How to Draw Tips | What are thumbnail sketches? How to use them

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  • Опубликовано: 31 янв 2014
  • How to draw thumbnail sketches as a part of learning how to draw people, animals, gestures, studies, composition, portrait drawing, still life, etc. This is useful way of exploring drawing ideas, poses, light and shadow, structure, positions of the subject, composition and design, color schemes, textures, linear perspective point of views, or just a way of studying a subject in different ways or details.

Комментарии • 177

  • @toxicmelody6228
    @toxicmelody6228 7 лет назад +77

    Wow I didn't know I was doing thumbnails all this time. I just thought of it as let me see how this will look before I mess up my good paper. Why don't teachers teach these things in school. I learned more on the internet than in class.

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  7 лет назад +28

      haha@ "let me see how this will look before I mess up my good paper"
      Exactly!

    • @jacquelinesmith1624
      @jacquelinesmith1624 3 года назад +2

      ha ha ha I teach this with EVERY project, but my colleague says he never plans this way. :P

    • @Bonesy
      @Bonesy 3 года назад +3

      My teacher is making us do this assignment and linked this video

  • @angimes3
    @angimes3 4 года назад +51

    I like when you suggest: "the artist is not a slave of what he/she sees" it gives freedom and release our creativity. Thank you for your suggestions and teaching

  • @kevdipenner
    @kevdipenner 8 лет назад +52

    I teach a 2D Art class at a private school. I will definitely be showing this tutorial to my class. THANK YOU for sharing!

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  8 лет назад +6

      +Diane Penner thanks for sharing :-)

  • @alicesacco9329
    @alicesacco9329 9 лет назад +84

    I always believed that thumbnail sketches were only for mediocre artists like myself (at school I was the worst at drawing and the only that drew a lot of thumbnail sketches, because I had several ideas) but recently, I discovered that drawing thumbnail sketches is actually a good thing.

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  9 лет назад +8

      Alice Sacco Yes it is! I always do them

    • @plasmoasis
      @plasmoasis Год назад

      lavendertowne does thumbnails and she’s super successful! i think they’re pretty useful

  • @PengiChyan
    @PengiChyan 7 лет назад +73

    you explained the importance of thumbnails better than any teachers I've ever had! I use to think thumbnails didn't do any good but I never realized all the things you can plan with them. like light source, gesture, angles etc. I"m trying to plan out some pieces for my portfolio so this video came in handy. thank you.

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  7 лет назад +12

      Yup I use them alot. Glad I could help : )

    • @veaudor
      @veaudor 7 лет назад +5

      I agree. NO one ever taught me just what to do with thumbnails. This has been an eye-opener for me.

  • @votf6580
    @votf6580 7 лет назад +70

    So it is like a rough draft when writing

  • @adrianux1
    @adrianux1 10 лет назад +18

    You are so kind to share all this knowledge with other people. Thank you so much.

  • @Zistheone2
    @Zistheone2 5 лет назад +20

    Normally, when I do thumbnails for myself, I can draw them easily. But for some reason I always struggle whenever I draw them for a commission or a class assignment since I can’t get out of the mindset that they have to be 100% perfect

  • @orindelimaaraujo8998
    @orindelimaaraujo8998 2 года назад

    Thank you Alphonso Dunn, so clear and right to the point. Instead of wasting precious time and resources on making what comes out as mediocre, thumbnails are the fastest way to eliminate what does not work, and to find what does, before going all in on the piece you are creating.

  • @rjohnson5301
    @rjohnson5301 5 лет назад

    Awesome! Thanks for the informative video and explanation of a thumbnail sketches!

  • @SuzanneLegault
    @SuzanneLegault 3 года назад +4

    Alphonso did you know the Univerity of New Castle in Australia as a link to this video in the extra resources in lesson 2 of their Drawing Nature, Science and Culture: Natural History Illustration 101 on EdX. The second part of lesson 2 is about landscape and environment drawing. I love your channel and have learned so much from you so generously sharing your talent.

  • @curtshirley5628
    @curtshirley5628 7 лет назад

    Amazing! Best insight into the importance of thumbnailing. Love this video!

  • @jyllm32
    @jyllm32 10 лет назад +12

    I have never thought about doing thumbnail sketches, this really is helpful for me, I always end up drawing to high or low on the paper and the picture will end up with at strange porpotion. Thanks alot

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  10 лет назад +3

      Trust me, its an invaluable practice!

  • @irisleason4210
    @irisleason4210 9 лет назад +8

    I'm gonna try and use this more often.

