SpottyWolf

My art- skills or dumb luck?

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, 06-24-2012 at 09:46 PM (898 Views)

I'm not going to say who, or where, this conversation happened. All I know is that in my head, there's now a tiny voice that's talking, and its not a nice one. Someone said that my art is pointless and stupid, that it wasn't realistic enough. Or it wasn't very stylish. Obviously this puts doubts in my head about my art. And of course dealing with depression (I get bi-weekly counseling sessions), this situation doesn't exactly help.

let me just say that this person I'm no longer talking to. It's rather stupid for me to even think about this at all. So now I'm even wondering if my site will bring in the members. I know my style isn't like anyone else's, or part of the 'cookie cutter' art that I do see quite frequently. But, here are the facts about my art and how I got started.

At 17 years old, I picked up a pencil and a piece of computer paper and sketched my first sketch. It was an odd looking dragon, the proportion wasn't right, but dang it, I was proud of myself! I have never received any lessons of art. When I got a laptop and Paint Shop Pro 7 about the time my son was born almost 12 years ago, I started doing pixel art on the Packard Bell computer that my Dad had bought. He didn't mind I had it on there. Just as long as I was being productive. So I kept going pixeling, and sketching on paper. Finally, my Dad went and got a scanner so I can scan my art into the computer. It's a shame I don't have anything from that era of my life to compare to. Eventually I got my first tablet, I bought from someone I played Wajas with, a Wacom Sapphire. And I kept going, looking up tutorials online, asking for help when I need it from artists out there who had training, and trying to improve my skills without attending classes, because I had no money for classes. So 14 years later I continue to sketch, whether or not anyone out there thinks its good or not. And I continue to sketch and scan and digitize my art.

So yeah, I'm now wondering if it is dumb luck or with all the practice, that I actually have gotten better?.... I never really sold my artwork, although I have donated artwork for causes to help raise money for one thing or another. So really I can't put a price on my work. I guess with skeptics out there I will always doubt myself.

This doesn't mean that I'm going to stop working on my site Fabelz. It just means that I maybe need to try harder to get things done like I should be. And instead of goofing around on most nights, just steer ahead and seriously start working diligently on my artwork at least a couple of hours a night.

One of my early digital sketches, just threw it out there, I was bored that night, I don't even know what it is!:

Cthulhu!!!! (WIP done a while back.)

From VG Cats Cletus Brand Chocobo comic:
It's the end result of the chocobo that ran into the tree. He's waiting for the tree to move!

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Comments

cpvr - 06-24-2012 10:43 PM
When people told me years ago that I couldn't write for crap, I said "Watch, I'll learn and practice", and now I'm a good writer. The thing I see with you is that you're trying hard and practicing, which is the only way you'll get better. So, I suggest, you keep trying and practicing, and as time goes on, your art will get better.

Stay motivated and don't let anyone bring you down. You got this!
jakdacrowe - 06-24-2012 10:57 PM
If other people want to say that your art is stupid and pointless, let them.
If someone said that to me, I'll actually thank them and ask them to turn away since they don't like my art anyway.

No point in saying YOUR own art is stupid and pointless. Because it's something you like to do, right? As a hobby. As a job.
You'll only hate yourself more and start questioning yourself "why did I try this in the first place?"

YOU worked for this skill.
YOU'VE been improving that skill.
Why should you hate something you worked for?

Actually, I don't get why art HAS to be realistic. I like drawing cartoons. I like drawing... 6 legged animals with 14 eyes, with wings made of metal shavings.
People, have you SEEN surreal art? >_>
Shade - 06-24-2012 11:33 PM
Your art is really great, and no matter what people say, don't let it get to you. Art, isn't something everyone can just up and do out of pure luck. It's something that i think is in the person. And if they practice from there or not to get better over time is up to them. I've been doing art all my life it seems like. I've never once taken a class, i've taught myself. And i've even had people say they didn't like my art before. And all i did was get better. I didn't set any times for trying to make myself better. I just did like i had before that. Made sure it stayed fun and to what i liked.
The only thing about being an artiest, is when you are your own critic. And i'm this way with myself a lot, in the past, and still am. But i mean, your art is really, great, and i'm being honest about it. Your art you are showing me, and that i've seen from you before on some of your threads, i have to admit, is much better then what mine was about two years ago.
It took me abit to find some of my older works, from two years ago. I wish i had some older stuff, i use to have. But i don't have any of my older stuff then these.
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...41fc2cc69c.jpg
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...lla/Eragon.jpg
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...la/FirePaw.jpg
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...dreamwolf1.png
http://i789.photobucket.com/albums/y...a/Paradise.png

