@TheFIame it feels like a lot of art vids nowadays are just here to advertise the paid courses by the author of the video. While old art content WAS that course, but for free.
people need to make a living. They can't just share things for free. Old youtube was less saturated, adsense wasn't nerfed yet or rather - it didn't exist but there were other ways they made money. Theres artist on top of artist nowdays, and ad revenue can be often cut off depending on the subject of the video and things like swearing etc and as a result it's very hard to make a living off of yt. Just existing doesn't pay your rent.
With AI and layoff suddenly you get a lot of pros that were innactive coming back to youtube to beg patreon money. Its all very cynical, if they are doing bad what's left to younger people?
I think a massive issue right now is kind of the “meta” of youtube and social media. you have to play to the algorithms to get eyeballs but that undermines the content and the integrity of channels beholden to it. specifically for youtube channels: clickbait titles, unorganized information, focus on “5 tips to _____” for socials: art trends, the demand to post daily, the focus in video content, “art as content to be consumed” So im seeing channels either leaning into this stuff in hopes of success or artists being frustrated and many quitting because they refuse to follow this path. In terms of the “industry” at this time it feels like there’s no investment in building up new talent/investing in artists. theyll hire the good guys at the lowest rate they can get, discard them when they’re no longer needed and thats that. no long term stability or loyalty.(this part is probably a wider modern issue affecting more than just artists).
You say clickbait, I'd go one step further and say ragebait. A lot of people just want to be angry about SOMETHING for some reason. A lot of content that's promoted is just feeding that anger. And I just stay away from that stuff, it's not healthy. I much rather watch someone like Trent, who just enjoys what he's doing.
I’m hugely grateful that you’re sharing this viewpoint - artists need to know that trends and styles and opinions are cyclical - just holding true to what you love when everyone else taps out - when the cycle comes around your way again, you’re now well ahead of the race
I'm tired of all the fear mongering, it's not only in art tho, it's in everything these days, including gaming. I'm tired of feeling constant negativity whenever I browse social media, that's why I limit which influencer/content creator/artist I follow. Your art channel is what(one of the channels) that helped me break in the art industry.
This is more a cultural thing. Its a proven commodity in the markets though. Sick makes money, weak makes money, sad/upset, makes money. There's a reason why the US dominates the pharmaceutical markets with 6 percent of the global pop. Sure we get all the best stuff and nice toys but its only made us lazy and ignorant little money batteries
What I like about your channel is the honest and straightforward information that relates to art/gaming industry. You never sugarcoat about your comments but still leave some empathy for soft hearted people. Although I may somewhat given up on my journey to landing a job in the art/gaming industry, your channel still inspires me to continue art. Because for the love of it. And that I can't thank you enough for continuously providing us art content. Keep up the good work! And again, thank you!
Your toxic positive attitude will not sway me, Trent! Art is dead, and YOU will NOT make me realize that I am my own worst enemy! How DARE you be happy!
nowadays its more about you as a social media influencer than the art. Art is mostly an accessory or a prop to most popular youtubers or social media artists. Meaning if you have that charisma and mindset you can make money even with subpar art but if you don't even great art skills won't help you anymore
@@j.2512 there was a girl in my class that was always bragging about making 1000$ on commissions so I thought oh she must be really good- then i saw her Instagram and it was bad! mediocre anime girls. But she is a cosplayer with tons of followers and that's why she gets commissions
Slight pushback on the need for clickbait, my top video in the last year and a half is just a straight up tutorial about animation that's sitting around 700K. I think we have a responsibility as creators to not just compromise on the stuff we make and to push quality content. That being said I totally understand why people will make videos about any other topic, it's tough out here.
@@moderndayjamesI think that video is how I found your channel in the first place, and I have been subbed ever since! You make awesome videos, and I have learned an incredible amount from you.
I'm an animation and game art student (with a focus on game art), and for the last few months I've been just constantly worried about what I'm gonna do when I'll graduate next year, with all the layoffs in literally every major studio and the bs with AI ravaging through the industry. I think I needed this video to remind me of an advice I heard in my first year: the people that succeed in the industry aren't the smartest ones, or the most gifted ones. It's those who persist. Thank you for this!
I'm not tired of art or artists online. What I'm tired is of being an artist online. Too much work for lil traction. No matter what strategy you follow nothing comes out of it. That being said I will always be an artist.
I suppose I myself have gone through phases of liking different art channels as I have gotten older. When I was in my mid teens between 2014 and 2017 I was obsessed with channels that just uploaded timelapses. Especially the ones that didn't hide their layers or side bar tools because I used them to learn techniques, how to use layers for certain things and so on. I was actually put off of hearing peoples voices. After that I went into tutorials where people talked about how to do anatomy, perspective, helpful tips, what you should try to improve yourself faster, that sort of thing. And I think that kinder merged in with the "this art is trash" sort of review videos. A lot of this was when I was in Uni taking concept art for video games and film between 2019 and 2022. So there was also the occasional "how I got my first job" and "this was the portfolio that got me hired" video because as someone who was about to graduate I was concerned about getting my first job or that my portfolio wasn't good enough. Fast forward to now and a lot of the videos that I watch today are people talking about the worlds they are designing and what their thought process was behind their ideas. It's cool to see people build worlds but there's something about it that makes the content creators feel like actual people to me. They too, like me, also have the desire to create their own worlds with characters and creatures; and yeah it's a lot of work but if they can do it then I can too. Also the less doomy videos, like yours. You're very matter of fact about the situation but your optimism helps me stay optimistic about my future in the art industry, despite the state it's in now. Like I went to uni to become a concept artist but recently I landed a gig on a game's project as their 2D animator. It's not where I expected to end up but it's an art gig and I love it for that.
My issue with the art industry is how oversaturated it is to the point that it's almost impossible to make any type of sales or views. Bombarded with Ai, Influencers and Trends that even social media algorithms are pushing forward with it because it brings them money. An artist can't keep up with the bs that's going on and if you think industries and companies are hiring you better think twice.
Everything is oversaturated. Literally everything. Everywhere you go on social media everyone will tell you there's no jobs left, no money left, no hope left. It's all over, give up, don't get started, it's all doom and gloom. And yet it's a challenge for me to find the stuff I like. People really like to complain these days and they overexaggerate like crazy.
cuz many stupid people my 2 cents thinks AI will replace artist. it will just trim artist who are not at par. so to be relevant better be good if you want to be the best, and not dream of the glory days of art.
@@rodolflum3444 It will trim all sorts of people. Good ones too. Corp cares about efficiency and paying less employees, not quality. Also, people don't start amazing. They have carriers and gradually become better and better. So by what you say, now you have to be amazing and one of the best, to be hired at all? How does that work lol It's easy to say for people who already had long carriers and are established artist with an audience and connections. Like mr. Trent. Not being positive or negative, but everyone should try to be more objective. Rather than blind positivity or negativity.
@@HiddenStr3ngth cant agree more but i do belive that not every artist will be replaced by ai, i think it will create a lot of chaos if big companies tried to replace artists like that
Top 3 art veterans on RUclips, who never disappoint, keep it real, on point, have actual industry experience (and not just 1 year...); Feng Zhu, Marco Bucci, and you, Trent. Mark Brunet is decent too, I like his channel, but not an all in for me (I don't think I am his target audience with class in section stuff😂). I listen to your videos because you provide industry insight, share your xp and you don't try to sell the Dream. Modest with advertising your stuff, which makes me check it out. And on the top of that, you are not tone-deaf. I noticed that big names telling stuff like "just build an audience, be your own brand", "oh just reach fame, buy my mentorship", "just draw like the 1% of the artist, and you will never run out of job offers". They forget when they started out social media just started, the game industry just lifted off, the market was not oversaturated. Today's landscape is very different and very few veterans acknowledge it. They live in a bubble and I think their audience started to notice it.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. Firstly, I'm grateful that you keep coming back to watch my videos. I DO wonder constantly about whether my views are limited to my own experience. Being that I'm more of a game Director now than an artist... I think I am becoming more detached from the struggle of the artist in games. But the comments on my videos keep me in check!