  • @tbluemel
    @tbluemel Год назад

    Another GREAT video! Thank you!!!

  • @leerothwell8445
    @leerothwell8445 9 лет назад +16

    Great video, very informative.
    I am an amateur self taught artist and I have never used this method when planing a picture.
    I am looking to become a comic book and concept artist so this practice will save me a lot of paper and erasing.
    So I thank you and will check out your other videos.
    Lee.

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  9 лет назад +3

      Lee Rothwell No problem. Glad it could help :-)

  • @shirleyjenkins8511
    @shirleyjenkins8511 7 лет назад

    Love the way he explains every step and why !!

  • @melissabenito1376
    @melissabenito1376 7 лет назад +1

    Thank you for this video, Alphonso! I've learnt a lot.

  • @jayashreeshenoy1166
    @jayashreeshenoy1166 5 лет назад +2

    Awesome....luv your simplstically informative way of explaining these very basic necessities which are mostly overlooked.... especially by beginners. Thanks 🙏😊

  • @austingarland8334
    @austingarland8334 10 лет назад

    Awesome thanks for the tips . Im sure they will help

  • @tombryan720
    @tombryan720 3 года назад

    What a fantastic video! Thank you

  • @charlotteb9316
    @charlotteb9316 3 года назад +2

    Thank you, your video is very helpful as I didn't understand about why and how to do the sketches as preparation and I also didn't understand how to use them to develop ideas about composition. Your demonstration and explanation was so clear and made doing the sketches and the reasons for them seem straightforward and achievable.

  • @bassist41
    @bassist41 3 года назад

    Great lesson and reminder to make this a regular element of my approach. Thanks, Mate!

  • @xenophanesiamnot
    @xenophanesiamnot 10 лет назад +3

    Excellent video on the subject. Thumbnail sketching is one of my favorite aspects of drawing, especially after spending several hours on the final piece and all of the sudden, all the planning I did in the thumbnail stage pays off. :)

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  10 лет назад +1

      xenophanesiamnot thanks...its embedded in me to use them

  • @ayeshamansur8446
    @ayeshamansur8446 4 года назад +1

    God Bless young man I always learn something wonderful from you, All take care and remember to keep safe and be kind and polite to others for what you do always gets back to you.

  • @RedSoxKal
    @RedSoxKal 10 лет назад +1

    awesome advice. I like your videos. subscribed :)

  • @deborahrech7429
    @deborahrech7429 2 года назад

    Very useful! Thanks for such a clear explanation.

  • @miko1682
    @miko1682 3 года назад

    This video was AMAZING, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

  • @audreymoss6305
    @audreymoss6305 3 года назад

    so helpful. informative and understandable. thank you!!

  • @alejandravergara654
    @alejandravergara654 3 года назад

    amazing video!!!

  • @nanvaughn2258
    @nanvaughn2258 2 года назад

    Thank you for posting this. It was so helpful. I love sketching and you have such a clear way of explaining things. Thanks again.

  • @batcavemasters
    @batcavemasters 10 лет назад +2

    Siempre que necesito ayuda o consejos o aprender algo ya lo subiste a youtube! No alcanzan las palabras para agradecerte! :D

  • @stephwulff
    @stephwulff 9 лет назад +2

    I'm taking my first art classes (Drawing I & Color/Composition) in college which is kind of scary! I recently added a Studio Art Minor to emphasize in Graphic Design. I needed to find some outside tutorials and practice and I think I'll be using yours! Thanks a lot for your diligent videos.

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  9 лет назад +2

      missstephaddo no worries. Thanks and good luck!

  • @Javlini
    @Javlini 8 лет назад +1

    Thank you. I had to know about this in order to understand what another guy meant by "thumbnail sketches". Thanks again :)

  • @teacherlemsclassyartclass3737
    @teacherlemsclassyartclass3737 3 года назад +1

    This is an awesome video. I always show this to my students during our thumbnail sketching lesson in Art class. Thanks for sharing :)

  • @haft2beu
    @haft2beu 5 лет назад

    loved the video thank you!
    I've done small sketches before to figure something out before I paint or whatever but never been so organized or thought it through like this. Helpful video ^^

  • @vunguyennamkhue7331
    @vunguyennamkhue7331 4 года назад

    Much appriciated!!!!

  • @musictickledpurple
    @musictickledpurple 10 лет назад +1

    Your videos are ridiculously helpful. thank you so much you rock!

