मेरा status DHASU there is no cheating, you are on a journey this is a learning tool. You will repeat again and again until it becomes muscle memory and then you can become truly creative!
Listen begginers artist. This clip is a fortune. It worth thousend clips that offer you "free lessons" or such a things. No one explaine and bring you methods better than this artist. Very appreciated.
OK, out of the thousands of how to videos out there, this is one of the few channels that encourages practice and exploration. It focuses on basics that beginners like me don't know. Far too many other artists spend a lot of time insulting the techniques of others just to get subscribers. This is old fashioned teaching and I like it! I'm subscribing right now!
TheNickTheM First, since this video called the Bridgman and Hogarth books essential, I would say that this video is encouraging breaking down the basic forms of the face, and those steps are just not given to the detail you want in the video itself. Second, the commenter said that the channel does that, not the video per se. Third, trying four different things (tracing via use of a projector, grid method, tracing paper, or drawing from life) counts as exploration, particularly for someone who is completely new to drawing. Frankly, I'm happy to see videos encouraging the viewer to do more than one thing, regardless of what those things are. Too often similar videos give the impression that artists only work in one way every single time, when in reality most artists will bounce back and forth between many different things depending on the work they are doing, using photos in some cases and live models in others and maybe sometimes a grid or a projector if the piece is particularly detailed or finnicky in some way or if they are combining several existing studies into one larger work... etc. Doing different things is the fun part of art! Sitting there doing the same thing over and over and over is not creative. Repetitively doing identical things over and over and over for skill-building is meaningful, and it's important, but you have to try new things as well. Even when you're doing the same thing, you should often be trying SOMETHING different!
@@RGAlexanderVision the grid counts as cheating however its the first time i hear abt this way and i believe its the best way for an artist to get used to drawing .on top i ve seen in documentary that at rennaisance they used mirors ,hiden,basicaly projecting the image and copying it . i personaly hate ,deeply, practising especialy meaningless objects to the point of giving up.i d rather draw to my hearts content bad proportions becoming beter at itwith time as i realise whats wrong and redress the eror... thus a projector retracing the lines over the image a few times would help enormously with picking up the proportions of the face,understanding them so i could thereafter draw freely w/o it this is also why this kind of drawing is rather rechnique than art .i couldnt understand in the past why artists, were teling me that they dont like drawing portraits to earn a living .art is to express your sense of whats beautifull ,Noone calls art the tecnical drawing such as industrial design and yet realistic drawing of faces ,people, fruits and baskets isquite similar,Art comes after you ve mastered these basics ,when you can draw a face in its corect proportions,then you can give your own expresion to say the eyes etc which is ypur personal touch, your art .Frankly thats too litle of self expresion in a sea of technical drawing
@@nanadelamer6277 yes.. i agree but i think really it is the best method for artist who really wants to know the technique of sketching...i really don't know such methods before...
Thankyou so much for your knowledge, Ben😊 I used gridding when I 1st started but then began pencil and charcoal sketching along with using a proportional divider which really helped my drawing and accuracy in portrait.
I loved watching you draw from observation. The quiet discipline, ease and gentleness. You are a brilliant Artist and Teacher. A combination I find haven"t found often in my learning. Thank you, Good Sir. Bravo.
This video, for me, was the most valuable one for drawing/sketching/painting that I have come across on youtube-and for that I greatly appreciate it. With these instructions, I was able to meet a goal I was trying to achieve: to sketch an accurate portrait from an photograph. Then, holding on to this knowledge, and using another video of yours-3 Color zones in the Face, I was able to produce a sketch using oil pastels, that gave me a tremendous boost in confidence in my "artwork". I now enjoying practice sketching from photographs of my friends and relatives, with an occasional laugh or two along the way..and I hope others are able to have similar results....
Thank you Ben for all your tutorials, you have no idea how much yours tutorials are helping me to improve my painting skills, I cant wait to take one of your classes, send you and your lovely wife a hug
Certainly, (of course), the latter method of drawing the human figure, and in particular the head, is the most productive. Especially if the artist is just starting his passion for painting. Thank you!
How I love the charcoal drawing at the end of the video, it's wonderful, and the way you have explained how to measure with this technique is great, I could never understand how it worked before, but you explain it perfectly. another video to add to my list .Thank you again Ben.
Actually I did the live sitting demonstration for the sketching only. Later I decided painting the portrait in oil. Usually I do not start with a drawing that is that much elaborated.
Am I the only one thinking this? I enjoy and learn so much from his video.. But his voice and music choice is so relaxing. Thanks for the informative videos uncle Ben!
I bet you're very kind and good person, and an excellent teacher. I am happy that I find your channel your methods are unique and no one talks about these now a days.
@@lustenhouwer Hi Ben, what are your thoughts on Anders zorn limited palette? did you make any video on that? or should I start with that as a beginner?
Maybe one day I will show that approach. It really is interesting. But realise that Zorn had scandinavian light. His colleague Sorolla had mediterenian light and a full range of colors on his palette.
Thank you Ben, I've learned so much in this brief tutorial. I am a casual artist so your demonstration on, "how to measure" and partition the markers of the face. Thank you.
Great video. I study at a fine art academy on Long Island. May I offer a suggestion to save three steps? When transferring a drawing or photo to canvas, we use transfer paper from the art supply store. Think of it as old fashioned carbon paper but not as messy. We tape the drawing in place on the canvass, place the transfer paper between the drawing and canvass and then trace the outlines as you have. We then spray the transferred drawing with clear acrylic to preserve it and let it dry for 15 minutes. This save three steps and eliminates any distortions from retracing. I look forward to more of your videoes.
i have just retired and getting o lot of time over for my dream, to become better in portraitspainting. For many years ago i did some, but my work took all the energy so there where not much left for painting. Now i have time. Looking at your films and teaching has been a great enjoy. To me you are a Master, and i hope to learn more from you regards Björn
WoW! I really appreciate the effort you make in these well-made, concisely edited, clearly shot videos. Your clear narration, soothing voice and pleasant music make learning a pleasure. As you say, learning to draw is essential to painting success, however there is no shame in using photo references, especially for children ( who can't sit still for long ) and for moving subjects such as athletes, musicians, etc. I never had luck with projectors, simply because the low-lighting necessary for clear projection makes seeing my marks difficult, and good projectors are so expensive. Even in school, with their expensive projectors and special lighting, I found most of those paintings ended up looking funny or "flat" somehow. In school I learned the horizontal / vertical grid method you use, and have adopted it ever since, however your adding of the diagonal lines is new to me & VERY helpful! THANK YOU!
