No one has the heart to tell you this. But I will.
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- Опубліковано 30 чер 2024
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My Watercolor Supplies Video : • Watercolor Supplies fo...
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ABOUT ME
Hi! My name is Margot and I am a professional artist and graphic designer. My parents like to joke that I was born with a paintbrush in hand. I started my career after graduating from the renown Parsons School of Design in New York City and spent over 15 years creating and designing for many of the world's top Fortune 500 brands and companies. My painting journey started as a side project and a creative outlet for me to step away from the computer, go back to my "roots" in fine art and to hone my skills as an illustrator and painter. I started posting some of my work on instagram and the rest is history. My work is inspired by all the things that I am passionate about. Ballet, travel, graphic design, color and finding a world of beauty in all facets of everyday life. I hope you'll join me in this UA-cam journey as I take you through all the tips, tricks and trade secrets I've gathered throughout the years. I hope I can teach you some of what I know, help you discover your creative voice and I hope you enjoy this Channel!
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Things that tutorials have taught me: each paint is like a musical note, or a word. When water and pigment are placed upon paper, we learn the voice, the music of the paint. We learn to play our own songs, poems, stories and a dance with our brushes, eyes and light.
Beautiful
Well said!
Loved how you expressed this.
Aren't you just alluring to harmony?
that's such a lovely way to say it!
Working artist here: I agree with everything in this heart-to-heart so much! Thank you for saying this really important fundamental truth - especially the "trust yourself" part.
I'm not going to call anyone out, but personal story about bad art teaching: At my art school, there were these two teachers who ran an oil painting course. I didn't take it because there was a weird vibe about it. Their students idolized these teachers to an uncomfortable degree. They'd talk about the course like it was an MLM or something. They would produce these massive canvasses of classically inspired realist scenes that always dominated the student exhibitions. Over my 4 years there I noticed that all their paintings looked alike. The students were painting like the teachers. You could not tell the difference between the teachers' works and the students', when they were hung side by side.
When I commented on this to some of the students, they told me they were learning to paint "the right way."
That was a real slam-on-the-brakes red-flag moment for me. Learning to paint "the right way"? Wait - what??????
And for years afterwards, I would see paintings in that very specific style popping up in galleries, and I would say, "Oh, there's someone who took that course." Sometimes, it was even one of the students I knew. I think it took them years, and maybe several other teachers, for them to break out of the restriction on their own self-expression that those teachers had put on them - in other words, for them to become themselves and stop being clones of someone else.
That is bad instruction, but it's also step-by-step instruction. Step-by-step "here's how to do it" instruction is good if the teacher is good, if they put the emphasis on the technique and principles, rather than on the finished result - if they're teaching how to paint with oils or watercolors, etc., rather than how to paint a ballerina or a dramatic crowd, specifically. But if the emphasis is "This is The Way to make This Picture Right Here," which is what those instructors were doing, that's definitely a learning dead-end.
By the way, I seldom see that style of oil painting anywhere now. No one is famous for it.
No one gets famous for copying others. Everyone needs to realize that. Hans Van Meegeren was famous because he got caught. He was a forger. Forgery is a crime, i.e. fraud. Van Meegeren was successful, i.e. he made a lot of money, when no one knew his name because he was conning people out of money by selling counterfeits. He only got famous because he got exposed, but when his fame started, his success ended. He spent a year in prison. If you look at artists who legitimately got famous by using other artists' work, you will see they are not actually copying. Warhol's prints of famous renaissance works or photos of famous people cannot be mistaken for the originals. They are in Warhol's distinctive style. Duchamp's Mona Lisa print with a mustache painted on it cannot be mistaken for the original Mona Lisa. It is a commentary in the distinctive manner of Marcel Duchamp.
No one needs us to to repeat to them what some other artist said. The world wants to hear what we have to say.
So if you're going to follow step-by-step tutorials, make sure you can learn something from it that **you** can use for **your** self-expression. And my personal advice, follow tutorials from artists in lots of different styles, using lots of different techniques. Do not allow yourself to get into a comfort-zone groove on tutorials. Learning should always feel unfamiliar.
I understand what you're saying, but tutorials are a huge learning resource for this beginner. Following tutorials teaches me the basic skills. I have playlists of specific types of tutorials (landscapes, seascapes, flowers, Christmas, just for fun, etc.) Without this learning format, I would be overwhelmed and quit. I don't ever plan to copy someone's style and work. I'll do my own as time goes on, but I need my tutorials at this stage in my journey!
i like tutorials to give me painting ideas when i can't think of what to paint. i never try ti make it look like theirs , just like painting along : ) and when i was first learning it helped me see different techniques in use, like flooding, dry brush, wet in wet etc
I love your videos (as someone who produces tutorials herself😂 Your videos are beautiful works of art. I do think of tutorials kind of like reading a cookbook and discovering recipes you didn’t know existed. Keep up the great videos!
Yes, couldn’t agree more! As someone who only came to this in my 70’s and am now in my 80’s - without tutorials I would never have learned the skills and confidence to branch out and do my own thing. And it is the thing now that gives me the most joy.
And I am so grateful for the many who have shared their talent.
