emotional help

[becomingNUMB]

i know this is a strange topic for a random person to put on a art forum but its something thats been bothering me alot ....

well i love art alot but i feel im not good enough, when i see otheres peoples drawings i kinda get hurt/sad , its not that im jelouse its just that i feel i need to improve more.... after feeling this i tend to try and draw some thing to make me feel better......


does any 1 get that feeling ? :(

[Aricson]

Hi there!

I think most all artist in sometime in there studies feel a frustration that feeds into despair when grappling with certain fundamental insecurities. This is especially true for young people in their twenties and younger. One ‘truth’ I adhere to is that no one is naturally gifted at art. Some get exposed to it an early age and get lucky with some tricks. I think ‘talent’ or what some might conceive as a ‘gift’ is a kind of desire or unfulfillment in their lives that manifests its self in to creative actions and artistic yearnings.

This is an unpopular viewpoint because it negates ones ego and belief in destiny or the belief that one is born an artist. I don’t believe that anyone is ‘born’ an artist, but rather are born with a certain level of potential that one needs to fulfill. That fulfillment can find its way in countless manifestations.

To quote the painter Robert Schmid:

“Talent. Don’t bother about whether or not you have it. Just assume that you do, and then forget about it. Talent is a word we use after someone has become accomplished. There is no way to detect it before the fact, or when someone is still grappling with the learning process. It is impossible to predict when or if mastery will click into place. Besides, the thing we label talent is not a single ability. It is a complex mixture of motive, curiosity, receptivity, intelligences, sensitivity, good teaching, perseverance, timing, sheer luck, and countless other things. If any part of it is genetic, God-given, the result of astrological fiddle-faddle, fate or destiny, that part is not the sole determining factor. All the other ingredients must be present in the right combination—and no one knows the exact recipe. Therefore Dear Reader, don’t waste time worrying if you are talented—and don’t blame any failures on the lack of it—that is really a cop-out.
Artistic skill—the ability to draw well and make paint behave—is not a natural endowment like big blue eyes or great legs. Nor is it a special knack you simply have or do not have, like a ‘green thumb’, a ‘natural sense of rhythm’, or ‘surgeon’s hands’. (Those things are nonsense too) Neither does it matter whether your parents, grandparents, or any of your ancestors were artists—except insofar as they may have motivated you, taught you, or served as role models. You can learn the skills required for painting in the same way that you can learn anything else you are strongly drawn to. I don’t mean to understate the difficulties, however. The great painters devoted their lives to their art, often to the point of total obsession. Serious painting is not something that can be learned casually. You must be willing to sacrifice many other things.”


Keep this in mind when you feel overwhelmed by insecurities of your own potential. Working on achieving a certain mastery of a subject takes time and practice. That’s what teachers are there for. Finding a good teacher in the kind of art you admire is very important to achieve a level of mastery in an acceptable time. Learning under a master not only helps you learn to solve technical problems, but also you assimilate your teachers values in overcoming emotional insecurities to achieve mastery. There are many 'self-taught' artists on this forum that would disagree with that, but even they read some books written and illustrated by someone far more skilled then they were and use forums like this to get feedback. But it takes generally a lot longer to acheive mastery with out a real person guiding your skills in your life. Again I stress finding a good teacher, not just anyone whom has a degree in art. None of my mentors in art have degrees. They were taught by professionals from the Atelier system (workshops and classes taught by professional individuals, not institutions).

But you have sort of already answered your own question: practice (with guidence of a master or 'self-taught') will help solve your emotional regard to your skills.

[becomingNUMB]

i read al of what u said, i know it sounds funny but it kinda mad me cry thinking about it. I like the way u think in a very philosophical way, i can understand what u are saying.

the problem is that my family is kinda poor, i want to help my family bad, and at the same time i would devote my self to art .... its hard tho to earn money from it ..... because i know that if i did do a job in art in the feucher i would put 110% into it ....

i think im down because i can draw people/figger, insted i use to draw items n stuff like that so im not use to the more softer shading required for skin ans stuff like that .. i only started a mouth ago i think, but i did not draw faces in the past because of religous belife.....

i just realy want to become better but i push my self because i want to become good soon to some how help my fam, although i do try hard in school 2


btw sorry for the bad spelling, i think i have a spelling problem :P

[Aricson]

Let me send you some links to help you study drawing:
Start by studying this online book: http://fineart.sk/index.php?cat=15



Watch my teacher in action here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3y537VpzwY

[becomingNUMB]

ty alot :) .... i got a good drawing book 2 , ill think ill start to study it more 2.... i know i find shadin ok, but i fint getting proptions right hard :O .... any tips on that?

