Intuitively, everyone is self-taught. Learning from others, even from schools, is just a supplement to what you already have.

Speaking of heroes, you are definitely mine. I was a born artist and well on my way with drawing as child and won quite a few competitions. I even got accepted to an art school with a submission of a sketch until they found out I was only 11 years lol! Anyway, my teachers and family members pushed me until I grew to hate art and I quit cold turkey until recently when I saw your videos for the first time. Now, at 38 years old, I have taken up painting. Teaching myself with your help of course! What an inspiration you are helped stoke that passion back up. Bless ya mate!

Im self taught, and im proud.

You've become one of my painting hero Andrew, I love your painting. God bless my friend

Was surprised with the last story as I'm from Saint-Petersburg. Art schools here teach very well, but it's so hard to get into one, that self-education is still the only option for me. Thankfully, there is the Internet. Thank you for your motivational tutorials, they inspire not to give up.

Sadly, modern art schools seem to focus on a confused meld of originality and conformity. The mantra seems to be Do what no one has done before...as long as it's recognisable as the kind of innovative originality approved by the art scene and conforms to what everyone else is doing. No wonder young artists have nervous breakdowns! The bar is not set by artists but by art collectors such as Saatchi & Saatchi. They make art "great" just by buying it. A work by an unknown artist becomes a "must have" as soon the Saatchi Midas Touch has expressed approval. The work immediately becomes worth twenty times what Saatchi paid for it, the artist enjoys a brief period in the limelight until Saatchi sells it on (for a healthy profit) and, eventually, collectors realise that it aint so hot. Even schools like The Slade is now paying homage to this easy common denominator. If what you endeavour to achieve is a period of fame and temporary commercial success, the art schools can give good guidance in wooing the collectors and provide influential contacts if it's the "right" school. But, if you want to develop as an artist, follow Andrew's advice.

Hi Andrew, very pleased to watch this video. I am self-taught too as far as sketching and gaining line control. I was lacking in applying colors. Luckily I found an artist who was running Art Classes. I learned from him how to use oil colors. Actually, before joining this art class, I had no idea of oil color medium at all. I knew only about watercolors that I had used in school. You won't believe but my instructor told me he taught me all that he knew and in 6 months I had picked up so much that his students for 5 years were not able to grasp. And soon after that, we moved to the USA. My inner urge to do portraits was burning all the time, though I was working a full-time job, I had no time for my painting activity. The artwork of Raja Ravi Verma, the Indian painting artist, Renoir, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, etc were my inspiration. I used to have tears watching their artworks with the thought that when and how can I achieve such perfection in my portraits? And as you mentioned you need to keep on working and working and working to improve your artwork. I am so happy to notice that just by divine inspiration I was on the right track all the time. Thank you so much for sharing your expert views and tips for new artists. And of course, I learned a lot from your portrait videos too! Thank you.

Talking about role model artists I have to say, that you would not find any better then you, Andrew. You are great as an artist, great as a teacher(no one teachers better then you), you are very generous to share this with us; explaining techniques, answering questions, etc. Your classes are so fulfilled with knowledge and advice. Your students are the lucky ones!

You inspire me, your honesty and approach are refreshing. I have gotten my brushes out and feel the fire building. Thank you, Andrew!

I told my wife yesterday that if I had had KZfaq before I went to college, I would have never gone. I have learned more about mediums and technical painting from you and other here on KZfaq in one year than in the entire four years of college, and ten years into my career.

Thanks for the candid talk. I appreciate all your posts and admire the way you paint. Your enthusiasm is dear.

Hi from the UK. I am a pensioner and have dipped in and out of painting all my life. i did start college after leaving school to do commercial art but after several months there and not even picking up a paint brush I decided to leave. I have always wondered where I would be today if I had carried on but thanks to your video I see that I dont think things would have been different. Since retiring I have picked up the brush again and as I cant afford the price of the videos I find "you tube" is my tutor. I thank you for inspiring myself and many others to never give up and whatever or however the painting ends up enjoy the process.

Just wanted to THANK YOU, so much for your art, and comments on what your doing as you paint. I've been painting for several years, and I agree that nothing beats practice, Thanks again

Really great response Andrew! Every word of truth.

As you have your 3 or 4 models... same You are one of my models in Art.. I love to hear what you are saying and act upon it.. I wanna become like you... A lot of Love from PAKISTAN 🇵🇰

You're fastly becoming one of my painting heroes. Love your philosophy of painting. Thanks for the top notch content.

Spot on Andrew. I am older, "pre-internet" and did go to art school. Then, promptly stopped painting. Now I am starting all over again learning online and with artists who have to teach particular skills I need. (That and spending a LOT of time painting). There are so many opportunities available around the world and online. If you like how someone paints, watch them, learn, maybe take a workshop. Really learn from those you admire. When you need a certain skill, you can go find it, wether it be color, brushwork, etc, you can find the instruction for that, and appy it to what you want ot achieve. My favorite part of your video... your statement about being responsible for your own education.