This is a topic very close to my heart. For many years, I have constantly heard criticism that being an artist is not a real profession. During my time at university, I was told that art is not a profession and that I should study engineering instead. After graduation, I worked a regular job, but in my free time, I built my portfolio step by step and searched for my first job. To achieve this, I even had to temporarily move back to my motherland, where I was offered my first job as a 2D Artist. This was a huge opportunity for me to get a foothold in the gaming industry. Then in 2022, Russians invaded my country, and once again, I had to abandon everything and start over. When AI emerged, many demotivating things surfaced. Many people started mocking that my work would soon be obsolete. But I believe that art is something that cannot be replaced. Those who do not want to make an effort will play around with AI and move on, and many won't even try. And that's okay. Those who stay are the ones for whom creating art for games or movies is more than just a job. I want to be one of those people. Even if things go very badly in the industry, I will still draw or sculpt, but for now, I am not going to turn away from my dream of working as an Environment Concept Artist, not just a 2D Artist. So, let's keep doing what we love, and the results will follow
I survived the venezuelan crisis by doing art as a freelance, but now i am not optimistic, i see artist peers with great jobs getting fired because studios are using AI to downsize and more and more freelance clients who either replace us or just want us to edit AI pictures for little to no money which is not even sustainable
@@j.2512 I think a wave of layoffs is unfortunately inevitable because there are many who want results with minimal costs in the shortest time possible. Eventually, they will realize there is little benefit in this and start hiring back. I’ve already seen such examples. AI does repetitive, generic looking pictures, and there is no creativity or logic in it. Of course, the industry is changing, but I believe artistic skills will always be in demand
@@MrFakerok Unfortunately generic looking repetitive pictures is what audiences want and what most studios already made before AI. I think the only hope is to find a little niche among particular clients who want custom work thats fully made by a real human but even then there's so much oversaturation and competition that prices are going down but its what i am trying to do. If i was 10 years younger i would have tried to do programming or something else, i also don't enjoy social media at all, when i started in art social media didn't matter, only your portfolio, now its backwards
I’m 45 years old and I have put art on the back burner since my mid twenties due to going all in and providing for my family, I just recently got the drive to convince my self to get back into it and see what I can do then I ran into this world of Ai generated Illustrations which was a bit discouraging however there is no putting out the embers of wanting to create, everyday that I haven’t has felt like a day lost. Thank you for creating this video and reminding me that the passion for art is real and worth pursuing regardless of monetary gains
I used to follow an artist for a long time, he started doing critique videos and I LOVED THEM! The artist’s tips on improving were so helpful suddenly he started shifting this content towards just joking around, the artworks became more and more sexualized and by the time I noticed there were no critiques at all. It honestly breaks my heart because I had to unfollow but the artist I once liked was just not the same… Other thing I hate is the pattern in stylized art, one artist blows up and suddenly everyone is drawing with the same style! For example: Disney’s 3d art, every universe in Disney used to have their own characteristics but now they all look the same big eyed blob, its depressing! When studio ghibli (that used to do amazing traditional art animations) made a 3d movie I just lost all faith in humanity 🤣 AI also made this very obvious, now everyone can get themselves a Disney character that look like them but at the end they all look the same 😶🌫️
The disney style has truly made me not watch so many movies from other studios. The movies could have looked sooo much better if they went with a unique artstyle that truly fit the production but no, we had to get another ethnically ambiguous, huge eyed, generically pretty protagonist 😂
I don't always see eye to eye with you, Trent, but this is a really good point. I think that with the amount of stuff we have access to at the tip of our fingers, and particularly in the wake of generative AI, our biggest strength as artists is our unique artistic expression. Just being good is hardly going to cut it, so I think that leaning into what we're passionate about and do that wholeheartedly is the way forward. And honestly, that's the reason I keep coming back to my favourite art youtube channels - be it entertainment or educational or both, they stay true to themselves.With the amount of different styles and niches we could explore, why not go for the ones we love, and I'm sure that love and that personality will shine a thousand times brighter than blindly following trends in the end.
Man, this video is something I so badly needed to hear to today. As a comicbook artist, I'd say I've been doing really well the past two years despite the AI thing (I'd even go as far as to say that 2023 and 2024 have been the best years for my career so far), plenty of cool projects completed, proejcts already scheduled for 2025 and I even finally gotten around to starting my own comic. Meanwhile, I nearly stopped paying attention to this whole AI thing but just yesterday I stumbled upon some of the AI videos and felt a complete dread thinking that maybe I was just lucky nad all I got is just few extra years and soon it will be over. But watching your video made me regain my motivation comepletely and feel like things are far from over and that there is still a future for comic artists (as well as many other aritsts). Thanks so much!
I've been drawn more towards day-in-the-life of an artist type videos. Something casual and real. I'm less interested in the videos on topics like "why your IG art isn't getting likes" or "make more money doing XYZ" type art videos. More real life stuff, less hustle culture.
Yeah, i've been a working bee for about 6 years now, but nowadays i am really drawn to more relaxed, not challenging lifestyle, of which my old hustler self would've not approved.
Most of the hustle stuff like passive income is just bulls.hit in the first place. These people get money by uploading videos about passive income, not from anywhere else.
I love what you said about "Oh, x is dead." I'm right there with you. I think a lot of what it comes down to is that people try to boil the art/game/film/creative industry down to a single standard, instead of realizing that people are different and like different things, no matter what's trending. If art is dead on youtube, who cares? I'll still be here, watching the people I like, and making my own stuff. Thanks for your insight!
absolutely if you see art as money then you will be dissapointed. everyone wants free. artist or no artist. and ai is free art in the sense that its not copyrighted, so you can steal it and no repercussion.
As someone who just graduated from college into supposedly the worst time ever for animation: I'm still going to chug away. I want to do 3D modeling for characters, and yeah....I'm not seeing a lot of entry positions, and I rarely see any internships, but just gotta keep working at it. You can't give up.
I've been here since 3k subs and always been entertained and educated by you Trent. Thank you for all of your real talk videos, your art book reviews etc. it's all been great. I started going to school for Game Dev and your Easy Art Lessons 1-10 had me more than ready for my Drawing classes I've had to take so far.
I love this channel, Trent! I'm glad to hear you won't go away because you've often gotten me through times where I was discouraged about my art progress. I listen when I'm doing art or cleaning the house so most of the time it's less about what you're showing and more about what you're saying. I really appreciate the conversations about your day to day or your experiences as the art industry has gone up and down. Yours is one of the only art channels I listen to, so I can't compare, but this is definitely of value to me. Thank you!
I'm actually considering going to art uni since it begins in a few months but i'm extremely conflicted, everywhere you look it's either "it's ok but extremely risky" or "if you do it your gonna die jobless". A backup job is ideal but the subject i studied before i hated with all my heart, so i'm fucked.
Go. Honestly, go. You can always drop out and do something else if you end up not enjoying it. You may end up actually loving it and assignments and deadlines can definitely keep you accountable and prevent you from procrastination. You will get mentors to guide you and be there when you need help - something you don't have when you're studying alone at home.
If you can study something like a stem degree or programming you should. Do art as a hobby , things are bad and only getting worse for younger artists. Art help me in my life and i got a lot of opportunities but now i face loosing it all, if i was younger today i'd pick something else
Thanks for sticking to your guns. I value your educational and informative content a lot more than whatever the trend has become for other art channels.
Good stuff!! I've noticed a lot of the click bait going around. "AI just changed this forever!! ", "is cara a sinking ship?"," Here's why I stopped doing or using this, and you should too" ...lot's of negativity and panic. It's exhausting. I turned off my youtube history so I don't get the same weird alarming suggestions over and over again on the homepage. I only use my subscriptions tab and watch the channels I love and content from people I trust like you Trent. I understand everyone is doing it for the views as you mentioned, so now I have to be my own algorithm and do the dirty work of picking and sticking to the things I love and the people I want to support. Your videos have always been helpful 🙏. Thank you for what you do.
As a person who always wanted to be an artist or professional artist but went down the path of architecture - i truely enjoy watching tutorials as my drawing/sketching skills have got rusty. I also do enjoy watching those videos of people just documenting them working on a piece. My favorite though is the walk throughs of sketch books - and how rhey provide commentary especially if they can show/point out by the end of the boom how their skills have improved or how they tried something different than at then at the start.
Really great stuff Trent. Exactly the perspective I needed right now - I love when your videos materialize right when I need them. Beautiful artwork and you are super chill to listen to and spend a while with. Thanks man.
Yesss! this is what I love about the art community, the journey, the encouragement, art for art sake not just to get clicks, a comforting place to support and meet people. We're all just weirdos who like to make random marks on a page and that's pretty comforting to me
I've def had to step back from being an artist online and just focus on my goal as being an artist. Keep making these motivational videos, having that voice in the dark (especially a voice that has traveled through the darkness and come out on the otherside) is incredibly motivational on the days where that voice in my head says "whats the point"
Man seriously you just said the truest words ever, i was talking with a dude on reddit about Ai replacing artists and i was arguing with him because he believes it will replace any junior positions in the industry, and this kind of mindset have permeated to all young kids, i truly believe "Ai" discourages people from getting involved because nobody believe in themselves anymore! when in fact things are in no way that bad.
Not sick of art channels, I just want more about the process. I want to know how artist think through the different phases of a project, I want to know how they problem solve.
I loved this video Trent. I've been inundated with artists (especially aspiring) with concerns, fears and worries about this industry and where it's headed. I too have been in here long enough and I think one thing we take for granted is just how thick our skin has become. We can withstand an epic onslaught to our internal compass and still drive forward on our internal fortitude. I think authenticity and small, loyal groups of fans are where things are headed in our future. Family vibes, here we come! Thank you for taking the time to put out good vibes, I honestly don't know why people do the opposite, perhaps it's a kind of self therapy but it's not healthy for everyone to drink from that pool. As creators we have a responsibility to the whole don't you think?