Same😊
This was an advertisement. Keep doing tutorials
What if.... you were to suggest a "challenge" at the end of every tutorial... example: using a limited pallet, changing the paper size, using a single brush for that particular project. Limitations are a catalyst for creativity! 🎉 I loved this video. This was the push I needed to start trying new stuff on my own more often. Thank you!!!
I suffer from imposter syndrome each time I place my brush on my paper. And I possess zero joy in my completed paintings anymore, Margot. So I grabbed a fancy sketchbook, and began making marks from whatever I'm told. And I'm liking it. After 7 years of wc painting, I'm on the first yellow brick, on the yellow brick road. Painful. I feel like I've wasted these 7 years of "trying.' I'm so unhappy. So I make little art things that please me, listening to my self. And I've discovered that I LOVE illustrations BEST! And now I"m creating characters who come to life on my paper. It's the starting point, but I'm finally listening. Thank you for your beautiful paintings and your pearls of wisdom. Always a delight to watch your videos. :)
There is a place for tutorials simply because you are learning the steps and processes, the key being “learning”. I have learned so much that it gave me confidence to do my own paintings in my own style. Now I have a website and am officially an “artist”, creating all of my own designs. Less than three years ago, I would have laughed, then turned and run if someone expected me to be an artist. Officially, I am, and I love what I do! Much of my confidence and knowledge came from Margot, and I can’t thank you enough for sharing, and making me smile!
Officially an artist? You don't need a warrant, you are an artist when you say you are.
Agree. Beginners are intimidated by that blank piece of paper. Need to start somewhere.
9:49 To all beginner artists out there I have to agree with this one. There are several ways to paint the exact same painting. For example, you might find that an artist uses one type of brush to achieve an effect, but when you try to paint the same effect using the same brush, you fail. However, when you try again with a different brush, you succeed (the brush might be a different size or a different shape or is made of a different fibre, etc.). That applies to brushes, paints, amount of water, paper, etc. Always keep in mind that there are several ways to achieve the same thing, so have fun and experiment 🙂.
Did I just watch a commercial for Craftsy?
Why yes. Yes you did. Honestly I think sponsored videos have destroyed UA-cam. It is quite literally impossible to determine true authenticity or credibility anymore. And can you blame literally anyone in this economy? Of course not. We all have bills. And we are talking "starving artists" here. Blugh.
I don't mind a short recommendation when they make it clear it's a sponsorship, but don't want it to take up so much of my time. I have UA-cam premium so I can watch without ads, but many creators are turning large parts of the video itself into an ad. This one was not the worst, but it sure does feel like I accidentally clicked on an infomercial sometimes. The worst part is not even having to watch or fast forward through the ad. Rather, it's losing a little trust and respect for creators because I know their content creation choices are being influenced by the monetization.
Super excited that you'll be doing more art fundamentals!
I usually watch multiple tutorials on a subject ( so like today I watched 3 20 minute goldfinch tutorials then read a tutorial in a book ) ...to learn how to do it but I take what works for me from each one and try to make it my own ...
That’s exactly how you should do it! Sounds like you have a sensible method! 🙌
Hello again 👋🏼. For some us, copying art that we admire makes us really happy, just honest to God happy and at peace 😊. Our artistic voice is second fiddle to everything else.
Great point! Thank you for sharing your perspective!!
That’s fine if you just want to do it foreplay or therapy or enjoyment, I think the point being made is that if you want to become an artist and exhibit or sell artwork, you need to develop your own style and not a copy of someone else’s. I enjoy imitating other people‘s designs with a little bit of my own flair or colour scheme to it in my sketchbooks. I don’t give them to other people or sell them or put them online without referencing the other artist that has inspired me. It was kind of like being someone’s best friend but taking credit for raising their child when you’re only look after them baby here and there. However, like I said if you’re just playing, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with copping having fun and learning
@@jessbutterfly9801 I think people develop their own style as they learn. It's not something you deliberately set out to do. It's something that develops as you learn sills and apply them in a way that you feel most comfortable with and that is pleasing to your eye. Once that starts to happen, you use tutorials less and less because they can interfere with your style. I absolutely agree with you that there is a place for those who are just looking for an enjoyable, relaxing activity to do.
@@jessbutterfly9801 Thanks! I see your point and I do agree with it, and yes, I’m only doing it for fun and play. I don’t think I can call myself an artist and sell art just yet, but maybe one day. TBH I’m not in a rush. This copying phase is really enjoyable.
@@warpedweft9004 Thanks for your input!
100% agree. Similar to cooking, tutorials are a recipe. Recipes inform us of techniques and ideas that can be added to our toolbox. Use the basic techniques but adjust the ingredients to suit your own taste.
