AlCo's Sketchbook

[John]

I usually used to draw in public or outside, now I feel completely embarrassed about it, like you feel the expectations if someone is watching you and if you end up doing a shitty work then you got an instant disappointing feedback, I just don't go drawing publicly anymore xD and that's stupid, I know, I need to work on it.

I'd wear earphones to drown out the crowd noise!

Hypothetically speaking. Let's say someone did give you a negative feedback. Let's say, you're in a mall sketching away and then suddenly, someone abruptly taps you on your shoulder: "My mentally challenged, colorblind, one-eyed, 3 fingered cousin can draw better than you"...

Would that stop you from getting better at what you're doing?

I sold ashcan comic books in conventions with a couple of friends for a good year and a half.  I had so many people breeze through our book and take a pass. I had negative comments thrown my way. I understand negative feedbacks and how disheartening and crushing those can be. I understand this artistic phase of "what's the point of what I'm doing if I couldn't be as good as the other guy?".

This is what I learned in my journey: the worst thing anyone can say to you is that you don't have what it takes. In all honesty, ask yourself, would that *really* stop you from getting better?