When I finally finished my first big project, just grinded it out and didn't quit, it felt so much better than doing another small thing. GET IT DONE, BRO!
"If you're like me you've probably got a lot of creative debt..." *Looks over at drafting board piled with unfinished drawings dating back 4 years, along with about 3 dozen ideas, sketches, post it notes & dusty drawing books* I think I can relate, Trent.
Yep, relatable poblem. I have a physical organizer map that I store all my sketches and quick ideas for different projects in. That way if I'm working on one project, and suddenly an idea strikes me for one of my other projects (which happens all the time), I quickly sketch it on a piece of paper with some notes, put it in the organizer and I get back to my current project. That way I don't block my creative ideas for stuff I'm not working on, and I don't get distracted from my current focus. The only reason I tend to switch between projects is when I feel like I'm losing mojo, and things start to feel generic or unispired. Best of luck to your future endeavors Trent
Congrats on finding the stability to be able to separate from the grind to work on what really matters to you. That's my current goal as well, largely inspired by your journey and my long time dreams. I'll have to keep my eyes open for some of the job postings you spoke of. Keep crushing it, Trent!
The biggest most consistent thing holding me back from making work is the fear of failure. There’s nothing like pushing yourself to get at the desk only to last 30 minutes with a mess on the screen that only makes you feel worse. Then the fear only doubles. It takes a lot of figuring out to do, self reflection, etc to get back to a productive stage for me and even then I worry when the fear might creep back up on me. Nevertheless I love what I do and I try my best to work work work!! I really love the artwork you made in this video and the topic hits home. I had too many projects on the go and have let people down as a result. I told myself that from this point I’m only going to focus on one project at a time. Thanks for sharing Trent! If anyone has the same issues as me I’d love to hear!
an archive, I saw this video some time ago, came back because at the back of my head there was something you said that stuck with me, and it was that, having an archive. There will be time, more than enough if only I focus on one project at a time. I think for some of us, the "many projects" comes from school, with being given "many homeworks", that also gets practiced in college. Maybe that is a piece of the origin from where having multiple things on your plate comes from. And I think it is also the culture of the nation, valuing someone who has allot on their plate gets admired and praised.
That intro looked right into my soul. The added problem, for me, is that I don't work in any creative industry, but make decent money in telecommunications. Trying to motivate myself to complete anything, knowing that there is no compensation at the end, is complicated, and I try to prioritize small, easy-to-finish, goals. For anyone hoping to get into game design, I heavily recommend Global Game Jam, or even local Game Jams in your area, where you can collaborate with like-minded creatives, and show off a mini game at the end of the event. I have 3 or 4 self-contained games that I did art for, and I like looking back on those, knowing that I helped make them what they are.
AppreciTe this video Trent! I definitely am one of those whose constantly collecting pictures and reference stuff when they don’t even matter. Really gotta clear through all that
Happy people! Are playing. And I can't tear myself away from projects. Sometimes it seems to me that they are more than I can do alone. But while you're doing something, you don't think how big it is. Broken down into small tasks.
*shelves and shelves of projects and doom boxes behind me and a mask that's been on a headform for weeks, while i play minecraft* I'm feeling really called out here, sir....
I’ve dug myself into this hole about six or seven years ago and I’m still in this pit. I have improved in my line art but I’m still below average in it. I haven’t started shading, lighting, coloring, or any of the other fundamentals (I’ve played with perspective, posing, structure/anatomy and such) I need to find the motivation to actually put a hold on all these projects and to actually practice the basics
I'm so impressed you're letting go of working with those big companies to follow your own heart more. I look forward to your future projects, and thank you for everything, you're awesome!
It's good life advice as well as art advice, I've always found the things I use to become better at art always mirror my life, when you limit the things in your life like your art projects you get to enjoy things alot more instead of being overwhelmed
Definitely describes me, so I was really glad to see this. Also got a couple of Trent's workshops to work on when I'm free from some of my other classes. good stuff!
