me: gets into the zone me: "it's been so long, finally!" me: starts to sketch a really good idea me: leaves the zone immediately me: "well i guess it's time to die"
I’m glad you brought this up. I hear so many industry artists being asked what to do about motivational droughts and their typical response is: “Well if u don’t feel like drawing... then art’s not for you!” Sad to imagine how many art careers were killed by that answer. So it’s good to hear from a fellow aspiring artist to discover how common doubting yourself actually is.
I have never heard an industry artist say that. Most of them just say something along the lines of, “art takes time, just give your self time or go out and draw whatever you see.”
But seriously though, if I want to draw "well enough", but learning to draw feels like a chore, what's the point? If you shouldn't treat it as a serious profession, then how should you overcome that struggle?
This video has helped me so many times throughout my artistic journey. Every time I get stuck and stiffen up, I remind myself of this video, watch it, and often re-learn how to enter the zone. Thank you so SO much, Mattias.
I know I've said this 100 times but this video works just as well if you change "drawing" to "writing". At the start of this year I realized I wasn't enjoying writing like I used to, and a lot of this year has been about finding that again. I don't know if that's brought me closer or further away from my goals, technically speaking, but it's sure felt a lot better, which is the fuel I need to continue - to WANT to continue.
Awesomepedia I was thinking the same thing. I've had that exact problem in my own work. I've gotten caught up in trying to impress others with my linguistic skill rather than expressing the thoughts and emotions I'm experiencing. I recently realized that was a problem I have, and this has given me a new direction to take.
Awesomepedia I was just going to say something like this. For a while now I've been deathly afraid of sharing my prose, to the point where I just don't create at all. I hope that this year, I can learn to let go and enjoy it again.
Dude, this applies to Music as well, both playing and writing it. I got a copy of the book "Effortless Mastery" because of these frustrations he describes here. This is my go-to vid when I feel down.
This vid applies to any creative endeavor! Returning to that 'playful' mindset is so important in motivation. It feels like my anxiety just melts like hot butter on a stove.
literally everything you said is relatable, like getting too caught up with a future result or outcome you are trying to reach when you are still in the initial stages of drawing/learning how to draw is a internal battle you don't need to entertain. Somehow you need to psych yourself up to be at one with the process of drawing and not overthink of where will this take me, or will it get me to the goal i want. It just ruin the whole point of being an artist, it's to enjoy your craft at the same time getting better at it.
I’ve actually been having a bit of a creativity block and it is basically just over thinking what I’m doing. This was really interesting and honest and I kind of agree
Your videos are marvelouse. I love the visuell aspects of them but when you talk about a topic, I‘m always taken aback because I‘ve never thaught about it that way and it‘s also fun to think about it yourself afterwards. Well, I guess I just wanted to say thank you for your videos, they really help me alot.
Thank you so much for making this video. Everything you said is very helpful to me. I’ve seen plenty of other videos where artists talk about artist block, but I can’t entirely relate to them. I don’t feel like I’m out of ideas of what to draw. For me almost every moment of drawing is painful and at the same time, there isn’t a moment where I think “I don’t want to be an artist,". I’ve slowly, overtime began to habitually feel this way when drawing, until it has become my default mode. I often think to myself that my very life depends on my ability to draw, and so as expected, I have become EXTREMELY emotionally attached to everything I try to create. I even went through a short period of time where my hands would become shaky when I picked up my pencil. I think what you are saying about not putting too much emphasis on the importance of art itself, is a really good message. Sometimes we can get ourselves so caught up in what other people think about us, that we lose ourselves in the process...
I literally grabbed a notebook in the middle of watching this and started sketching and was enjoying it for the first time in so many years this is really inspiring thank you!
This video is what I most needed, I have punished myself to enjoy instead of just enjoy it, and that carried me to bad practiques as anxiety or think that I'm not in love with draw or writing. Maybe sounds too simply and even stupid, but what I think is that all artists need start to fun to create serios proyects, those proyects are aspiration of what can be a simple skecth.