Here is the main reason why I love you and your channel. You don't tell your subs what to do, you always give great advice! 💕🖌
Great video, Margot! I'm also a teaching artist and something that I always like explaining to students who are trying to reach their full potential (with this I mean- get to a point at which they are easily able to create great original art), is that it's important to increase skills and develop knowledge in three areas: Principles, Concepts and Techniques. What we learn in step-by-step tutorials would be improving in the Techniques area, which is more about learning how to use your drawing/painting medium. Though many hobbyists are fine with staying here and producing great art that's a copy, if one wants to develop more fully, it's important to avoid ignoring the other two pillars (Principles and Concepts), otherwise, as you mentioned, it's going to be nearly impossible to break free from being told what to do. I chat with lots of beginners who don't know why they aren't able to create art that is their own, and it's because they haven't challenged themselves to use their own concepts, develop their own projects based on their own ideas, and they haven't made time to learn about the fundamentals (art principles). I think, for lots of people who're just getting started, step-by-step tutorials are great. As humans, we learn new skills in the beginning through copying. Like when we're learning to ride a bike or braid our hair. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it. The problem is getting stuck there for too long, not trusting in yourself enough to do things differently, or ignoring the other two pillars. Though I haven't followed step by step tutorials in years, I consider myself a lifelong learner and will forever be learning from other artists I admire. I think it's important to continue improving and evolving as we move along in our journeys and will continue investing in workshops, courses, etc., taught by artists I admire. But, at this point, I make sure to bring lots of myself in, as I'm following a class, and use what I've learned in my own way. I don't think we should scare beginners away from using tutorials to learn, because everyone is different, is at different stages in their learning, and benefits from different types of support. But it is important to go into learning resources with open eyes, and make sure that you are learning in a way that supports your current goals. Cheers!
I don't disagree, and appreciate your tips. But for those of us with little to no formal art training, tutorials seem like a logical place to begin! I used to draw a lot as a kid but had never used watercolors before in my life until I decided I wanted to learn when I saw a set marked down on AMZ around Black Friday. I turned 67 this year. (!) Love your channel. 💕
For me, tutorials were great early on because they gave me the courage and the confidence to learn more. I had a horrible art teacher as a kid and was a perfectionist so I didn’t think I could learn until one late night doodling in college. Then I followed along with a drawing tutorial and would make this amazing drawing that totally looked like who I was trying to draw. I’d get so excited I’d then try to do it on my own with 50 other drawings that all turned out terrible, but it gave me the thirst for more knowledge. Sometimes through tutorials, sometimes other art videos. And when my pencil mileage was greater, I began to pursue and understand the fundamentals and now I want to illustrate. But had it not been for the confidence boost some of those early tutorials had given me, I don’t think I would have fallen through.
I really needed to hear this 😊. I can copy from a tutorial pretty well but it sucks the confidence out of me trying to do my own thing, I either don’t think I’m good enough or I have no idea what to do. Thanks Margo for giving me the push to just do my own thing 😁
Glad it could help! It also doesn’t have to be like jumping off a cliff either. Just changing one or two things can give you the confidence boost to go further without letting go of the railing! 👍
Exactly how I feel!
I feel the same also. I sit there staring at the paper and then just create something I have already done from a tutorial. Or I can't bring to mind the mark makings that before really made me happy following along with someone else.
I agree
Tutorials are great for gathering info, but playing with toys and messing up are how you learn....
I've been cutting back on tutorials for a while now. I was restless and wanted to do things my way. I'm inching toward that and have found that sketchbooks are a good way to practice my own style. Your video was absolutely spot on and much appreciated. Thank you!
Yes! It took me decades to stop following tutorials! I got a Jon Gnagy drawing kit probably about 1955. That would have made me 9. I worked on the lessons and did well but it never occurred to me to apply it outside the book. High school, i was not allowed to take art. Still think that one was odd. I ended up in the military in the 60s and they had a place where you could take art classes and I i was too timid to find out about it, even though a roommate went every week. I married and by the time I was 28, I had a one year old and got brave enough to look into taking tole painting, only I wanted to do rosemaling. By then my husband was in college and finances were limited. I could take lessons or buy books and I choose books. I practiced during nap time. I learned a lot, especially color mixing and brush control. Years passed and I found someone I wanted to take lessons from. We switched to acrylics because people were getting sick from bad studio practices. No, you shouldn't be putting your cleaned brush on your mouth to point it. And I hated it. I put down my brushes. When my oldest got married I decided to take watercolor classes. The teacher expected us to not only bring a still life every week but to draw out own design. 21 years of painting and I finally was doing my own thing! It IS good to put in time practicing techniques! It is good to learn to mix colors. But it is especially good to discover what you can do when you experiment on your own! 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you! I thought I am the only one who hates step-by-step tutorials. ❤
As an artist and art educator, I know that creating unique expressions is scary, especially at first. It’s the same as stage fright. This is why authentic self expression is an act of bravery.
Of course we need to become familiar and skilled with our chosen tools. We must practice! It’s easy to use tutorials as artistic “comfort food”, though.
I follow a two step progression: 1) draw a circle, 2) draw the rest of the owl.
I so totally agree with your premise. I bought a course recently. I hate the "pictures" that are being used, so I switched to my own pictures. *(If it was an animal, I did use an animal). Not crazy about the suggested medium, switched to my own. But! I am learning cool and warm temps! I'm learning about atmospheric perspective. So, the class IS valuable, but I'm not copying. Enough said! Keep up the good work. I love your videos! 😊😊😊😊
I hear what you’re saying but it did make me laugh that the sponsor for this tutorial is Craftsy. As someone else pointed out, tutorials are a great way to learn the basics, especially if you can’t afford or don’t have access to in person classes, or you haven’t been to art school. Online tutorials have really helped me and they’ve provided me with a lot of knowledge regarding materials and the possibilities contained in this superb medium of watercolour. Plus, I just love watching them. I suspect, that at some point, for a lot of learners, the desire to develop their own style just occurs naturally, and they start to notice that they already do have have a style of their own. Great discussion point. I’m looking forward to your upcoming series of videos on theory and I appreciated the 3 suggestions you made in this video.