I will give you a different idea which is most easiest. From the photograph have a photocopy of decided size then prepare a pencil carbon .First on the Canvas put the pencil carbon and over it place the photocopy.Now draw the figure form your pain directly .Through pencil carbon it will get traced over your Canvas .And there is no need of any projector or grid method or anything else
I can only admire! And wish you had been around [and the internet too, of course] when I forsook portrait painting for other pursuits, lacking the kind of inspiration you so generously afford with your admirable talent. Thank you, sir!
Hi Ben, I am in my 3rd year of a Fine Arts program, but I have also taken on the task of teaching an "Art Exploration" class to a couple of groups of beginning artists. Several of your videos have been very helpful to me in being able to explain and show my students simple methods for drawing & painting. Especially the part about working from a photograph, even my professor agrees with you on that one. I just wanted to say thank you, and I will continue to pop in when I'm struggling with an idea.
@@lustenhouwer Mag ik u misschien vragen hoe ik Gele Oker kan mengen met de kleuren die ik al heb? Ik heb de kleuren Azo Yellow Light, Azo Yellow Deep, Azo Red Medium, Quinacridone Rose, Ultramarine, Ceruleum Blue Phtalo, Permanentgreen, Burnt Umber, Titanium White ofcourse... (Ivory Black for black and white studies)... I bestel mijn materialen online, heb de kleur Yellow Oker nooit in het echt gezien. Maar als ik online kijk dan lijkt het op een lichte mosterdkleur, klopt dat? Het spijt me dat ik u hiermee lastigval.
@@EminePazan Gele Oker is een zo fundamenteel kleur in portretschilderen dat ik je aanraad die aan te schaffen. Het is niet slechts de specifieke kleur maar ook de dekkingsraad van de verf die de waarde bepaalt.
Vous êtes un merveilleux pédagogue et j’apprends à chacun de vos tutos que je regarde à plusieurs reprises. Merci infiniment de bien voulois divulguer votre savoir et votre manière de faire.
Sir, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I love everything about this video it is the calmest most informative thing i have ever watched, and the documentary is a magnificent recommendation. 7 years and your video keeps teaching. Long live to Art.
Dear Mr. Lustenhouwer, Thank you very much for this wonderful tutorial on different methods of portrait drawing. I have learned so much in 17 minutes that you have uploaded, then an entire semester in a drawing class. I'm a beginner and I never thought that tracing the image onto the canvas was allowed. I thought about tracing many times, but I always felt ashamed and thought it was cheating. I want to draw the portrait of one of my favorite movie characters (Thorin Oakenshield) but I have been struggling in vain. Now that I've seen your methods, I think I will try them and I hope in time (with lots and lots of practice) I would be able to draw simply by observation. Many many thanks for your free lessons. I have just subscribed to your channel and I cannot wait to see your other videos. with kindest regards Tilla
Drawing skills are very important and practice as much as you can. BUT: everything is allowed!! Do not trust teachers who forbid things. Make your own rules.
***** Forbidden according to many but not all. At least some of the Dutch masters, for example, traced using projectors, as early as the 1500s. Learn from the masters and use a projector and trace as a drawing aid, just not as the ONLY way you learn. Plus, if you follow the directions here, you're tracing the basic form and some guidelines. Take the first method given here as an example. You get the outlines and some rough detail in place so your drawing will come out at least reasonably accurate in terms of proportion--though someone new to drawing can still lose those proportions as they go along from there. Then he is correcting the drawing freehand, and then painting over it, also freehand. At those later stages, one would be developing precisely the drawing skills you are talking about. He also says "and hey, you should also draw from life observation" which again encourages developing the skills you say need to be developed. So what is the argument against doing this? That you didn't do it and that your life was harder because of that? Sounds like an argument FOR doing this.
R Alexander thank you very much for your comment. Your words are very encouraging to someone like me who is just a novice. I agree with you completely that tracing isn't absolutely forbidden. From what I've gathered it is allowed and aids in expediting the drawing phase of a painting. I watched a documentary not too long ago that illustrated how the old dutch masters used camera obscura to draw perspectives and other paintings that required extreme detail. Jan Vermeer and Jan van Eyck both used this technique. It's not that it was forbidden, it was just a secret that they guarded with their lives. I don't see why I shouldn't use tracing methods to get a head start. Besides my tracing doesn't look anything like the final result. I still have to work on it to make the drawing/painting believable. I don't think I'm cheating by tracing the outline first. As I progress through time and with lots of practice I believe I can draw the outline without tracing it. But for now I will stick to the tracing to pass the most frustrating part of the painting. Cheers :)
TillaTequila72 Glad to help! As for the documentary, if you're thinking of the Hockney one, it's pretty controversial... And so are the claims that Vermeer and van Eyck used the technique. There is no unambiguous evidence that THEY did, and in fact the evidence that they may have done so is pretty weak. But there is a great deal of evidence that many artists throughout the ages have done so, and until very recently the "grid" technique and similar methods were pretty standard recommendations for how to learn to draw, and certainly as tools for painting. The use of projectors and camera lucida were definitely done, and were definitely less openly used... We know that some master painters did it. Personally, I think it's not really important who did it!
