It's way too much easier than this Loomis method. That Loomis thing messes my head. Thank You so much for making this so much easier for me. Thank You 🖤☔🍁🍂🧜🏼♀️🌊🫧🦪
As a child of about 7, I stumbled upon something similar to this that I still use today as a professional artist, but instead of seeing a 'Z', I saw when I was doing some sums, in the figure '2' the start of an eye brow and a nose. It's always been apparent to me and very useful.
I “think” that you went from saying “z” to “V” and back to “z” so I was confused for a few seconds but I think this video was really great and helpful. I’ll never be able to be a portrait artist but still good to know!
Very interesting! Thank you for sharing! And can I just say, how incredibly much I love and appreciate how we in the art community shares hacks and tips and knowledge and experiences with each other! I just love how we all wants to lift each other up, instead of pushing each other down and competing against each other. I know there are communities where everyone just competes against each other, and I am so glad we artists don't do that! It makes my heart sparkle. 😊
First of all, your drawings/paintings are amazing! Secondly, this was one of the best tips I've come across and I will definitely be doing this. Thank you!
Wow, this is an amazing tips! any more vids on getting the proportions/measurements correctly will be appreciated! :) Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
I remember watching Richard Schmid do a demo at the Palette and Chisel back in the day. He drew a few swift lines demarcating the position of the head and shoulders, then went straight in and fully rendered her most visible eye in the three-quarter pose he had chosen that day. He said he gauged all the following measurements from the measurements of the eye!
Oh my goodness, what a helpful tutorial....thank you...Thank you for the way you present your information which is so kind and full of gold. BTW, your own work is incredible!
You are an awesome artist but I can also see now that you are a great teacher too. I look forward to seeing more of your videos and thank you for sharing.
I have never heard of the van dyke z, but im a self taught character artist and i have been drawing the brow ridge and nose outline first on my character designs faces for years. I noticed it was much easier to create a distinct look for many different characters if i applied a certain shape language to those parts of the face first, while also having a distinguishable shape for the head in mind. I also noticed that drawing the brow and nose first for every drawing thereafter of a character design would help me maintain a consistent look, which is vital since im planning to draw a comic. being self taught is so fun because im always finding new methods online and in books, or connecting my own developed methods to artists ive never even seen before.
God Damn! You actually said the thing! I have been looking for the meaning of this term since I watched some artist bro mention it years ago when describing a portrait painting from life. Thank you thank you.. Best Christmas gift.
With a live model, I draw quickly lots of loose random lines and refine them as I get closer to the likeness. It works pretty well. With photographs is more difficult. I'll try this method. Thank you.
I studied with an artist who studied in Italy in the 1960s. We used to hold up a knitting needle to measure distances and to show where alignments met.
I use points of reference by looking thru a clear plastic clipboard with a rectangle drawn the same ratio as canvas. Then I use a carpenters sliding bevel to measure angles from corners and midpoints, triangulating the whole view onto the canvas...you can't miss getting a proper proportion as all your lines of intersection result in perfect placement of points. Connect the dots for guide lines. Simple ...join any 2 dots.
Hi just came across your channel, and as a beginner, this is very useful I seen to draw a full on face when head turned😊😅.and your work is amazing. Take care. I've subscribed to your channel
I loved the method you showed us on those beautiful paintings and photos, thank you for sharing them. I would love for you to show us how to do it in a portrait seen from the front as well as in profile and 3/4. Thank you very much and have a very happy 2025
I’ll give your hack a try and get back to you on how effective it is for me. For now I’ll just say it’s an interesting way of simplifying the process of establishing proportions. I’m thinking there may be other kinds of “Z” shapes one can use in other parts of the body. For example, there’s a Z if you trace the horizontal angle of the right collarbone, connect that to the vertical angle of the sternum down to the navel and from the navel to the edge of the left hip. This gives you an oblique “Z” that establishes the length of the torso and compares the width of the collarbones to the width of the hips, which are vital landmarks, as are other bony protuberances.
Really good tip thanks! I often use a triangle. It forms with the eyes and the tip of the nose. Looking needs more thoughtful effort than moving the pencil.
Good tip, although more accurately speaking, the underplane of the nose, Columella, runs from the tip of the nose to where it meets the frontal plane of the face above the Philtrum.. the bottom line of the Z is the boundary between the tip of the nose and the Columella
Looking at a picture of Grace, she has the tell-tale signs of having a thyroid condition. Classic symptom with part of the eyebrow missing. She may already be aware or not. I've had several members of my family with the condition. It's amazing how much better they feel with medicine.
