The most difficult part about realism is how tedious and time consuming it can be but when the subject is something your really passionate about it can make it all worth while.

As an art teacher, I wish I had more than 3-4 people as dedicated as this guy (the student) in my classes every year. But I thank God for people like him. Because they make it all worth it.

I loved this video for a few reasons: 1- It shows how teaching simple techniques can take a complete beginner and guide them towards something they can be proud of 2- it shows the pleasures and frustrations every artist goes through 3- it shows the specificity of hyperrealism, how it encourages you to look super closely and appreciate all the little details of your subject. 4- it shows the specific techniques of a given medium (in this case graphite) My conclusions: there is no such thing as "good or bad at art" in general. Anyone can become decent at a specific style and medium with specific study. And that doesn't necessarily translate into other types of art either, like gestural drawing, character design, or, say, oil painting!

I cracked up when you said you were at first liking'drawing then not liking it when you discovered your grid was off. Been there! Great job!

James has so much drawing potential. I would love for him to continue down that path if that is something he truly wants to do outside of being an editor. Good video guys!

I don’t believe this man has never touched a pencil in his life before this moment

"Focus on an area and commit to it" was a helpful remark for me. I tend to jump around also. And the suggestion to get a sense of the hyperrealism was eye-opening. Thank you for the wonderful video!

You helped James prove that anyone and everyone is an artist if they want to be. Well done!

Well Done! The finished image is so impressive, hard to believe that James never drew before. And great idea for the video, thank you so much! It gives us, stick-figure people, hope that we will be able to improve in our drawing abilities. :)

My whole life people have been saying, "I wish I could draw." I always say to them, "You can, you just don't know it." Now I can reference your video, and show them what I mean. Thank you for this.

I like how he was teaching, very positive, no harsh critique, he was genuinly happy about the result and very supportive. When he pointed to the "problematic" areas he didn't said "this is not good" he instead gived advice on what he can to do improve. I find it very encouraging and a positive experience. When someone is a beginer at something they are already in big stress because they try to figure out a lot of things, new stuff they didn't deal with until that point, some to have someone experienced by your side offering guidence is such a releaf of the burden. But to have a master by your side who critiques you at every step it's just overkill. Well done to both of them 😊

The final portrait of the pup has a dreamy like quality, so I think you finished it at the right level. So inspiring!

What a wonderful crash course in drawing! Lucky guy to have your in-person instruction, and I could see the joy it brought both of you. Thank you for sharing the gift with him, and us!

Man you are very lucky to have this experience. You did an amazing job. Keep going forward.

James, you rock! Jono, you inspire! This is now one of my favorite videos. Thank you both so much for putting this together. I had all but given up on my quest to teach myself how to draw. Maybe I should give it another go.

I learned, in the 80's so pre-computer technology, to draw using the grid method. I'm not a realist artist, but I believe using a grid is helpful and immeasurable as an artistic tool. The potrait came out beautifully as well. Congratulations 😊

Dude! You kick ass for this and just gave me some motivation to start doing a lot more! Just watching you struggle and listening to you talk through the steps, really makes me feel not so alone during my process! Thanks guys!! Luvv the work! Luvv the energy!

That's a great piece of work! Goes to show that technique and attention to detail are the key, particularly for hyperrealism. Ive been drawing for 50+ years and struggle with the realistic detail - usually because i haven't the patience. I still aim for it and enjoy the process though, even if i do rush it somewhat. Great job, student and teacher!

Soooo encouraging!! Thank you!! Glad you both grew through this process

he did a super good job for not having much experience! I would say the "sharpness" of the highlights are the main thing holding it back from that photo-realistic image.

After watching your video, I just ordered a grid from Amazon. I've never thought about this awesome idea... I've lost of drive to draw again. I used to draw from 9yrs to 16yrs.. at 43 now I'm wanting to get back into drawing an start painting. Thank you Jono D for this idea to start getting people back into drawing again.

That was outstanding. I use grids for drawing images on canvas to paint, and it has changed my paintings tremendously.

Well done James, you have the ultimate mentor beside you. And with some time you'll find those hyper/realistic traits in pencil drawing will come with some more understanding and knowledge or where what when and how will mature. Great job for a first time, especially of an animal.

One pivotal book for me has been “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards. Basically she explains this technique in detail. Yes we now have the internet and talented artists who can teach us but sometimes seeing it in text really helps.

I really enjoyed this video and seeing the process and the challenges that comes up along the way. This gives me confidence to attempt something like hyperrealism. For someone's first time doing something like this, James did an amazing job!

