There is always somebody who's better than you, so

[indagold]

They are so radically different from you though its no point in getting upset over it. When I see an artist thats better than me all it does is give me the drive to improve. So far all the artists I looked up to as a kid i've surpassed in some way or came close in skill level. It's all about not giving up.

[qwerty]

This may sound cliche, but everything is about your personal mindset.

So you see someone better than you. Who says that has to be discouraging? Instead, I try to be inspired by those people.

So you know you will probably fail at something. Who says failure has to be painful? I try to see failure as a friend who helps me to learn.

So you know you may never reach a goal. Why do you need a goal to be satisfied? I try not to live for the sake of goals, but to do things for their own sake, because I enjoy it and because I can. A goal is only a means, not an end.

If you maintain the right kind of mindset, you can keep going despite all these 'problems'.

[SleepingPoppy]

It's never enough, you'll never lived to be the best or the better.

You might not ever be the best, but you can certainly live to be better, can't you?

What makes you still try even though you know you'll more likely fail?

Because art isn't pass/fail! Nor is life! If you get an A on the test and I get a B+, did I fail? No! And someones drawing being better than mine doesn't make me a failure either!

I think it's also important to recognize that there's something wrong with taking a positive about someone else and using it as a negative against ourselves. I say this as someone who'se been on the receiving end of jealousy from a friend and perfectly talented artist, and it was deeply crushing, not remotely flattering.

[amortelito]

What makes you still try even though you know you'll more likely fail

"Never enough" philosophy is kind of true because art relies on perception. There is NO way to make everyone happy because everyone has different aesthetic necessities. Nobody can say that they are is appealing to everyone and their work is perfect. You can even question if those top artists are really better than you. For example, There are artists that make such perfect drawings that I honestly find them uninspiring, I much rather watch "Imperfect" art that has a heart or that is surprising. There is no perfection in that sense but that doesn't mean you are set up to fail.

Be satisfied with the best art you can do right here right now. The art that makes you happy. If nothing makes you happy, is more likely an attitude problem, not an art problem. Maybe you can improve and start disliking what made you happy previously, that inevitable too, but for now, enjoy your art. The purpose is not to be perfect, the purpose is to express and move emotions.

[ratscout]

I keep trying because I love writing, I have a genuine passion for it, and it's literally just something that helps me get by in life. It calms me down and make me happy.

BUT, I also keep going because it's not a hopeless venture to hope you can eventually gain a little popularity and money from your writing. I always just remind myself "Twilight and Fifty Shades of Gray were published, so why not me?". It's also important to keep in mind far worse stories than yours have been published and that far better ones were NEVER published. And, of course, quality is in the eye of the beholder. Someone might love Fifty Shades of Gray but dislike Lord of the Rings. So keep your chin up and don't lose hope <3.

[punkarsenic]

What makes you still try even though you know you'll more likely fail?

i really love the medium, i love storytelling, and the best way to explore stories and to explore comics is to go ahead and make them. art is a series of failures, and all pieces of art and storytelling are flawed - but if they touch even one person, thats really amazing.

Why people don't mind being drained and hurt to fulfill imaginary goals in their mind?

oh, i really do mind. particularly as i get closer and closer to this being my career - thats terrifying! a lot of the time i dream of quitting school and becoming a gardener or a train driver (id really love to be a train driver actually). why do i wanna monetise something so close to my self worth? what the hell is wrong with me?

but... i love the work. so i push through. and thats my response to every other question, so i think ill leave it at that

[FatBun]

There is always somebody who's better than me, so it's no use to keep comparing myself to others. I've only just started my comic on Tapas, but before I do, I told myself million of times that I am here because I like to share my drawing/story. I want to entertain people even if there's only 1 reader, and I love doing that because it may cheer up someone's day, you never know. There are so many talented artists out there and I certainly can't compare to them! But I can always compare to myself...Am I better than yesterday? Am I doing what I love? Have I managed to entertain another individual out there? YES? Then good, I shall keep going. Forget about failing something, you never know until you try. Even if you fail, I'm sure you'll learn something in the process

[Hodge]

I think I agree with most people here, you do it out of love. But I stumble around plenty wishing for money and time.

[inkythoughts]

I think for me, one part is it is a story only I can tell the way I want to tell it, and there are certain elements that make it unique because they're put together the way they are. Looking at them singularly makes it not very special but the way they are put together plus how my art just is makes it one-of-a-kind in some way. Are there fantasy universes? Plenty. Is there a lot of drama surrounding royalty? Heck yes. Lost prince and dead parents trope? Pretty much. Romance? More than I can count. Characters not knowing where to go with their lives? Uhh yes. Excellently executed crime mysteries? Definitely more and better ones than what I am doing.

