Isn’t it funny how we feel like we need permission to do the style we really love. It can still be hard work, but it doesn’t have to be torture like trying to do something that doesn’t come naturally! I’m excited to see where this challenge takes me over the next few months 👍
Can't wait to see what you make! Feel free to post your ig handles here when you're done with your post guys. They will all go to the "held for review" section but I will clear them for visibility each week. Held for review might seem a bit evil but it's a good tool that protects this channel from a ton of spam users. It also protects me from seeing a lot of hateful stuff when I'm not ready for it and just logging in to reply to comments.
I think the advice to “try something different that are out of your comfort zone” is a very valid advice, especially for someone who is just starting at art. But it’s not a good advice for someone who already found their art style and know what their likes and dislikes. For example, for someone who still doesn’t have an art style it is a good advice cause it helps them explore new stuff, learn new art style and help them thru their journey to find themselves in art form. But once you tried something and realizes that you don’t like that style and it doesn’t bring you happiness while doing it, then there’s no point to keep doing it. Cause it’ll only suck the joy from doing art and it’ll only do you more harm than good cause if you keep forcing yourself to do something you hate, you’ll only ended up resenting it more.
Aw heck, Mikko this is awesome! I'm actually crying a few tears of happiness and... relief! This challenge is EXACTLY what the world needs right now, and it gives a opportunity of old and new artists alike to find a place in their art where the can feel SAFE. A place in their art where they can relax, be secure and have fun. And that in itself will help solidifying ones personal style and most of all, ONES CONFIDENCE. And the approach of being kind and supportive, heck yeah. This is everything I am about and thank you for getting this out into the world
I do think this is a wrong interpretation of the "Do what's outside of your comfort zone" -advice, but I really like the ideas that you have because of that interpretation. And it might be that other people interprete it wrong as well. It certainly was never meant to mean: "do things you don't want to do" or "do things that don't interest you". It's more like "do what you would love to do but are afraid of or not sure you're capable of", which is important life advice. But if people think it means you should do things you aren't interested in doing, that would certainly lead to misery and regret
You just gonna throw me into an existential crisis. I'm forever confused if I'm doing my comfort zone drawings because that's what I "should be doing" or because I'm stuck in it. - I really liked how you said "if you had to draw a 100 drawings of it, how would you do it?" I think that's a key insight. I've read an interview with an illustrator maaaaaaany years ago and I don't know who it was by now, but it forever stuck with me that he said "your shortcuts are your style". I totally agree with it. I mean we still got the question whether I'm just not putting in the effort to get comfortable with something else, but you saying that if I had to draw something a 100 times how would I do it - and what would I draw.. that puts it into another light. That makes it almost easy to answer :) I will definitely draw something that's purely following this principle. Thank you!
Haha, so true XD never do anything out of my comfort zone in terms of themes. I'm looking at you, human body. I don't care at all if I can draw a human. but I care if I can draw a walking beetle enjoying its day ^^
Hey Mikko! I just found out about your channel when I was looking for things I can do with an iPad. I subbed right away. I’m not a painter, and doubt I could ever have the talent to do it, but I see so much skill and passion in what you do, and you just put out such a positive message. I love your videos man.
Definitely going to be doing this! I used to be so critical of my art to others ect and i ended up with a severe art block where I would stare at a blank page for hours and made me feel even worse. I then realised the reason I had the block was I had become scared to make art as I didn't want it to be bad or not as good as the art I looked up to. Now I'm happy with my art but the fear is still there as a habit now so making myself do things I love to draw and paint is definitely helping! Thanks for the awesome challenge mikko!
I don't want to scare anyone by saying this but fear IS part of the deal with creativity. When you make art you are pretending to show a possible new future, important reality or an idea that should be part of the discussion. To be an artist is to be a leader. We will never be ready for it because we know we don't know where exactly creativity is leading us. By publishing our work we act as if we know. Is it any wonder we feel like impostors when success comes? I'm more and more starting to think that feeling is also just part of the deal. When a piece of creative work turns out popular it seems like people show up to be led on the road you are on. The artist knows there is no road. They just opened a gate to a whole new field and maybe that's all they need to do for us to move forward as a society. The only way I have found peace with the important role creativity has in all our lives is to just approach it with the utmost humility and understanding that my job is not to be an oracle or the maker of the message. My role is just to finish the manual part of the work with the best of my skills and be ready for the paintings as they come. I take a lot of pride in this part of the work. Even if it's just craftmanship I often feel like I've done my part and that's good enough for me =)
this is a wonderful challenge! i'm looking forward to seeing others' submissions, and maybe i will even submit some of my own art! i love the 2nd rule :)
Thank you for setting my mindset this morning. I really needed to hear your words, thank you so much. This is awesome, I'm about to accept your challenge. !!!
Happy New Year Mikko :D One year to late for this art challenge, but you spoke right out of my heart. I discovered your channel this morning and I just have to comment on this important topic. I get excited about a lot of things and I often have trouble finding the things that really make me happy. I have come a long way to find myself and to understand what my soul actually wants and not my head does think is right. I agree with you from the bottom of my heart. Art is not about perfection or what others think is right for you. It's about YOU. Art comes from your heart and soul. And that's what I like to put into my paintings this year. I also love to draw landscapes, and starry skies. That's where we all come from. There will always be fantasy elements in my paintings because life itself is a great mystery and wonder. I want to express that through my pictures and then they don't have to be one hundred percent technically perfect. It's about emotions. Having this realization and seeing that there are people out there like you who think similarly encourages me even more for this path. I want to touch people emotionally with my pictures, let them dream away a little. That is me and I don't want to change. So thank you dearly for this reminder. Warm greetings from Germany Anke
I'm amazed of the way you encourage artists to get better inside their comfort zone. I always thought to myself I have to do everything and learn everything to get better, but I forgot everything takes time and rushing doesn't help. Thank you and I will be sure to join it!
