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Discouraged Artists’ Support Group

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Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-09 15:45:15


i'd love submitting funny little games made in rpg maker 2003 on here but i feel like it's gotten to a point where they just aren't really funny anymore because the whole thing might've gotten stale


Octillery Social Credit Test DX | Octillery VS Collection

You ever take a rat...cut it open, stick your pee pee in, let it live? You remind me of that rat.

BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-09 15:48:04


At 9/9/23 03:45 PM, Vidyabatter wrote:i'd love submitting funny little games made in rpg maker 2003 on here but i feel like it's gotten to a point where they just aren't really funny anymore because the whole thing might've gotten stale

and the same thing goes for the 3d movie maker movies i'd make, i heard 8bitant didnt really like making 3dmm movies after i started making a bunch of them so i felt bad about it

and these are kinda all i'm good at, really.


Octillery Social Credit Test DX | Octillery VS Collection

You ever take a rat...cut it open, stick your pee pee in, let it live? You remind me of that rat.

BBS Signature

I often feel the crippling sense of inferiority and a nagging voice that says "Skill issue-"- whenever I see an artist whose art is far more better- Be it in appeal, attention, technical skills, etc- I haven't been drawing something good nowadays, let alone stuff I want- Hell, the stuff I have been drawing nowadays are mostly practice stuff- Mainly because of the nagging voice inside my head reminding me of my inferior artistic skills- The original stuff I draw nowadays feel uninspired and flat to me, like it doesn't hold on its own. Which is why I have been "avoiding" doing my own original stuff.


Hell, I even feel more horrible as my art posts on this website and other websites don't gain much attention and it makes me a sad. I mean, having a big audience look at your work gives you more opportunities to earn money and get your stuff out there. I'm almost 21 yet I feel horrible as an artist because I'm horribly lagging behind in terms of progress and artistic skill improvement. Hell, I'm starting to think that I should give up on art all together- Mainly because I don't have the connections nor the skills to make my works known, let alone make a living out of it.


Hell, I starting to wish that I never drew in the first place. As having a performing artistic skill like singing or dancing is much more lucrative and glamorous than making art. I mean, I'm looking at K-pop idols or any mainstream musician in general, they're literally and figuratively out there with their faces on brands and TV shows, being physically chased by fans, and performing in front of people cheering on you under the bright stage spotlight. Being an artist is so behind the scenes and part of me regrets that because I am not out there, just my works. Unless someone asks whose work is that, it's going to be just known as some pretty picture or a silly animation.


I don't know, I feel lethargic and hopeless nowadays towards my art...

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-09 16:32:48


At 9/9/23 03:59 PM, captainsmilez wrote:
Hell, I starting to wish that I never drew in the first place. As having a performing artistic skill like singing or dancing is much more lucrative and glamorous than making art. I mean, I'm looking at K-pop idols or any mainstream musician in general, they're literally and figuratively out there with their faces on brands and TV shows, being physically chased by fans, and performing in front of people cheering on you under the bright stage spotlight. Being an artist is so behind the scenes and part of me regrets that because I am not out there, just my works. Unless someone asks whose work is that, it's going to be just known as some pretty picture or a silly animation.


I don't have much in the way of advice about art-related insecurities, considering they're something I haven't solved in my own life, but because I'm a musician, I can at least say something for this part. For every one of these music artists who get merchandised and simped over, there are tons who are relatively unknown, who are struggling, or just only get gigs at local bars and make a living out of that.


It's an ugly truth, but especially when it comes to mass-appeal music like the mainstream artists you mentioned, the vast majority are hand-picked by the industry as safe bets that they're already sure the general public will like. Either they're the children of established artists (Miley Cyrus is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus), or they were recruited by the entertainment industry as a child or young teenager and have been carefully molded into what they want (Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus again, Justin Bieber, as well as every other former Disney Channel kid who has become a singer), or something like that. Look up the slang terms "nepotism baby" and "industry plant" and you can find tons of examples.


I also find it interesting that you bring up K-pop. If there is any one genre that beats K-pop in terms of being manufactured, it's J-pop; if not, then K-pop is the most strictly industry-controlled genre of music there is. East Asian pop idols, from the horror stories I've read, are handpicked specifically to look and act a certain way and fill roles that have been predefined for them, they must follow very strict rules on how to behave not only on stage, but in their personal lives, and generally they are supposed to be available for fans to fantasize about (i.e. no relationships, period), which allows for said fans to chase after them like they do. They don't come about organically, their careers are basically lab-grown. It's a completely different world than that of an independent artist or musician starting from nothing. Don't believe you can achieve that kind of stardom, and don't envy them; there's a ton of stress in having your life tightly controlled by anyone.


I hope this helps remove some of the smoke and mirrors about the popular music industry. Hopefully someone else here can help with the art part.


Someone please help me revive my clubs

BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-09 16:50:44


At 9/9/23 04:32 PM, Thetageist wrote:
At 9/9/23 03:59 PM, captainsmilez wrote:
Hell, I starting to wish that I never drew in the first place. As having a performing artistic skill like singing or dancing is much more lucrative and glamorous than making art. I mean, I'm looking at K-pop idols or any mainstream musician in general, they're literally and figuratively out there with their faces on brands and TV shows, being physically chased by fans, and performing in front of people cheering on you under the bright stage spotlight. Being an artist is so behind the scenes and part of me regrets that because I am not out there, just my works. Unless someone asks whose work is that, it's going to be just known as some pretty picture or a silly animation.

I don't have much in the way of advice about art-related insecurities, considering they're something I haven't solved in my own life, but because I'm a musician, I can at least say something for this part. For every one of these music artists who get merchandised and simped over, there are tons who are relatively unknown, who are struggling, or just only get gigs at local bars and make a living out of that.

It's an ugly truth, but especially when it comes to mass-appeal music like the mainstream artists you mentioned, the vast majority are hand-picked by the industry as safe bets that they're already sure the general public will like. Either they're the children of established artists (Miley Cyrus is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus), or they were recruited by the entertainment industry as a child or young teenager and have been carefully molded into what they want (Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus again, Justin Bieber, as well as every other former Disney Channel kid who has become a singer), or something like that. Look up the slang terms "nepotism baby" and "industry plant" and you can find tons of examples.

I also find it interesting that you bring up K-pop. If there is any one genre that beats K-pop in terms of being manufactured, it's J-pop; if not, then K-pop is the most strictly industry-controlled genre of music there is. East Asian pop idols, from the horror stories I've read, are handpicked specifically to look and act a certain way and fill roles that have been predefined for them, they must follow very strict rules on how to behave not only on stage, but in their personal lives, and generally they are supposed to be available for fans to fantasize about (i.e. no relationships, period), which allows for said fans to chase after them like they do. They don't come about organically, their careers are basically lab-grown. It's a completely different world than that of an independent artist or musician starting from nothing. Don't believe you can achieve that kind of stardom, and don't envy them; there's a ton of stress in having your life tightly controlled by anyone.

I hope this helps remove some of the smoke and mirrors about the popular music industry. Hopefully someone else here can help with the art part.