R Alexander Thank you for the clarification. Yes, I was referring to the Hockney documentary and as you've mentioned, it was a bit controversial. But I saw a movie a long time ago called Girl with the Pearl Earring which was painted by Master Vermeer. And in the movie they showed the camera obscura in his studio. Who knows, maybe he did use it to do the outlines. Either way his work is stunning. I wish I could paint like that.
Once I have the grid showing in Photoshop, rather than re trace the grid, I simply did a screenshot, and then cropped it to remove everything except the photo. Worked good for me. Great video.
This is magnific. I've wanted to reproduce that Titanic movie drawing scene since the last time I watched it XD lol. I have a way with my hands ever since I can remember, but nowhere near this good, so I want to learn and get as good as this incredible artist. Thank you sir, for sharing your talent.
Fergal Brady Yes I did know, in spite of that thank you for sharing anyway! Titanic is a movie with more than a few iconic scenes, a masterpiece movie :D
For the tracing method you can also trace from a big screen to avoid making a paper photocopy, sometimes directly too the final paper if it's not too thick and increasing the brightness of the screen
Thank you for your video and your efforts I think the last method is the best, I know it might be hard for some people to start with it. But you get to learn a lot from it. Especially when you feel that everything in this drawing was made by you. You feel free.
Dear Ben Lustenhouwer thank you so much for making this video! To be honest with you, I prefer the method of observation much better than other ones, I've always tried hard to do that instead of any other methods....I'm having a hard time doing a watercolour painting of my niece but always mess up proportions. Thanks again for your hard work! you are very knowledgeable
You don't imagine how glad I am to see a profassional artist using a charcoal foe portraits on a canvas and them paint it. I am doing a weird approach though I am having much fun with and been like that for a while. Discovered it a while ago. Which is pretty much pencil on a mesonite boards, and then with turp I shade . The turp will mix with the graphite and this will give me a very good underlayer to lay colors on top directly. Must try your charcoal technique . Thank u sir :)
The end product is what people/clients are paying for. How you achieve that is neither here nor there. The whole cheating philosophy is built out of, and from competition. Eric Clapton once said "there's guys out there that can beat the pants off me playing guitar" Really humble comment coming from one of the greats. Put your EGO to one side, life's easier that way...unless your determined to make it hard.
Some people do care, and some have an eye for a work that took hours to days completing. Can't bundle all of us under the group that wants simply the end result.
cutting corners by tracing photographs CHEATS YOUR CLIENTS, AND OTHER HARD WORKING ARTISTS, and is FUELING THE COLLAPSE OF INTELLIGENT ARTISTRY. tracing a photograph is in fact MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE for ANYONE CAN DO IT and there is no real PRACTICE involved. they do not pay for the end "PRODUCT" they are paying for real art made by a real hard working artist.
Grid method and observation are most legit. Tracing and projector not so much. He did a really good job with the observation method! I think it captures the character of the model.
When you have a model , a photografic painting is beautifull when you paint using a photo, do not make an exact copy but give something else from yourself.
Definitely! I do this usually, because I tend to think that you lose many aspects of the subject from just looking at a photo, so I have to add something else.
Wow thank you so much for sharing. I use a projector to cut down on the time of making paintings, I felt self-conscious until I saw you explain it. Thank you so much.
I think tracing almost helps to train your hands to tell your brain about the basic proportions, but it's better to draw by simply looking to create your own style... well for me anyways. I love putting stories into my drawings, even if it's just a portrait it should still say something, even if it's just one person who relates.
That’s a way of thinking I didn’t come up with, I always detested tracing because I felt like it was too easy didn’t really help you grow because you could mindlessly put in lines where you see them
Drawing from observation gives the drawing life because you would eventually make some slight errors which would be part of the drawing and give it "movement". An extreme example would be Van Gogh's paintings, a good one would be any of the great masters.
Drawing from observation gives the drawing life because you would eventually make some slight errors which would be part of the drawing and give it "movement". An extreme example would be Van Gogh's paintings, a good one would be any of the great masters.
I saw tracing used in a competition, I really believe in THAT INSTANCE it WAS cheating. In the competition you had 4 hours to complete your portrait to trace the image from a photo cut the time spent actually DRAWING the face drastically so allowing more time to paint. Am I wrong to think/ feel this way? It is an excellent way to learn some things but I feel that it doesn't teach you to DRAW in the long run.
VERY , VERY GOOD !! You have the eye and the hand..To do this with only a charcoal requires a tremendous amount of talent.. I could talk to that portrait..very best wishes, Bill
You don't need to use the transparent paper. Just cover the back of the paper you printed the image on with charcoal and then trace over the image. it's more accurate and you don't have to trace twice
@@Prajwal____ Can have made 2-3 copies just in case...even one such GURU painter had suggested to have one dark copy and one lighter copy of the same photo that we have to use in portrait to get darker shade area and light shade area are more distinct and easy to apply first layer of colors. I liked that idea. And I have still found having sketch drawn becomes useless once we start coloring...at that point we have to depend on our judgement to give clear final touch!
Absolutely fasinating subject to draw, his features are very distinctive. An oustanding charcoal portrait. You are an amazing artist with easy to follow advice. Thank you.
I think the grid method and using a proporional divider are ok, but doing the classical method raises the coolness factor exponentially. I definitely liked the result he achieved.
Se sabe que grandes paisajistas de siglos anteriores utilizaron la proyección con cristales y retratistas el método de la cuadrícula para obtener óptimos resultados.Entonces?
I'm a beginner but I only use tracing to get a feel of the proportions of the subject. I love the way Ben draws from observation and I wish he had shown us how to paint over a drawing. His voice is very soothing though.
