I think this is excellent advice, and the analogy to music training makes a lot of sense. A lot of this also reminds me of how athletes train: they don't always run marathons (or lift their 1 rep max weight, or play an entire game of basketball, or ....). Instead, they do many different training sessions, each with a specific goal of improving their strength, or speed, or endurance, or sport-specific skill. A basketball player can practice their shooting thousands of time, instead of the
Lots of good points. Yes, I think all the social media displays of perfect sketchbooks are quite intimidating and undermine the true value of a sketchbook - a place to explore, capture, plan, experiment etc. There now seems to be a pressure to make it an exquisite artwork in its own right on every page. Living in Australia the only paintings by Monet I saw were the masterpieces that came here in big exhibitions. When I first visited France I was astounded to discover that some of his paintings were very ordinary looking in comparison to his best. It is now a source of great encouragement as I draw. All the best. 😀
@Stephen Travers Art In your interior perspective freehand video I'll admit I thought you used vanishing points when you produced your work. When I see half the things in your sketchpads, i can't think of how i'd begin any of them without a vanishing pt fram of reference. I dont know how to do backgrounds without the vanishing points. I cant even figure out how you did the ceiling in that room.
Absolutely right. Also how can you advance in your learning if a teacher doesn't have the skills or knowledge themselves. As a child I was in a local art class. It was a joke, and I knew it, even as young as I was. Basically it was come and throw paint at the paper. What I 'learned' from the unwarranted lavish praise I got was if you don't have natural talent forget it, because art skills can't be taught. When you learn you need constructive information and criticism. It 's important to really examine an instructors work. Do they have the skill level to take you where you want to go? Then you need to evaluate their teaching style and communication skills. You get top grades on both counts, Stephen. Thank you..
Thanks Heather for your generous words. It sounds as though you have found yourself on a better art path than you started on though. All the best as you travel on it. 😀
yes, just because an artist can create a beautiful accurate piece of work, they might not have the skill to articulate the process, or the social skills to guide the student in a supportive way
First I really enjoy your videos I believe your a very good teacher you have a good sense of what the students are experiencing.have you ever considered a book love you videos but it’s always nice to be able to grab a book and go over something quickly.Your drawings are beautiful as well you could combine the two into a great book .
Hi stephen, I'm a student who's interested in architecture and wants to draw detailed architectural cityscape drawings.What books would you recommend me?
Hi Ye. I’m afraid I don’t have formal training in art or architecture, so I don’t have any references to recommend for you. But I am sure they are out there, so keep looking. Possibly asking a school of architecture at a local university might be helpful. Good luck. 😀
Thanks for your comment, but I couldn't agree less. However, we don't all start at the same place when we start learning to draw, due to our previous life experiences. This comment also seems to disregard my hundreds, if not thousands of hours of disciplined, focused, intentional drawing and critiquing and strategising and experimenting over hundreds of drawings day after day after day. Your comment seems to replace all that with 'gee, how lucky you are to be born being able to just do this'. Drawing is no different a skill to learn than playing the piano. We don't don't consider excellent pianists lucky to have been born like that, we admire their discipline and hard work. Don't mean to jump on your comment so heavily, but I wanted to share my thoughts alongside yours.
@@stephentraversart fair enough. I still believe that talent is real and that some people just learn faster and by nature are more disciplined then others there for having it easier to learn and focus. If you are born with a learning disability like autism any other you will have a hard time learning compared to some one thats neurotypical. But thats my opinion on the matter. Another matter is that some people know how to study effectivly while's others dont. And that can seriously make art alot harder.
