Catastrophizing ramblings from the internet's most insecure artist. Vomiting my art thoughts, crafting processes, and reblogging inspirations. mysticdragon3art.tumblr.com has my finished art pieces.
After my usual sticker manufacturer apparently sold off their business to someone who just shut down their shop, I was at a loss about who to buy from.
But after 1-2 weeks of searching Google, I remembered that I found out about Sticker LA, from Instagram ads…back when I used to use Instagram. Luckily, I still had the app on my phone, and what'd'ya know? The SECOND ad while I'm scrolling, shows me the perfect shop!
FAQ: How to get a crisp print by Honey Thief Prints
Is THAT why my teacher had me use that thin Japanese calligraphy paper????? It's so frustrating to me, because sometimes I rip it. But my designs are blocky, not fine detailed! I could've been using thicker paper all this time??????
Just found out today, that if I had just checked my email in time, I could have had my figure photo exhibited at Good Smile Company's booth at Anime Expo 2026!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I never check my email!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
The last time I won one of Good Smile's photo contests, I think the same thing happened. I didn't check my email, so I missed those messages. But back then, I was often on Instagram and they directly messaged me on Instagram. Now I have my winning photo from that contest, printed onto a canvas, from Good Smile, and it's now hanging on my wall.
I should have set an alarm or a phone calendar notification to check when the winners would be announced!!!!
But I think what happened was that I saw the winners announced on Good Smile's Twitter. And when I didn't see my photo there, I thought I had just not won the contest. "Oh, well. I tried my best." But maybe they only included photos in their winner announcement Tweet, AFTER getting each photographer's permission THROUGH EMAIL?
I need to check my goddamned email more often. It's just hard, because I have a lot of anxiety, and I associate my email with a lot of stress. So I never check it. I just need to set a calendar alarm to check it on the dates that GSC says they're going to announce the contest winners. Or maybe, I'm supposed to check it every day until they make the official announcement of the winners???
Either way...
I'm actually still really glad that I won. Even if I flubbed up the chance to exhibit my work at GSC's AX booth. Because, I am constantly in an artist's crisis. I know my work sucks. So it's just really nice to know that I CAN win and my work CAN be good. I appreciate the validation, in and of itself. I'm so used to trying so hard at art and still failing. So, even if I failed to exhibit at AX2026, just knowing that other people actually think my work can be good, really means a lot to me.
Good Smile Company, I'm really sorry that I didn't check my email and respond in time. Thank you for recognizing my photography. <3
"Some tips for artists who have decided to make art more than just a hobby 💜
(Based solely on my own experience)
If you've been using a personal account and decide to start posting art more seriously, it might be worth creating a separate profile for it
I like to think of the media tab as an art portfolio. If it's full of selfies, game screenshots, memes, and random gifs with only a few drawings scattered in between, visitors may have a harder time understanding what you do and simply scroll past
Try building a little brand around yourself and read up on brand identity. A short, memorable username, a bio that clearly explains who you are, and small visual touches like certain colors, a mascot, or a signature can make you easier to recognize. Even if your style changes over time, a unique signature can help people keep recognizing your work
From my experience, posts that perform well often seem to give the next one a bit more momentum. You can use that to your advantage, for example when opening commissions
You can keep your account 100% art-focused, or go with something like a 90/10 balance where 10% is just personal stuff you'd like to share. People often enjoy supporting the person behind the art as much as the art itself. That said, most people followed you because they enjoy your work, so it's good to keep that in mind
If nothing seems to be working, you've already tried everything above, and you've even lowered your prices, it might be worth experimenting with charging more instead. It may not change anything, but if someone does decide to commission you at that price, it could make a meaningful difference in your life and career
And probably the most important one: be your own biggest fan. Try to love your work, appreciate how far you've come, and be proud of yourself. People often find it easier to believe in an artist who genuinely believes in what they're creating
Honestly, OP's thought is the same reason why I've started to give up on drawing fanart and why I've mostly given up on fanart for my artist alley table.
I don't think it's a coincidence that I've started drawing less fanart after getting into FE3H and Arcane. 2 fandoms with an extraordinary amount of incredibly high quality fanart.
Translated from Japanese:
"Creation isn't something you do because you're good at it.
It isn't something you do because you'll be praised for it.
