11 free resources for self taught artists

Main ideas / concepts / lessons conveyed

• Free art education is possible, especially when you have:
  • Structured curricula
  • Regular practice
  • Feedback loops to correct mistakes
  • Reference and tools to study form, values, and perspective effectively
• The video’s overall message: self-taught artists can build a “complete” learning pipeline for free (or mostly free) by combining multiple resources—such as curricula, feedback platforms, 3D/reference tools, practice timers, instructional blogs, and value-training aids.
• Curriculum isn’t enough on its own—the video emphasizes feedback as the critical factor for improvement.
• Several resources focus on drawing from imagination, improving fundamentals like:
  • Figure drawing / perspective
  • Anatomy and value
  • 3D thinking (boxes, rotations, intersections, volumes)
  • Specialized reference (e.g., animal skull angles)

---

“11 free resources” (and related guidance)

Note: Some subtitles list more than 11 items by name; the “11 free resources” framing is kept, while a few items may be freemium/partially paid.

1) Radio Runners curriculum (free) — for the solo artist

• What it is: A comprehensive free compilation of art lessons/videos.
• Coverage over time: From figure drawing, perspective, composition to high-level painting, animal anatomy, environment design over 2 years and 3 months.
• Learning structure:
  • Lessons are ordered to teach fundamentals progressively.
  • Includes homework with every lesson.
• Why it’s trusted (as stated):
  • Shared via Reddit.
  • References major names such as James Gurney, Marco Bucci, Mike Mattesi, Proko, Ahmed Aldoori, Andrew Loomis.

2) Alphonso’s Challenge 52 (free curriculum; exercises via Discord)

• What it is: 52 weeks of exercises aimed at building fundamentals.
• Why it’s recommended: The speaker credits it with helping them improve quickly, especially for drawing/painting from imagination.
• Format: Straightforward exercises with examples and tutorials.
• Where to find it: Alphonso’s Discord server.

3) Art Wad feedback tool (feedback; sponsored)

• Purpose: Get qualified critique from other artists, including draw-overs.
• Key claims:
  • Feedback is given by artists who are upvoted as contributors.
  • People don’t just explain changes—they show improvements with drawings.
• Organization:
  • Separate feedback categories (e.g., figure drawing, rendering, perspective, etc.).
• How it supports learning:
  • Upload the specific type of feedback you want.
  • Critique others too—giving critique reinforces your own thinking.

4) Art Wad (Antonio Stappaerts) “form-first” instruction (guided learning; sponsored)

• What it is: Art Wad’s teaching approach and lessons.
• Approach described: Form-first teaching—everything is explained through 3D volumes and forms.
• What it includes:
  • Video lessons
  • Custom exercises
  • Homework sheets with answers
• Platforms noted: Draw in-app on iPad, computer, or straight on paper.
• Pricing note: Mentions a 30% discount on premium via the speaker’s link (so not fully free).

5) ZBrush app from Proko (free app; some models paid)

• Purpose: Make perspective easier to understand.
• Core teaching mechanism: Manipulating the “box” perspective system with dials for:
  • Horizon line
  • Box distortion
  • Box curvature
• Free vs paid limitation:
  • Some complex models (e.g., mannequin) require payment.

6) Sketchfab (free 3D reference/models)

• Purpose: Find complex 3D models for free.
• Use case: Rotate and study forms.
• Example given: Studying the Asaro head via Sketchfab.

7) Practicedrawingthis.com (3D models for practice; free described)

• Purpose: Improve 3D thinking for drawing exercises.
• What it provides: Ready-made 3D models of drawing drills, including:
  • Flattening planes and circles
  • Box intersections
  • Organic volumes
  • Ribbons
  • More complex transformations/interactions
• Why it’s useful: Helps when you can’t easily find reference for intersections or box stacking.

