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I will try to start replying to all the comments you’ve been making over the last couple of days. Hopefully, starting this evening and over the weekend. I may want to use the video for a couple.
Thanks for your patience everyone!
Darrel
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Of course, everyone is more than welcome to watch the drawing tutorial videos.
I have been keeping a list of all the tutorial you sent out and review them to catch what I missed out the first time, but not sure whether my list is up to date. I also find your responses to comments very useful, wonder if putting it together could make a guide book to go with your video.
Hi Jane,
You’re very astute, and we’re a few steps ahead of you. I’ve been working towards a book, but, in the time it’s taken me, the computer has opened up a whole new array of opportunities. I want share this with as many people as possible, and the computer has opened up the possibility. But, I will still look forward to a book In the not too distant future. We are transcribing and will edit all video dialog, physical class recordings and etc..
I will try to send you a list of the released demos up to this point.
And, thank you ever so much, for your feedback. I look forward to hearing from you again!
Darrel
hi Darrel,
Thanks a lot to change my style of drawing..
i am proud of having a teacher like you to guide me through..
Regards,
Renil
Dear Renil,
You are so very welcome!!!
Darrel
Is it in your future frame work to translate your book, video dialogue, class recording into different languages? It seems that you are not lack of network all of the world. If so there will be even more people learning your method.
Darrel
Have I missed something did you stop sending tutorials. I have all of the paper the corect pencils even bought a $100 eraser but the tutorials arent coming. Hope your ok and not sick. I’m biting at the bit to learn more. I did the sphere and a little thing about eyes is that all there is? Havent recieved any thing since August 2.
Michael
Fort lauderdale FL
Hi Michael,
The materials that you have purchased, I’m sure, will be put to good use soon. I’m glad that you were able to get those materials, because many will probably will not have all of them available. There are ways to get around some of them, but you will appreciate them as you have the opportunity to use them. Which electric eraser did you get? Is it the one we were suggesting?
There has been a gap in the online demos because of the production challenges in getting these first ones out. They’re coming!!! I’m chomping at the bit to teach and share with you as well. Don’t be afraid to apply what you’ve learned so far to your drawings. It will continue to give you the practice and the opportunity to try it and see the results apply the technique. The wait has been difficult, but it will be behind us soon.
Thanks so much for your interest and patience.
Darrel
I have email right now available only at my local library. I was trying to download your lessons onto a CD and it would not work. Is there some way this can be rectified. I am going to a cyber cafe tomorrow and I think the gentlemen there can download the book for me. I was not successful here.
The lessons seem excellent and I appreciate your generosity in sharing your talent.
Hi Darrel,
Just wanted to say hope all is well with you, i think I can speak for a lot of your students when i say we are worried about you.
kind regards
Sandi
Dear Sandi,
Thank you so much for your concern and well wishes. It means so much to me. I am looking forward to us getting through these initial production challenges. We did not anticipate some of the technical issues, but they are all solved now and now the actual DVD manufacturing begins.
Looking forward, and excited!
Darrel
Darrel…This might be of interest to some. amazon.com has the following camel hair brushes. Sizes are 1 – 2 – 3 inches in a set. More info as follows Royal & Langnickel Large Area Artist Brush Set- Three Brown Camel Hair Brushes
Price: $6.99. The price is right and I hope this will solve some peoples problem in locating brushes. Stay Safe and Be Happy Always. Floyd
Dear Floyd,
Thank you so much for your support and enthusiasm. I think we also have a package of the brushes available. Thank you so much for sharing what you’ve found with everybody.
Darrel
Like to add to the above cost of shipping which might be of interest to some. Cost is $7.95 for total of $14.94. All boils down to the following which is cost of brushes only $4.98 each which isn’t so bad since the brushes will lasts you for years to come To one and all Stay Safe and Be Happy Always and May Only Fantastic Things Be On The Horizon For You And Your Love One’s Forever. Floyd
Hi Floyd,
The brushes are not as high quality and expensive as brushes go, but they are very adequate for what we are doing. As soon as the manufacturer finds out that we are using it as a special brush, for a specific purpose and technique, they will probably raise the price. Ha Ha. So, lets keep it a secret. I’ve felt that even if one of the brushes falls apart, they are so cheap that I could afford to just throw it away and get another one. But, in most cases, they should last you for years.
