My two biggest problems. Is thinking more about the end goal in my mind (lack of doing the process), and how I can start small with learning individual human anatomy.
Problem with that is that when you DO actually struggle with whats supposed to be a small task, you beat yourself up. That could be anatomy, expression, gestures or even perspective. Like you said, one step at a time.
I needed to hear this, making art again is one of my 2025 resolutions. I think something else people don't address much is that finding art communities that actually get invested in each others art is way harder than it used to be. When I was 14 (about 9 years ago) I was constantly posting my crappy anime art on Instagram, Amino etc. Getting feedback and generating genuine interest in your page was a lot easier back then, even when my art was far worse than it currently is, and I think it's because of the dopamine addiction the internet has caused in people. People are much less often becoming true, dedicated fans of the artists they follow, I count myself in this group too. Everything is expected to be instant now, and I find myself looking at a drawing that probably took upwards of 4 hours to make for about 3 seconds before scrolling. The lack of emotional investment is a big part of why art communities don't form in the way the used to which makes it feel like the other artists and consumers of art are behind a glass wall where you can't truly interact with them. It's very discouraging.
I'm grateful to have found an engaging small art community in a discord from a small animator. I agree it's harder to find, but they are definitely still out there, just more quiet. So I understand why it's more difficult to discover. I hope that you will find a fun art community that both encourages and engages with each other's journey. Never realized how motivating having a supportive community is until recently.
@@gerbeezil3988 I've not had a lot of success with discord but maybe the servers I've been joining are just too big? Might help to look at less crowded ones. I applied the encouragement 👍
personally it's been over a year since I graduated school and I have gotten 0 luck finding any jobs, part of me knows the situation in the animation industry but the other part just straight up thinks I'm not good enough for it, part of me already gave up on pursuing animation because of it, even though I have constant art commissioners and support I still believe that I'm just not built for it... but then I see other ex classmates doing so well or having a steady job and I just don't know what I'm missing. anyway its a lot of insecurities to never get any real like push forward in your career, even if people tell you you got it and you're good I just can't believe it if I have nothing to show for it. thats my rant, I feel like anyone in the animation industry is going through the same...
something that has always made me feel so much better is looking at the journey ahead of me with excitement. If I was the best artist I was ever going to be right now, what would be the point of continuing? If you were the best artist you were ever going to be at 20, at 30, at 40, what would the rest of your life be for? I think this mentality has really helped me so much. It gives me purpose to move forward and to look at my current skill with positivity, not negativity.
love love LOVE this! this is basically what i tell myself whenever the self doubt and loathing rllyyy hits (which is...everyday TT). i often mutter to myself, "i have my whole life to become the artist i want to be."
This is great advice, but kinda scary to think that no matter how good you are as an artist you will always face self doubt. I really appreciate the mindset change you gave me though!
Thank you for postinng this type of video; i am someone who compares myself all the time and it is super easy for me to lose motivation by thinking i'm not good enough, but the thing is that i will never be 'good' if i keep letting my own head get to me. Great video! I really like your content ❤
0:09 HOLY SHIT ITS WANDER OVER YONDER And also a great video from an artist I admire! its important to remember that art is this crazy awesome strange thing that should be fun and reflect ourselves instead of something that makes us compare ourselves to others
Really grateful for this video, Jackie! ❤ While getting back into art after a multi-year break, this is a great reminder to enjoy the process instead of being overwhelmed by all that I want to learn. Wishing you and this community lots of learning and success in 2025!!