This is a breath of fresh air to me. I've been a lover of art and stories, and have been working on personal projects, but I've have been finding just gloom and doom, from things of " No one likes this or that anymore/ this is dead", and the Ai stuff. I always was going to keep working on stuff, because, I enjoy it, and have always found the gloom and doom, to be reactions of the current way the wind is blowing. I'm happy, I'm not alone in seeing things. Some way, some how, I'll see my projects come to be.
I’m not sick of art channels. I’m sick of the platforms. As an example. There’s a higher chance I’ll see a new video from a content creator if I don’t subscribe to them but watch their video every once in a while. In the past couple of years we’ve seen end stage capitalism effecting artist platforms and it is disheartening. On the bright side, it’s helped me focus on physical communities instead of digital ones. But I don’t want to engage with a comment, art work, or anything else for that matter, where some company will scrape their data for their AI or take advantage of creators.
youtube conspiracy. im bombarded with new content and hide the content i subs, and had to search it and see they are actually active but dont get on my feeds but this new contents are sprouting like mushrooms crying for a click.
You are always so good at saying the exact thoughts i am thinking at the moment. Yeah, the art industry isn't burning and crasing, but it is definitely a hard period for smaller artists looking to get into industry. Both the social media and job market are downsizing, and aren't as viable as about 5 years ago. My solution to that is getting into often overlooked communal aspect of art. Like joining local art movements and going to live events. Also the fact that people don't have as much disposable income as they used to before, again, hinders the smaller artists that were looking to sell they merchandise. But i don't think it's an end, more like a hard period. I believe in about 2 to 3 years we will figure everything out.
I tend to watch your videos over other art channels because you talk about aspects that I’m interested in, without talking about “art drama”. It’s not clickbait or goofiness, but topics that matter to me as an artist. And your art is bitchin’!
Thanks for this dude, I have my art career path paused right now, got a Game developer job a while ago and its preatty stable to me, but I dosen't mean I won't do art anymore, I want to keep at it and hopefully learn from art channels.
Personally I prefer channels like these and those that are educational. There's value in hearing the perspective of people who have your type of industry experience. This type of content is not dead as there's always people seeking this kinda stuff. Will it be as popular as general youtube foolishness? No, but that doesn't matter if you can manage to carve out your own lane and fill a void that no one else is occupying.
Personally, I'd appreciate more comic-focused art channels. Not really interested in tutorials, more just like a journalling of the art they're making at the moment, like you said.
Handing in my assignment: I love that you are still doing big projects. A lot of art channels are people doing tutoring and lectures and they throw up the occasional art piece, but they don't really have a project of their own, something showcasing how they're still passionate about creating things. I hate art channels that shrug off the anxieties and the difficulties of getting into art. Some people are just trying to maintain a positive attitude to keep their sanity, I get that. Other people however are just trying to curate their clientele. They're trying to keep the market of hopeful art students alive. The answer to the question "Is it worth betting all I have in this one career path instead of getting a master's degree in engineering like my ma wants me to" is complicated. And the answer should not be the one that is the most lucrative or comfortable for the art teacher being asked.
I think it's more complicated than just art channels, people seem to be to overwelmed with so many information and enterteinment. I follow cooking channels, restorations channels and others that have the same problem, people don't have patience for anything. We are having a bad moment worldwide with bad economy, wars and tension (and we didn't recovery from the pandemic mentalwise yet) so this is afecting how we consume enterteinment.
I gave up on art when I was 12 for many reasons, and picked it up again at 24 when I was lost in life. When this whole AI thing happened, I wasn't completely surprised since I like to follow new tech or possible future tech. But I knew I did not want to give up on my art again. I'm 29 now, I haven't reached all of my goals yet, but there is so much to learn and I love it. It's one of the reasons I wanted to pursue the arts. There is always something new you can learn or a new project you can start. It never ends unless you choose to stop.
Hi, Could be what you first mentioned. People might simply be discouraged by the state of the industry. Also the influencer model on social media might have jumped the shark a bit. The lack of interest might reflect a general disappointment which is understandable. Honest motivational videos like this one might get more clicks at this moment. Great work and video BTW!
... art channels are the only other thing I watch on RUclips - I did notice the topics you and others like Adam Duff and Tyler Edlin cover lean more into the psychology and mindset of creating - those help me more than most of the technical stuff since I've been using forums and Discord servers to get my art torn apart in critiques from both potential customers of my game and other artists and devs. Those videos are perfect for background noise while animating, drawing or painting.
I feel like this is not only happening with the art channels, but with YT videos in general. Relying on ads can be very stressful, which results in more frequent videos but with less creativity in them. Subscriptions + community = win.
RUclips is dying but there really can't be any alternative because Alphabet burned billions to establish their monopoly . Ideally there would be more video sites or dedicated sites, for example a whole site only for art videos and nothing else but not in this tech landscape
honestly I like art channels it makes me a better artist but also a better person. including it let's me explore the mind of every artist I came to respect and love
I agree 100% with this Trent. All of it. I refuse to change or give up what I love because of the industry changes. If anything, I do not mind making my own project if I can no longer do it professionally.
I love my art channels. And I am really sad when they don´t post anything anymore or just really occasionally. And my favourite type of videos is to watch someone draw and talk about the technique or anything. Because most of the time I also draw watching these and it feels like to draw with a friend.:)
(Feeding the algorithm by commenting.) Thank you for these videos, Trent! Every time I hit a rough patch in my art or writing, I come back here to this channel. You've brought me a lot of hope when making art over the years. Although I'm no longer pursuing the goal of being an industry professional in art, I always find these videos valuable whenever I'm down in the dumps about things. Your videos have always felt like mini counseling sessions for me, and they bring so much hope and happiness to others. As I pursue my new goal of becoming a licensed counselor, I hope that I'll be able to inspire people the way you do! And, maybe, help people find their own artistic passions along the way! Besides, what better artist to be than the one that helps to create "new artists" who go on to create even more new artists? Isn't that what this is all about at the end? To endlessly inspire and connect with others even beyond your time on this earth? At least, that's where I find beauty in art :)
Thanks for another great art talk. I've been drawing and making things all my life and have no intention of stopping anytime soon. I tend to listen to positive art talks or analysis of creative works more nowadays. With Tutorials when I have time.
Your channel has helped keep me motivated and inspired to continue pursuing my dreams. You’re an icon and a role model for the community, thank you for everything you do.
I adore your style of videos. I love the down to earth talks to give and the valuable education both about art and life itself. I love getting to just watch you work too, i always get the drive to paint from watching you and I feel like watching your method allowed me to lean into mine because you work in a way that is more similar to what naturally works for me than what some other artists do. Keep up the awesome work! Thanks for being here for us, man. I was having some long term pain issues that were holding me back from creating like I wanted but now that I'm actually feeling better I'm excited to dive back into the gumroad courses I got from you 💪
just discovered your channel! i'm 17 yo and for a while now i have been terrified about persuing my dreams on being an artist in the game industry AI, competition to get there, living in latin america and some stuff i more often than not fear spending hours getting better to maybe enter an industry that's just getting far away everyday D: but this channel is reassuring
First time I've commented in a while. Trent, thanks for what you do. I believe in passion and I found your beginner tutorial and just let the algorithm take me here after finally getting into a flow creating some digital art for the first time ever! Appreciate you and I look forward to continuing my journey with you as one of my guides!
"You have to build something that endures." Man, that hit me right where i needed it. Ive been struggling with the feeling of "i came into this industry too late" for a while now bc of just how trend focused and ai and all of that has just exploded. Idk if its just me but i do feel this constant vibe of... idk how else to put it other then like a vibe of lack of authenticity going around. It is creating a massive disconnect for me. CinnamonToastKen also talked about the "chasing the trend" thing and how it seems the o ly ppl who like pop off now are being sort of rage baity/conteoversial in some way bc thats what these new algorithms want. Combined with everything u said, Trent, i wholeheartedly agree with both of you. I know i may never get as "big" as some of these art channels, but i dont love the click baity stuff. I dont like making that kind of content. I dipped my toes in it, and the water was just... cold and icky. So, despite the craziness of the world and all of this, imma take your words to heart and im going to try and make stuff that i genuinely like. Things that i can say, "yeah i made that" I think that eventually here, people are gonna be sick of it too. They are gonna want genuine art. Actual creative, orignal work that speaks to them bc i do believe that deep down, we as humans want that. Trends are flashy and they shine bright and can be blinding but give that trend some time and everyone starts to forget it bc it wasnt anything truly worthwhile. We remember experiences and stories and old cartoons and movies, games, etc bc they spoke to us. We connected with it and with all of this articial crap that is blowing up out there, its gonna exhaust people bc its just going to remake the same boring, uninteresting, shill over and over again. Itll get tiring fast. Maybe im totally off my rocker with all of this, but i hope something here makes sense. I appreciate all you do, Trent, and thank you for giving me some hope for my own projects. One day at a time. ❤
Thank you Trent what I like about your art channel it's like having a teacher walking with you but not closely. Helpings mental to never give up today I felt tired of drawing and practicing programming but once I saw your video I stood up with hope if monkey. D Luffy from One piece can defeat kaido with a smile I'm sure we upcoming young artists who still trying or working hard to be noticed will reach our true potential your videos always help alot ngl 😂 I always get happy rewatching your sketchbook Pro Vidoes I have a question can you make a manga on sketchbook Pro?
