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What's it like for other artists...

Am I the only one who feels like this? Like, really wanting to draw stuff again but hating it when I try to? I dont know what to do. I wish I could just ignore the creative part of my brain and not have the urge to try and be creative anymore. Has making art ever stopped being enjoyable, and has it ever become enjoyable again for anyone?

I dunno... I just want a new brain, this one is damaged. Dunno why I'm bitching about it either. Wont change anything =_=

Viewed:	217 times
Added:	2 years, 8 months ago 28 Aug 2021 05:30 CEST

20 Comments on this Journal

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Bachri

2 years, 8 months ago

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All. The. Damn. Time.

It's just a part of being a very creative person. Artists are their own worst critics, we see something wonderful in our heads but as soon as we start trying to make it a reality we start doubting it all. It's the curse of the artist.

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Artist%...

nerdmouse

2 years, 8 months ago

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@ Bachri

I cant even get to a point where there would be something to critique. At most its half of a scribbly sketch then I just dont want to do it anymore.

Bachri

2 years, 8 months ago

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@ nerdmouse

That is also a thing, sometimes you kinda just stop being creative for a while and you only manage to get back to it after a long break.

Riggles

2 years, 8 months ago

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brain exchange therapy ezpz

Unistar

2 years, 8 months ago

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Yes art has stopped being enjoyable at times, It usually resurges after a while, but I feel like the fuse is shorter after each break.

PreciousRat

2 years, 8 months ago

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The best thing you could do, I think, is stop trying.
Stop thinking about what yar doing, stop trying to improve, stop trying to impress. Stop trying to draw.
Rather just let it happen naturally whenever it strikes your mood, made it a hobby, not a requirement.
Its nice to think you wanting to draw should be enough motivation, but sometimes it's not and you just need to take a break, and when the mood strikes draw what comes to you, don't think about it. Don't analyze it or care if it's good or bad.
Just do it and have fun with it.

GreenPika

2 years, 8 months ago

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Edited 2 years, 8 months ago by Owner

yeah, it's a tortured existence being an artist

Dolore

2 years, 8 months ago

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Honestly, the best way I can lay it out is like any other enjoyment when you indulge to excess. You can really really love grape soda, but when you end up with way too much of it in your tummy, and you take a sip, you just feel all blah from it. You can love watching a certain show, but watching the reruns after the fifth or sixth time just kinda leaves you feeling meh. The desire to see things through is always there, but there's also a time when you need to take a break from something to indulge in others, don't be afraid to take your time and find out other stuff you like.

nerdmouse

2 years, 8 months ago

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@ Dolore

It honestly feels like everything I try and do nowadays is frustrating and joyless. Making 3d stuff, games, music, whatever. Nothing I do is fun anymore, but if I'm not being productive in some way, I feel useless :c

Shigoto

2 years, 8 months ago

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i took a long break from posting my art. a few years. It was for various reasons like not being able to produce anything i liked personally, not having much drive to draw. Feeling guilty about how long i was taking to get things done that i owed people. Stuff like that. While i didn't stop completely i would go weeks or months without making anything and what i did make i wouldnt post anywhere.

At some point those feelings started to subside and i got a little more comfortable with my work again and started posting it. Im still really bad about posting regularly and i dont feel like i have to make new stuff all the time but i do as the mood strikes.

One of the things that helped me was getting involved with other artists through discord or whatever. Groups of people that liked the kinda things i liked, or made art that i enjoyed. Seeing them make new things would inevitably give me the itch to try making something as well

AshtonHunter

2 years, 8 months ago

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I get a weirdly similar thing with programming. I love doing it but I like lockup trying to sometimes. some kind of mental block I think from some nasty bits of my past where such things went south for me still being worked through.

Peppercake

2 years, 8 months ago

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definitely not the only one who feels this at times. I think our brains just crave new techniques and exploration while creating stuff. as keeping things the same can get redundant after awhile. breaks are important, you really shouldn't draw everyday its not good for your hand or mind.

lunooky

2 years, 8 months ago

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yes it just feels like every time the pen touches the screen is a mistake, making me feel i really dont know how to draw, i just waste hours making and erasing lines until it starts to look less bad

Balmung

2 years, 8 months ago

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You may be a bit too hard on yourself. For instance if I ask for a commission it's because I've seen your current work and liked it, so whatever flaws you think your work has are things I either don't consider important or even not seeing at all.

IGAKattack

2 years, 8 months ago

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I want to paint my space marines. But the very prospect of simply sitting down at my messy workspace is enough to put me off, rather than the actual painting. The catch is that it's just so much nicer to look down at the table and see paint on them, instead of an ocean of grey plastic.

The same goes for drawing. My computer desk feels just so awkward and inefficient to work at that the thought of drawing isn't fun, and the thought of tidying up and organising everything is too great a deterrent for me sometimes... ok, most of the time... there's just... so much dust... what have I done...

So in the end, I'm left with the obvious choice of rearranging everything, that dreaded CHANGE we all abhor... or just struggling on through it and being creative regardless. Generally, I tend to choose the third option, of NOT being creative, which is similar in essence to not making a decision, and letting that decision be made for you by someone else or through the simple passage of time. Ultimately, however, it seems this choice does not really bring joy.

I wish I was more creative and passionate about everything, but work just leaves me so drained, especially lately, that I cannot even begin. It wouldn't be so bad, but the long drive home at the end of a long day saps what little spirit is left in my body after running around after so many customers. I'm left just wanting to chill out, so I do.

Omo

2 years, 8 months ago

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I hate just about everything I write, but I enjoy the creation. Don't worry about how it turns out, enjoy the journey not the end.

ThaPig

2 years, 8 months ago

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In my case, I get inspiration and great art ideas when I'm at work and I can't do anything about it.
Then, when I finish and I'm finally home... it's all gone. My mind is blank.
I spend all the week planning comics in my head, then during the weekend I can't gather the willpower to draw them, I just stare at the computer screen and procrastinate until it's time to go to work again, and the cycle repeats.

toothandclaw

2 years, 8 months ago

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it's not productive to try to force art; if it's coming out all wrong, and slowing down (patient strokes, taking more time to consider them, not rushing) isn't helping, then there's really nothing for it

sometimes I have to wait a month until I can draw again; unless you're relying on it for income (which is not advisable if there are any alternatives whatsoever), don't beat yourself up for it

(I've experiences long bouts of having absolutely no creative impulse, no need to draw nor interest in it, and it's a lovely vacation from the sense of obligation; it's like a little vacation)

just try, see if the art machine is hooked up, and if not, don't dwell on disappointment & frustration—do a chore or play a game or take a walk, something to take your mind off it

JaneThomas

1 year, 1 month ago

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I feel you, I haven't been able to make music for a few years now because I can't bring myself to finish anything because I end up hating it

Tomatoe

12 months ago

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Edited 12 months ago by Owner

I'm not so big of an art guy, but when i try to draw anything i feel like that.
It's weird to never be satisfied with anything i do.

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