I’m in the early stages of making an animated short this year and I definitely needed this video; trying to reframe comparison into a tool and less of an insult to my ego is really what I need this year
thank u for this vid, jackie! not being in an art school and having lots of friends irl and online who aRe in art school and are insanely skilled is very discouraging for me, so this vid is rlly helpful to take the time to sit down and learn how i can be kinder to myself as an artist. i think comparison as a way for inspiration is something that makes...so much sense?? like its definitely true that if we worked with ppl techniCally better than us, and take the inspiration we get from them into something new and blah blah, we can improve faster/efficiently. but like most things its easier said than done, but its always so comforting and theres always something different in hearing the advice we repeatedly say to ourselves (like we're insane) be said by other ppl, other artists, especially professionals like u!! its a constant reminder that we're not alone. besides, if we're going through hell, keep going. why stop in hell !!!
I really needed this thank you, it’s my first year of art school and it’s so stressful seeing other students being wayyy better than me because I know that animation can be a very competitive industry (especially now) and this makes me worried about the future
I totally felt the same after going to light box!! It was such a double edged sword seeing everyone's work bc of that comparison, but I also felt so insanely inspired afterward! so weird :P
i totally struggle with this. i have a pinterest board full of thousands of art pieces i admire and feel inspired by, but they differ widely in style and technique. this has provided me with a lot of inspiration, but has also held me back because i am so overwhelmed with possibilities that i no longer know exactly how i want my art to look
I'm currently learning how to draw at this point in my life at 23 years old. Here's my mindset. I am having fun by learning to draw what inspires me, and I am applying the basic art fundamentals, such as anatomy, composition, color & light, perspective & depth, and value & form to improve the quality of my art along the way. I think it's a good mindset to have and it keeps me from burnout or unhealthy comparison.
It’s encouraging to know that everyone gets self-doubt. It is a bit like a double-ended sword; self doubt may make it difficult to move forward, it is also what fuels us to improve. Thank you for the advice!
Ahahahaha I here😈but i definitely feel the comparison so much and iv learned to shift to a more “omg you inspire me so much” just like you said and it’s honestly so relaxing and fun
Self Doubt is the worst.. I have been out of art school for 8 years now. Depression, Fear and Self Doubt has been my downfall but im getting back up. Last year my goal was to just... draw more. Do more studies. I found my sketch book from college and ive been drawing in that a lot trying to fill it. Honestly, its been fun drawing in it. Seeing what my art was like 8 years ago vs Now. I like looking back and seeing how far ive come. I hope this year i can surround myself with more artists and continue to draw more. Trying to stay positive and experiment more and definitely limiting social media...
i'm doing the artist way by julia cameron and there's a whole chapter on self criticizing and how it's actually self sabotage- she makes you go through the finding the source of that self criticizing and actually makes you write a letter defending you and your work against those doubts. it's actually been very helpful and i recommend the book for anyone finding that their emotions is standing in the way of them creating. you're not alone
There’s actually ONE spot available on my upcoming Japan trip in May that you can join! trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-jackie-droujko-may-17-2025
hearing this makes me feel like im the only one that dont care. about anything than actually enjoying the creative process. i revell in making stuff, being art, writing even singing in my shower whilst crying. (maybe not the last one) try to detatch. look at it all like a mandala; a temporary expression of your inner self. Something that is at the moment and doesnt last forever. Posting on the internet is basically the same thing. Release it and continue on with your life/art and build that nihilistic view of being creative.
Yeah i am in the same boat, especially with looking at insta and feeling awful that my art doesnt look as good. It took a lot to admit that my stuff is not at the level it needs to be to get hired in my dream role, but thankfully I've had enough mental growth throughout the years that it hasnt deterred me! I just need to figure out where to start because I'm not making the connection in some places, like understanding value. Ill get it at some point though, and hopefully this year!
I try to tell myself, "I wouldn't think this about someone else and their art, so why would I think this about myself and assume other people are thinking it too?" that seems to quiet the nasty self-comparison thoughts!
