@@AdamDuffArt “Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving you will come to a better place.” ― Uncle Iroh ☝
Thank you for talking about this, because few are. I can totally relate to times where art feels like a chore. This usually happens after comparing myself to people more successful. If you’re not careful it can go from a hobby you enjoy to a competitive treadmill. Then eventually you ask yourself why you’re even doing it, and quit. So I totally agree: Consistent practice that *you can maintain* will always beat Herculean sprints :)
@João Traini From skateboarding i learned by seeing a lot of people my age way better that me that the only reason they were actually better is that they had abandoned everything else and got lost into it mixing it with all the stuff like going out fooling around drinking smoking, sleeping and then skateboarding all day thats it. Sleeping eating something on the fly and going from skate park to skatepark for ALL day until the sun sets. Of course they had no job and they lived in a very minimalistic way. The first impression that they might make on you is that they are very good skateboarding but if you really widen your eyes you'll start to see where lack of balance and mental straining comes in even into them. You will start to see their "roof tops" their max level over which you know they'll never going to break out because by putting that much strain over what you do you'll burn out... and they'll start doubting over all the time they've put in (in the case of a 20 years old person it could be 7 to 8 years for example) and start "accepting" the fact that they won't get any more better. Their journey would end because what their tricks should've always been (like loving the learning experience and the feeling of the costant growt) never was. So the same people that were trying to put you down because you weren't going their speed are the ones that were staying still from the beginning. And you do not have to let those people make you think that you won't be no good and you shouldn't try to go their speed, it would even be better to stay alone and do your thing at your speed and feeling, but not because that means that you are less it just means that you are YOU. You shouldn't consider (at least thats what i'm doing) those people you truly consider to be "recognizable for what they do" as having followed a strict training and blah blah blah instead they are still feeling and undergoing their growth, their Progress daily attitude. The only reason they are able to forge truly astonishing things using what we might perceive as "talent" is just that they have grown to an extent where they are able to get the basics down just like they've been born with and get in that grounding flow sensation which is weird to recognize because you can't, you should feel it. But they never feel like they are stopping learning and as well as they might not admit it, they won't ever say they've reached their maximum but thats not flexing, thats just how they truly are thats just how you truly pick up any skill. So it's better to never think about don't putting effort over what you like just because you think you won't reach them and you won't reach your "friends" that now might have it more than you. That's because by behaving like that you won't be different by them(who will eventually burn out and abandon the activity with the only difference they had wasted time). Instead just praise the learning experience. And, I'm putting this at last but it's the most important. Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes to the eyes of others. The only way you'll get something you like is first getting ALL you do not like ( of course you do not want to hurt yourself but maybe skateboarding is a delicate example of this) Take for example singing, you'll have to make A LOT of weird unpleasant noises but the sooner you make them the more you'll realize that maybe the sounds that inspire you have their roots into those noises This doesn't want to be a "oh i live following those rules and you should to" said with that foolish sound like if you where trying to pronounce the vouel UUU in falsetto voice and make them like an owl. Hope it gets the image done. I just wanted to try and write down what i had in my mind and thats it.
This vid made me cry. I'm suffering from depression while doing a full time job witch i don't like and having someone saying to me that what i do is good, made me cry like a little girl. So.. Thank you for saying this to me.
I came to the same conclusion myself a year ago. A good friend of mine had also become a great concept artist (winning several Artstation challenges), I saw him grow from an amateur to a well known artist giving talks and interviews and tutorials now. He told me that I should just work hard every day, but the difference between me and him is that he lives alone with his wife in the country, drawing all day, and I live with a sick mom of whom I'm the caretaker, I still go to college and have a part time job. I literally *can't* do as much as he does in a day, and I'm so happy that i stopped beating myself up for that. Even though I usually do it for longer, my goal now is to find just 2 minutes every day to sketch, and that's enough for me right now. I'm not in a rush anymore to git gud :)
You do you, and grow as best as you can. I wish you the best of luck, as with everyone else here. I really love the mini-community that this video is fostering.
Two years ago I returned from a burn out. in 2016 was when i "quit" drawing because I was fed up. However, I never lost that fire, the fire of creativity. In 2018, I came back to it but it was at a cost. I sacrifice the gym and dropped the amount of time i played in video games by 80 percent. Every time I am home all i do is draw, I get up, have my coffee, make my breakfast and draw until I have to go to my part time job. My part time job requires physical labor so it balances it self out when i am sitting all day at the computer drawing. By now, I've noticed my art has gotten a whole lot better. These past two year my art progress has been more significant than ever before. I have chased that dream of working in a big studio before, and you know what? I don't care for it anymore. I just want to get paid for my art, I just want to get paid to do what i love. If I don't get a job doing that, then, at least i have my art to satisfy me.
yoo, you have an instagram or your art page, i want to check it out mate, and im so happy to see that even though we are strangers, i still need to balance everything so yeah, keep it up man :3 or mam, haha
This hit me hard, so hard and in so many levels. Now I'm in my 30's but sometimes it just feels like I am a lost child, not strong enough to deal with this world
then move your god damn ass, study, and become better at art. Do research to find what factors made the artists so famous, remember, skill is just one pillar, as nothing is so black and white. Fuck time, fuck your feelings, do what must be done, and become the artist you want to be. And dont forget to enjoy the journey, becouse your success will be the death of your desires... pussy. best regards ma man, ps: fuck off.
"slow and steady wins the race." My uni-grad ass has been clinging onto that, as I watch my peers get jobs right out of uni. Watching everyone start their careers, when I'm still figuring things out, is painful. At the same time what I am doing is focusing my own head to have the same level of drive that they had, it just takes more time for me (deciding on what kind of art to make, defining why I make art and finding what it is I enjoy from art). I've been working on my habits, really laying down that foundation to keep me consistent and also healthy, because I've been down the health risk road and the burnout road. I'm pretty sure it is a wise decision, but I also doubt myself every now and then. Living in a world where you are unconsciously being expected to be on a fast-lane is tough. But I'm trying, I'm trying. Deep down I know I can do it.
I’m crying so much right now. I’m just 17, but since my 12 I decided that I want to become a professional artist, but now I’m struggling so much, I can’t paint a single drawing mine that’s satisfies me however I still putting my efforts on it but never seems enough. I’m having so much thoughts about “why keeping doing this if is hurting me so much...isn’t to me be enjoying this” but at the same time I don’t have courage enough to give up completely, and I don’t know what I would do with my life. I’m completely lost and this is my last year on school and after I should go to a university or begin to work so I have a year to decided what to do. Anyway I hope I’ll find my way somehow.
your very young, i know what that felt like. You need to somehow change your mindset to slowdown your expectation of the results you are getting. It takes a very long time to learn so just focus on improving from the last time you created something, dont compare to other peoples work.
lol, i'm kind of the same situation but opposit in some way... I've always loved creation, technology and stuff like that... so I aim for engineering.. so I spent the last two year in STEM studies... and about a 8 month ago I started doing artistic 3D modeling... and I love it even if I'm not really good at it... and I'm having troubles keeping up in technological class... actually the only reason I have good grade is literature... english, spanish, philosophy, technical class in english (I'm french) basically expression... literature... stuff like that and I'm in STEM, which is totally the wrong place for art, literature, self expression and stuff like that... so I'm kind of hesitating to give up technology and go for art... but I totally don't have the knowledge and experience to do it now... I have no capacity in 2D art, I'm good enought in perspective thanks to technical drawings but I'm incapable to get any proportion right... so yeah... studies and choice are just a complicated thing i guess...
Go at your own pace, you're extremely young. I got my first job when I was 26, someone I know who is a senior concept artist at a big AAA company started when he was 30. There are plenty of stories like that. It doesn't matter when. Just make sure you're doing what you need to, to get there.
@@animeswitch When I wrote that comment I was feeling very down, and I actually began to compare myself with the artists I admire, like you said, so yeah I agree with you. Anyway now feel better and I really appreciate your reply
the only bad thing about your videos is that they make me cry (the kindness in your voice, how understanding you seem to be, how good it feels to realize im not alone with these problems and the kindness, the gentleness, the kindness!!) and its kinda hard to paint with tears in your eyes
Two of my favorite quotes // “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” - Confucius “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore is not an act but a habit.” - Aristotle
hahah I'm currently abstaining from watching too many art-related videos because they kept making me feel like I need to work more, so I put this one on the "watch later" playlist, but little did I know it basically touches on exactly the things I needed to learn real quick this November. I'm currently studying 2D animation at 22 y/old, hoping to get into concept art someday, and had a bit of a close brush with Burnout this winter. My method of staying productive has always been "draw whenever you can" during high school, aiming to do as much as I can bear while still lazing around, indulging in "me-time" when I felt I had no energy to focus enough. It worked quite well, for like, 4 whole years. I drew during weekends, vacations, sometimes even after school hours, it felt balanced, I had lots of fun. And to keep things short, I then started studying animation fulltime, 36h a week, and still kept this mindset; after all, working for school was different than working for myself, and I managed just fine for the first whole year too, right? No problem then. Little did I know, my mindset of "be as productive as possible" in hindsight didn't have a safety measure in case of no productivity at all, so I slowly became less and less productive, with some ups and downs, but the pressure and feeling of necessity for it kept rising, and I just kept amassing more and more stress to the point of it impacting my physical health and sleep. It was a really weird situation, because all I did when I got home was laze around in hopes to recoup enough energy to maybe get something done later, but when that energy never came I was unable to recognize it as something being deeply wrong. Little did I know, that taking rest with the intention,-the expectation of working later, is nowhere near as valuable as actually just taking a rest. So even taking breaks felt like they were under pressure. It was a weird day, realizing that it was all happening mentally, and that I needed to stop pushing myself, even if I owe that drive everything I've achieved so far. It felt like I was accepting a loss? It was luckily my mother, who had experience with burnout, that had pointed out the symptoms she recognized at the time. I had talked to her about having a week of unusually bad sleep, weird cramps, and just generally feeling like there's a constant pressure, even though everything was going absolutely fine. I don't want to know how far it would have gone on for without that one conversation. I've only in recent weeks started to touch my tablet at home again, but my main take-away from that whole fiasco was indeed; I gotta take a step back when I can no longer enjoy just being in the present time. And that it's ok to just enjoy student life without having to be an overachiever. I was unable to recognize the downward spiral I was getting myself in even if I knew all the sayings of needing balance, needing rest, needing self-care etc,, so I'm unsure if having heard more artists talk about it would've impacted this for me or not. But it certainly doesn't hurt to have more people address the risk of overwork in more depth than just mentioning self-care as a footnote, because burnout doesn't have to result from just literal overwork.
Time management is something they don't teach you. School/university actually gave me BAD habits with regards to that. What I do to relieve pressure is plan my breaks, so I don't feel the letdown of cheating myself but I still get the downtime. A lot if the time motivation will strike on a day off and I'll get work done without the pressure of performance.
You made this in just the right time, man. I recently set myself up on a very strict art schedule and using methods that would leave my wrist in constant pain. I’d be shut away in my office, drawing all throughout the night- staring at that fucking monitor instead of getting up to at least brush my teeth or eat a hamburger- passing out and waking up around noon, unable to take my psychiatric medicine because i cant take it in the morning if i know whats good for me. I neglected my mental and physical health all in the name of art. I took it way too far because i thought i would prove my dedication and passion for art by hurting myself. This video really calmed some anxieties of mine, thank you.
Hey, Adam. I just had a question that probably a lot of people have had and you have answered before. When is enough, enough? Some people practice for years, be it efficient or inefficient, and are unable to reach the skill levels that are required for the industries (assuming they're going for industries). I feel that sometimes, it could be as painful to hold onto something than to let it go. Where do you personally justify or draw the line for this?