I also find that fresh set of eyes can make me less critical of my work. I’m often over critical of what I’ve drawn until I see it the next day and suddenly it seems much better 😂
as an adult learner, I feel your videos are directly speaking to me, thank you
That’s very helpful for me to hear. Thanks 😀
I think this is excellent advice, and the analogy to music training makes a lot of sense. A lot of this also reminds me of how athletes train: they don't always run marathons (or lift their 1 rep max weight, or play an entire game of basketball, or ....). Instead, they do many different training sessions, each with a specific goal of improving their strength, or speed, or endurance, or sport-specific skill. A basketball player can practice their shooting thousands of time, instead of the
Lots of good points. Yes, I think all the social media displays of perfect sketchbooks are quite intimidating and undermine the true value of a sketchbook - a place to explore, capture, plan, experiment etc. There now seems to be a pressure to make it an exquisite artwork in its own right on every page. Living in Australia the only paintings by Monet I saw were the masterpieces that came here in big exhibitions. When I first visited France I was astounded to discover that some of his paintings were very ordinary looking in comparison to his best. It is now a source of great encouragement as I draw. All the best. 😀
Some very useful advice here! Thanks!
Glad you think so. Thanks 😀
Wow, really just opened my mind just now. You're perspective skills are IN-SANE btw
Thanks. Yes, I think they are helpful points to think about. 😀
@Stephen Travers Art In your interior perspective freehand video I'll admit I thought you used vanishing points when you produced your work. When I see half the things in your sketchpads, i can't think of how i'd begin any of them without a vanishing pt fram of reference. I dont know how to do backgrounds without the vanishing points. I cant even figure out how you did the ceiling in that room.
Absolutely right. Also how can you advance in your learning if a teacher doesn't have the skills or knowledge themselves. As a child I was in a local art class. It was a joke, and I knew it, even as young as I was. Basically it was come and throw paint at the paper. What I 'learned' from the unwarranted lavish praise I got was if you don't have natural talent forget it, because art skills can't be taught. When you learn you need constructive information and criticism. It 's important to really examine an instructors work. Do they have the skill level to take you where you want to go? Then you need to evaluate their teaching style and communication skills. You get top grades on both counts, Stephen. Thank you..
Thanks Heather for your generous words. It sounds as though you have found yourself on a better art path than you started on though. All the best as you travel on it. 😀
yes, just because an artist can create a beautiful accurate piece of work, they might not have the skill to articulate the process, or the social skills to guide the student in a supportive way
Many thanks for those advices.
It's very helpful
My pleasure. So glad it’s helpful. 😀
First I really enjoy your videos I believe your a very good teacher you have a good sense of what the students are experiencing.have you ever considered a book love you videos but it’s always nice to be able to grab a book and go over something quickly.Your drawings are beautiful as well you could combine the two into a great book .
Thanks Barry. A book feels like an overwhelming effort right now, but thanks for the suggestion and encouragement 😀
Hi stephen, I'm a student who's interested in architecture and wants to draw detailed architectural cityscape drawings.What books would you recommend me?
Hi Ye. I’m afraid I don’t have formal training in art or architecture, so I don’t have any references to recommend for you. But I am sure they are out there, so keep looking. Possibly asking a school of architecture at a local university might be helpful. Good luck. 😀
its all talent. some people have the eye others just dont. There's a reason its called the 1 % and the 99%.
Thanks for your comment, but I couldn't agree less. However, we don't all start at the same place when we start learning to draw, due to our previous life experiences. This comment also seems to disregard my hundreds, if not thousands of hours of disciplined, focused, intentional drawing and critiquing and strategising and experimenting over hundreds of drawings day after day after day. Your comment seems to replace all that with 'gee, how lucky you are to be born being able to just do this'. Drawing is no different a skill to learn than playing the piano. We don't don't consider excellent pianists lucky to have been born like that, we admire their discipline and hard work. Don't mean to jump on your comment so heavily, but I wanted to share my thoughts alongside yours.
@@stephentraversart fair enough. I still believe that talent is real and that some people just learn faster and by nature are more disciplined then others there for having it easier to learn and focus. If you are born with a learning disability like autism any other you will have a hard time learning compared to some one thats neurotypical. But thats my opinion on the matter. Another matter is that some people know how to study effectivly while's others dont. And that can seriously make art alot harder.
I also find that fresh set of eyes can make me less critical of my work. I’m often over critical of what I’ve drawn until I see it the next day and suddenly it seems much better 😂
A little distance from the intenseness of the drawing is always an interesting and usually helpful thing. All the best with your drawing. 😀