Hello. I have been a teacher and an artist, sometimes both, for most of my life. Talented artists often make poor teachers of art. You seem to be good at both. Great work. Keep it up.

Blocking in, or what I sometimes just call "basic shapes", is, to me, THE big "secret" to drawing. Once you can do that, everything else is literally just details.

@proudsellout484

2 жыл бұрын

I am new to this. But I agree. Learned the hard way.

@alleynanci

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@o82774

2 жыл бұрын

It can also be a way to get trapped into prefab looking, generic, creatively stagnant, soulless rendering.

@jm-he7tl

2 жыл бұрын

@@o82774 ehhh basic shapes are a part of almost all art it won’t get generic if you don’t allow it to

@pian-0g445

2 жыл бұрын

@@o82774 that’s not really true and even then, that’s what the details and proportions are for. Blocking isn’t always to do with realistic proportions. You can do it for literally everything, but how they end up is up to you

Recently tried this for the first time when doing a sketch of my wife holding a camera. Drawing the camera was very intimidating because it looked like a sillouette and I couldn't get the contours right. Blocking-in made that experience such a breeze and actually made it an enjoyable process. One of those "Why an am I only learning this now?" moments.

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

Better late than never. Glad you discovered how useful it is 🙂

Kindly turn on the ‘closed captioning’ option for those of us who are hearing impaired. 🙏🏻 We don’t want to miss any of your valuable information! Great tutorial; looking forward to seeing you more often. 😊

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

🙏🙂

@hissyfitz7890

3 жыл бұрын

@@alphonsodunn - Wondering if you were able to have the ‘copycat’ cease & desist? 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

Hard to believe, but it is still on going. Will talk about it when I can 🤐

@EckosamaGhostTsushima

3 жыл бұрын

@@alphonsodunn whoa its been months. Good luck Alphonso! :)

@TOPEGGIE

2 жыл бұрын

@@hissyfitz7890 can i ask you a question?

You are the coolest dude thx for having you on KZread. I also learned a lot from your Book👍🏾

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

🙏🙏🙏🙂

Hey!! Just wanted to say i like the shorter vids!! I usually put most videos in my "watch later" playlist and end up never actually watching them. The fact this one is shorter helped me not procrastine and watch it now. So i hope you'll keep making shorter vids in the future as well!

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

Lol I realized that because I do the same thing

I'll start practicing this technique in my drawings. I hope you'll continue doing more tutorials like this one. Thanks, Alphonso.

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

Most definitely

@IkramDrawingZone

2 жыл бұрын

Good job.

This video is gold. Thank you so much for encouraging me. I always get a bit discouraged when it takes me awhile to establish my figure the way I like it. I have to keep reminding myself that art is a process and not every step is going to look like a masterpiece.

Glad to have you back, teacher! And blocking is important so my drawing does no run out of space in the page :)

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

🤣🤣 me too

I’m glad you took the time you needed to, for you. Your content is so helpful and I’m really glad you popped up on my feed today, because I’d been thinking about your tutorials about drawing rock formations and how they’ve helped me, for the first time in my life, to draw rocks that look like rocks, rather than like grey jellybeans. I just ordered both of your books. Thanks for being such a treasure in the art world!

I actually appreciate your short videos! Straight to the point, and bot overwhelming. Thank you! Will go look for your books.

Thanks for the vids! Love the block in process. Something that has helped me is to work in 15 minute segments on the block in, taking a break and coming back with fresh eyes.

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

Yup, I have a similar process

Watched this again. I am now blocking in most of my drawings. Thanks Alphonso.

I'm guilty of skipping to details. Mainly because that's what I assumed what professional artists do. Thank you for sharing this.

Hello from the UK. I’m so glad to see you back. Hope all is well.

Thanks Alphonso! Your tutorials mean a lot to me!

Thank you Alphonso! As I'm getting more and more into drawing, I slowly began to understand the importance of blocking in a drawing. Since I'm still in the beginning stages of learning to draw, my current mindset of focusing on details is holding me back. After seeing this video it all became so clear to me, I found myself enjoying this part of the drawing process since It is so simple, it's fun to build up the image, and I feel more satisfied with my drawings than ever before. I look forward to seeing the next video further showing how important blocking in a drawing. Keep up the good work! 😊

Just bought your books and they are already putting me back on track to getting back into drawing, rediscovering my own talent and the joy of drawing. Thank you.

You're tutorials are so wonderful! They are easy to follow and make so much sense. Thank you!