The truth is, it's much simpler than that.
You do it because it's fun.
You want to write the story that popped into your head.
You want to draw the characters you love.
You want to build a world that's just for you, even if no one else ever sees it.
That's where creation begins.
Of course, as you keep going, there are days when you start worrying about the numbers or the feedback.
There are days when you feel down because it's not reaching the readers you hoped.
But the root of creation surely isn't there.
"Fun."
I think that's the feeling that lets people keep writing for years on end.
If the world feels boring, then go ahead and make your own stories.
If reality is tough, then set off on an adventure on the page.
If someone else's work saved you once, then now it's your turn to bring a story into the world.
Creation isn't just for special people.
Whether it's novels, illustrations, poetry, comics, or music—it's all good.
The moment you think, "I want to try that," you're already a creator.
Creation is fun.
So let's all give it a go."
Fancy art supplies, but zero art? I know why you don’t make art as much as you would like. #artist by Josie Lewis
That "friction" is exactly why, even though I love blockprinting, I haven't carved a full block in years. The best I've done is a tiny bean stamp from a couple ears ago.
That "resistance to wasting something" is so real. It's exactly why I don't really do watercolors anymore. Watercolors was fine when I was using cheap, knock-off substitutes for Crayola watercolors and our teacher gave us free, salvaged, discarded sketchbooks, with thick paper, from my art class's previous students. But once that ran out, the thought of buying my own watercolor paper and USING it….????? Impossible. Even when I managed to buy some, I'm such a cheapskate, I couldn't get much. And the idea of using it, when I have so little in supply still feels too wasteful. Even when people gave me entire pads of watercolor paper, for free, it still just feels like too high quality for me to use. I'm too afraid to use it. Even if I managed to, drawing/painting while that type of fear was going on in my head, would make me too afraid to experiment, too afraid to play, and therefore, too afraid to make anything worthwhile. I don't use nice paper.
Funny thing is that my "frictionless" materials usually include Copic markers. Most people consider Copics too expensive to use for random doodles. But I've always had access to great sales for Copics. I don't buy $8 Copics. I buy $5 Copic Sketches and $2.93 Copic Ciao markers. And I refill them with equally sale-priced ink. Lots of experienced Copic artists will speak with disgust about using "low quality" paper with Copics. But it's what works for me. It's what makes drawing "frictionless" for me, specifically. I don't have to deal with the planning and foresight involved with incorporating streaky markers into my artwork. And my paper doesn't make me feel guilty for experimenting on it.
The other funny thing is that my other "frictionless" material, is also expensive. I draw with a $25 fountain pen, using $10-$15 bottles of ink. But it is literally frictionless to me. I used to get so frustrated with my skipping ballpoint pens, my drying technical pens/fineliners, and pencils smudging with my alcohol markers. At least when ink dries, it likely won't smudge anymore. And sure, I draw on big sketchbooks with reliable 75lb paper, but again, I know where to get the great sales for them.
I feel like some of my combinations of art supplies or the mediums I choose to use, wouldn't make sense to other people. Maybe even more so, after I explain my fears about wasting money or materials. But These are the things that make me feel safe to create and experiment. And that's better than nice or "better" combinations of supplies sitting, untouched.
guy working on an artwork they knew would push them technically: what the hell why do i keep doing this wrong. am i haunted by malevolent spirits and such
To this day, when I need I ideas, I start with looking up keywords in the dictionary or online, then checking out synonyms, history, etc., and that starts the ideas flowing. Or I'll flip thru artbooks or watch a series I like that naturally gives me ideas. In my opinion, the mark of a good story is if it makes you daydream midway through watching. That used to bother me, and I'd criticize myself for my wandering, inattentive mind. But then I realized that good art is supposed to inspire you. So now I know that if it makes me daydream, especially midway, then it's good art. And if I need to get ideas for a project, I'll rewatch things I like, that have that same effect on me.
These Markers Feel Like Oil Pastels Without the Mess by bungu
As long as I don't need to tear out my sketchbook page or put my entire sketchbook out of commission while the fixative airs out, this may be what I need.
kianamaiart
germansingergirl
gracieabrams
stormborns
andulkaphoto
2087
dailybridgerton
ellievsbear
snowghoul
yousharknotpass
baratheonpilled