I loved it. You described me well but from now on, I'll draw for fun and not for comparing my drawings to what they could have been if I'd been a famous artist. I wanna draw my favorite characters no matter if they aren't gonna look exactly the same as the originals. ^^ I'm so happy I watched your video
jesus this hit home HARD. The amount of times I've thought about just giving up on illustration simply because I felt I'm not "that good at it", are infinite, and I've also wondered plenty of times if maybe I just chose the wrong path for my life. But deep down I know it's only my insecurities and the pressure to be good and successful at it speaking.
For me, I feel like I really can't enjoy drawing without thinking I'm not good at it, and for not being good at it, I can't enjoy it. It seem like this two things go hand-in-hand and that I'll only have fun while drawing if every move that I make results in something I appreciate. But I can't get better if I don't train, and I don't train because I know it will never be good enough. It's an endless cycle. I know I'm just repeating what Mattias already said, but there is something he said I still can't relate to which is "not think about it and do it for fun" which he comments at the end of the video. I wish I could do it for fun, but failure is taking over me so much I barely play video games anymore, and that's my favorite passtime. I don't play games, neither do I draw anymore because, based on my past experiences, I think I'm not doing so good at any of those activities. I wish I was, but I can't find a way to improve without thinking of my inferiority.
Got me right in the feels dude. Nice talk. I am 32 and have put off drawing for so many years because of fear and anxiety. I feel like I could actually become a self sufficient artist after listening to this speech. Time to pick up that pencil and not give a F***
I just wanna thank you for making these videos. I love the way you explain everything. I often come back and rewatch this particular video and it definitely makes me feel so better! Thank you for all of this.
This speaks to me a lot to be honest. Throughout my life I've started and quit drawing for soooooo many times, I lost count. But recently, I started to just embrace and accept my imperfections and 'failures'. I even started drawing a lot with the INTENTION of it being 'a mess'. And eventually I feel like I've entered this 'zone'. Drawing has become quite fun for me.
holy moly, what you were talking about was happening as the video was ending, i kind of feel 10x better about drawing some random thing and shaping it to tell a story, just, to have fun and see what i can come up with, this video is legendary, i don't know how much i can tell people how useful this video is
God I fell this so much Sometimes I fell like I’m known as just “another artist” or whatever and I’m only known as the drawing girl. It really gets to me sometimes, especially when my art turns out bad. Why are all your videos so fukkn goooood
I'm an amateur artist that's going through this right now. Although I am aware that giving up wouldn"t be a good solution, I really just needed someone else, someone who went through this, to push me forward. Thank you for being that person
Mattias, I can't tell you how many times I keep coming back to this video. It always comes back at the perfect time when I forget that art should be fun first and foremost. Everything you mention, from not feeling good enough to comparing yourself is scathingly honest and humbling, no matter the circumstance I return to this video in. That feeling of never being good enough is something that returns frequently, and I'm glad that this video serves as a reminder of how to help myself. Thank you.
i only reach the zone after 4-6 hours of constant drawing. when i stop/take a break i'd lose it again and often this is very draining and physically damaging :(
Awesome video. The fear of failure, comparison and paralysis by analysis is the thorn in the heel of many artists. Myself inclulded. The thing that keeps me going at the end of the day is that I actually like to draw. I go in and out of phases how serious I am about practicing the fundamentals and being a sponge that soaks up knowledge and practice to someone doing the motions of professional work. What it keeps coming back to is my enjoyment. Without thinking I am able to take the pressure off and just do some drawing for me. When I see people who are perpetually frustrated with art and drawing I honestly think none of them actually like to make art. Why? I suspect its likely for the reasons listed here, too much pressure and expectations of themselves and their work. Having goals and wanting to get better is amazing, do that. But don't beat yourself up every day thinking you need to be something now. It will come with you stick with it. If you don't already love drawing or making art in general already, focus on that. Take the expectations off, draw something you like and just try to have fun. Let this grow, ask questions and find the answers like a detective. Train your dexterity like a dancer and your perseverance like a fighter and you will have the spirit to continue and improve even when it gets hard. And it will. Any if you really can't learn to love it, why do you need to keep going? There are a million other beautiful and noble pursuits on this planet, drawing is just but one. I can look at a beautiful building and marvel at an amazing invention without needing to be the one who made it. If there is no love for making art there will only be pain and empty victories. Your life is so very limited, so why spend it in a way you don't like? If you really love drawing, I doubt any video or comment will dissuade you. If you're on the fence reading comments, looking to others to tell you if it's a good idea you should first ask yourself. Sit down with a pencil, listen to yourself and you'll find the answer. Good luck to everyone on their journey and may you all find what you really care about in this short life.