Thank you very much!😃 I've been struggling with getting out from the standard proportions and so on these days and that is holding me down in an endless cycle of 3/4, front, profile, etc. I'm learning a lot from you 😄

Thank you my G, almost all my fundamentals came from you because all of your videos are so in-depth that it's incredibly worth it to watch through until the end.

Just bought the book, been following you for a few years now and I can't wait to get into this more.

This was something I originally did when I learned to improve my skills. Never knew it had a name. Knowing is half the battle and now I know. Thank you!

Hi Alphonso! I like the enthusiastic way you explain things. This makes me listening (and looking) and in the case “of blocking in” it shows me what art is all about. It’s nothing mechanical. It’s reasoning and feeling and looking and experiencing ....

You say 'learning to see' I too have been a teacher and an artist for most of my life ,I am well into my seventies now, spot on! Strange expression that, but you know what I mean. Respect.

Thanks for the reminder. I've wasted plenty of time going into detail early and trying to adapt a pose to a face. My approach is something I really need to focus on.

Just watched again. Now I’m using horizon lines and attempting blocking in. Thanks Alphonso.

Thank you Alphonso, your videos have helped me learn to see things in a different perspective and then I'm able to draw the object (usually nature scenes) more realistically. You break things down so everyone can understand and then demonstrate. Can't wait for the new book to add to my collection.

Thank you Alphonso!

Thank you , Alphonso, for your videos. I have both of your books, and am looking forward to the third.

I love watching and learning from you although as a beginner it can take me a while to 'get it' so I have to keep going over the lessons - if it is worth learning, it is worth learning right!! I have been missing the basics and it shows with my sketching. I have both of your books and will keep practicing. I can't wait to see your next book. Please keep doing your great work!

You’re the man, Alphonso!

Thank you for your excellent ability to put things in simple terms!! Priceless!!

That is one practice I love to do. I'm always doing this. Thank you for the video!

A THIRD BOOK !!!???!!! I CANT WAIT TO BUY IT !!! I have the first two and they have helped me tremendously. I excited about a new book !!! Thank you for all your help. My art is so much better due to you.

What gifts you have and am I grateful!! I’m a few steps above a beginner but at 85, am in a hurry. Thank you.

Thanks Alphonso. Bought your workbook. It is fun to work through. Getting my pen and ink skills back, slowly. Can't wait to see the next book.

Thank you for this wonderful artist and teacher. It is the first time I have someone who gives his all in his teaching. Too many you tube lessons do not explain properly. I am trying to master portraits. After watching Alphonsus lessons, I can now understand the facial proportions for the first time. You are a gifted artist and a wonderful passionate teacher. I hope you continue on you tube.

Wow! Thanks for this. I knew that drawings were sort of “built” but, I didn’t understand the process. This makes everything so much clearer now. Thank you!

Absolutely wonderful tutoring by a great tutor! Joyous, crystal clear and an invitation to 'see' better in order to draw more sympathetically. I teach music and I often say 'I am going to help you learn to listen!' - here is a video which is encouraging us to grasp the need 'to see'. in order to draw. Terrific! Thank you very much.

Wonderful video. Thank you for being so clear about this basic approach and skill.

Just wanted to say thank you for your videos, I will definitely pick up your books. Keep up the great videos!

Your videos and books are awesome! Thank you!!!

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks much

As always, thank you for sharing your immense knowledge and talent with others. Truly appreciate it! And the blocking in process is most difficult for me. Thank you for reinforcing that technique. All the best to you! 🤗

Alphonso, i know how hard it can be to manage the main elements in one's life, balancing them like plates on sticks sometimes - just stay focused and press on. Thanks for all the wealth of information you pass on so generously. God bless you man. (ps: Have your book - love it, looking forward to another).

Block form construction brings order out of chaos. That's what I tell my students. Good video. Thanks.

Lovely to see you a new video from you. Thank you for all the knowledge you share, you have greatly nourished my art journey.

that's the best advice I've ever heard! I always was stumbling around at the beginning with the need to have something on paper to refine but usually I just had to refine crap and as you've said you can't correct those structual mistakes! Thank Alphonso! o/

Looking forward to your next book.

Short, succinct, and practical, unlike so many other YT artists/instructors. That's why a love your videos. 👍

Mr Alphonso I must say I admire your teaching it's quite easy to follow. I was wondering if you could do the insert and origins of anatomy and discussing the important ones to focus because I other KZreadrs don't seem to do it as often nor easy as you.

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much. Most definitely, I can work on doing a video to the different areas

I’m glad you’re back.

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

🙂

Thank you thank you I have your book… really appreciate the work and the explanations in it !!

