Hi Jon! I started watching your videos a few years ago when I knew nothing about drawing at all. I loved your style and the type of landscapes you chose, it spoke to me. I started binge watching your videos and got inspired to try to draw. Your videos are so good that my drawings started getting pretty decent very quickly. I never ever even in my dreams thought that I would be able to draw one day. I just wanted to thank you for inspiring me to draw and giving me the confidence to do it. Thank you so much! And I just became a patreon, can't wait to watch all your videos over there.
Hi Nimmy, it was great to read your comment, I'm really pleased you got inspired to take up drawing, it makes my day to hear that! Its also wonderful to know that you are producing drawings that you are pleased with, you have embarked on a wonderful hobby, Thank you so much for joining Patreon, I appreciate it greatly, I look forward to seeing you there :)
This was extremely helpful. I wish I'd learned this before I started my very first graphite drawing. It's the difference between an amateur's result and a professional one!
Thank you Smoothie. I'm not a graphite artist but all tips for keeping paper pristine gratefully received. :-) One handy thing I made up for myself years ago is a bridge; in my case a slab of 9mm clear acrylic about a foot long and three inches wide with feet at either end - it serves much the same purpose as a mahl stick, keeping hands off the surface and doubling up as a straight edge on occasion.
I agree with using a bridge. It takes a few minutes to make your own, and they can be made as long as you like. I use a short one while doing the initial drawing, and then one long enough to sit on both sides of the paper if I have to go back and touch something up when I'm finished.
I use a goose feather instead of a drafting brush, for the same reason you use a smaller brush. Also I needed something, looked around and grabbed a feather I had lying around ( collected them to cut quill pens out of them).
These are all great tips smoothie77! I stopped using a drafting brush a while back, for the very same reason, now I use a soft watercolor brush, similar to yours. I use a piece of Glassine for under my hand, lightly secured down with a tiny bit of BluTack on the taped border, moving it as I work. Sometimes, when I have a drawing almost done and cleaned up and need to go back it one last time, I will use my homemade mahl stick to reach a hard-to-get-to area, without any chance of smudging, works great. Using rulers, set squares or any kind of shaped ruler or templates that have a handle and the little nubs to keep it slightly off the drawing surface is a great idea. I've seen a few artists using a partial glove for protecting their drawing while working, but totally agreeing with you, I think it would only add more smudging problems. The overall takeaway, to me, is to be more aware of what I place on my drawing, knowing that smudging can happen so easily, if not careful. Great video and thank you for creating it and sharing it!!!
Have you tried a bridge? I find they are much, much steadier and easier to use than a mahl stick, and just as easy to make. Maybe easier. I use a mahl stick for painting on an upright canvas, but for graphite the bridge is the perfect solution for me. I'm surprised how few I see on TH-cam because the use of a bridge for graphite is taught all over the place. This came on day two classes for me.
Small variation possible on #1, with some DIY: bottom half of a brush, mounted vertically on a horizontal piece of wood (make a rectangular cutout in one side of head; then nails + glue) I've tried the brush thing previously and found it awkward having to hold my hand up (basically the handle is too long on a brush like the one you show here; at least for my working setup), also felt that the more horizontal motion used with a drafting brush was simply more efficient. Pretty happy with it so far.
Great tips Smoothie, thanks.😀 I use a fan make up brush to tidy eraser crumbs from drawings. It's super soft and curved so only a small area of the soft brush touches the paper. I generally use the corner of it though, (which is only the width of my finger), to sweep crumbs away most of the time. It also has a nice short handle, only about 5 inches long so fits in beside my pencils easily too.
Hi Jon! 2 month patron now. I used to draw every day, began going thru some stuff and quit drawing. When I found your channel, I binge watched so many of your tutorials. Bottom line is I began drawing again. I figured if you could inspire me to that degree from your free TH-cam channel, I needed to become a patron. (Does that mean I'm patronizing you?😃) Anyway, I use a 3/4" dowel to hold my hand up off my drawing. It works so good for me! Thank you for what you do and the inspiration you give us. Happy Holidays and God bless!