Hi Nancy! Thank you for your thoughts! I think for me the biggest key is the motivation behind the imitation. To use tutorials as a stepping stone to learn and deepen your knowledge and skill set is wonderful. I think it becomes problematic when the end goal is to create perfect copies. As with everything in life, it’s nuanced but intention can help to clarify where the line gets drawn. But I think you sound like you’re using them with the right idea in mind 👍
Dear Margot, you are one in a billion! Your honesty and sensibility surrounding this avalanche of art tutorials is sage advice especially for beginners. I love watching the mostly fabulous and talented artists available any time any day and have learned so many useful techniques doing so. I've realized during step by step tutorials however, that there is a unique creative style that I am searching for deep inside. I remember freaking out when my son was in kindergarten and his teacher marked a coloring book page with - TRY TO STAY IN THE LINES - in black marker (BTW- he couldn't read yet). I marched up to his school and informed her that we never ask him to color in the lines so please don't. It strikes me that the step by step videos are akin to the trying to stay in the lines approach. I find that I need to play more, discover more, try on different hats and see which one fits best and makes me feel like me. Thank you Margot, for this validating piece.
You’re totally right, tutorials should work as if we were kids again, learning how to write. At first we copy as well as we can so we have a base, but with time we should bring our own touch and make our writing (and art) a reflection of ourselves. I love it when you speak to us like that in your videos, looking forward to your art fundamentals! 😊
Margot! I LOVE YOU as a teacher!
Thank you for your perspective. I loved what you said in answer to “I could do that”
“But you didn’t!”
Couldn't agree more, a step by step tutorial only teaches you how to do "THAT" picture, which is great if you're just wanting to mess about and practice your art but it doesn't necessarily teach you how to then step outside of that image's box.
Tutorials which teach techniques and how to apply them are vastly different I think, whereby someone learns HOW to use a brush, how to combine pigments, how to get the right water flow etc. I think copying is something that people should use as part of a range of different methods of sketching and practicing art.
I love the idea of changing up at least three parts of something you're copying to help make it your own.
Professional artist here who's retiring from the rat race of marketing ones work! I still teach but limited smaller classes. I have been know to tell my students - "too many chase the right class, brush, technique on a constant treadmill. But the gain in skill is in the doing, actually playing with your supplies and tools to push their limits and your own. And doing more, miles under the pencil or brush!" I've told some they need to stop the classes and DO. I enjoy your video's Margo, and the straight talk..
I agree 100% I think a few tutorials are ok if you are brand new to art/medium, but by all means spread your wings, turn off the electronics and slap some paint/medium around. You will be pleasantly surprised! ❤ Thanks for the video Margot! ❤
Thanks for the discounted, 1-year subscription to Craftsy! I'm sure it will help me get started in my arts career, as well as pick up a new skill or two in other areas of life!
Much love!
A great “artist” is a master of creativity and I will stand by this until my last breath. It is what I tell anyone who comes into my studio. Paintbrushes, cameras, crayons, sticks… they’re all tools and it is what is made with them. This doesn’t apply to just artists. Advancements in medicine, engineering, etc all come from creative thinkers.
This is exactly where I'm at...I'm so over following tutorials, still feel a little stuck in my art, and keep asking myself all the artist questions: what to paint, what do I want to say, what's style do I want to have, what techniques to use. Currently, as I'm working through all of these questions and practicing without tutorials my watercolor painting of florals come out looking a bit stiff and cartoon-ish. I can't decide if that's my style and I should lean into it or not. I was drawn to watercolor loose florals and no matter how much I practice them I just don't get them to look quite how I want. Composition seems to continue to trip me up no matter how many times I research and attempt to apply learned techniques. I was thinking of following world watercolor month next month and see if the prompts will help me have something to spark a creative ideas and then paint something without a tutorial or a watercolor painting done by someone else. It just sometimes feels like when I sit down to paint on my own, my brain just instantly looses all its knowledge of learn skills and techniques...like someone forgets on their lines when they walk on stage. I also think it has a lot to do with what to paint as well. I do feel like within the tutorials I've followed I have come to paint my flowers similar but much different from the artist I followed, which is good and bad as at time I really like their better...lol!
Thanks for these tips! I will put them into practice!! I can't wait to see your technique videos in the future as maybe I have some gaps or your style of teaching may open my eyes to a new prospective!
Thanks for the advice in this video. Ref to water colour: I am still learning what happens to the paint when it hits water, or what happens when two colours meet: will they mix or mingle, or will one colour push away the other? There's a lot of subtlety behind this medium.
But the bottom line is: I am trying to discover what I do well. Realism? or abstract, or loose, or mixed media art? Returning to painting (especially with watercolour) since the beginning of 2024, this is only the very beginning of discovering myself...
I look forward to watching you teach basic fundamentals for art/painting.
