A Difficult Reality In the Path To Becoming A Pro Artist

[@raven_lanart8326]

I have never been an artist as a child, never went to art school, was never praised and told that I draw good. So, I strongly believed that I have no talent like others and no chance to be an artist ever. I was thinking “if only I went to art school”, “if only I started learning 10 years ago”… And then it hit me at 18, that in 10 years I will be still young and if I start learning now, I could be good by 30s. It’s been 5 years, and I went through these stages you mentioned several times. And I really learned a lot, and people started to tell “wow, you drew this?”. Feels amazing honestly to hear that when I never heard it as a child. And I am still on the way and a long road from being professional. But it is such a miracle that if you draw you improve, it really keeps me going. One thing that really motivates me not to give up is redrawing the same artwork each year. Even when whole year you feel like you are stuck, when you redraw the same thing from a year ago, you always see some progress. Anyways, thanks for the video! I think it is important to show that artists are not just “talented” but go through a lot of struggle and hard work to be where they are!

[@chasewilltin8567]

I heard from some youtube animators or artist in general that they get employed more from people seeing their youtube video than they do actively looking for one.

[@kdot78]

lol

[@Sara-pk8wv]

I almost cried while watching this video because I feel my art isn't improving and I almost lost hope (; Thank you I really needed this.

[@MrJayson204]

Brilliant video, I'm currently stuck in the dead marshes myself and have noticed this roller-coaster of emotions as I progress as an artist, so seeing that it is a natural experience is reassuring...now I just have to keep reminding myself to not stare into the faces!

[@PRINTORO]

Me too

[@plasticskeleton]

I'm 25 and have been teaching myself to draw for just over half a year straight now after several on off attempts over the past 6 years. Learning about the mental ability vs physical ability dichotomy has helped me stay motivated as I now know to expect periods of dissatisfaction and look forward to it in a sense as it means some aspect of my ability has improved, so one way or the other I'm always improving. Thanks for sharing this idea!

[@diwakar8815]

I'm in the same exact situation. I'm actually amazed by the similarity of our situation😄good luck on your learning

[@Mankemista]

@@diwakar8815e are triplets then 😂 I’m the in the exact same boat. Same age and same story Maybe it’s a sign. Hit me up if you’re down for a collab on a drawing or a painting. That’s how i manage to keep myself working 😅

[@Jugem16]

Best wishes on your journey. :)

[@gintheamatuerartist3625]

Same situation, same age, let's work hard!

[@ftwgunnerpwns]

Literally same here same age too! One of us! One of us! We're gonna make it

[@ggill1313]

Wish us folks would talk about our failures more. Or our insecurities. This is great stuff.

[@animativespace]

As a 3d artist myself who dabbles with 2d everything u said hits home. Those dark voices saying time is wasted, u are getting older, your peers are more talented but then u realize not everyone is consistant during the dark times and those who keep going will make it as art is a life journey. Thx for content like this

[@Window4503]

I haven't even watched the whole video and this is really resonating with me. I'm at the point where friends and family think what I do is employable, but I know for a fact that I'm nowhere near a professional level. And while I'm growing in knowing what's wrong with my art and why things aren't working, execution or starting a piece without hitting a major road block is still a challenge. Even my successes have me looking at my real goal and thinking "I'm nearly there but this isn't quite right." It's frustrating to see the destination only to discover several more bends and dips to crawl through. A lot of people need to hear this. It's always nice to hear from someone "on the other side" that there is, if not an end, actual progress that will eventually shine through.

[@bronwen8838]

This was so motivating! I get to a point where I stop practicing because I hate what my art looks like, but now I’ll remember I just need to keep wading through the dead marshes and I won’t get out if I stop.

