Feeling Unprofessional

[ArtistHan]

Yah, I do that too. I'm just getting started in making comics so everything I make looks subpar in my eyes. But I focus on the feeling of accomplishment, the feeling of, "Yes! I'm actually doing this! And I am going to be committed. I AM committed!"

And as mean as this may sound, if I feel really down, I look at published/popular/professional manga that - to me - has crappy art haha For example, Attack on Titan is arguably one of the most popular manga internationally at the moment. But have you seen the art? For real, some people could draw better with their feet. Don't get me wrong, I love AoT (I draw AoT fancomic here on Tapastic, that's how much I love it), but when I look at the art...it's just...awful at times. Perspective? Psh forget that, who needs perspective? Fingers and toes? What are those? Just draw blobs or do the classic hide-them-behind-their-backs move. And the screentones...more like just varying amounts of grayscale. And yet, look how successful it is and how much I, personally, am obsessed with it. It just gives me hope that even if my art isn't where I want it to be, as long as I stick with it and make a story that's intense and intriguing, I'll get to the level I want some day~

[allenthomas]

I understand what you mean but I try my hardest not to dwell on the feeling of being "unprofessional". I sometimes question how I work so hard and my comic still doesn't seem as polished or pro-looking as others. However, I think to myself about ALL of the cartoons and comics that exist in the world that looks "unprofessional" in their own right and are still hugely successful. South Park for example looks terrible and even worse in its infancy, but it was and is, very successful. If you take your time and put your heart into your comic, that will shine through the most even if it looks "unprofessional". Remember even crap appeals to flies, look for as many flies as you can. Boy, that was a terrible analogy.

[Caelestie]

Yes I do know that. I mean rob liefeld still has a job so...
It is true that one piece is fun to read but I disagree with the art style. well the newer one it is. It boring really. I have a strong dislike of giving female characters big breast for no real reason other than fanservice. But that me. I prefer masashi kishimoto artstyle mostly because they guy know his percpectives and knows how to draw character in all sort of angles. He draw really really well. Though he doesn't use it for interesting purposes.

[Menbung]

I think this can be a common feeling for artists, not only in comics, but in music too for example, you just sometimes feel that you aren't professional at all...

But I ty to see the positive side of this feeling, in the end it makes me want to push forward, to make better art than yesterday, that feeling of getting better helps to tone done the unprofessional "embrace".

And yes, if you look at top of the line pros you can see they also make mistakes, and that's fine because you learn from mistakes a thousand times more than from victories. So, we can't let this feeling push us down so deep that we can't raise our heads, we need to turn it into a desire to grow and be better, to keep working on that what we like. That's how I see it. Regards Oo.oO

[Freith]

It happens to nearly everyone, especially with artistic pursuits - prior to learning how to do something, we see people create things (even when they're an amateur) and tend to think "wow, how do they do that, they're so good!!" It's only after you start learning it yourself for a while that you realize how steep the hill actually is, in other words how far you need to go until you 'master' it. If that makes sense haha.

I've been drawing since as long as I can literally remember, and I also still feel some insecurity about my drawing skills and see no end to how much there is to improve on. But I just try my best to enjoy the process of learning instead of focusing on how much farther I need to go in reaching my desired skill level. Because even if you reach your goals, if you didn't enjoy the journey then what's the point?

Also,
http://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en
don't fake it til you make it, fake it til you become it.

[SpavVy]

Thing is what artist DOESN'T feel that way? Not being fully satisfied with your work is normal for many artists even professionals feel that way as well, the author of the Dragon ball series has made some dumb mistakes like forgetting to draw the tails in, my favorite manga artist has made dumb mistakes as well and acknowledges his mistakes.

[MylCreates]

Oooo TED talk

[AlkseeyaKC]

I feel and know I'm not professional.

I some times see how other comic makers do their comics. Then I look at what I do and it feels like crayon scribbles in comparison. Like what the hell an I doing here? why am I doing this? I am not worthy! o n o;
And yet, I have people who like what I do. So I keep scribbling away.