@@smoothie77drawingpainting Thanks for replying. Have you ever used a dowel, and if so, did you notice smudging? Occasionally I do use a kitchen paper napkin, but not always. I don't want to smudge and sometimes my drawings do have a fair amount of graphite in dark tones on them. Thanks Jon
Hi. Jim from Madrid, Spain (a New Yorker expat living abroad). Great video to learn how not to smudge. With regards to the first tip using watercolor brushes for cleaning grit, I would add that I also use make-up brushes. I have several ones (bigger, smaller, long bristles and shorter ones) and I use them because they are really smooth bristles so the risk of smudging is very low and I also use them to "paint" with graphite or charcoal powder (started not too long ago using it). I don't know if someone already commented on this but just in case it may help. Additionally, I hope you don't mind me asking you about the Fixative you showed (Spectrafix). I see from the video it's made with Casein Milk. Have you ever tried it on Watercolor and Gouache artwork? I know many artists use casein as backgrounds over which the paint with Gouache or use Casein paint to do their artwork, so I'm guessing it might not hurt the painting when applied, but your expert opinion would be great. Thank you in advance for your help and just wanted to let you know I will be signing up as a Patreon to your channel this weekend (left another comment in another of your videos on TH-cam). Cheers from Sunny Spain! 😁👍😎
Hi Jim, thanks for taking the time to view and comment, I haven't use Spectrafix on watercolour or gouache, I only use for graphite or pastel, I don't think spectrafix would work in the same way as casein paint for gouache or watercolour, Spectrafix is very thin and would desolve easily. Looking forward to seeing you on Patreon :)
I use a stainless steel scale where needed...and it doesnt smudge at all. Also, I use a thick polythene (the kind you use in certificate holders) to keep my hands and protect the underlying sketch....both of them I found out by trial and errors...
When I was a whole lot younger I used a bird wing to wipe off. But now I use a very soft flat brush. Not much different then what you use. I love using a rotring drawing bord when drawing with grafite. And let my hand rest on the ruler.
Great video, thank you. Ive been pencil sketching on canvas and Im wondering if the fixatif spray you used in this video would prevent smudging? I've used the Krylon workable fixatif and the winsor & newton general purpose matt varnish and even after applying a couple of times I'm still experiencing smudging? Any thoughts? Is there anything out there that actually prevents smudging? Thanks.
Smoothie, I live in a small town where finding anything "artie" is at the "have all" Mart store only. No art store or anything close to being one. (closest is 50 miles away and it is the art dept. in a Hoppy Lobby) The compass and ruler part of this video address my biggest problem for smudging. I don't to know how to look for these items even on Amazon.(what to look for) If you could give me the names of the items in this video I would be grateful.
Great tips thanks. You might cringe at this but I spray a light dusting of my wife’s hairspray over pencil drawings in my sketchbooks, if I was putting in the time you do on your work I’m sure I would use a proper fixative but the hairspray prevents the graphite smudging on the opposite pages 😂
@@smoothie77drawingpainting Sorry Jon. I thought I heard you mention that some had sent you their work through your FB page. No worries. I was just trying to wheedle a suggestion or two out of you... Again, love your work...
Hi Jon! I started watching your videos a few years ago when I knew nothing about drawing at all. I loved your style and the type of landscapes you chose, it spoke to me. I started binge watching your videos and got inspired to try to draw. Your videos are so good that my drawings started getting pretty decent very quickly. I never ever even in my dreams thought that I would be able to draw one day. I just wanted to thank you for inspiring me to draw and giving me the confidence to do it. Thank you so much! And I just became a patreon, can't wait to watch all your videos over there.
Hi Nimmy, it was great to read your comment, I'm really pleased you got inspired to take up drawing, it makes my day to hear that! Its also wonderful to know that you are producing drawings that you are pleased with, you have embarked on a wonderful hobby, Thank you so much for joining Patreon, I appreciate it greatly, I look forward to seeing you there :)
Loved all the information and especially hearing about fixatives, the brand you use so you don’t die...had a good laugh out loud!
Thanks :) I'm glad you had a good laugh too :)
this was very helpful as my drawings always smudge it's very good to know that there are very simple ways to counter it with your help, thanks!
