Trust Me - You DON'T Lack Artistic Motivation
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- Опубликовано: 22 сен 2023
- #artpodcast #artmotivation #procrastination #arttalks #artpodcast
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ART RUclipsRS you need to check out!
- Tyler Edlin
- Robotpencil (Anthony Jones)
- Istebrak
- Ahmed Aldoori
- Hardy Fowler
- Brushboost (Marc Brunet)
- ArtWOD (Antonio Stappaerts)
- Swatched (Clint Cearley)
- Ross Draws
- Trent Kaniuga
- Marco Bucci
- Ergojosh
- BoroCG (Borodante)
- Light Ponderings (Jeremy Vickery)
- Kelsey Rodriguez
- Ethan Becker
- Sinix
- Swatches (Clint Cearley)
- David Finch
- Online Art Academy
- Victor Staris
- ctrlpaint.com
- DrawMixPaint
- Proko
- Mohammed Agabadi
- Jordan Grimmer
- J hill
- Lilys Illustration
- The Art Mentor
- Alankou (Spanish)
- Chroma MoMA
- Imad Awan
- MewTripled
- NIRO
- Myriam Tillson
- Ofei Draws
- Dave Greco
- Nia Tora
- What I’ve Learned In Art
- Conceptual Ink Academy
- Angrymikko
- [INSERT ART]
- Christophe Young
- Irlander Illustrations
PAINTING APPS USED IN THIS VIDEO:
- ArtStudio Pro (iPad Pro)
- Photoshop (Desktop)
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DRAWING EQUIPMENT USED IN THIS VIDEO:
- Wacom Cintiq 27QHD
- M2 iPad Pro (2022 model)
- Wacom Intuos Pro
- MagFlott iPad Stand by CharJenPro
AUDIO EQUIPMENT
- Shure SM7B Broadcast Mic: bit.ly/3RvoQGy
- Sennheiser MKH416 Shotgun Mic
- Sennheiser AVX MKE 2 Lav Mic
- Electrovoice RE20 Broadcast Mic: bit.ly/3RBElNb
- Rode NTG5 Shotgun Mic: bit.ly/3L4k8gw
- Rode NTH-100 Monitoring Headphones: bit.ly/3eFco8O
- Rode PodMics: bit.ly/3DedD92
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VIDEO RESOURCES
All video motion graphics, intros and transitions are produced by MotionVFX
www.motionvfx.com
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ART RESOURCES
all artwork is produced using Adobe Photoshop
www.adobe.com
My drawing tablets of choice is the Wacom Cintiq
www.wacom.com/en-us
My portable tablet of choice is the iPad Pro 12.9"
www.apple.com 
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Hey Adam. You know when you say, "I love you all." at the end of your videos? It really means a lot. You always give us all an extra piece of empathy we need. Thank you.
Something I noticed about myself with being recently diagnosed with ADHD - I’ve spent so long trying to compensate the feeling of never being good enough that it’s been really hard to see how far i’ve come. It’s only taken multiple feedbacks that I am a hard worker to realise maybe I am, even if it feels like I’m doing the bare minimum because I want to know how everything works as it just makes the task easier and my attention doesn’t last long enough to master one topic or another.
That literally sounds like me..
I went to a psychiatrist because of my suspicion of adhd but got diagnosed with anxiety-depression disorder. They told me they won't diagnose me adhd bcs they believed it's a different problem.. I got some medications but I don't feel better yet. I'm still sure about adhd because every time I read about it, it just fits so well. And I believe all my problems comes from it. Now I struggle a lot and I have to wait some time, try different pills and maybe after that someone will allow another tests. It's sad that in my country we haven't enough doctors and I can't try different options right now. Of course pills and therapy might help my with my actuall problems but I'd also like to know the truth so I can work on right problem...
Anyway everything you described fits so well (as always). I'm glad you found your way. ❤
@@whitesnake. I know that feeling all too well. The one thing that a diagnosis did was force me to face the reality of having ADHD. It stopped me being able to pretend maybe it’s not real. Medication did help remove the brain fog and allowed me to… just do things, but there is absolutely nothing stopping you from… employing tactics? Can confirm diagnosis or not it’s a struggle, so know that you are not alone. I also don’t know the situation of therapy in your country but I also doubt that there’s anything stopping you from getting adhd therapy without diagnosis. Mind you it’s bloody hard all right :(
@@heliumowl1840 One thing that helped Me was starting to believe to my own intuition. I was used to believe what other thinks more than what I think or how I feel. These days I always ask myself how the situation seems to me. The same goes with my problems. I know it's not just good to try solve everything yourself but in this case I started to look for advices from people with adhd and I was listening to them. How they live, how they feel.. And it helped me more than any doctor I've met. So that's also why I still believe I was right about my problems and I'm keeping it in my mind.
