When It's Hard

"Getting better" at doing anything or even just simply learning how to do something takes time. I can't really give you a frame of how much "time" it will take because everyone learns at a different pace. Yet, because of the way traditional school is set up, we're ingrained with the notion that after a specific set of things in a specific amount of time is introduced to us we should totally understand the concept being learned right? Wrong. It's a shame that the education system is just now grasping that, but we as artists can't push ourselves into that box either. So what do you do when you just aren't improving at something? Well for starters, be completely sure that you're stuck in a rut. It's very easy to feel as though you aren't getting better at something when you just haven't looked at the bigger picture. For example, many of us as tiny children were usually flabbergasted in seeing a real live baby and usually because we just could not believe that we were ever that small and helpless. In spite of being a little peanut yourself, there was a time you were an even tinier peanut, but that fact was not readily apparent to you until you saw a comparison. Likewise, comparing your artwork's progress over a period of time will indeed help you decide if you are in fact not improving at a skill. 

Now onto the tough part. What should you do if you really aren't improving? Sometimes it's as simple as changing a method of making. If painting general to specific does not work for you try reversing the process. If you're bored of still lifes and it is affecting the way you're learning to draw light and shadow, create a scene rather than a set up to draw! There is always a solution. However, it doesn't hurt to understand what your strengths and weaknesses are as an artist. Not all of us are meant to be gifted in the same ways and that is completely ok! I, for example, really love throwing. I can make simple forms and whatnot by I am by no means a master ceramicist. By all accounts I'm not even really that "good" at it I could feel bad about this, but I don't. Why? Because I know my strengths as an artist lie elsewhere. That doesn't mean that I won't throw, I'll always like it. It just means that I'm not putting all my energy there. 

When you have no support

It's pretty tough being alone, and for some of us that is an ever present reality. I was fortunate to have parents that were not only 100% supportive of my decision to study art, they were elated when I officially announced my choice. I came to find out that my situation is somewhat unique in comparison to the norm. I can't say that I know precisely what it is to be totally without familial support, but I do know what it's like to be lonely and feel alone in your pursuits in everyday life. One great way to combat the dark swelling ocean that is loneliness is to get connected on dA. I can't tell you how much starting my account on dA back in 2008 helped me as an artist feel more connected to like minded people and artwork. Of course, this is not a perfect way to remedy loneliness, but it can help tremendously. 

Another way to seek out support is to connect with whatever artist collectives, groups, centers, or clubs exist in your area. If none do, the internet, again, is your friend in this case because there are multitudes of places that artists gather online to do nothing more than talk. 

When your resources are limited

Man oh man have I been there! It seems monumentally unfair that the supplies we as artists need to create our work cost more than what even we can afford. This is when creativity comes into play big time. Keep this in mind: as long as you can seal it, you can paint on it. You can draw on whatever you like. You don't need Photoshop or Illustrator when there are a plethora of great digital programs available for FREE. I've seen people paint on everything from plywood scraps to old drawers (furniture). Can't afford artist grade pencils and pens? So what! Use those number 2s and ball point pens, they get the job done just as well and can help you develop new methods of making! Here are some quick fixes (or artist hacks if you will): 

• Use rubber cement in the place of masking fluid
  
• Mix flour, warm water, and salt together to make a durable clay that can be air dried or baked in the place of Sculpey
  
• Use that same recipe to make a simple glue
  
• Extend your acrylic paints with watered down white glue (school or PVA) in the place of acrylic mediums
  
• Save pencil lead dust (easily gathered from your sharpener's collector) to use for quickly shading and toning drawings. You can do the same with charcoal dust and colored pencil dust. 
  
• Use poster putty (like Blu-Tack) as self cleaning a kneaded eraser
• If you're low on paint, use tea, coffee, juice, or even dirty paint water to paint with
• Reuse tape easily by storing strips on a clean plastic surface (or a cloth like an apron if you're using the tape to secure paper while drawing)
• Reuse paper towels that you clean your brushes with by allowing them to dry on a flat surface. Or better yet, use a cloth towel that you allow to fully dry in between painting sessions
• Use thinned down white glue as a sealant for collage or acrylic paintings rather than varnish or medium

When you have too many ideas

Having too many ideas is just as crappy as having too few. Sometimes I have so many new ideas for paintings, drawings and stories that it feels like my head is going to explode. So how do you deal with it? A little bit at a time. Unfortunately humans only have 4 limbs and unless you've trained your feet to be as dexterous as your hands you can only use two of them. If you've got 20 ideas there's nothing stopping you from starting 20 projects and working on each a little bit at a time. Usually at any given time I have between 5 and 30 arty things going on. You'll finish some faster than others, some will be more successful than others, some may take years to fully realize. But doing this will relieve the pressure on your little artsy brain and help get out that nervous frustration. 

I'm by no means an expert in the writing field, but when I feel like writing more of the fanfics I work on and get ideas for them I talk to myself out loud, and sometimes I even record myself musing about things to write on my phone or laptop. I repeat the things over and over until I'm able to sit down and write about it. Keeps it fresh I suppose Again, I'm no expert, but that's what helps me and maybe it'll help you too!

When the feedback is negative

No matter what anyone on dA tells you, you do not under any circumstances have to accept someone's critique of your work. You are not obligated to take their advice. You are not required to agree with what they say. You do not have to use anything they tell you about your work. If someone calls you names for disagreeing with them about their critique of your work, ignore them. They weren't being helpful in the first place. 

Outside of critique, negative feedback can get very mean spirited and it's worth getting an idea of how you'll handle it when the time comes (and it will come). Refusing to entertain a person who is clearly trying to get a rise out of you through a snarky remark about your artwork is pretty much your number one, sure fire way to remove yourself from the situation. This is especially easy online, but it can get tricky in person. Simply not responding to someone's nasty remarks will work just as well in real life, but it requires a lot of self control. 

Remember, you're not alone! There's always someone who has gone through/is going through something and we can all help one another through it

Xadrea