Thanks again for your active participation and communication. I know, you are having fun!
Darrel
Darrel..On the 21st of Oct I placed order for DVD set. Today the 23rd of Oct I went to pick mail up and my order had arrived to my supprise. It took only 2 days to receive my order and this in itself was truly truly amazing. I want to thank you so very much. Now I immediatly watch both DVD’s and both DVD’s was well worth the money you charge and in my way of thinking they are worth much much more. They are truly priceless. They are the best I believe offered anywhere today and you should feel very proud of your accomplishment. I plan to watch the DVD’s overe and over for there is so much to watch and learn and to be able to grow as a person wants you have to watch all DVD’s more than once or to each person whatever it takes that allows you to be where you want to be in drawing. The DVD’s again are amazing and I believe that a person owes it to themselves to invest in the DVD’s and all that is in the future upon release. Please keep me posted on all you plan to do and offer for I do not want to miss out on anything. Stay Safe and Be Happy Always. Floyd
Hi Floyd,
Thank you so much for your comments, reinforcement, and recommendations. The “Core Concepts and Exercises” probably have much more information than one might initially realize. It is my hope, that in the interim, between this and the tutorials that follow, that everyone will take this opportunity to practice and become as comfortable with all the elements as possible. So, that when I start demonstrating how it applies to a subject, you can enjoy the affect, as it (the subject) is interpreted and you express yourself. Maybe it could be illustrated like this, it’s the difference between learning new words and their meanings, then looking for where they can be used, and then finally being able to state something with eloquence, emotion, and feeling as you use it to make your point.
I know you are having fun drawing.
Darrel
Umm, hi there, Darrel. i cant draw.
Dear Sonia,
Oh, that I could have you sit next to me for a while! I would show you, that there is probably much more that you can actually do and enjoy than you realize. I would encourage you to keep trying. And, above all, be very patient with yourself. A famous Thomas Edison quote comes to mind, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed with what you can’t do. Many of my students come back to class thinking they have failed at the whole thing, but it gives me the opportunity to show them how close they are to succeeding. What is not working, will often visually dominate and keep you from actually seeing your successes. You may not be able to sit down and draw out a face at this point, but there are many other things that you can learn first. I want it to be fun for you, and there are so many effective levels of expressing yourself. I would hope that you can find successes in the smallest and simplest elements and concepts. There is beauty and expression even in the single “Tapered Stroke”. Break down it’s elements and practice each one of them, one at a time. For instance, the tapered ends, the graduation of tone, and the curve. Think about the mechanics that I’ve shown you, such as, placing the heel of your hand down and letting your fingers pivot on the imaginary pin. And, the airplane landing, and your pencil just grazing the surface.
Take one step at a time, and add another one each time you feel comfortable with the previous one. Another one of my favorite quotes is “if you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else,” by Dr. Laurence Peter. So many have learned to draw and found that they have much more artistic ability than they ever imagined, because they were able to follow this recipe. Celebrate the smallest successes. You might find that, if nothing else, you come to appreciate art in a whole new way.
Remember, celebrate even the smallest successes.
Darrel
Darrel…Guess you read what Sonia had to say. I hope that you send a good reply to her. I also realize that if she only pays attention to what you have to say and offer even though she says she can’t draw for the moment that in time she will realize that she can and will be able to draw. Anyone can draw and Sonia is no different. I wish her well as well as one and all. Stay Safe and Be Happy Always. Floyd
Hi Floyd,
I truly believe that! At least at some level, everyone can draw. I don’t want anyone to be denied the wonderful experience of creating something. Either by their own intimidation and unbelief, or because someone told them that they had no talent or ability. At some level everyone can have a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Thanks for your encouragement well wishes to Sonia and others.