At first thanks so much for the video. I would like to ask You Ben and also others about tracing method and projector method. Aren't these methods a bit "cheating"? I've done tracing method (directly on paper from image, not using canvas or transparent one) few times and I felt a bit cheating on skills and I was not sure if I can stand behind my work as an author when I've done few basic lines directly from image (so proportions and lines skills on start were not needed). Most of effort and time when I draw is consumed right on start by setting proportions and basic shapes. When I use tracing method I'm not frustrated anymore by unballanced proportions and shapes at the beginning and I can do some nice works way easier. Of course with growing skills it's neccessary to draw from observation and so on, but am I even able to use tracing method and feel like complete author of work with no bad conscience about cheating? It's kind of important in my opinion. Thanks for reactions.
vampRaziel each method is unique because of the artists ability to translate what they see. the more in depth you go with the picture the more errors or unique markings you make so it doesn't take away from being able to create a work of art because it's your interpretation.
No, not at all. Its just a transfer, great masters did this at times. During the 18th to 19th centuries, there we many artist who used methods to transfer the drawings for paintings.
Wow great I oftenly did it from my childhood that's why I always drew realistic image of a person in all these ways I already knew them..What's a beautiful coincidence 😊
What you also have to realize is that against 1 professional artist are 1000 amateurs. Those who start will find the energy in the FUN and perhaps eventually they will acquire the skills by continuing. We, the professionals, will have to step down from our throne and offer everything that drives this energy.
Drawing is the most essential tool for any type of artwork. It is knowledge gained, and for paintings that are well done, drawings help immensely- whether it is done by a brush or another drawing utensil.
Thanks Ben, I like the way you show how several different approaches is okay. I think a lot of journeying artists may aspire to drawing or painting "from observation", but working from photos is a great option too I think. Sometimes I find a certain photo so cool that I cant help wanting to express it in another medium.
If you cannot draw you have to copy.... sad but true. Unfortunately this leads to lifeless and distorted images because camera always distorts... it is a much better thing, if you are young, to invest in drawing. if you are old and no chance and no ability of course then no choice.
This video was EXTREMELY informative!! I have a challenge with judging my size ratio when I draw from sight and have never grafted my drawings before. Thank you for that helpful tip
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Thank you all for your overwhelming response!
Ben Lustenhouwer I am in admiration of your skill. Thank you for sharing your talent. Best wishes for your future career. 💋 to
i think like it is cheating, i am wrong, but how pls tell
Thank you for sharing your methods. Very helpful and I am grateful to find you. You are so talented. ~ Peace
मेरा status DHASU there is no cheating, you are on a journey this is a learning tool. You will repeat again and again until it becomes muscle memory and then you can become truly creative!
Which protector do you recommend? The choice is so big. It is difficult to choose the right one. I would be thankfull for your tip.
Listen begginers artist. This clip is a fortune.
It worth thousend clips that offer you "free lessons" or such a things.
No one explaine and bring you methods better than this artist.
Very appreciated.
We agree!
OK, out of the thousands of how to videos out there, this is one of the few channels that encourages practice and exploration. It focuses on basics that beginners like me don't know. Far too many other artists spend a lot of time insulting the techniques of others just to get subscribers.
This is old fashioned teaching and I like it! I'm subscribing right now!
TheNickTheM First, since this video called the Bridgman and Hogarth books essential, I would say that this video is encouraging breaking down the basic forms of the face, and those steps are just not given to the detail you want in the video itself. Second, the commenter said that the channel does that, not the video per se. Third, trying four different things (tracing via use of a projector, grid method, tracing paper, or drawing from life) counts as exploration, particularly for someone who is completely new to drawing. Frankly, I'm happy to see videos encouraging the viewer to do more than one thing, regardless of what those things are. Too often similar videos give the impression that artists only work in one way every single time, when in reality most artists will bounce back and forth between many different things depending on the work they are doing, using photos in some cases and live models in others and maybe sometimes a grid or a projector if the piece is particularly detailed or finnicky in some way or if they are combining several existing studies into one larger work... etc. Doing different things is the fun part of art! Sitting there doing the same thing over and over and over is not creative. Repetitively doing identical things over and over and over for skill-building is meaningful, and it's important, but you have to try new things as well. Even when you're doing the same thing, you should often be trying SOMETHING different!
@@RGAlexanderVision the grid counts as cheating however its the first time i hear abt this way and i believe its the best way for an artist to get used to drawing .on top i ve seen in documentary that at rennaisance they used mirors ,hiden,basicaly projecting the image and copying it .
i personaly hate ,deeply, practising especialy meaningless objects to the point of giving up.i d rather draw to my hearts content bad proportions becoming beter at itwith time as i realise whats wrong and redress the eror... thus a projector retracing the lines over the image a few times would help enormously with picking up the proportions of the face,understanding them so i could thereafter draw freely w/o it
this is also why this kind of drawing is rather rechnique than art .i couldnt understand in the past why artists, were teling me that they dont like drawing portraits to earn a living .art is to express your sense of whats beautifull ,Noone calls art the tecnical drawing such as industrial design and yet realistic drawing of faces ,people, fruits and baskets isquite similar,Art comes after you ve mastered these basics ,when you can draw a face in its corect proportions,then you can give your own expresion to say the eyes etc which is ypur personal touch, your art .Frankly thats too litle of self expresion in a sea of technical drawing
@@nanadelamer6277 yes.. i agree but i think really it is the best method for artist who really wants to know the technique of sketching...i really don't know such methods before...
And me, 4 years later, agreeing with you and also subscribing
:)
Are you destroying 5 years later?
You are an excellent teacher. Your videos have helped me see better. MORE!!!!
So nice to hear. Thank you.
The painting at 10:10 is remarkable, genuinely one of the most beautiful paintings I've ever seen. -Scottish painting student.
Thankyou so much for your knowledge, Ben😊
I used gridding when I 1st started but then began pencil and charcoal sketching along with using a proportional divider which really helped my drawing and accuracy in portrait.