@Kris Well the reality that I'm trying to get at is that not everyone has enough time to accomplish this. The fact of the matter (regardless of how depressing it may be) is that not all dreams can be accomplished by simply "never giving up". When you look around, there are tons of people who once had a dream such as this, but couldn't maintain it and moved on. This is the point of my question. I'm not trying to sound like I'm really good, but there definitely are people who do art that isn't up to par with what the industry requires, yet to these people, they're putting in the time, practice, and money. I'd say that "impossible" is an overly optimistic statement because I've definitely seen people try and fail; never to return to it again. Time is limited and not everyone is at the same stage. Trent Kaniuga in his video answered this in a very wise statement saying, "if you can live without it, then you can quit." What about those who can't live without it, yet their circumstances pushed them away otherwise? Life is unfair.
That’s a great question - well, here are two things right off the bat.. - it can often be hard to see yourself and your skill, because you are your own point of reference. This is where reaching out to other pros can be hugely helpful. They can shed a light on what you didn’t realize about your work As you grow professionally however, you develop a skill in being a better self-judge of your work - a less biased and more willing to accept your shortcomings - the second is WILLINGNESS to address and improve your weaknesses. As a teacher I can easily tell when someone has resistance to growth. Maybe it’s ego, maybe it’s control - but you can read that “ya I know” reaction to critique that stunts learning hugely If you’re reaching a point of exhaustion and unbalanced frustration with your slow or stagnant growth, then it’s time to reach out to a professional that you trust As artists, one of the key skills we need to develop is the ability to see.we need to learn to recalibrate and redefine what we see And that same reality applies to our personalities and our knowledge of self - we have to learn how to see ourselves through a more advanced lens :)
I've always drawn and desired greatness in my work on its own merit and my skills. I was hugely dedicated. The thrill was in the process! I ate, slept, shit art. That's all I thought about for 30 years. I had some success in the '80s, before computers. But, time moved everything forward and I grew old. Then, my emotional pain became overwhelming of not reaching excellence. I had the epiphany, "I am as good as I'm going to get." I stopped and became a prison guard in my 50s. I had no other skills except for art. That was emotionally crushing. Some can call me an art quitter. That's fine. My monetary needs had to be met and my artwork no longer could do that. Or, my "marketing skills were not good enough to create income with my art". I was never taught about saving money for the future. So now, at 67, I live in a manufactured-home park, alone, and work as a night security guard at a very old hotel to supplement my small social security check. Do I feel like a loser artist? Yes. But, I always thought: I'd rather give it my best shot than not try to fulfill that obsessive urge to create. I'd rather live 50 years totally excited, trying and loving the journey. Then, if it happens, live my final 10 years as a failure. 50 good, fun, exciting years vs.10 lousy years. That was my youthful thinking. Life isn't fair. That's fact number one. Great talent is a random thing. No one is guaranteed great talent. Some just get lucky, work hard and hit the jackpot in the Universe. That's all. It's rare. Would I have stopped my course and changed to something boring but monetarily fruitful if I knew then what I know now? Probably. But, I was obsessed with art. I suggest to anyone reading this to be mindful and use your critical thinking skills wisely. Always have a Plan "B", "C" and "D" as a back-up. I ignored that intellectual concept. I ignored the fact that I would live to old age. Am I happy, now? Sure. Why not? I tried my damnedest and made it up the latter only so far. Now, the descent. That's life. The only thing important is what's going on "right now". We humans are the only ones that can mentally conceive the future. Use it wisely. I use Photoshop every day and still do my artwork. I'm still learning. I can't stop the compulsion. Life is what it is. Then, we die. It's no big deal. There are lots of winners and losers on the planet. Follow your passion! But, only if your bank account is in good standing.
I. Needed. This. And right now is exactly the time I needed it. I'm coming upon my tenth anniversary at a job I've grown to hate over the years, and I've been suffering from burn out for a long, long time. Because of my full-time job and the burnout it's caused, my struggles with depression, and fatigue and other issues from hypothyroidism (thanks to thyroid cancer and a total thyroidectomy eight years ago), I've let my art lapse and I haven't finished a painting in years - and those paintings from years ago are kind of embarrassing now and don't represent my abilities and skills anymore. A few months ago I started a new medication for my depression which has made a big difference in my motivation and general outlook, and I finally decided I needed to update my portfolio and produce some new paintings that actually represent my skills so that I can take steps to get out of this job that I know I don't belong in anymore. But I work so, so very slowly, and I only have about an hour and a half a night to work on art (assuming I still have the energy at the end of the day). I've been kicking myself for being so slow and for doing anything other than art in the small amount of free time I have, and this video really touched a nerve on that. I can't begin to express how much better I feel having heard this message, and how much kinder I can already tell I'm going to be with myself. Thank you so much for sharing this - I needed this more than you could ever know.
No one answered this comment. I'm not sure how many people know what a challenge is to do any intellectual work (like art, programming) while having mental issues. And by mental issues I mean those issues that makes you to take medications to remain functional. It's already a huge victory that you became a professional artist while having clinical depression.
Thank you for this! I have tried to learn constantly but it happened often that I fell asleep behind the desk at night when trying to learn art when I had my job in science during the day. Now I thought I will have the time during the day and I do more but I still feel so inadequate because I don't learn fast enough or do enough... It is really hard now with homeschooling 3 kids... We have a so-called online school in our country since the beginning of October - the schools are shut down! The little kids (1-3rd grade) went back this week for the first time, all others are still at home. My kids learn in the kitchen next to my room and I rarely have 10 minutes of uninterrupted time because naturally, they need help (tech/IT help when things aren't working - quite common, help with understanding what teacher meant, also very common, help with going through what they have to do so they don't forget to do something, sometimes help with understanding, help with the motivation and of course - food - they need to be fed quite frequently:D)... And I know I'm lucky because they are good students and 2 out of 3 don't need me to "motivate" them or be with them during learning. So I think I should be able to produce more. I was home alone for 4,5 days for the first time in my whole life this summer - and I had to write a science article and I wrote literally more than 5 times more in those 4 days than I did in 1,5 months before working every single day on it at my job! It was quite remarkable and I still don't quite believe it can make such a difference. Even though they called like 10 times a day and I tried to mediate the best I could over the phone:D. I work at night because that is the only time I know I can finish something - but that really limits my sleep to a degree that is not very healthy. It's hard to choose sleep if that is the only time to do art... And it's hard to be productive when you are tired from the whole day... But if I try to really work with them around it's so frustrating and I feel like I'm not getting anything done and I'm not being a good mom - so I work at night... Any advice is very welcome:)
This video really went deep with me, im from Venezuela and art is the reason I love life, sadly the crisis in my country it made impossible for me to follow art as a professional career so I went with accounting to make a living, but I keep practicing whenever I can because this is what I want in the long run, so maybe im not going to be an amazing artist any sooner, but I hope to leave this country someday and finally be able to pay for art education and supplies, today I may not be able to be like you or any other successful artist, but you are right, If I don't stop I will eventually get where I want, life wasn't meant to be fair.
Dude... finally someone who sets a different tone that i connect with. This really got to me! I'm 37 and i started to draw again after more than a decade hiatus about 4 years ago. My dream was always to be a comic book artist.When i was 18 i was out of school and found there were no comic jobs in germany at all .So i switched. Tried a little 3D, worked a bit as a photographer but never made enough ,oney so i went into sales. 5 years ago i picked up a pen again and a year later i realised that nowadays with the internet you can be a comic book artist everywhere. My skills have totally fallen off so i'm trying hard to get good again.But right now i have a wife a 5 year old and a 1 year old. I worked full time to provide for my family and i don't want to be a weekend dad only so it was really ruff. A year ago i started on twitch and was kinda crushing it. Affiliate after 2 months, raids from my favourite artists. i had fun and it was working, Only thing is i barely had the energy and had to go all night for this. At the end it got me into the hospital. I just want to be a pro so i can do this all day. But i had to take a step back. Then life hit a few times really hard, and even though i found a way to work only 3 days a week and still make just enough to provide for my family (adios videogames and merch lol) i had so much stuff going on that i still couldn't get to the drawing table regulary. I hated my instagram since i only had so little activity there. I sacrificed almost all quality time with my wife and barely watched movies or played. Now at christmas our flat burned down. We're all safe and it was all insured so everything is great but of course again this all eats up all the time again. I just hope i can finish those 8 pages for top cow comics till the end of february. They are looking for new talent. I barely have internet now so doing twitch streMs or youtube doesn't work (german internet is a shame!) But i try not to beat myself up to much anymore. I really was in a depressive state lately. Haven't had those for years but for a few days i thougt my life was cursed. Then i finally found some new spirit after getting some good news again after months of just bad ones. My only goal is to finish those 8 pages in the next 4 weeks. No matter the outcome.I understand that i need the time for my family.That i need to work and make sure they havat least the minimum they need. And that i need time with my wife and that it's okay to watch a movie and chill with her from time to time. It's hard to change those "crush it" habits and to learn to sleep more than just 3 or 4 hours most of the time. But my family needs me too. And no matter how hard i go.Live finds a way to stop you anyway from time to time. So i just need to learn to be happy while doing what i can. Again, thank you!
I needed to hear this. I'm at a point where all I want to do is sleep and play dark souls, and when I'm not doing that I'm stressing about school and art. I get so easily discouraged by all the popular internet artists I follow. It crushes me when I see their art get thousands of interactions while mine can barely get any traction. I think I need to regain my energy and then reevaluate how I'm spending my time
I know what you mean but you cant give up no matter how you feel, do art because you like it not because you want to please others, Do it for yourself. Jealousy and envy are disgusting creatures and they will get the best of you at times. I know when you see an artist whos skills are higher or lower than yours getting more attention and love than you it makes you a lil bit angry on the inside and you want to push yourself harder so you can get that same attention aswell. Don't wear yourself out trying please someone who doesn't really give a shit about you. Take your time, slow down, enjoy what your doing and don't look at others as a competitor but as an inspiration. You don't need to please anyone love what you do
Never compare yourself to other's. Be in competition with yourself and better you. That's were people go very wrong, you will never get anywhere doing that.
I try and balance everything but in the end I listen to Kim jung gi, we need rest and recollection to come back There’s one day when I can do my best and finish something in just a few hours and then there’s days when I can’t paint at all, and just do practices. I work out heavy lifting and interval training, cook, buy groceries, take care of house/plants/pet. I recently found the live of my life, so art may be great in a few weeks but it slowed down too. Balance is key, rest is very important as well as enjoying
Kim jung gi is on a whole different level. to him drawing is the equivalent of breathing. But he has gotten that high focus and visual drive because he developed it ever since he was a kid. So yea its fine that i cant Become a master in 1 day, its always a process
I really appreciate you talking about this difficult topic Adam. I purchased a book called The Artists Way by Julia Cameron which is 12 week course for blocked artists (like myself) and I have to say, I feel that it’s helped me progress. As artists, we more than any other group have to learn about ourselves on a psychological level in order to maintain our wellbeing and functionality. An important thing I’ve learnt is how much we neglect our unconscious mind and it’s desires. This is where our inner resides and it does not respond well to words like ‘hard work’, ‘struggling through’; the unconscious mind where our true artist inner child lives wants to be taken out to fun places, to see and buy fun stuff, to sample novelty. The mistake all us artists is that we think we have to lock ourselves in a dead room all day and work like a slave....as it’s the stoic thing to do. No, we need to outside the four walls and fill our creative well. We more than any other group need to visit museums, become awe inspired, observe the dinosaur skeletons, ancient ruins...go to video game arcades. Do childish immature stuff and quit being stuffy stoic adults.
I absolutely loved your wise words alongside your fantastic artwork skills! Almost meditative, your mentality is really open minded and I can tell you've seen a lot of artists burn out. Thank you for your words, take care.
This connected with me so much, im 25 and for the last half year i was constatly stressing about being this age and not having a career as an animator and film maker, but i have a part time job, an animation project on the going wich im trying to finish and im also getting my master degree and learning to paint better, and sometimes i see younger people having it easier on them and I think im just not good for this, and the struggle was starting to be unbearable, but what you said really helped calm me down, thank you.
