06-04-2014, 02:31 PM
I can imagine after working for so many clients after all these years, you can lose sight of why you started doing art in the first place. I think maybe that might be the root problem.
For me personally my childhood revolved around video games. I started out copying stuff from video game booklets; sometimes trying to re-envision some of the characters and improve them. It was the character art in general that I was interested with.
I can't remember how many times I copied stuff from the Diablo1/ff7/DBZ instruction/art booklets and guides. All my early work was horrible, and some of my friends were quick to remind me how bad it really was. Even-though sometimes that got me down, I knew that I wanted to eventually get to a point where I could do something professional looking. I even went as far as to cheat my way through and asked some of my better art friends to do some work for me, so I could show everyone how good I had become, just to show them "Ha, I told you I could do it". Eventually you figure out that doesn't really mean anything if you can't do it yourself.
After playing so many games and copying so many characters from booklets, I wanted to create something of MY OWN. Those were the Rpgmaker days, when people on forums were using that program to create their own games and that lit up my world. I even created that random character generator, so I could make it easier for myself to create original characters.
Anyway, this is why I started up drawing and what got me at least this far; even though I'm not really anything spectacular.
Maybe this is what you might need;if not all of us? To start up your own small/big project. Get down a style you're happy with, plan out your project (even if the goals are not realistic), and work on it for as long as you can, even if it's just an hour every now and then; even if you decide to scrap it later down the road.
I know finding a style is one problem you say you're struggling with you, but I think once you're actually working on your OWN project and not just another illustration, your head will flood with ideas on how you want this particular project to look and feel and hopefully you'll get to a point where you can't stop thinking about this project.
I learned recently that many of us after constant practice/study fall into a pattern that our bodies become accustomed to, and our abilities eventually plateau and we start seeing very little improvement. You know? Like "get up at this hour, do this for 2 hrs, do this for 3 hrs, eat breakfast, etc..". Your body is smart and will eventually adapt, but won't want to go beyond that. Keep your body guessing, mix it up, don't fall into any one particular pattern. Stay fresh.
I hope this doesn't come off sounding like I have the end all solution or that I am any smarter on the issue. I am struggling with my own personal issues just like everyone, but perhaps something here resonates with you.
For me personally my childhood revolved around video games. I started out copying stuff from video game booklets; sometimes trying to re-envision some of the characters and improve them. It was the character art in general that I was interested with.
I can't remember how many times I copied stuff from the Diablo1/ff7/DBZ instruction/art booklets and guides. All my early work was horrible, and some of my friends were quick to remind me how bad it really was. Even-though sometimes that got me down, I knew that I wanted to eventually get to a point where I could do something professional looking. I even went as far as to cheat my way through and asked some of my better art friends to do some work for me, so I could show everyone how good I had become, just to show them "Ha, I told you I could do it". Eventually you figure out that doesn't really mean anything if you can't do it yourself.
After playing so many games and copying so many characters from booklets, I wanted to create something of MY OWN. Those were the Rpgmaker days, when people on forums were using that program to create their own games and that lit up my world. I even created that random character generator, so I could make it easier for myself to create original characters.
Anyway, this is why I started up drawing and what got me at least this far; even though I'm not really anything spectacular.
Maybe this is what you might need;if not all of us? To start up your own small/big project. Get down a style you're happy with, plan out your project (even if the goals are not realistic), and work on it for as long as you can, even if it's just an hour every now and then; even if you decide to scrap it later down the road.
I know finding a style is one problem you say you're struggling with you, but I think once you're actually working on your OWN project and not just another illustration, your head will flood with ideas on how you want this particular project to look and feel and hopefully you'll get to a point where you can't stop thinking about this project.
I learned recently that many of us after constant practice/study fall into a pattern that our bodies become accustomed to, and our abilities eventually plateau and we start seeing very little improvement. You know? Like "get up at this hour, do this for 2 hrs, do this for 3 hrs, eat breakfast, etc..". Your body is smart and will eventually adapt, but won't want to go beyond that. Keep your body guessing, mix it up, don't fall into any one particular pattern. Stay fresh.
I hope this doesn't come off sounding like I have the end all solution or that I am any smarter on the issue. I am struggling with my own personal issues just like everyone, but perhaps something here resonates with you.