Now. It's true I have other problems I need help with and medications will probably help me in this certain way but my problems mostly come from doubt and bad self-esteem, from family situation and toxic friendships from past.. I believe that everything is conected to my personality and the way I think and here we are back to how my way of thinking and how people describe life with adhd is a great match.
They also told me they didn't rule out this possibility but they believed I hadn't adhd because I would show mental problems already in childhood. But according to the study, this only affects one in ten children. Besides, I don't remember much of my childhood.
In amy case..the best help for me was to consider this possible problem and learn to work with it. And it works.. I will sure go to another examination in future. I know I'd do better if I had the answer and not just "maybe". Because it's also stressfull cannot say "I have this problem". Because if you tell people you can't prove it, they may react like you're just trying to be someone you're not..
That is very relatable - I have always considered myself someone who needs to know something from all 270 angles before it clicks, but when it does, it clicks deeply
"Variety is the spice of life", as they say. Loved this talk and agree 💯.
I've been so confused about why, for the past 5 months, I can only ever seem to draw consistently for 3-4 days at a time before hitting a roadbloack and loathing the idea of sitting down at my tablet. and I think this helped me figure out why. I think it's because I can't draw if... drawing is the /only/ thing I anticipate doing in a day. I've always really struggled to find ways to practice other hobbies or engage other interests, but this is really good food for thought. I'll be pondering it. thanks Adam!
Are you some kind of creative motivation wizard? You ALWAYS seem to say what I need to hear, when I need to hear it. It's taken me a long long time to adjust to the concept that being varied is a strength, not a weakness. And even still, it's something I have to constantly battle within myself. It's exhausting but I know I'd be so bored if I only stuck with one medium/one subject/one method/one creative interest for the rest of my life.
Well thank you, I think we all relate to each other on a deeper level - a commonality that we secretly share as we struggle in silence :)
yes he is
This is something I have been learning about myself for the last 3 years. It sometimes is still very hard to accept and understand. Even though I know it helps me become a better artist, the little voice of having to be productive with a certain task at a certain time always seems to creep behind any rational thought. Often I manage to cope with this, but many people in my surroundings even myself forget how exhausting it is to fight that sneaky little voice. I always try to keep a certain quote in mind. A master of all is a master of none, but still always better than a master of one.
Hmm, I like that quote a lot - it definitely reinforces what I spoke about today, thank you so much :)
As a person who's mostly hard on herself for mot being "productive enough", I honestly find this art talk to be and eye-opener. I absolutely love drawing, but I don't and I can't spend so much time doing just that. By paying more attention to other things that interest me & light up a spark in my eyes, I too often find inspiration and new ideas that I might've never had before if I relied solely on art. It feels good to know that I'm not alone in sharing this feeling ❤️
Well shit... I really needed to hear this. A long time ago, when the Inktober challenge first emerged, I gave it a very solid shot, so I essentially powered through about 15 days of 3-5 hours drawing with ink and nothing else. It ended up burning me out and making me feel like a failure. I stopped drawing for 2-3 years, with only a doodle here or there when I had been drawing my whole life and relied on drawing as a form of meditation and expression. Needless to say, that contributed heavily to the darkest period of my life - and while there were other things going on, I never connected the dots to that being the drop over the edge. Thankfully, I have very good people around me that encouraged me to work on myself and all the other ways I expressed myself through and I am working today as a game artist in a medium-size studio. I don't have an autism diagnosis nor am I suspected to have anything similar, but nevertheless, it is very true; sometimes you need diversity as fuel. Research, thoughtful accountability and surrounding oneself with things that inspire us feels just as important as drawing. I will keep your words with me in the future, thank you.
Been diagnosed since 2018, quit my job last year to pursue art full time. My self taught learning has plateaued. Motivation that isn't tied to monetary value is hard for me to tap into. I'm broke, homeless, looking for work. My love for art is big and my interests vary. It's hard to push through this difficult economy and difficult situation where I'm in a van, not by choice, and in-between people's homes. I like what I make, but I feel I've failed myself. I had a lot of guilt free growth at first but it's tapering off. Giving way to insecurity. I'm trying my best to not give up, it's just hard. I'll have to give art a break from full time. Maybe my studies if I'm not lucky. The obstacles are high for those who are making it, it feels impossible for those who aren't. I don't say this to get pity it's just my reality. I'm trying to see the good here, it's a system not designed for me. And I'm trying to carve my own way, greatly unnoticed and I can't even blame others.