Darrel
Darrel…Hope that all is well with you and your love one’s. I appreciate the reply so very much and I wish you only the very best. I keep going over all your blogs posted and I hope that everyone follows all that you show. It makes me feel happy to read how many people show the interest of drawing. I hope that everyone realizes that they will have to keep up there practice work until they finally get to where they want to be and to keep improving as times passes it will always be a good thing that they keep there practicing going for it will be only of benefit to them. I don’t care how long a person has been drawing that by drawing each day oe by practicing they will learn something each and every day. I have been drawing now for over 54 years and I’m always learning something new. Now I don’t know the reason that some people has for drawing weather for pleasure or for money but as for myself it has always been pleasure however I have made much money in the process which to me is only icing on the cake as they say. If pleasure is the name of the game this they will find in what you have to say and what you show. If it’s money no matter how long they have been drawing they will find that by drawing pencil portraits in the days to come can be very easy to make money at anytime they see fit. Making money is so very easy and by doing so they can now be in full control of there lifes which will be truly more rewarding and fullfilling.So if a person is truly tired of working for the so called man drawing will allow them to be the so called man and not having to work for him. Stay Safe and Be Happy Always. Floyd
Hi Floyd,
Thank you again for the comments and for sharing your views.
Darrel
Darrel….Came across this for those interested. If you are having problems scanning you can do the following. Take your pencil portraits and under them place a sheet of clear plastic overlay which will change the looks some or you can go to the following and it’s free….www.gimp.org
This is a GNU Image Manipulation Program and easy to download and use. If not interested at least take time to check it out…Stay Safe and Be Happy Always…Llewkcots
Hi Llewkcots,
I will look at it.
Darrel
hi darrel how are you just wanted to ask. when i first started to do the sphere i was getting very frustrated but as time went on and appling your method of layer apon layer really gives u the effect of a 3 demetional object just floating in air, it really takes awhile until u actually see that i was accomplishing it . havent mastered it but the more i watch the video over and over. As i am doing the sphere i keep the video running and always look over my shoulder to see how close i am getting to the way it is suppose to look. It makes me feel so good when i work together with you.I cant wait for more videos. You have taught me that patience is definatly a virtue.I really believe it now. i dont know how to that u for each day i wake up to do more with you. you haven given my life purpose and for that i thank u.
your devoted student jeanie
Hi Jeanie,
Thank you! It is so good to know you are seeing improvement. That’s exciting… and I’m proud of you for working at it so diligently. That will always pay off for you, and you will continue to see improvement. I know that you are having fun! And it is fun for me to hear of your progress!
Darrel
Mr. Tank, I have come across your website and find it very interesting. Since I was little I have always enjoyed drawing. I had art when I was in school, but nothing like what or how you teach. Everyone says that I can draw and I also, create props for plays that we have at our church. My problem is that I am a perfectionist and my worst critic. I have problems with drawing people’s faces, hands, and feet. They look okay, but not realistic. Hopefully, I will accomplish these with your help. Also, I would like to know what the difference is between sketch pencils and art pencils. Do you recommend using the art pencils? I hope to learn a lot from you in the near future. Thanks for your help.
Your Soon To Be Student,
Holly
Hi Holly,
I am glad that you found my site and I hope it will be a big help.
I know what it’s like to be a perfectionist. When you know what you are trying to accomplish, and can see the results, you will have a much better critique of your own work. There is nothing like having someone that can be very constructive in their critique. You don’t necessarily want the person that thinks that you can do now wrong, but you also want someone that can recognize your progress and achievements.
I have pretty much laid down what I recommend as far as pencil go. Try to acquire the pencils that I stated for the best results and consistency. Consistency of the lead, is probably one of the greatest advantages.
I hope that you will be able to have fun drawing with me. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share with you!
Darrel
Um…well I prefer to draw animals much more then people. It’s just a lot more interesting to me and I recently watched your lesson on how to draw hair. I wanted to know if you would apply these same concepts to drawing animals or is there a different method to it? I already have my own method, but I think there is a better one and I think if anyone would know it you would.
thanks,
Sincerely Paul
Hi Paul,
Yes! Much of the time the animal hair is shorter, but the Tapered Stroke, clean edges, and how light works (even between hairs) all apply. Paying attention to the flow and direction of the hair, keeping the texture and avoiding a solid tone from representing the fur. It goes on and on with how it all applies. Of course I’m talking within the concepts and principles of my technique!
I am glad that you enjoy drawing animals. Drawing other subject matter can really help you to understand and see more clearly how the principles so often apply when you may not have recognized it otherwise.
Have fun!
Darrel