Lessons I learned as an Artist
Hello all!
I kinda got prompted to write this post cause of a question i answered a bit ago, but then Jude discussed with me how I left out an important concept, so now I feel very invigorated to write this post to share it all together!
first I’M GOING TO PUT THIS BIG DISCLAIMER: this isn’t a tutorial on techniques. this is about my mentality and approach as an artist!
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So here’s some things I learned over time as an artist (mostly thanks to my amazing partner Jude who’s been coaching me with art in not only the art techniques and critical thinking way, but also the mentality way)
Try to trust your own understanding of your situation than someone else’s opinion on what you should do with your life. Everyone’s circumstances are very individualistic, so somebody else’s life isn’t going to be a road map for you at all. It’s good to regularly reflect on your personal fears and insecurities that might be skewing your understanding of your situation as well. It’s okay if you don’t know or understand anything clearly or immediately wherever you are in your life, it’s okay to discover and find understanding slowly in your own pace as you experience and try out new things.
Learn to value yourself and your ideas as an artist no matter what skill level you think you’re at. Chasing after heights but never learning to appreciate the present just ends up in a cycle of being exhausted and feeling bad. Also think about how there’s a difference between pride and ego, valuing yourself and measuring yourself. (the difference is that one involves appreciating yourself and the other is comparing yourself to others)
Disillusion yourself of the concept of “failure”. There is no such thing. Why is the goal so important that anything that doesn’t achieve it is considered a “failure” ? Learning to accept the current reality and working with what you have/ know I think holds out in the long run instead of constant check-marks of successes and failures.. you’ll just get burnt out eventually. maybe even end up getting hurt by the very passion that helped you keep going.
And Lastly but extremely importantly, here’s the point I left out when I answered that person. This part is written by Jude them self! + w +
“One of the major lessons I’ve been trying to teach HJ about their own art (and the art of others) is how to step back and think about creators as a whole. Creating as a concept isn’t about measuring a good vs bad. It’s making something. If you can accept this and start to strip away mindsets like comparing good vs bad art or artists, it makes way for the opportunity to learn about artistic taste. All of our art is formed from personal habits, some or many of which may leave us dissatisfied with our art. Instead of designating it as ‘bad’ it’s important to begin to learn what things about it you wish were different and *how* you would like to do it so it appeals to you better.
When you see somebody else’s art that you would consider ‘good’ or ‘bad’ it can help to try to start thinking in a sense of 'I like this art because…’ or 'I wouldn’t want to take my own art in that direction because…’ Do not put other artists on pedestals, do not punch down on other artists because that will reflect on how you treat your own art and yourself as an artist. Trying to understand how another artist made their decisions that you either like or don’t like can give insight into how to appeal to your own tastes.
For example, I don’t like to shade eyes with much detail because i prefer an easy to read vibrant color to pop out. I think it makes expressions look intense. Another artist might like to add in many bright colors and patterns to make vibrant dreamlike eyes. What could have led them here to this decision? How have they made it effective in their own style and art?
Do not isolate yourself from other artists’ choices (or other artists)! You don’t need to force yourself to like something you previously disliked, but to attempt to accept and understand the artistic journeys that we each take to reach where we all are right now can help you have the understanding and patience to reach the next level of your own art.”
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