I have an “advice” on how to stop comparing my work with others at school based on my experience, but I can understand if you don’t agree with it: I simply don’t have to look at the others works, even more if the teacher pursues the class to look at the others work, I choose not to. This has genuinely reduced my comparison thoughts, they are still there but as long as I don’t look at the others work it works. (I want to clarify that I try as actively as I can to not look at the others work, but of course there are instances I have to look and I can’t avoid it) Idk if this type of idea/mentality is even good, but it has worked on me
My resolution for this year is getting out of my comfort zone and draw more often and to stop relying on validation online by wanting to get many likes. I feel like I’m very hard on myself and I’m always expecting my art to come out so perfectly but then feel extremely unworthy when it doesn’t do well on social media.
@Jackie, how do I get you to do a review of my art character and have you fix my mistakes and help guide me and everyone with what I could change or improve on I don't even mind it to be a video for you , help please 🙏🏾
Most of the time you won't like your art in the beggining, but when you post it someone will like it and it will be a reminder that there are people who enjoy what you do, and that really helps improve your self worth :)
Like, yeah. Don't base your worth on likes, but having the reminder that people like what you do can really make you view your art from a different lense and build self confidence!!
nearly all the top artists that became someone did so because they constantly compared themselves with people better than them. so i suppose it's okay to never compare if you never want to be anything.
I really needed to hear that today 🫶 thanks for sharing this vulnerability with your audience. It feels weird to know even such a big artist as you struggle with this, but it's also so reassuring
My two biggest problems. Is thinking more about the end goal in my mind (lack of doing the process), and how I can start small with learning individual human anatomy.
Problem with that is that when you DO actually struggle with whats supposed to be a small task, you beat yourself up. That could be anatomy, expression, gestures or even perspective. Like you said, one step at a time.
I needed to hear this, making art again is one of my 2025 resolutions. I think something else people don't address much is that finding art communities that actually get invested in each others art is way harder than it used to be.
When I was 14 (about 9 years ago) I was constantly posting my crappy anime art on Instagram, Amino etc. Getting feedback and generating genuine interest in your page was a lot easier back then, even when my art was far worse than it currently is, and I think it's because of the dopamine addiction the internet has caused in people.
People are much less often becoming true, dedicated fans of the artists they follow, I count myself in this group too. Everything is expected to be instant now, and I find myself looking at a drawing that probably took upwards of 4 hours to make for about 3 seconds before scrolling.
The lack of emotional investment is a big part of why art communities don't form in the way the used to which makes it feel like the other artists and consumers of art are behind a glass wall where you can't truly interact with them. It's very discouraging.
I'm grateful to have found an engaging small art community in a discord from a small animator. I agree it's harder to find, but they are definitely still out there, just more quiet. So I understand why it's more difficult to discover. I hope that you will find a fun art community that both encourages and engages with each other's journey. Never realized how motivating having a supportive community is until recently.
@@gerbeezil3988 I've not had a lot of success with discord but maybe the servers I've been joining are just too big? Might help to look at less crowded ones. I applied the encouragement 👍
What art communities have you joined? I'm on a couple on Discord but would love to find more.
personally it's been over a year since I graduated school and I have gotten 0 luck finding any jobs, part of me knows the situation in the animation industry but the other part just straight up thinks I'm not good enough for it, part of me already gave up on pursuing animation because of it, even though I have constant art commissioners and support I still believe that I'm just not built for it... but then I see other ex classmates doing so well or having a steady job and I just don't know what I'm missing. anyway its a lot of insecurities to never get any real like push forward in your career, even if people tell you you got it and you're good I just can't believe it if I have nothing to show for it. thats my rant, I feel like anyone in the animation industry is going through the same...
Sad to hear that even you struggle to find job in studios, the crisis is terrible. Good luck with that 💪
something that has always made me feel so much better is looking at the journey ahead of me with excitement. If I was the best artist I was ever going to be right now, what would be the point of continuing? If you were the best artist you were ever going to be at 20, at 30, at 40, what would the rest of your life be for? I think this mentality has really helped me so much. It gives me purpose to move forward and to look at my current skill with positivity, not negativity.
love love LOVE this! this is basically what i tell myself whenever the self doubt and loathing rllyyy hits (which is...everyday TT). i often mutter to myself, "i have my whole life to become the artist i want to be."
