Feelings of self doubt

[A-weird-girler]

Hey guys! I know what you're probably thinking, I'm so repetitive. I'm sorry but I just don't get it sometimes. Why am I even drawing? I don't have good things. Every other webcomic here either has good art, or a good story, or stunning backgrounds, etc. none of which I have. I feel like I don't deserve my subscribers and just failed at everything especially the first pages. Why am I even doing this, and does it matter to anyone but me? I'm so sorry for the post.

[MariMontoya]

Hi! May I ask why you first started to draw? Also you deserved those subscribers. They chose to sub to your story and that means something.

[A-weird-girler]

I chose to draw because I love drawing. However, now all I feel when I draw is that I'm not good enough for these amazing people

[LNRDink]

Existential crisis is the best form of self-destruction an artist can wield. Here's the truth: More than likely, you continue onward

1. to improve your creative output
2. out of a compulsory desire that so few creatives can quantify

The fact that you have the courage to put yourself out there in any capacity means you're miles ahead of many artists. You're never going to stop doubting yourself but imagine how much better your work will be in a year if you stick with it. Kind people will give you comments and constructive criticism where needed and you'll grow.

Trust me, receding inward and keeping everything you do in the shadows will only stifle you and give strength to your internal doubter.

Listen to that internal doubter, but make sure to listen with a laugh track playing behind everything they say.

No one's good enough for anyone. We all imagine things and then put them down. Everyone you idolize started out a newborn, and many of them might now have years more experience than you. Do you compare yourself to historic artists? I hope not. And all you're doing by shaming your technical skill against other artists is harming your passion.

[A-weird-girler]

Thanks. I don't know why I go on sometimes. I think it's for the need to prove to myself that I can get better. I'll listen to your advice

[Sada]

I think feelings of self-doubt come to everyone, even the best of artists probably felt/feel them at times. You started drawing for the right reason. Because you love it! That’s the only reason you’ll truly ever need. If it makes you happy, then you’re doing something right.

As far as improvement goes, the more you work at it, the more you’ll improve. As long as you enjoy what you’re doing, then you’re on the right track. Just do you and there will be others out there who love your work!

[ZombieOwl]

Well, you have subscribers, so they must see the value and potential in your work
When I see my subscribers leave likes and comments, when I see a new sub, that means I made someone happy. That's why I like to do comics; to make people smile ^^

Never lose touch with your love of the arts. That's what's going to keep you getting up and moving forward

Hang in there, you can do it!

[MariMontoya]

We are our worst critics. Continuing on is the only way to grow and improve (this even includes taking a break if must be but again it shouldn't be hindering your growth) I would tell you not to quit. The worst thing is living with the "what ifs". Instead focus on why you started and where you've come from. And then where you want to be. It sounds cheesy Ik but those questions you've asked can rly only be answered by you. You draw because you love to, you do this because you love to, it matters because you love to draw. Don't include/compare yourself to other people when giving yourself a reason to continue drawing. It's not you, your work, that artist you think is way better than you, and that person who just critizes. No, it's you, your art, your readers that love it, and those people who give constructive criticism so you can get better (and maybe some other good things idk).
Anyway, Don't forget why you started drawing! As I think that's the best reason as to why you should continue and as the person above me said: You can do it!

[A-weird-girler]

Thank you so much! That's one of the reasons of my downfall too. I think that these people took so much care to subscribe and I want to give them quality content worth their time and I'm just not it.

@MariMontoya It's not cheesy at all! I'll follow your advice.

[SleepingPoppy]

You are good, so you do have good things.

And personally, I'm astounded anyone actually wants to read my comic? Like what is with these strangers that actually care about the weird people I make up in my head? I'm no professional. I don't know what I'm doing. But I love making my comic. And I appreciate that people out there want to enjoy it with me. Don't let other people being involved freak you out or intimidate you! If they're there, they obviously think you're doing something interesting! Just by doing you, you are doing a great job! And if you don't feel quite satisfied with where you are? That's okay. You're going to get better. Let yourself not be perfect.

