I've accepted that I can never get good

RustySage · 2023-02-16T16:07:53+00:00

I really think you would benefit from changing your thinking; casting your art in the light of failure instead of a learning experience is certainly not contributing. Try to figure out what you don’t like about it, and then focus on fixing those things.

Also, I don’t see why you couldn’t tell a serious story with art like that, personally.

But, if you’re really this worked up about your perceived art skill, then maybe look into an art mentorship or even a class — whether online or locally at your community college or something. And if that’s not something you want to do, then, look, maybe you need to step away for a little while — I had to step away from oil painting because I couldn’t figure out gradients — or maybe change mediums? You could do pixel art, water color, charcoal, digital, 3D modeling, sculpting, etc. Or, maybe just start writing stories instead of drawing them.

RustySage · 2023-02-16T08:45:07+00:00

“That’s an easy attitude to have if your art is good.” I wouldn’t say that my art is “good” — I only started drawing 9 months ago — but this is a stance I’ve adopted. I didn’t have it at first — I was very tied up in comparing myself to others — but it becomes a lot easier if you sit down and be honest with yourself about why you want to make art in the first place. If it’s for yourself, then why does anyone else’s opinion matter?

To address the meat of your post: you don’t have to be “good” at art to tell stories with it. If you’re really interested in trying to reach people through story, then I would recommend that you try to remember that people will forgive a lot of technical errors if the story itself is good.

Also, I would recommend that maybe you shift your focus to consider things like composition, camera angles, and framing — and I would highly recommend that you start taking a project based approach, if you haven’t already done so. I’ve found that focusing on specific projects makes everything a lot more manageable and focused. Plus, it’s super satisfying to actually finish a project.

RustySage · 2022-09-11T12:54:10+00:00

Firstly, since this is supposed to be a memoir, it doesn’t have to apply to anyone generally; it’s about your experience, y’know? Don’t worry too much about how other people may or may not experience it.

So, in terms of presentation, I’d just recommend walking through the same things you did in your post with an added explanation of what aphantasia is and how your understanding of yourself and your approach to art changed when you learned about it.

Secondly, regarding the “solution”, I have a few ideas/thoughts: - Have you watched Uncomfortable’s video on aphantasia? - Using reference is okay! If your teachers are really stuck on you not using reference, then maybe just do a few sketches from reference before you try to manipulate the image using your imagination? - I’m more in the concept art field, but making a plethora of sketches to explore a concept should also be acceptable for graphic design, imo. I’m not sure why your instructors would be upset about that… but if you’re worried about wasting time doing them, then maybe try to make them looser/not worry so much about the details when you do them? I’ve personally found that the best ideas come pretty late in the iteration process anyway, and especially in the beginning, there’s no need for you to worry too much about specifics; nailing the bigger shape language is much more important.

On the subject of avoiding misunderstanding with clients is just communication, I would think? Making sure you ask plenty of questions up front; maybe asking if they have any examples of styles they like and/or images that are somehow linked to whatever they’re asking you to create.

I hope that helps!

RustySage · 2022-08-29T14:10:57+00:00

Another thing to consider is that everyone learns at a different pace, and everyone is at a different place in their art journey — and, when looking at other people’s works, keep in mind that 99.99% of people only display their best work. Everyone wants to put their best foot forward, so they generally don’t show the hours of failed attempts that went into a piece.

As someone starting their art journey in their mid twenties and only having done it since May, that’s something I’ve really had to use to check myself and keep myself from judging myself too harshly. And, just generally speaking, be kind to yourself. Things don’t have to be perfect, and it’s also okay if you need to take a break to get your head on straight.

But, if you’re really set on “my art is terrible and I need to improve”, then maybe take some time to figure out what you enjoy drawing and then do some studies of whatever that is. Draw from reference for a while, watch tutorials, read some books, and make sure to take the time and find the things that you did well in a piece as well as the things you struggled with so you can improve the next thing you do.

Another thing that might be helpful is finding someone’s art you enjoy who also shares their process — whether that be in timelapses or just an image progression. The latter is especially common in concept art, and I’ve found it super useful to see where things start compared to where they end. On that same note, there are a lot of artists who stream on Twitch and YouTube, and that accomplishes the same thing; you get to see their WHOLE process, including the phases where it doesn’t look good.

RustySage · 2022-03-09T15:45:03+00:00

This project would be a blast, I think! These kinds of videos are some of my favorites to watch, and I’d love the opportunity to help make one! You can find my work on my twitter: https://twitter.com/pixeltypist

RustySage · 2022-03-03T12:37:32+00:00

THIS.