Question
Do you think youve ever felt depressed in your life
If yes, can you do a video where you do a reaction to citizen soldier "Would anyone care" and do a watercolor based on what the song makes you feel
Growing up in the 60's , and not having access to what we have today, I, for one, is over the moon having all this free material, I love learning from most of the artist here. I have joined Patreon for $ 10 a month for some artists, and I have learned A LOT. When I was a kid art school was out of the question too expensive, and what job would you get?And I had a natural talent for drawing etc! but that is getting you nowhere. I do agree with Ms. Hallac, all these tutorials can hinder you, but it sure can help you send you on your way to a happy painting life!
I help run a local art group of about 20 people. For years the previous tutor always gave out photos of other artists work for them to paint. We now give a subject i.e Horses and a selection of photos and one of a painting- slowly weaning them off copying… half the class will choose the painting to copy - it’s taking a while but slowly working!!
Totally agree…….As a beginner I started with tutorials to learn technique. I did this for a few months then fled the nest to create my own pieces.
Yes yes yes to all of this. I’ve been an artist for years, and have been saying this for ages. Social media has been both amazing and terrible for art at the same time.
One benefit of learning to use different media a d being more attuned to color has been the new ability to discern a range of color in a gray and brown winter, my least favorite season. I was so surprised and pleased to be able to actually perceive so many colors.. You have Ben part of that jojrney, thank yoh
I must agree. I majored in art and for many years I principally worked in pen and ink, oils, and acrylics. I decided I wanted to learn watercolor and started with tutorials. I enjoy it a lot, but now find myself fearful to do my own work. I must get over this!
I loved this one Margot. I enjoy tutorials, but only because they teach me things that I can take, and tweak to make my own. Thank you for being thoughtful enough to work out how to encourage the creation of a 'my style' - I did it my way! xx 💜💙
I just read a book about Van Meegeren, I think it was called The Forger's Spell. It's an examination not just of whom Van Meegeren was able to fool in the art world, but also how he did it. It's an interesting read.
I watch (sometimes skim through) artists creating art - there are a lot of wonderful channels - and the best always stress to pull out the art supplies already on hand, and only use the 'tutorial' as an inspiration to paint, not as a step-by-step, paint by number type thing. I don't think there's anything wrong with paint by number, or with relying on a step by step when you want to create but don't know anything about how -- but it's always better to morph into taking some chances & doing stuff on your own.
Thank you so much for this advice. I have been struggling with the idea of moving away from tutorials and doing my own thing because I'm afraid that the finished work won't be as good as the tutorial. I think that's what stops me from painting something without following a tutorial is that I failed to produce a good painting.
Again thank you so much for this advice it has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone to paint something away from a tutorial, only to use the tutorial as a guide for the painting techniques
so timely...ii have learned by imitating different styles & techniques, but...ii've noticed, especially this year, a2-3 month dry spell & realized ii am actively waiting for my own inspo, even as any tutorial never looks exactly like the creator being followed, even with similar/same tools/products. Learning the best sequence for application, or how to notice how different tools work better/best has/is sooooo appreciated, especially with regards to learning to go beyond the ugly stages, noticing progress, staying the course, even laying ot all down til the piece 'asks' for more...or not.
Ty for addressing so many not obvious areas that help all of us grow forward.
You are a speaker of truth! I’m trying to create every day and find it easier and easier to just Do! Thank you, I have listened and watched you for several years now, thank you for sharing your experience, Karen Dirmish, learner 0:05
I did my most creative work when i lived on a remote farm in the north of Australia & had no easy access to supplies, workshops etc & pre-internet. I was a member of a craft group who met weekly & we shared ideas, but i did what worked for me & built up a small business in fabric art. When we moved & i had easy access to all the wonders of supplies, workshops etc i was so excited at first, but then realised i'd lost by creativity because there was no challenge. Information & tutorials are brilliant for learning, but it's not until we make lots of strange weird bloopers that we really find our own style.
I get where you’re going with this and I don’t disagree completely. However. Copying Jenna’s roses, Emma’s peonies, Harriet’s advent calendars, Ellen’s Christmas cat, and of course your ballerinas with floral tutus….I mean how can you not….gracious…have all advanced my skills leaps and bounds!!!
But I also push myself to paint something in a sketchbook daily. Or play on a few pages however I like. Unique creations come out of that! I love painting hot air balloons and New Mexico landscapes and Arizona cactus and seascapes and all kinds of landscapes. And playing with Natasha’s hillsides and other fun things in her style. Because I copy it like a study, it helps my personal creations because I apply the skills I learned and my own style advances and evolves. My teachers are my skill builders and often my muses. Oh I forgot Diane’s sheep. Adorable!!
Yes all these copies are framed somewhere in my house. But so are my own ideas. Everything has my personal touch. I like how you said change 3 things. Good rule to follow so we don’t turn into mungsteen. Whatever his name was
But tutorials are critical for my skill building and I would wager yours grows too by copying other artists’ work from time to time.
Want a great idea? I made it up myself. I have about 8 watercolor books with lessons and exercises. I often forget about them. What a waste! So I bought a bunch of artisto sketchbooks and dedicated one per book. First page i paint the the book cover. Margot. I’ve already amazed myself that most are looking amazing! I am so proud how far I’ve come. I am doing the exercises but also painting copies of things I like in the book pictures. It’s so fun and it’s wonderful practice
I wouldn’t be where I am without the tutorials from you and my other favorite artists. You just can’t live there. You gotta pop outside the box regularly. 🥂
You look very chic.
