Strider Studios

Hey guys! Mitch & Strider are going to be streaming Overwatch through Twitch in a few minutes, come join us here!

If it looks wrong, it is wrong.

Draw what you see not what you know to be true

Everything is broken up by shapes and lines. Don’t look at the image look at what makes up the image

You can use grid paper to help you line everything up while you’re learning. Grids are okay

REFERENCES ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND. THEY ARE NOT CHEATING

When using references; there is the quarter rule. If you change more than a quarter of the original image (such as pose, backgrounds, movement) then it’s yours. It’s not stealing.

Only trace to learn, do not trace and post as your own art

Don’t just color over someone else’s art that’s stealing

It’s okay to make mistakes

Try new mediums as often as you can. Charcoal, pastels, crayons, markers, graphite, ink wash, paints (of all kinds) ect. It will help you grow as an artist and find what you like

Figure out what you like in someone elses art, why you like that art. Try to make it your own in your own art. It’s like art genetics

Surround yourself with other artists who will help and encourage you.

Draw for friends! Seeing them get excited that you drew for them will keep you drawing

Art block happens. Try not to stress

Draw daily

Draw from life

DRAW WHAT YOU SEE NOT WHAT YOU KNOW TO BE TRUE

Play with lines and shading: contouring, crosshatching, stippling, blocking.

Experiment

Have fun

Form a small community of you and your friends who like to art. Give each other feedback, give each other advice, and get excited everytime someone draws

Do projects with someone else

Take part in collabs

Realize you’re not perfect and you will never be perfect. There is always something to learn, always time to grow. That’s fun of art

Enjoy the journey and the process

Realize it may not always look like you pictured in your mind

Be proud of your progress

Take breaks

Look at things from a distance

Enjoy what you make

Learn from your mistakes

And lastly: love what you do and do what you love. Don’t change your art for anyone but you.

Never underestimate the uses you’ll find for the golden ratio 

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD stretch!

Don’t let anyone tell you you CAN’T do something. If that ever comes from someone’s mouth, let it become your spite and use it to fuel you.

ART IS NOT A COMPETITION. Just because you’re more advanced than someone else, or they’re more advanced than you, doesn’t mean it’s a race to the finish. 

Share your knowledge, and let other people share theirs. You grow when you network. 

There’s nothing wrong with seeing the way someone else does something, liking it, and incorporating it into your skill set. You are the sum of everything you’ve ever learned. You tie your shoes the way someone else taught you to tie them, you brush your teeth the way you were taught, you flip pancakes (or don’t) the way you learned. Art is just another skill set, and you can incorporate as much or as little of someone else’s knowledge as you want.