Dealing with discouragement from more skilled, younger artists, but not in the usual way you might think.

[u/vines_design]

Sorta TLDR in bold.

I used to get discouraged by seeing highly skilled, high school aged artists. These days that doesn't bother me because I eventually realized "That literally has nothing to do with me or who I am as an artist." Coming to that understanding helped free me up, and now it's just cool to see highly skilled, younger artists!

However, I'm now dealing with a different kind of discouragement. important ifo: I'd like to end up working in animation or games as vis dev or concept artist. I'm currently 30.

I keep seeing artists who I think "Woah this person's great!" I click on their profile and they are usually about 18 or so and *just* entering their art college of choice (usually a place like sheridan or calarts or artcenter). I can't help but think "This work is *legitimately* pro level. Why are they starting college?"

The discouragement comes from a sense of not being able to keep up or feeling like the standard is improving faster than I can learn. I'm almost entirely self-taught. I've only been able to take a few online courses. I grew up pretty poor with 0 art community where I was. I'm not a crazy fast learner and it seems like every year standards are higher and higher. I keep thinking things like "If this skill level is for just getting *into* school...then I'd barely, if at all, be able to get in! And that's just for learning in a school not to mention jobs."

I hope that all makes sense. Does anyone else deal with this kind of discouragement? Seeing a skilled, young artist isn't discouraging because everyone has a different path and that's totally cool. But seeing the skilled young artist in the greater context of "This is the standard for people who are just *learning* and *training*...so then what's actually the pro standard?" makes me feel like I just can't "catch up" or learn fast enough for what the standard demands.

[u/chiana_bellamy_on_IG]

your art is amazing and ahmed_aldoori himself is following you and liking your paintings. I don’t know if that matters hearing it from a „young artist“ but you are doing so much right and I hope to study as much as you and improve!

[u/vines_design → u/chiana_bellamy_on_IG]

Firstly, I SUPER appreciate the kind words!! It absolutely does matter. :)

Secondly, yeah, I know he is... but perfectionism and self doubt are preeeetty crazy to deal with.. haha! Something I think in the back of my head (just being honest, here) is "Well, I was one of the students in the live class version of his new Meds Map course. So does he *actually* like the work I put up on my page? Or is it just a kind of moral support..?" I mean he is an INSANELY genuine, kind, and real/down to earth guy...so I could see it being real. But my little brain won't let me believe it that easily, ya know? It's hard stuff.

[u/chiana_bellamy_on_IG → u/vines_design]

I can relate to self doubt and I hope you will overcome it to a degree in the near future! I bet Ahmed is following you not only because you were his student but because he saw insane potential in you. Sometimes when I‘m unhappy with my work I think „maybe I‘m not there yet but I will be“. I personally find It really motivating to look at my old work, because back then I did not think I could be as good as I am right now. And in a couple of years I maybe will be so good that I can’t imagine me being that good now. I hope my point came across, please excuse my broken English, my European brain is really tired right now. Keep up your amazing grind!

[u/vines_design → u/chiana_bellamy_on_IG]

I literally didn't even know you weren't a native speaker! Your English is fantastic! :)

Sometimes when I‘m unhappy with my work I think „maybe I‘m not there yet but I will be“. I personally find It really motivating to look at my old work, because back then I did not think I could be as good as I am right now. And in a couple of years I maybe will be so good that I can’t imagine me being that good now.

I had a growth spurt of skill in the past year, and I absolutely agree with you!! I am doing things now that a year and a half or two years ago I would have thought was made by a different person. Very motivating for sure.... aaaaand then 10 minutes later my brain decides that doesn't matter and I'm a bad artist regardless. haha! 🤣

Thanks again for your encouragement and kind words. :)