Dec 2018
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Dec 2018
Dec 2018
Klaustasya
Dec '18

Ever since i developped some sort of critical eye on my art everything that i draw looks like shit to me , all of a sudden. As if it wasn't enough, i suddenly lost interest in everything that i'd like to draw as a subject. Right now i'm so confused that i can't even express my problem too well....idk i feel like a hitted the bottom hard and i don't know what to do for myself. As i stare at the graphic tablet/paper i start having anxiety attacks and overthinking. I need help guys....what's my problem?!

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    Dec '18

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    Dec '18
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Luminosophy
Dec '18

How is this a problem? You just made a jump in improvement, now you can make better work. As far as getting started you have to choices. Draw, or don't.

SleepingPoppy
Dec '18

I'm really sorry to hear you're feeling this way. My recommendation is to try a different medium for a little while. Try something you aren't experienced with! It's a good way to still get your creativity flowing, while not engaging in the kind of art thats triggering anxiety. Sometimes taking a little break is necessary.

Though if it's really so bad that you're having anxiety attacks, you should talk to a professional- there's probably someone available at your school? I know making comics is part of your school curriculum, so taking a break might not be an option. There's really no way but through, so do your best, but take care of your mental health. Talk to a professional, or talk to a teacher. Take breaks. Brainstorm alternative ways to make things.

Klaustasya
Dec '18

It's not that serious i think...idk....
Maybe i'm not motivated enough or asked for too many feedback and now i'm devasted again i'm very confused at the moment....drawing doesn't seem funny anymore :frowning:

indigodrawing
Dec '18

Congratulations, it sounds like you've just become good enough at art to realise how not good you are. There's only one cure... practice, and lots of it.

Seriously though, everybody goes through this. When you first start you have little appreciation for how to do things right. After you've been at it a while you begin to develop enough skill to realise just how far you have left to go. The important thing is to not be discouraged. If this was easy everybody would be doing it.

SleepingPoppy
Dec '18
Klaustasya

Having anxiety attacks is pretty serious? Or were you exaggerating? But I'll just state, it doesn't have to be serious for you (or anyone) to seek help. Sometimes its just good to talk to someone with more experience.

Like I said, spend some time brainstorming alternative things you can do. Taking a break and shaking yourself out of your existing head space can make a big difference. And it lets you have fun learning something new or trying something different. Shaking things up can help break you out of your blocks. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

skicoak
Dec '18

I can't speak for every artist but that's a constant ebb and flow in my artistic development.

One minute, I'm on a cloud and cranking out gold...then the next I hate everything.

It's become quicker to grind my way out of the slog as I got older and the deadlines became more important.

But like @SleepingPoppy said, try something other than staring at a blank screen/page.

Amithea
Dec '18

This graph might help you understand what's going on in a visual way~
3
It's pretty widespread, but I think it originates from here1/here?

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Keep going and power through it, or take a break if you need to :slight_smile:
If you're feeling anxious, try to put less pressure on yourself to output work that's 'perfect' or even 'good'. Allowing yourself to fail at things can actually teach you a lot.

unknown_user
Dec '18

Maybe you've just tired and need some rest, so fresh ideas could come when you'll feel better? :thinking:

amortelito
Dec '18

You sound more like you are tired because of the overthinking, maybe take the holidays as an opportunity to rest and take a break from art. Now that you are a more experienced artist is normal to see the flaws, but that past work has so much more value that you can imagine right now. You will grow fond of it when you get past the crisis.
can you do better? yeah, you have the capacity to make it better, yeah you can
push your limits further, that doesn't mean that the goal is always improve. Don't forget that art is fun too :smiley: No matter if you are professional or amateur you passion can guide your way.

Happy holidays. Hugs.

inkythoughts
Dec '18

most people already said it but again, your eye just developed to the next step and now your hand has to keep up with it, that's pretty normal.
maybe give yourself a small break over the holidays now, read a book maybe, spend time with your loved ones etc. to distract you a little before you get down to work again. If that still doesn't help, I recommend atually looking at Old As Balls art of yours and then compare it what you currently think is "crap." It can be so satisfying to see how far you already have come but you usually only see that if you look back instead of forward. The good old Draw This Again meme can also work in your favour.

Don't beat yourself up about it too much.

vfinnigan
Dec '18

It's an old habit of mine, and I'm not even an artist. What I am, however, is an incorrigible doodler. When I'm on the phone, or, when back in college listening to lectures, I'd constantly doodle. Sometimes you just have to draw without consciously trying to draw anything.

The equivalent for writers would probably be freewriting.