When it comes to the world of art, there is often a lot of focus on finding your own unique art style. Artists are constantly striving to create something that is distinctly their own, something that sets them apart from the rest. But in the pursuit of developing a signature style, one important aspect of art tends to get overlooked – realism.

Realism, the ability to accurately depict the world as it is, is often seen as a stepping stone to finding your own style. Many artists see realism as a hindrance, something that holds them back from fully expressing themselves through their art. But what if I told you that realism is not the enemy, but rather the key to unlocking your true potential as an artist?

Imagine you are in a lecture hall, tasked with summarizing an article in 500 words. The article represents the subject, and your summary is your art. The way you choose to summarize the article, the words you use, the structure of your sentences, all of these elements make up your unique style. But without a deep understanding of the article itself, it would be impossible for you to create a compelling summary.

The same principle applies to art. When you have a strong foundation in realism, when you understand the subject you are drawing to a high degree, it becomes much easier to stylize and create art that is truly your own. Realism is like a solid foundation that you can build upon, allowing you to push the boundaries of style and creativity.

Take a look at some of the most iconic artists in the industry. From Disney animators to manga artists, they all have one thing in common – they know how to draw realistically. This foundational knowledge is what allows them to stylize their characters in such unique and captivating ways. By understanding the structure and anatomy of their subjects, they are able to create art that is not only visually appealing but also grounded in reality.

One artist who exemplifies this principle is Ilya Kuvshinov. Known for his stunning and simplistic art style, Kuvshinov’s work is a perfect blend of realism and stylization. His characters have a sense of depth and realism to them, despite being highly stylized. This ability to balance realism with stylization is what sets him apart as a truly exceptional artist.

Another artist who showcases the power of realism in art is Aaron Blaise, a former Disney animator known for his incredible animal drawings. Blaise’s characters are highly expressive and emotive, yet they retain a sense of realism that grounds them in reality. His ability to accurately depict animals allows him to push their proportions in a way that is believable yet highly stylized.

Ethan Becker is another artist who demonstrates the importance of realism in art. While his work may seem purely stylized at first glance, a closer look reveals a strong foundation in realistic proportions. By understanding the fundamentals of anatomy and form, Becker is able to create characters that are striking and dynamic, yet still rooted in realism.

And of course, let’s not forget Glen Keane, a Disney artist known for his iconic character designs. Keane’s princesses may have exaggerated proportions and fantastical features, but underneath the layers of stylization lies a deep understanding of anatomy and structure. This foundational knowledge is what allows him to create characters that are both whimsical and grounded in reality.

So, what does this all mean for aspiring artists? Do you need to master realism before you can develop your own style? The answer is not black and white. While having a strong foundation in realism can certainly benefit your artistic journey, it is not a prerequisite for finding your own voice as an artist.

Experimenting with realism, trying out different styles, and pushing the boundaries of creativity are all essential parts of the artistic process. Realism is just one tool in your artistic toolbox, a tool that can help you build a strong foundation for your art but should not limit your creative expression.

So, the next time you sit down to draw, consider exploring the world of realism. Take the time to study anatomy, form, and structure, and see how it can enhance your stylized art. Remember, realism is not the enemy – it is a powerful tool that can elevate your art to new heights. Embrace it, experiment with it, and let it guide you on your artistic journey. Who knows, you may just discover a whole new side to your art that you never knew existed.

42 COMMENTS

  6. Sumarize may not be the right world, essay Is more fitting.

    Specially when talking about articles, books or papers.

    Great video, just me being a killjoy.

  7. So here’s a brief summary of what Sam explained is to be able to draw in a specific style you need the foundations of drawing, and fundamentals of art. Simply, you need to exercise or improve your art skills in order to develop your own art style. You can’t only draw anime or cartoon straight away you need make sure your skills are improving, so focus on improving your drawing and painting skills in that way you can develop your own art style.

    Thanks to a lot of artists including SamDoesArt, and RossDraws I already found an art style I’m interested in, and it’s called expressionism it’s an artist technique or style created in the 20th century I think. The point of expressionism is to convey or express emotions through art, and to do that is paying attention to shape, color, and light to convey emotion in your art. So I’m hoping the brief summary helps.

  8. I’m studying animation , my roomate and I had an argument about this yesterday , he was so convinced that me planning to go to an atelier to strengthen my foundation of perspective , anatomy and color would actually damage my work and confuse me , we’ll maybe that’s why his stuff is stiff and flat

  9. How do I send you an art critic? I started out when digital tablets and stuff weren't around so I'm having to relearn EVERYTHING I know about art since it's so much more advanced now. I really need help, but I don't know any professional artists in my friend group and your art is some of my favorite so I trust your judgement. ;-;

  11. Just a year ago I was hellbent on not learning anatomy. I really thought I could get away with it. But now I’m very excited and happy to learn anatomy and proportions and realism. Yes! Even realism! I love it and I think once you guys get motivated to learn, you’ll find realism fun too.

  12. If you don't understand the fundamentals, you won't be able to determine which parts are most important for YOU to communicate into your art. This is where style happens- because it is your interpretation of what is important 😊 i love it. Great explanation~

  13. This is a great analysis, but I've always question my self, how do great artist kinda click it right when I see my stuff is never quite there and I get all frustrated and stop and then I start again. how do you choose where to put a line a shade a highlight?

  14. I learned realism first so I'm having huge trouble creating a certain "art style" cause I always end up copying the reference instead of yassifying it, I can't come up with a trademark art style I want to use 🥲

  19. I tried to explain where I was struggling to find my own art style to my bf.

    Ended up a real life Charlie Day conspiracy meme yelling “BUT WHERE DOES THE REALISM END?!”

  25. It's true. I struggled for years to draw, because I only ever drew stylistically. Once I started doing realistic studies, my art has gotten much better. My stylization is still fairly low, because I've found I like drawing more realistically, but it's coming about naturally now.

  26. I’ve always drawn realistic besides when I first started drawing in kindergarten. But I actually can’t get out of realism 😢I want to learn how to draw creative characters

  27. Thank goodness for Sam, the information, the gap filling, the humor, the outro🤣🤣🤣*chef’s kiss* (also whose pupper is that blink twice if kidnapped)

  30. Me I started with anime then realistic (I can't draw the same size eyes when I first started) to now stylized. You're right Sam, realistic help on proportions especially on the face, body and even hair on ur stylized art. The only thing that's keep changing in my artstyle is the brushesssss. My brushes keep changing on diff. artworkkk arghhhhh

  33. your voice is soooo calming, whether it’s roasting people or starting people’s careers, you’re videos are comforting! thanks, sam!!

  38. It’s important to realize stylized art is inspired by real life. So many aspects of art is not only recognizable because of real life, but also appealing because it’s based on it. All art is based on reality.

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