Bad Practice Methods That Makes You Poor at Drawing Illustrations

Summary

In this video, Saito Naoki shares insights on effective and ineffective methods for improving drawing skills, drawing from his 20 years of experience as a professional illustrator. He emphasizes that focusing solely on small parts, like drawing neat lines or circles, can be counterproductive. Instead, he advocates for considering the whole picture and correcting flaws through constant revision. He stresses the importance of input—observing the world around you—to fuel creativity and improve technique. Saito concludes by warning against over-focusing on efficiency and encourages embracing inefficiencies for true artistic growth and originality.

Takeaways

• 😀 Practice drawing entire pictures rather than just small parts. Focusing too much on individual components like eyes or hands can lead to poor overall balance in your art.
• 😀 The viewer's first impression of a painting is based on the overall feel and balance, not the quality of individual details.
• 😀 Perfect straight lines and neat circles are not necessary for creating good art. Tools in digital art programs can handle these elements if needed.
• 😀 Continuous correction is key to improvement. Don't shy away from revising your work multiple times until you're satisfied with it.
• 😀 Drawing on loose or disposable paper can prevent you from improving. Commit to filling a sketchbook to track your progress and stay motivated.
• 😀 Simply repeating drawing without thoughtful input won't help your improvement. Engage with various forms of input, such as reading, movies, and nature, to inspire your work.
• 😀 Art is about giving form to emotions. Without emotional input, technical skill alone cannot produce meaningful art.
• 😀 Focusing solely on efficient practice methods can lead to stagnation. Inefficiency can sometimes lead to breakthroughs and creativity in your art.
• 😀 As a creator, embracing inefficiency and exploration is part of the journey. Pushing boundaries with unconventional methods can lead to originality.
• 😀 A balance between efficiency and creative exploration is crucial for long-term growth as an artist. Avoid fixating solely on one or the other.
• 😀 Never underestimate the value of personal experiences and struggles. Sometimes, inefficient practices from earlier years contribute significantly to your current style and skill.

Q & A

What is the main issue with practicing only small parts of a drawing, like just the eyes or hands?

Practicing only small parts of a drawing in isolation is ineffective because it neglects the overall balance and composition of the entire image. The viewer perceives the artwork as a whole, and even well-drawn parts may appear off if they don't fit into the bigger picture.

Why is focusing on drawing perfect straight lines and neat circles not as important as people think?

Drawing perfect straight lines and neat circles is not critical to being a skilled artist. Artistic skill is about creating expressive and balanced works, and tools like straight-line or circle tools in digital art can help with precision. The ability to convey emotion and creativity is more important than technical perfection in drawing lines and shapes.

How does constantly redrawing a picture affect one's improvement in drawing skills?

Constantly redrawing a picture without making corrections or working through the issues doesn't lead to significant improvement. True progress comes from learning to fix mistakes and improving the aspects that initially don't look good, which leads to a deeper understanding and more refined skills.

What is the difference between 'output' and 'input' in drawing practice?

Output refers to the act of physically drawing or creating art, while input refers to the inspiration and information that fuels creativity, such as reading books, watching movies, or observing the world around you. Both are important, but input is essential for feeding your imagination and emotional expression, which in turn improves your artwork.

Why is it important to prioritize input over output in art practice?

Input is crucial because it helps to inspire and shape emotions, which are the foundation of any artwork. Without external stimuli or emotional inspiration, practicing drawing becomes repetitive and mechanical, which stunts artistic growth. Input broadens your creative capacity, while output refines your skills.

What is the danger of focusing solely on efficient practice methods in art?

Focusing only on efficient practice methods may lead to a limited understanding of art, as efficiency isn't always the path to deeper creative exploration. The pursuit of efficiency could stifle originality and prevent artists from embracing the messy, inefficient process that often leads to unexpected breakthroughs and personal growth.

How does inefficiency contribute to an artist's growth and originality?

Inefficiency in practice can foster creativity and uniqueness. Struggling with difficult concepts, trying out new techniques, and taking risks can lead to discoveries that an efficient approach might not reveal. This process of trial and error is often where an artist finds their own voice and style.

What role does 'fixing' mistakes play in an artist's improvement?

Fixing mistakes is essential for improvement because it forces the artist to critically evaluate their work and understand how to enhance it. This iterative process builds confidence and skill, as artists learn to correct and refine their work over time rather than relying on external solutions or starting over.

Why is it important not to focus too much on 'finding the right answer' in art?

Focusing too much on finding the 'right answer' can restrict creativity and limit an artist's potential. Art is about exploration and self-expression, and there often isn't a single 'right answer.' Embracing experimentation and taking unconventional paths can lead to more personal and innovative art.

How did Saito Naoki's early, 'inefficient' practice methods contribute to his current artistic style?

Saito Naoki's early 'inefficient' practice methods, such as drawing unsettling or bizarre pictures in college, played a pivotal role in his development. Despite being technically inefficient, these practices helped him refine his skills and eventually find a unique artistic style that blends detail and creativity, demonstrating the value of non-efficient practices in long-term artistic growth.