There is a further difficulty of placing the near eye in relation to the eye which is away, especially the angle of their axis in three quarter view. Could you please give a tip?
Great tip. I easily see the Z in the paintings, but have a hard time figuring out how to apply it when starting a drawing from a model. Not sure how this applies to the rest of the face.....like the other eye, the chin, the hairline, etc. Maybe I am missing something?
Think of the shadow shapes in the abstract, they are all shapes. There are other shapes that correspond the the other areas of the face, this only pertains to the Brow ridge, length of the nose and the shadow under the nose.
@@davidjonkassan Ok, got it. I normally look for shadow shapes, but I thinking of the Z in terms of comparison measurement and that is what had me confused.
Thanks so much for the video! So I take it this is a rather loose concept and more about finding suitable elements than strictly sticking to certain anatomy landmarks? I was a bit confused when you moved from the van Dyck example to your (excellent) painting and put in the third stroke not at all where I would have expected it based on the first example.
Great video, especially since you are drawing over the figure so we can follow your eye. You might want to use a bright, contrasting color so that your line does not disappear. I'd avoid red or green, as they won't read for people who have R/G color blindness.
Pls help me understand what you mean by "underplane of the nose". It seems you go from tip of nose to a nostril and in another painting totally different... how should kne interpret it?
Hello Mr. Kassan, I first came to know your work while I was studying in college. I am curious if you have any advice on technical artistic training. I’ve thought about pursuing atelier training at Lyme Academy. Do you have any advice on ateliers vs colleges? For instance where did you study? Thank you for your time and happy new year. (2025).
I’ve been painting for 50 years… And I would even take this a step farther and take the Z from the left brow to the right across the underside of the nose and then across the mouth as a bigger Z Which also could follow the light source. ??
It's way too much easier than this Loomis method. That Loomis thing messes my head. Thank You so much for making this so much easier for me. Thank You 🖤☔🍁🍂🧜🏼♀️🌊🫧🦪
As a child of about 7, I stumbled upon something similar to this that I still use today as a professional artist, but instead of seeing a 'Z', I saw when I was doing some sums, in the figure '2' the start of an eye brow and a nose. It's always been apparent to me and very useful.
I “think” that you went from saying “z” to “V” and back to “z” so I was confused for a few seconds but I think this video was really great and helpful. I’ll never be able to be a portrait artist but still good to know!
i did 🤦🏻♂️ gotta stop filming in the am before my morning coffee :)
@@davidjonkassan 😂
I was totally confused when he started saying V lol
Very interesting! Thank you for sharing!
And can I just say, how incredibly much I love and appreciate how we in the art community shares hacks and tips and knowledge and experiences with each other! I just love how we all wants to lift each other up, instead of pushing each other down and competing against each other. I know there are communities where everyone just competes against each other, and I am so glad we artists don't do that! It makes my heart sparkle. 😊
Thank you for sharing this information!
First of all, your drawings/paintings are amazing! Secondly, this was one of the best tips I've come across and I will definitely be doing this. Thank you!
It's such a simple concept and makes a huge difference!
It's a great video , and it was one of the best tips I've come across. I'll try it.
Many thanks
Excellent tip on portraiture. You are a wonderful painter. The few pieces of yours I’ve seen are beautiful and beautifully executed.
Beautiful faces. Appreciate the different approaches to the Z
I have never heard of this hack. This is incredibly healthy as I have just gotten into classical portraiture. Knowing things like this makes it fun.
Wow, this is an amazing tips! any more vids on getting the proportions/measurements correctly will be appreciated! :)
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!
I remember watching Richard Schmid do a demo at the Palette and Chisel back in the day. He drew a few swift lines demarcating the position of the head and shoulders, then went straight in and fully rendered her most visible eye in the three-quarter pose he had chosen that day. He said he gauged all the following measurements from the measurements of the eye!
Oh my goodness, what a helpful tutorial....thank you...Thank you for the way you present your information which is so kind and full of gold. BTW, your own work is incredible!
Thank you so much!
Thanks, David. Never heard about the Van Dyck Z, a very helpful tip indeed.
Glad you found it helpful!
This is a great tip.Thank you. And, I hope Grace knows how beautiful she is. I bet that her portrait was fun to do.
This is great. I felt that that something like this tip would make interpreting proportions for portraits easier.
Thank you, I spent many years in art schools starting in my teens. Never heard of this.
Thank you David, I loved this van dyke method, and your calming voice.
You are an awesome artist but I can also see now that you are a great teacher too. I look forward to seeing more of your videos and thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much!