It's so hard to unlearn that mindset once you buy into it, I had the luck to be pretty obligation free so I worked my ass off from 0 till I landed a job in the industry. But now I had to struggle a lot to slowly allow myself to not always be productive, to enjoy some free time and that it's ok if you're not drawing every waking minute of your day. I still have some guilt when I'm not doing productive stuff but definitely doing better
I can really empathize with that “non-productivity” guilt, I still get it often enough I take my lesson from fitness - where they don’t just “do nothing” on their time off, rather take “active rest” Sometimes it’s not so much about doing too much, and more about “doing too much of the same thing for too long” And that other thing shouldn’t keep you up until 4 in the morning - it’s more of a leisurely fun learning. I for instance love learning about cameras, video, lighting, lenses, modifiers, filming techniques.. I spent all of the holidays learning about that It allows me to grow technically and artistically without burning myself out - it’s fun and fulfilling
That's definitely a good idea, having different interests can help you avoid burnout without maybe feeling like you're wasting time. I personally dwell into reading books, playing videogames or painting miniatures. Although the need of making art always lurks around the corner :D good video man, more people need to hear this imo!
Exactly on point...What is interesting is how many people early on think "Oh if only I could be an artist full time I would never have any trouble making a lot of great content." But that depends so much on your mental, emotional and outside circumstances. Looking at ultra productive and uber popular instagram or YT star artists - it's never clear how much "help" they get behind the scenes (like a staff or family etc) because showing that might be perceived as weakness in our "hustle until you die" culture. The amount of pressure and stress that accompanies turning your fun hobby passion into a serious legit full time job is severely underestimated. Appreciate you discussing this - is it VERY relevant to professional artists trying to make emotional and effective art and, of course, making a decent living wage. Good stuff Adam thanks!
Your talks have reinvigorated me to get back to my art. I thank you so much. I have stopped my art for years I would say but with these talks I have been more inspired to create. Thank you.
I don't think I could ever express how much this helped me. I go to an animation centric school and everyone just constantly goes and goes and I am always emotionally and physically burnt out. I ended up getting strep throat my first week back because I wouldn't sleep because I wanted to catch up so bad. I always feel so behind to the point that all I've been thinking about for the past three months is how I should give up and quit because I will never be fast enough or good enough to compete with any of my classmates. Today was kind of my breaking point where I spent the whole day crying at my cintiq instead of working. You said everything I wish others would say when I complain about the constant pain and depression art brings me. I'm going to go to bed early today lol! Thank you man!
Hey Adam... thanks for sharing this, in turn, I'm gonna share a bit... Full time job, freelancing on the side for 3-4hrs everyday, including weekends. On a grind to "make it" and change careers into art which seems more viable now. Did it long enough that I eventually ran into problems. Initially manifesting itself as sharp mood swings and spikes of unwarranted anger/aggression to the detriment of my partner. I blamed it on the chronic lack of sleep. Started getting "lapses" on basic responsibilities like cleaning after my own mess, random chores, etc. Started to notice that the work I was doing started becoming a chore. I delayed on the work, procrastinating.... by playing video games and watching youtube vids (which should reset my mind right?), which exacerbated the issue of the chronic lack of sleep since I still needed to do the work, which "enhanced" the feeling of it being a chore, which resulted to more procrastination... so on and so forth... It got bad enough that eventually I got confronted with it by partner. I didn't want to hear it. I blamed her instead for "making a mountain out of a mole hill". I was PISSED. I was doing important work! I was chasing after my dream! I was doing this for us! (all modes of denial of course). Eventually calmed tf down, and now see I was close to burning out. My partner threw a freaking lifeline and I almost didn't accept it. Stepped back a bit. DISCIPLINED myself to have a schedule on sleep, morning work, chores, relaxation/down-time and evening work. I would have thrown all the progress I had away if I burned out. I wouldn't have forgiven myself if I burned out. I love art and I wanna make it full time, but it shouldn't be done by relinquishing my responsibilities. Self discipline is hard, since obviously I'm going against my own worst enemy... but hey, gotta keep at it eh? Again, thanks for sharing this video Adam, I needed to hear it now to remind me this route is a marathon and not a sprint. Cheers! :)
This is so true. I’m still trying to find my balance as an art student. I have self diagnosed autism (don’t have the money to get a prof. Diagnosis) and I have professionally diagnosed ADHD, and depression. I get burn outs a lot because so many different types of stimulation really drain me (social, physical, sound, blue light, etc) I consider myself a pretty talented individual but all of that talent is stifled by my inability to produce anything at times of deep stress. Recently, I’ve even developed a nasty respiratory infection that’s been going on for over 3 months now due to my lack of self care. I can get discouraged and frustrated easily but I’m learning to be gentle with myself and to listen to my body.
Same here, I’m trying to build habits of self care instead of working until I pass out, IF I have the energy that day. I also am diagnosed with clinical depression, ADD, social anxiety, and over the years I’ve realized it’s possible I have enough traits to be on the spectrum at high functioning either that or severe ADD as many specialist believe ADD/ADHD to be at the top of the spectrum. I was debating on switching away from posting my work on my UA-cam channel since I cannot keep a consistent schedule, however I believe that by focusing on balance consistency surely will follow. Thank you for sharing, I know we can succeed !
Thank you for beeing a really god teacher, not only in arts, but mainly the part about the mindset and calming down an overactive mind that is always going a 110mph. Every aspect of life need more of this mindfulness.
Yet again, thank you Adam. Honestly that validation made me tear up hahah I often expect of myself to be that 1st place artist being so so productive, not only in art but in all these things I wanna do and learn and I'm so far from that. I feel bad that I struggle to feel the drive to do anything. That even tho I feel passionate about art I don't usually feel the urge to grab a sketchbook and draw. I'm a uni student living alone and I had depression and anxiety for years btw. That steals a lot of energy. but I hate to use that as an excuse. I'm my own worse enemy. it's a fight. I believe I'm capable of being that person and artist I want to be, that nothing can hold me back, so it annoys me I'm not. That I tend to sleep in until 12pm and not want to get up even then. That there's many days I don't draw at all. That when I have evaluations at the door I spent the whole night playing a game. And I should be getting a part time so I believe it'll get harder. I hope with time I get where I want to be (I'll keep trying) and I'll try to stop being so hard on myself and feeling bad for not reaching my sky high expectations. Thanks for your amazing teachings.
You gave me the...biggest sigh of relief that I didn't even realize I needed. And allowed my shoulders to drop when I hadn't noticed I was holding them so stiff. Thank you.
I said this before, but I feel it's not enough. Adam, you're the XXI century Bob Ross. Not meaning a "substitute", but you also warm peoples souls while doing beautiful art. Thank you.
I never felt this way until now, until you mentioned. If anything until now I've felt inspired and motivated to reach my goals but for real I'm glad I saw this video because it hasn't changed my mindset towards my own work but it has changed my mindset on others work!
im taking art 3 in my highschool and got a 10% in the first semester and got Ds in almost all of my other classes and like, shit. depression is hard. so hearing this, ,, really made me feel better about not being able to do as much as i want to with art especially. thanks man.
Having a full time job in vfx with a wife that also works full time, plus a 3 year old and a home to take care of, I can attest to the feelings and ideas outlined in this video. I try to take the last hour of my day towards personal art, but I am also not gonna blame myself for slow output. I'd rather create a great work that takes months then try to bang something out in a few days with little to no sleep. I look at it as process over output. It took David Lynch years to make Eraserhead, but the end result was something completely unforgettable.
I was so glad to find this video today. Great words and advice, and something I feel alot. With a family, kid, it's alot to work as much as you can. I find myself jealous of young artists with no responsibilities past their own pencil. I find we, as artists, hold onto alot of guilt when we are not being productive. I find myself buried in it from time to time. Thank you for the amazing discussion.
Thank you for making this video. As artists, we can be so tough on ourselves. We can't help but to compare ourselves to others, but each of us is on a separate playing field. It isn't fair however we have to find a way to make things work in each of our individual lives. Thank you for reminding us to be kinder to ourselves.
yeah i was like that, and it took me years to break the habit, what helped me the most was actually having a final goal and creating a routine but i'm not sure this will work for everyone
Its a never ending cycle. I think the key thing is to draw what you dont normally draw. Somehow that gets me a bit more motivated and feel a bit more confident in my skill. Usually people lose motivation alot because they only draw things that are in their comfort zone , never going even further and then making you feel less and less motivated to draw at all.
You know, sometimes I take a pen, open a new canvas and just feel all strength leaving my body. I could be doodling on a piece of paper alright, but once I set myself up to have some proper quality time, I'm drawing a blank immediately.
Just some thoughts from young professional currently working full time studio job and freelance. I think that you haven't mention one important thing Adam - social media aren't 100% real. I'm not saying those artists wants to "deceive" others but rather than that - people (in general not only artists) have tendency to show only "best moments" on social media. They show best artworks, most productive days when they are "killin it" and so on and it's easy to get the impression that they are like this all the time because nobody really talks about the failure or ordinary days. It's not only in art world - every single field is distorted because of "social media race". I really like your channel because you tell about stuff that is sort of "taboo" in our industry - unemployment, burn out, mental and health issue and so on. I was quite shocked when I've learned that one of "big name" artist that had some "big name" clients under his belt was working at the bar before landing full time studio job. You would never tell this from his social media where he was "big name" freelancer having one gig after another. Another thing - I don't think it's possible to work 16h per day in the long run regardless of your passion and having no obligations. You can do this for short period of time when you have sort of adrenaline rush or some days can be like that when you feel the flow but if you do this day by day you are bound to break at some point because we are just biological forms. I think most people who talk about "working 16 hours a day" are talking about freelancing when you sit in front of your computer all day and those "16 hours" include meals, breaks, watching silly youtube videos, talking to clients, pretending that you work and so on and in fact they are productive for 6, 8 or maybe 10 hours at best. And my last thought - I think many people can't break into industry because they want to start "big". Most artists that we admire today haven't start in Riot or Blizzard. They started from small gigs, indie companies, mobile games and builded up their careers for many years using every opportunity they had. It's true for every other career too - not only art.
I haven't watched this yet, I'm going to put it on when I start my character ideation process today. I wanted to say that every video of yours has helped me so much. I struggle with focusing on my work normally, as I have ADD and don't use medication, but when I am drawing to your videos I feel 100% focussed. It could be your voice, or your wise advice, or your stories that some how shed light on things in my life that I would've never seen otherwise. All in all, I just want to take the time to thank you for what you do. Your videos make a huge positive impact on my focus, and the way that I see myself as an artist.
Well said mate, I keep telling to everyone as well that work on your own pace, we don't need to rush things but take it slowly and put balance in everything, I am as well just starting out, doing some Speed paint video, making some art on my day off. I don't have yet children but I have a job that is really tiring, walking 12 hours straight and 30 minutes of break in those whole 12 hours, it is not easy, it can get stressful physically and mentally, but as long as you have a grip in what you are doing and taking your time helps a lot. We need to be steady and try to see things differently and don't let any negative thoughts get a hold of us. One thing that I've learned is that, don't focus too much on social media, or likes, don't try to compare your success to the other people whose already successful, because it will just make you feel down, just focus on the thoughts that will give a positive boost to keep on going, if ever negative thoughts tries to enter in your head just "Shake your head" and say, NO NO NO! You don't have permission to bring me down now. Well said, have a nice day and God bless to you and to your family. :)
This is the first video I have seen of you, but you speak an absolute truth. I have respect that you bring this to the table, its something I speak a lot about with my colleagues. But hearing it hear on youtube by someone who makes such beautiful work and with loads of experience, it really makes a difference. Hearing you say there is always time to go to the gym, to play a game or to relax. It gives me hope I will get there. Maybe not now, maybe not soon but definitely at one point. Thank you for the video!