How funny you posting this right now. I decided to do a "100 day, make some kind of drawing / painting every day and don't show anyone so you don't do it for IG "pity" likes and no one can judge you on your poor skills" thing. I'm on day 40 today, giving myself permission to suck some days. But it's so very true: nothing comes to mind before I start, nothing comes to mind until I make some marks, scribble, erase, start over. At some point, I think, "that looks like a rabbit about to get into a fight" or sometimes I've drawn my hand or eye, and sometimes I've written words and made a word art design. The Thing is: I either don't know what my style is, or I do know and I don't like the way I render things, or my lack of imagination at what do draw. Mikko, thank you for sharing your work and advice, you've helped many people.
Thank you for the conundrum. This will be difficult. So i looked back at all my art and even my practice work to see if i can find a pattern and realize i don’t think i do art for myself. I do art to make others happy. So now i don’t know my style or what is my comfort zone. Its strange though because i just talked to wife about going into the lab to find my style. Thanks for the challenge!
Love this video. I watch your videos as a very beginner (35 yo beginner) because I love art and although I’m a fiction writer, I find making art helps me when I’m stuck in writing. I really needed this video because I’ve been stuck trying to get out of my comfort zone and have hated everything I’ve made. You are inspiring, every video is like a meditation to watch and I love that feeling that you bring to it. I feel the calming cathartic nature of your art and love of nature. You are absolutely right. Do what you love not what you want when it comes to art. It took a long time for me to understand that with my writing too.
Isn’t it weird how all of these creative working methods are pretty much the same no matter what you do. I spent all day yesterday trying to put together a terrible looking carousel for this challenge and then this morning it dawned on me: “It’s a comfort zone challenge Mikko you idiot, why the F are you trying to put together a typography slide show?!” To my credit I scrapped the whole thing and actually took my own damn advice and made the post with focus on the painting. It was so close to being a total mess tho’ 😅
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Watching one of your videos is like watching a truckload of inspiration, imagination, techinque, and wonder. I love how every painting unfold beautifully and quickly. You have given me the power to do the painting that i am currently still working on, a forest scene, tank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
This is a great reason to briefly raise my head out of sci-fi-comic-land and draw some pretty forested scenes instead! I still have months of steel walls ahead of me before I get my characters off these spaceships, so it'll be a very refreshing break. I'm definitely setting aside some weekend time for this.
I have just discovered your channel and as a growing artist I'm so inspired by your humbleness. There are no rules where the heart is meant to go with creativity and this resonates so deeply. Thank you. I'll definitely try this challenge 🤭
This is a really nice message, you're so right!! We as artists should absolutely draw the things we love or else it will just feel like another chore. Especially on social media where others can freely comment on our art, it's so easy to fall into the trap of 'doing art for the sake of an audience or for the sake of someone else'. It used to happen to me as well until I realized it was just wrong and that I should be doing art to make myself happy and naturally the people who love my art will see my art for what it is. I'm glad that you grew out of that phase too. Your art is really amazing btw!
I’ve noticed that in the videos where I talk about marketing on social media there’s a common theme with comments that feel frustrated by their lack of engagement. So many artists make a strong assumption of what people who follow them want to see and those assumptions are almost always wrong. It’s impossible to win the trust of people who see your art if the art itself is nothing more than a lure to reel them in. People aren’t stupid and they can smell the inauthenticity in the work. Doing authentic work and getting more reach are not mutually exclusive concepts.
Thank you so much! We can feel your love for art and art world through all your posts, my favourite part is that we have not to apologise about our skill level, may be that would help me to stop judging myself any time. I can't wait to see all the art that will flow with this challenge 💕💕
Good luck 🐻❄️Sorry it took so long. I think I worked on this video for about 3 more days than was necessary. Partly because I scrapped the entire first attempt but also due to not being familiar with how long rendering my rotobrushing would take. (3sequences took 13hrs for my separate dedicated rendering pc to crunch through at 10bit 4k and the resulting file was 672gb which obviously isn’t time/cost efficient for producing videos for UA-cam) At least I learned what to not do with media encoder settings 🤷♂️
I am so happy for this challenge. I've struggled with this sort of mentality ever since high school. I've always tried to push myself further than I really want to go. And so now it's taken until recently that I've found my comfort zone of what I like to paint. This gives me extra incentive to paint mushrooms!!!
What a great challenge! I have deemed this as a personal year of love. Pushing your comfort zone can also be making something better out of love. Why torture one's self? That just seems counterintuitive to what art is, at least to me. Sure, we all paint some of our inner struggles to exorcise them, but I really prefer to paint from joy. And, Mikko, part of the joy of watching you paint is that incredible, effusive smile you have on your face when you are having fun in your work. THAT is Comfort Zone!