Wisdom and connection are the elements that draw me to people's content these days. I've got an old spirit that seeks out wisdom to build a better understanding of how to realize my hopes and dreams. Because of that, your practical wisdom is very valuable to me. Discussing the psychology of successful artists is extremely valuable because how we think/feel affects everything we create. Artists should be masters of their mind because we create amazing works from our thoughts/feelings. We make our invisible imagination visible to the rest of the world. I wish we understood how powerful that is. Not many people can truly do this well and we give up before we see what we're capable of. Anyways, thank you for your content. You have my support!
Hey Trent. I appreciate that I can always look to you as a postitive source when I am feeling disheartened. I really can't express this enough. I am concept artist currently working which I am grateful for but it's not at a game studio. I got my first real job two years ago in mobile games but its only lasted 5 months before I was laid off. I was looking at linkedin today and I see so many people who were either my teachers or my previous coworkers who are wayyy higher up in experience looking for work. I love building my skills and making new work for my portfolio with the hope up landing a job at a AAA game studio again or just ANY game studio. But when I see people more qualified than me looking for work it really hurts my motivation. So many studios are cutting people and making jobs more singular. I LOVE creating concept art but I don't love the idea of leading down a road of so much potential unemployment. I've put my whole life into this so its make it or die trying though.
I'll never get tired of listening to uncle Trent. It's like hanging out with a cool artist uncle that gives you nuggets of wisdom from experience. keep at it good sir!
Twilight Monk looks soo good! As for art, it has been discouraging over the last few years with AI, and it seems hard to get going in any of the art industries. I have found myself creating more traditional art, and I enjoy the process, and I still like learning new art related things. It’s good to have something you enjoy doing throughout your life, especially if your job isnt an art related job, art is something you can look forward too in your day or week. Keep up the channel it’s great!
Thanks for the gear-shift, Trent! Your work is a huge inpsiration for me, and now I am steadily crunching your basic lessons and preparing new projects for the upcoming shift toward "100% human-made" or whatever... I even started working with a creative writer who wants me to conceptualize his ideas, and now we are both so pumped to be getting somewhere! Gonna be releasing our first hand-made manga soon... hopefully it keeps us sane, if nothing else...✌️😁
Hey Trent been following your channel for a really long time now what I'd like to see going forward is more on your philosophy of design whether it be character or architecture design. I find that stuff really fascinating and I love to hear more about your personal process to design decision making.
I have been into art since I was a kid, but never did it as a career. I have been thinking about trying to career swap and do something I love but the state of the art industry, and the AI scare, is making me think it's not a good idea
After a few years post-grad and attempting to be a full time artist, I think I’m just burnt out. I remember I used to love drawing almost every day, watched videos, it was great. But financially it wasn’t really doing anything for me and I just couldn’t afford to live. Ended up going to another career and am now just trying to get back into art as a hobby. It’s a slow process but I think if you’re an artist, it just stays with you forever.
Man, your game is looking amazing, I can't wait to play!! Regarding the art channels, I slowed down because I realized that I don't know how to sell anything I do, so improving just in art won't help me much anymore, maybe some of the old viewers are in the same place and the storm of bad news isn't Helping either.
Hey Trent, could you ever do a video on how to name your characters? I think naming things is a pretty important step in art and designing or anything in general.
Currently have cold feet about signing up with CG Spectrum. Everything is all set up and ready to go except the invoice I have to pay, just sitting open on my other monitor. This has really assured me I'm doing the right thing even if the industry looks like it's on fire right now. I have a real hunger for art, and it'll be worth the struggle. Thank you.
@@solarydays Well, CGS has industry mentors and sets you on a track to find a job. Industry professionals like Tyler James and Imery Watson aren't just gonna take me under their wing if I beg hard enough for free handouts. I've reached a roadblock in what I can access for free, and if I have the time and money to spare, there is no shame in bettering myself. There's no need to be elitist.
I definitely enjoy listening to you talk about art and what the job entails (the positive reinforcement and psychology is awesome). It was once my dream to be a concept artist for Blizzard. Personally I don't enjoy art channels that just talk about drama. Tools, Techniques, and things that inspire me to improve are definitely on my playlist. 👍
AI is just the new NFT. People want it because somebody else told them 'Hey, here is how to earn money using AI for print on demand' or 'Here is how to earn money using AI'. Little did they know the AI replaced the easiest way an artists made money online. Aka digital products. Aka free lensing. Aka the market with the biggest competition. Until they find out how hard it is to make it with digital products will be something ppl get exited about. I am not scared. Art is about the intellectual property and level of execution you bring to the table. AI don't really do that even the execution thing is with questionable quality. When it comes to art channels I think a lot of them are just a bit repetitive. One person does something and at the same time 5-10 different channels do the exact same thing, but I can't blame them. I come to realize that RUclips algorithm is not the best for trying new things especially in spheres like art where there are so many nuances.
you're pretty much the only art channel I watch semi regularly. I like your bluntness. I also have one one art channel I hatewatch and thats Adam from pixelimperfect or something. The type of emotional support he offers feels to me like a quick fix for the desperate artists just so they can continue to suffer tomorrow. That would be the kind of art content I'm sick of
I dont think Ai will be able to make new trends or keep up with them in art but i do think one day they will make good references of real life to get our ideas on the page faster.
The reason I used to watch art channels was to get inspired and see how skilled artists think and create their works. Nowadays, it seems like the content is quite polluted and confusing. I start watching with the intention of learning how to draw, but end up having a nervous crisis, worried about things that might not even happen. I would like to see videos where the artist simply expresses their joy in doing their work. That's why I've been following your work for so long, because to me, you have fun doing what you do. You could even make a video just doodling on the ground with your finger, and I would watch it.
What I've come to love with art-based channels is how authentic they come across. Even while "Roasting" art submitted, they would actively give healthy criticism and truthful compliments, all the while supporting the artist.
This is why I still watch Trent's videos, and I can't remember the last time I watched anything by a certain Australian who IS awesome, but the videos he makes now just aren't for me.
As an artist myself I love art channels! Will never be tired of them. However Trent I'd like to see you try to work with more guests on your channel to spice things up a bit (Paleo artists and archaeologists please!).
After 2 years..I'm here I'm a freelance digital artist...in pubgm..joining there contest..it's tiring where some winners where not that detailed or having a good design concept art..some are just popular by votes.while I'm doing the details and learning new rendering tricks...some are promoting their artworks.its hard, I hate it. As if hardwork is not seen. but after my last work I've seen a big change in every art concept entry that I've done..even though I never won that gold and have less followers..I know there eyes have taste...
One gripe I have against some art channels is that some of their tutorials are not that easy for me to follow (unless I missed out on a specific step).
![Jack Harlow - Hello Miss Johnson [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q86_nlRoIGw/mqdefault.jpg)
Im never sick of art channels, I do get annoyed with the salesman talk.
@TheFIame it feels like a lot of art vids nowadays are just here to advertise the paid courses by the author of the video. While old art content WAS that course, but for free.
people need to make a living. They can't just share things for free. Old youtube was less saturated, adsense wasn't nerfed yet or rather - it didn't exist but there were other ways they made money. Theres artist on top of artist nowdays, and ad revenue can be often cut off depending on the subject of the video and things like swearing etc and as a result it's very hard to make a living off of yt. Just existing doesn't pay your rent.
With AI and layoff suddenly you get a lot of pros that were innactive coming back to youtube to beg patreon money. Its all very cynical, if they are doing bad what's left to younger people?
Everyone is annoyed with the salesman talk, but artists need to eat too.
@@realce666 they can’t make art if they starve to death???
I think a massive issue right now is kind of the “meta” of youtube and social media.
you have to play to the algorithms to get eyeballs but that undermines the content and the integrity of channels beholden to it.
specifically for youtube channels: clickbait titles, unorganized information, focus on “5 tips to _____”
for socials: art trends, the demand to post daily, the focus in video content, “art as content to be consumed”
So im seeing channels either leaning into this stuff in hopes of success or artists being frustrated and many quitting because they refuse to follow this path.
In terms of the “industry” at this time it feels like there’s no investment in building up new talent/investing in artists. theyll hire the good guys at the lowest rate they can get, discard them when they’re no longer needed and thats that. no long term stability or loyalty.(this part is probably a wider modern issue affecting more than just artists).
VERY based comment.
You say clickbait, I'd go one step further and say ragebait. A lot of people just want to be angry about SOMETHING for some reason. A lot of content that's promoted is just feeding that anger. And I just stay away from that stuff, it's not healthy.
I much rather watch someone like Trent, who just enjoys what he's doing.
Yeah. the whole "Just a cog in a machine" sucks
I’m hugely grateful that you’re sharing this viewpoint - artists need to know that trends and styles and opinions are cyclical - just holding true to what you love when everyone else taps out - when the cycle comes around your way again, you’re now well ahead of the race
I'm tired of all the fear mongering, it's not only in art tho, it's in everything these days, including gaming. I'm tired of feeling constant negativity whenever I browse social media, that's why I limit which influencer/content creator/artist I follow. Your art channel is what(one of the channels) that helped me break in the art industry.