I love your videos so much, Mathias! They helped me sooo much and I always recommend them to people who struggle with low self-confidence - especially in art - like I did. Thank you ♥
Wow. Let go of the concepts of failure and success and your left with playfulness, your allowed to have fun again. Such a helpful video. Thank you so much.
This is a different kind of fear compare to mine. I'm proud of what I draw and how far I've come, but I'm afraid to post them online out of embarrassment. Similar to stagefright. I'm in the process of making a website and possibly joining facebook... maybe, but that feeling of embarrassment and fear still haunts me.
Yes i get it. Im 73 years old and yes I may not be great but I really learning what I can . And trying to be happy with anything that comes up. Will keep Drawing........thanks john
I'm normally uncreative and way too analytical of my art. So far being sleep deprived shut's up my logic. Then the incoherent, yet beautiful and expressive art is absolutely amazing.
This is definitely one of those golden videos that every artist needs to hear, I feel. But if I’m being real, if I didn’t have art, or even experience the art of others (I.e. video games, animated shows, movies, etc.), sure, on a primitive level, I might survive. But would I see the point in living...? Well, no. Art and my creative pursuits in life have always allowed me to see the brighter side of things, they’re what drive me to really better myself. So yes, in the grand scheme of things, for me personally, art IS important. On some level, you could even say it keeps me sane. So regardless of what the average joe may say, I do in fact NEED this thing in my life, for so many deep reasons I can’t even explain. If you take away art, that’s essentially the same as death for me anyway. Call me dramatic if you want, but I know what I’ve experienced in this reality, I know what matters to me most, and I’m sure some of you guys can relate.
I have changed my mind since the video and would say art matters, it's just more about not taking it so seriously that you feel like your entire life depends on every single thing you make.
![UCF Professor Richard Quinn accuses class of cheating [Original]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rbzJTTDO9f4/mqdefault.jpg)
me: gets into the zone
me: "it's been so long, finally!"
me: starts to sketch a really good idea
me: leaves the zone immediately
me: "well i guess it's time to die"
starliit - in Space Ghost's voice: "well, is time for me to die"
I’m glad you brought this up. I hear so many industry artists being asked what to do about motivational droughts and their typical response is: “Well if u don’t feel like drawing... then art’s not for you!”
Sad to imagine how many art careers were killed by that answer. So it’s good to hear from a fellow aspiring artist to discover how common doubting yourself actually is.
omg yes, doubt is nothing but another roadblock to overcome in your career. I hate people telling me I won't make it because I have bad times.
I have never heard an industry artist say that. Most of them just say something along the lines of, “art takes time, just give your self time or go out and draw whatever you see.”
But seriously though, if I want to draw "well enough", but learning to draw feels like a chore, what's the point? If you shouldn't treat it as a serious profession, then how should you overcome that struggle?
This actually sums up and responds to most of the reasons that I left art school. Interesting stuff.
I wonder, have I ever been in the zone?
This video has helped me so many times throughout my artistic journey.
Every time I get stuck and stiffen up, I remind myself of this video, watch it, and often re-learn how to enter the zone.
Thank you so SO much, Mattias.
Sounds like a treatise on existentialism.
Thanks for this, I've had a mental block for a long time, and this not only explains to me why it exists but how to help get over it.
Why the feels get stronger to the point I want to cry ?
I know I've said this 100 times but this video works just as well if you change "drawing" to "writing". At the start of this year I realized I wasn't enjoying writing like I used to, and a lot of this year has been about finding that again. I don't know if that's brought me closer or further away from my goals, technically speaking, but it's sure felt a lot better, which is the fuel I need to continue - to WANT to continue.
