Comparing yourself with other creators... How to overcome this?

[PorcheJ]

@CrispyGhee True and admiring words, my friend. Thank you, Crispy. And this is worth remembering. Actually, everyone's advice here are worth remembering!

Someone once told me: Failing and trying again isn't failure. Quitting is failure.

[eleoza]

I think that nomatter how many readers a creator has they can still doubt themselves sometimes when they compare their work to others.
I also think the most important rule of creating a comic is to ask yourself this question: Am I doing this because I'm having fun with it? I think having fun doing what you do is the base. Also, when you're 'upset' with your latest page because it didn't turn out the way you want it, just promise yourself the next page will be better and you'll improve along the way.

[KSlinger]

Recognise your feelings, acknowledge them, accept them, move on.

It's fine to envy and it's fine to fret, but coming to a standstill because of those insecurities won't make those feelings go away. More over, punishing yourself or anyone else because you feel temporarily inadequate isn't fair to either of you.

You're human. No one is 100% confident all the time. It's okay to feel rubbish and doubt yourself- natural, even- but remind yourself that it's a cycle and it will pass. In the meantime, go do something that makes you happy. Indulge a little. You'll feel better when you come back later. 👍

[PotooGryphon]

For instance, you look at creators who have a majority of readers, but you only have 5 to 25 readers.

When I encounter this feeling, I don't channel it into 'I'm a failure', I channel it to 'I have more to learn'. That's when I kick into detective mode and try to spot things that they're doing (that I admire about them) and go after learning how to do it.

I've learned that beating myself up doesn't make things happen for me any quicker, it's not effective, STOP IT. It also make no sense to be angry at myself for not knowing how to do a thing [whatever it maybe that this other artist is excelling at].

Comparing yourself with other artists isn't logical, isn't practical, there is no good side to it unless you're doing it critically in which case you aren't beating yourself up, you're analyzing how to improve.

How can you not compare yourself to others and just do what you love?

All of us are not created in a vacuum nor do we come from the same backgrounds. Each person has learned art differently and has had different experiences. It makes no sense with that in mind, to take what another artist has over me personally. I can achieve certain milestone levels by simply learning and doing. Doubt and jealous will only sour the process and impede progress. Don't compare yourself with others.

TLDR- Don't compare yourself with others. Don't compare yourself with others. Don't compare yourself with others.

[Aloredd]

I'm not so much a creator as a reader (I have my own novel in progress but no comics) but I do know that a big part of it is realizing that no two people will have the same style. They might have similar styles, but not the same style. I'm subbed to 289 comics, and every creator has a different style (many of my series are by creators with multiple series, so obviously the style for those comics are going to be the same....)

It's perfectly alright to admire and want to draw like someone else, that's a part of life. The thing is realizing that no matter how hard you try, your art will never be the same as theirs. (random comparison time) It's kind of like handwriting in that regard. I think that many kids try to copy their parents' (or older siblings or teachers or etc) handwriting and rarely try to develop their own. In the course of trying to copy the other handwriting, they develop their own which is just as good. I know that I tried to copy my father's handwriting (and still wish that mine was a little more like his but meh) My mother has told me how similar our handwriting is, and upon looking closer I can see the similarities, but it is so much easier to see the differences....which leads me to another point (I'm rambling guys, sorry...it's 1 am for me)

If you can't help but compare your work to someone else's, look for the similarities instead of the differences. It will make you feel better about your work, I can all but guarantee it.

I'm going to go to bed now...let's see how much sense this actually makes when I read it again tomorrow XD

[zelkats]

I noticed that people generally seem fine with comparing their own art with art by seniors and big names who have been at it for years because they aspire to be like them some time in the future. But when it comes to people close to their age or younger who appear better at drawing, that's when some people fall into this spiral of self doubt. Thoughts like "Am I not doing enough?" and "I've been drawing as long as the other person. Am I simply not good at it?" may pop up.

I can't exactly tell anyone to stop comparing themselves to others because that's a very hard thing to do to some, and everyone is wired differently. Comparing is a pretty natural thing we do whether we realise it or not -- it's part of our learning process.

What to do then? Well, if it ends up crippling your progress, try to avoid looking at the other creator's work completely but temporarily (until you feel confident again). Instead, look at other works of art (doesn't matter what media it is) that have different styles as yours so it's not easy for you to compare your work with. Who knows, those might be a good influence to your art.

[tzuba12]

It's hard but all you need to do is look at your art from a few years ago, and then look at your art today. The only thing that matters is the progress YOU'VE made as an artist. Whenever I am feeling like my art isn't good, or that I'm stagnating, I just look at something just from the previous year and I can tell I've improved.

People grow differently. Your experience is completely different from anyone elses. You WILL get there. You just have to keep striving to improve. Look at their art and instead of saying "I'll never be that good" say "I WILL be that amazing some day and I WILL surpass them". Its great motivation. Let them motivate you to do better.