I love this idea. I'm a tech support analyst, who does digital art as a hobby, and a lot of times I follow UA-cam tutorials. However, if the result is not something that I think I would be happy to have done at the end, I don't do the tutorial, even though I might miss some technique that would be useful. I just have limited time for this, so I only want to do something that I will enjoy doing, and that will make me happy to have done. Also, I almost always add a Pokémon to my pictures, so if I can't see a way to do that, I skip it. 😂 I like watching your videos because I really like your style, and find your art amazing and inspiring. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this! Your artwork is amazing and your vulnerability is so helpful! Your advice is what I needed to hear. I think it will help me make more artwork. So, thank you Mikko!
Great idea! I’ll participate. At least once maybe more than once. The moment I started telling myself I can enjoy environments and perspective I started even being able to do it. Self talk matters I was so stressed and afraid that I couldn’t even learn perspective now I’m doing way better. Enjoying it and believing we can really matters. Self talk matters. Fun stuff thanks.
Is the comfort zone when your drawing and you have this feeling of oww this should go here and let’s try this color on this and put these all over here and etc.? it just automatically happens no hesitation.
I think a lot of people believe that telling someone to create or do something outside of their “comfort zone” is a cure all for everything but it really isn’t. We idolize versatility because we see others doing it on their journey and it work for them but it can’t work for everyone. Mikko what you’re doing is amazing and I’m honestly super excited to encourage more people to create what they love and genuinely enjoy the journey instead focusing on the results ❤️❤️❤️
Is there a way to post it without Instagram? I'm still to young to have it, can I put it in video form like on UA-cam? 😭 Edit: I just finished watching the video and you and your mindset are such an inspiration, thank you
Man always with your stuff color blobs just POOF into amazingness. Is there any reason to the madness? or are you just putting some color here and there and then like "I guess this is a (insert thing here) now?"
I think I explained in the beginning of this livestream that this was just a bunch of colours in a test canvas for brush creation. I think there was something in there so I decided to recycle it for a full painting. Few things make me feel as gangster as stealing my own art =D
In almost all of my videos I do. I'm also making more in-depth tutorials each month for my members. There are also plenty of painting tips on my ig account. On this channel the free simple tip videos are usually the shorter ones because I think those are more efficient when a person just wants to solve one problem through yt search.
I really love this challenge and the thoughts behind it! I felt overwhelmed by trying to find something less common to draw, draw something special because what I really like to draw is quite basic and I feel there is only that on Instagram ( fantasy portrait especially girls ones) but you know what, just need to accept it and stop overthinking! I will participate for sure!
Try to apply that thinking to other artists. Like me for example. I'm sure I could also say to myself that islands, houses and landscapes are already "done". If I just used that criteria to censor art I would be removing hundreds of paintings from my galleries right now. You will keep finding new ways to explore the things you're interested in and we will eventually see your subjects through your own unique perspective. Don't let comparisons stop you before you get there.
@@angrymikko Waw thank you for your help ! this is so relevant! you're so right! It's hard though but I will try my best to stop comparing myself to others as you said 🙏
Thanks to the lovely members that joined the channel earlier I was able to get a better cable for the recorder and now all the footage on this channel will look much better for everyone. I can even distinguish between the white of the background of Procreate and the lighter tool bar. You can imagine that the colours in these paintings are going to be much closer to how they look on screen from now on. Again I hope everyone can appreciate the members for making that happen. All video gear is insanely expensive for my current budget.
This really opened my eyes I had so many ideas which I really liked but threw away because I thought they would be too similar to the work of other artist or the work I have already done Thank you so much🙌
I often keep saying on this channel that creativity is a skill. The way that muscle gets trained is by taking on every assignment that your creativity throws at you. Basically it’s like playing improv. Always welcome the new idea your partner introduces into the situation. At first these will feel like softballs but as the trust between you and your creativity strengthens it will start challenging you in all the unique ways that only you are prepared for. By doing your part in this game over and over your ideas will become more interesting and eventually others will call this your style.
i love all of this and i will definitely participate!!!!! i had to pause and write down the caption text "the same way you are a complex human being, your style doesnt have to be just one thing". that really hit it for me - because i enjoy doing many different things, i never think about myself as having a "style" (even though other people say i do). but subjects i return to, colors i keep using year after year - i have those things! and ive never really liked the obsession with style i see around sometimes. to me it feels like a worry to make your art into a neat package thats easier to sell, and as much as i need to eat just like everyone else, i cant bring myself to squeeze into that kind of box, you know? i mean sure, my art doesnt feed me, so maybe theres something to it, but then i guess it never will and i will be happier earning money some other way.
For me the different styles used to be very far apart like different artists working in my body. Over time they’ve gotten a bit closer but they’re still working with their own logic and techniques. I’m not concerned about variety anymore. At this point I know that switching things up might cause some whiplash for people that expect me to do something they are waiting for. Now I know this is kind of weird but I kinda like the chaotic effect that it has 😈 One year I worked all year in Sumi-e ink and as soon as my old art school friends were rolling out the red carpet to welcome me among their traditional art group I started doing pixel art which literally no-one was asking for. If my creativity was a real person it would probably have a multiple personality disorder. ...and I LOVE it! \o/
Ever since you mentioned on IG that you started editing the art-challenge video (was it thursday.. friday?) I have been excited for it :D I'll be happy to participate and I'm also looking forward to seeing what other people will create ^.^ Happy painting y'all !