8) Practicedrawingthis creator / book (self-promotion; not counted as a tool the same way)

• Speaker’s 76-page book:
  • Described as an absolutely free drawing exercise book.
  • Strength: a strong starting point.
  • Missing (as noted): less depth on 3D form rotations, transformations, and intersections (only covered briefly in 2–3 pages).
• Goal of the next resource: Add the missing need for “rotate real 3D objects.”

9) ReferenceAngle.com shutdown + an animal-head equivalent via GitHub

• Claim: ReferenceAngle.com shut down.
• Equivalent provided: An animal-head equivalent via:
  • x6ud.github.io/hashtag/ (includes a 3D model of an animal skull + equivalent photos for many animals)
• Purpose: Help with precise minor angle reference.
• Use case: Avoid repeatedly searching Pinterest for the same angles.
• Animals mentioned (examples): birds, mammals, foxes, pigs, etc.

10) Drawingtimer.com using Pinterest boards

• Problem addressed: Timed drawing sites can run out of images.
• Solution: drawingtimer.com (created by “Massa” per subtitles).
• How it works:
  • Paste a Pinterest board you found or created.
  • Generate timed drawing sessions based on that board.
• What you can practice: any subject on a board (tigers, poses, props, etc.).

11) Etherington brothers’ blog (300 free tutorials)

• What it is: A blog by the Etherington brothers.
• Why recommended: They authored major “How to Draw When You…” books used across animation companies.
• Free offering described:
  • 300 tutorials taken from their books.
  • Useful as:
    • quick refreshers
    • introductions to new topics
• Extra note: Their books are said to be sold only about twice a year, so the blog provides “book-like” content for free.

Bonus / near-11) Proko Value Tool (value training)

• Role in learning to paint: A key reason the speaker learned to paint (as stated).
• Problem it solves: It’s hard to see values without a tool/filter.
• Function:
  • Converts images to black and white
  • Allows threshold adjustments for:
    • two-value study
    • three-value study
• Outcome: Improves value perception—supporting learning for painting/lighting.

---

Overall learning methodology implied by the video

1. Pick a structured curriculum
   • Choose a broad multi-year path (Radio Runners) or a 52-week fundamentals plan (Challenge 52).
2. Practice with ordered fundamentals
   • Figure drawing, perspective, anatomy, values, environment design, etc.
3. Fix mistakes using feedback
   • Use a platform like Art Wad for draw-over critique.
4. Use tools + reference to target hard skills
   • Perspective (Proko ZBrush app)
   • 3D thinking (Sketchfab, Practicedrawingthis)
   • Precise angles (animal skull reference via GitHub link)
   • Timed studies (drawingtimer + Pinterest boards)
   • Value perception (Proko Value Tool)
5. Train consistently
   • Emphasis: “Draw a lot.”
6. Optional: Join a guided program
   • The speaker mentions their own 8-week boot camp/community for drawing from imagination.
   • Also notes it sells out via a newsletter.

---

Speakers / sources featured (as named in subtitles)

• Narrator / video creator (unnamed)
• James Gurney (referenced)
• Marco Bucci (referenced)
• Mike Mattesi (referenced)
• Proko (referenced; also Proko Value Tool and the ZBrush app)
• Ahmed Aldoori (referenced)
• Andrew Loomis (referenced)
• Alphonso (creator of “Challenge 52”)
• Antonio Stappaerts (creator/inspiration/teacher behind Art Wad)
• Art Wad (platform; sponsored)
• Sketchfab (3D model platform)
• ZBrush app from Proko (app)
• Practicedrawingthis.com (site/tool)
• ReferenceAngle.com (mentioned as shut down)
• x6ud.github.io/hashtag/ (animal reference equivalent)
• Massa (creator of drawingtimer.com per subtitles)
• Drawingtimer.com (timed drawing site)
• Etherington brothers (blog and free tutorial source)
• Proko Value Tool (tool within Proko ecosystem)
• Speaker’s boot camp / community (created by the narrator; unnamed)