I cry over this video because i've been feeling this, i have cronic illness and have to work normal 9-5 hour to support my family and medication and sometimes making art can be really dificult sometimes i'm feeling really useless when my artist friends create and create and i just stuck there, Thankyou for understanding. it feels good to hear you say that things.
This was just what I needed for looking t my perspective as a student with two jobs and not being able to put out art and practice in the amount others do ... thank you very much
That was absolutely stunning. I found you just today and wow ... listening to this was better than listening to any audiobook, your voice is so calm and positive, your experiences are much higher above mine because u are twice older so i take it like an honor to know all this stuff before it even happenes to me. Thank you so much, and please keep doing this type of stuff, its amazing. (and sorry for some mistakes in english) - Your new fan
Thank you for that video. I'm working 8/5 job, spending my weekends by being 12h daily on my university, and I struggle with clinical depression, anxiety and other health issues. And yet I still hope to be a succesful artist someday.
I was constantly pushing myself to the point of burnout (external influences are always there to do so), until my last gig when it had a physical impact on me (RSI). Now, I have to figure out what is next. Thank you - this video helped me come to terms with this as a common occurrence.
Recently I've been feeling terrible about not being able to do much or achieve my planned goals (due to depression and stress from work). I've been feeling useless... 8:00 had me crying (literally) and I wanted to say thank you for your words. They mean a lot to me rn
Thank you so much for creating this video. It really spoke out what I've been feeling for the past few months... I want to pursue art in the future but just a few months ago, I had a burnout after drawing continously everdayㅡ and stopped drawing for 2 months. That made me rethink about my choices, that maybe I'm not passionate enough... but in the end, art is a part of my soulㅡI can never truly turn my head away from it. A good break is needed once in a while, experience new things and let your visual memory expand more!
Thank you for making this video, I really feel lost lately after graduating from art school with no job. It almost make me feel I had wasted so much time and money on my ambition with no vision. Thank you for making me feel better and sharing the advices.
I'm really enjoying your videos, thank you for all the advise. I've experienced burn out in a few different areas, the biggest being my art. I've only recently started really getting back into it, but I've been trying to pace myself and trying to break myself of being a perfectionist. The last has been difficult, but I feel that I am growing, that I am getting better as I work around my other responsibilities. Thanks again!
I want to get into art industry side hustling art and I found myself comparing to my friend in Art center college to design. I'm studying mechanical engineering in India, my daily college hours are 9 hours + 2 hours of traveling. I leave home by 8:30am and home by 7 pm. We have lots of projects, experiments and assignments. I am in 4 different college committees which also take my weekend hours. I am learning art, read books daily, study piano, bettering my social skills for the last 3 years. Thank you for this video, I feel so stupid comparing to someone going full time drawing and having so many art resources and connections and having going to college for it too. So stupid of mee, now I believe I'm so proud of what I've accomplished so farr
Wow this video really helped me. I’m in the middle of my first year of animation school and the constant competition/comparisons with my classmates has been really getting to me recently. Ive been feeling like whatever I do it’s never enough because of all the prolific artists around me who manage to do more. Thank you so much for making a video about this topic, it’s very reassuring.
Exactly what I need to hear right now. I’m always worried about my art not being out there or “seen” enough for me to make it a career one day (I’m applying for college as undecided AND considering a business major). I don’t really need to get there right away but I don’t want to waste my time either.
As someone who has been freelancing with undiagnosed adhd for years now, I needed this video. It has really set me back, and it’s only now I can se how much.
I can very much empathize with what you’re sharing - having close family members that have to navigate ADHD as well The fact that you have made it to this impressive point in your artistic endeavours is in itself epic My hats off to you and big respect
Man, this video was super awesome to hear. Most of the time you hear from artists things like the intro you put on: do AT LEAST 6 HOURS A DAY OF DRAWING. That's very mandatory, and that most of the times is only possible given the circustances to do so. I'm from Brazil, I have a full time job in advertising that is so stressfull I had to wuit drawing for like a year. I gave up from 2D and painting and started to study 3D only to realize that's not my gig. This video of yours should be put out to the world to many many artists whoam don't have the social economic context advantages to produce such amount of work. Thanks Adam
Such an importand video. Being a parent and an overly amibitious artist at the same time is something not being discussed too much... Thank you for all the full understanding and positivity, I feel like I'll come back and listen again, when I'll get into that phase of my life and artistic journey.
u really hit the real problems im university student struggle with weak internet connection - exam stress - classes - money - ppl around me and also i want to grow my career both cuz i breath art and to grow a living from it its being a year struggling with all this but as u said walking slowly is better then not walking at all
Absolutely - keep your eyes on the goal and just keep moving forward - the time it takes you to get there will be completely irrelevant once you’ve arrived
hello adam. i lost my spirit to draw quite some time ago. slowly rebuilding my confidence and my will to continue regardless if art becomes a career or not. i have started by going back to focusing art making me AND ONLY ME happy again, thus, it has slowly rebuilt everything else. maybe one day, i can get you and some others as a teacher but for now, i am taking steps to move on. l lurked your channel for a while. thank you for your insights and your channel. bless you as a teacher and for sharing.
I’ve been in exactly the same position as you - where I had to put art on the back burner for a while for money or health or whatever But I learned something very valuable during that time - I never ceased to think and visualize and see and feel like an artist. It resonates in your DNA Remember you aren’t just an artist because you “create art” You’re an artist because it’s who you are So don’t think that you’re giving up on being an artist if you need a break, you’re just giving up on drawing for a little while (but most likely not for too long ;)
Thank you for this video, Adam. I quit my full time job this month because I had burnt out to the point I had sacrificed both my mental and physical health. All I wanted for the longest time was more time to paint, and I felt guilty because I hadn't produced a whole lot like I had in my head that I would. This made me feel a lot better, and I'll be pacing myself! Also, incredible painting!
Your video popped up in my Recommended and it was the best video i have watched in a long time. Fantastic point of view, It's so refreshing to hear that people with busy lives (like my own) are making art work for them. It gives me even more confidence , I really appreciate it!
I can’t tell you how much this has helped me today. I was recommended to watch your video after announcing I was giving up my art business due to family commitments and looking after my daughter with mental health issues and my mum who is 87; I just can’t spread myself so thin. I feel my sanity is at risk if I carry on the way I am at this present time. Maybe things will change in the future. Maybe I’ll be able to go back to it when things calm down, but I’m not going to beat myself up if I don’t. I will always have my art. I could never give up my passion, even if it’s all purely for myself and for my eyes only. I feel if I take the pressure off I will start to enjoy it all once again, like I used to in the beginning. Thanks so much for these wonderful wise words of wisdom and I love love love your art Adam.
You are just amazing. That hit me much more than every film I watched since I don't even know. I'm studying in art school and sometimes I'm thinking about it is good I'm here? am I making any progress? why I can't make things on my friends' level? Then I'm thinking ,,maybe its because I don't spend enough time on this? Maybe I have to study more?" it often scares me and stresses me, because I also wanna live normal, eat normal, definitely sleep normal, and have time to do nothing. When I'm playing video games, just like u said, or watching a films I'm feeling guilty because at this time I could paint or draw and getting better. Now I'm really glad I watched this video, thank you from bottom of my heart :)
I'm one of those who decided to make the sacrifice, it was hard but i decided to give up on building a family to dedicate myself fully on my art. I still second guess myself about this choise but i'm happy on how i'm going with my art and my life.
Thanks for putting this out there, there's a real need for balanced advice regarding work/productivity in a world full of hustle promoters. It's easy to feel inadequate when people are always suggesting that you sacrifice time for sleep, or time spent with family, or the little joys you take in life like reading, or watching a film, or playing a game, all for some arbitrary definition of productivity or career success.
Hi Adam, stumbled across this and can't thank you enough! I've wanted a career as concept artist for an insane amount of time, a couple of things got in the way. 1 I wasn't good enough at the time and had to learn more. 2 life because bills need to be paid and I like having a roof over my head. The love for creating things has never gone away, I've always had storyboard jobs but after the 25 years of bartending I will be hanging up my bottle opener and going all in at the end of this year. I try to at least put in a couple hours a day to draw and practice new techniques to come up with 20 -30 concepts and character breakdowns for my portfolio. I'm close to being there. After that all I can do is let the chips fall where they may. Again thanks for posting this.
Sometimes I feel like I'm missing out on games or I'm behind on games because of my art. But we need to prioritize... Games are like a midnight snack for me lately A treat I have after dark. I'm lucky I don't have kids. But I do have a part-time job so I love everything you are saying. We all need balance and even though I don't like a schedule. I have it so I can get the best out of my weeks. Plus I find it takes time to practice using a schedule and getting the discipline to nail it... People who are making it I believe made a decision a long time ago to make art a big part of their lives and it most likely took the time to get to the place they are now. I think time and energy management is a trial, fail than succeed. It takes a while to work out what works for us and our lives...
Video games can very easily take a toll on your productivity. Sometimes it's nice to take a break and focus your mind on something else from whatever you've been working on, but I've been trying to look at it as; learn to appreciate and enjoy doing other productive things as your time to relax. I thoroughly enjoy creating art, and there are a few different styles that I work with, that have a completely different thought-process and mental tax. If I get tired of working on one style, I can switch to another and it feels fresh, and it feels like a relaxing break from my other work. Even doing chores around the house when I'm not feeling like drawing can feel like a rewarding break.
It does kinda hit home. I play games nonstop instead of spending at least few minutes on art to practice. I play so many games all the times to drown my own emotions that I won't be better in art, when in reality it's me who's stopping myself from going forward. It's time to change.
Thank you for posting this video. This came at the perfect time as I'm struggling with severe depression and moving homes. I want to create, but I just can't sometimes. Thank you for being so kind and understanding and giving me hope.
“I walk slowly, but I never walk back.” - Abraham Lincoln
Within Cells Interlinked I love it - perfect :)
also "Take it easy dude, but take it." -Terence Mckenna ua-cam.com/video/Hygj2wRODCE/v-deo.html
@@AdamDuffArt “Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving you will come to a better place.”
― Uncle Iroh ☝
'Some people give up when they see little progress, always forgetting that a LITTLE progress, is still PROGRESS'
Thank you for talking about this, because few are.
I can totally relate to times where art feels like a chore. This usually happens after comparing myself to people more successful. If you’re not careful it can go from a hobby you enjoy to a competitive treadmill. Then eventually you ask yourself why you’re even doing it, and quit. So I totally agree: Consistent practice that *you can maintain* will always beat Herculean sprints :)
This applies to more than art, it applies to any passion
agreed completely
@João Traini From skateboarding i learned by seeing a lot of people my age way better that me that the only reason they were actually better is that they had abandoned everything else and got lost into it mixing it with all the stuff like going out fooling around drinking smoking, sleeping and then skateboarding all day thats it. Sleeping eating something on the fly and going from skate park to skatepark for ALL day until the sun sets. Of course they had no job and they lived in a very minimalistic way. The first impression that they might make on you is that they are very good skateboarding but if you really widen your eyes you'll start to see where lack of balance and mental straining comes in even into them. You will start to see their "roof tops" their max level over which you know they'll never going to break out because by putting that much strain over what you do you'll burn out... and they'll start doubting over all the time they've put in (in the case of a 20 years old person it could be 7 to 8 years for example) and start "accepting" the fact that they won't get any more better. Their journey would end because what their tricks should've always been (like loving the learning experience and the feeling of the costant growt) never was. So the same people that were trying to put you down because you weren't going their speed are the ones that were staying still from the beginning. And you do not have to let those people make you think that you won't be no good and you shouldn't try to go their speed, it would even be better to stay alone and do your thing at your speed and feeling, but not because that means that you are less it just means that you are YOU. You shouldn't consider (at least thats what i'm doing) those people you truly consider to be "recognizable for what they do" as having followed a strict training and blah blah blah instead they are still feeling and undergoing their growth, their Progress daily attitude. The only reason they are able to forge truly astonishing things using what we might perceive as "talent" is just that they have grown to an extent where they are able to get the basics down just like they've been born with and get in that grounding flow sensation which is weird to recognize because you can't, you should feel it. But they never feel like they are stopping learning and as well as they might not admit it, they won't ever say they've reached their maximum but thats not flexing, thats just how they truly are thats just how you truly pick up any skill.
