10-02-2012, 11:16 PM
I agree with all the comments above, and you'll probably find that almost all artist (not all of course) go through a similar cycle to yourself, me included. I remember a couple of years back when i first really started commiting to art and going through the same questions, i started trying to find answers. I asked friends, family, tutors and other tons of other people surrounding my life at the time and never really got a straight or helpful answer. I had been mislead almost my entire life by people who believe art to be some 'talent' or some creative gift by god. The prospect of making money from art was crazy and nobody ever discussed it. You were almost seen as a sell out if you wanted to make money through art. Then i one day stumbled across CA.org and my jaw dropped at some of the awesome artists on there, and they all communicated with each other. So i messaged a guy on there, whos art really inspired me about similar things you ask now, about how to get beter etc etc, thinking i would'nt even get an answer. And he send me a messgae back which literally changed my life. If he sees this message i just hope he doesnt mind me sharing his kind words here, so that others might benefit from his knowledge.
"As for the skill itself...well, that`s just it. It`s a skill. And if you take away all that "glamor" away, you`ll notice it`s not even a relevant skill. Say, if there was a Zombie apocalypse, I somehow doubt my brushwork or design skills would save my life (lol). It`s like learning a new language, or learning how to cook. You get better depending on how much time you put into learning it. No magic formulas, no shortcuts. Just work, work, work. And then work some more.
Improvement is something I look at as a very subjective thing. I, personally, don`t see that much improvement on my part. My anatomy is still wonky. I still have a hard time depicting a good looking figure. Which is why I all so often go back to my comfort zone of drawing girls with long hair. And that is not good. Comfort zones are great, but tricky. You should stay in them for only so long. And now the part I presume you`re going to dislike the most - sacrifice. I sacrifice a lot almost daily, even though I don`t notice it. People go out and socialize. I don`t. People go out on weekends. I don`t. Often there are days when I don`t even leave my apartment, other than going to buy some groceries at the near shop. Rest of the day I`m at home, and do...well, not that much. If I spent all that time drawing though, I`d be FAR better than now. This bothers me little - I`ve always been something of a hermit. But to someone used to social contact, this could be quite a challenge.
And lastly - be more active. Or should I say, pro-active. Open a sketchbook thread here, and start drawing. Commit to it. It`s not too late. It`s never too late. I see you are 24 now - I started when I was 24. Now, 2 years later - here I am. Not that far ahead, but I`m on my way. One step at a time. At this age you already have some life experience, and your will is a bit stronger, so you should actually improve faster than those younger than you. In theory, that is. Just keep pushing yourself, always go for that little bit extra and in no time someone will be writing a PM to you saying how much they admire your artwork. And you`ll probably tell them what I just told you. It`s a full circle, you see.
Anyways, this long post was a very elaborate way to say following - thank you, it takes work and dedication, open a sketchbook thread and work your ass off. And just believe in yourself. Often it will be the only thing to hold on to."
"As for the skill itself...well, that`s just it. It`s a skill. And if you take away all that "glamor" away, you`ll notice it`s not even a relevant skill. Say, if there was a Zombie apocalypse, I somehow doubt my brushwork or design skills would save my life (lol). It`s like learning a new language, or learning how to cook. You get better depending on how much time you put into learning it. No magic formulas, no shortcuts. Just work, work, work. And then work some more.
Improvement is something I look at as a very subjective thing. I, personally, don`t see that much improvement on my part. My anatomy is still wonky. I still have a hard time depicting a good looking figure. Which is why I all so often go back to my comfort zone of drawing girls with long hair. And that is not good. Comfort zones are great, but tricky. You should stay in them for only so long. And now the part I presume you`re going to dislike the most - sacrifice. I sacrifice a lot almost daily, even though I don`t notice it. People go out and socialize. I don`t. People go out on weekends. I don`t. Often there are days when I don`t even leave my apartment, other than going to buy some groceries at the near shop. Rest of the day I`m at home, and do...well, not that much. If I spent all that time drawing though, I`d be FAR better than now. This bothers me little - I`ve always been something of a hermit. But to someone used to social contact, this could be quite a challenge.
And lastly - be more active. Or should I say, pro-active. Open a sketchbook thread here, and start drawing. Commit to it. It`s not too late. It`s never too late. I see you are 24 now - I started when I was 24. Now, 2 years later - here I am. Not that far ahead, but I`m on my way. One step at a time. At this age you already have some life experience, and your will is a bit stronger, so you should actually improve faster than those younger than you. In theory, that is. Just keep pushing yourself, always go for that little bit extra and in no time someone will be writing a PM to you saying how much they admire your artwork. And you`ll probably tell them what I just told you. It`s a full circle, you see.
Anyways, this long post was a very elaborate way to say following - thank you, it takes work and dedication, open a sketchbook thread and work your ass off. And just believe in yourself. Often it will be the only thing to hold on to."