Check out a podcast by my buddy Brad. Its called "Summon Sign". Its the best "no drama" gaming podcast.
This is more a cultural thing. Its a proven commodity in the markets though. Sick makes money, weak makes money, sad/upset, makes money. There's a reason why the US dominates the pharmaceutical markets with 6 percent of the global pop. Sure we get all the best stuff and nice toys but its only made us lazy and ignorant little money batteries
What I like about your channel is the honest and straightforward information that relates to art/gaming industry. You never sugarcoat about your comments but still leave some empathy for soft hearted people. Although I may somewhat given up on my journey to landing a job in the art/gaming industry, your channel still inspires me to continue art. Because for the love of it. And that I can't thank you enough for continuously providing us art content. Keep up the good work! And again, thank you!
Your toxic positive attitude will not sway me, Trent! Art is dead, and YOU will NOT make me realize that I am my own worst enemy! How DARE you be happy!
Actually you're right, it all depends of supply and demand and... BEING YOURSELF
nowadays its more about you as a social media influencer than the art. Art is mostly an accessory or a prop to most popular youtubers or social media artists. Meaning if you have that charisma and mindset you can make money even with subpar art but if you don't even great art skills won't help you anymore
Art isn't dead? So this dude means to tell me I buried my art alive, and it's been patiently knocking at the inside of the coffin this whole time?
@@j.2512 there was a girl in my class that was always bragging about making 1000$ on commissions so I thought oh she must be really good- then i saw her Instagram and it was bad! mediocre anime girls. But she is a cosplayer with tons of followers and that's why she gets commissions
Slight pushback on the need for clickbait, my top video in the last year and a half is just a straight up tutorial about animation that's sitting around 700K. I think we have a responsibility as creators to not just compromise on the stuff we make and to push quality content.
That being said I totally understand why people will make videos about any other topic, it's tough out here.
Hey, my top vid is a beginner guide. So its not like they dont get views. But... those viewers dont tend to stick around or sub.
@@TrentKaniuga yeah that's a great point, beginner videos do pull the views! Okay time to start clickbaiting 😆
@@moderndayjamesI think that video is how I found your channel in the first place, and I have been subbed ever since! You make awesome videos, and I have learned an incredible amount from you.
@@TrentKaniuga when your tutorial proved effective in those viewers they do stick around and sub
Love from the bottom of my heart to all the creative people that still be doing this no matter what :)
I'm an animation and game art student (with a focus on game art), and for the last few months I've been just constantly worried about what I'm gonna do when I'll graduate next year, with all the layoffs in literally every major studio and the bs with AI ravaging through the industry. I think I needed this video to remind me of an advice I heard in my first year: the people that succeed in the industry aren't the smartest ones, or the most gifted ones. It's those who persist. Thank you for this!
Soo true , I’ve been losing my love cause I’m scared I wont be able to live comfortably with all the competition!
I'm not tired of art or artists online. What I'm tired is of being an artist online. Too much work for lil traction. No matter what strategy you follow nothing comes out of it. That being said I will always be an artist.
I feel this sometimes too. But it sounds like you do it for the love of it, which is from the right place.
Yea. It's basically just screaming into the void at the minute.
I just don't bother posting anything anymore.
@@Cernunnnos I just post to have a portfolio out there, so I can attract clients later
I suppose I myself have gone through phases of liking different art channels as I have gotten older. When I was in my mid teens between 2014 and 2017 I was obsessed with channels that just uploaded timelapses. Especially the ones that didn't hide their layers or side bar tools because I used them to learn techniques, how to use layers for certain things and so on. I was actually put off of hearing peoples voices.
After that I went into tutorials where people talked about how to do anatomy, perspective, helpful tips, what you should try to improve yourself faster, that sort of thing. And I think that kinder merged in with the "this art is trash" sort of review videos. A lot of this was when I was in Uni taking concept art for video games and film between 2019 and 2022. So there was also the occasional "how I got my first job" and "this was the portfolio that got me hired" video because as someone who was about to graduate I was concerned about getting my first job or that my portfolio wasn't good enough.
Fast forward to now and a lot of the videos that I watch today are people talking about the worlds they are designing and what their thought process was behind their ideas. It's cool to see people build worlds but there's something about it that makes the content creators feel like actual people to me. They too, like me, also have the desire to create their own worlds with characters and creatures; and yeah it's a lot of work but if they can do it then I can too.
Also the less doomy videos, like yours. You're very matter of fact about the situation but your optimism helps me stay optimistic about my future in the art industry, despite the state it's in now. Like I went to uni to become a concept artist but recently I landed a gig on a game's project as their 2D animator. It's not where I expected to end up but it's an art gig and I love it for that.
My issue with the art industry is how oversaturated it is to the point that it's almost impossible to make any type of sales or views. Bombarded with Ai, Influencers and Trends that even social media algorithms are pushing forward with it because it brings them money. An artist can't keep up with the bs that's going on and if you think industries and companies are hiring you better think twice.
Everything is oversaturated. Literally everything. Everywhere you go on social media everyone will tell you there's no jobs left, no money left, no hope left. It's all over, give up, don't get started, it's all doom and gloom. And yet it's a challenge for me to find the stuff I like. People really like to complain these days and they overexaggerate like crazy.
cuz many stupid people my 2 cents thinks AI will replace artist. it will just trim artist who are not at par. so to be relevant better be good if you want to be the best, and not dream of the glory days of art.
@@rodolflum3444 It will trim all sorts of people. Good ones too. Corp cares about efficiency and paying less employees, not quality.
Also, people don't start amazing. They have carriers and gradually become better and better. So by what you say, now you have to be amazing and one of the best, to be hired at all? How does that work lol
It's easy to say for people who already had long carriers and are established artist with an audience and connections. Like mr. Trent.
Not being positive or negative, but everyone should try to be more objective. Rather than blind positivity or negativity.
@@HiddenStr3ngth cant agree more but i do belive that not every artist will be replaced by ai, i think it will create a lot of chaos if big companies tried to replace artists like that
What I'm sick of art channels is the lies and false illusions about to get work in the industry
Top 3 art veterans on RUclips, who never disappoint, keep it real, on point, have actual industry experience (and not just 1 year...); Feng Zhu, Marco Bucci, and you, Trent. Mark Brunet is decent too, I like his channel, but not an all in for me (I don't think I am his target audience with class in section stuff😂).
I listen to your videos because you provide industry insight, share your xp and you don't try to sell the Dream. Modest with advertising your stuff, which makes me check it out. And on the top of that, you are not tone-deaf.
I noticed that big names telling stuff like "just build an audience, be your own brand", "oh just reach fame, buy my mentorship", "just draw like the 1% of the artist, and you will never run out of job offers". They forget when they started out social media just started, the game industry just lifted off, the market was not oversaturated. Today's landscape is very different and very few veterans acknowledge it. They live in a bubble and I think their audience started to notice it.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. Firstly, I'm grateful that you keep coming back to watch my videos. I DO wonder constantly about whether my views are limited to my own experience. Being that I'm more of a game Director now than an artist... I think I am becoming more detached from the struggle of the artist in games. But the comments on my videos keep me in check!
@@TrentKaniuga Self awareness is a great thing too! And I think your views are balanced. Looking forward to your next video! 🤗
Proko and Moderndayjames are also classic channels, and they always give out a LOT of good info.
Art doesn't sell anymore, everything is about becoming a social media personality, the art is secondary
I would like to add ahmed aldoori to the list ..but its been some time since his last vid.
This is a topic very close to my heart. For many years, I have constantly heard criticism that being an artist is not a real profession. During my time at university, I was told that art is not a profession and that I should study engineering instead. After graduation, I worked a regular job, but in my free time, I built my portfolio step by step and searched for my first job. To achieve this, I even had to temporarily move back to my motherland, where I was offered my first job as a 2D Artist. This was a huge opportunity for me to get a foothold in the gaming industry. Then in 2022, Russians invaded my country, and once again, I had to abandon everything and start over.
When AI emerged, many demotivating things surfaced. Many people started mocking that my work would soon be obsolete. But I believe that art is something that cannot be replaced. Those who do not want to make an effort will play around with AI and move on, and many won't even try. And that's okay. Those who stay are the ones for whom creating art for games or movies is more than just a job. I want to be one of those people. Even if things go very badly in the industry, I will still draw or sculpt, but for now, I am not going to turn away from my dream of working as an Environment Concept Artist, not just a 2D Artist.
So, let's keep doing what we love, and the results will follow
Man, that was definitely a rough couple of years for you. Wish you everything best, and achieving your art goals.
