Learn Everyday! Now put that pencil back down! Yeah, I said it.

Part 9 of 9

Like other teenagers, I had hobbies between all the irresponsible uses of my own DNA. Mine was making daily drawings back in high school, but there wasn’t much difference in skill from August 10, 2001 to three or so months later because I didn’t research any advanced art techniques—I thought I’d work it out as I went.

This sad sack started this company

But instead, it’s a big regret because I can only imagine what my talent would be like today if I studied more. 

When I finally got (some of) my act together, I started watching and dissecting advanced speed painting videos, buying and collecting reading books dealing with anatomy and color theory, and slowly got a thirst for new skills. My mindset was and still is “I want to be able to make whatever it is that pops into my head… Okay, maybe that particular idea is kinda messed up, but I’d at least know steps one thru ten for it.” Play responsibly(er), kids.

If you’d like to learn skills like better utilizing digital brushes and creating realistic textures, I’ll shamelessly recommend my show Illustrated By D4S—watch it and send expensive presents. If you see some art you like, look to see if the artist made a tutorial and/or progress pics. You can even just stare at it closely for a while wondering what brush strokes created that quality you liked.

This is a closeup of books

The amount of knowledge you gather plus the hustle in using it determines your level of success. Choose your materials and place them where they need to go, better than you did yesterday.

This is how you “Move the Media.”

Adapted from DeForrest: Volume One, 2015