Trent, this environment you're painting is so amazing that I actually lost track of what you were saying at one point LOL. I love how you handle asymmetrical design. Fantastic work!
Relatable! The takeaway is to narrow down options, but how, when there's no hierarchy of importance or timing? I love external work and deadlines, I'm great at organizing those. Sometimes I even tie personal stuff to contests or events to have an external timeline. But "useless" things are also important for our growth and more. Hate to look at my portfolio and see "damn I still have nothing that shows I can do X, Y, and Z" even though I love those things and want to do more of them, to get work like that. I couldn't because A B C through H have been priority, and I also love those. 🙄
time to put Trent youtube channel in a box in the actict 😏 got to many channels to put on as BG noise while working. (all jokes aside) This video showed up in my watch again que and it's always a good reminder.
The problem is i have too many projects for school assignments since im studying animation and to the side im slowly working on my graduation film that will come out next year and im making concepts for my dnd world as well because I really enjoy it. Right now, I’m paralized and cant finish or work at any of them and the whole making art for school is getting up my throat… The worst part is that they don’t even teach us anything useful. They just give us assignments and go.
My big project, is working on the designs to a comic I used to draw as a kid, and later made a game with friends in high school. Both are being redone today.. I am staying 100% focused on this, I will not draw anything that has nothing to do with the world being created lol.. Also writing music for the main character, because he isn't just a Star Viking, and former elite soldier, but the lead guitarist and vocalist to a Rekkr metal band called Drengr lol
Usually i would relate, but rn i only have two big projects that i want, and have to do, but because i have so much to do, and I'm working so much, o find myself needing more brakes, and getting more anxious. Hope this makes sense
In the end i never have free time and working while listening only makes me miss quite a lot. Plus i do not wanna sit on the chair just to see youtube either... 😔
Oh, I remember the jam thing from the book "Important years: 20 to 30" - awesome book) UPD: Sorry, I meant "Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter And How To Make The Most Of Them Now"
Hey Trent! How long do these artworks take to make? Cause we only see the timelapse and it seems so easy, but for me digital drawing takes a lot compared to traditional
i have tons of unfinished drawing some that are better to be started over from scratch cause how bad they look the first problem is getting distracted cause life is pain the second problem losing motivation
Hey Trent. Do you have any advice for artists (especially pros trying to stay employed) as the world moves into web 3.0? Are there any disciplines that should be focused on or types of networking/social media/self promotion that we should be paying attention to?
When I finally finished my first big project, just grinded it out and didn't quit, it felt so much better than doing another small thing. GET IT DONE, BRO!
You’re like a spooky mentor. I literally was thinking “man I’m doing too much right now.”
"If you're like me you've probably got a lot of creative debt..."
*Looks over at drafting board piled with unfinished drawings dating back 4 years, along with about 3 dozen ideas, sketches, post it notes & dusty drawing books*
I think I can relate, Trent.
Mmmmm.. yeah, it does looks like maybe it's relatable.
Yep, relatable poblem. I have a physical organizer map that I store all my sketches and quick ideas for different projects in. That way if I'm working on one project, and suddenly an idea strikes me for one of my other projects (which happens all the time), I quickly sketch it on a piece of paper with some notes, put it in the organizer and I get back to my current project.
That way I don't block my creative ideas for stuff I'm not working on, and I don't get distracted from my current focus.
The only reason I tend to switch between projects is when I feel like I'm losing mojo, and things start to feel generic or unispired.
Best of luck to your future endeavors Trent
Thank you for this reminder. We all need to refocus sometimes.
Congrats on finding the stability to be able to separate from the grind to work on what really matters to you.
That's my current goal as well, largely inspired by your journey and my long time dreams.
I'll have to keep my eyes open for some of the job postings you spoke of.
Keep crushing it, Trent!