Awesomepedia I was thinking the same thing. I've had that exact problem in my own work. I've gotten caught up in trying to impress others with my linguistic skill rather than expressing the thoughts and emotions I'm experiencing. I recently realized that was a problem I have, and this has given me a new direction to take.
Awesomepedia I was just going to say something like this. For a while now I've been deathly afraid of sharing my prose, to the point where I just don't create at all. I hope that this year, I can learn to let go and enjoy it again.
Dude, this applies to Music as well, both playing and writing it. I got a copy of the book "Effortless Mastery" because of these frustrations he describes here. This is my go-to vid when I feel down.
This vid applies to any creative endeavor! Returning to that 'playful' mindset is so important in motivation. It feels like my anxiety just melts like hot butter on a stove.
I've had the same problem with both writing and drawing
literally everything you said is relatable, like getting too caught up with a future result or outcome you are trying to reach when you are still in the initial stages of drawing/learning how to draw is a internal battle you don't need to entertain. Somehow you need to psych yourself up to be at one with the process of drawing and not overthink of where will this take me, or will it get me to the goal i want. It just ruin the whole point of being an artist, it's to enjoy your craft at the same time getting better at it.
why in the actual fuck does this video only have 97000 views?
“…and what you get is playfulness.”
"And it might sound like something very simple"
No, to me it sounds like something very IMPOSSIBLE!
I’ve actually been having a bit of a creativity block and it is basically just over thinking what I’m doing. This was really interesting and honest and I kind of agree
Your videos are marvelouse. I love the visuell aspects of them but when you talk about a topic, I‘m always taken aback because I‘ve never thaught about it that way and it‘s also fun to think about it yourself afterwards. Well, I guess I just wanted to say thank you for your videos, they really help me alot.
Thank you so much for making this video. Everything you said is very helpful to me.
I’ve seen plenty of other videos where artists talk about artist block, but I can’t entirely relate to them. I don’t feel like I’m out of ideas of what to draw. For me almost every moment of drawing is painful and at the same time, there isn’t a moment where I think “I don’t want to be an artist,". I’ve slowly, overtime began to habitually feel this way when drawing, until it has become my default mode. I often think to myself that my very life depends on my ability to draw, and so as expected, I have become EXTREMELY emotionally attached to everything I try to create. I even went through a short period of time where my hands would become shaky when I picked up my pencil.
I think what you are saying about not putting too much emphasis on the importance of art itself, is a really good message. Sometimes we can get ourselves so caught up in what other people think about us, that we lose ourselves in the process...
I'll need to watch it everyday to let it sink. Thanks, your videos are incredibly helpful.
This can be applied everywhere , thank you😄
I literally grabbed a notebook in the middle of watching this and started sketching and was enjoying it for the first time in so many years this is really inspiring thank you!
i'm thankful you made a video about this topic that i'm currently dealing with and made me feel very comfortable.. Thank you Mattias
WHY IS THIS SO RELATABLE?!??
ART IS SO IMPORTANT!!!
This video is what I most needed, I have punished myself to enjoy instead of just enjoy it, and that carried me to bad practiques as anxiety or think that I'm not in love with draw or writing. Maybe sounds too simply and even stupid, but what I think is that all artists need start to fun to create serios proyects, those proyects are aspiration of what can be a simple skecth.
to me this video , is the best video i ever seen in my life
it's telling me something i knew when i was a kid , but forgot when i grew up
Wow. I really needed this.
I loved it. You described me well but from now on, I'll draw for fun and not for comparing my drawings to what they could have been if I'd been a famous artist. I wanna draw my favorite characters no matter if they aren't gonna look exactly the same as the originals. ^^ I'm so happy I watched your video
jesus this hit home HARD. The amount of times I've thought about just giving up on illustration simply because I felt I'm not "that good at it", are infinite, and I've also wondered plenty of times if maybe I just chose the wrong path for my life. But deep down I know it's only my insecurities and the pressure to be good and successful at it speaking.
You're such a deep thinker....and in the best way.
Amazing 👍👍
Its really a movitation.
For me, I feel like I really can't enjoy drawing without thinking I'm not good at it, and for not being good at it, I can't enjoy it. It seem like this two things go hand-in-hand and that I'll only have fun while drawing if every move that I make results in something I appreciate. But I can't get better if I don't train, and I don't train because I know it will never be good enough. It's an endless cycle.
