I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in saying that I’ve been feeling really demotivated lately.
Not just because I’m tired for school, but also because recently, I feel as though I’m starting to constantly criticize and de-value my own work. This is about to sound pretentious and entitled AF but I’ve noticed that on Instagram, for example, I keep losing followers and have been receiving a few messages, some from strangers and some from other artists, that kind of made me think “Oh, maybe I really am not good enough” or “Oh, maybe I should just stop” or even “Why am I still here if clearly people want me out?” And I mean, yeah, it comes with the field, and criticism is part of learning, but it still hurts.
Am I even “qualified” to speak about art-related things? Idk. Like I’m trying really hard to do everything right, but it’s getting harder and harder for me to keep smiling. I don’t want to stop making art, but sometimes, people really be making that hard. And to those of you who try to help, and make my day just a little better by telling me over DMs that I shouldn’t give up: thank you.
Opinions? Anyone else feel this way? Am I overreacting? How do y’all deal with criticism?
Edit: And don’t even get me started on art theft
Hey!! It’s perfectly valid that you speak about art-related things. Even if we have a lower set of skills in comparison to other artists, it is still fine to talk about art-stuff, because we are all artists nevertheless. I believe that conversations about this shouldn’t be limited to only those who are advanced in art.
I can understand why people make art difficult for you, because it can’t be avoided that their opinions on what we do may hurt our feelings and what-not. You are not overreacting, don’t worry :>
I haven’t come across harsh, constructive criticisms (even though I should ahsdhasd, but it’s bcs i don’t post often enough), and it is perfectly fine if you feel really down after you read the criticism!! It is not the same experience for everybody, but it is totally fine if you’re not one of those people who get motivated after they receive a blunt, maybe harsh critique of their work.
If I get critique that my shading or coloring sucks, and it’s bad… I’ll most likely never read that critique again until I feel better mentally. (since it does hurt my feelings when I see harsh critique ;; )
What I will do is that I’ll search shading and coloring tips online to distract myself and hopefully I can learn from the tips and tutorials I’m finding online.
Criticism, even constructive criticism that you’re looking for, can be really challenging to deal with for some people.
Everyone deals with it differently, I personally get really demotivated, and kinda shattered if someone whose opinion I value says it to me. Such as my parents. I know that the most common advice for situations like these is to just ignore them. It’s easier said than done, huh?
my story
I’ve always been someone who loved art. I found art in anything and everything. That doesn’t mean I was always good at it. I didn’t start excessively critiquing myself until I became a teenager. I tried my absolute best my whole life, and although it wasn’t amazing, I’ve still won awards for what I did. It really helped me with my confidence. I mostly did pencil sketches when I was younger, and I got told by teachers that I was the best in their classes. I was good “for my age”.
Until I tried painting.
See, when you’re sketching with a pencil, you’re in control. You can erase if you mess up. When it comes to painting, especially for the first time when you have no idea what you’re doing, it could get messy really fast. My first ever painting was when I was 10, and it wasn’t bad. But I tried again when I was in the 9th grade, and I messed up really bad. I think my parents, especially my dad, thought I would be really good at painting. He thought, and still thinks, that I have the potential to be like one of those talented street artists. But when I messed up that painting, he looked disappointed. Like really disappointed, even if he’d never admit it. He shrugged it off, but it really got to me that I didn’t meet his expectations.
It wasn’t only that. There were a few other scenarios that broke my heart, but I’d rather keep them private.
I know that doesn’t seem like a big deal, but I was 13, already with hormones flying all over the place, and I started critiquing myself way more after that.
I didn’t touch a sketchbook for months, and maybe I overreacted, but I felt so unworthy every time I sat down to draw.
Eventually, I came around and started to draw again. But this time, I tried digital art. It was a slow process, trying to figure everything out. But then, I realized that I couldn’t draw without a reference anymore. I didn’t need a complete reference, but I needed an example of certain angles in order to draw it. I also know that a lot of really talented artists need references as well, but I just felt like I couldn’t call myself an artist if my imagination was so low. I couldn’t close my eyes and picture something before drawing it. My confidence was so low at that point.