Thank you for this; some of us have colored outside the lines all our lives and it’s really nice to hear we’re “doing it right”. I know, there is no right or wrong in art, but some days it sure feels like it.
Tough love appreciated. Just get down the basics and do you!❤
I agree so much! People say you have to paint loose or you have to paint on location, etc etc - but i dont want to paint that way- ok for others but i have a style i prefer and a subject matter I prefer.
You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. This is art, not driving school 😉
Tutorials can be great--I've learned a lot of techniques with tutorials. Yet I really agree with you because they can be detrimental.
Another thing about tutorials is that they give the impression that an artist picks up a brush and paints exactly what they intended to paint in one, smooth process. No trial and error, no mistakes, and no "start overs". That, combined with the (very necessary) sped up portions, it is hard not to feel like: I'm no good at this because I can't paint with that perfection and speed.
Tutorials in moderation are probably fine, but turning off the video once in a while is good.
Margot! You are such a gem of a person! I loved this video! And you are so right about stepping away from social media. I had already made the decision last week to take a summer sabbatical from everything but the occasional UA-cam video. With so many inputs, it’s hard to find, your own thoughts, much less your own style. So this was a great tip! And also, I love that you are sponsored by Craftsy!
I got to fly out to California few years ago and be in a commercial for them! It was a huge highlight!
You’re the best!
Xoxo,
Lindy
Two years ago my son encouraged me to start making my own art and stop coping others'. It's been an interesting journey. My "style " and subjects are not at all what I expected. I thought I'd be drawing pretty flowers and such. Instead I draw creatures. Not scary ones. Let's just say they're unusual. My kids jokingly say my art shows how disturbed my mind is. My husband looks at it and walks away shaking his head. 😂😂😂 I love it!
I've always believed this. Not that art tutorials don't have their place, but it sticks so much more when you figure it out on your own. The best teacher that I had, although we didn't always agree, didn't show me exactly how to do what but instead just set me up with projects that she knew would challenge me, and make sure that I was growing as an artist rather than stagnating or regressig
I think that it depends on what level your skill are. For example for beginners it is really good idea, because You can learn new techniques, color mixing etc and don’t need to worry about another things. When you start to be more advanced, tutorials can do more harm than good. However I think that even advanced artist can do step-by-step tutorials, but they need to find own way to do them. For me works that in first attempt I do exactly same step as in tutorial, using the same photo reference, similar colors and techniques, but in second attempt I choose my own photo ref, sometimes change colors and only use techniques which I learnt in tutorial. In this way I learn new things and also I’m challenging my inner artist 😊
I think the changing point for me with tutorials was when i started to realize they aren’t teaching me the right way to do something. Instead i realized it was just A way to do a thing and that I can fiddle with it and alter it if i want. Do that enough times, and you have a unique style. Whether or not those things go together well is a different point but you catch my drift i think.😊
Hello Margot, I started my painting journey approx 3 years ago. As I had a lack of confidence and knowhow, I followed tutorials and learnt how to use supplies. I was very proud of most of my attempts and repeated some (many times) until I got it right. My view from someone who started from nothing, helped me understand how to use the supplies, how to make art interesting and what techniques you can amalgamate. My next comment may not bode well with some however, during the learning process I found myself getting annoyed at the Do's and Dont's tutorials. Art is personal. If you want to use a brush a certain way then do it. If you want to add something into your paint, then do it. Nothing should stop you.
As I became more confident and understood how to use supplies, the next step was to work through what "I" wanted to paint. How do I want to express myself? I have a deep connection with Victorian Gothic. I convinced myself that this genre would not sell and to avoid painting this subject matter. So I vered to painting animals and even though the work was great and people loved it, I was not fulfilled. Bored, unsatisfied, it held me back. So then I turned to using references images. I started a painting that I struggled on, to the point it left me angry and frustrated because I could not get the skin tones right. I tried it once and tried it again. I attempted it 5 times. In my darkness and depression, I gesso'ed over it and end up painting a gothic female celloist and found my style. I combined classic Victorian style with gothic elements and abstraction to create life like pieces with a twist.
The style I avoided and thought people wont like it, found me. I have painted many pieces of my own design since then and I am quite proud of them. I am still learning and finding myself though if I didn't learn through tutorials and learn how to use supplies and get confidence I would not be producing what I am today. The key here is tutorials help give you confidence. What you do with that confidence is what makes you. If you rely on just following people, it will hold you back. Though if you take what you know, add some spice and experiment, you will find yourself. ❤
I thank you for this. Ive learned a lot from tutorials as a beginner, but have also become frustrated with myself and my abilities because I couldn't make a flower or whatever ecactly like the vlogger. When I started to use them as a guide, things got way easier and fun. You are right in that no one is talking about this and how tutorials can hamper us finding our own voice and style. Thank you the advice - especially to step away from tutorials and social media. Now I just have to remember to trust myself. Thanks again!😊
Thanks so much!!! This really helped and I have been in that trap lately to the point I couldn’t trust my own art ability!!! As always you bring so much to the table. ❤
Glad it could be useful! Taking a step away from the safety railing can be scary! I totally feel you! Believing you can is half the battle 😉
Loved this video!!! From the tough love, your art (wow!) and that sass and natural vibe you bring to this video!!