This was extremely helpful. I wish I'd learned this before I started my very first graphite drawing. It's the difference between an amateur's result and a professional one!
Picked up rotring square. It’s awesome. And started using makeup brush. Thanx
Thank you Smoothie. I'm not a graphite artist but all tips for keeping paper pristine gratefully received. :-) One handy thing I made up for myself years ago is a bridge; in my case a slab of 9mm clear acrylic about a foot long and three inches wide with feet at either end - it serves much the same purpose as a mahl stick, keeping hands off the surface and doubling up as a straight edge on occasion.
I agree with using a bridge. It takes a few minutes to make your own, and they can be made as long as you like. I use a short one while doing the initial drawing, and then one long enough to sit on both sides of the paper if I have to go back and touch something up when I'm finished.
I use a goose feather instead of a drafting brush, for the same reason you use a smaller brush. Also I needed something, looked around and grabbed a feather I had lying around ( collected them to cut quill pens out of them).
I bet that works really well...
These are all great tips smoothie77! I stopped using a drafting brush a while back, for the very same reason, now I use a soft watercolor brush, similar to yours. I use a piece of Glassine for under my hand, lightly secured down with a tiny bit of BluTack on the taped border, moving it as I work. Sometimes, when I have a drawing almost done and cleaned up and need to go back it one last time, I will use my homemade mahl stick to reach a hard-to-get-to area, without any chance of smudging, works great. Using rulers, set squares or any kind of shaped ruler or templates that have a handle and the little nubs to keep it slightly off the drawing surface is a great idea. I've seen a few artists using a partial glove for protecting their drawing while working, but totally agreeing with you, I think it would only add more smudging problems. The overall takeaway, to me, is to be more aware of what I place on my drawing, knowing that smudging can happen so easily, if not careful. Great video and thank you for creating it and sharing it!!!
Thank you Jill, clever idea with the maul stick, I'm glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for the nice comment, its greatly appreciated :)
Have you tried a bridge? I find they are much, much steadier and easier to use than a mahl stick, and just as easy to make. Maybe easier. I use a mahl stick for painting on an upright canvas, but for graphite the bridge is the perfect solution for me. I'm surprised how few I see on TH-cam because the use of a bridge for graphite is taught all over the place. This came on day two classes for me.
Small variation possible on #1, with some DIY: bottom half of a brush, mounted vertically on a horizontal piece of wood (make a rectangular cutout in one side of head; then nails + glue)
I've tried the brush thing previously and found it awkward having to hold my hand up (basically the handle is too long on a brush like the one you show here; at least for my working setup), also felt that the more horizontal motion used with a drafting brush was simply more efficient. Pretty happy with it so far.
I use a shaving brush and I love it. :) I will try the watercolor brush but not my good ones hehehe.
Great tips Smoothie, thanks.😀 I use a fan make up brush to tidy eraser crumbs from drawings. It's super soft and curved so only a small area of the soft brush touches the paper. I generally use the corner of it though, (which is only the width of my finger), to sweep crumbs away most of the time. It also has a nice short handle, only about 5 inches long so fits in beside my pencils easily too.
Hi Alexandra! That sounds ideal and much better than a drafting brush, 👍
Hi Jon! 2 month patron now. I used to draw every day, began going thru some stuff and quit drawing. When I found your channel, I binge watched so many of your tutorials. Bottom line is I began drawing again. I figured if you could inspire me to that degree from your free TH-cam channel, I needed to become a patron. (Does that mean I'm patronizing you?😃)
Anyway, I use a 3/4" dowel to hold my hand up off my drawing. It works so good for me!
Thank you for what you do and the inspiration you give us.
Happy Holidays and God bless!
Thank you Lenee, Happy Holidays and God bless you too.
@@smoothie77drawingpainting Thanks for replying. Have you ever used a dowel, and if so, did you notice smudging? Occasionally I do use a kitchen paper napkin, but not always. I don't want to smudge and sometimes my drawings do have a fair amount of graphite in dark tones on them.
