How could I stop envying other comics?

[ErithEl]

@keac Ok, ok...so I've been hearing a lot of good advice from other creators here: Turn your envy into admiration or inspiration...work your ass off to get better...attend lifestreams (this actually really helps!) and watch tutorials...

There's been talk of how some people are just popular and no one really knows why, but the thing I find myself going back to is this:

Are you proud of what you do?

I'm not talking about the: "I'm really good" which leads to "but then why does so and so creator have more subscribers than me." I'm talking about when you look at your story and your art, do you feel genuine pride for your work? Not your work in comparison to someone else's, either, because then it is still about the other person.

Your artwork; your story is your own. It is separate from everyone else's, and that's how you should view it. You created something, and that, in itself, is amazing and good.

One other thing that has helped me fend off any unwanted envy is reaching out to the creators I admire. Let them know you enjoy their comic (omg do fan art!), tell them you admire their style. We are all creators and we all need encouragement, no matter how many subscribers or views we have. The more you reach out (and hopefully are graciously received), the less envy you will start to feel, because it will eventually become happiness at the success of a friend.

[AnnaLandin]

We all get envious of other artists sometimes - artists who do things we feel we are incapable of, or have gotten further in their artistic journey. It's natural. I know I come across people who draw so well that I feel kind of helpless sometimes.

HOWEVER - the hurdle to get over is to not let that envy turn negative. It's hard work, but the key is to stop thinking "I am SO envious, why can THEY do that and I can't? I'll never be that good!" and to start thinking "Wow, I'm so envious, they can do stuff I can't! I better start practising!". Let the envy become a motivation to do better, rather than an invitation to stop trying.

Those artists you're envious of? They put in a LOT of hard work to get to where they are today. They had their moments when they felt sad and envious of other artists and wanted to give up - but they didn't. They kept working. They kept drawing, always striving to get better, and used their jealousy to fuel the fires of their creativity. Good art skills aren't something that just happens; you work hard at it! Likewise, having a lot of subscribers isn't something that just happens either; you work hard at that too! Posting in the forums, talking about it on other social media accounts, keeping up a regular updating schedule, etc., etc.

When you look at someone's wonderful artwork, you're actually looking at someone's hard work. Applaud them for it, and try to apply the same sort of effort to your own work. In the end, your only important competition is with yourself. You won't get better simply because the people you're jealous of get worse - or stop drawing. You'll get better by working hard.

[Erena]

Most of the time I think my art looks terrible haha. But something very important to remember is that everyone learns at their own pace, so don't beat yourself up about it if you feel that you're not improving. Just continue drawing! When I look back at my art from a year ago, I realize how much I've improved, and it's such a great feeling.

[studiomik]

That's your fuel buddy! Right there! Now pump it into your engine and start drawing! Make a burnout and leave all the jealousy behind you. You're journey just started.

[keac]

Thanks for all your advice!
I remember when I always miss livestreams from my favorite creators because of time zones, it still happening today, and I told myself "If I could just watch this livestream, I'm not going to be jealous anymore."

Oh, if you wanna add more, please do

[ToonDoctor]

Let's flip this the other way. I started just a bit before you and you have more than twice the readers I have! Life is not so bad after all when you think about it!

Cheers

[papayaman1000]

Ever hear of xkcd? It's one of the most popular comics ever, and it has wonderful art, including: Stickmen. Yes, stick figures. What makes it popular is its humor, and the fact that somebody found a strip funny enough to repost it, so he got his fifteen minutes and due to fairly consistent style it never really wore off. Just build up a bit of a base, make a few neat things (like humor), and post it in a few places where more people might see it, like imgur or something.

-The guy who's been sitting on his 50-sub celebratory comic for over five months now.

[Blacksanz]

I feel you are too worried about the image you might project to other people :s

Let's see, it's ok to feel jealous, it's human, let's accept it. As long as it doesn't steal your precious time and humour, or make you behave badly towards the person you envy, it's ok

In my case, when I see someone whose art is better than mine, I don't envy he/she, I admire them. You have got to assume that they are different from you, maybe they've got more talent, maybe they've studied/practiced more.... don't try to copy them or be them, just improve for yourself

It comes to a different point when I see people with a lot of comments or followers, there I feel jealous LOL and I can't help that because feedback is what makes communication truly communicative. It is a wishhhh for communication peopleee!