Primrose Art Lab is a year-long experiment to see whether free YouTube art tutorials actually help you learn to draw.
Each week, I follow a beginner tutorial properly, complete the exercises, and reflect on what worked and what didn’t.
For Week 1, I chose a beginner drawing lesson from MarkowskyArt’s playlist.
Introduction:
He gives an explanation of the importance and reasoning behind the exercise.The first exercise was drawing this where people either see a mirror image OR a vase.
The Second Exercise:
Seeing what’s THERE, so you need to match images A1, A2, A3 and A4 to the correct image along the axis.
The Third Exercise:
Copy the images as best you can.
Fourth and Fifth Exercises:
First up, timed (8 minutes) draw the Picasso Guitar.
Then:
Same drawing – 4 minutes AND UPSIDE down!
Now keep in mind how lovely his drawings are, then feast your eyes on mine!
A quick synopsis of my analysis of Week 1
A. Clarity (1–5)
Could I understand what to do *without guessing*?
1 – Confusing, assumes prior knowledge
3 – Mostly clear, some leaps
5 – Extremely clear, well-paced.
Notes: 5
The first video is mostly an introduction, not only to the teacher but also the tools and how the course will progress.
B. Skill Transfer (1–5)
Did this actually teach a usable skill?
1 – Just copying
3 – Partial understanding
5 – I can apply this elsewhere
Notes: 4
It was a bit of both. You start off copying what you see and you think : oh ok, am I just going to copy… but then you realise it’s more an exercise in observation. You have to draw what you see, not what you think is there.
C. Beginner Accessibility (1–5)
Could a true beginner follow this?
1 – No context or explanations
3 – Some help, some gaps
5 – Fully accessible
Notes: 5
Yes, Im’ a beginner and even though my versions of the drawing leave MUCH to the imagination, I put pencil to paper and drew!
D. Constraint Awareness (1–5)
Did the tutorial explain why choices were made?
1 – “Just do this”
3 – Occasional reasoning
5 – Clear logic behind decisions
Notes: 3
Again, I’m going to put this down to it p=being so early on in the process, so not much justification was needed or to explain WHY.
E. Time vs Value (1–5)
Was the learning worth the time spent?
1 – Not worth it
3 – Fine, but long
5 – Efficient and focused
Notes: 3
As it includes the introductions it was a bit on the long side with not much to do.
*I’m aware that the introduction is also important.
F. Emotional Experience (1–5)
How did this feel to follow?
1 – Frustrating / discouraging
3 – Neutral
5 – Encouraging / energising
Notes: 5
It feels good looking at my drawing knowing this is just the beginning and that I will get better!
G. Repeatability (Yes / Maybe / No)
Would I do this again without the video?
YES
Why?
I want to be able to make decent drawings as part of my art journey.
Final Verdict
Who is this tutorial actually for?
This tutorial is 100% suitable for a total beginner. It has no moment of doubt / intimidation.
As mentioned above, the lesson was a bit long and mentally demanding (took 2 breaks!) but clearly structured. I followed it in full, took notes, and completed the exercises.
The accompanying video documents the process rather than teaching it. This project is about learning in public and testing resources honestly, not presenting expertise.
I’ll continue with the same playlist next week to see whether repetition improves understanding and confidence.
Please feel free to follow along on this blog or the Youtube channel of the same name 🙂
Primrose Art Lab 
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