“Variety is how you grow”
“Art is my foundation”
I love this, I always felt like I can do more with my life than just drawing on paper but was always told “that’s to much” “pick one thing and be good at that”
I CANT I WANT TO BE A GOD IN ALL
I love art, music, tattooing, dancing, cooking, graffiti, making beats, writing songs, and to be honest prolly some more stuff I haven’t even found out about
Working on being great in all the passions I have, got a long life to live so shit y not
This is the exact video I needed to help me push towards my dreams, Thank you❤
This helps me understand myself more and not feel like a complete unmotivated slothful blob. I lose interest so easily after an hour or two of drawing and can hardly bring myself to ever draw again that day. I always wanted to be able to improve very fast and draw for hours each day, but I just hate it and get burnt out when I try. I understand myself better now and see my path of learning as slow, but broad. Thank you Adam.
At some point it sounds like we're talking about me. That means no one of us is alone. Don't worry so much. ❤😊
I needed to hear this talk today. Thank you.
Lots of people that are really good in their field, like nobel price good often have hobbies on the side. Breakthroughs aren't usually made by people who have tunnel vision and work only in their own field exclusively, this counts for any field, not just art. Being more all round will make you look at reality with different perspectives.
There are studies done to this subject. It's true.
This is why I'm often wary trusting ''experts'' that are really specialistic. They might have a lot of knowledge about that one thing but this tunnel vision will often make your thinking stale and rigid.
This is something I've needed to hear all my life...
While I can't say I've never had people tell me that it's okay that I can't stick to one thing, no one has ever told me WHY it's okay... So this hit very hard. I'm someone who struggles immensely to find the right path in art. I have 50 different art styles, and even more drawing subjects, all of which I love and have a deep interest in... just not all at the same time. Sometimes, I'll be drawing cartoon characters and working on silly animations, other times I'll be painting landscapes, or doing character designs, crafting intricate stories about made up tribes that each have their own individual identities, and other times again, I'll be drawing intricately detailed anime-inspired illustrations that take dozens of hours to complete. That's not even touching on all my side hobbies, like music, doll-making, sculpting, and journaling.
Basically, there's no coherent direction, or any specific style that I lean into. I always considered this a great shame, a weakness, something to un-learn... but no matter how hard I try to hone in on one thing, something new comes out of left field, and grabs all my attention and passion, until that too fizzles out, and I have to move on again... it's hard.
I dream of dedicating myself to a big project, namely creating my own fictional world and story. I really want to have a legacy, not for anyone else's sake, but for my own fulfillment in life. I need something I can truly pour myself into.
But while in the past, I thought to myself that it was nothing but a dream, since I can't ever stick to one thing... I'm starting to think now, that if instead of seeing it as an 'art project', I should see it as a LIFE project... something I can pour ALL of me into, not just the part of me that draws in one specific style. Really, when I think about it... all my skills can in some way be of use.
I feel like drawing cartoons? Cool, then I can come up with fun advertisement graphics, and kid's TV shows with silly characters. I feel like painting landscapes? Great, then I can craft the world, and come up with places for the characters to live. I feel like making dolls? That'll be a great chance to see how sound my character designs are, and if they can be replicated in real life. Even music, journaling, or my interests in game development and pixel graphics, etc... all of it can potentially bring enrichment to my fictional world.
This video made me realize all this... and now I'm more excited than ever to simply create. In whatever form I may choose.
So, even though you'll never see this... Thank you Adam.
Once again I feel hugged by your warming kingness and feel at home. Looking forward to sit down with you and learn from you Adam. Take care and be well❤
As someone learning 3D modelling and struggling, I needed to hear this. Thank you.
Good to know I don't lack motivation. I was going to try to draw something today, but I'm going to watch TV all day instead.
Best move, you will grow at top speeds that way
I recommend Colleen Ballinger conspiracy videos - much technique to be learned there
@@AdamDuffArt I only know her from that horrible Netflix show. Thanks for the suggestion!
I'm always amazed by how every video you make answers how I'm feeling at the moment. I have been focusing on drawing landscapes only for the past weeks. I thought it would help me get better. But I slowly start to get bored of it and felt guilty for not sticking to my schedule.
The moment you talked about variety I felt like "This is iit!"