I am well aware on what nepotism babies and industry plants. The thought of them adds to my hopelessness on my art because is this it for me because I don't know big name people nor come from a big name family? I speak this in terms of art like drawing digital stuff but it is obvious that they are in various fields. Hell, I envy them because their chances of getting themselves out there is far more easier and the fact that most of them started their stuff at a young age and hell I know that some of them are formally trained makes me have a bleak outlook on my artistic improvement.


Also yes, being a K/J-pop artist is hell as I often watch videos about the shittiness of the industry. But god... The glitz and glamour is what gets me really... I know that they are as toxic as Western music industry but they take it to the next level. But as well as the glitz and glamour- Having rabid fans make fancams for you, fawn over your style, be gaga over whatever little insignificant human quirk that they do-


I'm jaded really because, I'm starting to think I was meant for the flies and behind the scenes the moment I started to do art.

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-09 17:15:30


At 9/9/23 04:50 PM, captainsmilez wrote:
At 9/9/23 04:32 PM, Thetageist wrote:
At 9/9/23 03:59 PM, captainsmilez wrote:
Hell, I starting to wish that I never drew in the first place. As having a performing artistic skill like singing or dancing is much more lucrative and glamorous than making art. I mean, I'm looking at K-pop idols or any mainstream musician in general, they're literally and figuratively out there with their faces on brands and TV shows, being physically chased by fans, and performing in front of people cheering on you under the bright stage spotlight. Being an artist is so behind the scenes and part of me regrets that because I am not out there, just my works. Unless someone asks whose work is that, it's going to be just known as some pretty picture or a silly animation.

I don't have much in the way of advice about art-related insecurities, considering they're something I haven't solved in my own life, but because I'm a musician, I can at least say something for this part. For every one of these music artists who get merchandised and simped over, there are tons who are relatively unknown, who are struggling, or just only get gigs at local bars and make a living out of that.

It's an ugly truth, but especially when it comes to mass-appeal music like the mainstream artists you mentioned, the vast majority are hand-picked by the industry as safe bets that they're already sure the general public will like. Either they're the children of established artists (Miley Cyrus is the daughter of country singer Billy Ray Cyrus), or they were recruited by the entertainment industry as a child or young teenager and have been carefully molded into what they want (Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus again, Justin Bieber, as well as every other former Disney Channel kid who has become a singer), or something like that. Look up the slang terms "nepotism baby" and "industry plant" and you can find tons of examples.

I also find it interesting that you bring up K-pop. If there is any one genre that beats K-pop in terms of being manufactured, it's J-pop; if not, then K-pop is the most strictly industry-controlled genre of music there is. East Asian pop idols, from the horror stories I've read, are handpicked specifically to look and act a certain way and fill roles that have been predefined for them, they must follow very strict rules on how to behave not only on stage, but in their personal lives, and generally they are supposed to be available for fans to fantasize about (i.e. no relationships, period), which allows for said fans to chase after them like they do. They don't come about organically, their careers are basically lab-grown. It's a completely different world than that of an independent artist or musician starting from nothing. Don't believe you can achieve that kind of stardom, and don't envy them; there's a ton of stress in having your life tightly controlled by anyone.

I hope this helps remove some of the smoke and mirrors about the popular music industry. Hopefully someone else here can help with the art part.

I am well aware on what nepotism babies and industry plants. The thought of them adds to my hopelessness on my art because is this it for me because I don't know big name people nor come from a big name family? I speak this in terms of art like drawing digital stuff but it is obvious that they are in various fields. Hell, I envy them because their chances of getting themselves out there is far more easier and the fact that most of them started their stuff at a young age and hell I know that some of them are formally trained makes me have a bleak outlook on my artistic improvement.

Also yes, being a K/J-pop artist is hell as I often watch videos about the shittiness of the industry. But god... The glitz and glamour is what gets me really... I know that they are as toxic as Western music industry but they take it to the next level. But as well as the glitz and glamour- Having rabid fans make fancams for you, fawn over your style, be gaga over whatever little insignificant human quirk that they do-

I'm jaded really because, I'm starting to think I was meant for the flies and behind the scenes the moment I started to do art.


The thing is, though, that visual arts don't work that way as much as mainstream music does. Like you said, the artist does kinda hide behind their work, but that's also a good thing in some ways, because if that weren't the case, we'd have the same problem as with the music industry. You do have hope.


What you probably need is a break from everything that makes you feel worthless, and some time to just focus on creating stuff even if you haven't done a ton of studies beforehand. Maybe you could try what I've done for some art trades, where I'm restricted to one day so that I don't overthink my art. Try to make some art where the point is to be experimental and mistakes are part of the fun. That'll probably help you find that motivation again. And besides, the more finished art you can put out there, the more people you'll be able to reach, and the more people might stay and stick around, regardless of quality. Most people only remember a "bad artist" and don't give them a second chance when that artist is a bad person or has an inflated ego - mistakes are quickly forgotten.


(Now that I think about it, I can relate to wanting the glamorous facade of something I know is horrifying on the inside. Had a breakdown once about how pretty all these very made-up female "NPC streamers" always look and how much thirst they get in their chat, even though I know there's tons of creeps as well and just being stuck with the same routine all the time is kinda disturbing.)


Someone please help me revive my clubs

BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-09 17:22:48


Oh boy, so, I have a feeling that my art is not good enough. We all feel that. Well, I always have a feeling art is being compared to extremely popular artists and people with really good art styles like Travsaus for example. Art styles are always undermined because they are not like that or they can't draw fingers. People have the highest of expectations when looking at art. If your art is not what they like them people will say it's bad. Art is subjective. There is no such thing as good art or bad art. Everyone has their own tastes and preferences. So to all of you discouraged artists out there. I say you can do it. Because no matter how long it takes for somebody to notice, there will be at least ONE person who likes your art. One person liking your art is better than none. Give that person your wholehearted thanks. Because they like your art so much they want to know the second it comes out. That is all an artist can ask for, for somebody to like what they make. The feeling that somebody likes what YOU made yourself is all anybody can ask for. Now get out of here, AND GO MAKE SOME ART!


Not working on Nightmare Cops.

Also last post.

BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-09 18:34:50


At 9/9/23 12:28 PM, vlsrb wrote:
At 9/9/23 09:20 AM, MondoBilby wrote:I'm having a bit of trouble getting myself to work on a comic I really want to make. I've been having ideas and making plans for it for maybe a couple years now, and I really want to get started on making it, but I'm scared to commit to something I'm not even sure will work out. I'm worried it won't be well written enough or have bad pacing or that after a few days I'll start to dislike it, and I know that these things are perfectly normal and bound to happen for a first comic, but I get so embarrassed when I make mistakes and I don't want people to think I'm incompetent at what I'm doing. I love getting constructive critisism, but at the same time I'm scared to share the comic to people if I do make it because I don't know if anyone will like it.
Anyone have any tips on how to overcome these feelings?

Honestly, I could have written this. I very frequently struggle with a lot of the things you mentioned here.