So it's better to never think about don't putting effort over what you like just because you think you won't reach them and you won't reach your "friends" that now might have it more than you. That's because by behaving like that you won't be different by them(who will eventually burn out and abandon the activity with the only difference they had wasted time).
Instead just praise the learning experience.
And, I'm putting this at last but it's the most important.
Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes to the eyes of others. The only way you'll get something you like is first getting ALL you do not like ( of course you do not want to hurt yourself but maybe skateboarding is a delicate example of this)
Take for example singing, you'll have to make A LOT of weird unpleasant noises but the sooner you make them the more you'll realize that maybe the sounds that inspire you have their roots into those noises
This doesn't want to be a "oh i live following those rules and you should to" said with that foolish sound like if you where trying to pronounce the vouel UUU in falsetto voice and make them like an owl. Hope it gets the image done. I just wanted to try and write down what i had in my mind and thats it.
It's so heartwarming to hear a professional artist be so considerate about other people's lives, struggles, obligations and emotional wellbeing.
This vid made me cry. I'm suffering from depression while doing a full time job witch i don't like and having someone saying to me that what i do is good, made me cry like a little girl. So.. Thank you for saying this to me.
Get better dude 💪
stay strong my friend!
thanks, both of you :D it means a lot to me
Lukas S Hope things get better for you dude, keep your head up and your hopes as well!
I have a small Peepee, but i‘ll try my best. Thank you :)
I came to the same conclusion myself a year ago. A good friend of mine had also become a great concept artist (winning several Artstation challenges), I saw him grow from an amateur to a well known artist giving talks and interviews and tutorials now.
He told me that I should just work hard every day, but the difference between me and him is that he lives alone with his wife in the country, drawing all day, and I live with a sick mom of whom I'm the caretaker, I still go to college and have a part time job. I literally *can't* do as much as he does in a day, and I'm so happy that i stopped beating myself up for that.
Even though I usually do it for longer, my goal now is to find just 2 minutes every day to sketch, and that's enough for me right now. I'm not in a rush anymore to git gud :)
You do you, and grow as best as you can. I wish you the best of luck, as with everyone else here. I really love the mini-community that this video is fostering.
Hi, do you post your drawings online?
Two years ago I returned from a burn out. in 2016 was when i "quit" drawing because I was fed up. However, I never lost that fire, the fire of creativity. In 2018, I came back to it but it was at a cost. I sacrifice the gym and dropped the amount of time i played in video games by 80 percent. Every time I am home all i do is draw, I get up, have my coffee, make my breakfast and draw until I have to go to my part time job. My part time job requires physical labor so it balances it self out when i am sitting all day at the computer drawing. By now, I've noticed my art has gotten a whole lot better. These past two year my art progress has been more significant than ever before.
I have chased that dream of working in a big studio before, and you know what? I don't care for it anymore. I just want to get paid for my art, I just want to get paid to do what i love. If I don't get a job doing that, then, at least i have my art to satisfy me.
yoo, you have an instagram or your art page, i want to check it out mate, and im so happy to see that even though we are strangers, i still need to balance everything so yeah, keep it up man :3 or mam, haha
@@seinnei2075 in IG I post unfinished work and sketches and in Artstation I post more finished work. Omni_Illustartions (IG)
Ariel Cal (AS)
@@seinnei2075 what style of art do you have?
OMNI I’ll definitely check out your page
@@user-me8fm5yf4n Thank you, I appreciate the love.
"More often than not, slow and steady wins the race."
I will always remember this quote of yours. Thank you Adam. This talk elevate me as an artist.
Pleasure was all mine Tariq :)
This hit me hard, so hard and in so many levels. Now I'm in my 30's but sometimes it just feels like I am a lost child, not strong enough to deal with this world
This "hard" world changes constantly, so be a relaxed rock in that wild ocean. 30 is nothing.
You're doing great, just relax, take care of yourself and your emotions.. at least that is What i'm going to do..
then move your god damn ass, study, and become better at art. Do research to find what factors made the artists so famous, remember, skill is just one pillar, as nothing is so black and white. Fuck time, fuck your feelings, do what must be done, and become the artist you want to be. And dont forget to enjoy the journey, becouse your success will be the death of your desires... pussy.
best regards ma man,
ps: fuck off.
There with you. Trauma has crippled me. I hope you find your way. Live your truth.
We all feel like that.
"slow and steady wins the race." My uni-grad ass has been clinging onto that, as I watch my peers get jobs right out of uni. Watching everyone start their careers, when I'm still figuring things out, is painful. At the same time what I am doing is focusing my own head to have the same level of drive that they had, it just takes more time for me (deciding on what kind of art to make, defining why I make art and finding what it is I enjoy from art). I've been working on my habits, really laying down that foundation to keep me consistent and also healthy, because I've been down the health risk road and the burnout road. I'm pretty sure it is a wise decision, but I also doubt myself every now and then. Living in a world where you are unconsciously being expected to be on a fast-lane is tough. But I'm trying, I'm trying. Deep down I know I can do it.
I’m crying so much right now.
I’m just 17, but since my 12 I decided that I want to become a professional artist, but now I’m struggling so much, I can’t paint a single drawing mine that’s satisfies me however I still putting my efforts on it but never seems enough. I’m having so much thoughts about “why keeping doing this if is hurting me so much...isn’t to me be enjoying this” but at the same time I don’t have courage enough to give up completely, and I don’t know what I would do with my life. I’m completely lost and this is my last year on school and after I should go to a university or begin to work so I have a year to decided what to do.
Anyway I hope I’ll find my way somehow.
your very young, i know what that felt like. You need to somehow change your mindset to slowdown your expectation of the results you are getting. It takes a very long time to learn so just focus on improving from the last time you created something, dont compare to other peoples work.
lol, i'm kind of the same situation but opposit in some way... I've always loved creation, technology and stuff like that... so I aim for engineering.. so I spent the last two year in STEM studies... and about a 8 month ago I started doing artistic 3D modeling... and I love it even if I'm not really good at it... and I'm having troubles keeping up in technological class... actually the only reason I have good grade is literature... english, spanish, philosophy, technical class in english (I'm french) basically expression... literature... stuff like that and I'm in STEM, which is totally the wrong place for art, literature, self expression and stuff like that... so I'm kind of hesitating to give up technology and go for art... but I totally don't have the knowledge and experience to do it now... I have no capacity in 2D art, I'm good enought in perspective thanks to technical drawings but I'm incapable to get any proportion right... so yeah... studies and choice are just a complicated thing i guess...
I guess the me from the other dimension is named Paum XD
Same same
Go at your own pace, you're extremely young. I got my first job when I was 26, someone I know who is a senior concept artist at a big AAA company started when he was 30. There are plenty of stories like that. It doesn't matter when. Just make sure you're doing what you need to, to get there.
@@animeswitch When I wrote that comment I was feeling very down, and I actually began to compare myself with the artists I admire, like you said, so yeah I agree with you.
Anyway now feel better and I really appreciate your reply
the only bad thing about your videos is that they make me cry (the kindness in your voice, how understanding you seem to be, how good it feels to realize im not alone with these problems and the kindness, the gentleness, the kindness!!) and its kinda hard to paint with tears in your eyes
Two of my favorite quotes //
“It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” - Confucius
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore is not an act but a habit.” - Aristotle
hahah I'm currently abstaining from watching too many art-related videos because they kept making me feel like I need to work more, so I put this one on the "watch later" playlist, but little did I know it basically touches on exactly the things I needed to learn real quick this November. I'm currently studying 2D animation at 22 y/old, hoping to get into concept art someday, and had a bit of a close brush with Burnout this winter. My method of staying productive has always been "draw whenever you can" during high school, aiming to do as much as I can bear while still lazing around, indulging in "me-time" when I felt I had no energy to focus enough. It worked quite well, for like, 4 whole years. I drew during weekends, vacations, sometimes even after school hours, it felt balanced, I had lots of fun. And to keep things short, I then started studying animation fulltime, 36h a week, and still kept this mindset; after all, working for school was different than working for myself, and I managed just fine for the first whole year too, right? No problem then.
Little did I know, my mindset of "be as productive as possible" in hindsight didn't have a safety measure in case of no productivity at all, so I slowly became less and less productive, with some ups and downs, but the pressure and feeling of necessity for it kept rising, and I just kept amassing more and more stress to the point of it impacting my physical health and sleep.
It was a really weird situation, because all I did when I got home was laze around in hopes to recoup enough energy to maybe get something done later, but when that energy never came I was unable to recognize it as something being deeply wrong. Little did I know, that taking rest with the intention,-the expectation of working later, is nowhere near as valuable as actually just taking a rest. So even taking breaks felt like they were under pressure.
It was a weird day, realizing that it was all happening mentally, and that I needed to stop pushing myself, even if I owe that drive everything I've achieved so far. It felt like I was accepting a loss?
It was luckily my mother, who had experience with burnout, that had pointed out the symptoms she recognized at the time. I had talked to her about having a week of unusually bad sleep, weird cramps, and just generally feeling like there's a constant pressure, even though everything was going absolutely fine. I don't want to know how far it would have gone on for without that one conversation.
I've only in recent weeks started to touch my tablet at home again, but my main take-away from that whole fiasco was indeed; I gotta take a step back when I can no longer enjoy just being in the present time. And that it's ok to just enjoy student life without having to be an overachiever.
I was unable to recognize the downward spiral I was getting myself in even if I knew all the sayings of needing balance, needing rest, needing self-care etc,, so I'm unsure if having heard more artists talk about it would've impacted this for me or not. But it certainly doesn't hurt to have more people address the risk of overwork in more depth than just mentioning self-care as a footnote, because burnout doesn't have to result from just literal overwork.
Time management is something they don't teach you. School/university actually gave me BAD habits with regards to that. What I do to relieve pressure is plan my breaks, so I don't feel the letdown of cheating myself but I still get the downtime. A lot if the time motivation will strike on a day off and I'll get work done without the pressure of performance.
I admire all the art made with passion and effort.
When art has that, it has "soul" and this video has soul. thanks for that
You made this in just the right time, man. I recently set myself up on a very strict art schedule and using methods that would leave my wrist in constant pain. I’d be shut away in my office, drawing all throughout the night- staring at that fucking monitor instead of getting up to at least brush my teeth or eat a hamburger- passing out and waking up around noon, unable to take my psychiatric medicine because i cant take it in the morning if i know whats good for me. I neglected my mental and physical health all in the name of art. I took it way too far because i thought i would prove my dedication and passion for art by hurting myself.
This video really calmed some anxieties of mine, thank you.
"Not because I did it, but because I did it too much." I really needed to hear this. Thank you so much, Adam.
Well then, I’m very happy to hear that :)
Hey, Adam. I just had a question that probably a lot of people have had and you have answered before. When is enough, enough? Some people practice for years, be it efficient or inefficient, and are unable to reach the skill levels that are required for the industries (assuming they're going for industries). I feel that sometimes, it could be as painful to hold onto something than to let it go. Where do you personally justify or draw the line for this?
I think that's an excellent question and I hope Adam sees it!
@Kris Well the reality that I'm trying to get at is that not everyone has enough time to accomplish this. The fact of the matter (regardless of how depressing it may be) is that not all dreams can be accomplished by simply "never giving up". When you look around, there are tons of people who once had a dream such as this, but couldn't maintain it and moved on. This is the point of my question. I'm not trying to sound like I'm really good, but there definitely are people who do art that isn't up to par with what the industry requires, yet to these people, they're putting in the time, practice, and money. I'd say that "impossible" is an overly optimistic statement because I've definitely seen people try and fail; never to return to it again. Time is limited and not everyone is at the same stage. Trent Kaniuga in his video answered this in a very wise statement saying, "if you can live without it, then you can quit." What about those who can't live without it, yet their circumstances pushed them away otherwise? Life is unfair.
