There are many different kinds of artists on social media, and during my art journey, one of the first creators who inspired me to start drawing was Jazza. His videos were not only entertaining and interesting but also easy to follow. In this blog post, we’ll talk about his unique art style and the talents that make him stand out.
Jazza: The Artist Who Blends Fun, Art, and Education
Josiah Alan Brooks, better known online as Jazza, is an Australian YouTuber, artist, animator, and presenter, born on April 20, 1989. He’s widely recognized for his fun, quirky art tutorials, humorous challenges, and detailed animations. As of September 2022, Jazza’s five YouTube channels have racked up over 1.37 billion views and gained 7.11 million subscribers!
Career Highlights:
- Jazza kicked off his creative journey in 2006 at the age of 17, making animations and video games for Newgrounds using Adobe Flash.
- By 2011, with Flash starting to fade, he made the shift to YouTube and launched his Draw with Jazza channel in 2012. His art tutorials, often with a comedic twist, really struck a chord with viewers. His videos covered everything from drawing anatomy and character design to fun art challenges.
- In 2015, he expanded his content by creating channels like It’s Tabletop Time, where he plays role-playing games, and JazzaStudios, which showcases his animated shorts. He also launched JosiahBrooksMusic, sharing his original music.
- In 2021, Jazza launched Tabletop Time Roleplay and Insert Art, a channel focused on nurturing the art community with tips, advice, and fun challenges for artists.
Jazza’s art style is cartoonish and fun, with influences from artists like Christopher Hart and popular internet animators such as Adam Phillips. His channel grew quickly, reaching 100,000 subscribers by 2014, and he eventually turned his YouTube passion into a full-time career. His work has earned recognition from big companies, securing sponsorships with Newgrounds and Screen Australia. In 2015, he received AU$100,000 as part of Google and Screen Australia’s Skip Ahead initiative, which helped fund his short films.
Notable Achievements:
- Jazza authored the book Draw With Jazza – Creating Characters and even had a series of animated shorts air on ABC Me.
- He teamed up with Christopher Hart to manage Hart’s YouTube channel and even designed Google Australia’s fun 2018 April Fools’ Day logo.
- Jazza has appeared at major conventions like PAX, VidCon, and Comic-Con, and he’s also been a champion for other artists, often outsourcing work to support their careers.
In 2019, Jazza rebranded his main YouTube channel from Draw with Jazza to just Jazza, reflecting his desire to share more diverse content beyond art tutorials.
Jazza’s Artistic Signature: Simple Yet Striking
Jazza adopts a cartoony approach with expressive, bold lines, bright colors, and exaggerated proportions that emphasize character emotion and motion. His artwork can range from whimsical caricatures to dynamic character designs and immersive, imaginative landscapes. The simplicity and relatability of his style make his tutorials approachable for beginners while still engaging experienced artists.
Detailed Workflow
- Sketch
- Jazza typically begins his projects with a rough sketch. For traditional works, he uses mechanical or traditional pencils and erasers. For digital art, he sketches on software like Clip Studio Paint or Adobe Photoshop using a drawing tablet such as Wacom or Huion tablets.
- Inking
- For traditional inking, he uses fineliners or brushes. In digital art, Jazza utilizes digital brushes to outline and define characters, maintaining bold and confident linework.
- Base Colors
- He then adds flat colors to the base sketch. Jazza often uses Copic markers or other alcohol-based markers for traditional works. For digital coloring, he uses layers and blends colors smoothly to match his vibrant style.
- Shading and Highlights
- To bring dimension to his characters, Jazza adds shadows and highlights. He typically uses soft shading techniques, blending colors smoothly, but can also employ cel-shading for more of a comic-style effect.
- Details and Effects
- The final step involves adding intricate details, patterns, or effects, such as glows or textures, to bring the artwork to life. In digital pieces, this often involves using specialized brushes or filters.
Jazza’s process exemplifies adaptability; he regularly explores and experiments with both digital and traditional mediums, sharing his results to inspire and teach his audience.
Jazza’s Essential Tools: The Best Brands for Every Artist
Here’s a list of tools and brands often used by Jazza, covering both traditional and digital art
Traditional Art Tools:
- Pencils and Erasers
- Mechanical pencils or traditional graphite pencils (various brands)
- Kneaded erasers or standard erasers for corrections and highlighting
- Inking Tools
- Fineliner pens such as Micron Pens or Copic Multiliners
- Brush pens (various brands)
- Markers and Coloring Supplies
- Copic Markers – Known for their vibrant colors and blendability, a staple for coloring.