Love you so much, glad you’re back!!!!!

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

🤗🤗🤗

Alphonso's videos are excellent as are his 2 books. I will definitely buy his 3rd book when it comes out.

THAT WAS SO WELL SAID. EVERYTHING.

It's so much easier to draw straight lines than to start with curves. Curves are changing direction in two ways at once, but with a straight line you're just dealing with one angle. It's magical the way the organic shape emerges bit by bit from the straight lines as they build up - really fun and makes me feel like I can do this. Thank you for the excellent lesson.

You are an amazing artist and content creator. I have learned TONS from your books and videos. I wish you all the best!

I always learn from you 👍👍you deserve respect

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

🙏🙏🙏

Love your channel Alphonso thank you, glad to hear about the book.

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks much🙂

I just found your channel. I love your art. And your teaching technique is clear and helpful. Thank you.

Excellent material. You explain and demonstrate this very effectively.

I really appreciate your videos, thank you so much.

Fabulous! Thank you!

Wonderful videos...you are very generous. I just ordered your book! Thank you.

looking forward to your new book!

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

🙂🙂🙂

I understand what you are conveying from this video as I was begginer too, I'm still not a pro but I do understood the concept of complex to simple shape drawing, it really essential as it helps to look at figures and pose reference simply, specially to break them up and simplify them

Hi, Alphonso, I've been a fan of your videos for a few years now. I actually like the short videos, I can watch them when I only have a little bit of time (like now).

Thank you kindly for sharing your experience and wonderful work and art with us I'm looking forward to your next book just recently bought the workbook and love both of the books very valuable learning tools and so much more would love to have the option of a spiral bound edition. Thank you again for sharing your time

I have both of your books ! And let me just say that it’s REALLY helpful , new and fun thing to do ! 100% guarantee . That being said can’t wait until your next book (hoping you working on a new one)

Excellent. … you are such a good artist.

Very good tips and to the point. got your book and it's great !

Great video, Thanks!

Always learn something valuable from your tutorials ❤❤❤

Please increase these essential skill tutorials... you are the best one in this case on KZread 💜

I really enjoyed your insight !

Great job!!!

Thanks so much for the video! I've had many an out of proportion portrait in my time.

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

We all have lol

I know this video is from a bit ago, but I absolutely love this technique and just realised I have been using it for my (realistic) drawings and some character art for years. A little something I used to do in the beginning, when I had too little practise to recognise the shape right away (prompted by an animal-drawing course in the zoo) is to map out the outer points/edges of your subjects to get the dimensions and then do the same thing going inwards. So basically, creating the block in shape by connecting corners and distinct details sticking out. Maybe this helps as a way for beginners (as I was) to train both their perception and ease them in slowlier? (and even now to keep the dimensions in mind!)

Oh man, this is such a good video. Thank you so much. Subscribed.

Beautiful .

Great video man, been drawing most of my life. I'm completely self taught & this is a cool technique. I wished I would have known about this yrs ago, I don't draw very much anymore for various reasons. If I do I will def play around with this idea, ty!!

Great content on this video. You packed in the vital information that I will out into practice.

Very useful guide. Thanks

Yes, please do some more videos on blocking in, top, bottom, side, , mid points, the triangle. I really have difficulty with the blocking in. I started gridding to get more accurate but that is very time consuming. I just wasn't getting the blocking in concept, and was using complicated negative space and other measuring methods.

I recently bought your first book which is amazing and I'm also watching your videos to practice and have better understanding, Thank you Mr. Dunn

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

🙏

You draw and teach beautifully.

Thank you, for your knowledge. 🙏

Just purchased your books Bro! Often times it's easier to break learning down into short bursts vice 45 minute videos. Thanks for the short videos. Keep it up!! :D

Thank you for explaining this to me. Now I understand how to proportion my drawing to the right size

Great content Al, this video really helped me have a bit of a breakthrough. I really appreciate your efforts! keep up the great work!

I can give a like to your videos before I have hardly watched them, because they’re always great.

Just shapes. My art tutor told me that, and I forgot. Thank you for this.

Thank you for your videos!!

@alphonsodunn

3 жыл бұрын

🙏

Never bought a book so fast. IS IT HERE YET!

I'm definitely guilty of skipping this technique ^^' The awesomeness of the face and the hand you drew here, really convinced me to use it more!

Well done!

The world's best pencil. Good choice, young one

This is exaaactly what I needed, thank you yet again. :)

This is very helpful i see my art lacking something i just never knew what it was or how i could fix it