How to Draw the Effect of Detail - Top Tip for Complex Detail

Discover this top tip for drawing detail in ink without having to draw all the detail! Don't be afraid or overwhelmed by masses of detail ever again. Learn to draw the effect of the detail. Stephen both explains and demonstrates this concept using a complex reference photo of the rooftops of Bern

[collettevigen]

I love this! I'm not sure if you noticed, but I think your cathedral got a little angled, because right as you began that portion your reference image was bumped and it shifted to that angle. I am rather impressed with your capacity to be that accurate across what you are seeing. I'm excited to see more of your content.

[maxroberts]

Beautifully explained. I was never before aware of how such sketches were drawn.

[TomTipps-wr]

Stephen! Your technique is exactly what I have been looking for. I am self-learning drawing and watercolor. Despite retirement, the pleasure of drawing isn't a daily or weekly activity but I am interested to try adaptation of your techniques as I move along. I like the impression of detail in your technique - I tend to over-do details in my drawings despite my desire to keep it simple and more suggestive to the viewer. Your instruction is easy to follow and I appreciate your sharing! Thank you.

[richardpaulazimmerman]

Thank you, Stephen! This answered some questions for me. Going to watch your other video on detail next.

[alajnabiya]

Lol, well I would have said that you drew loads of detail. This is exactly the sort of scene I was looking for help in simplifying. I'd like to be able to draw the scenes I see from my window, but I'm on the 6th floor on top of a hill looking out at an overwhelming sea of roofs. I didn't know where to even begin. May I suggest a street market type of scene? Perhaps that's not the kind of thing you see in Australia or Paris. That's another subject I would love to try, but there are so many details! I do think my drawings have improved since I have been watching your channel, so thank you for that!

[johanstone]

its incredible how simple and well you put it. you are an excelent teacher. thank you

[chesssean]

You make it look so easy! I need to practice more

[misterhoney]

Just love your explanation. Very clear and uncomplicated. Really helpful. Please keep m coming!

[laah_]

Amazing video!! You are an excellent teacher! Thank you for the help and I hope your channel grows more and more. Much love from Brazil!!

[vanessaach]

Just discovered your channel and it’s soooo helpful, love it, thank you for sharing this, continue doing your art

[kerya]

Really helpful video with techniques that I can apply to pen drawings of landscapes. I live near a vast wetland with Mt Buller, Mt Stirling and Mt Buffalo. It’s a favourite place to draw and paint but I find conveying the vastness and distance a challenge. I’ll definitely experiment with switching pens. Thank you

[dr.juliaseidel]

This was incredibly helpful in how to draw cityscapes!

[dwilliams]

I think I've been needing this! Clearly explained. I'll have to see your other vids about architecture, too. I always feel like I have to get out out a ruler and I hate that, man.

[sansosea]

again billion thanks for all this invaluable knowledge you give to us.
🙂🙏🙏🙏

[cillrye]

Your videos are helping me get better and more motivated to draw, please keep more of these thank you :)

[rajannair]

Awesome! This was a great tip. As usual, beautifully explained.

[EdmarMartins]

Stephen, sempre calmo e seguro de que será possível reproduzir algo tão complexo. Sim, com simplicidade mostra que sim, é possível. É fantástico.

[gregoriogavier]

Excellent, thanks a lot amigo! very clear the explanation and how the technique work...I noticed that even your drawings looks so detailed...if you zoom in, it just a few simple lines...the trick I think is how well your drawings work as a whole, I mean you are a master in setting the main lines of your compositions, and then working a few detailed areas and keeping the background simple...results are amazing. Your shading technique is also impressive, seems ink and bush...I haven't get there yet...gracias de nuevo and cheers from argieland!

[lowellfranga]

Another great video-thanks. Would you please post the photo. I could not find it in the Community. Again, thank you!

[bradwillis]

What equipment do you use to film your work and make time lapses?