  • @dreamrabbits5072
    @dreamrabbits5072 3 года назад

    ahh, I'm pretty sure I have done this before, I call it brainstorming :) didn't know it was an actual thing haha!

  • @adl9591
    @adl9591 5 лет назад

    This is gold, really helps me understand how thumbnail works!

  • @ivanrappaport585
    @ivanrappaport585 5 лет назад

    Well worth watching. I'll certainly use thumbnail sketching. Thanks, Alphonso.

  • @christinachampion3676
    @christinachampion3676 5 лет назад

    As always, very comprehensive, Thanks.

  • @TheScragglyMan
    @TheScragglyMan 2 года назад

    ah i see, so you can use small thumbnail sketching to try out different compositions. Have to say man, i am loving your tutorials i find them easy to follow and they make me want to pick up a pencil and get sketching ^^

  • @CaptainWumbo
    @CaptainWumbo 6 лет назад

    And you get really good at drawing sketches of horses :)

  • @PhantomDrawing
    @PhantomDrawing 7 лет назад +3

    Great video man! I'm definitely going to start doing more thumbnail sketches! Because I seriously have a bad habit of just going straight into the drawing without planning it out and a lot times my drawings suffer because of that!

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  7 лет назад +4

      Its worth planning first, trust me

  • @larryglatt2548
    @larryglatt2548 7 лет назад

    This is great on so many levels, thank you!

  • @claudiocruzat8777
    @claudiocruzat8777 Год назад

    And at the end you end up creating a sort of abstract comic. I like it. Im going for it. Its like a story.

  • @JohnAndrew1010
    @JohnAndrew1010 10 лет назад

    Great video! Thanks for sharing

  • @dianalynnward3947
    @dianalynnward3947 4 года назад

    good idea thank you

  • @brooklyn99ify
    @brooklyn99ify 10 лет назад +1

    Thank you very much for everything. I'm learning a lot thanks to you Alphonso. I spend hours and hours watching your videos :) . Again thank you very much

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  10 лет назад +1

      You're most welcome..thanks for following

  • @stylewithaudra5570
    @stylewithaudra5570 9 лет назад

    This helped me so, so much! Thanks!;))

  • @erzagutierrez1780
    @erzagutierrez1780 6 лет назад

    Thank you very much!

  • @TitanTraining4Teens
    @TitanTraining4Teens 10 лет назад

    i realy love your videos,please keep it like that bro.

  • @gulabjirani
    @gulabjirani 10 лет назад

    thanx alphonso. ur a great teacher

  • @Pit.Gutzmann
    @Pit.Gutzmann 7 лет назад

    Great video. I learned a lot from it. Thank you!

  • @kikistylzz
    @kikistylzz 10 лет назад

    Great vid as usual

  • @SethMosley-gm6yk
    @SethMosley-gm6yk Год назад

    Thank you so much for this! I'm trying to get better at drawing, coming from chalk scribbles, so this really helps

  • @EHYEHasherEHYEH1
    @EHYEHasherEHYEH1 10 лет назад

    YOU MY FRIEND ARE A SUPER HERO.......

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  10 лет назад

      thanks...thats a heavy burden lol

  • @joanistotler8804
    @joanistotler8804 4 года назад

    WOW, fabulous as usual!! What kind of support were you using - size and type? Thanks for sharing - such a marvelous artist!

  • @austingarland8334
    @austingarland8334 10 лет назад +1

    The k you for the tips I will use them!!!!

  • @Gfafu
    @Gfafu 8 лет назад +1

    Thaanks, very useful!! I will make thumbnails before making something serious!!!

  • @ThePostEdit
    @ThePostEdit 10 лет назад

    video always awesome

  • @colinreid325
    @colinreid325 6 лет назад

    Great advice Alphonso

  • @michellelarson5469
    @michellelarson5469 6 лет назад

    super helpful. Thank you.

  • @khushboobhatia1005
    @khushboobhatia1005 8 лет назад

    Really helpful , well explained!

  • @lisafred1362
    @lisafred1362 3 года назад

    Would be really great to have you and I both drawing a thumbnail of a scene then I could compare with yours so I could understand composition with values. Thanks for all you do.

  • @spanixtanspanixtan8757
    @spanixtanspanixtan8757 5 лет назад +1

    Creative stuff as usual, maestro. By the way: I just noticed your pencil extender. I was thinking of buying one, but realised there were many pieces of black bamboo cane around waiting to make some artsy thing like old ink pens. So, I took some and all the old pencil stubs at home fit, some way or another, into a hollowed bamboo cane of the right size and shape. Money saved and a fancy pencil holders for free. Thanks.