The biggest most consistent thing holding me back from making work is the fear of failure. There’s nothing like pushing yourself to get at the desk only to last 30 minutes with a mess on the screen that only makes you feel worse. Then the fear only doubles. It takes a lot of figuring out to do, self reflection, etc to get back to a productive stage for me and even then I worry when the fear might creep back up on me. Nevertheless I love what I do and I try my best to work work work!!
I really love the artwork you made in this video and the topic hits home. I had too many projects on the go and have let people down as a result. I told myself that from this point I’m only going to focus on one project at a time.
Thanks for sharing Trent!
If anyone has the same issues as me I’d love to hear!
an archive, I saw this video some time ago, came back because at the back of my head there was something you said that stuck with me, and it was that, having an archive. There will be time, more than enough if only I focus on one project at a time. I think for some of us, the "many projects" comes from school, with being given "many homeworks", that also gets practiced in college. Maybe that is a piece of the origin from where having multiple things on your plate comes from. And I think it is also the culture of the nation, valuing someone who has allot on their plate gets admired and praised.
Bro is so great to know you're now chasing stuff that's important for you !!!
Awesome advice on productivity! Focusing on select tasks rather than finishing none
I think the flash card method will be very helpful for me. Thank you Trent.
That intro looked right into my soul. The added problem, for me, is that I don't work in any creative industry, but make decent money in telecommunications. Trying to motivate myself to complete anything, knowing that there is no compensation at the end, is complicated, and I try to prioritize small, easy-to-finish, goals. For anyone hoping to get into game design, I heavily recommend Global Game Jam, or even local Game Jams in your area, where you can collaborate with like-minded creatives, and show off a mini game at the end of the event. I have 3 or 4 self-contained games that I did art for, and I like looking back on those, knowing that I helped make them what they are.
AppreciTe this video Trent! I definitely am one of those whose constantly collecting pictures and reference stuff when they don’t even matter.
Really gotta clear through all that
Happy people! Are playing. And I can't tear myself away from projects. Sometimes it seems to me that they are more than I can do alone. But while you're doing something, you don't think how big it is. Broken down into small tasks.
*shelves and shelves of projects and doom boxes behind me and a mask that's been on a headform for weeks, while i play minecraft* I'm feeling really called out here, sir....
Much Needed.! The Best in the Business.! Thank you for sharing your Priority Process Trent. I definitely needed to hear this.
This video couldn't have come at a better time!! Been dealing with this exact issue since last year. Thanks for the ideas and video.
Thank you, Trent for pointing that topic. I struggle with this for months and I found this way that you are talking about. Great job.
Thanks for your advice, Trent. I'll consider it tomorrow.
I have this issue but with writing. So I just started taking notes when an idea appears.
Thanks Trent, got a new workshop to the collection with the discount 🙏💯😊
Trent you’re one of my heroes. Extreme thanks for these invaluable lessons.
I’ve dug myself into this hole about six or seven years ago and I’m still in this pit. I have improved in my line art but I’m still below average in it. I haven’t started shading, lighting, coloring, or any of the other fundamentals (I’ve played with perspective, posing, structure/anatomy and such) I need to find the motivation to actually put a hold on all these projects and to actually practice the basics
I'm so impressed you're letting go of working with those big companies to follow your own heart more. I look forward to your future projects, and thank you for everything, you're awesome!
Oooooh these kind of traps. Ah well... might be useful as well.
It's good life advice as well as art advice, I've always found the things I use to become better at art always mirror my life, when you limit the things in your life like your art projects you get to enjoy things alot more instead of being overwhelmed
thanks for every you do Trent. I mainly focus on photo manipulation, but i gain so much information from channels like yours
This scene is so epic! Also, thanks again for using your complicated neural network, for making the exact video i need
This is so helpful man, thank you so much Trent for the wise advices ✨
Definitely describes me, so I was really glad to see this.
Also got a couple of Trent's workshops to work on when I'm free from some of my other classes.
good stuff!
Trent, this environment you're painting is so amazing that I actually lost track of what you were saying at one point LOL. I love how you handle asymmetrical design. Fantastic work!