Don't know if it's going to be helpful, but a piece of advice I could give you (and that I should really start following myself) is: just do it. The only way your story is going to be brought into existence is if you draw it, page after page after page - no other sequence of events will lead to that outcome. Is it going to be perfect? No, you've said as much yourself. But nothing is ever perfect, not even published graphic novels by professional artists. Better to put in the effort to have your imperfect ideas actually exist in the real world than to cultivate an unobtainable platonic ideal stuck in your head, never to be seen by anyone.

I'm reminded of something I read a long time ago in, of all things, a Cracked article. To paraphrase: imagine two writers who both have a similar idea, but writer A pumps out 1000 words a day and writer B just endlessly thinks about their story and waits for the "perfect" moment to start working on it. One year later, A has the first draft of a novel and B has nothing.

Hope this was even remotely of use!


Thank you. I’ve told myself to just do it so many times you have no idea, but for some reason, someone else telling me the same thing gives me more confidence.


Chillin' and grillin'

BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-09 19:31:49


I have no real advice to offer but I highly recommend you guys, especially those going through a low point in their lives/careers/etc, to listen to some of this guy's videos while you draw. https://www.youtube.com/@AdamDuffArt


He touches on a lot of typical "artist issues" and he's nice to listen to, but what drew me in is the fact that he's nearing 50 and has years of experience working in various art industries from games to TV, so (for me, anyway) his words have lot more weight to them than the average person telling you "not to give up" and similar advice. His videos are oozing with raw positivity but not in an overly cushy "just telling you what you want to hear" kind of way. Hearing his experiences, from his highs to his absolute lowest lows, makes me feel like it's all going to be okay, and I'll find the place where I really want to be. Maybe not today or tomorrow and maybe not even in the next decade, but you know, eventually.


Maybe this doesn't work for everyone the same way, but I never have a bad time drawing while I'm listening to him even when I'm feeling down. He's not a licensed therapist or anything but his attitude legitimately just gives me the energy to put good shit on a canvas. I highly recommend giving it a try. If anyone is familiar with him and knows similarly good "art talk" videos to listen to while drawing, feel free to recommend me some.


BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-10 00:46:21


Honestly, I don't know how most people keep it up nowadays. For the longest time I've been stagnating at everything Art/ Writing/ Personal life stuff. I get so easily distracted and caught up in other work 'n bullshit that I barely have time to draw, to actually work and strive for the profession of 'comic book artist'.


I really need some tips on managing my output right now because I'm trying to work on a comic for the big Multi-panel Update. It's mostly going to be me freestyling it, but it'll be something at least.

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-10 01:24:09


At 9/10/23 12:46 AM, Micgronoldshtien wrote:Honestly, I don't know how most people keep it up nowadays. For the longest time I've been stagnating at everything Art/ Writing/ Personal life stuff. I get so easily distracted and caught up in other work 'n bullshit that I barely have time to draw, to actually work and strive for the profession of 'comic book artist'.

I really need some tips on managing my output right now because I'm trying to work on a comic for the big Multi-panel Update. It's mostly going to be me freestyling it, but it'll be something at least.


Maybe if you can find a little time each day, it’ll add up. That’s usually how I draw with my schedule.


Someone please help me revive my clubs

BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-10 02:25:47


Am not sure if I'm in a position to give advice to anyone here, as 1] I am not a successful artist by today's metrics (though I've done a few commissions & had my little victories here & there, & 2] my issues as an artist are not like those of most Newgrounders. What I can do is share a certain perspective that, hopefully, will help whoever reads this.


If you are a young artist as most members here are, & if you're not confident--maybe it's "impostor syndrome" or maybe you just think your work is crap--remember this:


Everyone has had to start somewhere.


Read that again, & consider it.


No matter how great an artist's work may be to your eyes, no matter how much better it seems than your own, realize that at one time (s)he was also a new fish. At one time that person had the same problems you have: (s)he had trouble developing a style, (s)he couldn't get his/her tools to do exactly what (s)he wanted them to do, etc. Even Michaelangelo Buonarotti, Vincent van Gogh, Mike Deodato & Mark Texeira were rank beginners. They didn't start making great masterpieces or kick-ass illustrations right out the gate. No one does. Everything is awkward when you're green! A good rule of thumb is that a new artist has to do 3,000 to 4,000 pieces before he begins to develop & his work starts getting really good. (It's the 10,000-hour rule, basically)


The way to get through this is to keep doing your art, & always try to improve it. Don't get into a rut & turn out the same thing over & over because then you'll become a technician instead of an artist (unless you want to be a technician, in which case, hey...it's your life). Put your work up & if someone gives criticism, consider it carefully--if the criticism is constructive. ("This is a piece of shit & you suck" is not constructive. Just ignore the bullshit) It can be helpful if you figure out what direction you want to go in, as an artist, before committing to it, i.e., are you into character design, realism, fantasy art, etc.


Good luck.


Pen pusher, brush dragger, wood butcher & usual suspect.


Check out my scribblings & stuff here, por favor.

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-10 06:15:53


At 9/9/23 09:20 AM, MondoBilby wrote:I'm having a bit of trouble getting myself to work on a comic I really want to make. I've been having ideas and making plans for it for maybe a couple years now, and I really want to get started on making it, but I'm scared to commit to something I'm not even sure will work out. I'm worried it won't be well written enough or have bad pacing or that after a few days I'll start to dislike it, and I know that these things are perfectly normal and bound to happen for a first comic, but I get so embarrassed when I make mistakes and I don't want people to think I'm incompetent at what I'm doing. I love getting constructive critisism, but at the same time I'm scared to share the comic to people if I do make it because I don't know if anyone will like it.
Anyone have any tips on how to overcome these feelings?


Been trough this, and I even cancelled before even posting a single image from them - my 1st 2 fan comics despite doing 100s of drawings for them. but this year i went back to all this and approach it all different.


Unlike previous 2 times, this time I acted the story out from start to end in my livingroom, taking notes. Writing script was not enough to pinpoint the flaws and/or points/dialogues I struggled with. Also playing it out allowed me to have more natural dialogue. So I spent more than month on that - writing and rewriting and re-rewriting the script while also drawing character drafts. By talking to myself and acting out I also was able to make sure that my story has clear start, mid and ending. Something often lacking in fan comics - "The ending" as they often are left half way as artists get bored of them and didnt know how to complete their premises begin with.


After all this I know how to easily draw characters consistently .. and fast.


I spent time to simplify my art styles to be less detailed, and then I designed every environment to appear in my story. I even returned to my living-room acting to make sure that if my character picks up coffee - their 'turn to face another character' is correct angle. I added visualization footnotes to my script.


Now 3-4 months later I was left with a working script and 2 folders full of studies, drafts, notes, sketches and illustrations. I changed from previous times focus from 'making the story for some audience to making the story I would have loved to have and made'. And above all there is no firm deadline for my project now. I do it when I have mood and time.


And with 4 months after I started I still had 0 panels. However I had learned so much about the characters and story that I have absolutely no problems to just hop into any part of the story and doodle it.


