Struggling with your own pride

[Nightsjester]

So here is a question for everyone, how do you get over yourself? How do you know what you can and cannot do, how do you draw the line where doing something hard becomes unhealthy hubris. How do you slow down and feel okay about that? I need a therapist probably but yeah please help internet strangers.

[migxmeg]

Personally I have a wacky relationship with my pride as an artist that I'm still trying to negotiate.

I think there's nothing wrong with trusting that you can do anything hard/amazing/etc if you will put in effort and practice. If that's hubris then whatever, I'm happy to be arrogant lmao. When I think I need a reminder that I still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do, I go back and check out my older art so I can see the mistakes that I wasn't able to see at the time. I know I'm making them now but can't see them yet...

Finally, looking at the work of other creators is my favorite way to feel inspired and learn ways to develop and get better.

[nathanKmcwilliams]

I...gotta be honest. I see no problem with having pride in your work. If you've put in the work to learn, and continually make efforts to keep improving...you've earned that pride.

It's okay to boast a little and say positive things about your work. There's a huge misconception these days about earned pride and self affirmation being the same as arrogance.

Where pride becomes arrogance is in how you treat your fellow creatives...like...don't rub their faces in how great you've become at something. Or try to 'help' them by pointing out their struggles as mistakes. Telling them their doubts are them just being weak, is unacceptable.

Be an example by saying small yet positive things about your work when you post a piece, just enough to let people know you're happy with it. Offer help if it's asked for, rather than assuming it's wanted. And most of all, remember, ART IS NOT A COMPETITION, people grow at their own pace.

[thel3tterm]

Hey Nightjester,

This is a really interesting question, and something I grapple with fairly often myself.

First, as migxmeg said, there's nothing wrong with being proud of your work! I think issues arise when you think you are owed something because of it.

For example: I've seen artists in the past who start to get upset and lash out at other artists or people in general because they don't think their numbers are what they deserve, or that they should be as popular (or more popular than) another series or creator.

I've known artists who are completely fine with their skill level, and enjoy their work as it is. I've known some who are constantly seeking to improve, and enjoy nitpicking every little thing in their pursuit of constant growth. Both approaches are fine, but the key is really in how you approach your audience and other creators.

-Don't be an asshole
-Don't expect overnight success
-Don't think you're owed anything

So long as you follow those general suggestions, I think there's nothing wrong with loving your work.

[ar-ninetysix]

Ride that high of your pride until you feel this

[Nightsjester]

I dont think I feel like I am owed anything or think less of others work, its all internal. Self-judgement. Letting myself down.

[thel3tterm]

So you're saying this is more of an issue of internally thinking highly of yourself, and not quite measuring up to what you think you should be able to achieve?

[DiegoPalacios]

Humans are dinamic beings, they grow and develop with time and practice.

Being unable to do something is a temporary situation. Understanding WHEN you are ready and preparing for it is what matters.

Another thing to consider is to figure out what goals are worth chasing.

[CytricAcid]

I think an important part of pride is a pride that exists outside of popularity. it's a trust on your own content and your ability to tell a story. this can be powerful, but it can also be detrimental to growth.

pride must exist by knowing that you always have room to improve, and others may see things you may not. trust yourself in your ability, but know that you are not all powerful.

[TedGravesArt]

You are not your work.
You are you, your art is art. Don't confuse the two. One of the challenges of being an artist is drawing that line and keeping it there. Having pride in your work is great, it gives you focus. But too much pride will either discourage you, or keep you from learning new things. Or you'll overwork yourself.

[CosmicLeon]

I think there is a fine line between being proud of your work, and valuing yourself. You should be proud, you are worth the prices you set because you earned it. but, I think being flexible is important too.

There is thousands of artist in the world, and well if your a hubris jerk, then someone else will find a different person. If you have issues with price or thing that you value yourself too much, you can look at other comparable pricing guides on the internet, or in the illustrations guild.

If you find you value is you sense of 'skill above others' then I think you should still be respectful. There will always be someone better than you, and there will also be someone less experiences, but regardless you shouldn't need to feel as if you need to invalidate someone else. Chances are they might look up to you. And that is a magical thing. So basically, be proud, as long as you don't hurt others.

What you can and cannot do. well that is up to you. I can't do anime chibis, I . just. cant. but that doesn't stop me, rather I take a more 'western' approach to them. So, in the end I think what you can and cannot do it who much you try to do a thing. What doesn't sit right with you, how can you change it to suit you and what you are capable of? I think this is just a matter of experience and learning your self limitations.

[rajillustration]

I once heard a saying that art and writing is like kissing, where if you ever think you're the best, someone will shortly tell you otherwise.

I think I'm remembering the saying a little wrong, but you get the idea--creativity is nuanced and down to personal preference and also...sometimes people just aren't that very good at kissing...but how else are you going to know unless you put yourself out there?

As for overworking yourself, I set a schedule, I mark down what times of the day I'm going to work, and then when the times up: I'm done. (unless it's a deadline project that needs to be done very soon.) If a challenge is too much or injuring myself in any way, I step it back. If the challenge is still exciting and fun for me--I keep going. It's obviously more nuanced to that, but overwork is no bueno.

If you feel like you need to compensate in your art for things you might lack--like making a comic way more rendered than it needs to be because you're worried that your story isn't good enough, or worried no one will look at it unless it has a billion shiny things on it--that's something else. There is a confidence that comes with doing art that is edited down. There is an elegance to art that is more designed than it is rendered, even if it is easier to draw. I dunno if I'd call it hubris to try and cover up flaws with over-rendering, but I've been there. You burn out real fast if that's a problem.

[Kaydreamer]

Pride is only a bad thing when it becomes excessive. When that happens, it can blind you to reality, cause you to perceive yourself as better than others, and cause you to treat other people poorly. By contrast, a modest amount of pride in yourself and your craft is quite healthy. You put a lot of time, effort and skill into the things you make. You deserve to be proud of them, and proud of your improvements over the years!

I know what I can and cannot do by comparing my work to that of other artists. I think I have a fairly clear-eyed perception of where my strengths and weaknesses are, and where I am in my artistic development. I really like my own art, but I'm also extremely critical of it. Those seem like they shouldn't go hand-in-hand, but they certainly do. You want to both enjoy what you make, but be wide awake about how it compares to the standard of work around you; whether that's other webcomic makers, or industry pros, depending on what you're aiming for.

I'm also well aware that grinding to the point of exhaustion simply because I think I should be able to do it is not an adequate solution to artistic weaknesses; instead, healthy and consistent practice over an extended period of time is better. I know this because I teach, and I know how people most effectively learn. Smaller sessions of practice, done consistently over months, is both better for your physical and mental health, and it's more effective. When I'm frustrated, I remind myself of that, and ask myself to be patient. It's hard and frustrating, but after a few days my emotions about it will cool off, and I'll be feeling better again.