I survived the venezuelan crisis by doing art as a freelance, but now i am not optimistic, i see artist peers with great jobs getting fired because studios are using AI to downsize and more and more freelance clients who either replace us or just want us to edit AI pictures for little to no money which is not even sustainable
@@parisulki729 Thank you, I really appreciate your kind words. Wishing you all the best as well 💪
@@j.2512 I think a wave of layoffs is unfortunately inevitable because there are many who want results with minimal costs in the shortest time possible. Eventually, they will realize there is little benefit in this and start hiring back. I’ve already seen such examples. AI does repetitive, generic looking pictures, and there is no creativity or logic in it. Of course, the industry is changing, but I believe artistic skills will always be in demand
@@MrFakerok Unfortunately generic looking repetitive pictures is what audiences want and what most studios already made before AI. I think the only hope is to find a little niche among particular clients who want custom work thats fully made by a real human but even then there's so much oversaturation and competition that prices are going down but its what i am trying to do. If i was 10 years younger i would have tried to do programming or something else, i also don't enjoy social media at all, when i started in art social media didn't matter, only your portfolio, now its backwards
I’m 45 years old and I have put art on the back burner since my mid twenties due to going all in and providing for my family, I just recently got the drive to convince my self to get back into it and see what I can do then I ran into this world of Ai generated Illustrations which was a bit discouraging however there is no putting out the embers of wanting to create, everyday that I haven’t has felt like a day lost. Thank you for creating this video and reminding me that the passion for art is real and worth pursuing regardless of monetary gains
I used to follow an artist for a long time, he started doing critique videos and I LOVED THEM! The artist’s tips on improving were so helpful suddenly he started shifting this content towards just joking around, the artworks became more and more sexualized and by the time I noticed there were no critiques at all. It honestly breaks my heart because I had to unfollow but the artist I once liked was just not the same…
Other thing I hate is the pattern in stylized art, one artist blows up and suddenly everyone is drawing with the same style! For example: Disney’s 3d art, every universe in Disney used to have their own characteristics but now they all look the same big eyed blob, its depressing! When studio ghibli (that used to do amazing traditional art animations) made a 3d movie I just lost all faith in humanity 🤣 AI also made this very obvious, now everyone can get themselves a Disney character that look like them but at the end they all look the same 😶🌫️
The disney style has truly made me not watch so many movies from other studios. The movies could have looked sooo much better if they went with a unique artstyle that truly fit the production but no, we had to get another ethnically ambiguous, huge eyed, generically pretty protagonist 😂
I don't always see eye to eye with you, Trent, but this is a really good point. I think that with the amount of stuff we have access to at the tip of our fingers, and particularly in the wake of generative AI, our biggest strength as artists is our unique artistic expression. Just being good is hardly going to cut it, so I think that leaning into what we're passionate about and do that wholeheartedly is the way forward. And honestly, that's the reason I keep coming back to my favourite art youtube channels - be it entertainment or educational or both, they stay true to themselves.With the amount of different styles and niches we could explore, why not go for the ones we love, and I'm sure that love and that personality will shine a thousand times brighter than blindly following trends in the end.
I am thirsty for MORE art channels in RUclips!
Man, this video is something I so badly needed to hear to today.
As a comicbook artist, I'd say I've been doing really well the past two years despite the AI thing (I'd even go as far as to say that 2023 and 2024 have been the best years for my career so far), plenty of cool projects completed, proejcts already scheduled for 2025 and I even finally gotten around to starting my own comic. Meanwhile, I nearly stopped paying attention to this whole AI thing but just yesterday I stumbled upon some of the AI videos and felt a complete dread thinking that maybe I was just lucky nad all I got is just few extra years and soon it will be over. But watching your video made me regain my motivation comepletely and feel like things are far from over and that there is still a future for comic artists (as well as many other aritsts). Thanks so much!
I've been drawn more towards day-in-the-life of an artist type videos. Something casual and real. I'm less interested in the videos on topics like "why your IG art isn't getting likes" or "make more money doing XYZ" type art videos. More real life stuff, less hustle culture.
Yeah, i've been a working bee for about 6 years now, but nowadays i am really drawn to more relaxed, not challenging lifestyle, of which my old hustler self would've not approved.
Most of the hustle stuff like passive income is just bulls.hit in the first place. These people get money by uploading videos about passive income, not from anywhere else.
I love what you said about "Oh, x is dead." I'm right there with you. I think a lot of what it comes down to is that people try to boil the art/game/film/creative industry down to a single standard, instead of realizing that people are different and like different things, no matter what's trending. If art is dead on youtube, who cares? I'll still be here, watching the people I like, and making my own stuff. Thanks for your insight!
absolutely if you see art as money then you will be dissapointed. everyone wants free. artist or no artist. and ai is free art in the sense that its not copyrighted, so you can steal it and no repercussion.
As someone who just graduated from college into supposedly the worst time ever for animation: I'm still going to chug away. I want to do 3D modeling for characters, and yeah....I'm not seeing a lot of entry positions, and I rarely see any internships, but just gotta keep working at it. You can't give up.
I've been here since 3k subs and always been entertained and educated by you Trent. Thank you for all of your real talk videos, your art book reviews etc. it's all been great.
I started going to school for Game Dev and your Easy Art Lessons 1-10 had me more than ready for my Drawing classes I've had to take so far.
Wow! Thanks for tuning into my videos after all these years!
I love this channel, Trent! I'm glad to hear you won't go away because you've often gotten me through times where I was discouraged about my art progress. I listen when I'm doing art or cleaning the house so most of the time it's less about what you're showing and more about what you're saying. I really appreciate the conversations about your day to day or your experiences as the art industry has gone up and down. Yours is one of the only art channels I listen to, so I can't compare, but this is definitely of value to me. Thank you!
I'm actually considering going to art uni since it begins in a few months but i'm extremely conflicted, everywhere you look it's either "it's ok but extremely risky" or "if you do it your gonna die jobless". A backup job is ideal but the subject i studied before i hated with all my heart, so i'm fucked.
So... the same thing they were saying 30 years ago...
@@TrentKaniuga 30 years they didn't have AI replacing 80% of art jobs
Go. Honestly, go. You can always drop out and do something else if you end up not enjoying it. You may end up actually loving it and assignments and deadlines can definitely keep you accountable and prevent you from procrastination. You will get mentors to guide you and be there when you need help - something you don't have when you're studying alone at home.
@@j.2512that hasn't even happened yet?
If you can study something like a stem degree or programming you should. Do art as a hobby , things are bad and only getting worse for younger artists. Art help me in my life and i got a lot of opportunities but now i face loosing it all, if i was younger today i'd pick something else
Thanks for sticking to your guns. I value your educational and informative content a lot more than whatever the trend has become for other art channels.
Good stuff!! I've noticed a lot of the click bait going around. "AI just changed this forever!! ", "is cara a sinking ship?"," Here's why I stopped doing or using this, and you should too" ...lot's of negativity and panic. It's exhausting. I turned off my youtube history so I don't get the same weird alarming suggestions over and over again on the homepage. I only use my subscriptions tab and watch the channels I love and content from people I trust like you Trent. I understand everyone is doing it for the views as you mentioned, so now I have to be my own algorithm and do the dirty work of picking and sticking to the things I love and the people I want to support. Your videos have always been helpful 🙏. Thank you for what you do.
As a person who always wanted to be an artist or professional artist but went down the path of architecture - i truely enjoy watching tutorials as my drawing/sketching skills have got rusty. I also do enjoy watching those videos of people just documenting them working on a piece.
My favorite though is the walk throughs of sketch books - and how rhey provide commentary especially if they can show/point out by the end of the boom how their skills have improved or how they tried something different than at then at the start.
Really great stuff Trent. Exactly the perspective I needed right now - I love when your videos materialize right when I need them. Beautiful artwork and you are super chill to listen to and spend a while with. Thanks man.
Yesss! this is what I love about the art community, the journey, the encouragement, art for art sake not just to get clicks, a comforting place to support and meet people. We're all just weirdos who like to make random marks on a page and that's pretty comforting to me
Hearing you laugh and enjoy the conversation makes this so much more fun to listen to. Keep killin it Trent
I've def had to step back from being an artist online and just focus on my goal as being an artist. Keep making these motivational videos, having that voice in the dark (especially a voice that has traveled through the darkness and come out on the otherside) is incredibly motivational on the days where that voice in my head says "whats the point"
I live for art channels, sometimes is motivational found talks like yours here, please, keep on it.
I love your positivity, Trent! Thank you for not being a sensationalist, and for bringing lots of grounded advice to the world
Man seriously you just said the truest words ever, i was talking with a dude on reddit about Ai replacing artists and i was arguing with him because he believes it will replace any junior positions in the industry, and this kind of mindset have permeated to all young kids, i truly believe "Ai" discourages people from getting involved because nobody believe in themselves anymore! when in fact things are in no way that bad.
Not sick of art channels, I just want more about the process. I want to know how artist think through the different phases of a project, I want to know how they problem solve.
I loved this video Trent. I've been inundated with artists (especially aspiring) with concerns, fears and worries about this industry and where it's headed. I too have been in here long enough and I think one thing we take for granted is just how thick our skin has become. We can withstand an epic onslaught to our internal compass and still drive forward on our internal fortitude.
I think authenticity and small, loyal groups of fans are where things are headed in our future. Family vibes, here we come!
