【イラスト最速上達法】絵が上手くならないのは、最強の武器を作ろうとしてるからです。

Summary

Naoki Saito addresses common questions from beginners and aspiring illustrators about his video, 'The Fastest Way to Improve Illustration.' He discusses the challenges and mental struggles that come with intense practice methods, like comparing one's work to professional artists. Saito advises beginners to avoid overly harsh practices unless they have urgent career goals and instead recommends a more gradual, enjoyable approach. He also suggests focusing on one artist’s style before integrating other influences, offering insight into how to achieve rapid improvement in illustration while maintaining balance and personal enjoyment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 'Fastest Way to Improve Illustration' method is intense and challenging, but it leads to significant improvement over time.
• 😀 For beginners, it’s not recommended to immediately dive into the ‘work backwards’ method as it can be emotionally taxing and discouraging.
• 😀 The method involves choosing an artist to emulate, analyzing their work, and focusing on your own weaknesses to improve in those areas.
• 😀 Improvement through this method can feel painful at first, as beginners will constantly compare their own work to that of an artist they admire.
• 😀 Patience is key: as you continue practicing and solving problems, you'll eventually see rapid improvement as the pieces come together.
• 😀 Focus on specific areas that need improvement (like eyes, outlines, or shadows) and practice them thoroughly rather than trying to improve everything at once.
• 😀 Improvement is not always gradual; sometimes the progress comes in bursts when all the pieces you’ve been working on finally click together.
• 😀 The ‘collecting materials for the strongest weapon’ analogy encourages artists to see each small improvement as an essential step towards mastering their craft.
• 😀 If you struggle to improve in one area (e.g., drawing eyes), try shifting focus to another area (e.g., drawing outlines or background), as improvements in other aspects can solve underlying problems.
• 😀 For those already progressing in their career (like GOJOU), it’s important to focus on mastering one artist's style before experimenting with combining multiple influences.
• 😀 Saito stresses the importance of dedicating time (e.g., three months) to fully immersing yourself in studying one artist’s work before branching out to other influences.

Q & A

What is the main principle behind 'The Fastest Way to Improve Illustration'?

The core idea is 'working backwards,' where artists choose an artist they admire, study their work, and identify areas they need to improve to get closer to that level. It’s a challenging but effective method that requires continual self-comparison and intense practice.

Is 'The Fastest Way to Improve Illustration' suitable for beginners?

No, this method is not recommended for true beginners. It can be overwhelming, as it forces direct comparison with accomplished artists, which can lead to frustration and discouragement. Beginners should focus on enjoying the process and improving gradually.

What happens when beginners use the 'Fastest Way to Improve Illustration'?

Beginners may feel a lot of self-doubt and frustration because they are comparing their work to professionals. This practice is demanding and can make beginners feel like they’ll never reach their goal, which can negatively impact their self-esteem.

What is meant by 'gathering materials to create the strongest weapon' in the context of drawing?

This metaphor likens improving drawing skills to collecting materials for a powerful weapon. Each time you work on a specific skill, like drawing eyes or faces, you are collecting essential elements that will later combine to enhance your overall drawing ability.

How should an artist tackle a specific problem, such as difficulty drawing eyes?

Focus on the specific issue, such as drawing eyes, and analyze the problem by studying reference images. Try different methods to improve, but understand that it might take several attempts before noticeable progress is made.

Why is 'working backwards' considered a tough method?

The 'working backwards' method is tough because it forces constant comparison with a model or idolized artist, making the learner confront their limitations and progress slowly. This can be emotionally challenging and discouraging, but it leads to rapid improvement if persisted with.

What should an artist do when they can't solve a problem after multiple attempts?

Don’t be discouraged if a problem isn't resolved immediately. Instead, move on to a different part of your drawing, like the outline or background, which might help uncover other issues affecting your work. Returning to the problem later can also yield new insights.

How can an artist improve by studying multiple artists they admire?

While it’s natural to admire multiple artists, it's more effective to focus on one artist at a time for a period, immersing yourself in their style. After thoroughly learning their techniques, you can begin adding elements from other admired artists, carefully balancing these influences.

What is the benefit of focusing on just one artist's style for a set period?

Focusing on one artist for a set period, such as three months, allows you to deeply understand their style and internalize the techniques that make their work effective. This approach builds a solid foundation before incorporating other influences.

How do you know when you're ready to combine multiple influences into your own style?

Once you've mastered one artist's style and feel confident with the foundational techniques, you can start combining influences from other artists. However, the key is to first establish a strong base so that adding new elements enhances rather than dilutes your style.