I needed to hear this. Thank you. Just started your Domestika class BTW, can’t wait to dig in deeper!
This is great advice, but kinda scary to think that no matter how good you are as an artist you will always face self doubt. I really appreciate the mindset change you gave me though!
You’re always so inspirational 🥺
I’m so glad you made this video because I’ve noticed this creeping into your content ❤
Thank you for postinng this type of video; i am someone who compares myself all the time and it is super easy for me to lose motivation by thinking i'm not good enough, but the thing is that i will never be 'good' if i keep letting my own head get to me.
Great video! I really like your content ❤
Can you do videos of you just drawing? I love watching the drawing
0:09 HOLY SHIT ITS WANDER OVER YONDER
And also a great video from an artist I admire! its important to remember that art is this crazy awesome strange thing that should be fun and reflect ourselves instead of something that makes us compare ourselves to others
Jackie, you're my favorite artist! I always watch your processes or simply look at your art whenever I feel uninspired. it always solves the problem
Really grateful for this video, Jackie! ❤ While getting back into art after a multi-year break, this is a great reminder to enjoy the process instead of being overwhelmed by all that I want to learn. Wishing you and this community lots of learning and success in 2025!!
I’m in the early stages of making an animated short this year and I definitely needed this video; trying to reframe comparison into a tool and less of an insult to my ego is really what I need this year
4:09 I was inspired to draw bc of animation meme makers 💀 but I'm kicking!!!!
thank u for this vid, jackie! not being in an art school and having lots of friends irl and online who aRe in art school and are insanely skilled is very discouraging for me, so this vid is rlly helpful to take the time to sit down and learn how i can be kinder to myself as an artist.
i think comparison as a way for inspiration is something that makes...so much sense?? like its definitely true that if we worked with ppl techniCally better than us, and take the inspiration we get from them into something new and blah blah, we can improve faster/efficiently. but like most things its easier said than done, but its always so comforting and theres always something different in hearing the advice we repeatedly say to ourselves (like we're insane) be said by other ppl, other artists, especially professionals like u!! its a constant reminder that we're not alone. besides, if we're going through hell, keep going. why stop in hell !!!
I really needed this thank you,
it’s my first year of art school and it’s so stressful seeing other students being wayyy better than me because I know that animation can be a very competitive industry (especially now) and this makes me worried about the future
I totally felt the same after going to light box!! It was such a double edged sword seeing everyone's work bc of that comparison, but I also felt so insanely inspired afterward! so weird :P
i totally struggle with this. i have a pinterest board full of thousands of art pieces i admire and feel inspired by, but they differ widely in style and technique. this has provided me with a lot of inspiration, but has also held me back because i am so overwhelmed with possibilities that i no longer know exactly how i want my art to look
I'm currently learning how to draw at this point in my life at 23 years old. Here's my mindset. I am having fun by learning to draw what inspires me, and I am applying the basic art fundamentals, such as anatomy, composition, color & light, perspective & depth, and value & form to improve the quality of my art along the way. I think it's a good mindset to have and it keeps me from burnout or unhealthy comparison.
It’s encouraging to know that everyone gets self-doubt. It is a bit like a double-ended sword; self doubt may make it difficult to move forward, it is also what fuels us to improve. Thank you for the advice!
Ahahahaha I here😈but i definitely feel the comparison so much and iv learned to shift to a more “omg you inspire me so much” just like you said and it’s honestly so relaxing and fun
Love this! Appreciate the candor and thoughtfulness! Self doubt creeps in everywhere. Good tips, even for non artists.
Self Doubt is the worst.. I have been out of art school for 8 years now. Depression, Fear and Self Doubt has been my downfall but im getting back up. Last year my goal was to just... draw more. Do more studies. I found my sketch book from college and ive been drawing in that a lot trying to fill it. Honestly, its been fun drawing in it. Seeing what my art was like 8 years ago vs Now. I like looking back and seeing how far ive come.