Thank you for taking the time to put out good vibes, I honestly don't know why people do the opposite, perhaps it's a kind of self therapy but it's not healthy for everyone to drink from that pool. As creators we have a responsibility to the whole don't you think?
This is a breath of fresh air to me. I've been a lover of art and stories, and have been working on personal projects, but I've have been finding just gloom and doom, from things of " No one likes this or that anymore/ this is dead", and the Ai stuff. I always was going to keep working on stuff, because, I enjoy it, and have always found the gloom and doom, to be reactions of the current way the wind is blowing. I'm happy, I'm not alone in seeing things. Some way, some how, I'll see my projects come to be.
That doom and gloom has always been there. Follow your passion!
I’m not sick of art channels. I’m sick of the platforms. As an example. There’s a higher chance I’ll see a new video from a content creator if I don’t subscribe to them but watch their video every once in a while. In the past couple of years we’ve seen end stage capitalism effecting artist platforms and it is disheartening. On the bright side, it’s helped me focus on physical communities instead of digital ones. But I don’t want to engage with a comment, art work, or anything else for that matter, where some company will scrape their data for their AI or take advantage of creators.
youtube conspiracy. im bombarded with new content and hide the content i subs, and had to search it and see they are actually active but dont get on my feeds but this new contents are sprouting like mushrooms crying for a click.
This video made me feel better, but it's easy to say those things having a lot of experience behind you and strong skills. I'm just tired already.
You are always so good at saying the exact thoughts i am thinking at the moment. Yeah, the art industry isn't burning and crasing, but it is definitely a hard period for smaller artists looking to get into industry. Both the social media and job market are downsizing, and aren't as viable as about 5 years ago. My solution to that is getting into often overlooked communal aspect of art. Like joining local art movements and going to live events.
Also the fact that people don't have as much disposable income as they used to before, again, hinders the smaller artists that were looking to sell they merchandise.
But i don't think it's an end, more like a hard period. I believe in about 2 to 3 years we will figure everything out.
I absolutely love your videos, man... Everytime I see a thumbnail of yours I feel hope and excitement! Thank you
I tend to watch your videos over other art channels because you talk about aspects that I’m interested in, without talking about “art drama”. It’s not clickbait or goofiness, but topics that matter to me as an artist. And your art is bitchin’!
Thanks for this dude, I have my art career path paused right now, got a Game developer job a while ago and its preatty stable to me, but I dosen't mean I won't do art anymore, I want to keep at it and hopefully learn from art channels.
Personally I prefer channels like these and those that are educational. There's value in hearing the perspective of people who have your type of industry experience. This type of content is not dead as there's always people seeking this kinda stuff. Will it be as popular as general youtube foolishness? No, but that doesn't matter if you can manage to carve out your own lane and fill a void that no one else is occupying.
Personally, I'd appreciate more comic-focused art channels. Not really interested in tutorials, more just like a journalling of the art they're making at the moment, like you said.
Handing in my assignment:
I love that you are still doing big projects. A lot of art channels are people doing tutoring and lectures and they throw up the occasional art piece, but they don't really have a project of their own, something showcasing how they're still passionate about creating things.
I hate art channels that shrug off the anxieties and the difficulties of getting into art. Some people are just trying to maintain a positive attitude to keep their sanity, I get that. Other people however are just trying to curate their clientele. They're trying to keep the market of hopeful art students alive. The answer to the question "Is it worth betting all I have in this one career path instead of getting a master's degree in engineering like my ma wants me to" is complicated. And the answer should not be the one that is the most lucrative or comfortable for the art teacher being asked.
I think it's more complicated than just art channels, people seem to be to overwelmed with so many information and enterteinment. I follow cooking channels, restorations channels and others that have the same problem, people don't have patience for anything. We are having a bad moment worldwide with bad economy, wars and tension (and we didn't recovery from the pandemic mentalwise yet) so this is afecting how we consume enterteinment.
I gave up on art when I was 12 for many reasons, and picked it up again at 24 when I was lost in life. When this whole AI thing happened, I wasn't completely surprised since I like to follow new tech or possible future tech. But I knew I did not want to give up on my art again. I'm 29 now, I haven't reached all of my goals yet, but there is so much to learn and I love it. It's one of the reasons I wanted to pursue the arts. There is always something new you can learn or a new project you can start. It never ends unless you choose to stop.
I'm just gonna absorb that positive attitude like a sponge, because I do just love making art for my own sake.
Hi, Could be what you first mentioned. People might simply be discouraged by the state of the industry. Also the influencer model on social media might have jumped the shark a bit. The lack of interest might reflect a general disappointment which is understandable. Honest motivational videos like this one might get more clicks at this moment. Great work and video BTW!
... art channels are the only other thing I watch on RUclips - I did notice the topics you and others like Adam Duff and Tyler Edlin cover lean more into the psychology and mindset of creating - those help me more than most of the technical stuff since I've been using forums and Discord servers to get my art torn apart in critiques from both potential customers of my game and other artists and devs. Those videos are perfect for background noise while animating, drawing or painting.
I feel like this is not only happening with the art channels, but with YT videos in general. Relying on ads can be very stressful, which results in more frequent videos but with less creativity in them. Subscriptions + community = win.
RUclips is dying but there really can't be any alternative because Alphabet burned billions to establish their monopoly . Ideally there would be more video sites or dedicated sites, for example a whole site only for art videos and nothing else but not in this tech landscape
honestly I like art channels it makes me a better artist but also a better person. including it let's me explore the mind of every artist I came to respect and love
I agree 100% with this Trent. All of it. I refuse to change or give up what I love because of the industry changes. If anything, I do not mind making my own project if I can no longer do it professionally.
I love my art channels. And I am really sad when they don´t post anything anymore or just really occasionally. And my favourite type of videos is to watch someone draw and talk about the technique or anything. Because most of the time I also draw watching these and it feels like to draw with a friend.:)
(Feeding the algorithm by commenting.) Thank you for these videos, Trent! Every time I hit a rough patch in my art or writing, I come back here to this channel. You've brought me a lot of hope when making art over the years. Although I'm no longer pursuing the goal of being an industry professional in art, I always find these videos valuable whenever I'm down in the dumps about things.
Your videos have always felt like mini counseling sessions for me, and they bring so much hope and happiness to others. As I pursue my new goal of becoming a licensed counselor, I hope that I'll be able to inspire people the way you do! And, maybe, help people find their own artistic passions along the way!
Besides, what better artist to be than the one that helps to create "new artists" who go on to create even more new artists? Isn't that what this is all about at the end? To endlessly inspire and connect with others even beyond your time on this earth? At least, that's where I find beauty in art :)
Thanks for another great art talk. I've been drawing and making things all my life and have no intention of stopping anytime soon. I tend to listen to positive art talks or analysis of creative works more nowadays. With Tutorials when I have time.
Your channel has helped keep me motivated and inspired to continue pursuing my dreams. You’re an icon and a role model for the community, thank you for everything you do.
I adore your style of videos. I love the down to earth talks to give and the valuable education both about art and life itself. I love getting to just watch you work too, i always get the drive to paint from watching you and I feel like watching your method allowed me to lean into mine because you work in a way that is more similar to what naturally works for me than what some other artists do.
Keep up the awesome work! Thanks for being here for us, man. I was having some long term pain issues that were holding me back from creating like I wanted but now that I'm actually feeling better I'm excited to dive back into the gumroad courses I got from you 💪
just discovered your channel!
i'm 17 yo and for a while now i have been terrified about persuing my dreams on being an artist in the game industry
AI, competition to get there, living in latin america and some stuff
i more often than not fear spending hours getting better to maybe enter an industry that's just getting far away everyday D:
but this channel is reassuring
First time I've commented in a while. Trent, thanks for what you do. I believe in passion and I found your beginner tutorial and just let the algorithm take me here after finally getting into a flow creating some digital art for the first time ever! Appreciate you and I look forward to continuing my journey with you as one of my guides!
"You have to build something that endures." Man, that hit me right where i needed it.
Ive been struggling with the feeling of "i came into this industry too late" for a while now bc of just how trend focused and ai and all of that has just exploded.
Idk if its just me but i do feel this constant vibe of... idk how else to put it other then like a vibe of lack of authenticity going around. It is creating a massive disconnect for me.
CinnamonToastKen also talked about the "chasing the trend" thing and how it seems the o ly ppl who like pop off now are being sort of rage baity/conteoversial in some way bc thats what these new algorithms want. Combined with everything u said, Trent, i wholeheartedly agree with both of you.
I know i may never get as "big" as some of these art channels, but i dont love the click baity stuff. I dont like making that kind of content. I dipped my toes in it, and the water was just... cold and icky.
So, despite the craziness of the world and all of this, imma take your words to heart and im going to try and make stuff that i genuinely like. Things that i can say, "yeah i made that"
I think that eventually here, people are gonna be sick of it too. They are gonna want genuine art. Actual creative, orignal work that speaks to them bc i do believe that deep down, we as humans want that.
Trends are flashy and they shine bright and can be blinding but give that trend some time and everyone starts to forget it bc it wasnt anything truly worthwhile.