Most of my paintings are prophetic paintings that express spiritual concepts. I always start with a vision, and they never turn out as visualized...which to my mind is beautiful. I consider watercolor the original "I meant to do that" medium. I've been in love with it since I was a teen for that reason.
I completely agree and I’m so happy you created this video.
This is what I found even in art school setups is that you are taught in art styles created by others and not by you.
This video is really will help artists become original and unique.
Experimenting is essentiel.
Thank you Margot. Keep being you 😊
I literally snorted with laughter when you started this video --- just last night I was trying to figure out why i was prouder of my older (pre watching hundreds of videos) paintings than the ones that I did after watching said videos. Well, I got my answer when I realized I was trying so hard to do it the "right" way rather than experimenting to figure out "my" way. Talk about coincidence! As always you inspire me to find myself.
Margot, it is so wonderful to watch your sometimes whimsical videos and that’s what i like so much and have subscribed to your channel. I have never, even the slightest, attempted to paint like you since it is such an original, signature art you create, that i would die of being a copycat, if i did your style. But i love the videos of you teaching the techniques and how to improve etc. and I am soooo glad you are going to keep doing that. I love your art and enjoy looking at it and see your original creations. Please keep showing us that once in a while, but I am really grateful that you are going to keep us nourished and impart on us desperados your knowledge! Thank you once again for sharing your thoughts- it was very insightful.
I have to completely agree with you on this. I found it to be true in my own journey. Which is why I have stopped watching every single tutorial out there a long time ago. Thank you for tackling this taboo topic. And keep on inspiring others to find their own voice!
Thanks, Margot!!! I can certainly relate and understand what you are saying. I am still in the infancy of my artistic reboot, but i rebooted doing exactly what you talked about...doing tutorials. Started in acrylic medium. Forty plus years after my last art class, this seemed a good way to dip my toe in. I remember how scared I was at first...I can't do this (of course the tutorials I was watching were LIVE and at a crazy pace and it nearly permanently ended my desire). Then I got control of myself and paused if tutorial was live, and saved if it was on UA-cam. Then I mastered stroke-by-stroke. My next challenge was composition. Could I rely on my own brain and instincts to create a composition totally of my own? That was a big mental hurdle. And, of course, I did get over that hurdle and excitedly looked forward to my very own compositions going forward. Next, I soul searched and recalled my favorite medium was watercolor all those years ago. After amassing quite an A-Z acrylic store of goods...I took the leap and ended in the colorful water (intentional pun). After ramping up with supplies and connections (amazing gurus like you...ESPECIALLY YOU) to school me, I am exploring, creating, and enjoying my time in my current (and favorite) medium. I did additionally challenge myself by composing an oil painting for my sister of her cats and dogs in her garden (impressionism), that I am still working on due to the challenges of oil medium (and my skill level), but I have learned so much from it all! Thank you for your sincere desire to make us all informed, happy artists!!!
I think you make a very valid point. I have seperate art journals for my work and the work I have learned or copied from others
Thank you for this inspiring message. I’ve taken a step back from videos so that I can feel into what my style truly is. And begin to trust my unique expression.
Aah...step by step art tutorials are great when starting out. However, one needs to, ( if one feels like) find their own style. As we go along, we slowly discover our own style..
So agree but also feel it's a gray area..
Thanks for your thoughts..
Two years ago when I started out, I could not get enough of tutorials...
Now I am SO grateful for them but do not visit them anymore, unless it's just for fun or ASMR ❤
Love you too! I needed to hear this and I look forward to what you have to teach me in the future!
Love love love! All you have said!! I’m so excited to hear you plan to sharpen our skills with some actual stepping stones! I don’t know what I don’t know and that holds me back. I’m looking forward to the freedom this will provide! Thank you
I've copied pictures of drawings that other's have drawn but I don't think I've ever done a painting exactly like they did it. I'm new to watercolors but use to paint with acrylics year's ago. I do agree with what you're saying to a point. When you're learning a new art form you look to the expert's to learn everything you can about it and it is so helpful, to me any way. I wouldn't have known where to even begin if not for you all. So thank you for that. I've done quite a lot of other arts, crafts and jewelry over my many year's. I love most of it. I think it all intertwines everything together. I've got idea's for one art form from another. I do think it opens up your creativity and mind, and the more you do and enjoy it. I hope this makes sense y'all. Have a great day!
Yes! Absolutely! I think what you mentioned makes total sense and following to learn is exactly the right way to think about as opposed to just blindly copying! Thanks for your thoughts!
In my early days I used video tutorials to help me master the medium, mainly technique and color mixing. It was not about copying the artist, but finding my own way. For example, I am primarily a landscape painter but wanted to improve my ability to see color and use light so I engaged with an artist whose style exaggerates those aspects. I see and use color differently now because of that exploration which I believe need the guidance of someone more experienced than myself. Similarly, I discovered I am quite adept at finely detailed botanical paintings. Trouble is I hate doing it (I don’t hate the art or the artists who do it - they amaze me), it doesn’t make my soul sing. I deliberately engage tutorials from artists whose style is far afield from my own, not because I want to paint like they do, but to learn how better to paint like I do. All that said, your basic premise is correct. Tutorials can become a rabbit hole from which you never escape. The trick for me was being clear about why I was doing it and what I needed to learn from it so I could move beyond it.