I hope this year i can surround myself with more artists and continue to draw more. Trying to stay positive and experiment more and definitely limiting social media...
i'm doing the artist way by julia cameron and there's a whole chapter on self criticizing and how it's actually self sabotage- she makes you go through the finding the source of that self criticizing and actually makes you write a letter defending you and your work against those doubts.
it's actually been very helpful and i recommend the book for anyone finding that their emotions is standing in the way of them creating.
you're not alone
So glad you’re making more RUclips videos. I love all your social media content! Can’t wait till you do another trip too, Jackie!! 😊
There’s actually ONE spot available on my upcoming Japan trip in May that you can join! trovatrip.com/trip/asia/japan/japan-with-jackie-droujko-may-17-2025
Amazing video as well. It's really relatable. Thank you for being so down to earth and just showing the rawness. Awesome 🎉
hearing this makes me feel like im the only one that dont care. about anything than actually enjoying the creative process. i revell in making stuff, being art, writing even singing in my shower whilst crying. (maybe not the last one) try to detatch. look at it all like a mandala; a temporary expression of your inner self. Something that is at the moment and doesnt last forever. Posting on the internet is basically the same thing. Release it and continue on with your life/art and build that nihilistic view of being creative.
Great video, and really needed to hear it, great tips thank you Jackie!❤
Yeah i am in the same boat, especially with looking at insta and feeling awful that my art doesnt look as good. It took a lot to admit that my stuff is not at the level it needs to be to get hired in my dream role, but thankfully I've had enough mental growth throughout the years that it hasnt deterred me! I just need to figure out where to start because I'm not making the connection in some places, like understanding value. Ill get it at some point though, and hopefully this year!
I try to tell myself, "I wouldn't think this about someone else and their art, so why would I think this about myself and assume other people are thinking it too?" that seems to quiet the nasty self-comparison thoughts!
I have an “advice” on how to stop comparing my work with others at school based on my experience, but I can understand if you don’t agree with it: I simply don’t have to look at the others works, even more if the teacher pursues the class to look at the others work, I choose not to.
This has genuinely reduced my comparison thoughts, they are still there but as long as I don’t look at the others work it works.
(I want to clarify that I try as actively as I can to not look at the others work, but of course there are instances I have to look and I can’t avoid it)
Idk if this type of idea/mentality is even good, but it has worked on me
Thank you so much for this!! I feel so inspired
My resolution for this year is getting out of my comfort zone and draw more often and to stop relying on validation online by wanting to get many likes. I feel like I’m very hard on myself and I’m always expecting my art to come out so perfectly but then feel extremely unworthy when it doesn’t do well on social media.
Love these tips
Hey Jackie! I’d love to see you do some Squid Game themed work. Caricatures, portraits… You could even personify some of the games!❤
❤❤ where do you find reference images like that? Also I love your art so much! Plus the films you worked on!
@Jackie, how do I get you to do a review of my art character and have you fix my mistakes and help guide me and everyone with what I could change or improve on I don't even mind it to be a video for you , help please 🙏🏾
my problem is that i always draw but don't post it because i can't remember the last time liking how my art came out
Most of the time you won't like your art in the beggining, but when you post it someone will like it and it will be a reminder that there are people who enjoy what you do, and that really helps improve your self worth :)
Like, yeah. Don't base your worth on likes, but having the reminder that people like what you do can really make you view your art from a different lense and build self confidence!!
nearly all the top artists that became someone did so because they constantly compared themselves with people better than them. so i suppose it's okay to never compare if you never want to be anything.
❤
The auto dubbing mode is annoyyyyyiiiing
I really needed to hear that today 🫶 thanks for sharing this vulnerability with your audience. It feels weird to know even such a big artist as you struggle with this, but it's also so reassuring