You are welcome
I loved watching you draw from observation. The quiet discipline, ease and gentleness. You are a brilliant Artist and Teacher. A combination I find haven"t found often in my learning. Thank you, Good Sir. Bravo.
Thank you
This video, for me, was the most valuable one for drawing/sketching/painting that I have come across on youtube-and for that I greatly appreciate it. With these instructions, I was able to meet a goal I was trying to achieve: to sketch an accurate portrait from an photograph. Then, holding on to this knowledge, and using another video of yours-3 Color zones in the Face, I was able to produce a sketch using oil pastels, that gave me a tremendous boost in confidence in my "artwork". I now enjoying practice sketching from photographs of my friends and relatives, with an occasional laugh or two along the way..and I hope others are able to have similar results....
Thank you Brad. Nice to hear!
I am a painter, and it is better to rely on the classic method of drawing directly, as this increases the skill of the painter.
Good job mr . Ben
Thank you Ben for all your tutorials, you have no idea how much yours tutorials are helping me to improve my painting skills, I cant wait to take one of your classes, send you and your lovely wife a hug
Certainly, (of course), the latter method of drawing the human figure, and in particular the head, is the most productive. Especially if the artist is just starting his passion for painting. Thank you!
No thanks
Wow! What an education in 17 minutes! Thank you.
Класс
How I love the charcoal drawing at the end of the video, it's wonderful, and the way you have explained how to measure with this technique is great, I could never understand how it worked before, but you explain it perfectly. another video to add to my list .Thank you again Ben.
Thank you so much 😀
Actually I did the live sitting demonstration for the sketching only. Later I decided painting the portrait in oil. Usually I do not start with a drawing that is that much elaborated.
çok faydalanıyorum size çok teşekkür ederim
Thank you. It is interesting and important lessons.
Shan Dharsh thank you for the info
Ben Lustenhouwer noice
Ben Lustenhouwer a
Am I the only one thinking this? I enjoy and learn so much from his video.. But his voice and music choice is so relaxing. Thanks for the informative videos uncle Ben!
Thank you.
A great tutorial by someone with a soothing, calm and gentle voice. Thank you!
I bet you're very kind and good person, and an excellent teacher. I am happy that I find your channel your methods are unique and no one talks about these now a days.
Thank you! 😃
@@lustenhouwer Hi Ben, what are your thoughts on Anders zorn limited palette? did you make any video on that? or should I start with that as a beginner?
Maybe one day I will show that approach. It really is interesting. But realise that Zorn had scandinavian light. His colleague Sorolla had mediterenian light and a full range of colors on his palette.
a true master ..you Sir...
Im glad to have found your teachings here on youtube...
This reminds me that
i need to get back into my artwork.
Thank you Ben, I've learned so much in this brief tutorial. I am a casual artist so your demonstration on, "how to measure" and partition the markers of the face. Thank you.
I appreciate the way you explain every way. I can tell you are a great teacher. Lot of peace and calm on your drawing, thats something to admire.
My favorite one was the old fashioned drawing in charcoal - so beautiful !
my jaw dropped when i saw the portrait he did of the girl in a green dress. his colors and his realism were so vibrant yet precise!
YES!
Oh, thank you! This is really helpful! I love your tutorials! ♥️👍 you are so Kind to share your Knowledge for free!
Thank you Steph
Great video. I study at a fine art academy on Long Island. May I offer a suggestion to save three steps? When transferring a drawing or photo to canvas, we use transfer paper from the art supply store. Think of it as old fashioned carbon paper but not as messy. We tape the drawing in place on the canvass, place the transfer paper between the drawing and canvass and then trace the outlines as you have. We then spray the transferred drawing with clear acrylic to preserve it and let it dry for 15 minutes. This save three steps and eliminates any distortions from retracing. I look forward to more of your videoes.
Great tip!
At stony Brook??
Michael Swedenberg , !
Clear acrylic??
How do I find that?
Do I make it myself?
@@Soltice-ty2nf He is saying to spray it with a matte spray I think anyway
Never seen this kind of teaching before. Everything is said clearly. I like how you teach.
i have just retired and getting o lot of time over for my dream, to become better in portraitspainting. For many years ago i did some, but my work took all the energy so there where not much left for painting. Now i have time. Looking at your films and teaching has been a great enjoy. To me you are a Master, and i hope to learn more from you
regards
Björn
I couldn't have said it better.
Klaus fussmann
Thanks so much for supporting these four ways to begin a portrait. I truly appreciate it. Blessings and take care.
Thank you Crisalida
WoW!
I really appreciate the effort you make in these well-made, concisely edited, clearly shot videos. Your clear narration, soothing voice and pleasant music make learning a pleasure.
As you say, learning to draw is essential to painting success, however there is no shame in using photo references, especially for children ( who can't sit still for long ) and for moving subjects such as athletes, musicians, etc.
I never had luck with projectors, simply because the low-lighting necessary for clear projection makes seeing my marks difficult, and good projectors are so expensive. Even in school, with their expensive projectors and special lighting, I found most of those paintings ended up looking funny or "flat" somehow.
In school I learned the horizontal / vertical grid method you use, and have adopted it ever since, however your adding of the diagonal lines is new to me & VERY helpful!
THANK YOU!
I will give you a different idea which is most easiest. From the photograph have a photocopy of decided size then prepare a pencil carbon .First on the Canvas put the pencil carbon and over it place the photocopy.Now draw the figure form your pain directly .Through pencil carbon it will get traced over your Canvas .And there is no need of any projector or grid method or anything else
Watercolor lessons
I can only admire! And wish you had been around [and the internet too, of course] when I forsook portrait painting for other pursuits, lacking the kind of inspiration you so generously afford with your admirable talent. Thank you, sir!
Thank you.
Hi Ben, I am in my 3rd year of a Fine Arts program, but I have also taken on the task of teaching an "Art Exploration" class to a couple of groups of beginning artists.