That’s a great question - well, here are two things right off the bat..
- it can often be hard to see yourself and your skill, because you are your own point of reference. This is where reaching out to other pros can be hugely helpful. They can shed a light on what you didn’t realize about your work
As you grow professionally however, you develop a skill in being a better self-judge of your work - a less biased and more willing to accept your shortcomings
- the second is WILLINGNESS to address and improve your weaknesses. As a teacher I can easily tell when someone has resistance to growth. Maybe it’s ego, maybe it’s control - but you can read that “ya I know” reaction to critique that stunts learning hugely
If you’re reaching a point of exhaustion and unbalanced frustration with your slow or stagnant growth, then it’s time to reach out to a professional that you trust
As artists, one of the key skills we need to develop is the ability to see.we need to learn to recalibrate and redefine what we see
And that same reality applies to our personalities and our knowledge of self - we have to learn how to see ourselves through a more advanced lens :)
I've always drawn and desired greatness in my work on its own merit and my skills. I was hugely dedicated. The thrill was in the process! I ate, slept, shit art. That's all I thought about for 30 years. I had some success in the '80s, before computers. But, time moved everything forward and I grew old. Then, my emotional pain became overwhelming of not reaching excellence. I had the epiphany, "I am as good as I'm going to get." I stopped and became a prison guard in my 50s. I had no other skills except for art. That was emotionally crushing. Some can call me an art quitter. That's fine. My monetary needs had to be met and my artwork no longer could do that. Or, my "marketing skills were not good enough to create income with my art". I was never taught about saving money for the future. So now, at 67, I live in a manufactured-home park, alone, and work as a night security guard at a very old hotel to supplement my small social security check. Do I feel like a loser artist? Yes. But, I always thought: I'd rather give it my best shot than not try to fulfill that obsessive urge to create. I'd rather live 50 years totally excited, trying and loving the journey. Then, if it happens, live my final 10 years as a failure. 50 good, fun, exciting years vs.10 lousy years. That was my youthful thinking. Life isn't fair. That's fact number one. Great talent is a random thing. No one is guaranteed great talent. Some just get lucky, work hard and hit the jackpot in the Universe. That's all. It's rare. Would I have stopped my course and changed to something boring but monetarily fruitful if I knew then what I know now? Probably. But, I was obsessed with art. I suggest to anyone reading this to be mindful and use your critical thinking skills wisely. Always have a Plan "B", "C" and "D" as a back-up. I ignored that intellectual concept. I ignored the fact that I would live to old age. Am I happy, now? Sure. Why not? I tried my damnedest and made it up the latter only so far. Now, the descent. That's life. The only thing important is what's going on "right now". We humans are the only ones that can mentally conceive the future. Use it wisely. I use Photoshop every day and still do my artwork. I'm still learning. I can't stop the compulsion. Life is what it is. Then, we die. It's no big deal. There are lots of winners and losers on the planet. Follow your passion! But, only if your bank account is in good standing.
Jeff A I agree to all but last sentance.Go all the way...and that's all.
You are a great man Jeff.
Keep pushing...we all do.
I. Needed. This. And right now is exactly the time I needed it.
I'm coming upon my tenth anniversary at a job I've grown to hate over the years, and I've been suffering from burn out for a long, long time. Because of my full-time job and the burnout it's caused, my struggles with depression, and fatigue and other issues from hypothyroidism (thanks to thyroid cancer and a total thyroidectomy eight years ago), I've let my art lapse and I haven't finished a painting in years - and those paintings from years ago are kind of embarrassing now and don't represent my abilities and skills anymore.
A few months ago I started a new medication for my depression which has made a big difference in my motivation and general outlook, and I finally decided I needed to update my portfolio and produce some new paintings that actually represent my skills so that I can take steps to get out of this job that I know I don't belong in anymore. But I work so, so very slowly, and I only have about an hour and a half a night to work on art (assuming I still have the energy at the end of the day).
I've been kicking myself for being so slow and for doing anything other than art in the small amount of free time I have, and this video really touched a nerve on that. I can't begin to express how much better I feel having heard this message, and how much kinder I can already tell I'm going to be with myself. Thank you so much for sharing this - I needed this more than you could ever know.
No one answered this comment. I'm not sure how many people know what a challenge is to do any intellectual work (like art, programming) while having mental issues. And by mental issues I mean those issues that makes you to take medications to remain functional. It's already a huge victory that you became a professional artist while having clinical depression.
Thank you for this! I have tried to learn constantly but it happened often that I fell asleep behind the desk at night when trying to learn art when I had my job in science during the day. Now I thought I will have the time during the day and I do more but I still feel so inadequate because I don't learn fast enough or do enough... It is really hard now with homeschooling 3 kids... We have a so-called online school in our country since the beginning of October - the schools are shut down! The little kids (1-3rd grade) went back this week for the first time, all others are still at home. My kids learn in the kitchen next to my room and I rarely have 10 minutes of uninterrupted time because naturally, they need help (tech/IT help when things aren't working - quite common, help with understanding what teacher meant, also very common, help with going through what they have to do so they don't forget to do something, sometimes help with understanding, help with the motivation and of course - food - they need to be fed quite frequently:D)... And I know I'm lucky because they are good students and 2 out of 3 don't need me to "motivate" them or be with them during learning. So I think I should be able to produce more. I was home alone for 4,5 days for the first time in my whole life this summer - and I had to write a science article and I wrote literally more than 5 times more in those 4 days than I did in 1,5 months before working every single day on it at my job! It was quite remarkable and I still don't quite believe it can make such a difference. Even though they called like 10 times a day and I tried to mediate the best I could over the phone:D.
I work at night because that is the only time I know I can finish something - but that really limits my sleep to a degree that is not very healthy. It's hard to choose sleep if that is the only time to do art... And it's hard to be productive when you are tired from the whole day... But if I try to really work with them around it's so frustrating and I feel like I'm not getting anything done and I'm not being a good mom - so I work at night... Any advice is very welcome:)
This video really went deep with me, im from Venezuela and art is the reason I love life, sadly the crisis in my country it made impossible for me to follow art as a professional career so I went with accounting to make a living, but I keep practicing whenever I can because this is what I want in the long run, so maybe im not going to be an amazing artist any sooner, but I hope to leave this country someday and finally be able to pay for art education and supplies, today I may not be able to be like you or any other successful artist, but you are right, If I don't stop I will eventually get where I want, life wasn't meant to be fair.
Dude... finally someone who sets a different tone that i connect with. This really got to me! I'm 37 and i started to draw again after more than a decade hiatus about 4 years ago. My dream was always to be a comic book artist.When i was 18 i was out of school and found there were no comic jobs in germany at all .So i switched. Tried a little 3D, worked a bit as a photographer but never made enough ,oney so i went into sales. 5 years ago i picked up a pen again and a year later i realised that nowadays with the internet you can be a comic book artist everywhere. My skills have totally fallen off so i'm trying hard to get good again.But right now i have a wife a 5 year old and a 1 year old. I worked full time to provide for my family and i don't want to be a weekend dad only so it was really ruff. A year ago i started on twitch and was kinda crushing it. Affiliate after 2 months, raids from my favourite artists. i had fun and it was working, Only thing is i barely had the energy and had to go all night for this. At the end it got me into the hospital. I just want to be a pro so i can do this all day. But i had to take a step back. Then life hit a few times really hard, and even though i found a way to work only 3 days a week and still make just enough to provide for my family (adios videogames and merch lol) i had so much stuff going on that i still couldn't get to the drawing table regulary. I hated my instagram since i only had so little activity there. I sacrificed almost all quality time with my wife and barely watched movies or played. Now at christmas our flat burned down. We're all safe and it was all insured so everything is great but of course again this all eats up all the time again. I just hope i can finish those 8 pages for top cow comics till the end of february. They are looking for new talent. I barely have internet now so doing twitch streMs or youtube doesn't work (german internet is a shame!) But i try not to beat myself up to much anymore. I really was in a depressive state lately. Haven't had those for years but for a few days i thougt my life was cursed. Then i finally found some new spirit after getting some good news again after months of just bad ones. My only goal is to finish those 8 pages in the next 4 weeks. No matter the outcome.I understand that i need the time for my family.That i need to work and make sure they havat least the minimum they need. And that i need time with my wife and that it's okay to watch a movie and chill with her from time to time. It's hard to change those "crush it" habits and to learn to sleep more than just 3 or 4 hours most of the time. But my family needs me too. And no matter how hard i go.Live finds a way to stop you anyway from time to time. So i just need to learn to be happy while doing what i can. Again, thank you!
I needed to hear this. I'm at a point where all I want to do is sleep and play dark souls, and when I'm not doing that I'm stressing about school and art. I get so easily discouraged by all the popular internet artists I follow. It crushes me when I see their art get thousands of interactions while mine can barely get any traction. I think I need to regain my energy and then reevaluate how I'm spending my time
I know what you mean but you cant give up no matter how you feel, do art because you like it not because you want to please others, Do it for yourself. Jealousy and envy are disgusting creatures and they will get the best of you at times. I know when you see an artist whos skills are higher or lower than yours getting more attention and love than you it makes you a lil bit angry on the inside and you want to push yourself harder so you can get that same attention aswell. Don't wear yourself out trying please someone who doesn't really give a shit about you. Take your time, slow down, enjoy what your doing and don't look at others as a competitor but as an inspiration. You don't need to please anyone love what you do
Sleep and dark souls, me too
Never compare yourself to other's. Be in competition with yourself and better you. That's were people go very wrong, you will never get anywhere doing that.
I get quite depressed alot when I cannot get an artwork or concept down. This video helped me.
I try and balance everything but in the end I listen to Kim jung gi, we need rest and recollection to come back
There’s one day when I can do my best and finish something in just a few hours and then there’s days when I can’t paint at all, and just do practices.
I work out heavy lifting and interval training, cook, buy groceries, take care of house/plants/pet.
I recently found the live of my life, so art may be great in a few weeks but it slowed down too.
Balance is key, rest is very important as well as enjoying
Kim jung gi is on a whole different level. to him drawing is the equivalent of breathing. But he has gotten that high focus and visual drive because he developed it ever since he was a kid. So yea its fine that i cant Become a master in 1 day, its always a process
@@lonewolf8667 that's horrible lol
I really appreciate you talking about this difficult topic Adam. I purchased a book called The Artists Way by Julia Cameron which is 12 week course for blocked artists (like myself) and I have to say, I feel that it’s helped me progress. As artists, we more than any other group have to learn about ourselves on a psychological level in order to maintain our wellbeing and functionality. An important thing I’ve learnt is how much we neglect our unconscious mind and it’s desires. This is where our inner resides and it does not respond well to words like ‘hard work’, ‘struggling through’; the unconscious mind where our true artist inner child lives wants to be taken out to fun places, to see and buy fun stuff, to sample novelty. The mistake all us artists is that we think we have to lock ourselves in a dead room all day and work like a slave....as it’s the stoic thing to do. No, we need to outside the four walls and fill our creative well. We more than any other group need to visit museums, become awe inspired, observe the dinosaur skeletons, ancient ruins...go to video game arcades. Do childish immature stuff and quit being stuffy stoic adults.
I absolutely loved your wise words alongside your fantastic artwork skills! Almost meditative, your mentality is really open minded and I can tell you've seen a lot of artists burn out. Thank you for your words, take care.
This connected with me so much, im 25 and for the last half year i was constatly stressing about being this age and not having a career as an animator and film maker, but i have a part time job, an animation project on the going wich im trying to finish and im also getting my master degree and learning to paint better, and sometimes i see younger people having it easier on them and I think im just not good for this, and the struggle was starting to be unbearable, but what you said really helped calm me down, thank you.