    • @everettwhite9874
      @everettwhite9874 4 года назад

      spanixtan spanixtan You should make a video of the bamboo holder you made. 🤔

    • @spanixtanspanixtan8757
      @spanixtanspanixtan8757 4 года назад

      @@everettwhite9874 Thanks for the encouragement, but art tutorials are not my style... Indeed I watched videos of how to cut canes into ink pens, and make pen holders...Nothing new to add. Some other crafts I made are worth showing as a source of ideas, but not here....They are not up to the fine pieces you can find on youtube.
      I thought of showing just pics in a very simple video, but found it embarrassing... by comparison.

  • @marcelozorrilla9244
    @marcelozorrilla9244 10 лет назад

    Otra enseñanza MUY BUENA. Gracias

  • @andrewhirsh1179
    @andrewhirsh1179 3 года назад

    Thank you!

  • @goodoledude3919
    @goodoledude3919 3 года назад

    Sir, I was thinking thumbnail sketch earlier, with a lightbulb or sunshine, find the glow on the thumbnail and find the light source! Thankyou for the video lesson!

  • @Brickboyn13
    @Brickboyn13 10 лет назад

    awesomeness

  • @danialseman1901
    @danialseman1901 10 лет назад

    THANKS MAN!

  • @parisbreakfast
    @parisbreakfast 8 лет назад

    Terrific presentation!Thank you!!!

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  8 лет назад

      Very welcome : )

    • @pergoladaniele
      @pergoladaniele 7 лет назад

      @parisbreakfast why you need to criticise someone because is trying to introduce something, if you do not like explain why and "terrific bla bla bla.." are u better then him?

    • @charm_1593
      @charm_1593 6 лет назад

      Daniele Pergola I'm really late, but terrific is a good thing..

  • @yeezyyeezywusgood
    @yeezyyeezywusgood 5 лет назад

    Thank youuuu ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  • @D3Z112
    @D3Z112 9 лет назад

    This very useful advice!

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  9 лет назад +1

      DragonDez07 thank you

    • @D3Z112
      @D3Z112 9 лет назад

      ***** You're welcome :). I'm glad that after watching this video, I'm able to get a better understanding on thumbnail sketches.

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  9 лет назад

      :-) glad to hear that

  • @JACkEBOY532
    @JACkEBOY532 10 лет назад

    hi, my name is john i just want to say i really like your videos you have taught me many things i had a stroke about 7 years ago and had to learn to do everything with my left side as i was right handed and you're excellent

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  10 лет назад

      wow..I am glad to hear you're making progress. please keep it up

    • @JACkEBOY532
      @JACkEBOY532 10 лет назад

      thank you

  • @Ken-rt8yl
    @Ken-rt8yl 10 лет назад +3

    very helpful ☆! I always use your techniques and practice everyday and now my drawings are getting better yay (n_n )! Sometimes I get distracted by the other pens and pencils on the paper ^^" .. thank you very much for your efforts ☆ .

  • @younstud1987
    @younstud1987 7 лет назад

    Thank you so much for this video, i have to get the light source down. do you have a video on that ?

  • @kathleenfritz6727
    @kathleenfritz6727 9 лет назад

    What a great video. I'm showing it to my 8th graders today. Thanks

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  9 лет назад +1

      Kathleen Fritz Hope they learn some useful stuff from it...and thanks :-)

    • @kathleenfritz6727
      @kathleenfritz6727 9 лет назад

      Will post some of their sketches next week on our twitter CREATOMbuilder, Inc​

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  9 лет назад +1

      Kathleen Fritz Will definitely be seeing them. Thanks again :-)

  • @Rcinch1
    @Rcinch1 10 лет назад

    AWESOME CONCEPTS YOU ARE SHOWING!
    I have a quick question, how do you get the point on your charcoal and graphite drawing pencils to be so long?
    Do you use some kind of knife instead of a sharpener?
    Just curious.

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  10 лет назад

      check my latest upload..I answer this very question lol

    • @Rcinch1
      @Rcinch1 10 лет назад

      ***** Thanks Dude. Interesting way to sharpen a pencil. I remember my Dad telling me that when he was in high school, in days long ago that in the 1950s there were no pencil sharpeners. You used a knife. Now I see why you sharpen it the way that you do. Thanks again man! You Rock! Rock On artist!