When teachers came to class and announced art competitions, I hid at the back of the class, hoping nobody would point me out. My friends always said I was good at art, and they’d always volunteer me for these competitions. But I can barely draw when someone is watching. I’d be so out of my comfort zone. Everyone around me was giving me compliments, but I never once believed them. They’re lying. I heard a YouTuber once say “People say that negative comments won’t get to them if you don’t let it, but they always forget that the same goes for positive comments as well.” I never believed anything.
I knew I was trying my best, but is my “best” really that bad?
This lack of self-confidence went on for a really long time, until I reached out to someone I knew I could trust: My sister.
She helped me see that what I did was enough. Art isn’t supposed to be perfect. I’m not supposed to be perfect. I started reading books about anatomy to help with my perspective issues, and I practiced every single day. Believe it or not, I’d admit that I’ve gotten better at it.
This story is supposed to end on a happy note, but if I’m being honest, I still lack the confidence. It’ll take time, and a ton of practice, but I’ll get there one day.
So, you see, it’s okay. A lot of people ask artists how they’re so good at it, and they get annoyed when the reply is “just practice”, but what else can you do? Those artists don’t have some magical pencil or a very expensive drawing program/tablet to do what they’re doing. Everything takes time, as annoying as that sounds.
I’m genuinely sorry someone made you feel that way. If they intend to make people feel bad about their own art then they literally have no life
You’re not overreacting, it’s normal to feel demotivated sometimes. Tbh don’t care about what people will think, just think you’re doing this for your own. However, art critiques also very important to improve yourself.
I’m alright with harsh criticism (since I’ve got that uncountable times💀) but absolutely not with people who claimed to be “very honest” or “harsh” and all they did is just spitting rude words (there is a difference between harsh and rude )
Also don’t stop doing what you love every artist is relevant to discuss art. I’m not an advanced artist but still can admire and critique some mistake I see in stunning art (like one time I saw they drew 6 fingers accidentally).
Art is not limited only advanced one because every professional artist is once a beginner and had been on the phase where they questioning their value, they didn’t stop and go through their long journey until they achieved what they want.
Don’t give up, you’re just in your own journey and one day at some point, you will be glad you didn’t stop and happy with your own art. You can talk to me anytime, I’m the president of giving advice but couldn’t make it myself pfffttt (wtf this is longer than I expected)
That is totally natural. Constructive criticism is good for improving your work but that does not mean you should be doing the happy-dance when you get one. It still hurts. You should listen and work harder but we’re all humans and we have feelings too
That’s understandable, again don’t stop your emotions it’s natural to feel bad
Even if your art work is trash It’s probably not just be happy with the fact that you actually did something and don’t intermediately go into criticizing yourself
Serely not!!
…actually I have never be in your kind of position… but I get insulted by some bully here… about my art…
and it’s not good, you shouldn’t think that way… “your art is a trash” or something like that
bcz it is not!!
You are putting your hard work and time on it, It’s precious!
.
And take their talks and prove them wronng by making your art more amazing… [well I am not saying it’s not amazing yet…]
butIf you make your Art more beautiful then they will see themselves that your Art worth anything!
well I am not a good Artist myself but I can’t take those type of shit… It’s my life and I can do anything
I am not forcing anyone to ask me to make an Art for them I am doing what I enjoy.
and if you ever have these kind of thoughts then u can contact me through @tessa_art.28 in ig… or here
and I will see who are those person who is saying those ungreatful things to u!! It’s just… ridiculous
It’s normal for artist to feel demotivated and criticize their own art, you’re not overreacting. I honestly can’t count how many times I’ve felt unmotivated to draw anything and feel like my art is completely worthless compared to others. It’s not the best mindset to have though, treating art like a competition to who can draw better or who can get a larger following is just going to put more stress on yourself (from my personal experience). I don’t blame anyone if you do feel unmotivated to draw when you get degrading comments or notice some unfollows because I still deal with it (and I don’t have a very large following on Instagram).
I don’t handle constructive criticism that well (and I don’t think many people do if I’m honest). But you should handle it positively and think about it as ways to improve, not as things to hate about yourself.
Of course you’re allowed to talk about art. Art isn’t absolute, it doesn’t have solid requirements or qualifications like a job so you don’t need to treat it like one, you’re absolutely allowed to talk about art and anyone who says you can’t, is wrong. Your skill level doesn’t invalidate anything that you say. Always try to push through despite all of those doubts because you will get better, no one should tell you otherwise.