Thank you Andrew for your kindness.

excellent advice! Thanks Andrew!

Thank you for taking the time to share your valuable insights. It is inspirational.

Been watching this vid many times to keep me inspired. Thanks, Andrew.

fantastic as always

Very thorough answer, thank you Andrew.

Thank you so much for the inspiration. You are definitely one of my heroes.

Home for the last 48 hrs with a flu bug and have been binge-watching episodes, Andrew. What a fantastic resource, and how incredibly generous you are with your time and knowledge. Can’t afford classes or videos - which is a real challenge. Your KZfaq channel is an absolute gift. Thank you!

Andrew you are an amazing inspiration! The passion and talent you have is incredible. I love your videos and I’ve learned so much ! I want to thank you for taking the time to do them. All of your paintings are so well done. I have to say my favourite is the one of your pets. So adorable! You captured their little souls. You could see it in their eyes. So glad I’ve subscribed to your videos! Keep up the great work!

It's like you're a mind reader! Every time I am questioning something in regards to painting you put me on the right path again. I wonder if you realize how valuable you and your videos are to us that subscribe. Now, enough talking, I need to go and paint something! Cheers Andrew! ❤️

Excellent advice Andrew! Your videos are so helpful!

Andrew, you have my deepest respect. Thank you much You have made my day.

Thank you Andrew! 😊

This is the best advise I’ve heard so far, thank you.

Andrew....once again you thrilled us with another great video!!! Thank you for sharing with such enthusiasm your passion for art....it's contagious :)...you have become one of my heroes, for I do admire your talent and dedication..... CONGRATS!!

Thank you so much for this conversation (that's how it felt to me), as I have been struggling with my fears about fulfilling my lifelong desire to be an artist. I have taken all sorts of art courses throughout my life, but have not been able to focus on any particular media. After I lost my last job because of the pandemic, I decided to take that opportunity and make into a challenge: develop the discipline to do art every day. I love collage, and have been making one (analog) every day. Listening to your advice cleared up some concerns and confusion I was battling with in my mind and heart. Thank you!

Thank you for being out there.

My friend thank you so much for being so honest and so open to share your personal story with us

Fantastic video!! I'm really into the message here,all things are possible with a solid plan,a rational approach,and a methodical obsession with the pursuit of truth and authenticity of expression. Thank you again!

You are one if my heroes, thanks for these videos!

Love your channel...your clear, pithy advice...and, your encouragement.

Thank you for sharing and opening doors for people, Andrew. I relate being self taught and having looked at art schools. The best way is doing and learning over time while studying your art Heros. Lepage.

Excellent video. Honest, deep, and helpful.

Thanks so much for sharing. I needed to hear those words. Keep doing what you are doing. All the best.

Andrew ,Your road ,is amazing & thanks for sharing.

Thank you for this video. It has been so helpful and encouraging!

Thank you Andrew for your enlightenment on the this subject

Thank you Andrew!! Appreciate your thoughts. Always helpful :)

Excellent - this is exactly the discussion i've been looking for. Thank you!

i just found my hero, it’s you Andrew. I love your work and technique.

Thank u so much! So inspiring!

This is the Best of what KZfaq can be. Thank you. I'm all about this. 👊😎

Awesome recommendations and so beneficial,thanks !

What a great clip and so true. Thanks for sharing! You’re a master painter.

Thank you Andrew!! You've encouraged me to make a habit everyday to draw/paint and seek out and learn from my heroes.

you are such a good guy. ty for what you do and for doing it so well.

Awesome info and inspiration Andrew :)

Thank you Andrew for your videos. I've just found them and they have inspired me to pick up a paint brush after many years. You are a great teacher.

Thank you again. Nailed it!

Hi again from Canada 🇨🇦 Andrew (& Rachel)! Just wanted to give a HUGE shout out to you for being so generous & honest with your advice... you've become one of my heroes since I've come back to my artwork after a 5 year hiatus. I'm always so excited when I get your emails & can't wait to watch you vids to see what great info you have for me. I most of all I love that you seem to be my kind of artist... in the sense that you don't just paint one thing but whatever you ❤️ & want to recreate. Thanks SO much!!!

Thank you for your time! I’m starting out in colour. Most of my art over the last 35 years has been pencil black on white. I’m working with different mediums trying to find what I work best with. How I’m learning is taking one day to paint my subject several times. I’ve noticed throughout the day the improvement of each one, and sometimes the middle one or even the first is the best. I’m doing this to learn my mistakes and build on them. I agree, keep your mistakes close. Be objective. They are stepping stones to success!

Thank you for the heartfelt and insightful video.

What an amazing channel! Amazing content!!!