Several of your videos have been very helpful to me in being able to explain and show my students simple methods for drawing & painting. Especially the part about working from a photograph, even my professor agrees with you on that one.
I just wanted to say thank you, and I will continue to pop in when I'm struggling with an idea.
How’s your art going now?
Wow, what an honor to learn from you. Thank you. May GOD Bless you. 💯🙏❤
My pleasure
@@lustenhouwer Mag ik u misschien vragen hoe ik Gele Oker kan mengen met de kleuren die ik al heb? Ik heb de kleuren Azo Yellow Light, Azo Yellow Deep, Azo Red Medium, Quinacridone Rose, Ultramarine, Ceruleum Blue Phtalo, Permanentgreen, Burnt Umber, Titanium White ofcourse... (Ivory Black for black and white studies)... I bestel mijn materialen online, heb de kleur Yellow Oker nooit in het echt gezien. Maar als ik online kijk dan lijkt het op een lichte mosterdkleur, klopt dat? Het spijt me dat ik u hiermee lastigval.
@@EminePazan Gele Oker is een zo fundamenteel kleur in portretschilderen dat ik je aanraad die aan te schaffen. Het is niet slechts de specifieke kleur maar ook de dekkingsraad van de verf die de waarde bepaalt.
Thank you Ben, very useful information you give in to the world and we appreciate very much. ❤️
Thank you Gabriel
Vous êtes un merveilleux pédagogue et j’apprends à chacun de vos tutos que je regarde à plusieurs reprises.
Merci infiniment de bien voulois divulguer votre savoir et votre manière de faire.
Thank you.
TH-cam: *after 7 years* let's recommend this
You'd rather have videos not recommended after 7 years?
Same
Same.
Same
8 years now brah
Sir, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I love everything about this video it is the calmest most informative thing i have ever watched, and the documentary is a magnificent recommendation. 7 years and your video keeps teaching. Long live to Art.
Thank you Greta
Thank you very much for sharing your wisdom as an artist, I love your work, I watch your videos over and over again.
You are welcome.
For all those impressed with the perfect lighting in Sir Ben's studio 0:19 , 1:10 are perfect frames for painting his portrait !
Wonderful video. I become enriched by your clear narration and painting method
I'm glad!
Dear Mr. Lustenhouwer,
Thank you very much for this wonderful tutorial on different methods of portrait drawing. I have learned so much in 17 minutes that you have uploaded, then an entire semester in a drawing class. I'm a beginner and I never thought that tracing the image onto the canvas was allowed. I thought about tracing many times, but I always felt ashamed and thought it was cheating. I want to draw the portrait of one of my favorite movie characters (Thorin Oakenshield) but I have been struggling in vain. Now that I've seen your methods, I think I will try them and I hope in time (with lots and lots of practice) I would be able to draw simply by observation. Many many thanks for your free lessons. I have just subscribed to your channel and I cannot wait to see your other videos.
with kindest regards
Tilla
Drawing skills are very important and practice as much as you can. BUT: everything is allowed!! Do not trust teachers who forbid things. Make your own rules.
***** Forbidden according to many but not all. At least some of the Dutch masters, for example, traced using projectors, as early as the 1500s. Learn from the masters and use a projector and trace as a drawing aid, just not as the ONLY way you learn.
Plus, if you follow the directions here, you're tracing the basic form and some guidelines. Take the first method given here as an example. You get the outlines and some rough detail in place so your drawing will come out at least reasonably accurate in terms of proportion--though someone new to drawing can still lose those proportions as they go along from there. Then he is correcting the drawing freehand, and then painting over it, also freehand. At those later stages, one would be developing precisely the drawing skills you are talking about. He also says "and hey, you should also draw from life observation" which again encourages developing the skills you say need to be developed. So what is the argument against doing this? That you didn't do it and that your life was harder because of that? Sounds like an argument FOR doing this.
R Alexander
thank you very much for your comment. Your words are very encouraging to someone like me who is just a novice. I agree with you completely that tracing isn't absolutely forbidden. From what I've gathered it is allowed and aids in expediting the drawing phase of a painting. I watched a documentary not too long ago that illustrated how the old dutch masters used camera obscura to draw perspectives and other paintings that required extreme detail. Jan Vermeer and Jan van Eyck both used this technique. It's not that it was forbidden, it was just a secret that they guarded with their lives. I don't see why I shouldn't use tracing methods to get a head start. Besides my tracing doesn't look anything like the final result. I still have to work on it to make the drawing/painting believable. I don't think I'm cheating by tracing the outline first. As I progress through time and with lots of practice I believe I can draw the outline without tracing it. But for now I will stick to the tracing to pass the most frustrating part of the painting.
Cheers :)
TillaTequila72 Glad to help! As for the documentary, if you're thinking of the Hockney one, it's pretty controversial... And so are the claims that Vermeer and van Eyck used the technique. There is no unambiguous evidence that THEY did, and in fact the evidence that they may have done so is pretty weak. But there is a great deal of evidence that many artists throughout the ages have done so, and until very recently the "grid" technique and similar methods were pretty standard recommendations for how to learn to draw, and certainly as tools for painting. The use of projectors and camera lucida were definitely done, and were definitely less openly used... We know that some master painters did it. Personally, I think it's not really important who did it!
R Alexander Thank you for the clarification. Yes, I was referring to the Hockney documentary and as you've mentioned, it was a bit controversial. But I saw a movie a long time ago called Girl with the Pearl Earring which was painted by Master Vermeer. And in the movie they showed the camera obscura in his studio. Who knows, maybe he did use it to do the outlines. Either way his work is stunning. I wish I could paint like that.
Once I have the grid showing in Photoshop, rather than re trace the grid, I simply did a screenshot, and then cropped it to remove everything except the photo. Worked good for me. Great video.
Thanks for sharing!
Great tips! I personally use the grid method- I think it just takes some time to get used to. Thank you for sharing!