[Aricson]

As far as proportion goes, I would highly recommend that you read the online book I sent you. Andrew Loomis books are a treasure trove of information regarding proportion.

But to sum up, you need to have a working knowledge of anatomy if you wish to free hand.

If you use a grid to copy photographs, you will have a hard time learning to draw real faces and figures in real life. I would recommend that you begin by studying anatomy.

[Aricson]

Also, be patient ;) Even with a teacher, it takes time to achieve mastery at any subject.

Don't worry about right now making money at art. If you need to earn money for your family, a part-time after school job sounds like a good idea. I started at 16 working as a clerk at a supper-market. I saved enough money to afford art classes.

[becomingNUMB]

thats realy kool , im 16 very soon ^^ , then ill b able to get a job :D ... (16 on the 15th sep ^_^ ) ....

ty for alll your advise :), i was scared to post in form coz some people can b realy mean, like before

[Aricson]

Another thing, take heart! It sounds like you really want to become a skilled artist. Many people don't know what they ever want to do with their lives, so feel blessed that you know what you want to do :D

Just relax and enjoy the learning process! Once you start and become committed to learning, you will see your fears melt away ;)

It's brave thing to post such a serious question. You have picked a very good forum, because I think everyone here wants to help others. There are no mean people here! And if there are any, I'm sure Zindy would ban them ;)

You can learn a lot here by posting your work and getting feedback. Everyone here to my knowledge is very supportive.

There are many young people here whom feel the same way. I look forward when you post your art!

[becomingNUMB]

hehe ty ^^ , i cant wait to do art in collage, i think art in high school *gcse) is veru restricted -.- ....

and thats good :D , yay people here ^_^ *hugs random people in forum xD..

[Chart]

Well, I think you should just learn appreciate your own skills :) Don't get sad seeing someone's 'more skilled' than you are, use it positively instead :) It means you will be able to set a goal for yourself, like - I'd like to reach Zindy's drawing level :) I had that goal too, but then I practiced and I found my own style and I'm happy with my skills now, even if they're different from Zindy's ;)

[becomingNUMB]

thats so true :D ty so much, ill keepm that in mind... btw i saw your drawings form the zite (the link from banner ) n there amazeing :D .... your realy good :O

[xNatje]

I think a lot of people think about themself that they're not good enough. So do I. I always think I'm not good enough to study arts after my secundary school. I also want to do a job with art, but I'm afraid that you can't earn a lot of money with it. What you can do is two jobs. one job to earn enough money for you and your family to live from, and drawing as part-time job for extra money

[Lilium]

I know exactly how you fell becomimgNUMB when I see outstanding drawings like Zindy's or other's from DA I start to question my ability to draw, because of this I felt really down until my art teacher who is an amazing art teacher told me

" you got to realise that you may not be the best, but don't let that stop you from following your dreams, you have an amazing talent and don't let others put you down, you also got to realise that art is self expression is not for boasting yourself but boasting your own confidence, remember fine art is for beauty not for utility, believe in yourself and you ability, work hard and before you know it you won't need desires to improve because of other people but because of yourself "

Art wise that was the best advice ever given and I still remember what she said when I feel down. I hope that helped because it helped me.

[LadyMalice]

I was the same. I've drawn all my life, but when I would see other people's work online I'd be like 'geez why can't I draw as realistic as that?'. I used to always look at Zindy's work and try to reach her level as well, until I found that drawing in a realistic manner was not making me happy. I felt that I couldn't put my own creativity and imagination into it as it was someone elses's style so to speak.

But now I'm very pleased that I found a style that is truly me and sits comfortably with me. I think that is the key to any artist. Although at the moment I'm frustrated because I can't seem to find anything to draw. :( I'm in a rut. I think it is because I've been drawing all holiday and all the juice is gone for the meantime :p I don't know what it is but it's very annoying.

[mojtaba]

Hi ... I say the same talking .. take your special style http://plain.ahlamontada1.googlepages.com/smiles52.gif