Im so glad l found you! Thank you for your honesty and sharing your knowledge and experience!

you are probably the best artist I´ve seen working and explaining. fantastic.

You are my inspiration. Thanks for your positivity, sharing your talent and great teaching tips!

Great advice Andrew!

Thank you Andrew, your q a session taught me a lot, Thanks again

I often search for similar tutorials on youtube, but i can say with more conviction that your tutorials are very inspirational. Rarely can find painters like you and i have learned alot from you. Thank you very much!

Thank You Andrew! :-) You are my hero!

inspirational and the best tutor I have listened to so far. Absolute clarity in techniques, foundations and application in so few words. Definitely works for me

Great advice! Thank you.

omgosh, you are incredible, what a great answer and stories - thank you so much!

I was a lousy painter 30 years ago, and I quitted. Now I started again and already watched thousands of painting videos. This particular video somehow had the biggest impact on me. I didn't become canvas Stradivarius cause I'm as lousy as I was before, but I am enjoying what I do enormously and started appreciating my work. Thank you, Andrew.

Andrew , your my inspiration so thanks

Respect for the honesty of this video.

You are appreciated by many. You haven't heard me but I have given you a thank you more than you can imagine. Thank you.

Thanks Andrew. You are amazing. Thank you for generously sharing your skills and knowledge

@Andrew Tishler I look up to you, you're a true inspiration.

You are my hero, teaching me many many things. THANKS

Really amazing stuff Andrew, thanks for the inspiration. Your art and videos are amazing. Look forward to more work and tutorials from you. Thank you.

I have only just discovered you Andrew and you are definitely my hero. You're so positive and inspirational. Thank you.

❤️❤️❤️ Thanks very inspiring!!!

Thank you so much Andrew for your words, they are really inspiring and to be honest, they have helped me a lot. Thanks again and a big hug from Chile

Thanks dear .... you are one of my Art Heros

Exactly what I've been thinking, that KZfaq is great as I just started painting and have already learned so much. Thank you for your wonderful advice, you're a great painter and human being!

Thank you Andrew for your dedication to passing on your craft to everybody. The main thing I find difficult with a youngish family is to dedicate the required time each day to my craft. Getting crap from the other half every time I pick up a brush, watch a video or bring out a painting book is a serious hurdle! I’m sure there are many here who relate, but we plug away when we can! I notice you have a wedding ring. You are truly blessed to have such an understanding Mrs.T. ( I just bought some Tisch brushes, can’t wait to use them).Cheers

Thanks Andrew, so interesting to hear about your art history. Your paintings are so amazing you must be so proud of what you have achieved. I agree that each of your heroes had so much talent so I can understand why you admired their work. Always enjoy your videos.

Just by hearing your stories and explanations , I get expired thank you for sharing your experiences and time, long live and many blessings brother 🙏🏻🙏🏻

thank you for your videos, Scott Waddell and you are my painting heroes

This was so good to watch. Thank you for the inspiration and the motivational talk. I've just started an artistic journey again after 10 years of not painting. I'm currently finding myself on a steep learning curve but I will not give up! Thanks again, from a young stay at home mother trying to become a professional artist.

I'm such a grownup child because I really enjoy your voice. I love painting but I will play your videos whilst I clean or do some other chore because you are so soothing and encouraging. I'm such a fan! And your art is brilliant

Thank you so much for the time you take to do your videos. I just love them. You inspire me to pick-up my brushes and paint!

Great advice from a great artist!

Awesome advice!! Thank you so much for your inspiring videos!

Thanks for the awesome advice. I admire your work and think you have a knack for teaching.

Well you inspire me alot, I'm happy for the day I found you on KZfaq, I'm self taught and I learn alot from your videos...you r a blessing

Wonderful video as always , probably my third time viewing.

awesome video sir love it...great advice

I think its so selfless of u to share this, ur definitely one of my inspirations. I am so grateful for this video and many others u have posted when i was younger my teachers always said i was the artist in the classroom but my parents didnt want to send me to art school now im 40 i took up painting 4 years ago and i wish i had done it before i still cant afford painting lessons but with amazing teachers like u i feel im not missing out. Thank you for what u do 😊

Very inspiring, Andrew! As a self-taught artist and musician, I used to be ashamed of my talents and, although I still have a long way to go before I get half as good as you, I feel that with KZfaq, my journey has been a lot less frustrating than in the past. When I decided to pick up the brushes and paint again (after at least 30 years), I looked around on the Internet and KZfaq seems to be the only place that suits my needs the most. Also, I checked a few artists whose styles I would like to learn from; and, yours is one of them. Your answers apply equally well to other forms of art (even life in general). I have a few heroes (both art and music) and now I have another one - thank you!

What a great video. I learned from this and I'm inspired and encouraged. Thank you Andrew.

Thank u,ive been watching techniques and mixing colours and watching different styles before I begin my art journey. Thank you for your input helped heaps