As you can tell, from my stuff i have now(Can be found on my DA), is way differnt.
As you go over the years you get better at what you do, Be it art, writing, coding, working on cars, or whatever it is you might do.
But all in all i really love you work you are showing. And i don't think you should let anyone else tell you other wise.

And like Jackacrowe said, not all art has to be realistic. There is way to much realistic art out there if you ask me. I enjoy getting to see what is in somebodies imagination to be honest. And when somebody can put that down on paper, in a sketch or even in words, or whatever, then i think that right there is talent.
SpottyWolf - 06-25-2012 12:45 AM
@cpvr @jakdacrowe @Shade

I went and took a shower and just came back, and yes, I did have time for thinking. Everyone is right. I don't have to conform to anyone elses tastes. If I'm happy with what I'm doing, then that's all that matters. My so called 'friend' can just kiss my butt. I understand maybe a bit of critique and then maybe a tip to help improve, but no one should put someone else down just because they aren't as good as their favorite artist. I have lots of faves out there that I like (Nambroth, Tani Da Real, Dee Dreslough is my fave although I haven't seen anything new from her in a while), and I love the fact that they each have their own styles. I actually styled my art after Dee for a while. I love the style that I have because it's my own! Thank you for the support! I really needed to hear it at this point. Even though I'm 31 years old, I admit even some words can hurt.

I'm perfectly happy with where I am, and all I can go from here is up. And if anyone else doesn't like where I'm at they don't have to look at my art.
jakdacrowe - 06-25-2012 12:53 AM
@SpottyWolf
It's good to know that you thought about it. c:
It's true, you can't appeal to everyone's tastes. Too many people out there, too many different likes and dislikes.
Just do what you're doing and always ask for critique from time to time.
Keep an open mind, ready to learn more, but don't forget this is YOUR art.

Hehe. I think I'm along with a lot people in the world. I didn't learn my drawing skills in school.
Keestal - 06-25-2012 04:01 AM
Just remember that NO ONE ever became a picasso(sp?) overnight. It takes years of effort and study - yes study. Depending on what you want to focus on be it surreal, realistic, cartoon, etc. you study muscle tone, shapes of subjects, textures and doing a lot of rough sketches of living things. I looked off of (not traced - you don't learn anything from tracing in my opinion. It's a horrible handicap and a form of cheating if you ask me) stock and art from artists that inspire me. Study colors and how they blend and go together, what works with what and what shouldn't get matched together. I've been drawing digitally since I was 15.

Personally, if you have OCD, you'll always think your art is not up to standard or great (I never really liked an of my pieces) and I'll always find flaws in them even after I say it's finished. An artist is an OCD super perfectionist with a twist of lime and love yourself for being a tall refreshing glass of water girl because everyone needs water to live and just like water - if there were no artists, imagination would not exist.

Love your work, criticize it, fix it, fix it again, erase until you rub a hole in it, rush through it, get messy with it, get lead on your fingers, have fun being the boss of your own world and be a boss at it. When someone says those negative things to you - just remember they say those things because they can't draw a damn thing and they hate you for being able to do something beautiful that they will never experience!
SpottyWolf - 06-25-2012 01:19 PM
@Keestal - I'm sort of OCD. I have to have things a certain way. Certain messes drive me bonkers. I have never traced. Although I was accused of tracing my pixel chocobo ninja years ago by Squiby (the lines matched perfectly according to them). But from all of this I never gave up and continue on, even with my doubts I've had! Thank you!!!
Keestal - 06-25-2012 01:44 PM
Your welcome hon, and I love that chocobo btw. c: