Jeff Watts is one of the most skilled draftsmen I know and he knows a lot when it comes to line quality. In this bonus lesson, he’ll give us some great insight on how to think about lines in our drawings.
Newest
Sumit Gupta
26d
Here is my question, if lines is one of the exams that we need to pass what will be your criteria to pass this exam?
Some of criterias I could think:
1. Successfully Imitating lines of artists you are inspired from
2. Completing all the lessons
3. Inventing a new style on your own
@clickbrick
3mo
Very inspirational, I will try my best to always be aware of the the feel, weight, and purpose of the lines I'm putting down.
@joel2311
4mo
My Key Takeaway ( hopefully right becouse english isn't my first language)
The Lines need to represent, what im trying to draw. Is this form best represented by a dark thin line, do I indigate this Shadow with big soft lines, does the line represent the texture of the form etc.
How I represent something with a line is Up to interpretation and the Type of drawing that im doing ( it doesnt have to look 100% like reality but close enough).
Please correct me or ad something in case I got something wrong or forgott something becouse I want to be 100% sure that i understood it.
Zeev
4mo
Wow! awesome and inspiring video. Thanks you so much
Natasha Johnson
4mo
Hi Stan Jeff mentioned calligraphic lines . For intricate shadow details ? And is the Viking guy Jeff ?
Natasha Johnson
4mo
wow i had 2 courses to pick from yours Stan and Atelier ... i went with you Stan as you were less intimidating . i had planned to do Jeffs course after yours . ok truth - i didn't feel up to par to do Atelier ( don't worry i suck here too ) but that was inspirational . Thank you
Maurizio Leo
5mo
When he first showed the costumed man, my jaw literally dropped to the floor. Very inspirational. Thank you for this video.
Josh Fiddler
7mo
My key takeaways:
- Line can be a tool of design or as an indicator: what you want to show versus what needs to be shown to represent the thing you are drawing in a readable way
- Draw Under the value you see, you can always kick it up
- When it comes to the aesthetics of drawing, that is about interpretation, and that's where the artist's point of view, the way they design, comes to the fore
-The process of drawing is active: Look at what you're drawing, think about what you are trying to draw, interpret what you see, think about how to draw it, draw it, decide if it's the 'right' line (more thinking), repeat
- When observing, soft edges recede and hard edges come forward, meaning, a softer edge close to a hard edge will look further back.
- it's not just about the local line quality and decisions. It has to work on entire forms, and on the entire piece in order not to break the illusion. This is true of any style.
Gannon Beck
1yr
"...part what you see, part what you know, part what you wish you saw." That's brilliant.
Gabi Gueron
1yr
I liked this a lot.
My weaknesses are legion. Line stroke quality is an issue, though I keep practicing. The overhand grip seems years ahead of me, though I am learning to use the arm and not just the wrist. In a way it’s analogous to learning a new alphabet, or to write kanji with a brush.
But my biggest block is to focus on the objective of an exercise , specially when the image is so compelling that my mind can’t give up on the right proportions or making it “look right”. I seem to lack a switch to turn in or off (I’ve recently discovered I have ADHD-TI..)
I wonder if this will change once I’m more comfortable making proportions.
Ok, this is starting to sound like a journal post.
Julian Blake
1yr
Wow! This guy is so wise and clever. It's like a tougher version of Marshall lol! He is a bit intimidating, because he knows so much and communicates so well and confidently. He threw such complex bombs of wisdom in such a casual yet very articulate manner, I had to stop many times to take notes. Very intelligent and talented artist! You can feel all his years of study, knowledge and hard work. An inspiration indeed! Thanks so much for this!
The guy from BluishDot
1yr
A lot of interesting points and really inspiring. Thank you.
Jon Passig
1yr
Jeff the goat
N. Yeagy
1yr
Thank you for sharing, Jeff; he is inspiring.
@bonnieblue
1yr
Jeff says to set specific goals to keep moving forward. At this stage, what are my goals besides learn to draw or improve? I'm floundering here, i cant find the forrest OR the trees, specific daily/ weekly goals might help. The obvious goal is to draw everyday, but Jeff is talking about something more specific & meaningful. I'd like to know what please.
Zach Pipher
2yr
Something fun i heard today in my watch though was how Jeff mentioned something about 10 tones. And it made me laugh because our only lesson was with half of that to warm us up.
Zach Pipher
2yr
i've been watching this every day sense it came out and i feel like i keep hearing new things i didnt quite get the first time through. Trying my best to soak up everything Jeff Watts has to say. I keep hearing things that i heard before, but on each consecutive watch though i understand a new thing he said that didnt come across on the previous viewings.
Zach Pipher
2yr
"Show you a picture that is closer to where your at" Proceeds to show something i'm years away from drawing anything close to that.
Dave Sakamoto
2yr
What does Jeff mean when he says his drawing has a tonal feel? Sorry, I'm a novice to artistic terms.
Dave Sakamoto
2yr
Jeff said that his drawing exemplifies a heavy calligraphic style of drawing. What does he mean by calligraphic? Calligraphy is the art of beautiful handwriting. Is he saying that his drawing has a handwriting style? And if so, what is that?
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About instructors
Founder of Proko, artist and teacher of drawing, painting, and anatomy. I try to make my lessons fun and ultra packed with information.