I’ve just found your channel via the KZfaq algorism and wow. I’m so glad that you came up on my page. I have just watched this video and now I’m going down the rabbit hole of watching more of your vlogs. I used to be good at drawing, art and any other crafts that I laid my hands on when I was still at school. I was always complimented on my work by my teachers and especially my use of colour and pencil drawing that had a lot of shading in them. I remember a drawing an empty papier-mâché egg box which was then shown around the school by my art teacher and put on display as it was one of my very best still life drawings. I really wish I still had it. I should have been proud of what I was creating but instead I found it embarrassing to be continually called out from the other pupils to show them my artwork. I even started studying art at college as this is what I wanted to do as a career but then I had to drop out to get a job to earn money to live on at the end of the first year. That was over cough (30+) years ago and as I got older and moved on to different things I lost my confidence in my abilities and over time stopped creating artwork. I now sometimes draw to help my children learn and complete homework but the only craft I have really kept up with is sewing. This has inspired me to pick up a pencil again and try to follow your tuition now that I the time because I no longer work due to illness and disability. Thank you so much. Let’s see if I still have the basic skills. ❤️xx

This was so incredibly cool and as someone just starting out late in life - incredibly inspiring.

This was one of your most informative videos. Thank you so much!

Actually, the self-imposed limitation of “not showing you how to do it physically” because they are present is actually what great teachers practice haha. As a math teacher, the thing we are taught never to do is to do a problem for the student. All my college professors were great at this, especially for the upper division mathematics classes.

Thank you for sharing this process!! Beautiful work!

I loved watching this video. It’s really well done. As someone who has struggled with art my entire life, especially drawing, I am inspired to try graphite again.

2:17 thank you that's all I needed to hear 🙏🏻

This type of art is not for me but as long as people having fun creating it that’s what matters. I think this video teaches you that if really you put your mind into it you can do it and that’s liberating. Then you will say, if they can do it, I can do it.

This was really inspiring, thank you. Great sweater, James 🇵🇸

Great video! I smiled when the studio puppy was introduced because you went to another thought and said “…when you’re about to emBARK…” and the timing was awesome. 1:25

What a wonderful teacher! Never judgmental or condescending. Talent can only take a person so far. It’s the coaching/teacher behind the talent that has the ability to level up the ability as we saw here

The one thing I learned in art classes that I still use when doing a difficult piece! I love the grid method, it gives you the ability to believe in your capabilities! Amazing job. I'm gonna have to look into that eraser !

Looking at my own art pieces I’m motivated to try these techniques and level up to more hyper realism🥰

Signed up on Patron! Excited to learn how to draw from someone like you Jono. Thank you!💕💕💕

It honestly looks GREAT! Seriously! You should be REALLY proud! I know it had to be hard. I enjoy drawing and painting but I haven’t took near enough time to learn techniques. I have two kids and a crazy life but I need to start taking time for me. Great job guys! Seriously! Just found you w this video! Definitely subscribing!

There is always hope. Especially for the artist 💜

What a kind and gentle teacher you are Jono masha Allah. You make loving you and your work much easier with every video.

I’ve been dreaming someone hovering over me through my first serious drawing of a face! Awesome work and congratulations!

I wish I have you as my teacher. The student's consistency is remarkable. I would have given up. So many things to learn from the video. Need more content like this. Huge support and thanks.❤

I'm totally in love with hyperrealism as it makes it possible to take the real and apply imagination to influence its expression. Wonderful skill!

These videos are very special too me. I came out of art school in the 80’s and joined a team of artists that worked in hyperrealism for advertising before computer graphics became financially attainable. Five of is would work on a drawing one after the other with some sleeping in the studio couch while waiting. I ended up hating that job though I made a lot of money and stopped drawing for decades. Now, thanks to these videos, I am rediscovering the great pleasure I used to get from drawing, retraining my eye and hand and learning these new techniques in hyperrealism. Thanks. PS what are your accents?

thank you soo much for that video. it's a great inspiration. i really admire you jono... you are really my drawing-hero of all time

What a beautiful end result! And hard won too. It takes grit to undo so much work & start again. And to stick with it until you really feel you can’t go further. And it looks like it got the seal of approval from the model too! 🐶 I had to laugh at the “I’ll be finished by today” moments. I do that all the time lol. Totally underestimate how long things will take me.

Beautiful, keep up the work, I’ll be at the library today myself finally getting back to working on my portfolio

I’m not a hyper realism artist but Ive always sworn by the grid method. It works amazingly. Great job on the piece, I definitely am going to be grabbing some graph paper to do this on a realistic piece.

I wish Jono did the same potrait besides him to show us what heights it could reach ! NONE THE LESS AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT JAMES !

This was so satisfying (and also helpful) to watch. 💐xx

Dude!!! That’s beautiful 😮

It would be an honor to learn from Jono, and as someone who developed much of my pencil drawing with the grid method I can say it's the best way to go!

Great video, you are a true artist, keep helping people discover themselves 👍📹

I'm great full and in awe, Thank you so much!

Thank you for posting this. This was very helpful!