Thank you so much Adam!
it amuses me that you referenced photography and film when talking about solving problems when doing art by hand - because as a vfx artist and filmmaker i've heard that it's good to look at and reference drawn/painted art when working on composition and lighting and values :D
Thank you, I needed to hear this. I'm also an all or nothing person, my interests come and go like the wind and I've struggled with feeling inferior for my inability to dedicate regular practice to my art. I get a random burst of inspiration, spend one night drawing and then don't touch it for a month. I hated that at this rate I can never improve to the level I would like to achieve. But I've started to notice that even when I lose interest and don't touch art for a time, I always inevitably find my way back to it, and every time I do, I find my work has somehow improved anyway, despite not actively drawing, how is that possible? Because I've been doing other things, playing games, reading books, watching movies, interacting with people, absorbing new sources of inspiration and becoming a better person, just as you say. So maybe it's okay. Maybe my destiny is art, but not in the sense of one and only love to stay with for my whole life, but rather a best friend I'll always love meeting with, no matter how long we're apart.
Thank you. Just. Thank you.
For the past few weeks I've been trying to get back into art, I would love to one day write and illustrate my own manga one day, I realized that I keep making excuses for not practicing, I think it's because I'm 25 and I'm really scared that I'm not good enough to get where I want to be.
Try adding 'yet' to that sentence. "I'm not good enough yet" Which is pretty much the point, getting better is a life long endeavour and you don't have all the required skills at the earlier point of your journey, doesn't matter if you are starting at 25 or 40 years old.
A really good point supporting the topic of the talk. I am in a similar scenario to you - 26, want to write an elaborate graphic novel/comic/story, but I’ve not drawn in so long that the entire thought of drawing practice feels overwhelming and like I would never reach that point.
It took me picking up and failing at making my own clothes to realise that the point of the hobby is not to laser focus on the end result, but to focus on the journey itself as there are always more steps before the end, and the feeling of the end product escaping my grasp because there’s even more things to do is just disheartening. It’s all well and good to say “focus on the small steps and not the end goal”, but it hits different when you’ve lived it. The fact that you are thinking about it and noticing the emotional reaction at the prospect is a good first step, and sometimes you gotta accept that you’re scared of not making to the end and that’s ok! It’s a natural thing to experience and you are further along the journey than you think.
(Mind you I’m writing this while procrastinating doing exactly the same so take the wall of text with a pinch of salt).
I'm 26 myself and I feel pretty much the same way. The fear is real. I feel like the only way to get through it is to just keep drawing regardless of how I'm feeling, but then this could end up draining me as well. Good luck on the journey man 👊
Stop practicing and just make something small. Doing a project IS practice. I think it’s easy to fall into feeling sorry for yourself if you’re so focused on improving that you end up delaying what you actually want to do. Find a solid goal or idea to bring into reality and focus on that instead. You’ll naturally develop skills just by planning it out, creating what you need to accomplish it, and then just doing it. It might not be your ideal outcome, but it beats waiting until a magical “someday” when you think you’re finally “good enough.” For me, that day never came. The only reason I’m creating now is because I have things I want to exist. And trying to make them just so happens to require some studying, but with a solid end goal.
An artist by the name of Marco Bucci made a video on RUclips about “How he became an artist with no talent and no art school.” It’s really motivational and I’d highly recommend checking it out. It has helped me immensely as an artist and realizing that art is a journey not a destination :)
Interesting. An art piece is the aggregation of research, or accumulated knowledge.
I often have to explain to people, why I draw and no longer play games with my friends, like I used to. And I always say, drawing is like the ultimate puzzle. But without blueprints, or cut out pieces, or numbers to follow.
I love the fact how much I've grown because of it. I've read so many books thanks to this hobby. Niche subjects and articles, of broader fields of study. Architecture, Interior design. I started journalling, because I wanted to better my hand writing.
It keeps you curious. Now I wonder if curiosity, is a skill in itself.
Wow and here I thought I was the only one with too many hobbies. Thank you covering this topic. I always felt like I was lacking focus on one thing because I wanted to learn everything all of the time! Now I can proudly call myself a learner!
that feeling when you resonate a lot with what Adam is saying and you want to 'like' the video but you already did and now you just wish there was a second 'like' button ❤
your the best man 👍 love to watch your vids while do psych homework 🫶
Your videos are a God send, they always appear precisely when needed
Adam, this is something I've been struggling with for decades. I always felt terrible because I couldn't sit down and draw consistently, because I'd get "burned out" very quickly. I would fall back on playing a game or reading instead, and then feel incredibly guilty and shameful and say to myself "well apparently you don't love art as much as you claim you do, or you would be painting right now instead." The guilt would rob me of feeling any sense of accomplishment, because I'd look back and say "if I improved this much while putting this much effort, how much more would my growth be if I wasn't 'lazy' and did this more consistently?"
This year I've made more of an effort to be kind to myself, and while I still struggle with these thoughts at least I'm learning to face it.
This video honestly came at such a great time. Thank you for always sharing your perspective and encouragement Adam, it truly means a lot.