I am an absolute beginner and seeing this video gave me a lots of tricks and ideas! Thank you so much for this demonstration sir! :)
This is magnific. I've wanted to reproduce that Titanic movie drawing scene since the last time I watched it XD lol. I have a way with my hands ever since I can remember, but nowhere near this good, so I want to learn and get as good as this incredible artist. Thank you sir, for sharing your talent.
Did you know that James Cameron drew all of the sketches in TItanic. Yes all of them! The ones in Di caprio's hand sketchbook are from Cameron as well
Fergal Brady Yes I did know, in spite of that thank you for sharing anyway! Titanic is a movie with more than a few iconic scenes, a masterpiece movie :D
Don't care if 100+ people said it before me, but the observation piece is marvelous.
Marvelous teacher
For the tracing method you can also trace from a big screen to avoid making a paper photocopy, sometimes directly too the final paper if it's not too thick and increasing the brightness of the screen
Thank you for your video and your efforts
I think the last method is the best, I know it might be hard for some people to start with it. But you get to learn a lot from it. Especially when you feel that everything in this drawing was made by you. You feel free.
This is great! I never learned the measuring that much in art class just to make the two lines on paper. You explain it well. Great talent :)
I have respect for this painter.May God bless him !
Great rendition, beautifully inspiring, thank you sir for sharing. Thumbs up.
Dear Ben Lustenhouwer thank you so much for making this video! To be honest with you, I prefer the method of observation much better than other ones, I've always tried hard to do that instead of any other methods....I'm having a hard time doing a watercolour painting of my niece but always mess up proportions. Thanks again for your hard work! you are very knowledgeable
he is so lovable. very kind to share with us.God bless you.
You don't imagine how glad I am to see a profassional artist using a charcoal foe portraits on a canvas and them paint it. I am doing a weird approach though I am having much fun with and been like that for a while. Discovered it a while ago. Which is pretty much pencil on a mesonite boards, and then with turp I shade . The turp will mix with the graphite and this will give me a very good underlayer to lay colors on top directly. Must try your charcoal technique . Thank u sir :)
The end product is what people/clients are paying for. How you achieve that is neither here nor there. The whole cheating philosophy is built out of, and from competition. Eric Clapton once said "there's guys out there that can beat the pants off me playing guitar" Really humble comment coming from one of the greats. Put your EGO to one side, life's easier that way...unless your determined to make it hard.
This^^
Some people do care, and some have an eye for a work that took hours to days completing. Can't bundle all of us under the group that wants simply the end result.
cutting corners by tracing photographs CHEATS YOUR CLIENTS, AND OTHER HARD WORKING ARTISTS, and is FUELING THE COLLAPSE OF INTELLIGENT ARTISTRY. tracing a photograph is in fact MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE for ANYONE CAN DO IT and there is no real PRACTICE involved. they do not pay for the end "PRODUCT" they are paying for real art made by a real hard working artist.
Grid method and observation are most legit. Tracing and projector not so much. He did a really good job with the observation method! I think it captures the character of the model.
1). The tracing method 1:15
2). Using a projector 5:36
3). The grid drawing 7:08
4). Drawing from observation 10:16
Deniz Doğan yes u r right
Up
awesome teaching every1 can understand easily. HATS OFF BEN for guiding us
When you have a model , a photografic painting is beautifull
when you paint using a photo, do not make an exact copy but give something else from yourself.
Definitely! I do this usually, because I tend to think that you lose many aspects of the subject from just looking at a photo, so I have to add something else.
how do you do that? Any suggestions?
Wow. that portrait is incredible. For me, the grid method is hard. Thank you for sharing each method in detail, I will certainly try. Thank you, Ben.
You are welcome Jody
Sou artista plástica e estou amando suas técnicas, parabéns, ficou perfeito
Ik ben zo blij met uw instructievideo's. Gewoon heerlijk om te oefenen en uw coachende stem. Het geeft vertrouwen.
Blij om te horen.
I tried these techniques and they went good
Fantastic - I have not used the grid or trace methods, but the keen awareness of angles and lengths by measuring with an outstretched arm works for me
Iam an artist from egypt and iwant to reallly thank you for sharing you great experiance you are agraet artist
Chandra
Wow thank you so much for sharing. I use a projector to cut down on the time of making paintings, I felt self-conscious until I saw you explain it. Thank you so much.
Thanks for this good teachings, friend. I love painting too. Greetings...!!!
Excelente artista verdaderamente las palabras sobran para elogiarlo, me gusta esta área y gracias por compartir estos grandes conocimientos.
I think tracing almost helps to train your hands to tell your brain about the basic proportions, but it's better to draw by simply looking to create your own style... well for me anyways. I love putting stories into my drawings, even if it's just a portrait it should still say something, even if it's just one person who relates.
Great video
That’s a way of thinking I didn’t come up with, I always detested tracing because I felt like it was too easy didn’t really help you grow because you could mindlessly put in lines where you see them
Drawing from observation gives the drawing life because you would eventually make some slight errors which would be part of the drawing and give it "movement". An extreme example would be Van Gogh's paintings, a good one would be any of the great masters.
Drawing from observation gives the drawing life because you would eventually make some slight errors which would be part of the drawing and give it "movement". An extreme example would be Van Gogh's paintings, a good one would be any of the great masters.
I saw tracing used in a competition, I really believe in THAT INSTANCE it WAS cheating. In the competition you had 4 hours to complete your portrait to trace the image from a photo cut the time spent actually DRAWING the face drastically so allowing more time to paint. Am I wrong to think/ feel this way?
It is an excellent way to learn some things but I feel that it doesn't teach you to DRAW in the long run.
You are such a true artist! Very open-minded and talented! Let's keep our arts alive! :)
thank you ben love the ipad idea so the model stays focus.