I also have been doing illustrations (or how they call it - key art in industry) of my stories key points. My story starts with memory scene, so I made illustration of the mood I am going to portray.


Now as for the 'making mistakes with 1st comic' - best way to learn is by doing those mistakes and I know I am going to fail with both English grammar and lettering, but why i should be embarrassed, its not that anyone out there did better job with their 1st work than i am going to do with my 1st one. It is not a Netflix film, or some corporate project - I do not need to fill in a 'quality' checklist. I do my best and go by that. I learn as I go.


I know I am going to make mistakes, and there's nothing wrong in it!

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-10 08:15:28


At 9/10/23 06:15 AM, Tenebrare wrote:
At 9/9/23 09:20 AM, MondoBilby wrote:I'm having a bit of trouble getting myself to work on a comic I really want to make. I've been having ideas and making plans for it for maybe a couple years now, and I really want to get started on making it, but I'm scared to commit to something I'm not even sure will work out. I'm worried it won't be well written enough or have bad pacing or that after a few days I'll start to dislike it, and I know that these things are perfectly normal and bound to happen for a first comic, but I get so embarrassed when I make mistakes and I don't want people to think I'm incompetent at what I'm doing. I love getting constructive critisism, but at the same time I'm scared to share the comic to people if I do make it because I don't know if anyone will like it.
Anyone have any tips on how to overcome these feelings?

Been trough this, and I even cancelled before even posting a single image from them - my 1st 2 fan comics despite doing 100s of drawings for them. but this year i went back to all this and approach it all different.

Unlike previous 2 times, this time I acted the story out from start to end in my livingroom, taking notes. Writing script was not enough to pinpoint the flaws and/or points/dialogues I struggled with. Also playing it out allowed me to have more natural dialogue. So I spent more than month on that - writing and rewriting and re-rewriting the script while also drawing character drafts. By talking to myself and acting out I also was able to make sure that my story has clear start, mid and ending. Something often lacking in fan comics - "The ending" as they often are left half way as artists get bored of them and didnt know how to complete their premises begin with.

After all this I know how to easily draw characters consistently .. and fast.

I spent time to simplify my art styles to be less detailed, and then I designed every environment to appear in my story. I even returned to my living-room acting to make sure that if my character picks up coffee - their 'turn to face another character' is correct angle. I added visualization footnotes to my script.

Now 3-4 months later I was left with a working script and 2 folders full of studies, drafts, notes, sketches and illustrations. I changed from previous times focus from 'making the story for some audience to making the story I would have loved to have and made'. And above all there is no firm deadline for my project now. I do it when I have mood and time.

And with 4 months after I started I still had 0 panels. However I had learned so much about the characters and story that I have absolutely no problems to just hop into any part of the story and doodle it.

I also have been doing illustrations (or how they call it - key art in industry) of my stories key points. My story starts with memory scene, so I made illustration of the mood I am going to portray.

Now as for the 'making mistakes with 1st comic' - best way to learn is by doing those mistakes and I know I am going to fail with both English grammar and lettering, but why i should be embarrassed, its not that anyone out there did better job with their 1st work than i am going to do with my 1st one. It is not a Netflix film, or some corporate project - I do not need to fill in a 'quality' checklist. I do my best and go by that. I learn as I go.

I know I am going to make mistakes, and there's nothing wrong in it!


Thank you. I definitely need to focus more on what I like and not what I think others would prefer. Even if what I like doesn't hit well with people, at least it's good to me.

I'm gonna try drawing rough sketches of the pages tomorrow, but I won't rush it. Also gotta deal with my perfectionism and accept that not every joke will land perfectly and not every page will look the best, but obviously I'll put in a lot of effort.

I liked reading about your personal experience with comic-making, it gave me a good view into how other people have overcome similar problems. Thanks!


Chillin' and grillin'

BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-10 10:17:34


At 9/10/23 08:15 AM, MondoBilby wrote:Thank you. I definitely need to focus more on what I like and not what I think others would prefer. Even if what I like doesn't hit well with people, at least it's good to me.
I'm gonna try drawing rough sketches of the pages tomorrow, but I won't rush it. Also gotta deal with my perfectionism and accept that not every joke will land perfectly and not every page will look the best, but obviously I'll put in a lot of effort.
I liked reading about your personal experience with comic-making, it gave me a good view into how other people have overcome similar problems. Thanks!


I cannot even say if I have overcome it fully, but I have been ... trying and I know that 'old tactics' (lets call them like that) did not work. I wanted to be professional story-teller immediately just because I may know how to do an illustration or few, as well I insisted to be good as people I liked without realizing I must work with my mindset as much i work with my skills. Also with tools like AI existing it is easy to tell self "why even bother?", but t is up to ourselves WHY we bother doing anything. There are easier ways to get rich and famous than drawing a story as unknown nobody and this is why we must work with our mindset.


Another essential thing to do is really balance workload. Set smaller goals and milestones. For example my story I wrote is purposely short and based on existing franchise. because my own universes would require me to write longer story to build characters and designs. But if I want to learn storytelling with doodles I must start from small tasks. Tasks a singular person can manage.


Also between you and I (and uh.. whole internet) best thing I ever did was to accept that I am not perfect nor my doodles have to be perfect. Sometimes I do noodle hands and crooked eyes and I always used to hide those doodles, and crop those parts of a doodle. Now I think -"if it really bothers me, I just try better next time". It really-really helped me to let go of a drawing and draw more. Drawing more eventually improves the elements I hated so much like noodle hands and weird eyes.


I do sometimes wake up and think that 'who the hell I am doing my 1000 1980s film fan art story doodles for... " - then i sip coffee and doodle and am like, "darn this makes me happy - I can make this character do and say whatever i want it to do and say!" and thers my answer to myself.


I think it is ok if you sketch and find that design nor idea really has the bang you thought it has. It is why you sketch and try ideas begin with. This is how all the stories, films, games etc we like are done - 1st drafts generally are really bad. here for my fan fiction I read the original film scripts (I am making fan-story sequal to a film in manner of 'what if X happened instead') to get better understanding what film makers had in mind when wrote some dialogue or events, and god-awful trash I had to suffer trough reading those early versions. How can grown professional writers write something something so bad, no wonder they wrote SEVERAL drafts. It made me smile actually - it shows that it is normal to ' have it wrong' during planning and idea stage. Getting it all right takes time.

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-10 16:00:12


At 9/9/23 09:20 AM, MondoBilby wrote:I'm having a bit of trouble getting myself to work on a comic I really want to make.


why do you want to make it? what happens if you don't make the comic?


I've been having ideas and making plans for it for maybe a couple years now, and I really want to get started on making it,


start today, the earlier you start the more you'll thank yourself in the future.

that said, it's never to late to start an artistic pursuit.


but I'm scared to commit to something I'm not even sure will work out.


and if it doesn't...so??

do you think life is about enjoying the journey or getting the reward at the end?

if it's the latter, you could just put a few prompts into an AI generator, and let the machines poop something out.

if you're not finding some level of fulfillment in the creation process itself, then revisit question #1.

the world is your oyster. the process is diving to the bottom of the ocean, and grabbing the oyster.

and the vast majority of oysters do NOT have pearls inside of them.

if you are worrying about something "not working out", then your setting up yourself for a life of disappointment.