Thank u Adam. What a wonderful gift you have given me.
Holy shit everything you said about that student at the beginning and how he feels about his art and his ability to find motivation, and being into so many things, even the possible adhd through informal diagnosis, I had to remind myself that I haven't taken your mentorship yet so you couldnt possibly be describing a conversation with me about my life and art xD
me having an indentity crisis because i spent the last month playing piano and streaming videogames on twitch instead of drawing. this tore me up, because theyre extremely fun and i am finally seeing growth in those areas after struggling with them for years, but at the expense of not drawing for a month, with is probably the longest ive gone without drawing since i started 11 years ago. i didnt want to give these endeavours up but throwing art to the wayside has been making me feel a lot of guilt. imagine my face when this video drops right as im dealing with this. bravo adam
i can relate so much to your words. I have not made my way back into digital Art since Years. I'm so out off the game. i wonder if i i ever be able to return in here. But sometimes i take fineliners and markers and paint little abstract illustrations. They relaxing , they wont force me into the complex procress of creating a full render Illustration . My brain simplay cant deliver this in my recent state of depression and burn out. But my drawings / paintings in small lacking of failure , they ok the way they are. I do them without feeling a failure in myself because do small images within few hours i have full work in small. I can focus much better on this than working digital , holding my pen and speedpad . The PC display creates a situation of preasure on me. But going tradtional media is free from being a failure to myself.
Just the title is the most radical concept to me
Thank you so much. This really helped me. I often start feeling there is something wrong with me. And it’s much needed comfort that I’m not made incorrectly. It’s okay to like it all. Its how I live.
My god, between this video and "the problem with today's art" I found myself CRYING while doing chores. This is so reassuring, and I felt my "inner artist" finally saying "my mentor" the last couple of years have been really hard and confusing, like walking through fog, but you've managed to give me so much clarity. Thank you thank you thank you a million times
This really resonates with me, I'm basically a jack of all trades master of none and this really reinforces my confidence in the fact that I'm not drawing as much as some others (in all honesty it gets me bored and I start to rush through it if I sit and draw for too long). Thank you, this really helped.
this helped me a lot, changed my views, thanks a lot for this video ❤
First time (I think?) commenting before finishing one of these art talks. Not four minutes in, and it felt as if I was listening to a complete mirror image of myself being described. The struggles mentioned by the student were all highly relatable -- every one of them.
Always been a sprinter rather than a long-distance runner. Passions coming and going in a flash. Heart's always caught up in one fervor or another, but none of them lasting for any substantial length of time.
Always jumping between a laundry list of hobbies in my spare time, so as to not end up banging my head on the desk due to boredom. Needing some sort of background white noise to be able to focus on anything.
I don't say this enough, but I'm glad to see people in this community that understand and empathize with (and perhaps also share in) these kinds of struggles, on top of the preexisting mound of the usual problems that come with being an artist.
I trust that I'll eventually find ways to manage these struggles sustainably, but for now, being reminded every now and again that I'm not alone is a large weight off my chest and shoulders.
Wouldn't have made it this far in my art journey-- however far that may be-- if it were not for these meaningful and moody talks. Thank you.
The little Elden Ring screen is kinda stressfull :( Still loved the video, thank you Adam! ❤️
That’s why I decided to hide it after - realized it was a bit frenetic for a calmer video - I’ll note that moving forward :)
Thank you for this video, Adam :) I was really struggling a few years ago when I realized I wasn't the type who could draw for 16 hours a day. All the artists I looked up to talked about drawing being their one true passion, and said they could never imagine doing anything else for a living. Hearing about how "joyful" the artistic process is "supposed to be" really made me question myself as an artist.
I've loved animals for as long as I can remember and always wanted to interact with and learn about them. I felt desperately sad when I used to take art clients, drawing all day in a corner and focusing all my waking time on art meant that I never got to engage with my biggest source of inspiration. I have now pivoted to studying biology, it's a ton of work but all my classes are fascinating. Now I'm hoping to become a wildlife biologist or animal caretaker, and I want to let the biological, anatomical, and ecological sides inform my art.
I really appreciate hearing from someone so experienced, it often feels like you have to be fixated on art alone to be successful, anything otherwise and you're bound for failure. Thank you for your honesty ❤
I really loved this one! So many things to write. Your art talks speak to me on so many levels
Can't wait for you to blow up in popularity Adam. We need a lot more of your viewpoint, your patience, tonality, pacing, and very careful wording in this world. I don't always tune in to your videos right when they post, but every time I listen to your talks they start to put me in a peaceful yet productive mindset.
wow i truly needed this, thank you so much for these words.