I think there's a time and place for tracing or this grid method (which is essentially a more complicated way to trace) but a huge component to the craft of drawing is your observation/hand-eye coordination which you don't really get to put into practice when you draw this way... just throwing that out there

After watching the video I took screen shots and uploaded them to see the differences side by side. For a first timer this is amazing. I wish I had a job and/or friends like him. Great video.

I love the large window in your studio. Beautiful natural light.

Well done James! This is such a precious contribution to your channel, Jono! Love it. Gorgeous photogenic doggie 🥰❤ 16:01 I screamed!! Beautiful drawing, yayyyy!!!!

Very cool video!!!!!!!!! That grid does wonders when you are working towards realism or copying a work of the masters!

Wow, great result. First video of this channel and I really like what you achieved.

Great job!!! It is beautiful! Keep drawing!!

The "grid technique" is a fantastic tool. I use it for all of my realism-inspired drawings. Once I'm able to get what I'm drawing on paper, I add some fun/interesting textures once I start putting color down, whether it's paint/paint marker, alcohol markers, or colored pencil (in either standard format or oil based) I'm currently attempting, after a few years without doing a drawing like this.. to draw a memorial picture of my kitty, Princess Kaeda who passed away recently. So far I got the basic shapes down and I'm already seeing it come together. ❤️

I subscribed halfway through the video because I was already so impressed can’t wait to watch it again😊

well done! the first steps of becoming a great artist is straight up copying exactly what you see. the practice is as old as time, the old masters would be proud.

Super impressed with the lesson, and the results!

Wow! Unbelievable that you’ve never drawn before! I’ve seen “professional” artists who sell dog portraits, that are no where as nice as yours! Great job! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

I got tired of paying for art pencils for big projects in art school so I only use a 0.9 mechanical drafting pencil and then used different technuiques for lighter/ darker tones. So you can do crazy realism with basic stuff BUT realism is a GREAT place to start if you are a beginner because it focuses on tones and shapes and those are good fundementals to build on as a starting reference. Really cool to show what its like to have a beginning perspective on art and "knowing what to do next" comes with experince and learning but you will get there.

Inspirational!!!! Well done both!

great video, inspiring, and fun to watch, thank you!

I'm impressed, for someone who has never drawn that is pretty good. You couldnt have chosen a harder example to draw, fur is not easy. Keep at it, you will improve with time.

😅Amazing results for your first finished piece of art!! You should be proud of yourself in more ways than one!!

Well done James,that is amazing.

To me, getting it up to a better drawing angle is key. Prop your surface up to around 45. Otherwise people tend to elongate their stuff quite noticeably. Circles becomes ovals, etc.

Fascinating!! Thanks for this video 🙏☀️

I love your recent videos (well all of them but the past couple have been even better) 😎

Found this very soothing to watch, loved the scene behind the window. Maya is a beautiful dog and drawing is fantastic.

Thats amazing for first time. Well done!!! 😃

I have used this technique when drawing on a certain cement block wall in my school cafeteria, to first draw and then eventually paint our school's mascot. I made a print from the internet of an acceptable version of our mascot, upon which I superimposed, with a Word program, the grid that was to scale with the grid that the cement blocks made on the wall in question. This was probably twenty years ago. Anyhow, I drew on the wall one block at a time according to what each corresponding rectangle on my paper, gridded copy looked like. . . And I think that this guy has drawn before, based on his sketching technique. Beginners don't usually develop that sketching way until after some practice. Having said that, this was a very good video.

This video helped me a lot, as it shows very clear what an artist needs the most of: Patience. The end result is amazing. Thank for this video. Greetings from Germany.

This was the exact video that got me into realism, thank you Jono

This is incredible. As someone who has been drawing for many years (Not hyper-realism) I'm at a loss for words. I don't think I could replicate what you've done here on my best day. Well done.

Well done, makes me want to have a go. Brilliant piece!

You can absolutely make creative art in hyperrealistic style, mimicry allows you to learn how materials, shadows and lighting work without a reference image too

What an amazing video. Thoroughly enjoyed it and was honestly happy for James. 👍🏻👍🏻

Great tips. Thanks for sharing❤

James, God bless you for wearing that hoodie 🇵🇸

That’s really well done all things considered… so awesome so inspiring

This was so interesting! It really proves that you can do anything if you put your mind to it!

Pretty great. Hyperrealism can teach you a lot of things like focus, attention to detail which can translate to creative art as well.

hi jono i really enjoyed this video i really like your way of teaching the main part you not help with drawing you just shared your idea and experience an your happy proud feeling for your friend work your awesome 😍

Oh my!! What a wonderful gift!!

Absolutely beautiful work!

Wow!! Bravo 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 So impressive, from the beginning to end! You did so well! Thank you for sharing this with us! Magnificent 🥰🎶

That was a fantastic drawing. Nice work!

Beautiful work. You should be very proud of yourself. ❤😊

Go, James! Nicely done!

Brilliant instruction! Thank you!