How to Draw Realistic vs Stylized Characters

Stylized illustration is an art form that creates a unique style of a subject, rather than trying to depict it realistically. Stylized illustrations often use simplified shapes, exaggerated features and/or bold colors that you might not see in real life. The goal is to emphasize expression and communicate themes. In this video, I use photographic reference to create a realistic drawing, and then a stylized drawing of a bear.
If you would like to draw practice your own, I have a saved Pinterest board with several black bear photographs that you can work from. / black-bears