How I copied Samdoesarts to make my art NOT suck

Summary

In this engaging video, artist Sam Does Art shares his unique painting process, showcasing how he completes most of his artworks in under two hours. The narrator breaks down Sam's evolution from semi-realism to a distinctive cartoonish style, emphasizing the importance of color selection and lighting in early stages. Key techniques include using minimal colors, soft and hard edges, and adding textures post-rendering for a pop art effect. The study of Sam’s methods not only inspires confidence but also illustrates how simplifying the painting process can lead to impressive results, making art more accessible for all.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sam Does Art is a Toronto artist known for completing paintings in under two hours.
• 🎨 His art style has evolved from semi-realism to a cartoony Disney-like aesthetic characterized by large eyes and simplified features.
• 📏 Understanding face proportions is essential for grasping his stylization; he provides a basic proportion sheet in his content.
• 🌈 Sam primarily uses a limited color palette, typically sticking to three main colors during his rough painting phase.
• 💡 He employs a warm-cool-warm color strategy, starting with a warm base, cooling it for shadows, and then warming it again for highlights.
• 🌅 Exploring saturated colors in the corners of his paintings enhances visual depth and interest.
• 🖌️ Sam's rough painting covers about 70% of the artwork, focusing on lighting and basic structure before detailing.
• ✨ Final rendering involves adding small details, soft/hard edges, and textures to create a polished look.
• 🔪 Sharp edges are used to define shadows and highlights, often achieved with lasso tools or layered colors.
• 🖼️ Textures are applied after rendering for a pop art feel, utilizing techniques like rake textures and halftones.

Q & A

Who is Sam Does Art?

Sam Does Art is a Toronto artist known for his skills in lighting and efficiency, capable of finishing most of his paintings in under two hours.

What style did Sam start with before transitioning to his current style?

Sam began with semi-realism before moving to a more cartoony, Disney-like style characterized by large eyes and simplified facial features.

What are the key elements of Sam's sketching style?

Sam's sketching style features simplified proportions, particularly a scrunched-down nose, large eyes, and an emphasis on expressive facial features.

What is the significance of color in Sam's painting process?

Color is critical in Sam's process; he often uses a limited palette of three colors to establish lighting and structure early in the painting, ensuring that color choices greatly affect the final result.

How does Sam achieve depth in his paintings?

Sam achieves depth by cooling down his base colors for shadows and adding warmth to enhance subsurface scattering, often incorporating high-contrast dynamic lighting.

What are some common techniques Sam uses during the final rendering phase?

In the final rendering phase, Sam adds intricate details like shadows under the eyes, highlights, and defines face structure using soft and hard edges.

What texture techniques does Sam employ in his artwork?

Sam employs textural techniques by adding a rake brush effect and halftones after completing the main rendering, enhancing the graphic quality of his paintings.

What role does reference play in Sam's painting process?

Reference is crucial in Sam's process, as he relies on it for capturing high contrast and dynamic lighting, which significantly influences the composition of his paintings.

What lesson did the narrator learn from studying Sam's process?

The narrator learned the importance of simplifying lighting and color usage in the early stages of painting, which greatly benefits the final outcome.

How did the narrator feel about their own painting progress compared to Sam's?

Initially uncertain about replicating Sam's style, the narrator gained confidence through the process, noting an improvement in their understanding and application of Sam's techniques.