ALSO sometimes it helps to think about what you would say to another artists of equal skill to yourself. Wouldn't you encourage them and want them to keep doing their best? Wouldn't you think their story and art has value simply by being theirs? Wouldn't you know that, where ever their skill currently lay, it's going to get better because they were brave enough to take the step to create something in the first place?

Don't let the self doubt voice get ya down! You are brave, and good, and wonderful for being here and doing your best!

[A-weird-girler]

Thank you so much it really means a lot to me ( I just saw your comic and it's so pretty aaahhhhh)

[SleepingPoppy]

Good! You deserve to feel good about yourself and proud of your hard word! (Aw, thank you! )

[shazzbaa]

When I start following a new comic, it's not because that comic is The Best There Is. It's because I enjoy it!

I've mentioned on here before that one of my favourite video games is Deadly Premonition. It is..... an extremely clumsily made game. The gameplay isn't good. The graphics aren't good. The story isn't good. It's not original -- the influence of Twin Peaks is incredibly apparent. It's such a weird little game -- but in that weirdness is like............. something really sincere and honest and thus kind of strangely unique? Like the person who made this weird game made it because he loved it, even if it was strange he focused on the parts of the game that were the most important to him and made a game that's really not like any other.
Deadly Premonition is hard to describe, but it has this cult following because it is so unashamed of what it is, even though it is objectively not well-made. I love it. The protagonist is my favourite protagonist of any piece of media ever. I have drawn so much fanart.

Does the game ""deserve"" my adoration? Man, I don't know!! maybe not!! I just love it!!! There's something special in it, and me and a surprisingly large amount of other people love the game for being itself. I didn't draw fanart because I felt the game was worthy of it, I drew fanart because I couldn't stop thinking about this character and how attached I was to him.

Sometimes people will look at popular comics that are poorly drawn or have Very Cliche Plots and they'll be horrified, like, "how is THAT mediocre comic so popular when there are actual GOOD comics out there???" But I look at the people who love those comics and I find that to be the most encouraging thing!! That some very mediocre comic with its clumsy storytelling and poor characterisation and art that never improves still has these people who love it, genuinely, who care about these characters and care what happens to them.
So.... it's okay if my story isn't perfect. It's okay if my art isn't as good as other people's. It's okay if I fumble parts of it. As long as I'm telling a story that I really care about, as long as I'm making something that I genuinely love -- my love will shine through even if my execution is a bit clumsy.

Obviously, I try to do my best, and I do want to keep improving and tell the best story I can!! But if someone felt about my comic the way I feel about deadly premonition, honestly? I think that would be a compliment.

[monotone_ink]

I don't have good things. Every other webcomic here either has good art, or a good story, or stunning backgrounds, etc.

It's normal for artists to feel this way, but one good thing you at least have is awareness of your own flaws. If you find that your own work is unsatisfactory to your vision, you need to actively work on and target areas you need to improve on.

Continuing working on your webcomic, as it's something you've committed yourself to - but at the same time, ensure that you study and practice on the side. Read and consume a variety of media to inform how you write out your stories, and have sessions to just practice on fundamentals.

Draw and improve until the point of exhaustion. You've got a lot to give, keep at it.

[Wumbl]

Don't be discouraged, friend!

We all have times where we feel generally lower than usual, and it's really easy to project that stuff onto your work. It's also easy to get obsessed with the numbers (at least for me - I'm manic depressive and hyperfixate a lot) and that can make you feel like you're not hitting goals you want to be.

What matters is that you're making something you feel is good - if you keep on making the thing you love and show that you love it people are going to love it in return.

It's always gonna be slow at times - that's normal. Hell, I have massive fluctuations in my stats even during hiatus months.

Seek some resources about writing or art if you need to boost/buff your stats. Personally I like to do little drawing or writing exercises to get the creative juices flowing again - doing the little amount that I can do. Maybe something like a colour palette exercise or a writing exercise. I'll link some blogs where you can find examples of that kind of stuff.

I admin a blog dedicated to improving writing motivation - https://freshjuicywriterstuff.tumblr.com

Also, this is a really good colour pallet blog - http://www.colourpod.com/

Good luck in getting yourself back on track!