Thank you so much for saying this! i felt like I was in a rut with my art and I realized it was because I was trying to copy when I need to create instead. I love your content btw!!!
I find watching tutorials about techniques I am struggling with helps. Then I translate that into playing around with paint to tweak it into my own style.
Thank you so much for your advices, they are much needed! really any painting I do that is done by myself without following any tutorial l, is in my eyes and in my heart worth hundreds of art pieces I did following tutorials, but for someone like me who started painting late and didn’t study art in art school I always have that lack of confidence!
I think of tutorials as recipes. In the beginning following it to the letter. After a while, make it my own, mixing up ingredients, keep what works, and add my own ideas to it.
I hear where you are coming from, with this video. I can spot the artists who learnt from certain teachers. Their work is literally clones of what they originally learnt. Students from Suzi blu, Willow wing, Jane Davenport etc.
That said, as a visual learner, I truly value You Tube and other platforms and the creators sharing ideas, techniques and inspiration.
Thank you, I really needed to hear this. I would love to see a video on the basics of approaching a painting from a photo. I love watching youtube videos, I will just use them differently. You’re the best!
Hi Sue! Thanks for stopping by! Will definitely put that on my to do list!
I definitely hear you on this. My method is to watch the tutorial or a video and then recreate it from memory a few days later. I inadvertently change things because I can’t remember everything clearly. Sometimes I just mash a few different ideas together or change color scheme etc.
Sometimes I fail miserably and sometimes I love what I came up with but I like to learn in this way 😊.
Another deeply thoughtful video and topic. Thank you. I have realized--and forgotten--this idea a couple of times. Remembered it the other day and appreciate having the confirmation. It's similar to trying to write a novel according to someone's idea of plot structure and what makes a good story. Eventually, to find your voice, you have to trust your story and yourself.
Thank you so much Margot
Aha! I’ve suspected this for a while. Though I’ve learned a great deal by following tutorials I have felt stagnant, and have actually begun to switch up techniques or composition. I appreciate your voice.
Such fantastic advice !! My art was so much better before I followed step by step tutorials. In hindsight there are so many art tutorials that are not good at all especially the myriad of so called beginner tutorials. It’s like everyone creative is trying to monetize their hobby by regurgitating the same information. After years of wasting a lot of money on tutorial after tutorial , most of which I disliked, not to mention all the art materials, I quit doing tutorials. There are still certain artists I follow , like you, but it’s to appreciate their work and not to copy their work or style. Thank you for addressing what has become step by step insanity!
Excellent advice. And I really enjoy your sense of humour. Looking forward to your next video.
This was a fantastic video! Thank you for this
I’ve been thinking about this topic for a while. I don’t use tutorials much but I do have a tendency to paint in the manner of the artist I am following at the moment. I’m trying to focus more on the videos that discuss fundamentals now, such as color theory, composition, light, etc. I find that much more conducive to developing my own style. I’m also just playing with my materials a lot, to see what will happen.
I SO agree with you, Margot. Well said!
I’m trying not to hate you. 😂 Although you do give some good tips in this video, I shall forever be so thankful and indebted to the artists who have taught me so many watercolor skills through UA-cam tutorials. And even though I am now able to use those skills to create original works, I still greatly enjoy painting along with step-by-step tutorials. Originality is not always the goal.
I agree with you on this. That’s why I love 💕 doing challenges where you are given a photograph or a word prompt and you have to paint 🎨 your own version of it. I have learned so much from all over UA-cam, Instagram, online tutorials, just my own personal reference materials to improve my own skills, color mixing & matching, composition & see what I can do with my various mediums for a finished painting or artwork. I started out with copying but I definitely used some things & leaves out some things when creating. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful idea with us.
Sounds like you’re well on your way and on your path! Cheers!!
One of the things about painting tutorials is the lack of emphasis on drawing practice. To me, learning to draw is the basis without which you cannot expand and create variations on what you already know. Even just creating your own page of fantasy flowers or figures will teach you a lot. But in order to, for example, paint those ballet dancers so that look convincing, you need to do plenty of practice drawing dancers either from photos or better, from life.
I 100% agree with you. As an Art Teacher I do not teach step by step. NO one is going to learn their own style and ability if they do not experiment with supplies and trying different ways to create. Tutorials help you learn the medium, but not to become an artist. Thank y ou!
I love the quality of your videos and the atmosphere. Super beautiful.
I can apply this advice to things like painting BUT crafts involving needles, like crochet, I'm sticking to the step-by-step, albeit with color changes. That of course is assuming that I'm not feeling lazy and my hands will cooperate.
But thanks for the advice, nonetheless. Now I have permission to keep doing what I do with painting. 😂
Hi, I learn so much re techniques, I rarely if ever copy. I'm glad to have found your youtube sessions.
Sounds like you’re on the right track! Glad to have found you too! 😘
I totally agree with you. I have a friend that creates beautiful pics when she's painting something or someone that she loves. But she keeps posting art she's made from tutorials that are beneath her level. She's an artist already and is wasting her time on other people's art. I can't convince her otherwise. Lots of wisdom in what you say!
Thank you for this video. I really needed to hear what you had to say.