How does some one overcome artist depression

[samsung17728]

hey guys do you guys have any advice for getting more subscribers on my comic because. I have some artist depression where i feel my art isn't good enough sometimes even though i am trying and working really hard it seems like I am not getting the results that i need in order to continue my comic. i don't want to quit but its hard to keep going bc i love my comic https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/lions-den-/list?title_no=371341

[VibrantFox]

One thing that helps is accepting that not everyone grows at the same pace, especially in terms of following/subscribers and that's just a fact. Once you can accept that part it'll boil down to finding healthier motivators for completing your work.

Personally I like to set short term and long term goals about publishing episodes or chapters. Like if there's a certain scene that I'm really looking forward to in my story my goal becomes reaching that part or if there's a character I'm eager to introduce they become the goal.

Goals related to art improvement have also helped. Lately I've been aiming to practice backgrounds a bit more often so I try to include them in at least one comic page or illustration that I'm working on. Testing out drawing perspectives, learning and understanding foreshortening and dynamic poses, and so on and so forth.

It's super easy to get caught up in the numbers and while every person is looking to gain subscribers sometimes you can let numbers be your only motivator, otherwise you'll feel defeated far more often because your expectations aren't always matching up with the reality and you feel demotivated. Hopefully the things I mentioned help, best of luck!

[malwdark]

It takes a lot of years to learn to do good comics. I think at first one shouldn't expect to have lots of readers, having a pair of friends reading is enough.
I started doing comics around 12yo, and only had one reader (a school friend). Around 15yo I started uploading my comics to a blog and got half a dozen readers. Four years later it grew up to 25, but I stopped doing comics because my drawing was too bad.
Took a break, centered on learning to do better art, started working as an illustrator, and finally came back.
Now, about 2 months ago, I started a new comic and it haves 32 followers on another website + 17 here. It may seem super tiny but thats 49 people! (plus the ones who lurk from my socials xD). Its more than I got after 8 years!

Survivors | Tapas

So, the point is, don't worry. Take your time to learn. Comics are hard.

[HGohwell]

I do it partly just by forcing myself through regardless. There's an element of treating it like a job when it becomes frustrating or depressing and just get on with it. I know myself well enough to know that these periods tend to be very bad for a week or so every couple of months and if I push through I'll pick up again. It has ups and down. The past year or so my general confidence in my work was going down in general despite the ups and down, the overall trend was down. So I switched up and did something different and things have started going up again. Sometimes a change is also good.

I also keep screenshots of good things. I have a folder of them. Things like particularly nice comments. Those two times I was on the front page trending. That sort of thing. It helps to pick up the spirits again to know you can reach those highs.

[Luminosophy]

Maybe think about drawing your focus away from subscribers and channel it into something more productive that still relates to your comic? I always think about "with this piece, I really want to focus on x", X being anything from trying a new colour mood or a new lineart technique, maybe just focusing on the character's hair a certain way. Something aesthetic and/ or technical, that I can always step back from and say "awesome I did it", regardless of how much attention it got. Echoing VibrantFox, shifting goals can keep you much more motivated because you'll see continued growth in an area you have more direct control over.

[samsung17728]

thanks man i appreciate that so much

[jcmraz]

I work more for me. I'm basically in a constant state of "Am I worth reading? Maybe I'm wasting my time with this project and should scrap it and start something new. I really suck." But I want to make the thing that I'm making and some people are reading it. So I focus on the next thing I have to do for the comic itself rather than the results of the comic. I share it and tell people about it and advertise. but the vast majority of my emotional and mental focus is on the comic itself.

[samsung17728]

thank you very much that is veryhelpful

[samsung17728]

thanks for your help and tips

[Legendofgenii]

I feel like this sometimes too (yesterday was one of those days ) so just know that you are not alone.

I think artists and writers are more prone to this as we can be quite emotional beings.

[samsung17728]

dont give up even though it hard

[zhiluo00]

Do not even think about giving up, bro! Art is a thing that is like an ocean. There are periods of time with waves, there are periods with no waves at all. But the thing you have to keep in mind is that the tsunami is coming! Sooner or later you will catch your lucky star. If you want to ease your feelings right now you can try something. I did it by my own, so I know what I’m talking about. Try to buy some kratom here kratomgallery.com. Sure thing, first of all you have to read all the instructions on their site, but I can assure you, that will definitely help you in this hard period of time. Be strong and patient, my friend, success is coming!

[rumpenstiltzkin]

I think at least you know youre not alone in feeling like that! I sure do, quite alot, there are ups and downs but in the end, I try to remember that I do draw for myself first! And if you draw what you enjoy, it will eventually show in your art, and it attracts more people to enjoy it together with you I think.
You say that you love your comic, so continue to do what you love! And use it to learn and improve, set goals!

@VibrantFox really said it well, I can only agree with them

and dont forget to celebrate the little things, even with few readers, you have some readers, amongst this sea of comics that is out there! someone actually found your work and took their time to read it!