VERY , VERY GOOD !! You have the eye and the hand..To do this with only a charcoal requires a tremendous amount of talent.. I could talk to that portrait..very best wishes, Bill
You don't need to use the transparent paper. Just cover the back of the paper you printed the image on with charcoal and then trace over the image. it's more accurate and you don't have to trace twice
most of the time we don't want to spoil the reference
@@Prajwal____ Can have made 2-3 copies just in case...even one such GURU painter had suggested to have one dark copy and one lighter copy of the same photo that we have to use in portrait to get darker shade area and light shade area are more distinct and easy to apply first layer of colors. I liked that idea. And I have still found having sketch drawn becomes useless once we start coloring...at that point we have to depend on our judgement to give clear final touch!
Absolutely fasinating subject to draw, his features are very distinctive. An oustanding charcoal portrait. You are an amazing artist with easy to follow advice. Thank you.
Classical way is the best from my opinion
I think the grid method and using a proporional divider are ok, but doing the classical method raises the coolness factor exponentially. I definitely liked the result he achieved.
Se sabe que grandes paisajistas de siglos anteriores utilizaron la proyección con cristales y retratistas el método de la cuadrícula para obtener óptimos resultados.Entonces?
@@crustydog1666 unicum by
the most amazing calm imperative videos I have seen as I begin my sketching journey. Thank you for sharing. Love and Peace
Catherine
I love drawing..
so inspiring
I looooveee the last drawing. So handsome, better than the live model
I propose anyone who liked this video sents 10ct to Ben!
how to contribute?
I like the music. Thank you for putting this together. Good start. I stopped competing with nature long time ago even though art is interesting craft.
What is the wonderful music playing on the background?
The guitar music is played by my cousin Will Sophie. Own composition.
Divine composition.
Put the subtitles on and see how they translate the guitar playing alone! :)
Mykyta Doroshenko *50
Thank you so very much for passing on your wisdom and knowledge!
Thank you.
Best fixative? Cheap hairspray! Inexpensive, nontoxic, and it actually does a better job than the stuff you can buy at an art store for £5 a can!
Thank you good idea!
I'm a beginner but I only use tracing to get a feel of the proportions of the subject. I love the way Ben draws from observation and I wish he had shown us how to paint over a drawing. His voice is very soothing though.
At first thanks so much for the video. I would like to ask You Ben and also others about tracing method and projector method. Aren't these methods a bit "cheating"? I've done tracing method (directly on paper from image, not using canvas or transparent one) few times and I felt a bit cheating on skills and I was not sure if I can stand behind my work as an author when I've done few basic lines directly from image (so proportions and lines skills on start were not needed). Most of effort and time when I draw is consumed right on start by setting proportions and basic shapes. When I use tracing method I'm not frustrated anymore by unballanced proportions and shapes at the beginning and I can do some nice works way easier.
Of course with growing skills it's neccessary to draw from observation and so on, but am I even able to use tracing method and feel like complete author of work with no bad conscience about cheating? It's kind of important in my opinion.
Thanks for reactions.
vampRaziel
each method is unique because of the artists ability to translate what they see. the more in depth you go with the picture the more errors or unique markings you make so it doesn't take away from being able to create a work of art because it's your interpretation.
Gran video maestro..un tesoro para nos.los aficionados..gracias..un saludo desde CHILE
so tracing a picture isn't cheating ?
No, not at all. Its just a transfer, great masters did this at times. During the 18th to 19th centuries, there we many artist who used methods to transfer the drawings for paintings.
It helps you see
***** Thanks for the advice !!!!!!!
jefui1
thanks for the advice!!!!!!
*****
thanks for the advice
Wow great I oftenly did it from my childhood that's why I always drew realistic image of a person in all these ways I already knew them..What's a beautiful coincidence 😊
Thank you
seems like a lot of work. i just freehand stick figures and i'm good
I do the same thing, but my teacher always desagrees
Finally! An artist who agrees that other methods are just as good! I really dislike when people criticize others for not using what they do.
People who say any kind of difference is cheating, clearly don’t know but one way, and can’t master the others.
I agree.
What you also have to realize is that against 1 professional artist are 1000 amateurs.
Those who start will find the energy in the FUN and perhaps eventually they will acquire the skills by continuing. We, the professionals, will have to step down from our throne and offer everything that drives this energy.
Very thankful I found this channel!🙏 Thank you so much sir for the guides💚
It´s my pleasure
A 5th way: Instead of having someone sit still for a long time, take a photograph and draw it from observation.
He said he prefers you to do portrait drawing from real life in real time, not from photography.
Drawing is the most essential tool for any type of artwork. It is knowledge gained, and for paintings that are well done, drawings help immensely- whether it is done by a brush or another drawing utensil.
Heck yeah !
Isn't tracing cheating?
There is no cheating in art, it's not highschool Math test.
your way in the talking is very clear ! English isn't my mother language but I understand every thing 👍
we called "job", not "art"
Thanks Ben, I like the way you show how several different approaches is okay. I think a lot of journeying artists may aspire to drawing or painting "from observation", but working from photos is a great option too I think. Sometimes I find a certain photo so cool that I cant help wanting to express it in another medium.
If you cannot draw you have to copy.... sad but true. Unfortunately this leads to lifeless and distorted images because camera always distorts... it is a much better thing, if you are young, to invest in drawing. if you are old and no chance and no ability of course then no choice.
Zuheyr Alsalihi you don't HAVE to copy, you can just learn how to draw......
DW and tracing teaches you to pay attention to shapes and proportion
Not cheating, Michelangelo did the same thing with cartoon rubbings for his ceiling work
This video was EXTREMELY informative!! I have a challenge with judging my size ratio when I draw from sight and have never grafted my drawings before. Thank you for that helpful tip
Excelente Maestro su ejemplo de transferencia y su Arte en general Gracias por su generosidad Saludos.
Muchas gracias.
Art is the best thing ever which makes us sharp