Ways to Feel Good About Your Own Work

rajillustration 2020-03-09 01:27:53 UTC #1

Hey y'all just wanted to start a discussion on what are some things you do to stay positive about your own work and where you are right now. What are some goals or habits you've made to help yourself love what you make and love the process of making it.

For me I had a big change several years back when I told myself I wasn't allowed to talk negatively about my own art on social media when I post it. This was a very hard habit to break! To go from saying "ehh I hate this POS here you go" and instead say "I did a good study today! I had a good learning experience about anatomy, and next time I think I will work more on feet!" even though I just wanted to VENT about the FEET and how I HATE EM. So it wasn't to stop criticizing of course, because that's part of art--but to stop using encompassing terms like "this sucks" or "I am bad" or "I can't" stuff like that.

But, while being a small thing, it made a massive difference in the outlook I had of my art and my potential, and made a massive difference the entire vibe of my social media presence.

So, lets make a list--what are things you've done, big or small, that have helped you with any hang-ups and doubt and fear when it comes to making and posting your creations, novel or comic?

VKiwi 2020-03-09 01:51:32 UTC #2

I used to obsess about my writing skills. I would be reading books and just think "God, this person writes so much better than me" or obsess over decisions I made in regards to plot or characters. Now, whenever I start to spiral with that I try to remind myself of how far I've come. It's a slippery slope into going "I used to be so bad" but I try to keep my thoughts on my growth.

Could just be me but I feel like you get to points where your older work stops being decent to you. What used to be perfectly fine is no longer good enough. It's really easy to spiral. It's a shame and I used to dwell on it a lot. That's the thing with more artistic pursuits. With say office work you don't change as much with what you are doing. However, you are constantly changing and growing as an artist of any kind. So it's easier to judge your own work when you know you most likely will be doing better one day. I always try to remind myself that if I just give up and don't do it. That if I just obsess over my old writing. Keep rewriting the same chapters. I will never finish the story. Both literally and metaphorically, I guess.

Hexigate 2020-03-09 02:04:57 UTC #3

Comparing myself to others is my life story. It usually happens in fits of bitter jealousy and depression. It's an issue that stems from my own low self-esteem too; I undervalue myself. So I've been working on that for a while now, and I'm certainly in a happier, more confident, and more satisfied place than I used to be.

I try to focus on trying new things I'm doing with my skills: New styles, new angles, new subject matter, things like that.
When I talk about my work, I'll be honest with myself if something didn't come out right. But most of my negative notes are in self-deprecating jest (at least to myself they are) and I try to look forward to whatever I want to do next.
And when all else fails and my whole body is yelling at me that this is not something to feel good about, then I just kind of...listen. And I commit to fixing it. I use that dissatisfaction as fuel and work on something until things calm down. And I'll be like, "well that wasn't so bad."

carloswebcomic 2020-03-09 02:39:24 UTC #4

I wish I could figure out a way to feel good about what I do. The main thing is that if I don't make my comic, I feel worse. Miserable, in fact. That's my driving force.

I guess I can Take comfort in knowing my stuff doesn't look immediately wonky and I have no fear to draw scenes which are complex (Something I struggled with for over a decade when first started).
I despair that my artwork is not good, just adequate. But at least it's in a better place than where I started.

rajillustration 2020-03-09 06:09:32 UTC #5

Man such a good way to put it, because I think we've all been there. I remember I heard advice from an author who said to never rewrite old chapters until you finished your first draft--I've never been able to do that because I am too weak and I have to rewrite, haha, but there's so much truth in not being able to move forward because of being stuck on one aspect of your work and your skillset.

rajillustration 2020-03-09 06:22:29 UTC #6

Ya, I know. If deep sadness is already inherent, it's so much more difficult. But I think taking note of even the little improvements is a big deal, because it adds up over time. Especially if it's to take note of overcoming fears, like you mentioned of drawing something so difficult.

rajillustration 2020-03-09 06:27:35 UTC #7

Oh man this is the truth. Sometimes I'll put something I really don't want to do or change on my to-do list and it'll sit on there for like 10 days (like drawing a building in perspective or whatever), and then when I actually do it, it takes like 20 minutes and it's like...wow. How much of that was just my own anxiety blowing this not-a-problem out of proportion?

Lummy 2020-03-09 08:51:34 UTC #8

I took that approach in everything in life, it was always negative, I always sucked at everything.

Untill I just went and changed my whole mindset about life. So now my approach to "shit this drawing is bad", is the same but after that I think "well, I did my best and I enjoyed the drawing"/"now I suck, but what about in a month?", Other times I just avoid thinking too negatively and try to see what I don't like it in a polite criticism for myself.
And this because art is a hobby from me, and if it will always make me feel negative and sad I am afraid I will just stop drawing (and I don't want that happen)

Also when coming to art, it really helps to go to your old drawing and think how X time ago you wouldn't believe you would be at your current level.

Random_Guy 2020-03-09 11:57:25 UTC #9

I usually compare my new work to my old work like:
"Look how much better this is!"
The improvement just makes me so inspired.
I dunno, maybe that's just me though.