Take me for example: I asked my friend what she thought about a water color painting I was doing, and she told me the blending was bad, etc.
Now before she told me that, I obviously had seen my blending wasn’t the best while working on it, but I thought “hey it’s ok, this is just my first painting after all.”
Then after she gave told me the blending looked bad, I felt a little hurt, even though I knew it was true, but I didn’t want to continue working on the piece anymore(I still had to bc it was for school)
And a more recent one:
I’m working on a new story, and I asked for some feedback.
I was told that while my story has potential it isn’t something that she/he would reccomend, and that it wasn’t funny and the MC’s dad wasn’t a rescpectable character.
Like ok, I know my story isn’t the greatest thing ever, but I still like it.
After the feedback, I felt kinda empty(not really unmotivated ) and I didn’t feel like working on my story anymore
I would just pull up the script, stare at it, code a few lines, and delete them.
Then I asked two other ppl to review my story, and overall, they liked it
They pointed out a few details which I needed to change, which I’m currently working on, and after reading some nice feedback, it made me feel happy, and now it’s a lot easier for me to find the motivation fore me to code
The moral of this rant is that yes, you’ll feel the negativity from other people, but you’ve got to ignore it and focus on the good
If you ever need reassurance, as a side note you can PM me, and I will write you a nice little message about how great your art is
(I mean it should’t be too hard, I’m sure your great, and I suck at art )
Thank you for that. I agree wholeheartedly with all that was said about constructive criticism, and I’m sorry to hear about your negative experiences.
ur concerns r not invalid. It’s so normal to feel like this abt ur creations, bc what u want ur art to look like will never b quite as similar as to how it is. but I bet, u two yrs ago didn’t have the phenomenal talent u have now. besides, u wouldn’t have 1,000 ig followers if u didn’t slay every art work.
also, ur not overreacting at all. ppl putting u down abt stuff always sucks. but I guess it’s just a part of being a creator. pls don’t let them push u into giving up, ppl who don’t do art themselves like to critique artists when they have no clue how difficult it rlly is. u do know what ur talking abt n u r super talented, ur shading is particularly on point !
Hi, as an artist myself, I think there will always be people who will want you to quit making art or think that you AREN’T good enough for the field…and to those comments: They have no idea on art, no idea how to make a simple face but will still post hate comments when they CLEARLY DON’T KNOW THE PAIN OF DRAWING SOMETHING PRESENTABLE. I don’t give much attention to these comments and try to improve myself, occasionally, I would ask them what do they feel is wrong with my art and they go on saying meaningless stuff so I ignore them, sometimes they point out a few mistakes and I take them as constructive criticism and try to improve on that part but I NEVER will let them stop me from making art.
All the big artists we see today, even they couldn’t do arts like they can now and I am sure even they had to deal with hate comments but they didn’t stop there. PRACTICE and PATIENCE is the key to success.
DON’T LET ANYONE STOP YOU let the haters do what they wanna do Btw, you have amazing art!
Definitely. Any artist can, no matter if they’re professionals, amateurs, do it as a job, or do it as a hobby.
My opinion is that if you’re feeling unmotivated, try drawing something completely new. I remember feeling very unmotivated before because I just kept trying to accomplish drawing these cool characters, but it didn’t work out the way I liked it. I then found other characters to draw (simpler ones), and I started enjoying drawing again. I feel like it’s because:
a) I kind of tried a different approach, and that different approach felt more exciting rather than this same approach I had before.
b) Because I went a step backwards by drawing more simpler characters, I was able to not only practice sketching/coloring, but I was able to achieve better results than I would if I attempted to draw the cool characters right away. As I kept achieving the results I wanted, I became motivated again to continue trying to draw cool characters again.
As for criticism, as stupid as this sounds, but for every criticism I receive, I try to tell myself something good in my head about my artwork. Like for example, if someone tells me that my anatomy is off, I acknowledge that that’s something I have to work on, but I also tell myself…let’s see…that my coloring looked cool! That way I don’t only focus on the negatives.
every artist is relevant to discuss art. I’m not an advanced artist but still can admire and critique some mistake I see in stunning art (like one time I saw they drew 6 fingers accidentally).
) and I didn’t feel like working on my story anymore
)
let the haters do what they wanna do 