The Creative Process

In this video I step by step a step by step process that help you create effective work efficiently and on deadline.

My streaming classes, The Fundamentals of Cross-Hatching , and Drawing the Head in Pen And Ink are available for purchase through Vimeo:

For more information about the class please visit my website:

Here are two tutorials on composition:

The basic rules of composition

The Conceptual Rules of Composition

Here is tutorial on the compositional study:

Compositional studies

[davidjohnson]

As I have reflected in this very thoughtful video, I see the need for a disciplined process in all of my creative endeavors. Thank you, I am very grateful for your wisdom. The process you laid out not only ensures that works are finished, they require more energy at each stage, knowing you won't go back.

[GenWivern]

Thank you, Marc. I watched this with interest a couple of days ago, and thought that it was a good description of competent production planning in any field, not necessarily artistic. Then, quite by coincidence but as if to drive the point home, I happened to watch the documentary about the making of Apocalypse Now, which has to be the ultimate cautionary tale for creatives who are inclined to second-guess themselves and don't stick to the plan. I heartily recommend it!

[GaryDerry]

Brilliant! Thank you for sharing your hard earned wisdom! We are all enriched!

[cairlinn]

Thanks Marc, great advice. Would love to see more of these on creativity and how to work as an artist

[renskee.jellema]

Great tutorial and also very good advice for the non professional artist.

[ichirofakename]

My problem is that too often my sketch (<5x7, in full detail and color) is better than the final work (22x30). I've always suspected that having everything completely worked out in the sketch results in me losing my focus and exhilaration in the process of creating the final work, which is essentially a copying process, potentially mechanical and boring, resulting in a lifeless or even sloppy enlargement. But now I think maybe you are right, and I must copy the sketch MUCH more precisely.