Try having that level of anxiety at 35
I’ve been hearing this advice from my own parents but I really needed to hear it from another artist. Thank you Adam
It's so hard to unlearn that mindset once you buy into it, I had the luck to be pretty obligation free so I worked my ass off from 0 till I landed a job in the industry. But now I had to struggle a lot to slowly allow myself to not always be productive, to enjoy some free time and that it's ok if you're not drawing every waking minute of your day. I still have some guilt when I'm not doing productive stuff but definitely doing better
I can really empathize with that “non-productivity” guilt, I still get it often enough
I take my lesson from fitness - where they don’t just “do nothing” on their time off, rather take “active rest”
Sometimes it’s not so much about doing too much, and more about “doing too much of the same thing for too long”
And that other thing shouldn’t keep you up until 4 in the morning - it’s more of a leisurely fun learning.
I for instance love learning about cameras, video, lighting, lenses, modifiers, filming techniques.. I spent all of the holidays learning about that
It allows me to grow technically and artistically without burning myself out - it’s fun and fulfilling
That's definitely a good idea, having different interests can help you avoid burnout without maybe feeling like you're wasting time.
I personally dwell into reading books, playing videogames or painting miniatures.
Although the need of making art always lurks around the corner :D
good video man, more people need to hear this imo!
Exactly on point...What is interesting is how many people early on think "Oh if only I could be an artist full time I would never have any trouble making a lot of great content." But that depends so much on your mental, emotional and outside circumstances. Looking at ultra productive and uber popular instagram or YT star artists - it's never clear how much "help" they get behind the scenes (like a staff or family etc) because showing that might be perceived as weakness in our "hustle until you die" culture. The amount of pressure and stress that accompanies turning your fun hobby passion into a serious legit full time job is severely underestimated. Appreciate you discussing this - is it VERY relevant to professional artists trying to make emotional and effective art and, of course, making a decent living wage. Good stuff Adam thanks!
Your talks have reinvigorated me to get back to my art. I thank you so much. I have stopped my art for years I would say but with these talks I have been more inspired to create. Thank you.
I don't think I could ever express how much this helped me. I go to an animation centric school and everyone just constantly goes and goes and I am always emotionally and physically burnt out. I ended up getting strep throat my first week back because I wouldn't sleep because I wanted to catch up so bad. I always feel so behind to the point that all I've been thinking about for the past three months is how I should give up and quit because I will never be fast enough or good enough to compete with any of my classmates. Today was kind of my breaking point where I spent the whole day crying at my cintiq instead of working. You said everything I wish others would say when I complain about the constant pain and depression art brings me. I'm going to go to bed early today lol! Thank you man!
Hey Adam... thanks for sharing this, in turn, I'm gonna share a bit...
Full time job, freelancing on the side for 3-4hrs everyday, including weekends. On a grind to "make it" and change careers into art which seems more viable now.
Did it long enough that I eventually ran into problems. Initially manifesting itself as sharp mood swings and spikes of unwarranted anger/aggression to the detriment of my partner. I blamed it on the chronic lack of sleep.
Started getting "lapses" on basic responsibilities like cleaning after my own mess, random chores, etc. Started to notice that the work I was doing started becoming a chore. I delayed on the work, procrastinating.... by playing video games and watching youtube vids (which should reset my mind right?), which exacerbated the issue of the chronic lack of sleep since I still needed to do the work, which "enhanced" the feeling of it being a chore, which resulted to more procrastination... so on and so forth...
It got bad enough that eventually I got confronted with it by partner. I didn't want to hear it. I blamed her instead for "making a mountain out of a mole hill". I was PISSED. I was doing important work! I was chasing after my dream! I was doing this for us! (all modes of denial of course).
Eventually calmed tf down, and now see I was close to burning out. My partner threw a freaking lifeline and I almost didn't accept it. Stepped back a bit. DISCIPLINED myself to have a schedule on sleep, morning work, chores, relaxation/down-time and evening work. I would have thrown all the progress I had away if I burned out.
I wouldn't have forgiven myself if I burned out. I love art and I wanna make it full time, but it shouldn't be done by relinquishing my responsibilities. Self discipline is hard, since obviously I'm going against my own worst enemy... but hey, gotta keep at it eh?
Again, thanks for sharing this video Adam, I needed to hear it now to remind me this route is a marathon and not a sprint.
Cheers! :)
I just started a stressful week with some tight deadlines and this helped me to calm down. Thanks Adam!
This is so true. I’m still trying to find my balance as an art student. I have self diagnosed autism (don’t have the money to get a prof. Diagnosis) and I have professionally diagnosed ADHD, and depression. I get burn outs a lot because so many different types of stimulation really drain me (social, physical, sound, blue light, etc) I consider myself a pretty talented individual but all of that talent is stifled by my inability to produce anything at times of deep stress. Recently, I’ve even developed a nasty respiratory infection that’s been going on for over 3 months now due to my lack of self care. I can get discouraged and frustrated easily but I’m learning to be gentle with myself and to listen to my body.
Same here, I’m trying to build habits of self care instead of working until I pass out, IF I have the energy that day. I also am diagnosed with clinical depression, ADD, social anxiety, and over the years I’ve realized it’s possible I have enough traits to be on the spectrum at high functioning either that or severe ADD as many specialist believe ADD/ADHD to be at the top of the spectrum. I was debating on switching away from posting my work on my UA-cam channel since I cannot keep a consistent schedule, however I believe that by focusing on balance consistency surely will follow. Thank you for sharing, I know we can succeed !
Thank you for beeing a really god teacher, not only in arts, but mainly the part about the mindset and calming down an overactive mind that is always going a 110mph. Every aspect of life need more of this mindfulness.
Yet again, thank you Adam. Honestly that validation made me tear up hahah I often expect of myself to be that 1st place artist being so so productive, not only in art but in all these things I wanna do and learn and I'm so far from that. I feel bad that I struggle to feel the drive to do anything. That even tho I feel passionate about art I don't usually feel the urge to grab a sketchbook and draw. I'm a uni student living alone and I had depression and anxiety for years btw. That steals a lot of energy. but I hate to use that as an excuse. I'm my own worse enemy. it's a fight. I believe I'm capable of being that person and artist I want to be, that nothing can hold me back, so it annoys me I'm not. That I tend to sleep in until 12pm and not want to get up even then. That there's many days I don't draw at all. That when I have evaluations at the door I spent the whole night playing a game. And I should be getting a part time so I believe it'll get harder. I hope with time I get where I want to be (I'll keep trying) and I'll try to stop being so hard on myself and feeling bad for not reaching my sky high expectations. Thanks for your amazing teachings.
I really needed to hear this. Thank you for taking the time to talk about this.
You gave me the...biggest sigh of relief that I didn't even realize I needed. And allowed my shoulders to drop when I hadn't noticed I was holding them so stiff. Thank you.
Hmm! Well that to me validated making this video then
I said this before, but I feel it's not enough. Adam, you're the XXI century Bob Ross. Not meaning a "substitute", but you also warm peoples souls while doing beautiful art. Thank you.
you are, for real, one of the most mindset healing people i ever found. keep it up
I never felt this way until now, until you mentioned. If anything until now I've felt inspired and motivated to reach my goals but for real I'm glad I saw this video because it hasn't changed my mindset towards my own work but it has changed my mindset on others work!
im taking art 3 in my highschool and got a 10% in the first semester
and got Ds in almost all of my other classes and like, shit.
depression is hard. so hearing this, ,, really made me feel better about not being able to do as much as i want to with art especially. thanks man.
You got this, dont worry wo/man, you will get there
Having a full time job in vfx with a wife that also works full time, plus a 3 year old and a home to take care of, I can attest to the feelings and ideas outlined in this video. I try to take the last hour of my day towards personal art, but I am also not gonna blame myself for slow output. I'd rather create a great work that takes months then try to bang something out in a few days with little to no sleep. I look at it as process over output. It took David Lynch years to make Eraserhead, but the end result was something completely unforgettable.
I was so glad to find this video today. Great words and advice, and something I feel alot. With a family, kid, it's alot to work as much as you can. I find myself jealous of young artists with no responsibilities past their own pencil. I find we, as artists, hold onto alot of guilt when we are not being productive. I find myself buried in it from time to time. Thank you for the amazing discussion.
Thank you for making this video. As artists, we can be so tough on ourselves. We can't help but to compare ourselves to others, but each of us is on a separate playing field. It isn't fair however we have to find a way to make things work in each of our individual lives. Thank you for reminding us to be kinder to ourselves.
tfw you're a NEET with literally no obligations and you still can't get yourself to draw every day
I FEEL that dude
think thats more a reflection of your mental and physical health than your ability to feel inspired or motivated
yeah i was like that, and it took me years to break the habit, what helped me the most was actually having a final goal and creating a routine but i'm not sure this will work for everyone
Its a never ending cycle. I think the key thing is to draw what you dont normally draw. Somehow that gets me a bit more motivated and feel a bit more confident in my skill. Usually people lose motivation alot because they only draw things that are in their comfort zone , never going even further and then making you feel less and less motivated to draw at all.
You know, sometimes I take a pen, open a new canvas and just feel all strength leaving my body. I could be doodling on a piece of paper alright, but once I set myself up to have some proper quality time, I'm drawing a blank immediately.
Just some thoughts from young professional currently working full time studio job and freelance. I think that you haven't mention one important thing Adam - social media aren't 100% real. I'm not saying those artists wants to "deceive" others but rather than that - people (in general not only artists) have tendency to show only "best moments" on social media. They show best artworks, most productive days when they are "killin it" and so on and it's easy to get the impression that they are like this all the time because nobody really talks about the failure or ordinary days. It's not only in art world - every single field is distorted because of "social media race". I really like your channel because you tell about stuff that is sort of "taboo" in our industry - unemployment, burn out, mental and health issue and so on. I was quite shocked when I've learned that one of "big name" artist that had some "big name" clients under his belt was working at the bar before landing full time studio job. You would never tell this from his social media where he was "big name" freelancer having one gig after another.
Another thing - I don't think it's possible to work 16h per day in the long run regardless of your passion and having no obligations. You can do this for short period of time when you have sort of adrenaline rush or some days can be like that when you feel the flow but if you do this day by day you are bound to break at some point because we are just biological forms. I think most people who talk about "working 16 hours a day" are talking about freelancing when you sit in front of your computer all day and those "16 hours" include meals, breaks, watching silly youtube videos, talking to clients, pretending that you work and so on and in fact they are productive for 6, 8 or maybe 10 hours at best.
And my last thought - I think many people can't break into industry because they want to start "big". Most artists that we admire today haven't start in Riot or Blizzard. They started from small gigs, indie companies, mobile games and builded up their careers for many years using every opportunity they had. It's true for every other career too - not only art.
I haven't watched this yet, I'm going to put it on when I start my character ideation process today. I wanted to say that every video of yours has helped me so much. I struggle with focusing on my work normally, as I have ADD and don't use medication, but when I am drawing to your videos I feel 100% focussed. It could be your voice, or your wise advice, or your stories that some how shed light on things in my life that I would've never seen otherwise. All in all, I just want to take the time to thank you for what you do. Your videos make a huge positive impact on my focus, and the way that I see myself as an artist.
Well said mate, I keep telling to everyone as well that work on your own pace, we don't need to rush things but take it slowly and put balance in everything, I am as well just starting out, doing some Speed paint video, making some art on my day off. I don't have yet children but I have a job that is really tiring, walking 12 hours straight and 30 minutes of break in those whole 12 hours, it is not easy, it can get stressful physically and mentally, but as long as you have a grip in what you are doing and taking your time helps a lot. We need to be steady and try to see things differently and don't let any negative thoughts get a hold of us.