Pretty blown away by how much art there is already. I'm thinking of starting a new story circle to feature even more than I intended because so many of the posts are so inspiring. Not just the pieces of artwork but also the reasons why the artists describe those pieces a their comfort zone. Makes me look at new aspects of painting in a new light.
You have a delightful accent but it took me almost the whole video to understand you were saying weapon. Don't worry about it and don't apologize to my comment because it cannot relay that to me. :) The problem is mine because I am not used to hearing the words through your accent. And because it was hard to read your lips for enunciation because I was distracted by your drawing. As to style, don't worry about that because all people already have a style, even though they themselves may not recognize a cohesiveness. Your style is always how you do things and that will show more the more you create because there will be more to compare and notice. Plus never worry about how your work looks. I have discovered that pieces I create that I myself absolutely hate, someone else will absolutely love. Someone will ALWAYS like what you create - even if you don't.
As a person who is trying to go full time as a painter, I always felt frustrated with my style. I always feel like I should discover something new. Yeah most of the professional artists has a style and a comfort zone but one day I decided to not worrying about my style and focus on painting. I should be able to stuck in my confort zone in a day but it doesn't matter that much anymore. I'm enjoying discovering. I'll try to join your challenge, thanks Mikko! My page: instagram.com/blueseparation/
I love painting galaxies :D when I borrowed my sister's ipad I painted one to see if I could use Procreate. I paint them everywhere lol I know this is an old one but I'm gonna keep galaxies in mind when I'll get my ipad (soonish) :D thanks!
I really love your content but if i were to give maybe a suggestion to make your videos a bit better is to maybe add text or pulling points of the main ideas of your video. Also maybe divide the video into the main points of the video so people can skip to the part they want. I am just suggesting this cuz there are people who are not bothered to watch the whole video so please don’t take this as hate it is just as a suggestion and i really want you to improve too! Thank you
The membership tab is on its own tab in the channel view on the phone but on PC it’s just a simple button. To be honest I haven’t had the opportunity to view my channel on someone else’s phone so sorry that I can’t give more helpful instructions. I literally just started using the feature so I will have to learn as I create content for it.
I've been trying to paint sth for this challenge for three days straight and nothing, I always try to get better and better so I pick subjects that I think will push my limits so honestly I don't know what I like. Also does it have to be a digital painting or traditional mediums are ok as well?
It can be even a photograph or a sculpture if you feel like it. Only those 3 rules in the description matter. Please note the 3rd one ☝️ When you’re working do you ever have moments when you just enjoy making the art regardless of the outcome?
@@angrymikko I guess I enjoy a bit more painting golden stuff, or compositions I can make in my own house or working from photo references, I wanted to do ur art challenge cause ur art is so inspiring but painting from imagination is a bit too much for me right now. I'll try what I'm good at at the moment, thank you😊
I mean there is def things you could learn and apply to things you already do when it comes to weapon designs, like new ways of thinking or going abt tackling things you already like painting. This doesn’t really sound like much of a challenge if it’s just something you do all the time, i thought the point of a challenge was to push yourself and find new skills which intern, can lead to finding out you love doing something you never would have thought you would even like before? Hmmmm
Do weapon design! ...but...WHY? Lol seriously dude. Art should be about your own interests and passions. I do art for myself and won’t waste time on things I don’t care about. I want to get better sure, but only if I can find a way that is enjoyable and engaging for me.
This is a good exercise to do pretty much for anyone looking for their style. The guidelines might have been simple but you'd be surprised how many failed to follow all 3.
![HOW FAST Should You Be PAINTING? [procreate painting process]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qSjGpROd-PU/mqdefault.jpg)
![HOW FAST Should You Be PAINTING? [procreate painting process]](/img/tr.png)
![Overcoming ART FEARS [PROCREATE Process]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/w0UGMf07MVE/mqdefault.jpg)
I really like your mindset, you're one of those few artists who know what art is about. If we don't enjoy it, then there's no point doing it
InstaBlaster.
Isn’t it funny how we feel like we need permission to do the style we really love. It can still be hard work, but it doesn’t have to be torture like trying to do something that doesn’t come naturally! I’m excited to see where this challenge takes me over the next few months 👍
Can't wait to see what you make! Feel free to post your ig handles here when you're done with your post guys. They will all go to the "held for review" section but I will clear them for visibility each week.
Held for review might seem a bit evil but it's a good tool that protects this channel from a ton of spam users. It also protects me from seeing a lot of hateful stuff when I'm not ready for it and just logging in to reply to comments.
Thank you, for reminding me that art supposed to be fun, therapeutic and expressive. Thanks.
that moment when you don't know what your comfort zone is... 😳
I never said that 3rd and final rule would be easy ;)
Same 🤦🏻♀️
I think the advice to “try something different that are out of your comfort zone” is a very valid advice, especially for someone who is just starting at art. But it’s not a good advice for someone who already found their art style and know what their likes and dislikes. For example, for someone who still doesn’t have an art style it is a good advice cause it helps them explore new stuff, learn new art style and help them thru their journey to find themselves in art form. But once you tried something and realizes that you don’t like that style and it doesn’t bring you happiness while doing it, then there’s no point to keep doing it. Cause it’ll only suck the joy from doing art and it’ll only do you more harm than good cause if you keep forcing yourself to do something you hate, you’ll only ended up resenting it more.