I needed this, today! Thank you! ❤️
My boyfriend is a tattoo/comic book style artist and his jive is getting sucked in and drawing for hoooours on end! Meeee, I’m a somewhat realism, fantasy/visual storyteller, and if I get into a GOOD groove, I can draw for 3 hours without getting sidetracked. But I usually find myself hopping to something else to either learn or fuel my other interests!
This video was very reassuring I’m more motivated than I seem, haha! My boyfriend and I are just different artists with different styles! ❤️
Tack!
This is one of those times where listening to your videos was the exact message I needed. Thank you 🖤
Thank you Adam! For some reasons I feel like the whole message was specially made just for me, hit me in every possible way. I didn't event know I needed to hear this.
This is exactly what I'm learning to accept about myself and was the encouragement and validation I needed to not just keep trying to force myself to be someone I'm not.
Thank you for this video 🖤
I draw, sculpt, and animate. I do lowpoly 3d with hand-painted textures, pixel art, and crochet dolls. I've always thought of this as a deficit, since I can't seem to focus on anything long enough to get to top tier skills with any of them. I've always been envious of those artists who reached world-class skills in their twenties. After many decades though, some of these skills are finally starting to get in the ballpark of looking professional. I've always been a jack of all trades, but maybe in a decade or two, I can be a master of all trades, haha. 🤣
This video came at a great time! I’m the same way too where if I draw or paint for a certain amount of time I start to lose focus and I always felt like that was a default of mine. Lately I’ve been doing a bit of an experiment. Im currently working on a watercolor painting that’s taken me weeks to do and I have a little bit to go. I will work on it for a few 30 minute sessions and I’ll take a 10 to 15 minute break in between and it’s helped a lot! I can see my progress as an artist and it shows what I can do if I take my time and try not to rush the process. Thank you Adam for sharing this it helped a lot!
Video hit spot on, thanks Adam
Thank you always Adam, for words of wisdom spoken through such a caring and compassionate tone. This has been something I fought for a long time in my life. Frequent nitpicks about not focusing enough or bouncing around between subjects. Being nagged for not finishing things when I still was exploring my interests as a young kid. Then you see a lot of talk online about having to be at the grinding wheel for every free hour of every week, so that you can be the best. It had a profound and stifling impact on me.
I've found a lot more happiness in embracing the chaos a little bit. Letting those extra interests grow and become a part of my life, as they all inform one another.
Beautiful hound! And thank you, father, for another life lesson that I did not digest yet. Thanks for your support, really. High-impact content for me. Happy as hell that I found your videos 😊
Peace to your home, Adam❤
This was such a moment of synchronicity for me, I was just journaling (or rather somewhat agonizing) about this this morning. I really needed to hear this answer, that it's okay to not just solely work on being a master of one, and its okay to pursue multiple interests. Thank you!
I love good timing - it appears that our stars were definitely aligned :)
Thank you so much, I needed this message. I have a habit of abandoning art for long periods of time, only to rediscover that it’s where I’m most “at home”. Its great to hear that others go through similar things. I don’t feel like a complete lost cause now
This message resonates with me so much. I always thought I was a musician and that's it, but as I grew older I wanted to learn and try new things. I got into photography, video, and also into psychology, human behavior and marketing. After many years of juggling everything, I can honestly say I don't know how I would survive if I just stuck with music. As much as I love music and it is my "core", I learned so much through all my other interests and all of these skills have helped me be who I am today. I can talk to so many different people who do different things and connect, and to me that's priceless. Really enjoyed your thoughts 🙏
Really dig your outlook on the artistic life. The fact that your artwork seems so different from what I do only underscores the universality of the message. We're all in this together, whether we bend digitally or analog, lean modern or medieval. You see what I see - the thing that's right in front of everyone's nose that needs an artist to point it out and show it to the world♥️
Everyime i started to feel that I'm not enough as a person or I'm not doing enough as an artist. I always think, "Who can I watch in my time of need when I'm feeling down?" I think of you Adam. I rarely watch your channel but every time I click on your recent videos. You bring light into me again. I relate to so much of the things you say... You're doing wonders for everyone. :') You're amazing!
Man , that guy sounds exactly like me and exactly the issue i have been having for a while . Havenot watched the whole video yet . but honestly thats something i am also struggling with Right now regarding art and keeping my physical health better with exercises . started strong but now i dont feel the fire
this really hit home for me. i used to aspire to become an animator, only until i saw how much work that was, drawing frame after frame every single day, i tapped out knowing i couldnt do it. for many years i felt like i wasted the time to learn to draw because i wouldnt have a career out of it with my attitude, as im always hyper focused on something completely different for a couple of months. but you know what, these are the things that deepen art whenever you get back to it.