I get so embarrassed when I make mistakes and I don't want people to think I'm incompetent at what I'm doing.


everyone sucks at first.

noobs = cool

no-it-alls = fool

if someone disrespects or sneers at your humble beginnings they are just projecting their own insecurities.


At 9/9/23 03:59 PM, captainsmilez wrote:I often feel the crippling sense of inferiority and a nagging voice that says "Skill issue-"- whenever I see an artist whose art is far more better- Be it in appeal, attention, technical skills, etc- I haven't been drawing something good nowadays, let alone stuff I want- Hell, the stuff I have been drawing nowadays are mostly practice stuff- Mainly because of the nagging voice inside my head reminding me of my inferior artistic skills- The original stuff I draw nowadays feel uninspired and flat to me, like it doesn't hold on its own. Which is why I have been "avoiding" doing my own original stuff.


I don't come into these threads to blow steam up people's @ss...but since I have seen your art before, I'll just let you know I think it's rad


Hell, I even feel more horrible as my art posts on this website and other websites don't gain much attention and it makes me a sad. I mean, having a big audience look at your work gives you more opportunities to earn money and get your stuff out there. I'm almost 21 yet I feel horrible as an artist because I'm horribly lagging behind in terms of progress and artistic skill improvement. Hell, I'm starting to think that I should give up on art all together- Mainly because I don't have the connections nor the skills to make my works known, let alone make a living out of it.


1. you're not even an adult yet and you feel like your horribly lagging behind?? i assure you you're not, relax.

2. why do you need to be known? why do you need to make an art as living? are you afraid that having a career that isn't art-related won't give you sufficient time to make art on the side?


Hell, I starting to wish that I never drew in the first place. As having a performing artistic skill like singing or dancing is much more lucrative and glamorous than making art. I mean, I'm looking at K-pop idols or any mainstream musician in general, they're literally and figuratively out there with their faces on brands and TV shows, being physically chased by fans, and performing in front of people cheering on you under the bright stage spotlight. Being an artist is so behind the scenes and part of me regrets that because I am not out there, just my works. Unless someone asks whose work is that, it's going to be just known as some pretty picture or a silly animation.


so become a performance artist.

what's your social and family life like? humans are social animals, perhaps you are lacking attention in other avenues?

have you tried volunteering or joining a local art group or some other club relating to your hobbies?

this'll give you a greater feeling of community, if this is something you lack.

Then you may begin to decouple feelings of fulfillment from the process of creating art, and start making art more for the sake of, making art.


BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-10 17:47:34


At 9/10/23 04:00 PM, S3C wrote:
At 9/9/23 09:20 AM, MondoBilby wrote:I'm having a bit of trouble getting myself to work on a comic I really want to make.

why do you want to make it? what happens if you don't make the comic?

I've been having ideas and making plans for it for maybe a couple years now, and I really want to get started on making it,


start today, the earlier you start the more you'll thank yourself in the future.
that said, it's never to late to start an artistic pursuit.

but I'm scared to commit to something I'm not even sure will work out.


and if it doesn't...so??
do you think life is about enjoying the journey or getting the reward at the end?
if it's the latter, you could just put a few prompts into an AI generator, and let the machines poop something out.
if you're not finding some level of fulfillment in the creation process itself, then revisit question #1.
the world is your oyster. the process is diving to the bottom of the ocean, and grabbing the oyster.
and the vast majority of oysters do NOT have pearls inside of them.
if you are worrying about something "not working out", then your setting up yourself for a life of disappointment.

I get so embarrassed when I make mistakes and I don't want people to think I'm incompetent at what I'm doing.


everyone sucks at first.
noobs = cool
no-it-alls = fool
if someone disrespects or sneers at your humble beginnings they are just projecting their own insecurities.
At 9/9/23 03:59 PM, captainsmilez wrote:
I often feel the crippling sense of inferiority and a nagging voice that says "Skill issue-"- whenever I see an artist whose art is far more better- Be it in appeal, attention, technical skills, etc- I haven't been drawing something good nowadays, let alone stuff I want- Hell, the stuff I have been drawing nowadays are mostly practice stuff- Mainly because of the nagging voice inside my head reminding me of my inferior artistic skills- The original stuff I draw nowadays feel uninspired and flat to me, like it doesn't hold on its own. Which is why I have been "avoiding" doing my own original stuff.


I don't come into these threads to blow steam up people's @ss...but since I have seen your art before, I'll just let you know I think it's rad

Hell, I even feel more horrible as my art posts on this website and other websites don't gain much attention and it makes me a sad. I mean, having a big audience look at your work gives you more opportunities to earn money and get your stuff out there. I'm almost 21 yet I feel horrible as an artist because I'm horribly lagging behind in terms of progress and artistic skill improvement. Hell, I'm starting to think that I should give up on art all together- Mainly because I don't have the connections nor the skills to make my works known, let alone make a living out of it.


1. you're not even an adult yet and you feel like your horribly lagging behind?? i assure you you're not, relax.
2. why do you need to be known? why do you need to make an art as living? are you afraid that having a career that isn't art-related won't give you sufficient time to make art on the side?

Hell, I starting to wish that I never drew in the first place. As having a performing artistic skill like singing or dancing is much more lucrative and glamorous than making art. I mean, I'm looking at K-pop idols or any mainstream musician in general, they're literally and figuratively out there with their faces on brands and TV shows, being physically chased by fans, and performing in front of people cheering on you under the bright stage spotlight. Being an artist is so behind the scenes and part of me regrets that because I am not out there, just my works. Unless someone asks whose work is that, it's going to be just known as some pretty picture or a silly animation.


so become a performance artist.
what's your social and family life like? humans are social animals, perhaps you are lacking attention in other avenues?
have you tried volunteering or joining a local art group or some other club relating to your hobbies?
this'll give you a greater feeling of community, if this is something you lack.
Then you may begin to decouple feelings of fulfillment from the process of creating art, and start making art more for the sake of, making art.


To answer your first question, I’ve got this whole world of little characters going on in my brain, so I want to make a comic about them because they’re funny and cool (to me anyway). It’s mostly procrastination and perfectionism that are stopping me from doing this, but I’m gonna try drawing the sketches for the comic today.

And yes, you are right about enjoying the journey more than the result. I enjoy them both, but I agree the journey is more important. Thanks for the advice!


Chillin' and grillin'

BBS Signature

At 9/10/23 04:00 PM, S3C wrote:
At 9/9/23 09:20 AM, MondoBilby wrote:I'm having a bit of trouble getting myself to work on a comic I really want to make.

why do you want to make it? what happens if you don't make the comic?