It’s harder to think of something further from your aesthetic than ‘weapon design’😆
year 4 of this channel is going to be all...
katar-daggers ಠ_ಠ
I LOVE nature too, nothing is more soothing, pleasing or exciting to me; as being in nature . LOVE this painting!
Aw heck, Mikko this is awesome! I'm actually crying a few tears of happiness and... relief!
This challenge is EXACTLY what the world needs right now, and it gives a opportunity of old and new artists alike to find a place in their art where the can feel SAFE.
A place in their art where they can relax, be secure and have fun. And that in itself will help solidifying ones personal style and most of all, ONES CONFIDENCE.
And the approach of being kind and supportive, heck yeah. This is everything I am about and thank you for getting this out into the world
I do think this is a wrong interpretation of the "Do what's outside of your comfort zone" -advice, but I really like the ideas that you have because of that interpretation. And it might be that other people interprete it wrong as well. It certainly was never meant to mean: "do things you don't want to do" or "do things that don't interest you". It's more like "do what you would love to do but are afraid of or not sure you're capable of", which is important life advice. But if people think it means you should do things you aren't interested in doing, that would certainly lead to misery and regret
This video made me realize how much I don't want to finish what i'm working on.
This video should reach ALL artists of all kinds. Everyone could really use this reminder ❤️
You just gonna throw me into an existential crisis. I'm forever confused if I'm doing my comfort zone drawings because that's what I "should be doing" or because I'm stuck in it. - I really liked how you said "if you had to draw a 100 drawings of it, how would you do it?" I think that's a key insight.
I've read an interview with an illustrator maaaaaaany years ago and I don't know who it was by now, but it forever stuck with me that he said "your shortcuts are your style". I totally agree with it. I mean we still got the question whether I'm just not putting in the effort to get comfortable with something else, but you saying that if I had to draw something a 100 times how would I do it - and what would I draw.. that puts it into another light. That makes it almost easy to answer :)
I will definitely draw something that's purely following this principle. Thank you!
Haha, so true XD never do anything out of my comfort zone in terms of themes. I'm looking at you, human body. I don't care at all if I can draw a human. but I care if I can draw a walking beetle enjoying its day ^^
Hey Mikko! I just found out about your channel when I was looking for things I can do with an iPad. I subbed right away. I’m not a painter, and doubt I could ever have the talent to do it, but I see so much skill and passion in what you do, and you just put out such a positive message. I love your videos man.
Definitely going to be doing this! I used to be so critical of my art to others ect and i ended up with a severe art block where I would stare at a blank page for hours and made me feel even worse. I then realised the reason I had the block was I had become scared to make art as I didn't want it to be bad or not as good as the art I looked up to. Now I'm happy with my art but the fear is still there as a habit now so making myself do things I love to draw and paint is definitely helping! Thanks for the awesome challenge mikko!
I don't want to scare anyone by saying this but fear IS part of the deal with creativity. When you make art you are pretending to show a possible new future, important reality or an idea that should be part of the discussion. To be an artist is to be a leader. We will never be ready for it because we know we don't know where exactly creativity is leading us. By publishing our work we act as if we know.
Is it any wonder we feel like impostors when success comes?
I'm more and more starting to think that feeling is also just part of the deal. When a piece of creative work turns out popular it seems like people show up to be led on the road you are on. The artist knows there is no road.
They just opened a gate to a whole new field and maybe that's all they need to do for us to move forward as a society.
The only way I have found peace with the important role creativity has in all our lives is to just approach it with the utmost humility and understanding that my job is not to be an oracle or the maker of the message. My role is just to finish the manual part of the work with the best of my skills and be ready for the paintings as they come.
I take a lot of pride in this part of the work. Even if it's just craftmanship I often feel like I've done my part and that's good enough for me =)
I am so happy I found your channel. Words matter and your words are so encouraging. Thank you! 👩🏻🎨🌷
this is a wonderful challenge! i'm looking forward to seeing others' submissions, and maybe i will even submit some of my own art! i love the 2nd rule :)
Super inspired by your videos and art !! Just posted my piece under your hashtag :)
Thank you for setting my mindset this morning. I really needed to hear your words, thank you so much. This is awesome, I'm about to accept your challenge.
!!!
Happy New Year Mikko :D
One year to late for this art challenge, but you spoke right out of my heart. I discovered your channel this morning and I just have to comment on this important topic. I get excited about a lot of things and I often have trouble finding the things that really make me happy. I have come a long way to find myself and to understand what my soul actually wants and not my head does think is right. I agree with you from the bottom of my heart. Art is not about perfection or what others think is right for you. It's about YOU. Art comes from your heart and soul. And that's what I like to put into my paintings this year. I also love to draw landscapes, and starry skies. That's where we all come from. There will always be fantasy elements in my paintings because life itself is a great mystery and wonder. I want to express that through my pictures and then they don't have to be one hundred percent technically perfect. It's about emotions. Having this realization and seeing that there are people out there like you who think similarly encourages me even more for this path. I want to touch people emotionally with my pictures, let them dream away a little. That is me and I don't want to change. So thank you dearly for this reminder.
Warm greetings from Germany
Anke
As always great content and words. I will participate in this challenge Mikko! I have learned so much and got inspired by you! Thank you !
I'm amazed of the way you encourage artists to get better inside their comfort zone. I always thought to myself I have to do everything and learn everything to get better, but I forgot everything takes time and rushing doesn't help. Thank you and I will be sure to join it!