I know I'm just repeating what Mattias already said, but there is something he said I still can't relate to which is "not think about it and do it for fun" which he comments at the end of the video. I wish I could do it for fun, but failure is taking over me so much I barely play video games anymore, and that's my favorite passtime. I don't play games, neither do I draw anymore because, based on my past experiences, I think I'm not doing so good at any of those activities. I wish I was, but I can't find a way to improve without thinking of my inferiority.
Thank you so much for making this.
I fricken love you man
I needed this. Thanks so much
Got me right in the feels dude. Nice talk. I am 32 and have put off drawing for so many years because of fear and anxiety. I feel like I could actually become a self sufficient artist after listening to this speech. Time to pick up that pencil and not give a F***
I'm almost always in that zone when i freely sketch during bored times i just leave it when i join competitions now i get why i lose, thanks
This is beautiful, thank you.
I love your videos, they really do help with negative mentality, thanks.
Thank you for this, Mattias
I'm so glad you exist.
I just wanna thank you for making these videos. I love the way you explain everything. I often come back and rewatch this particular video and it definitely makes me feel so better! Thank you for all of this.
Wow, you took my exact thoughts and put them into words. thanks man!
thank you for making this.
a lot of really good advice here. thanks man
This speaks to me a lot to be honest. Throughout my life I've started and quit drawing for soooooo many times, I lost count. But recently, I started to just embrace and accept my imperfections and 'failures'. I even started drawing a lot with the INTENTION of it being 'a mess'. And eventually I feel like I've entered this 'zone'. Drawing has become quite fun for me.
Get out of my mind, but no really your videos are inspirational and help me get to the idea of what art is suppose to be about.
"Express not impress"
holy moly, what you were talking about was happening as the video was ending, i kind of feel 10x better about drawing some random thing and shaping it to tell a story, just, to have fun and see what i can come up with, this video is legendary, i don't know how much i can tell people how useful this video is
God I fell this so much
Sometimes I fell like I’m known as just “another artist” or whatever and I’m only known as the drawing girl.
It really gets to me sometimes, especially when my art turns out bad.
Why are all your videos so fukkn goooood
Thanks man I needed this
“And even politicians”
I don’t know about that one
Thank you so much for this.
Oh man. I think I deeply like you. Keep going, please.
confidence is key
Kynttilä
The correct level of confidence for the given situation is what's key
I know this old but thank you for this...
This Deserves More Views
Thank you!
Your so talented
Your videos help me so much!! Thank you!! 💕💕
Well, it didn't help me.
Granted, there is nothing to help with me, so the video did a fantastic job (at confirming that).
I love Buskers so much.
thank you, i really needed to hear this
I'm an amateur artist that's going through this right now. Although I am aware that giving up wouldn"t be a good solution, I really just needed someone else, someone who went through this, to push me forward. Thank you for being that person
As one wise owl once said “You have to give yourself permission to fail”
Thank you so much
The background music made me want to listen to "Dust in the Wind"
this is refreshing
This guy has helped me so much
Did you just read my soul?!!
I like really really needed this
Thank you.
Mattias, I can't tell you how many times I keep coming back to this video. It always comes back at the perfect time when I forget that art should be fun first and foremost. Everything you mention, from not feeling good enough to comparing yourself is scathingly honest and humbling, no matter the circumstance I return to this video in. That feeling of never being good enough is something that returns frequently, and I'm glad that this video serves as a reminder of how to help myself.
Thank you.
i only reach the zone after 4-6 hours of constant drawing. when i stop/take a break i'd lose it again and often this is very draining and physically damaging :(
Success is my Greatest enemy,, because Failure are my Destiny
Thanks very much for these video. It make me feel ...
Awesome video. The fear of failure, comparison and paralysis by analysis is the thorn in the heel of many artists. Myself inclulded.
The thing that keeps me going at the end of the day is that I actually like to draw. I go in and out of phases how serious I am about practicing the fundamentals and being a sponge that soaks up knowledge and practice to someone doing the motions of professional work.