I've been having ideas and making plans for it for maybe a couple years now, and I really want to get started on making it,


start today, the earlier you start the more you'll thank yourself in the future.
that said, it's never to late to start an artistic pursuit.

but I'm scared to commit to something I'm not even sure will work out.


and if it doesn't...so??
do you think life is about enjoying the journey or getting the reward at the end?
if it's the latter, you could just put a few prompts into an AI generator, and let the machines poop something out.
if you're not finding some level of fulfillment in the creation process itself, then revisit question #1.
the world is your oyster. the process is diving to the bottom of the ocean, and grabbing the oyster.
and the vast majority of oysters do NOT have pearls inside of them.
if you are worrying about something "not working out", then your setting up yourself for a life of disappointment.

I get so embarrassed when I make mistakes and I don't want people to think I'm incompetent at what I'm doing.


everyone sucks at first.
noobs = cool
no-it-alls = fool
if someone disrespects or sneers at your humble beginnings they are just projecting their own insecurities.
At 9/9/23 03:59 PM, captainsmilez wrote:
I often feel the crippling sense of inferiority and a nagging voice that says "Skill issue-"- whenever I see an artist whose art is far more better- Be it in appeal, attention, technical skills, etc- I haven't been drawing something good nowadays, let alone stuff I want- Hell, the stuff I have been drawing nowadays are mostly practice stuff- Mainly because of the nagging voice inside my head reminding me of my inferior artistic skills- The original stuff I draw nowadays feel uninspired and flat to me, like it doesn't hold on its own. Which is why I have been "avoiding" doing my own original stuff.


I don't come into these threads to blow steam up people's @ss...but since I have seen your art before, I'll just let you know I think it's rad

Hell, I even feel more horrible as my art posts on this website and other websites don't gain much attention and it makes me a sad. I mean, having a big audience look at your work gives you more opportunities to earn money and get your stuff out there. I'm almost 21 yet I feel horrible as an artist because I'm horribly lagging behind in terms of progress and artistic skill improvement. Hell, I'm starting to think that I should give up on art all together- Mainly because I don't have the connections nor the skills to make my works known, let alone make a living out of it.


1. you're not even an adult yet and you feel like your horribly lagging behind?? i assure you you're not, relax.
2. why do you need to be known? why do you need to make an art as living? are you afraid that having a career that isn't art-related won't give you sufficient time to make art on the side?

It just feels nice getting your stuff seen by people and it gives you opportunities like jobs, an audience, money, and more. The last thing you said is also one of the reasons I feel horrible on my art level right now because god know I may not improve as quickly as I can once I grow into a full adult. I just feel jaded because from witnessing most adults in general that they barely have any time let alone energy for such creative stuff because they have to pay bills or feed their families.

I'm negative that I'd have time for my creatives if I had a soul-sucking corporate job--


Hell, I starting to wish that I never drew in the first place. As having a performing artistic skill like singing or dancing is much more lucrative and glamorous than making art. I mean, I'm looking at K-pop idols or any mainstream musician in general, they're literally and figuratively out there with their faces on brands and TV shows, being physically chased by fans, and performing in front of people cheering on you under the bright stage spotlight. Being an artist is so behind the scenes and part of me regrets that because I am not out there, just my works. Unless someone asks whose work is that, it's going to be just known as some pretty picture or a silly animation.

so become a performance artist.
what's your social and family life like? humans are social animals, perhaps you are lacking attention in other avenues?
have you tried volunteering or joining a local art group or some other club relating to your hobbies?
this'll give you a greater feeling of community, if this is something you lack.
Then you may begin to decouple feelings of fulfillment from the process of creating art, and start making art more for the sake of, making art.

The thing is, I feel like it's rather too late for me to be one- I got not much opportunities to train myself to be one- I know it's likely just me being a whiney negative Nancy but proper voice/dance training costs money and you can progress only so fast if you're using free resources- Unless I get big clout on the internet and some company takes me in and mold me into some star, there's little to no chances of me that I'm going to be a popular glamorous performance artist, let alone a competent one- Hell, I already fail personality wise because I don't have a likeable personality and I come off annoying whenever I try to be myself.

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-11 13:39:05


At 9/11/23 01:31 PM, captainsmilez wrote:
At 9/10/23 04:00 PM, S3C wrote:
At 9/9/23 09:20 AM, MondoBilby wrote:I'm having a bit of trouble getting myself to work on a comic I really want to make.

why do you want to make it? what happens if you don't make the comic?

I've been having ideas and making plans for it for maybe a couple years now, and I really want to get started on making it,


start today, the earlier you start the more you'll thank yourself in the future.
that said, it's never to late to start an artistic pursuit.

but I'm scared to commit to something I'm not even sure will work out.


and if it doesn't...so??
do you think life is about enjoying the journey or getting the reward at the end?
if it's the latter, you could just put a few prompts into an AI generator, and let the machines poop something out.
if you're not finding some level of fulfillment in the creation process itself, then revisit question #1.
the world is your oyster. the process is diving to the bottom of the ocean, and grabbing the oyster.
and the vast majority of oysters do NOT have pearls inside of them.
if you are worrying about something "not working out", then your setting up yourself for a life of disappointment.

I get so embarrassed when I make mistakes and I don't want people to think I'm incompetent at what I'm doing.


everyone sucks at first.
noobs = cool
no-it-alls = fool
if someone disrespects or sneers at your humble beginnings they are just projecting their own insecurities.
At 9/9/23 03:59 PM, captainsmilez wrote:
I often feel the crippling sense of inferiority and a nagging voice that says "Skill issue-"- whenever I see an artist whose art is far more better- Be it in appeal, attention, technical skills, etc- I haven't been drawing something good nowadays, let alone stuff I want- Hell, the stuff I have been drawing nowadays are mostly practice stuff- Mainly because of the nagging voice inside my head reminding me of my inferior artistic skills- The original stuff I draw nowadays feel uninspired and flat to me, like it doesn't hold on its own. Which is why I have been "avoiding" doing my own original stuff.


I don't come into these threads to blow steam up people's @ss...but since I have seen your art before, I'll just let you know I think it's rad

Hell, I even feel more horrible as my art posts on this website and other websites don't gain much attention and it makes me a sad. I mean, having a big audience look at your work gives you more opportunities to earn money and get your stuff out there. I'm almost 21 yet I feel horrible as an artist because I'm horribly lagging behind in terms of progress and artistic skill improvement. Hell, I'm starting to think that I should give up on art all together- Mainly because I don't have the connections nor the skills to make my works known, let alone make a living out of it.