How funny you posting this right now. I decided to do a "100 day, make some kind of drawing / painting every day and don't show anyone so you don't do it for IG "pity" likes and no one can judge you on your poor skills" thing. I'm on day 40 today, giving myself permission to suck some days. But it's so very true: nothing comes to mind before I start, nothing comes to mind until I make some marks, scribble, erase, start over. At some point, I think, "that looks like a rabbit about to get into a fight" or sometimes I've drawn my hand or eye, and sometimes I've written words and made a word art design.
The Thing is: I either don't know what my style is, or I do know and I don't like the way I render things, or my lack of imagination at what do draw.
Mikko, thank you for sharing your work and advice, you've helped many people.
Thank you for the conundrum. This will be difficult.
So i looked back at all my art and even my practice work to see if i can find a pattern and realize i don’t think i do art for myself.
I do art to make others happy.
So now i don’t know my style or what is my comfort zone.
Its strange though because i just talked to wife about going into the lab to find my style.
Thanks for the challenge!
Awesome thoughts Mikko! If art is personal, shouldn’t that personal space be a comfortable one? I will certainly participate in this challenge!
Can’t wait to see what everyone makes. I think this will also be an opportunity to see things from other artists perspectives.
Love this video. I watch your videos as a very beginner (35 yo beginner) because I love art and although I’m a fiction writer, I find making art helps me when I’m stuck in writing. I really needed this video because I’ve been stuck trying to get out of my comfort zone and have hated everything I’ve made.
You are inspiring, every video is like a meditation to watch and I love that feeling that you bring to it. I feel the calming cathartic nature of your art and love of nature. You are absolutely right. Do what you love not what you want when it comes to art. It took a long time for me to understand that with my writing too.
Isn’t it weird how all of these creative working methods are pretty much the same no matter what you do. I spent all day yesterday trying to put together a terrible looking carousel for this challenge and then this morning it dawned on me:
“It’s a comfort zone challenge Mikko you idiot, why the F are you trying to put together a typography slide show?!”
To my credit I scrapped the whole thing and actually took my own damn advice and made the post with focus on the painting. It was so close to being a total mess tho’ 😅
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Watching one of your videos is like watching a truckload of inspiration, imagination, techinque, and wonder. I love how every painting unfold beautifully and quickly. You have given me the power to do the painting that i am currently still working on, a forest scene, tank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.
I finished it! Took me a couple hours ua-cam.com/video/FeCWrvPebp4/v-deo.html
This is a great reason to briefly raise my head out of sci-fi-comic-land and draw some pretty forested scenes instead! I still have months of steel walls ahead of me before I get my characters off these spaceships, so it'll be a very refreshing break. I'm definitely setting aside some weekend time for this.
I have just discovered your channel and as a growing artist I'm so inspired by your humbleness. There are no rules where the heart is meant to go with creativity and this resonates so deeply. Thank you. I'll definitely try this challenge 🤭
This is a really nice message, you're so right!! We as artists should absolutely draw the things we love or else it will just feel like another chore. Especially on social media where others can freely comment on our art, it's so easy to fall into the trap of 'doing art for the sake of an audience or for the sake of someone else'. It used to happen to me as well until I realized it was just wrong and that I should be doing art to make myself happy and naturally the people who love my art will see my art for what it is. I'm glad that you grew out of that phase too. Your art is really amazing btw!
I’ve noticed that in the videos where I talk about marketing on social media there’s a common theme with comments that feel frustrated by their lack of engagement.
So many artists make a strong assumption of what people who follow them want to see and those assumptions are almost always wrong.
It’s impossible to win the trust of people who see your art if the art itself is nothing more than a lure to reel them in. People aren’t stupid and they can smell the inauthenticity in the work.
Doing authentic work and getting more reach are not mutually exclusive concepts.
Thank you so much! We can feel your love for art and art world through all your posts, my favourite part is that we have not to apologise about our skill level, may be that would help me to stop judging myself any time. I can't wait to see all the art that will flow with this challenge 💕💕
Amazing . I will really amazed to get out your comfort zone to good
Can't wait to try!
Now I'm even way more fired up. I've been waiting for the challenge. And yes I'm very enthusiastic
Good luck 🐻❄️Sorry it took so long. I think I worked on this video for about 3 more days than was necessary. Partly because I scrapped the entire first attempt but also due to not being familiar with how long rendering my rotobrushing would take. (3sequences took 13hrs for my separate dedicated rendering pc to crunch through at 10bit 4k and the resulting file was 672gb which obviously isn’t time/cost efficient for producing videos for UA-cam)
At least I learned what to not do with media encoder settings 🤷♂️
@@angrymikko well.. i will enjoy the process the best i could as my thanks for the hard work. Let's do this! 😤
I am so happy for this challenge. I've struggled with this sort of mentality ever since high school. I've always tried to push myself further than I really want to go. And so now it's taken until recently that I've found my comfort zone of what I like to paint. This gives me extra incentive to paint mushrooms!!!
Great.. very happy about this challenge..❤️❤️
You’re really great artist!👍
what a nice idea. So art-positive. :) Might join in too
What a great challenge! I have deemed this as a personal year of love. Pushing your comfort zone can also be making something better out of love. Why torture one's self? That just seems counterintuitive to what art is, at least to me. Sure, we all paint some of our inner struggles to exorcise them, but I really prefer to paint from joy. And, Mikko, part of the joy of watching you paint is that incredible, effusive smile you have on your face when you are having fun in your work. THAT is Comfort Zone!