Needed to hear it, thank you Adam!
You’re very welcome :)
I feel like it’s especially easy to get down on yourself if you rely on your artistic practice for income. A company hiring for something like an animator doesn’t care how good of a knitter, interior designer, or cook you are. Our identities get reduced do down the *one* thing we are being hired for, and we are only able to make a decent living based on how proficient we are at that *one* thing. That being said, I totally agree with the message of the video. We *should* be allowed to view each other’s identities holistically. It’s just a shame that’s not usually the reality when it comes to today’s hiring practices.
All of human interaction is art. Not separate thing. Architect, interior design, ergonomics,
That was very satisfying to hear, I had this issue where I thought I had to focus in only one thing and it was terrible to my mental health. I noticed that I cycle through my interests and usually need to have more than one thing going to keep interested and satisfied. But I not sure how to be consistent that way, I’m going to test alternating days between drawing and other interests, so I would love to hear what being consistence mean to you.
I'm a creative writer trying to learn art and every time I try to start a project I always bite off more than I can chew. I can see these really amazing, personal feeling scenes but I get so overwhelmed and quit like two hours in each time..
The act of creation something novel is by combining two things that seemingly don't necessarily fit together - and you find a way to make them fit. Just that easy, right? But how can you do this well without having a breadth of interests to draw from, to have interests in many different directions that you can then pull back into your work?
In the past, I have fallen into the pitfalls of considering stylus-on-canvas time as the only metric of drawing. But it isn't. Assembling a reference board for the project is also a vital part of the process! Taking time away from the canvas to recharge and take space from your work, to return to it with fresh eyes - that's part of the process, too. Watching "Deadliest Catch", playing some video games, taking a walk and just getting lost in thinking about that piece you're working on and looking at things around you to try and figure it out... even taking a two hour nap just to rest your eyes. All these things are part of drawing and are inseparable from the creative work - because the work we do isn't punch-in, punch out. We're thinking about our current piece all the time, even away from canvas.
Current neuroscience understanding posits that we have about four hours of focused quality work in us in a day, and with the important caveat that this is with eight hours of quality sleep. Any more than that, and it's already unfocused, hardly productive, mostly just idling away until you can punch out. So what does that tell to us artists, then? If we have four hours a day of quality work, is it really good to try and push for six, eight? What are you really achieving by that point except for just a bunch of mistakes that you'll have to spend time fixing the next day?
We're not working retail hours here, our job isn't to mindlessly beep things at the register or write emails and scroll through our phone in mandatory yet pointless meetings that could have been an email. We create something out of near-nothing, and that requires a lot of learning and information gathering. It's about time we learn the value of that and give ourselves a break! Be curious, be inquisitive, have many different interests! All of it compounds into really cool, novel, unique art - and art takes time.
Thank you so much for this. I feel like this video was made for me. I lost my job three weeks ago and was feeling unfulfilled there anyway. I’m a lot like you and the student you’re describing. I’m actually listening to this while I’m finally putting together my portfolio. I need to be creative but I also need to eat. I figure this is the time to take myself seriously and at least try to see if I can make something happen. I’ve always had strangers compliment my music and art but I have always been my worst critic. Well I have to find a new job, so what excuse can I make to not at least try? What do I have to lose now? So, glad the algorithm suggested your videos this morning 🙏👊🏻💚
I have a question. Have you considered converting your RUclips videos into podcasts? I normally don’t even look at the screen and RUclips drains the battery fast when the screen is left on. But I could listen to you on a podcast forever, seriously. Your voice is so calm and comforting.
Like your student, I had this problem my whole life. After learning something really well, when I'm on my own, I start feeling lost and eventually lose interest (except music). I learnt Graphic design, motion graphics, ceramics etc. But the difference is I have interest in lot of other things, so there was no scope to burn out doing one thing. So I'm not sure why I am like this.
Thanks for the vid.
A thing I sometimes think about is, people say "jack of all trades master of none", but why should one strive to be a master? Why is "Being good at it" not good enough? There can only be a handfull of masters before mastering something becomes the norm, and the "Master" goalpost moves further away.
I never really drew consistently after my early 20’s. But what’s been more determinative in my art has been my mindset when I sit down and pick up a pen. Even that’s been changing as I age; not really for the better, but I guess we all age and change in our own way.
It’s been interesting seeing my mental process like…degrade in structure whenever I try to these days. With my job, dealing with my spouse, and dealing with my kid, I can’t ever center myself mentally enough to draw anymore.