[MylCreates]

HeeHee... ^w^, I guess that's the answer to it then.

[Creaux]

I feel that way if I skip out on detailed backgrounds. And I mean having NO backgrounds for an entire page, it makes me feel so skeevy ugh! But my main issue comes with time restraints. My depression really fights back at the comic making process and I don't update as normally as I should. Hopefully I can get over that though!

[globuline]

I think it's a good feeling to have this impression of being "unprofessional". It doesn't mean it's true, because you will mostly compare yourself to people you think are better than you without knowing the whole story (if they struggle too, how long it took them to be where they are...) .
But it means you will push yourself to keep learning and be better. I guess just don't forget to see your personal evolution, you accomplishments or even other people cheers.

And, @MylCreates, @Freith, talking about TED talk, this is another video that is interesting to watch in this context.

[jayorten]

My thoughts exactly, and I couldn't agree more. All artists feel unproffessional all the time, and that's what compels them to keep creating because they are never satisfied with their work. As long as they are never satisfied, they will keep creating, and that's a good thing.

[SpavVy]

@jayorten exactly, I have reached a part in my art where I am comfortable brought to make it into a comic now BUT I still do make mistakes in my art work and I do see them but it is art that I CREATED and it belongs to me and nobody else, that in my opinion is something to feel good about.

[rosette]

Same thought. Other people who support me said I'm really good and professional, but I know also my self that Iam not. I'm somehow contented to my work but others were not. And I can feel by the number of fans and viewers which really makes me sad and feel down.

[NagashiKhan]

I have the same problem man, not updating or just simply procrastinating, it makes for some sloppy work on my part. Added on to the fact that I too want to improve, yet I find myself not drawing as often as I should, y'know? =P I'm actually procrastinating this very moment, outlining my point. Hahaha!

[Drezz]

If you're not constantly improving over time, you're never going to succeed. It's the great motivator: you see what great things others do, and you want to achieve that success as well. The only way to do it is by finding your way there - emulate, be inspired and innovate. Eventually, you'll have a legion of people following you and using you as their inspiration.

[Bluefishpinkfish]

I think everyone can pick out bits they dont like about their art work, if you think your work is perfect you will never improve.

Even pros are improving, I read all the time pros saying GAHHH I WISH I WAS MORE ORGANIZED!
I think the best way to beat this feeling is just sit back and relax, in the future you will unintentionally fix these feelings

[vsock]

It may help you to keep up with artists you admire. They often give out awesome help and advice to those who ask. Most of the professional artists I follow admit they don't know what they're doing sometimes. They share their old work and how they improved. It took me a while to realize that once upon a time they were just like me, and that none of their accomplishments came without hard work and dedication!

The worst thing you can do is stare at another artist's work and just wish.

You are improving though, the anatomy differences from the 1st page vs your latest page is fantastic! Keep it up and you'll have people wondering what it is you're doing to produce such nice lookin arts ;D

[dlalas1]

I've been reading webcomics for so long I've found that they all fall into one of two categories: those where the artist has innate drawing skills, and those that don't.

When the artist has innate skills, they could draw a scribble comic and it'll still be appealing. So even if it does have flaws (loose lines, strange anatomy), they're overlooked because the overall comic looks effortless. It just flows naturally- even it it's stick figures!

On the other hand, there are comics where the artist isn't naturally gifted. Even if they throw a bunch of effects onto it, it looks stiff and forced. A large majority of them fall under the "my first manga" category...you'd know it if you saw it.

From what I can see you've got natural skill so I wouldn't worry. I think the key is just constant practice, every day if you can, as well as studying the pros.

[Icelug]

I know the feeling, and I share your thoughts. Everytime I'm drawing a page I feel like it's going to be the most awesome page ever, but when I finish it doesn't look like what I was expecting. I still love what I do, and I usually try to channel this (bad) feeling into positive self motivation. Never give up!