Uploaded May 2011 | Updated September 2026, 47 minutes ago
A lot of people write me ask me advice on how to improve... They ask me to recommend books, vids, etc. Honestly, I don't really know of any that I can recommend when it comes to my own personal experience. The only real way I know to improve your chops as an artist is to obsess with drawing and painting.
This video is a clear example of what I do to improve my chops. For me, this technique is highly challenging and extremely useful in conditioning myself as an artist. Basically I am sketching/painting a random portrait of a generic woman with black ink on illustration board. Obviously, since it is ink there is very little room for mistakes, since I can't erase (or "ctrl + z"). Also, the fast drying factor makes the challenge even more intense. In my opinion, this is where the real hardcore learning takes place. This is a lot like the guitar/musician practicing complex scales of notes in patterns that help them to build their dexterity and minimize the chance of flubbing during a performance. In the same way, this exercise strengthens my ability to deliver deadlines in top speed.
I notice that on one of my other vids people have a hard time believing that I painted the whole thing in 1 hour. The implication that I am lying, or exaggerating is often put out there. Some artists have commented and even said that they work in industry as some kind of artist for hire of similar caliber, and they "know" it is impossible to do such a work in an hour. (Firstly, I wonder if they know that comes off slightly arrogant as if openly saying that they're experience and ability is the tops-- no one can be faster than them?) What they don't realize is the YEARS and constant obsessing I have done as a desperate artist who worked his tail off in the school of hard knocks to get this fast. I've had some pretty bad times in earlier years, and I worked my finger to the bone practicing, trying to produce as much as I can, as BEST as I can to try and get someone to notice, and give me a scrap of work.
Digital medium is only that: a "medium". I've always felt that the best way to master the art ability is to use straight up paper and some kind of simple art medium-- like a pencil (any kind) or a brush with one color of paint or ink. If you can practice that, and get some decent results I believe (from my experience) that it will help carve a stronger artist out of you.
It is hard, though. It is EXTREMELY frustrating. Believe me, I have ripped up an awful lot of CRAP and thrown it away over the years practicing this way.
As far as the techniques applied here-- when I start off, I am almost simply painting with dirty water. That is, because there is no room for mistakes and no pencil underlay- you kind of cheat that process by drawing it real lightly with extremely watered down ink or paint. As you go around the pic, you slowly build it up and try real hard not to screw it up! It's hard, but real good exercise.
As far as references, I usually have an array of random pictures posted around me of people. Mostly my wife. But as I said, this is a generic woman, deliberately NOT painted as anyone, especially my wife. Sometimes I don't like to post pics of people I know, simply because of the ignorant comments people make, though they mean no offense. There was recent comment on the acrylic portrait of my wife where someone criticized her mouth, thinking they were giving constructive criticism to my technique. The problem with that, is when the mouth (or any other facial feature) is actually perfectly correct, and the person is unwittingly saying that the woman I have painted has a flawed face. :-/ Make me feel bad that the person I have painted is gonna see that and not feel too good about themselves. But that's the world, and that's youtube. ;-)
Anyway-- this was done in a little under an hour. I hope you enjoy...
See the final at:
chrisscalf.deviantart.com/art/Ink-and-bru-sketch-207921024
A lot of people write me ask me advice on how to improve... They ask me to recommend books, vids, etc. Honestly, I don't really know of any that I can recommend when it comes to my own personal experience. The only real way I know to improve your chops as an artist is to obsess with drawing and painting.
This video is a clear example of what I do to improve my chops. For me, this technique is highly challenging and extremely useful in conditioning myself as an artist. Basically I am sketching/painting a random portrait of a generic woman with black ink on illustration board. Obviously, since it is ink there is very little room for mistakes, since I can't erase (or "ctrl + z"). Also, the fast drying factor makes the challenge even more intense. In my opinion, this is where the real hardcore learning takes place. This is a lot like the guitar/musician practicing complex scales of notes in patterns that help them to build their dexterity and minimize the chance of flubbing during a performance. In the same way, this exercise strengthens my ability to deliver deadlines in top speed.
I notice that on one of my other vids people have a hard time believing that I painted the whole thing in 1 hour. The implication that I am lying, or exaggerating is often put out there. Some artists have commented and even said that they work in industry as some kind of artist for hire of similar caliber, and they "know" it is impossible to do such a work in an hour. (Firstly, I wonder if they know that comes off slightly arrogant as if openly saying that they're experience and ability is the tops-- no one can be faster than them?) What they don't realize is the YEARS and constant obsessing I have done as a desperate artist who worked his tail off in the school of hard knocks to get this fast. I've had some pretty bad times in earlier years, and I worked my finger to the bone practicing, trying to produce as much as I can, as BEST as I can to try and get someone to notice, and give me a scrap of work.
Digital medium is only that: a "medium". I've always felt that the best way to master the art ability is to use straight up paper and some kind of simple art medium-- like a pencil (any kind) or a brush with one color of paint or ink. If you can practice that, and get some decent results I believe (from my experience) that it will help carve a stronger artist out of you.
It is hard, though. It is EXTREMELY frustrating. Believe me, I have ripped up an awful lot of CRAP and thrown it away over the years practicing this way.
As far as the techniques applied here-- when I start off, I am almost simply painting with dirty water. That is, because there is no room for mistakes and no pencil underlay- you kind of cheat that process by drawing it real lightly with extremely watered down ink or paint. As you go around the pic, you slowly build it up and try real hard not to screw it up! It's hard, but real good exercise.
As far as references, I usually have an array of random pictures posted around me of people. Mostly my wife. But as I said, this is a generic woman, deliberately NOT painted as anyone, especially my wife. Sometimes I don't like to post pics of people I know, simply because of the ignorant comments people make, though they mean no offense. There was recent comment on the acrylic portrait of my wife where someone criticized her mouth, thinking they were giving constructive criticism to my technique. The problem with that, is when the mouth (or any other facial feature) is actually perfectly correct, and the person is unwittingly saying that the woman I have painted has a flawed face. :-/ Make me feel bad that the person I have painted is gonna see that and not feel too good about themselves. But that's the world, and that's youtube. ;-)
Anyway-- this was done in a little under an hour. I hope you enjoy...
See the final at:
chrisscalf.deviantart.com/art/Ink-and-bru-sketch-207921024