One thing that I've learned is that, don't focus too much on social media, or likes, don't try to compare your success to the other people whose already successful, because it will just make you feel down, just focus on the thoughts that will give a positive boost to keep on going, if ever negative thoughts tries to enter in your head just "Shake your head" and say, NO NO NO! You don't have permission to bring me down now.
Well said, have a nice day and God bless to you and to your family. :)
This is the first video I have seen of you, but you speak an absolute truth. I have respect that you bring this to the table, its something I speak a lot about with my colleagues. But hearing it hear on youtube by someone who makes such beautiful work and with loads of experience, it really makes a difference. Hearing you say there is always time to go to the gym, to play a game or to relax. It gives me hope I will get there. Maybe not now, maybe not soon but definitely at one point. Thank you for the video!
Thank you so much for this. What a thoughtful, forgiving and compassionate way to see the side of us who don't 'make it'. Thank you!
You are so very welcome Ignazio:)
I cry over this video because i've been feeling this, i have cronic illness and have to work normal 9-5 hour to support my family and medication and sometimes making art can be really dificult sometimes i'm feeling really useless when my artist friends create and create and i just stuck there, Thankyou for understanding. it feels good to hear you say that things.
This was just what I needed for looking t my perspective as a student with two jobs and not being able to put out art and practice in the amount others do ... thank you very much
That was absolutely stunning. I found you just today and wow ... listening to this was better than listening to any audiobook, your voice is so calm and positive, your experiences are much higher above mine because u are twice older so i take it like an honor to know all this stuff before it even happenes to me. Thank you so much, and please keep doing this type of stuff, its amazing. (and sorry for some mistakes in english)
- Your new fan
Thank you for that video. I'm working 8/5 job, spending my weekends by being 12h daily on my university, and I struggle with clinical depression, anxiety and other health issues. And yet I still hope to be a succesful artist someday.
I was constantly pushing myself to the point of burnout (external influences are always there to do so), until my last gig when it had a physical impact on me (RSI). Now, I have to figure out what is next. Thank you - this video helped me come to terms with this as a common occurrence.
So well put. Thank you for sharing this video with us all. What a nice way to finish the day.
Thank You, I really needed that at this moment.
I really needed to hear this from a professional artist. Thank you so much for seeing me.
Incredibly beautiful video ... thank you so much Adam
Recently I've been feeling terrible about not being able to do much or achieve my planned goals (due to depression and stress from work). I've been feeling useless... 8:00 had me crying (literally) and I wanted to say thank you for your words. They mean a lot to me rn
What an awesome and inspiring video! Thank You 🙏🏽 😊
Thank you so much for creating this video. It really spoke out what I've been feeling for the past few months... I want to pursue art in the future but just a few months ago, I had a burnout after drawing continously everdayㅡ and stopped drawing for 2 months. That made me rethink about my choices, that maybe I'm not passionate enough... but in the end, art is a part of my soulㅡI can never truly turn my head away from it. A good break is needed once in a while, experience new things and let your visual memory expand more!
Such a nice message. Especially in this world where everything and everyone tries ro be so fast. Not just in art but everywhere
This video changed my life. Thank you. Time is a nonrenewable resource. Spend wisely.
Thank you so much. This was uploaded just at the right time for me when I've been struggling with my own art and dissatisfaction. This helped a lot
Thank you for making this video, I really feel lost lately after graduating from art school with no job. It almost make me feel I had wasted so much time and money on my ambition with no vision. Thank you for making me feel better and sharing the advices.
I'm really enjoying your videos, thank you for all the advise. I've experienced burn out in a few different areas, the biggest being my art. I've only recently started really getting back into it, but I've been trying to pace myself and trying to break myself of being a perfectionist. The last has been difficult, but I feel that I am growing, that I am getting better as I work around my other responsibilities. Thanks again!
I feel less bad about myself as an artist thanks to you. Thanks a lot!
you are are so lucid and articulate + hella calming voice, what a combo
It got me the answers i needed on this time of my life, Thank you.
You’re very welcome Tony :)
I want to get into art industry side hustling art and I found myself comparing to my friend in Art center college to design. I'm studying mechanical engineering in India, my daily college hours are 9 hours + 2 hours of traveling. I leave home by 8:30am and home by 7 pm. We have lots of projects, experiments and assignments. I am in 4 different college committees which also take my weekend hours.
I am learning art, read books daily, study piano, bettering my social skills for the last 3 years.
Thank you for this video, I feel so stupid comparing to someone going full time drawing and having so many art resources and connections and having going to college for it too. So stupid of mee, now I believe I'm so proud of what I've accomplished so farr
Wow this video really helped me. I’m in the middle of my first year of animation school and the constant competition/comparisons with my classmates has been really getting to me recently. Ive been feeling like whatever I do it’s never enough because of all the prolific artists around me who manage to do more. Thank you so much for making a video about this topic, it’s very reassuring.
I have downloaded the subtitles of this video to preserve this amazing speech for the future.
Wow I really needed to hear this, thank you so much for all of your videos but especially this one!
Wow- such a peaceful talk and all things things placed in order . Thanks a lot, I was having exact feelings . Sorted now !
Exactly what I need to hear right now. I’m always worried about my art not being out there or “seen” enough for me to make it a career one day (I’m applying for college as undecided AND considering a business major).
I don’t really need to get there right away but I don’t want to waste my time either.
As someone who has been freelancing with undiagnosed adhd for years now, I needed this video. It has really set me back, and it’s only now I can se how much.
I can very much empathize with what you’re sharing - having close family members that have to navigate ADHD as well
The fact that you have made it to this impressive point in your artistic endeavours is in itself epic
My hats off to you and big respect
Man, this video was super awesome to hear. Most of the time you hear from artists things like the intro you put on: do AT LEAST 6 HOURS A DAY OF DRAWING. That's very mandatory, and that most of the times is only possible given the circustances to do so. I'm from Brazil, I have a full time job in advertising that is so stressfull I had to wuit drawing for like a year. I gave up from 2D and painting and started to study 3D only to realize that's not my gig. This video of yours should be put out to the world to many many artists whoam don't have the social economic context advantages to produce such amount of work.
Thanks Adam
Such an importand video. Being a parent and an overly amibitious artist at the same time is something not being discussed too much... Thank you for all the full understanding and positivity, I feel like I'll come back and listen again, when I'll get into that phase of my life and artistic journey.
Wonderful reminder. Thank you. Subscribed.
u really hit the real problems im university student struggle with weak internet connection - exam stress - classes - money - ppl around me and also i want to grow my career both cuz i breath art and to grow a living from it
its being a year struggling with all this but as u said walking slowly is better then not walking at all
Absolutely - keep your eyes on the goal and just keep moving forward - the time it takes you to get there will be completely irrelevant once you’ve arrived
hello adam. i lost my spirit to draw quite some time ago. slowly rebuilding my confidence and my will to continue regardless if art becomes a career or not. i have started by going back to focusing art making me AND ONLY ME happy again, thus, it has slowly rebuilt everything else. maybe one day, i can get you and some others as a teacher but for now, i am taking steps to move on. l lurked your channel for a while. thank you for your insights and your channel. bless you as a teacher and for sharing.
I’ve been in exactly the same position as you - where I had to put art on the back burner for a while for money or health or whatever
But I learned something very valuable during that time - I never ceased to think and visualize and see and feel like an artist.
It resonates in your DNA
Remember you aren’t just an artist because you “create art”
You’re an artist because it’s who you are
So don’t think that you’re giving up on being an artist if you need a break, you’re just giving up on drawing for a little while (but most likely not for too long ;)
Thank you for this video, Adam. I quit my full time job this month because I had burnt out to the point I had sacrificed both my mental and physical health. All I wanted for the longest time was more time to paint, and I felt guilty because I hadn't produced a whole lot like I had in my head that I would. This made me feel a lot better, and I'll be pacing myself! Also, incredible painting!
Your video popped up in my Recommended and it was the best video i have watched in a long time. Fantastic point of view, It's so refreshing to hear that people with busy lives (like my own) are making art work for them. It gives me even more confidence , I really appreciate it!
Thankyou Adam, I needed to hear this
I can’t tell you how much this has helped me today. I was recommended to watch your video after announcing I was giving up my art business due to family commitments and looking after my daughter with mental health issues and my mum who is 87; I just can’t spread myself so thin. I feel my sanity is at risk if I carry on the way I am at this present time. Maybe things will change in the future. Maybe I’ll be able to go back to it when things calm down, but I’m not going to beat myself up if I don’t. I will always have my art. I could never give up my passion, even if it’s all purely for myself and for my eyes only. I feel if I take the pressure off I will start to enjoy it all once again, like I used to in the beginning. Thanks so much for these wonderful wise words of wisdom and I love love love your art Adam.
You are just amazing. That hit me much more than every film I watched since I don't even know. I'm studying in art school and sometimes I'm thinking about it is good I'm here? am I making any progress? why I can't make things on my friends' level? Then I'm thinking ,,maybe its because I don't spend enough time on this? Maybe I have to study more?" it often scares me and stresses me, because I also wanna live normal, eat normal, definitely sleep normal, and have time to do nothing. When I'm playing video games, just like u said, or watching a films I'm feeling guilty because at this time I could paint or draw and getting better. Now I'm really glad I watched this video, thank you from bottom of my heart :)
I'm one of those who decided to make the sacrifice, it was hard but i decided to give up on building a family to dedicate myself fully on my art.
I still second guess myself about this choise but i'm happy on how i'm going with my art and my life.
Thanks for putting this out there, there's a real need for balanced advice regarding work/productivity in a world full of hustle promoters. It's easy to feel inadequate when people are always suggesting that you sacrifice time for sleep, or time spent with family, or the little joys you take in life like reading, or watching a film, or playing a game, all for some arbitrary definition of productivity or career success.
Hi Adam, stumbled across this and can't thank you enough! I've wanted a career as concept artist for an insane amount of time, a couple of things got in the way. 1 I wasn't good enough at the time and had to learn more. 2 life because bills need to be paid and I like having a roof over my head. The love for creating things has never gone away, I've always had storyboard jobs but after the 25 years of bartending I will be hanging up my bottle opener and going all in at the end of this year. I try to at least put in a couple hours a day to draw and practice new techniques to come up with 20 -30 concepts and character breakdowns for my portfolio. I'm close to being there. After that all I can do is let the chips fall where they may. Again thanks for posting this.
Thank you for speaking this truth, I have not heard anyone talk about this in the art community.
Sometimes I feel like I'm missing out on games or I'm behind on games because of my art. But we need to prioritize... Games are like a midnight snack for me lately A treat I have after dark. I'm lucky I don't have kids. But I do have a part-time job so I love everything you are saying. We all need balance and even though I don't like a schedule. I have it so I can get the best out of my weeks. Plus I find it takes time to practice using a schedule and getting the discipline to nail it... People who are making it I believe made a decision a long time ago to make art a big part of their lives and it most likely took the time to get to the place they are now. I think time and energy management is a trial, fail than succeed. It takes a while to work out what works for us and our lives...
Thank you very much! I love your videos ☺️ I feel like your channel came to me in the right moment
Video games can very easily take a toll on your productivity. Sometimes it's nice to take a break and focus your mind on something else from whatever you've been working on, but I've been trying to look at it as; learn to appreciate and enjoy doing other productive things as your time to relax. I thoroughly enjoy creating art, and there are a few different styles that I work with, that have a completely different thought-process and mental tax. If I get tired of working on one style, I can switch to another and it feels fresh, and it feels like a relaxing break from my other work. Even doing chores around the house when I'm not feeling like drawing can feel like a rewarding break.
It does kinda hit home. I play games nonstop instead of spending at least few minutes on art to practice. I play so many games all the times to drown my own emotions that I won't be better in art, when in reality it's me who's stopping myself from going forward.
It's time to change.
Thank you for posting this video. This came at the perfect time as I'm struggling with severe depression and moving homes. I want to create, but I just can't sometimes. Thank you for being so kind and understanding and giving me hope.