4 Things I Wish I Knew When I Started Drawing Anime Style Art

Summary

Ori shares valuable insights for aspiring artists, focusing on 4 key lessons learned from years of experience in anime-style art. The video emphasizes mastering character drawing, both in figure drawing and stylization, as the most critical skill. Ori advises artists to go through a 'sampling period' to explore different styles and find what resonates before committing to one. Lastly, Ori highlights the importance of focus, repetition, and aiming for small, consistent improvements to build both skill and audience. The video is packed with tips for anyone looking to improve their craft and grow as an artist.

Takeaways

• 😀 Consistent practice is essential: Drawing every day helps build skills and overcome common artistic challenges.
• 🎯 Focus on character drawing in anime art: The character is the most important part, and mastering it should be a top priority.
• 🖌️ Stylization is a skill: Learning how to stylize your figures in a visually appealing way takes practice and understanding.
• 👨‍🎨 Practice like a chef: While there are no strict rules, just like cooking, mastery in art requires knowing which techniques create appealing results.
• 🔄 Sampling period is crucial: Before specializing, try different types of art and styles to figure out what resonates with you.
• 🏹 Find your niche through experimentation: By trying various forms of art (e.g., illustration, manga, character design), you can discover your passion.
• 🗓️ Set sampling project deadlines: Creating a finished work within a set timeframe helps determine if a style or technique is a good fit.
• 🔍 Focus on one thing to improve faster: Concentrating on a specific niche or character type will help you build a reputation and audience.
• 📈 Success comes from small, consistent improvements: Aim for 1% growth in your skills each time you create art.
• 🌟 Build a following by specializing: Focus on one area to establish yourself, and then slowly expand your range once you've built a reputation.

Q & A

What does Ori consider the most important skill to focus on for anime-style art?

Ori believes that character drawing is the most important skill in anime-style art. While other aspects like coloring, lighting, and composition are important, a well-drawn character is key to making a piece appealing.

What are the two skills involved in character drawing, according to Ori?

The two skills involved in character drawing are: (1) drawing the figure, which involves understanding anatomy and structure, and (2) stylization, which focuses on how to make the figure look appealing within the anime style.

How does Ori compare stylization in art to cooking?

Ori compares stylization in art to cooking by saying that just as a chef needs to know how to use ingredients and methods to create a delicious dish, an artist needs to practice stylization to make their art appealing. Simply doing 'whatever you want' without skillful choices won't lead to good results.

What approach does Ori suggest for improving figure drawing skills?

Ori recommends a cycle for improving figure drawing: first, study the structure of body parts using references, then draw turnarounds of the body part, and finally reflect on the drawings by comparing them with the references before repeating the process.

What is the 'sampling period' that Ori mentions, and why is it important?

The 'sampling period' is a phase where artists try out different styles, techniques, and areas of interest before committing to a specialization. It allows them to discover what resonates with them through direct experience, instead of prematurely optimizing or choosing a niche too early.

What is a 'sampling project,' and how does it help an artist?

A 'sampling project' is a specific, finished work with a set deadline that an artist undertakes to explore a particular style, medium, or niche. It helps them determine if they enjoy and want to pursue that direction further while gaining valuable skills.

Why does Ori suggest focusing on just one thing once an artist has finished their sampling period?

Focusing on one thing after the sampling period is crucial for two reasons: it allows faster improvement through repeated practice of the same thing, and it helps build an audience by establishing a clear niche that people can follow.

What analogy does Ori use to explain building a following as an artist?

Ori uses the analogy of a specialty sushi shop to explain building a following. Just like a shop that specializes in one type of sushi (like salmon sushi), artists should focus on one specific type of art to build a reputation before expanding their range.

How does Ori suggest artists should view improvement in their skills?

Ori suggests that artists should focus on small, incremental improvements, aiming for 1% growth with each piece. Over time, these small improvements will add up and lead to significant progress, much like leveling up a character in a video game.

What does Ori emphasize about setting deadlines for sampling projects?

Ori emphasizes that deadlines help prevent sampling projects from dragging on forever. Sampling is meant to be a temporary phase to explore different areas, and having deadlines ensures that artists move forward and eventually commit to one direction.