Hi everyone!
So something that's been plaguing me for... well the past couple of years really, is hating my art. I'm talking about it now because it's gotten really bad lately to the point where I'm really struggling to love painting at all. I'm guessing some of you are probably thinking that I shouldn't hate my art, but I'm massively insecure in just about everything I produce - whether it be art, writing, even assignments - and I really do struggle with it sometimes.
But I'm learning that I'm being overly critical. Do you ever open up a half-finished drawing, or story, or poem, and go to start working on it, and then just suddenly realise how awful it is? You try to start editing but all the terrible things about it just close in on you until you're either so panicked or so miserable that you can't even try anymore? And you just stop? I know I do.
Thing is, it's probably not as bad as you think. The more you look for the bad things - even subconsciously - the more you'll see.
What I've been needing to do - and maybe some of you too - is not to judge, but to observe.
If you're having trouble with something and you're starting to panic about it (a painting will work better, but you could do it for a scene in a book too), just take a breath. Take a moment to look at it, then start describing it to yourself.
Say you've painted an eye. Don't say 'it looks unfinished' or 'the lashes are too long there' or 'it's too smudgy' - observe it, don't judge it. Say 'it's about an inch across'. Say 'the iris is blue'. Say 'there are a couple of lower lashes visible'. Literally just sit there and say exactly what you see. It might take some time, and some practice (it did for me!), but you can do it!
Describe it down to the smallest detail, if that's the time you need.
By the time you're done, you'll probably feel a lot calmer. You'll also have a much greater grasp on what it is you're doing. You might even know where you want to start to make it even better!
Put it like this - thoughts are like emails. Some are important, some are spam. Things like 'this looks like crap' - that's spam. You don't want to read spam. It's not constructive, so it won't help your painting. You can learn to sort the important emails from the spam, and observing will help with that!
So remember - observe! Don't judge! You'll get to where you want to be
ShopDreamUp AI ArtDreamUp
Where Else To Find Me
I've had a few new watchers here lately, so welcome! Unfortunately I'm not nearly as active here as I was in my heyday, but I still post most of my art here, minus sketches and WIPs. I'm more active on Twitter these days and there are also a few other places you might find of interest, so here they are! Twitter - https://twitter.com/ArasteiaArt I post all my finished art on here, as well as sketches and WIPs you won't see anywhere else. I'm also more active here in general in terms of chatting and posting. Artstation - https://www.artstation.com/arasteia This is more of a choice portfolio of my best art, probably got the nicest looking arrangement of my work. YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqHJ-iCiAXEboJBzrDT75VQ I don't upload much cause I don't like recording, but I have a couple of speedpaints and tutorials here in case you're interested. CuriousCat - https://curiouscat.qa/ArasteiaArt A place where you can anonymously ask me (reasonable) questions
DTIYS Art Feature!
So you guys might remember that a while ago I hosted a Draw This In Your Style event! Here are some of the entries I got on dA! Thank you so much to everyone who participated, you are all ridiculously skilled and I loved seeing your takes on my girl!
I Designed Lizard Shirts!
Hi everyone, shameless plug here! My boyfriend recently put out his first line of merch, and I drew one of the designs! He has an awesome educational reptile channel on YouTube over at Coop's Reptiles, and to celebrate 10k subscribers he's released some lizard-themed apparel and stickers! I drew this cute lil monitor to go on some shirt designs! This way you can support both me and an epic YouTube creator by buying a shirt here > https://teespring.com/varanid?page=1&pid=2&tsmac=store&tsmic=coops-reptiles&cid=6046 He also has a lot of other cool designs so if this doesn't tickle your fancy, check out the rest > https://teespring.com/stores/coops-reptiles While you're at it, check out his videos and subscribe if you're into reptiles! He's doing a giveaway at 11k so get in while you can! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPXnZ8xWV1g-SvF9MPtqP2A
CuriousCat - AMA!
I made a CuriousCat account! You can ask me questions or tell me things anonymously and I'll reply! https://curiouscat.qa/ArasteiaArt P.S. I didn't think this would have to be said but please don't ask for fetish/NSFW stuff? That's not what I meant when I said AMA guys :stare:
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Thank you so much! This really helped. ^-^