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  10 лет назад

      thanks so much! Your dad kept it old school :-)

  • @peevin7836
    @peevin7836 5 лет назад

    Haha nice

  • @farmallf12
    @farmallf12 10 лет назад

    Alphonso, I am an aspiring artist balcksmith. I am trying to improve my skill set by actually designing my aesthetic and functional pieces. I love using pen. I feel it is a strong medium; however, I just can't get a handle on making metal look like metal in my sketches. Do you have any advice? I carry one IDenti pen and one pencil in my sketchbook.

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  10 лет назад +1

      Thanks for watching. I hope you find the others useful. I will will be doing one on drawing metallic utensils and so on, but you can look at this in the mean time Pen & Ink Drawing Tutorial | How to render a pitcher that's chrome, shiny metal or glass

    • @farmallf12
      @farmallf12 10 лет назад

      Awesome

  • @jendragonfly
    @jendragonfly 8 лет назад

    Awesome video, Its going to be very helpful to me. I hear people talk about composition a lot, what does that actually mean?

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  8 лет назад

      Laying out your final work in a way so that you know where everything goes in advance. Where the focus of your image will be. What will be repeated. How it will be balanced, and so on. I will be doing a video on this soon

    • @jendragonfly
      @jendragonfly 8 лет назад

      Thanks for explaining it.

  • @viswanathanshanmugam2003
    @viswanathanshanmugam2003 4 года назад

    I request, please upload in-depth video about how to draw a scene in a perspective?

  • @muncleike
    @muncleike 10 лет назад

    Well taught I dont think enough emphasis is put on the value of thumbnail sketches here on youtube......thanks!

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  10 лет назад +5

      agreed...alot of emphasis on finished, polished, and perfect drawings I notice..hope this helps

  • @nicknomski8399
    @nicknomski8399 3 года назад

    Shadow-facts (LOTR pun)

  • @lindatabbush1024
    @lindatabbush1024 3 года назад

    If there is no subject..it is abstract so do I need a thumbnail sketch

  • @EHYEHasherEHYEH1
    @EHYEHasherEHYEH1 10 лет назад +1

    Speaking of Super Heroes, Why don't you draw yourself as a Super Hero and promote it? If you ever showed your face on your channel, put on your Super Hero Mask at all times.....think of the Millions, Billions that will love you for your work...I am working on sending a booklet out with art training in it and I have your video titles on some of the pages. I tore out pages of different art books and I am going to have copies made and pass them out to ones I choose.....Talent Vs Skill...Practice = Professional THANK YOU SIR....YOU ARE AN ICON

  • @ProfHighKick
    @ProfHighKick 9 лет назад

    Is it odd that I have more fun with the thumbnails than I do with the final drawing? Lol, I actually put color to the thumbnails and make them studies for my 3D art.

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  9 лет назад

      analyticalw not at all...take it a step further now

  • @PuppetMaster8707
    @PuppetMaster8707 4 года назад

    I wish I had an amazing extender I use an old bic pen tube for mine ahahahaha

  • @MicahBuzanANIMATION
    @MicahBuzanANIMATION 6 лет назад +1

    I've learned way more on RUclips than I ever did in School.

  • @AkitaSyn
    @AkitaSyn 10 лет назад

    I like your videos but the audio is just bad, have you thought of getting a better mic? Other than that your vids are helpful! So thanks!

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  10 лет назад

      Awesome4ever2551 The audio is "just bad"? lol Will work on it your Highness :-)

    • @AkitaSyn
      @AkitaSyn 10 лет назад

      ***** haha sorry for putting it that way.

    • @alphonsodunn
      @alphonsodunn  10 лет назад

      lol

    • @avefenixyou
      @avefenixyou 9 лет назад +1

      Cohen. get a better speakers mate. sound is cristal clear in here. cheers

    • @AkitaSyn
      @AkitaSyn 9 лет назад

      avefenixyou it ain't the speaker, Phone, Ipad, laptop it still sounds the same. Its the quality

  • @edwardgaines6561
    @edwardgaines6561 5 лет назад +2

    Hamburger, or hot dog?

  • @stevehuntsmen
    @stevehuntsmen Год назад

    My teacher made me watch this for graphic design

  • @pumpkinqreadchanneldesc4811
    @pumpkinqreadchanneldesc4811 3 года назад

    Beans

  • @MrWeebs-gc2jj
    @MrWeebs-gc2jj 2 года назад +1

    20% what is thumbnail sketch
    80% horse

  • @banothhussainnaik6752
    @banothhussainnaik6752 6 лет назад

    nice sir

  • @lovejesus9049
    @lovejesus9049 2 года назад +2

    Jesus loves all 💗😊😇