Just wanted to let you know that I really like your style :) I think it's unique and kind of dreamy.
I love this idea. I'm a tech support analyst, who does digital art as a hobby, and a lot of times I follow UA-cam tutorials. However, if the result is not something that I think I would be happy to have done at the end, I don't do the tutorial, even though I might miss some technique that would be useful. I just have limited time for this, so I only want to do something that I will enjoy doing, and that will make me happy to have done. Also, I almost always add a Pokémon to my pictures, so if I can't see a way to do that, I skip it. 😂
I like watching your videos because I really like your style, and find your art amazing and inspiring. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this! Your artwork is amazing and your vulnerability is so helpful! Your advice is what I needed to hear. I think it will help me make more artwork. So, thank you Mikko!
Great idea! I’ll participate. At least once maybe more than once. The moment I started telling myself I can enjoy environments and perspective I started even being able to do it. Self talk matters I was so stressed and afraid that I couldn’t even learn perspective now I’m doing way better. Enjoying it and believing we can really matters. Self talk matters. Fun stuff thanks.
Is the comfort zone when your drawing and you have this feeling of oww this should go here and let’s try this color on this and put these all over here and etc.? it just automatically happens no hesitation.
I think a lot of people believe that telling someone to create or do something outside of their “comfort zone” is a cure all for everything but it really isn’t. We idolize versatility because we see others doing it on their journey and it work for them but it can’t work for everyone. Mikko what you’re doing is amazing and I’m honestly super excited to encourage more people to create what they love and genuinely enjoy the journey instead focusing on the results ❤️❤️❤️
Is there a way to post it without Instagram? I'm still to young to have it, can I put it in video form like on UA-cam? 😭 Edit: I just finished watching the video and you and your mindset are such an inspiration, thank you
Man always with your stuff color blobs just POOF into amazingness. Is there any reason to the madness? or are you just putting some color here and there and then like "I guess this is a (insert thing here) now?"
I think I explained in the beginning of this livestream that this was just a bunch of colours in a test canvas for brush creation. I think there was something in there so I decided to recycle it for a full painting. Few things make me feel as gangster as stealing my own art =D
Could you do procreate tips and tricks to make our art work better?
In almost all of my videos I do. I'm also making more in-depth tutorials each month for my members. There are also plenty of painting tips on my ig account. On this channel the free simple tip videos are usually the shorter ones because I think those are more efficient when a person just wants to solve one problem through yt search.
I really love this challenge and the thoughts behind it! I felt overwhelmed by trying to find something less common to draw, draw something special because what I really like to draw is quite basic and I feel there is only that on Instagram ( fantasy portrait especially girls ones) but you know what, just need to accept it and stop overthinking! I will participate for sure!
Try to apply that thinking to other artists. Like me for example. I'm sure I could also say to myself that islands, houses and landscapes are already "done".
If I just used that criteria to censor art I would be removing hundreds of paintings from my galleries right now.
You will keep finding new ways to explore the things you're interested in and we will eventually see your subjects through your own unique perspective.
Don't let comparisons stop you before you get there.
@@angrymikko Waw thank you for your help ! this is so relevant! you're so right! It's hard though but I will try my best to stop comparing myself to others as you said 🙏
Me: Literally in class with my mouth open in amaze 😍😍
So well done! Your video is so high quality!! And the art is gorgeous! I also agree with you: we should create what makes us feel good to create!
Thanks to the lovely members that joined the channel earlier I was able to get a better cable for the recorder and now all the footage on this channel will look much better for everyone.
I can even distinguish between the white of the background of Procreate and the lighter tool bar. You can imagine that the colours in these paintings are going to be much closer to how they look on screen from now on.
Again I hope everyone can appreciate the members for making that happen. All video gear is insanely expensive for my current budget.
This really opened my eyes I had so many ideas which I really liked but threw away because I thought they would be too similar to the work of other artist or the work I have already done Thank you so much🙌
I often keep saying on this channel that creativity is a skill. The way that muscle gets trained is by taking on every assignment that your creativity throws at you. Basically it’s like playing improv. Always welcome the new idea your partner introduces into the situation. At first these will feel like softballs but as the trust between you and your creativity strengthens it will start challenging you in all the unique ways that only you are prepared for.
By doing your part in this game over and over your ideas will become more interesting and eventually others will call this your style.
i love all of this and i will definitely participate!!!!! i had to pause and write down the caption text "the same way you are a complex human being, your style doesnt have to be just one thing". that really hit it for me - because i enjoy doing many different things, i never think about myself as having a "style" (even though other people say i do). but subjects i return to, colors i keep using year after year - i have those things! and ive never really liked the obsession with style i see around sometimes. to me it feels like a worry to make your art into a neat package thats easier to sell, and as much as i need to eat just like everyone else, i cant bring myself to squeeze into that kind of box, you know? i mean sure, my art doesnt feed me, so maybe theres something to it, but then i guess it never will and i will be happier earning money some other way.
For me the different styles used to be very far apart like different artists working in my body. Over time they’ve gotten a bit closer but they’re still working with their own logic and techniques.
I’m not concerned about variety anymore. At this point I know that switching things up might cause some whiplash for people that expect me to do something they are waiting for. Now I know this is kind of weird but I kinda like the chaotic effect that it has 😈
One year I worked all year in Sumi-e ink and as soon as my old art school friends were rolling out the red carpet to welcome me among their traditional art group I started doing pixel art which literally no-one was asking for.