1. you're not even an adult yet and you feel like your horribly lagging behind?? i assure you you're not, relax.
2. why do you need to be known? why do you need to make an art as living? are you afraid that having a career that isn't art-related won't give you sufficient time to make art on the side?
It just feels nice getting your stuff seen by people and it gives you opportunities like jobs, an audience, money, and more. The last thing you said is also one of the reasons I feel horrible on my art level right now because god know I may not improve as quickly as I can once I grow into a full adult. I just feel jaded because from witnessing most adults in general that they barely have any time let alone energy for such creative stuff because they have to pay bills or feed their families.
I'm negative that I'd have time for my creatives if I had a soul-sucking corporate job--

Hell, I starting to wish that I never drew in the first place. As having a performing artistic skill like singing or dancing is much more lucrative and glamorous than making art. I mean, I'm looking at K-pop idols or any mainstream musician in general, they're literally and figuratively out there with their faces on brands and TV shows, being physically chased by fans, and performing in front of people cheering on you under the bright stage spotlight. Being an artist is so behind the scenes and part of me regrets that because I am not out there, just my works. Unless someone asks whose work is that, it's going to be just known as some pretty picture or a silly animation.


so become a performance artist.
what's your social and family life like? humans are social animals, perhaps you are lacking attention in other avenues?
have you tried volunteering or joining a local art group or some other club relating to your hobbies?
this'll give you a greater feeling of community, if this is something you lack.
Then you may begin to decouple feelings of fulfillment from the process of creating art, and start making art more for the sake of, making art.

The thing is, I feel like it's rather too late for me to be one- I got not much opportunities to train myself to be one- I know it's likely just me being a whiney negative Nancy but proper voice/dance training costs money and you can progress only so fast if you're using free resources- Unless I get big clout on the internet and some company takes me in and mold me into some star, there's little to no chances of me that I'm going to be a popular glamorous performance artist, let alone a competent one- Hell, I already fail personality wise because I don't have a likeable personality and I come off annoying whenever I try to be myself.


Stop whatever you're doing and read this


https://ph4nt0m117.newgrounds.com/news/post/1386694


PH4NT0M117

BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-11 16:07:23


At 9/9/23 03:59 PM, captainsmilez wrote:I often feel the crippling sense of inferiority and a nagging voice that says "Skill issue-"- whenever I see an artist whose art is far more better- Be it in appeal, attention, technical skills, etc- I haven't been drawing something good nowadays, let alone stuff I want- Hell, the stuff I have been drawing nowadays are mostly practice stuff- Mainly because of the nagging voice inside my head reminding me of my inferior artistic skills- The original stuff I draw nowadays feel uninspired and flat to me, like it doesn't hold on its own. Which is why I have been "avoiding" doing my own original stuff.


Stop comparing yourself to other artists. Simple.


Hell, I even feel more horrible as my art posts on this website and other websites don't gain much attention and it makes me a sad. I mean, having a big audience look at your work gives you more opportunities to earn money and get your stuff out there. I'm almost 21 yet I feel horrible as an artist because I'm horribly lagging behind in terms of progress and artistic skill improvement. Hell, I'm starting to think that I should give up on art all together- Mainly because I don't have the connections nor the skills to make my works known, let alone make a living out of it.


Stephen Hiellenburg was in his 30's when he got Spongebob pitched and he just wrote it all down on paper napkins to give to the recruiters and execs at Nick. I'm 29 and I don't have a large audience, but I still draw anyways.


Age does not determine your success and you're still younger than most. If you're fixating that much on the audience you have then you're going to lose sight of being an artist because it comes down to you and why you draw.


Hell, I starting to wish that I never drew in the first place. As having a performing artistic skill like singing or dancing is much more lucrative and glamorous than making art. I mean, I'm looking at K-pop idols or any mainstream musician in general, they're literally and figuratively out there with their faces on brands and TV shows, being physically chased by fans, and performing in front of people cheering on you under the bright stage spotlight. Being an artist is so behind the scenes and part of me regrets that because I am not out there, just my works. Unless someone asks whose work is that, it's going to be just known as some pretty picture or a silly animation.


Oh sure, you could be a famous dancer, performer, actor, musician or whatever. Nothing wrong with that if you don't mind risking getting mixed up in the high life with people who do drugs, risking putting up with bottom feeders, stalkers, otherwise creepy people or flat out jerks who want to get you going.


Being a famous entertainer who happens to make music or happens to be a performer of some kind has it's drawbacks in the same way that visual artists have their drawbacks. You pick your poison. If you think it's going to be any better picking one of those occupations you still need to take the problems those professions have into consideration like any other one.


Here's your main issue: You're too fixated on external validation. If you think that's going to keep you drawing in the long run, it won't. Even if you do get it then you're still going to run into an art block because you aren't honing your skills for you any more then you run a risk of losing the one thing you need to be an artist: Passion.


Don't fool yourself with negative self talk thinking you'll never make it and learn how to be motivated to keep going back to face that empty white canvas and doing you.

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-11 16:20:36


I need advice on doing traditional drawings vs digital. I want to put an end to my endless OCD driven quest to be satisfied with an art program so I can get work done. It's getting on my nerves enough that I'm going almost fully traditional possibly. But is traditional really any slower than digital? Would it take for example 2 days traditional in comparison for what would take an hour digital?

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-11 16:30:00


At 9/11/23 04:20 PM, lwpage wrote:I need advice on doing traditional drawings vs digital. I want to put an end to my endless OCD driven quest to be satisfied with an art program so I can get work done. It's getting on my nerves enough that I'm going almost fully traditional possibly. But is traditional really any slower than digital? Would it take for example 2 days traditional in comparison for what would take an hour digital?


I am more a traditional artist than digital. I like krita, I support KDE with bug reports, but...... its not a pencil. I can't smear like I want, I don't get paper roughness, or the same depth. However its much harder for me to share things because I don't have a high quality scanner. Sooo.....


Honestly, heres what you do. Both. Literally, go out, get whatever kind of notebook you like best. I like composition notebooks, lined paper and everything. Get a drawing pad, a notebook, whatever, get a pen or pencil you really like, and just scribble when you are doing nothing. Specifically, scribble the things you always get stuck on in digital, or what you are currently stuck on in digital.


Get a pen that you can't erase, and at lunch just bang out 40 different versions of a pose. No detail, just centerlines and outlines, or maybe theres a really weird angle you can't get the motion down for, so put your phone underneath and use the back of it as a "practice surface" to make the paper a bit smoother, and just bang out hundreds of trashy triangles till you get it down, then do it a few times digital and just.... keep one and move on.


OCD is more about making sure you don't fuck up later because of something you did now. If you always need something perfect, I find it means, at least for me, that I'm just not confident enough. Do something 10000 times badly where it doesn't matter, though, and you get confident at not giving as much of a shit where it matters, and you find it easier to just.... do the thing.


PH4NT0M117

BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-11 16:35:18


At 9/11/23 04:30 PM, PH4NT0M117 wrote:
At 9/11/23 04:20 PM, lwpage wrote:I need advice on doing traditional drawings vs digital. I want to put an end to my endless OCD driven quest to be satisfied with an art program so I can get work done. It's getting on my nerves enough that I'm going almost fully traditional possibly. But is traditional really any slower than digital? Would it take for example 2 days traditional in comparison for what would take an hour digital?

I am more a traditional artist than digital. I like krita, I support KDE with bug reports, but...... its not a pencil. I can't smear like I want, I don't get paper roughness, or the same depth. However its much harder for me to share things because I don't have a high quality scanner. Sooo.....

Honestly, heres what you do. Both. Literally, go out, get whatever kind of notebook you like best. I like composition notebooks, lined paper and everything. Get a drawing pad, a notebook, whatever, get a pen or pencil you really like, and just scribble when you are doing nothing. Specifically, scribble the things you always get stuck on in digital, or what you are currently stuck on in digital.