I have never heard of the van dyke z, but im a self taught character artist and i have been drawing the brow ridge and nose outline first on my character designs faces for years. I noticed it was much easier to create a distinct look for many different characters if i applied a certain shape language to those parts of the face first, while also having a distinguishable shape for the head in mind. I also noticed that drawing the brow and nose first for every drawing thereafter of a character design would help me maintain a consistent look, which is vital since im planning to draw a comic. being self taught is so fun because im always finding new methods online and in books, or connecting my own developed methods to artists ive never even seen before.
Oh my goodness...so helpful!!! Appreciate the way that you deliver your words...so kind and full of gold. BTW, your own work is incredible!
Great tip! Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Awesome! Looking forward to the eye shape tricks! And lips! And face shapes!
I'll add those to the list of things to cover, thanks for the suggestion!
God Damn! You actually said the thing! I have been looking for the meaning of this term since I watched some artist bro mention it years ago when describing a portrait painting from life. Thank you thank you.. Best Christmas gift.
With a live model, I draw quickly lots of loose random lines and refine them as I get closer to the likeness. It works pretty well. With photographs is more difficult. I'll try this method. Thank you.
That's a great approach to drawing!
That last portrait of your friend is stunning.
I love this! I am so happy to have discovered that you are posting UA-cam videos!
Excellent! how brilliant for anyone struggling with proportions
Thanks for the tip
Thank you so much..
Everything jumps around when I am trying to draw or paint and this really helps..
Happy New Year!
Karen in Cambridge
Great hack, and never get this in school but I will be using it now. Thanks for sharing this great tip.
Glad it was helpful!
1st video of yours that I've seen. You are so talented
You are an excellent artist wow
Thank you so much for sharing that.
I studied with an artist who studied in Italy in the 1960s. We used to hold up a knitting needle to measure distances and to show where alignments met.
I use points of reference by looking thru a clear plastic clipboard with a rectangle drawn the same ratio as canvas. Then I use a carpenters sliding bevel to measure angles from corners and midpoints, triangulating the whole view onto the canvas...you can't miss getting a proper proportion as all your lines of intersection result in perfect placement of points. Connect the dots for guide lines. Simple ...join any 2 dots.
Clear as mud
lol
Very helpful. Thanks. I'm going to try this out
Glad it was helpful!
Only an artist would look at a painting of a wrinkly old dude and say "Just the texture alone and the forms are just so beautiful"
Great tip, I am learning to oil paint and some of my lessons are with live models, this will be sooooo helpful!
This is a great hack - certainly changes a lot of
Oh wow, never thought about it! Thanks
Glad it’s helpful!
Thank you! I may try a portrait now.
Go for it! It's a fun way to learn.
Thankyou so much for this advice it will really help to improve my work I will keep on checking in for more advice thankyou🎉
Glad it was helpful!
Hi just came across your channel, and as a beginner, this is very useful I seen to draw a full on face when head turned😊😅.and your work is amazing. Take care. I've subscribed to your channel
Thank you very much for a very helpful work tip!
Thank you, that was helpful 😊
Thank you so much for sharing this with us!!
Glad you found it helpful!
Absolutely BRILLIANT!!!🎨
Great tip! Will try it immediately. Subscribed.
This is so helpful! Thanks so much!
I'm glad you found it helpful!
Great advice idea..thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Hi David thank you so much for this awesome lesson, really appreciate 🙏❤️
Glad you liked it!
Great video. Your painting and drawings are beautiful.
Thank you so much 😀
Thank you David 😀🇬🇧
thank you!
Thank you this was really helpful
Brilliant!👏🏻
Thanks really helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
that was so interesting thankyou
That is so helpful, thank you!🎉
wow…, just wow… thank you!!!!❤❤❤❤
Thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful!
I’m so glad I found your video, I’m going to be binge watching when I get more time. I couldn’t hit the subscribe button fast enough.
I appreciate you taking the time to watch!
This technique is very helpful. Thank you so much!❤️😊
i like that tips thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
I think you might actually be right! That is, correct! Thank you!
Thank you
So good to know this thank you 😊
You are so welcome!
This was very helpful....keep em coming!
Fantastic tip, thank you 🙏💖
I loved the method you showed us on those beautiful paintings and photos, thank you for sharing them. I would love for you to show us how to do it in a portrait seen from the front as well as in profile and 3/4. Thank you very much and have a very happy 2025
Thank you! Will do!
