'm already following you on art amino and didn't even realize it! Nice to see you again haha
Oh no mary dont cry. We'll miss you too
This really helps me get the creative juices flowing
The moment I saw Mary, I liked the video. I do not know why it was unconscious action. A reflex of sorts :D
Thank you so much for the feature Mary!!! I appreciate that you shared both posts as well. Thanks again!
Emily Lau which one was yours? I'd love to go find it :o
They are pictured at 9:33 in the video, She has my instagram listed on the screen as well :) Happy to hear you are interested in my work!
Emily Lau ahh I did see these on Instagram! It's a really gorgeous picture ^o^
Why thank you! ^_^
The end reminded me of that bit near the end of Lego Batman where Batman says, "Go on, Scuttler! Go on! Get out of here!"
wow. Bidiza's art was stunning. All were very good.
My goal this month is too find a balance of using reference and creativity. Also, what was the new watercolor paper?
Nice! I forget the name...I randomly grabbed some sheets at the store to try out. I don't know if I wrote it down...
This video was great as always. And I really needed a motivational speech so this came at the right time. Also thank you so much for the feature (my painting's the one at 10.00min)!! Your feedback really means a lot ❤️❤️
hey Mary!!! I haven't checked in for awhile. I love your new segment!! if you're ever thinking of doing a meet and draw in minnasota I'd go!
Gahh!! I LOVE all of the pieces you featured! Those cats are amazing!
Please please please please, let's meet up when you are in Phoenix! That would be the best!
Also, it would be pretty rad if you did "Blue" as a theme in the future!
Wow, you included my comment, I really haven´t expected that! Thank you Mary :D
My eye and ear holes have received the knowledge. Thank you!
My focus this month is to paint digitally. I want to improve! So I'm taking part in Sarah Cosico's #30DaysOfHarry challenge, and paint Harry Potter art every day on Photoshop :D
Anyway, i love your videos so much Mary, so inspiring and fun, always ♥
MARY I HAVENT SEEN YOUR VIDEOS IN SO LONG AND I AM BAAACCCKKK
Hi. First off, I've been following your videos for a long time, and though I'm not an artist, I love to watch you at work and also enjoy your sparkling verve. I'm looking forward to GoT7 just to hear your analyses (but my ulterior motive there is that you affirm things I perceive myself). Anyway, I live in Austin, so I'm excited about your upcoming appearance with Dante at the Cherrywood Coffeehouse, but neither I nor the coffeehouse have been able to find you or Dante on their events calendar. Could you confirm and get back to me on that, pretty please?
OH FUCK THAT WAS INSPIRING AS SHIT
Could you make a flip through of that amazing (i know it will be so wtv) travel sketchbook once you get back? I'D LOVE THAT
I don't know if it's the sort of the you'd be into, but there's a set of springs you can visit in Austin called Barton Springs that has two species of salamander that are only found there.
AHHH chelsea is one of my best friends i love her work thank you for mentioning her!!!!
NEW ORLEANS?? i live in louisiana ahh! i don't think i'll be in town that day but i still hope you have fun! be sure to visit the audubon aquarium, there's a big room where lil parakeets fly around and land on you and it's the best
I'm not even an artist. But I love watching you and your videos 💗 thank youu for your videos 💗
CONGRATS YOU HAVE 420 THOUSAND SUBSCRIBERS !!
Aw craaaap I missed thisI gotta turn on notifications because I always get these and do something
I'm so happy I found your videos you just gave me the boost I needed
Oh my gosh! It really is a relationship! XD When working with one medium over the other and the time spent on said mediums...wait, does that mean that I'm cheating on my mediums if I'm doing traditional and woodburning? Oh no....don't say anything! They can't know that I've been seeing each other!
Thank you so much for featuring my comment!
I find Deadpool inspiring. "Maximum Effort!"
Can't wait for inc-tober!!!
Im love your channel, is so fun! I came across this particular video because I'm trying to accept that I cant do digital just because I dont have the training time that i have with traditional...but also, it just feels so much more dificult, methodic, i dont know... and im a loose artist. I dunno Im just thinking because I need to talk about this with someone lol. Thanks
Here is something my Still Life teacher sent to me:
The entire painting process comes down to a series of corrections.
The goal is to end with a beautiful painting not to get it right with the first stroke of the brush.
One would do well to approach the process from the onset as one big glorious mistake that, through adventurous problem solving, you are setting out to make right.
A look at the pentimento on any great masterwork is proof enough that no one gets it right the first time.
Mistakes and problems ARE the process .
You simply get quicker at correcting and solving them.
Work freely and do not worry about making mistakes.
You can always correct mistakes later.
As you paint, remember there is always an awkward stage in every painting. You might begin with a flawless drawing that quickly becomes lost under layers of paint in an attempt to match your color or value. Or, individual objects within your composition might look correct themselves but they don't seem to 'fit' with each other.