We remember experiences and stories and old cartoons and movies, games, etc bc they spoke to us. We connected with it and with all of this articial crap that is blowing up out there, its gonna exhaust people bc its just going to remake the same boring, uninteresting, shill over and over again. Itll get tiring fast.
Maybe im totally off my rocker with all of this, but i hope something here makes sense.
I appreciate all you do, Trent, and thank you for giving me some hope for my own projects.
One day at a time. ❤
I think you’re spot on. I could not have said it better.
Thank you Trent what I like about your art channel it's like having a teacher walking with you but not closely. Helpings mental to never give up today I felt tired of drawing and practicing programming but once I saw your video I stood up with hope if monkey. D Luffy from One piece can defeat kaido with a smile I'm sure we upcoming young artists who still trying or working hard to be noticed will reach our true potential your videos always help alot ngl 😂 I always get happy rewatching your sketchbook Pro Vidoes I have a question can you make a manga on sketchbook Pro?
I think you could draw MOST of a manga with sketchbook Pro. But I think the lettering would be challenging.
@@TrentKaniuga Thank you so much I'll try it out 😁
Wisdom and connection are the elements that draw me to people's content these days. I've got an old spirit that seeks out wisdom to build a better understanding of how to realize my hopes and dreams. Because of that, your practical wisdom is very valuable to me. Discussing the psychology of successful artists is extremely valuable because how we think/feel affects everything we create. Artists should be masters of their mind because we create amazing works from our thoughts/feelings. We make our invisible imagination visible to the rest of the world. I wish we understood how powerful that is. Not many people can truly do this well and we give up before we see what we're capable of. Anyways, thank you for your content. You have my support!
I value this too, Trent--thanks for always keeping such a level head!
As long as you're still uploading, I'll be here, watching!
Hey Trent. I appreciate that I can always look to you as a postitive source when I am feeling disheartened. I really can't express this enough. I am concept artist currently working which I am grateful for but it's not at a game studio. I got my first real job two years ago in mobile games but its only lasted 5 months before I was laid off. I was looking at linkedin today and I see so many people who were either my teachers or my previous coworkers who are wayyy higher up in experience looking for work. I love building my skills and making new work for my portfolio with the hope up landing a job at a AAA game studio again or just ANY game studio. But when I see people more qualified than me looking for work it really hurts my motivation. So many studios are cutting people and making jobs more singular. I LOVE creating concept art but I don't love the idea of leading down a road of so much potential unemployment. I've put my whole life into this so its make it or die trying though.
I'll never get tired of listening to uncle Trent.
It's like hanging out with a cool artist uncle that gives you nuggets of wisdom from experience.
keep at it good sir!
Twilight Monk looks soo good! As for art, it has been discouraging over the last few years with AI, and it seems hard to get going in any of the art industries. I have found myself creating more traditional art, and I enjoy the process, and I still like learning new art related things. It’s good to have something you enjoy doing throughout your life, especially if your job isnt an art related job, art is something you can look forward too in your day or week. Keep up the channel it’s great!
Your videos never fail to inspire me to go forward, man! Thanks for that!
Thanks for the gear-shift, Trent! Your work is a huge inpsiration for me, and now I am steadily crunching your basic lessons and preparing new projects for the upcoming shift toward "100% human-made" or whatever... I even started working with a creative writer who wants me to conceptualize his ideas, and now we are both so pumped to be getting somewhere! Gonna be releasing our first hand-made manga soon... hopefully it keeps us sane, if nothing else...✌️😁
Hey Trent been following your channel for a really long time now what I'd like to see going forward is more on your philosophy of design whether it be character or architecture design. I find that stuff really fascinating and I love to hear more about your personal process to design decision making.
I have been into art since I was a kid, but never did it as a career. I have been thinking about trying to career swap and do something I love but the state of the art industry, and the AI scare, is making me think it's not a good idea
After a few years post-grad and attempting to be a full time artist, I think I’m just burnt out. I remember I used to love drawing almost every day, watched videos, it was great. But financially it wasn’t really doing anything for me and I just couldn’t afford to live. Ended up going to another career and am now just trying to get back into art as a hobby. It’s a slow process but I think if you’re an artist, it just stays with you forever.
I like your realistic approach, thanks!
Man, your game is looking amazing, I can't wait to play!! Regarding the art channels, I slowed down because I realized that I don't know how to sell anything I do, so improving just in art won't help me much anymore, maybe some of the old viewers are in the same place and the storm of bad news isn't Helping either.
Hey Trent, could you ever do a video on how to name your characters? I think naming things is a pretty important step in art and designing or anything in general.
Currently have cold feet about signing up with CG Spectrum. Everything is all set up and ready to go except the invoice I have to pay, just sitting open on my other monitor. This has really assured me I'm doing the right thing even if the industry looks like it's on fire right now. I have a real hunger for art, and it'll be worth the struggle. Thank you.
@@solarydays Well, CGS has industry mentors and sets you on a track to find a job. Industry professionals like Tyler James and Imery Watson aren't just gonna take me under their wing if I beg hard enough for free handouts. I've reached a roadblock in what I can access for free, and if I have the time and money to spare, there is no shame in bettering myself. There's no need to be elitist.
@@solarydays Okay good! I'm glad we got that settled😊💕!!
I'm sure it's multi faceted, but I honestly think AI kind of sucked the magic out of commercial art. At least for the moment.
i love the education, but i also would love the journaling thing. i like seeing peoples process. i hate click baiting crap. :(
I definitely enjoy listening to you talk about art and what the job entails (the positive reinforcement and psychology is awesome). It was once my dream to be a concept artist for Blizzard. Personally I don't enjoy art channels that just talk about drama. Tools, Techniques, and things that inspire me to improve are definitely on my playlist. 👍
I love your bright sunny soul. I like your brushes. The top 10 dollars spent. In the end, I just like watching you develop an idea.
AI is just the new NFT. People want it because somebody else told them 'Hey, here is how to earn money using AI for print on demand' or 'Here is how to earn money using AI'. Little did they know the AI replaced the easiest way an artists made money online. Aka digital products. Aka free lensing. Aka the market with the biggest competition. Until they find out how hard it is to make it with digital products will be something ppl get exited about. I am not scared. Art is about the intellectual property and level of execution you bring to the table. AI don't really do that even the execution thing is with questionable quality. When it comes to art channels I think a lot of them are just a bit repetitive. One person does something and at the same time 5-10 different channels do the exact same thing, but I can't blame them. I come to realize that RUclips algorithm is not the best for trying new things especially in spheres like art where there are so many nuances.
Hey man thanks for keeping up the hope. Your channel is really inspiring, keep it up
as a 3D artist, i think i watch more people doing 2D & drawings than anything else. It's mesmerizing and I will keep watchin forever.
everyone wants to be an artist, not everyone knows how to market their art.
you always stay positive and find angles on things that are good- I always love that, dude- :D
you're pretty much the only art channel I watch semi regularly. I like your bluntness.
I also have one one art channel I hatewatch and thats Adam from pixelimperfect or something. The type of emotional support he offers feels to me like a quick fix for the desperate artists just so they can continue to suffer tomorrow. That would be the kind of art content I'm sick of
I dont think Ai will be able to make new trends or keep up with them in art but i do think one day they will make good references of real life to get our ideas on the page faster.
The reason I used to watch art channels was to get inspired and see how skilled artists think and create their works. Nowadays, it seems like the content is quite polluted and confusing. I start watching with the intention of learning how to draw, but end up having a nervous crisis, worried about things that might not even happen. I would like to see videos where the artist simply expresses their joy in doing their work. That's why I've been following your work for so long, because to me, you have fun doing what you do. You could even make a video just doodling on the ground with your finger, and I would watch it.
What I've come to love with art-based channels is how authentic they come across. Even while "Roasting" art submitted, they would actively give healthy criticism and truthful compliments, all the while supporting the artist.
Thanks for the video, keep it up! Your words encourage man.
This is why I still watch Trent's videos, and I can't remember the last time I watched anything by a certain Australian who IS awesome, but the videos he makes now just aren't for me.
Good one, Trent! Totally agree. Ps the irony of your thumbnail is not lost on me.
As an artist myself I love art channels! Will never be tired of them. However Trent I'd like to see you try to work with more guests on your channel to spice things up a bit (Paleo artists and archaeologists please!).
It’s a good idea! But it’ll end up more like a podcast format, unless if I’m putting them to work heh.
After 2 years..I'm here I'm a freelance digital artist...in pubgm..joining there contest..it's tiring where some winners where not that detailed or having a good design concept art..some are just popular by votes.while I'm doing the details and learning new rendering tricks...some are promoting their artworks.its hard, I hate it. As if hardwork is not seen. but after my last work I've seen a big change in every art concept entry that I've done..even though I never won that gold and have less followers..I know there eyes have taste...
Ay trent! Bots in the comments going crazy! lol
I go back to old KJG's videos recently, just leave it there and draw.
One gripe I have against some art channels is that some of their tutorials are not that easy for me to follow (unless I missed out on a specific step).