That portrait of Grace was amazing! 🤗
Fantastic 😍😍😍
This helps, thank you.❤
Wonderful 🧡🕊️
So simple
Thank you so much - subbed
I’ll give your hack a try and get back to you on how effective it is for me. For now I’ll just say it’s an interesting way of simplifying the process of establishing proportions. I’m thinking there may be other kinds of “Z” shapes one can use in other parts of the body. For example, there’s a Z if you trace the horizontal angle of the right collarbone, connect that to the vertical angle of the sternum down to the navel and from the navel to the edge of the left hip. This gives you an oblique “Z” that establishes the length of the torso and compares the width of the collarbones to the width of the hips, which are vital landmarks, as are other bony protuberances.
I shall try this. I’m practicing by using reference models from Earthsworld. I should be able to find some suitable subjects. Thanks. ❤
This was great! Beginner here!
Glad it was helpful!
How did I get to this age and not figure this out myself. Relying on just my eye - and I have a good eye - this is helpful and simple!
Lately I've been trying more portraits. This is super helpful.
Really good tip thanks! I often use a triangle. It forms with the eyes and the tip of the nose. Looking needs more thoughtful effort than moving the pencil.
Great tip!
Thank you for such an informative video it has helped me a lot😀
Just subbed as well look forward to more🥰
Z transformed my way of shaping the head! Reilly & Loomis, now Z.
I like the softness of your self portrait. Do you have a video on that?
subscribed. Thankyou.
Welcome aboard!
Wow thank you for this! Subbed!
So cool! Thank you! New subscriber here!!
Thanks for subscribing!
@@davidjonkassan Quite an auspicious new year! Glad I found you.
Wow this is more helpful than Bargue, thank God for UA-cam algorithm bringing me to this channel. Subscribe!👍🔥
Good tip, although more accurately speaking, the underplane of the nose, Columella, runs from the tip of the nose to where it meets the frontal plane of the face above the Philtrum.. the bottom line of the Z is the boundary between the tip of the nose and the Columella
Great specifics! Thanks for the add! I tend to think in abstracts in the beginning, basic shadow shapes.
🙄
Looking at a picture of Grace, she has the tell-tale signs of having a thyroid condition. Classic symptom with part of the eyebrow missing. She may already be aware or not. I've had several members of my family with the condition. It's amazing how much better they feel with medicine.
Apart from the eyebrow what other signs is she showing
Definitely need more videos like these. Also, can one use the "z" when not in profile? Looking straight ahead?
You can definitely use the “z” shape when drawing straight-on portraits!
There is a further difficulty of placing the near eye in relation to the eye which is away, especially the angle of their axis in three quarter view. Could you please give a tip?
Yes! im working on a new video for this!
Great tip. I easily see the Z in the paintings, but have a hard time figuring out how to apply it when starting a drawing from a model. Not sure how this applies to the rest of the face.....like the other eye, the chin, the hairline, etc. Maybe I am missing something?
Think of the shadow shapes in the abstract, they are all shapes. There are other shapes that correspond the the other areas of the face, this only pertains to the Brow ridge, length of the nose and the shadow under the nose.
@@davidjonkassan Ok, got it. I normally look for shadow shapes, but I thinking of the Z in terms of comparison measurement and that is what had me confused.
imaging the face as your worse enemy and draw it to become your best friend
Thanks so much for the video! So I take it this is a rather loose concept and more about finding suitable elements than strictly sticking to certain anatomy landmarks? I was a bit confused when you moved from the van Dyck example to your (excellent) painting and put in the third stroke not at all where I would have expected it based on the first example.
Great video, especially since you are drawing over the figure so we can follow your eye. You might want to use a bright, contrasting color so that your line does not disappear. I'd avoid red or green, as they won't read for people who have R/G color blindness.
I’m always looking for ways to make my videos more accessible. Thanks for the tip!
why are you saying the V?
Pls help me understand what you mean by "underplane of the nose". It seems you go from tip of nose to a nostril and in another painting totally different... how should kne interpret it?
The underplane of the nose is the shadow shape that falls underneath the nose.
👍
helpful
Hello Mr. Kassan, I first came to know your work while I was studying in college. I am curious if you have any advice on technical artistic training. I’ve thought about pursuing atelier training at Lyme Academy. Do you have any advice on ateliers vs colleges? For instance where did you study? Thank you for your time and happy new year. (2025).
I’ve been painting for 50 years… And I would even take this a step farther and take the Z from the left brow to the right across the underside of the nose and then across the mouth as a bigger Z Which also could follow the light source. ??
Awesome tutorial, I will try this. Is this the very 1st step in the process and do you draw the z on your page please?
once I lock the eyes as the anchor, I look to see the Z interaction with the brow ridge to the length of the nose.