But the fact that my "fantasy realm" has literally as much magic as our world we live in right now and it stars a lot of queer POC it starts getting more unique because those things aren't featured that often. I think you don't need to think about "what makes it better than the others?" (who has the better potato, as you phrased it) but to think about "what makes it unique?" because more often than not that's the selling point eventually. It doesn't even have to be a very unique idea but the way you tell or depict it already makes it unique on its own.
And more than anything else, does it bring you joy? I personally get ridiculously excited and literally vibrate on the inside whenever I think of my comic because I just want to tell that story (and I love my character/costume designs so much and really want to show off all the world-building.) There is always a reason why you started, and ultimately, this should be the reason to keep going. Even if it's just a practice comic, the reason was to practice how comics work and maybe try something new.
Try to be enough for yourself. You don't need to be the best, just be enough, that's okay.

Also, try to see other people's art as encouragement to just make better next time, try to see what they're doing and maybe just test it out for yourself in a way that you think works for you, it can be real fun and sometimes opens the way to new techniques that help you incredibly much on a daily basis. Draw inspiration from it instead of putting yourself down.

A lot of people struggle with this, so you're definitely not alone and personally, I am still working on some aspects of this as well. Much love, you've got this!

[kalrhungus]

There is always somebody who’s better than you

-unless you are the best. so why not try to be the best?
it's called competition.

[NeonKnight]

f them, if you are feeling happy and proud of what you done it has nothing to do with others being better at it, it has to do with your own personal growth.

[CAOMouse]

I think it's biological program inside us that makes us do that

[unknown_user]

Well, I have no surprise that people who have devoted many years for serious learning how to draw and write, do it better than me, since for me it is just hobby. But art is not only about quality and technique, it is also about bringing to life your unique thoughts and ideas.
My creations are not very good in quality, but yet, they are mine, and they are creations. I enjoy the process of bringing things from non-existence into existence anyway. Even if those things will drive less readers, than others creators things, it is not complete fail. Because just the fact that they have been formed and brought to life is already a little win. It already makes me feel better than if my ideas would stay in my head unshaped, elusive and, eventually, forgotten.

[NickTalbert]

I used to worry about whether my art measured up to other people’s, but then I had an ah ha moment. Your art is your art. It’s how you do it that makes it unique, and that uniqueness that some people will be attracted to.

And the best part? When it comes to your style or story, it’s not a competition. You’re in your own league. Be happy with your own little corner of artmaking and you’ll soon stop caring about competing and measuring yourself against others. Just do your own thing.

[kimketli]

People should focus more on what they want to tell and less on drawing techniques. It is a mistake I also fall sometimes into. Stress on little details and compare my drawing knowledge to others. I shouldn't. I should think about what is the message or feeling I want to use my skills for and not stressing about who's art is better than mine.
Yuumei has a good short comic about this.

1000 Words — Yuumei

[cleo_san]

Heck, yes, tons of people are better than I am! O_o

However... Noone can tell MY stories except myself

[beta1042]

What makes you still try even though you know you'll more likely fail?

You do realize all those great "god-tier" artists weren't born like that right? They used the great artists before them as inspiration to learn and grow and become the next great artist. Life isn't about being the best, it's about a personal journey of being YOUR best.

[DasIstWunderblyat]

Nice answers all, I'd say I'm impressed by the overwhelming response this topic has, I am in loss of word for reply

What to do if even in your best, you mean nothing compared to others? Should a value of yourself determined only by yourself, or combined with others opinion? Will it be biased if you measure your own value self worth only by your judgement? Whats being the best of yourself in your own version means and matters to others?

Will be the best of your own version in your own mind fill the void of being nothing, that never been acknowledged as the best or better? Can it fill the hole of inadequacy and self comparison to others, who are perceived better? Is it something you make up because of yourself, or because of others?

Does positivity and inner value worth materially?

I meant why we are even alive and expected to achieve, when we unconditionally and naturally can't even be what we want to be? It's a bit sad, it feels like as a human we are going to have our life wasted into nothingness and still yearn to be the greatest we can't be, that we start filling ourselves with fabricated happiness and fulfilment. unfortunately, that's perhaps one of the better way to cope

Sorry if I sounded like a pretentious pseudo-intellectual edgelord. Those are just follow up questions, I'm just curious about your perception What I stated are not my personal opinions as a whole, I just want to know the reason why.

Also why is this forum is still alive? I made it out of pure boredom.

[DasIstWunderblyat]

Welp, sorry.
I replied it wrong

[Moxxi]

I wouldn't want to say that I'm better or lesser than anyone else in terms of art or storytelling, as I am always learning something new and interesting from every artist and storyteller that I come across! That's just how I feel about it.