Get a pen that you can't erase, and at lunch just bang out 40 different versions of a pose. No detail, just centerlines and outlines, or maybe theres a really weird angle you can't get the motion down for, so put your phone underneath and use the back of it as a "practice surface" to make the paper a bit smoother, and just bang out hundreds of trashy triangles till you get it down, then do it a few times digital and just.... keep one and move on.

OCD is more about making sure you don't fuck up later because of something you did now. If you always need something perfect, I find it means, at least for me, that I'm just not confident enough. Do something 10000 times badly where it doesn't matter, though, and you get confident at not giving as much of a shit where it matters, and you find it easier to just.... do the thing.


Oh I did forget to say, I can bang out a scribble from my head on paper and have it be better than the 3 days I take in digital to get something nice. If I use one as an outline for the other though, my confidence from one transfers to the other, often.


Having a CRT to do traces on also helps, and having something like a surface pro or a phone with a pen compatible screen you can carry along side a scribble book.... helps a ton, like an ungodly amount.


Its just like skateboarding. You just.... carry it with you, and it kinda just.... becomes part of your life. Like, RN skate spots are hard for me bc I don't want people bein weird, so I'll just bring some plywood in my room and hide it under the bed when I'm not using it. ETC.


PH4NT0M117

BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-11 17:09:20


I'm not an artist but I was looking for people who who are interested in writing science fiction to discuss my raging paranoia and exciting dysphoria don't be afraid to send me msgs an email yanclae@gmail.com Steven


BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-11 17:11:49


At 9/11/23 05:09 PM, Yanclae wrote:I'm not an artist but I was looking for people who who are interested in writing science fiction to discuss my raging paranoia and exciting dysphoria don't be afraid to send me msgs an email yanclae@gmail.com Steven


Thats the point of the thread my bud


PH4NT0M117

BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-11 17:13:10


At 9/11/23 05:09 PM, Yanclae wrote:I'm not an artist but I was looking for people who who are interested in writing science fiction to discuss my raging paranoia and exciting dysphoria don't be afraid to send me msgs an email yanclae@gmail.com Steven


That sounds like a job for the Collabinator! DM me if you'd like me to walk you through how to use it!


Someone please help me revive my clubs

BBS Signature

Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-11 17:42:07


Even for someone who is quite into the Newgrounds community. I still feel stuck

I still have days where I am not motivated to make anything. The reason why in 2022 I posted almost everyday was because I was hoping to get at least on of my art pieces frontpage (if not become a fp regular) . It was an awful goal to have and I was so burnout by the end of 2022.


I would join collabs and jams left and right, had to drop two collabs and most jams because I was unable to make anything for them. But some collabs I didn't want to drop I was the second or even the last person to get stuff in because I was so scared to even post my work or believe it wasn't going to "take off" as I was hoping for it too.


I enjoy making original stuff but for the whole year I been wanting to make a fan project for a game I fell in love but my worries came back. "What if no one likes this?" "What if I am taking the wrong path?" these questions just keep getting louder and louder the more my want for this project to come into reality.


But something I am still learning is to just do it, don't do it for someone do it for yourself.


Who cares if I make a fan project for Red Dead or do more with my two demon girls? If I will be happy by the time I hit that publish button then I have achieve something.


I sketch a lot more now. I haven't done a full piece of work outside of Love Me Newgrounds 2. I slowed down on art because I realized I don't have fun in it anymore. I been getting into animation a lot more because I want to be an animator, it comes back to me wanting to make a filmmaker. Sometimes you find interest in a different thing and that's okay.


You don't need to push yourself in a direction you aren't happy with, as long as it will make you happy at the end of the day



Fuck

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At 9/9/23 03:59 PM, captainsmilez wrote:I often feel the crippling sense of inferiority and a nagging voice that says "Skill issue-"- whenever I see an artist whose art is far more better- Be it in appeal, attention, technical skills, etc- I haven't been drawing something good nowadays, let alone stuff I want- Hell, the stuff I have been drawing nowadays are mostly practice stuff- Mainly because of the nagging voice inside my head reminding me of my inferior artistic skills- The original stuff I draw nowadays feel uninspired and flat to me, like it doesn't hold on its own. Which is why I have been "avoiding" doing my own original stuff.

Hell, I even feel more horrible as my art posts on this website and other websites don't gain much attention and it makes me a sad. I mean, having a big audience look at your work gives you more opportunities to earn money and get your stuff out there. I'm almost 21 yet I feel horrible as an artist because I'm horribly lagging behind in terms of progress and artistic skill improvement. Hell, I'm starting to think that I should give up on art all together- Mainly because I don't have the connections nor the skills to make my works known, let alone make a living out of it.

Hell, I starting to wish that I never drew in the first place. As having a performing artistic skill like singing or dancing is much more lucrative and glamorous than making art. I mean, I'm looking at K-pop idols or any mainstream musician in general, they're literally and figuratively out there with their faces on brands and TV shows, being physically chased by fans, and performing in front of people cheering on you under the bright stage spotlight. Being an artist is so behind the scenes and part of me regrets that because I am not out there, just my works. Unless someone asks whose work is that, it's going to be just known as some pretty picture or a silly animation.

I don't know, I feel lethargic and hopeless nowadays towards my art...


As others have said, your main issue is that you constantly seek validation from other people instead of just being proud of yourself. The first step to a good healthy life is to love yourself and be happy with who you are and what you do. I know that’s way easier said than done, but even forcing yourself into that mindset a little can help (fake it ‘till you make it)


Never do art just because you want to be famous and want money, that (to me) goes completely against what art is and what it stands for. People can make their art into a career, but if you only draw just because you want to turn it into a career, it won’t make you feel better in the long run because although you’re getting attention you aren’t enjoying what you’re doing. You don’t have the passion.


With your current mindset, your job as an artist of any medium will become exactly like an office job at a big company (except slightly more glamorous).

Trust me, your life will become so much easier if you just learn to be proud of yourself and whatever you do. I, for one, think your art is wonderful.


Chillin' and grillin'

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Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-11 18:41:06


I mean, yeah, what else can you call having commissions open for well over a year with no contacts of any kind but discouraging. And unfortunately, I don't have the financial luxury to just 'be okay with it.'


I already know what I'm going to do when the eviction notice shows up, but here's hoping for a miracle anyway.


COMMISSIONS OPEN! Support me at PATREON, SUBSCRIBESTAR or donate at my KO-FI

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Response to Discouraged Artists’ Support Group 2023-09-11 18:54:15


At 9/11/23 06:41 PM, Narratorway wrote:I mean, yeah, what else can you call having commissions open for well over a year with no contacts of any kind but discouraging. And unfortunately, I don't have the financial luxury to just 'be okay with it.'

I already know what I'm going to do when the eviction notice shows up, but here's hoping for a miracle anyway.


I’m trying to figure out who I might know that has money and might like your style. I’ll try to spread the word around.


Someone please help me revive my clubs

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