- Prismacolor Markers – Sometimes used alongside or as an alternative to Copic.
- Colored pencils like Prismacolor Premier or Faber-Castell Polychromos for additional detailing.
- Paper and Sketchbooks
- High-quality mixed-media sketchbooks or marker paper suited for alcohol-based markers.
- Paints (Occasionally)
- Acrylic paints or gouache paints for special projects.
- Brushes (various high-quality brands suited to his preferred paints).
Digital Art Tools:
- Software
- Clip Studio Paint – Often used for its strong drawing and comic/manga creation features.
- Adobe Photoshop – Used for detailed painting, illustration, and graphic design.
- Occasionally other software like Procreate for iPad-based work.
- Hardware
- Wacom Cintiq Drawing Tablet or other pen displays/tablets from Huion.
- iPad Pro with Apple Pencil for mobile drawing and painting.
Jazza regularly experiments with art supplies and shares his thoughts on various tools through his content, making him versatile with a wide range of materials and techniques!
Jazza’s Best Creations: A Showcase of His Most Creative Works
1. “Draw With Jazza Challenges of the Month” (COTM) Series
- This recurring challenge encouraged community participation and showcased Jazza’s talent as he tackled unique themes, often resulting in large, detailed illustrations. His creations for these challenges were diverse, from fantasy landscapes to character mash-ups.
2. “Turning Subscribers’ Characters into 3D Models”
- In this project, Jazza created 3D models of characters submitted by his community. This project stood out due to its blend of digital sculpting and creative transformation, often using tools like Blender or ZBrush.
3. “Super Mario Sculpture”
- Jazza made an extraordinary sculpture of Mario using epoxy clay, showing his skill not only in drawing and painting but also in sculpting. This project exemplified his attention to detail and playful artistic style.
4. “Recreating My First Ever Drawing”
- This video highlighted Jazza’s growth as an artist by revisiting and transforming one of his oldest pieces into something modern and polished. It was a powerful testament to how much practice and dedication can elevate artistic skill.
5. “Epic Star Wars Mural”
- Jazza created a massive and highly detailed Star Wars-themed mural. The project required extensive planning and execution, resulting in a visually striking piece featuring iconic characters and scenes.
6. “Draw Jazza: Art Book
- Jazza released an art book filled with tutorials, tips, and his artworks. It showcases his journey as an artist, with many fan-favorite pieces and behind-the-scenes insights.
7. “The Ultimate Art Box Challenge”
- This project was an unboxing and art challenge featuring a giant box of mystery art supplies. Jazza used all the supplies in creative ways to produce a unique artwork, highlighting his adaptability and imaginative approach.
8. “Epic Dragon Drawing Challenge”
- Jazza frequently draws mythical creatures, and one of his most popular works involved a highly detailed, large-scale dragon artwork. His dragon pieces show off his love of fantasy art and his impressive skill with markers and pens.
9. “Turning People Into Superheroes”
- In this series, Jazza would transform his viewers’ photos into superhero illustrations. His dynamic poses, striking colors, and inventive designs made these artworks some of his most memorable.
10. “Bob Ross Painting Challenge”
- In a fun twist, Jazza took on Bob Ross-style painting challenges, often incorporating humor while trying to recreate or parody the “Joy of Painting” style with modern materials and his signature flair.
11. “Drawing YouTubers in Different Styles”
- Jazza has drawn several YouTubers in different styles, from anime and comic-book styles to Disney-inspired renditions. This series demonstrates his adaptability and creativity with diverse aesthetics.
Jazza’s content blends high technical skill with a playful, experimental spirit, and his work is beloved for both its visual appeal and the engaging, educational way it is presented.
In conclusion, Jazza has not only inspired countless people through his innovative and diverse artistic endeavors but has also personally influenced my journey as an artist. His approach to art merging whimsy, bold creativity, and technical precision has made learning fun and accessible. Watching his videos helped demystify the process of creating art, encouraging me to pick up a pencil, try new techniques, and develop my own style. Jazza’s dedication to fostering creativity and building a supportive artistic community stands as a reminder that art should be an enjoyable, continually evolving pursuit. His work leaves a lasting impact on aspiring and seasoned artists alike, and for me, it was the spark that set my artistic journey in motion.