I’ve tried to apply a directionless thought process to making sketches but it just starts to feel like a chore and I lose interest.
well, what i learnt in the last year and half, in wich i been really taking art seruisly, with the intention of start a profesional career some day is that even if you try and you put yourself on a crazy scheudle "So you get better sooner" it just doesn´t work,.
I found myself overworking myself day after day and don´t seing the results of the work and in the other hand, stoping for a couple days, even a couple of weeks or so, and getting back to work, afraid that i would suck at drawing again and I woul have lost some skill, but in reallity, I found myself doing better stuff, its like the free time really gives your brain the time to add your "experience points" into your skill.
So don´t be hard on yoursel, even the freetime you get its part of the process, artists need to live
I've realized in learning to draw that there's often an extreme dissonance between what I tell people I want to draw vs what I actually want to draw. I keep saying I want to draw comics but it's currently a lot easier for me to focus my efforts on practicing gestures and copying from reference. I'm actually the type to really want to hone and go deep on skills right now, building a wide base for making something like a comic isn't for me yet.
I'm an artist who's all over the place in my opinion. I want to focus on understanding and focusing on art fundamentals because I feel like even though I'm not a total beginner anymore, I still haven't fully grasped the fundamentals yet. I know I should focus on that yet I'd really like to learn sculpting on the side too. Not sure I'd be able to juggle the two (drawing and sculpting) but there's only one way to find out I suppose.
Honestly I think half the reason I ended up being an illustrator is because of my ADHD (and autism). I'm a visual communicator so I would end up drawing things related to what I was fascinated by at the time and the drawing was just how I expressed it. The drawing skills were a side effect of my need to communicate and I fell in love with the skill. People I would struggle to talk to or relate to would all of a sudden look at me like they could understand me, even if just briefly. Though having said that, I do sometimes go months without really drawing and I get distracted so so easily and it makes me so sad because I do love it and have a real desire to draw. It's hard. On that note, there is no shame in getting medicated on top of looking after your mental health.
Hey Adam, could we get a link to the music used? Has a very nice vibe to it :)
and then there s stephen zapata who is an entire beast of his own , this man only needs caffeine , could never be me i struggle with what you re saying too btw this video slaps i thought i was the only one so it s a big relief of sorts
this frustration is inevitable. seeing how elaborate ai generated works get, artists will find themselves struggling more and more. just prepare yourselves for the impact
We grow up seeing Leonardo DaVinci get praised for having skills in multiple areas ... Yet, we are continuously coached that we can only be good at 1 thing.... Break free of the construct..
Hi Adam how do you record and/or process your audio voiceover for these? Seeking to do something in a similar format but not drawing/art related and live in a noisy environment. Don’t have fancy equipment and wonder if you might be able to point me towards something accessible and decent. Thank you!
Where can I buy it?
What's the song in the end, Sir?
This is offtopic, Adam, but in one of your videos you mentioned wanting to comment on Turning Red, a movie you seemingly disliked. I very much enjoyed it and I enjoy your commentary and view on things so I'm still interested in hearing your opinion :)
If you ever needed a little nudge to post something about it
why is there videogame footage in the bottom corner?
I like watching Vaatividya while I paint :)
So people with short attention spans have smt to look at :D
When you just start to wonder how much math is needed for art...
Then you realize its just art...
I fucking hate to learn anything. I hate process of learning. So I really, really envy You that You love to learn, and I fucking don't understand that. I love drawing, swimming, singing, juggling and doing other things, but I'm unsatisfied with my skill level in any of those disciplines. I love just to do those things, to feel FREEDOM of creating/doing/playing, BUT when I want to do those things better and try to learn - I hit the wall - All FREEDOM and pure JOY is TAKEN AWAY from it. Instead I feel like prisoner doing daily chores. It is long, boring, repetitive, annoying, exhausting, it lacks life in itself, progress is slow and unsatisfying. How people enjoy that? I think I'm just retarded or something, maybe I was dropped on my head as a baby. Fucking life. By the way, Great Video, Cheers!
I'm a great learner. . . but I'll put a true effort only into what interests me, such as Interior and Graphic design. Unfortunately, I can't make a decent living with any of those, and forcing myself to learn Python and Data Science instead, which is dull boring, and needlessly to say, I haven't managed to reach any decent competency level in this field.
Adam I love your videos but I disagree with you about destiny.
I'm only become happy in my 30-ish when I stopped walking around doing a lot of things and embraced my childhood dream and concentrated on drawing only.
Thank you for your calm and insightful thoughts. This really resonated with me and I appreciate you! I Started a purposeful journey to developing a good foundation in art and year ago. Loving the Apple Pencil grip you recommended in your iPad Pro video. 🫶🏼
.... thank you so much. I mean it🤍