Mike Mattesi on the best way to learn how to draw, why clarity is more important than correctness, and what beginning artists need to know

There are tons of resources for learning to draw. You can take classes in high school, major in art in college, teach yourself online via Schoolism, Skillshare, or YouTube, or look through the many resources right here on the Wacom blog.

Another great resource? One of Mike Mattesi's seminal Drawing FORCE books. Through his books and online resources, Mike Mattesi has taught thousands of people to draw using his FORCE method. FORCE is "built on an animator's mindset – physics coupled with the beauty of rhythm and function." It's the best way to go from a beginner to a pro-level artist, he says, because "other methods teach you how to copy what you see instead of understanding why something looks the way it does," which is what FORCE provides.

We wanted to know what such an accomplished artist and educator thought of the Wacom MovinkPad Pro 14 all-in-one portable drawing pad – was it good for drawing using the FORCE method? We sent him one to get his thoughts, and talked with him about his background, inspiration, why beginning artists should consider the FORCE method, and more. His review of the MovinkPad Pro 14, as well as our interview with him, are below. Note: the interview below has been edited lightly for clarity and length.

When and how did you know art was going to be your career? Were you a creative kid?

I drew as a kid but it was for fun; I had no career motive until high school. I did four years of architecture and two years of commercial art, but the publication of the Dark Knight comic drove me to go to The School of Visual Arts (SVA) to be a comic book artist.

How did you decide art school was the right path for you? Do you think young artists in 2026 should consider art school, or are self-teaching opportunities, including online art education programs like Drawing FORCE, a better path?

I graduated high school in 1988, so there were not as many options as today. I knew I needed help to become a professional, so I chose SVA. They offered a comic book program. Ironically, I did not go into comics but went into animation instead! When I got into Disney Animation, I realized that my prior education was barely enough to do the job. So I had to learn most of my essentials from other animation artists.

Nowadays, the entertainment art industry doesn't care if you have a BFA; your skill is shown in your portfolio. You can learn without an overpriced brick and mortar art school that may not set you up with the skills needed for a job. In fact, for this reason, I am launching an online FORCE Art Academy very soon. It's portfolio-centric. Our curriculum is designed around the end goal of a student – having a great portfolio – and then knowing what they need to get there.

If you could describe the FORCE method that you teach in a single sentence, how would you? How does it differ from other drawing methodologies? Who would benefit the most from learning this way?

FORCE is the best method to go from a Beginner to Pro level artist. FORCE is built on an animator's mindset: physics coupled with the beauty of rhythm and function. Many other methods teach how to copy what you see, instead of understanding why something looks the way it does.

Most other schools teach a classical approach that is, in my opinion, outdated for the modern entertainment industry. We teach artists how to use FORCE in their work, an undeniable truth, bringing more believably and humanity to their art. It's why Disney and Pixar excel over other studios, because of their understanding of how to use FORCE in their design and animation. Any artist can benefit from the FORCE Drawing approach, from production artist to hobbyists, comic book artists to storyboard artists, illustrators or even fine artists.

You’ve worked in animation, comics, advertising, product design, and a variety of other fields, but for years you’ve been committed to teaching others through Drawing FORCE. Why is teaching others important to you?

I love helping others experience that "click" moment, the moment of enlightenment, of change! It is very exciting to see another person evolve and improve their abilities. I am addicted to that within myself and want others to experience this as well.

You’ve worked traditionally quite a bit, especially for figure drawing. What’s your relationship with digital art? You had a chance recently to try out the Wacom MovinkPad Pro 14, what was your experience like with it?

I have been drawing digitally since the early 2000s on a tablet and then on a Wacom Cintiq pen display since 2007. At the start, it was challenging. I felt as though my hand was in the way! The hardest thing for digital to match is the friction of a pencil sliding over the paper. This friction creates control. With FORCE Drawing, that control of line really matters since the line has so much meaning. That being said, the experience of digital creation has improved. The glass is thinner, bringing your hand closer to your art. Also, with digital, every art supply you want to experiment with is all in one place, with an infinite ability to iterate!

I've just started tinkering with the MovinkPad Pro 14. So far, I love the large screen size, how light the device is, the fact that I can draw with the pen horizontal to the screen with no weird visual blips from the pen or my fingers and hand, are big improvements. I like the matte finish of the screen.

All I really want is for it to be even bigger! Maybe a 17-inch tablet next? And I want the surface with even more friction, more tooth! I know that is the tough part, to get that friction and not wear down the screen or pen tip. Just sharing my dreams.

What advice do you have for beginners who are trying to learn the basics of drawing – figures, anatomy, movement, shapes, etc.?

My advice is for you to learn what you need to help your work, and strive to see and understand these new ideas! You should follow artists and instructors that are already doing what you want to accomplish in your work. Do they know how to explain what they are doing so you can learn it? Many students come to me after having paid for a mentorship with an artist that crafts amazing work, but does not know how to teach what they are doing. Teaching is a skill all unto itself. We all can use mentors to help us get to our goals more effectively. I would not be where I am today without my mentors.

What’s your take on the relationship between accuracy and style? Is it important to learn how to draw the human body, for example, “correctly?” Or is something else more important?

I don't dwell on correctness, as I focus more on clarity – clear understanding and seeing. I think the more you learn, the more you can have an opinion. Learn to see and understand the world around you with utmost clarity. This clarity grants you a great deal of information you can have an opinion about. This information will allow for more skill and more skill allows you to speak your mind with more clarity. This applies to all art styles.

Any other general advice for young or beginning artists?

Pick the right education for your goals! I teach FORCE and this approach says that gravity, rhythm, problem solving, and understanding matter when drawing. This brings drama, humanity and storytelling to your work. If you want to learn how to paint a still life, though, I'm not the right teacher!