If my creativity was a real person it would probably have a multiple personality disorder.
...and I LOVE it! \o/
Ever since you mentioned on IG that you started editing the art-challenge video (was it thursday.. friday?) I have been excited for it :D
I'll be happy to participate and I'm also looking forward to seeing what other people will create ^.^
Happy painting y'all !
Pretty blown away by how much art there is already. I'm thinking of starting a new story circle to feature even more than I intended because so many of the posts are so inspiring. Not just the pieces of artwork but also the reasons why the artists describe those pieces a their comfort zone. Makes me look at new aspects of painting in a new light.
This is so true fam,
You have a delightful accent but it took me almost the whole video to understand you were saying weapon. Don't worry about it and don't apologize to my comment because it cannot relay that to me. :) The problem is mine because I am not used to hearing the words through your accent. And because it was hard to read your lips for enunciation because I was distracted by your drawing. As to style, don't worry about that because all people already have a style, even though they themselves may not recognize a cohesiveness. Your style is always how you do things and that will show more the more you create because there will be more to compare and notice. Plus never worry about how your work looks. I have discovered that pieces I create that I myself absolutely hate, someone else will absolutely love. Someone will ALWAYS like what you create - even if you don't.
He's an talented artist 🎨❤️😊💯
can't wait to get my iPad pro and pencil!! :D
I agree with alot things you said. Now I have do it xD
Ayy I will definitely take part in this, such a wholesome challenge
This is in no way relevant but I always wonder what the body of that 🐻 looks like...🧐
@@angrymikko it is much bigger than the head hehe, look up tiny headed kingdom on google
Omg that's awesome. My retinas weren't prepared for all that thicc-ness XD
As a person who is trying to go full time as a painter, I always felt frustrated with my style. I always feel like I should discover something new. Yeah most of the professional artists has a style and a comfort zone but one day I decided to not worrying about my style and focus on painting. I should be able to stuck in my confort zone in a day but it doesn't matter that much anymore. I'm enjoying discovering. I'll try to join your challenge, thanks Mikko! My page: instagram.com/blueseparation/
I love painting galaxies :D when I borrowed my sister's ipad I painted one to see if I could use Procreate. I paint them everywhere lol I know this is an old one but I'm gonna keep galaxies in mind when I'll get my ipad (soonish) :D thanks!
Stars are so fun to paint for me too :)
Dang these are excellent points. Get hired doing what you love! You could always be in construction or something instead
You mention artists you admire in this video. Who are these artists?? Also, I love your work. You are 100% an artist I admire and am inspired by!
Eila Ekman-Björkman is the artist whose paintings I’m talking about. She was also a wonderful but tough teacher.
I really love your content but if i were to give maybe a suggestion to make your videos a bit better is to maybe add text or pulling points of the main ideas of your video. Also maybe divide the video into the main points of the video so people can skip to the part they want. I am just suggesting this cuz there are people who are not bothered to watch the whole video so please don’t take this as hate it is just as a suggestion and i really want you to improve too! Thank you
This might be a stupid question, but how do I become a member ? I have followed you for a long time and you are such an inspiration ! Love your art !
The membership tab is on its own tab in the channel view on the phone but on PC it’s just a simple button. To be honest I haven’t had the opportunity to view my channel on someone else’s phone so sorry that I can’t give more helpful instructions. I literally just started using the feature so I will have to learn as I create content for it.
@@angrymikko totally cool, I just really wanna be a member and I can’t find it 😔
I've been trying to paint sth for this challenge for three days straight and nothing, I always try to get better and better so I pick subjects that I think will push my limits so honestly I don't know what I like. Also does it have to be a digital painting or traditional mediums are ok as well?
It can be even a photograph or a sculpture if you feel like it. Only those 3 rules in the description matter.
Please note the 3rd one ☝️
When you’re working do you ever have moments when you just enjoy making the art regardless of the outcome?
@@angrymikko I guess I enjoy a bit more painting golden stuff, or compositions I can make in my own house or working from photo references, I wanted to do ur art challenge cause ur art is so inspiring but painting from imagination is a bit too much for me right now. I'll try what I'm good at at the moment, thank you😊
I mean there is def things you could learn and apply to things you already do when it comes to weapon designs, like new ways of thinking or going abt tackling things you already like painting. This doesn’t really sound like much of a challenge if it’s just something you do all the time, i thought the point of a challenge was to push yourself and find new skills which intern, can lead to finding out you love doing something you never would have thought you would even like before? Hmmmm
Can it be black and white?
Of course. It can be even a black and white photograph of a duck sculpture if that is your thing 🦆
@@angrymikko okay thanks, and where to post it exactly?
@@duru1568 instagram use the hashtag so others can find your work.
Hmm, So I have until june to make an instagram.
rip that shoe
Do weapon design! ...but...WHY? Lol seriously dude. Art should be about your own interests and passions. I do art for myself and won’t waste time on things I don’t care about. I want to get better sure, but only if I can find a way that is enjoyable and engaging for me.
Is that a switch charger in your iPad 💀💀
Yes
I just saw this video today :(
This is a good exercise to do pretty much for anyone looking for their style. The guidelines might have been simple but you'd be surprised how many failed to follow all 3.
ig handle: @davidaaronking