[LCT_m_a_d]

I never wanted to become a comic artist until a year ago. I was just a dead-end artist living a content life and a 8-5 job. Until I had a story in my mind I wish someone would tell. Then I realized, I have the time and negligible artistic skills to visually tell it myself. The truth is knowing my specific and unique reason for wanted to create a comic and valuing it has become the driving force behind improving and making comic art as opposed to achieving a dream that's already been sold.

[PorcheJ]

These are all wonderful advice. Thank you guys for sharing. I hope that future artists understand that we are all unique in our own way. Everyone has a different gift. As long as we stay positive and learn more, I believe that anything is possible.

[stevenalvarez1366]

You just have to go at your own pace, this is your comic and we have over billions of people in the world. Not every single one is going to like it, but just as many people would dislike your work. The other half are going to praise it, enjoy it and want more. Looking at other people stories should be your attempt to see what they do right, but not to copy them. If you feel your work is beneath what you want it to be, there will only be self conflict.

Just keep moving forward with your story, make it the way you envision and never stop to change it just because someone wants to see something different.

Personally I look through other comics because I enjoy the tale they spin, but I want to do better then them. No matter how many people say it's the best comic/story/etc. I want to write an even better tale, a challenge brings out the best in the person is what I believe. So it's how I usually overcome this with a good old fist Fight!

[Damatris]

When ever I start to compare myself with other people I remind myself that I have no idea how long they have been drawing / making comics. With more practice product is obviously going to get better. Seriously, sometimes I go all "Oh...!" when I read a post and realize they have been making comics longer than I've been alive. That is quite a bit more experience than my about 2 ½ years. Besides, checking out my old pages sure reminds me that I've progressed a lot since the start and will continue to do so.

Another thing is that most of the time I look other people's work as goals / ways to learn and improve myself or simply as a fan. If someone has amazing way to compose panels or use colors I try to figure out what makes me like it so much and then try to combine it with my own style. Sometimes it works, sometimes I realize that it's not what I'm after. But it makes me learn new things.

[timinabox24]

I'm not worried about comparing myself to others, I'm worried because I know everyone else will compare me to others

[GesuGesu]

I just don't. I don't read other people's comics except the first one that lured me to Tap, and my friend's comic.

The first one is simply popular because it's long-running and an early comic. It's relatable and I don't feel jealous towards it.

My friend's comic is definitely 5 times more popular than my own comic, but just the same, she started hers way before I started, and she's much more sociable online so she gets subs from friendly shoutouts in other comics.

I only pay attention to my own comic's popularity, so I don't really know or care about other comics on Tapastic.

[Aspie_Gamer]

I just focus on doing my own thing. Comparing yourself to others just weighs you down in the long run. Instead of wishing you had more subs like your friend does, do something about it so that you have more subs. Providing updates even once a week is a good start as any. Mingling with other creators even new ones who don't have that good of art skills definitely helps as I've been told my art for my comic Life of an Aspie isn't particularly good by any stretch, but I've found especially back when I barely had any subs a few months ago is that subbing to a series that you see is struggling to get recognition often gives the creator of said series that boost they may need to their self esteem and encourage them to put out more comics and if you yourself are in the same boat, they may return the favor.

Of course, don't sub to random series just to do it. Commenting and liking on a person's work, Engaging them in a conversation shows you aren't just a bot behind a computer screen.

[Jewe11s]

Do your best to look at amazing artists and their work as inspiration. If they could work hard for many years to get to do that: you sure as hell can too. All you need to do is get back to it. It's more FUN to create art when you're doing it simply because it's what you LOVE to do.

[Dan_Lucifer]

Don't worry about it.
Try to do your best and get better, but always remember that many comics have become very popular despite looking awful.
If you have something to say, that's the most important thing.

This world is big enough for everyone

[PurpleGround]

Ohhh... there's a lot of stuff like that its normal. Youtube: So Many Artists Better Than me
Take a look at this vid. Apparently, this feeling has been encountered by Pro artist as well - Adam Duff is a senior concept artist, art director, advanced concept art teacher and visual storyteller based in Montreal, Canada. Hope this help.

[neilallen530]

Personally, I never feel discouraged when I see someone else is doing well, or someone else is at a place I would like to be. Rather, it's exactly the opposite for me. It's encouraging to me. It's a sign that it's possible to get to that level. If I see someone else did it, I know that I can do it, too, if I apply myself and work really hard toward it. I look at the other person, and see what they're doing that I am not, and if that is working for them, I implement it in what I am doing if practicable.

So, in short, I look at the situation totally differently. I look at what some others are doing for ways I can improve myself, rather than be discouraged.

[PorcheJ]

Well said, guys! The number one thing is to NOT WORRY. If we keep worrying what other people think or compare our work, who knows what will happen. You either worry yourself till you have grey hair (or worse), or you give up.

Just don't compare yourself with others in a negative way. Instead, see them as an inspiration to strive forward on your work.

[jaydiii1]

I understand where you're coming from. Just starting off myself it can be intimidating sometimes. But a lot of good points were made by the others. Learn, grow, appreciate your own work ,be you and hold on.