Thanks Jon
@@leneecasteel2005 Haven't used a dowel, but have used a triangular ruler as a maul stick the odd time,
Nice and great info
Thanks Ed 👍
Great info and helpfull smoothie77 👍👍👍
You're welcome Wil.
As always a first class video with important information which I’ve found very beneficial and have everything Thst you recommend lol
Thank you Margaret, much appreciated!
Hi. Jim from Madrid, Spain (a New Yorker expat living abroad).
Great video to learn how not to smudge.
With regards to the first tip using watercolor brushes for cleaning grit, I would add that I also use make-up brushes. I have several ones (bigger, smaller, long bristles and shorter ones) and I use them because they are really smooth bristles so the risk of smudging is very low and I also use them to "paint" with graphite or charcoal powder (started not too long ago using it).
I don't know if someone already commented on this but just in case it may help.
Additionally, I hope you don't mind me asking you about the Fixative you showed (Spectrafix). I see from the video it's made with Casein Milk.
Have you ever tried it on Watercolor and Gouache artwork?
I know many artists use casein as backgrounds over which the paint with Gouache or use Casein paint to do their artwork, so I'm guessing it might not hurt the painting when applied, but your expert opinion would be great.
Thank you in advance for your help and just wanted to let you know I will be signing up as a Patreon to your channel this weekend (left another comment in another of your videos on TH-cam).
Cheers from Sunny Spain!
😁👍😎
Hi Jim, thanks for taking the time to view and comment, I haven't use Spectrafix on watercolour or gouache, I only use for graphite or pastel, I don't think spectrafix would work in the same way as casein paint for gouache or watercolour, Spectrafix is very thin and would desolve easily. Looking forward to seeing you on Patreon :)
Great tips!! Thank you.
You're welcome, thanks for the comment .
I use a stainless steel scale where needed...and it doesnt smudge at all. Also, I use a thick polythene (the kind you use in certificate holders) to keep my hands and protect the underlying sketch....both of them I found out by trial and errors...
When I was a whole lot younger I used a bird wing to wipe off. But now I use a very soft flat brush. Not much different then what you use. I love using a rotring drawing bord when drawing with grafite. And let my hand rest on the ruler.
I like the idea of using the ruler on the rotring drawing board to rest your hand on, not so sure about the bird wing though 😲
As I said years and years ago. They do not sell them anymore, because we know beter now! Which is good.
Thanks for sharing.
You're welcome!
I love your voice 🤣 Thanks for the neat tricks!
Great video, thank you. Ive been pencil sketching on canvas and Im wondering if the fixatif spray you used in this video would prevent smudging? I've used the Krylon workable fixatif and the winsor & newton general purpose matt varnish and even after applying a couple of times I'm still experiencing smudging? Any thoughts? Is there anything out there that actually prevents smudging? Thanks.
i use make up brushes and applicator sponges from pound-land,, and graphic tab, glove,,i like the glove and kitchen paper
Smoothie, I live in a small town where finding anything "artie" is at the "have all" Mart store only. No art store or anything close to being one. (closest is 50 miles away and it is the art dept. in a Hoppy Lobby) The compass and ruler part of this video address my biggest problem for smudging. I don't to know how to look for these items even on Amazon.(what to look for) If you could give me the names of the items in this video I would be grateful.
Nice tips
I use a makeup brush. I have that ruler too
Good idea, that will work nicely, make sure there's no makeup on it though 🤭
relaxing voice
Great tips thanks. You might cringe at this but I spray a light dusting of my wife’s hairspray over pencil drawings in my sketchbooks, if I was putting in the time you do on your work I’m sure I would use a proper fixative but the hairspray prevents the graphite smudging on the opposite pages 😂
I always thought drawing gloves are mostly for digital artists. Most Tablet screens get warm and eventually sticky. Gloves fix that.
Use a kneaded eraser, it produces no crumbs.
Loving your instruction Smoothie. What is your FaceBook page named???
Thanks Dennis, I don't have facebook.
@@smoothie77drawingpainting Sorry Jon. I thought I heard you mention that some had sent you their work through your FB page. No worries. I was just trying to wheedle a suggestion or two out of you...
Again, love your work...