Find the place in your painting that reads the strongest and most accurate.
Do not re-work this area but begin working out from this area...comparing what is right to the areas that are somehow not working.
And in the end, if all is, in fact lost, accept failure graciously and simply start over.
You will find that your second attempt is more concise, direct and accurate.
Painting is a journey in which you never reach the end.
The more you paint the more you will find this to be one of the most beautiful and compelling aspects of the craft.
There will always be something both challenging you and moving you forward.
Remember: Patience, Practice and Persistence.
From John Rizzotto teacher at Gage Academy
Can next months theme be "Growth"?
HardPress Trigger agreed
Unrelated to video topic but your hair looks amazing!!!
haha ! "Shia does it so much better" such a humorous and good channel .
you should totally do Twitch streaming! I think that you would do so well and we would follow you anywhere! you're awesome!
I bought a book about drawing dragons, because that has been my dream for like 3 years. So I spent the night only drawing dragons and I didn't get eany sleep. Pls send help. But do you have eany tips on knowing the right time to stop before you realize it's the morning...?
I know the theme is extravagance but I'm still gonna do dragons. :3
A dragon surrounded by their hoard perhaps?
Zasi Josefiina
1. I have so much trouble coming up with ideas for art!!!!
2. How should I practice and improve with my art when I don't know what to practice?
Any tips?
By the way, I love your videos!!
I dunno if this has already been done but maybe "Vague Elegance" or "Emotions" lulz
Love your videos Mary! I've been watching you since 3rd grade (9th grade now haha)
Kep mekin urt!
I recently bought a magazine on anatomy along with a sketchbook with handmade paper so my goal is to actually study backgrounds and people.
Love this video!!!
eeeep, mine's here! (the witch guy with the potion in the flask lol) thank you for the nice comments Mary :D
mary, maybe next months theme should be "curious". I'd love to see art art based on that
Maybe the term next month could be something like "earth"??it's something open ended that could get really simple or intricate or weird and I think the outcomes would be beautiful!
Wonderful! Could you please make a video on using masking fluid? Thank you
Thanks Mary!!!
Mary I have a question. how do you think creative and unique ideas when you do the SCRIBBLE CHALLENGE?
I'm in LA! I'd love to get coffee and do art with you!
Dear Mary doodles, Have you tried art prompt generators? They are fun for when you don't know what to draw.
I feel like "Beyond" would be a cool theme for next month
This video ❤️
You look so much like Kari Byron from Mythbusters and it's tripping me out! lol. nice video :)
yessssssssss!!!!!!!
I just love your personality! XD ❤❤❤
Can next weeks theme be "twins"?
I become frustrated and disheartened when my work isn’t as good as I want it to be
or when I feel its quality is declining instead of improving!
I look back at old ‘successes’ and think, “I’m losing it “.
But, I’m not really losing anything.
Maybe the subject wasn’t one that suits my style or maybe I just hated the subject entirely !!
Maybe I’d chosen the wrong medium.
I could have used pastels when I used graphite..or vice versa.
Or I just approached the task the wrong way, somehow.
Some days my ability to draw accurately seems to have disappeared.
Some days, I’m just depressed by life and politics and getting older and the sudden smallness of my world
that I think,
“ Ugh ! I don’t even want to do anything. Not paint, not draw, not get dressed.
Who cares and why bother ? “
All that passes.
I didnt get into artschool again
Btw I love these channels but they make me feel bad about my art too haha
haha I thought you were going to say "get some coffee and do some drugs"
next theme should be space!! or did you do it??
@Mary Doodles can you do a copics tutorial? Pleeeease! Also luv u :D
You are awesome 💛
Go to the Museum of Death in New Orleans!!! I hope you post where you'll be!!! I would so love to meet you!!!
Yay Austin!
great video
can you tell me how do u streach your watercolor paper ? providing making waves?
I see this wet technique in which you make the whole paper wet etc but iam to lazy for it -.-
I love watching you just talk on video. I bet if we tied your hands together you could not utter a word.
your so crazy! I like it!!
I'd like to see a 'Smoke and Fire' theme one month :)
My goal is to do more digital art!!!
Maybe for August YATM, the theme could be 'Jarring' ? Idk I think that could be cool
Next months theme should be "...cute?"
i get stressed when i draw eyes and just stop after trying like 50 times and go back to watching youtube
Speaking of being discourage and walking; when I was 1 I started walking and fell head first into a chair and cut my forehead. Didn't walk for a while but now 22 years later I'm totally FINE! 0.0
you seem like such a kind, cool person ur awesome:-)
so.. i looked up the meaning of extravagance on google and i found there are 2 different meanings.. the first one means being wasteful or overusing resources.. the second one means stylish or glamour and such.. And im not sure which one is intended for the challenge.. pls help :')