What it keeps coming back to is my enjoyment. Without thinking I am able to take the pressure off and just do some drawing for me.
When I see people who are perpetually frustrated with art and drawing I honestly think none of them actually like to make art. Why? I suspect its likely for the reasons listed here, too much pressure and expectations of themselves and their work. Having goals and wanting to get better is amazing, do that. But don't beat yourself up every day thinking you need to be something now. It will come with you stick with it.
If you don't already love drawing or making art in general already, focus on that. Take the expectations off, draw something you like and just try to have fun. Let this grow, ask questions and find the answers like a detective. Train your dexterity like a dancer and your perseverance like a fighter and you will have the spirit to continue and improve even when it gets hard. And it will.
Any if you really can't learn to love it, why do you need to keep going?
There are a million other beautiful and noble pursuits on this planet, drawing is just but one. I can look at a beautiful building and marvel at an amazing invention without needing to be the one who made it.
If there is no love for making art there will only be pain and empty victories. Your life is so very limited, so why spend it in a way you don't like?
If you really love drawing, I doubt any video or comment will dissuade you. If you're on the fence reading comments, looking to others to tell you if it's a good idea you should first ask yourself. Sit down with a pencil, listen to yourself and you'll find the answer.
Good luck to everyone on their journey and may you all find what you really care about in this short life.
Thanks, this video really helped.
I needed this...
Thankyou
Thank you so much for that.
When you said the "ZONE" it reminds me of Kuroko no Basuke ;u;)
I love your videos so much, Mathias! They helped me sooo much and I always recommend them to people who struggle with low self-confidence - especially in art - like I did. Thank you ♥
Thank you!
Thank you
Your videos help me a lot
thank you
thank you,
so much.
as a guitarist, this video helped me a lot. thanks.
Wow. Let go of the concepts of failure and success and your left with playfulness, your allowed to have fun again. Such a helpful video. Thank you so much.
I hate that he is reading me like a book. He literally explained me perfectly.
This is a different kind of fear compare to mine. I'm proud of what I draw and how far I've come, but I'm afraid to post them online out of embarrassment. Similar to stagefright. I'm in the process of making a website and possibly joining facebook... maybe, but that feeling of embarrassment and fear still haunts me.
Yes i get it. Im 73 years old and yes I may not be great but I really learning what I can . And trying to be happy with anything that comes up. Will keep Drawing........thanks john
Truly great video
I'm normally uncreative and way too analytical of my art. So far being sleep deprived shut's up my logic. Then the incoherent, yet beautiful and expressive art is absolutely amazing.
I stopped learning how to draw because I tend to try and get the perfect sketches when I should just have fun with it. I needed this, thank you.
Wow, thank you, man
Thanks for this.
I found these videos right after i threw away my “failed“ dino-suclptures i didnt finish because i was frustrated at my failures
This is a nice thing to consider. I wonder why the pressure develops in the first place it realy makes life even harder than it was
the word is flow
This is a video that every creative must watch!
Mattias be touching our souls and shit with all that wisdom man ;u;
thank you for this video
This is definitely one of those golden videos that every artist needs to hear, I feel. But if I’m being real, if I didn’t have art, or even experience the art of others (I.e. video games, animated shows, movies, etc.), sure, on a primitive level, I might survive. But would I see the point in living...? Well, no. Art and my creative pursuits in life have always allowed me to see the brighter side of things, they’re what drive me to really better myself. So yes, in the grand scheme of things, for me personally, art IS important. On some level, you could even say it keeps me sane. So regardless of what the average joe may say, I do in fact NEED this thing in my life, for so many deep reasons I can’t even explain. If you take away art, that’s essentially the same as death for me anyway. Call me dramatic if you want, but I know what I’ve experienced in this reality, I know what matters to me most, and I’m sure some of you guys can relate.
I have changed my mind since the video and would say art matters, it's just more about not taking it so seriously that you feel like your entire life depends on every single thing you make.
It Doesn't Matter. This Is Play Time.🕵
In Japanese marital arts we call this zone "Mushin" 無心 translated to no mind.
Literally it's "without heart", so yeah, you heartless bastard /s