That archive system is a super great idea!
This has been so helpful to listen to, I think this is what I'm most struggling with at the moment, thanks dude!
Thanks for this advice. It was very useful.
Relatable! The takeaway is to narrow down options, but how, when there's no hierarchy of importance or timing?
I love external work and deadlines, I'm great at organizing those. Sometimes I even tie personal stuff to contests or events to have an external timeline.
But "useless" things are also important for our growth and more. Hate to look at my portfolio and see "damn I still have nothing that shows I can do X, Y, and Z" even though I love those things and want to do more of them, to get work like that. I couldn't because A B C through H have been priority, and I also love those. 🙄
Can't stop watching your videos.. learning so much 👍🏻 hope to see more tutorials on clip studio paint.
time to put Trent youtube channel in a box in the actict 😏 got to many channels to put on as BG noise while working. (all jokes aside) This video showed up in my watch again que and it's always a good reminder.
First time coming early to stream one of your videos, all those stories that you share help us a lot 💜🔥
Thanks for the advice Trent, I'm having this exact issues myself and I can see others are aswell XD
The problem is i have too many projects for school assignments since im studying animation and to the side im slowly working on my graduation film that will come out next year and im making concepts for my dnd world as well because I really enjoy it. Right now, I’m paralized and cant finish or work at any of them and the whole making art for school is getting up my throat… The worst part is that they don’t even teach us anything useful. They just give us assignments and go.
This does spark joy! :)
Very inspired to get some things done. Like start being an artist. Very bummed I couldn't find the discount code.
This is so insightful!
My big project, is working on the designs to a comic I used to draw as a kid, and later made a game with friends in high school. Both are being redone today.. I am staying 100% focused on this, I will not draw anything that has nothing to do with the world being created lol.. Also writing music for the main character, because he isn't just a Star Viking, and former elite soldier, but the lead guitarist and vocalist to a Rekkr metal band called Drengr lol
Usually i would relate, but rn i only have two big projects that i want, and have to do, but because i have so much to do, and I'm working so much, o find myself needing more brakes, and getting more anxious.
Hope this makes sense
welcome to Baskin Robbins 57 flavors! What would you like? “I’ll have vanilla, chocolate. Strawberry”
This lecture worth more than 10 sessions with the therapist :)
hard keep focus to drawing since my habit watch youtube.
I do the same!
In the end i never have free time and working while listening only makes me miss quite a lot. Plus i do not wanna sit on the chair just to see youtube either... 😔
Oh, I remember the jam thing from the book "Important years: 20 to 30" - awesome book) UPD: Sorry, I meant "Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter And How To Make The Most Of Them Now"
Hey Trent! How long do these artworks take to make? Cause we only see the timelapse and it seems so easy, but for me digital drawing takes a lot compared to traditional
i have tons of unfinished drawing some that are better to be started over from scratch cause how bad they look
the first problem is getting distracted cause life is pain
the second problem losing motivation
perfect timing haha
Hey Trent,
Have you ever thought about streaming?
Don't get it right, get it done.
i feel attacked😭😅😭
Hey Trent. Do you have any advice for artists (especially pros trying to stay employed) as the world moves into web 3.0? Are there any disciplines that should be focused on or types of networking/social media/self promotion that we should be paying attention to?
You don't need to promote yourself to get work. Focus on creating work that is functional to game development. (not just pretty paintings).
Sometimes you kinda sound like you're gonna bust out "it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!" at any moment...
I have no idea who you are, but you seem to have a long history...
I have allways been a jack of all trades but maybe I should focus on one skill to get better jobs?
A bit unrelated Q: how big is the resolution of the painting you're working on in the vid?
about 3k pixels wide
Your voice reminds me of jeff bridges lol
paralysis by analysis.
yet again I did not see the codes and what I thought they were did not work
Oh God, this is about me :D So many projects in mind indeed
You look exactly like you sound sir