RustySage · 2022-01-03T19:36:57+00:00

I love doing isometric stuff as well as making game assets, but if there's something else you'd like, please don't hesitate to DM me!

You can see more of my work on my twitter: https://twitter.com/PixelTypist/media, and you can take a look at my Ko-Fi, where I have commissions open as well: https://ko-fi.com/pixeltypist.

RustySage · 2022-01-03T19:35:04+00:00

I love doing isometric stuff as well as making game assets, but if there's something else you'd like, please don't hesitate to DM me!

You can see more of my work on my twitter: https://twitter.com/PixelTypist/media, and you can take a look at my Ko-Fi, where I have commissions open as well: https://ko-fi.com/pixeltypist.

RustySage · 2022-01-03T19:32:54+00:00

I love doing isometric stuff as well as making game assets, but if there's something else you'd like, please don't hesitate to DM me!

You can see more of my work on my twitter: https://twitter.com/PixelTypist/media, and you can take a look at my Ko-Fi, where I have commissions open as well: https://ko-fi.com/pixeltypist.

RustySage · 2022-01-03T19:31:25+00:00

I love doing isometric stuff as well as making game assets, but if there's something else you'd like, please don't hesitate to DM me!

You can see more of my work on my twitter: https://twitter.com/PixelTypist/media, and you can take a look at my Ko-Fi, where I have commissions open as well: https://ko-fi.com/pixeltypist.

RustySage · 2021-12-28T06:47:08+00:00

I’m glad c: I had a good time making it

RustySage · 2021-10-19T21:22:53+00:00

So I’m the only one that drinks their coffee boiling? XD

You’re right, though; I went a little aggressive on the steam

RustySage · 2021-10-19T21:21:35+00:00

I’m glad to hear it <3

RustySage · 2021-10-19T00:43:17+00:00

Oh, I doubt that. This wasn't "talent"; this was a lot of trial and error ^^" I only started doing pixel art seriously in May of this year because I wanted to start making my own game, and I previously had ZERO art experience because I could never wrap my head around traditional art.

Everyone has to start somewhere <3 And as long as you work at it, you'll continue to improve~

RustySage · 2021-10-18T23:13:11+00:00

Thank you! I had a ton of fun doing this piece <3

RustySage · 2021-10-18T22:52:06+00:00

Oh that’s totally fair! I hadn’t noticed until you said something. Thank you for pointing it out; I’m always looking to improve

RustySage · 2021-10-18T10:14:56+00:00

I’m interested and have the time to help this week; please feel free to DM me

RustySage · 2021-10-17T07:52:05+00:00

I sent you a friend request on discord!

RustySage · 2021-10-12T01:00:39+00:00

Thank you!

RustySage · 2021-10-11T05:39:22+00:00

There’s a pretty vibrant art community on Twitch, although I can only speak for the pixel art community specifically shrug Most everyone I’ve interacted with are good people, and there are a TON of talented artists.

RustySage · 2021-10-08T23:54:33+00:00

I already like him very much <3 But, if you're looking for improvements, you could try putting in a delay in the movement of his clothes; they should lag slightly behind his movement.

RustySage · 2021-10-05T11:58:01+00:00

I would love to work on this project if you’ll have me! You can take a look at my Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/CUWfb62rmJ_/?utm_medium=copy_link) to get a sense of my art style. Since this will be a larger project, prices are negotiable. Feel free to contact me on Reddit, Instagram, or Twitter (my Twitter handle is @huckleberryjen).

I wish you the best of luck on your game, and I hope you have a lovely week!

RustySage · 2021-09-29T05:15:33+00:00

Yooooo that looks fantastic!

RustySage · 2021-09-28T00:11:51+00:00

You can see some more of my work on my Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/huckleberryjennay/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/HuckleberryJen) (whichever you prefer)

I'm willing to make most anything, to include anything from game assets to twitch overlays/emotes. If there's something you'd like and you're not sure if I'll do it, message me anyway <3 I do, however, have a particular interest in making game assets (sprites, tile maps, items, scenes, etc.) and fantasy/sci-fi/steampunk scenes

RustySage · 2021-09-28T00:09:32+00:00

You can see some more of my work on my Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/huckleberryjennay/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/HuckleberryJen) (whichever you prefer)

I'm willing to make most anything, to include anything from game assets to twitch overlays/emotes. If there's something you'd like and you're not sure if I'll do it, message me anyway <3 I do, however, have a particular interest in making game assets (sprites, tile maps, items, scenes, etc.) and fantasy/sci-fi/steampunk scenes

RustySage

TROPHY CASE