[@PabloRodriguez-vw1ju]

Over the last 2 years becoming a pro artist has been my goal, I still haven't success. Watching your video made clear my mind out of sh** thoughts, thank you

[@siwardwoudstra1751]

I spoke to a lady who has a cupcake store and during a training a teacher (from a very renowned institute) told her that to master a recipe you have to make that recipe about 144 times. I paint, but not very realistic and not as a employed artist, but I kind of recognized this. With more complex techniques I only gradually find out what can go wrong, and what you have to do to control that. And what you can learn from 'mistakes'. Somehow intuitively it goes well for 2 or 3 times often, and then the 4th time you do something wrong. Only gradually you find out what can go wrong, why it went wrong, how thick a layer should be for example and what you can do to manage all this. The first time it goes well because of luck and then there is an wobbly intermediate period before it goes well because you have mastered it. It may not be exactly the same Jeremy spoke of, but what he said made me think about this.

[@Nevarek_]

This reminds me a lot of the really old Sycra video about how to get past artist's block. Your mechanical skill and artistic eye are separate, trainable things and one can be "ahead" of the other. When they are not balanced, it can be hard to keep a clear perspective on the outcome of a work.

[@arioctober]

You know I recognized I was in this phase but you put words to it... It's because of recognizing this that I decided to stop sharing my art online, I'm just focusing on creating for myself right now. I'm in a phase of a "creative cocoon" so I can learn and grow and change without the eyes of the world all over me all the time. It's nice to know that if you stick it out there's an end to it!

[@lilith_inthesea]

This video came at just the right moment, as I'm currently feeling like being pulled into one of these marshes. It's comforting to know that it is not unusual to feel this way, and encouraging to know there is light at the end of the tunnel if I just keep going and not give up. Love the quote too. Thank you for sharing a great piece of advice and wisdom! *Roll up sleeves and get back to my drawing station*

[@korbitror]

Thank you, I needed this. I'm in those dead marshes right now, and it does help knowing that I'm not alone in this experience.

[@BlueZonePlus]

Honestly one of the greatest videos on the climb of an artist I've seen, amazing way of looking at the journey.

[@isabellebernard5292]

People also tend to forget that this can still be the case after you've become a professional. There can still be periods of ups and downs and growth and dead marshes. Just because you're employable, doesn't turn off your critical brain. But it's a nice way to put the struggle!

[@UgodF]

I recently found you, and I’ve been watching almost all of your videos slowly. thanks for what you do and the motivation that you put in all of your videos. Really appreciated

[@turnip5178]

To be honest it's really hard to feel reassured in the age of AI, I would never be able to quit art altogether but my dreams of becoming a professional seem more distant than ever now. Still, I want to thank you for all your amazing work, the first time I heard about you was in an old Level Up podcast (Wojtek Fus was a big fan of your lessons) so I was very happy to see you start making content here on KZbin. You're a great teacher.

[@arioctober]

I think as the market becomes saturated with AI people will actually start to value things made by humans a lot more. It's going to suck for a while but I think in the end it's actually going to be a good thing. For example you know all those "corporate Memphis" drawings we see all the time in advertising? I think as human-made art becomes more valuable they'll actually start crediting the artists that make those drawings, because they know bragging about their real human artist is a good marketing tactic. Like we didn't care about food being organic... when all food was organic! And certain aspects of AI are good for artists too, It can be used as a tool. For example I use an AI background remover to make digital scrapbook pages easier, sometimes I need an element of a photograph to be isolated, and I could do the same thing by hand but it would take a lot longer. And it's totally okay if art doesn't end up being your career... Plenty of brilliant artists have day jobs. Plenty of artists have careers unrelated to art that they're also passionate about! So please don't stop creating, your art has inherent worth, just as you do. And your inherent worth is also not tied up in how good of an artist you are anyway! But to be creative is our birthright, it's what makes us human. Never rob yourself of that.

[@zoepottspulice4372]

Thanks for this :) it’s very comforting to see someone in your position say this for an artist like me who is definitely feeling that plateau right now

[@JonHrubesch]

Yes a thousand times yes. It's annoying when people insist, "Nope, you have a natural talent." No. It's work. A LOT OF WORK. :)

[@zinka777]

I'm sending you a huge thank you for this from the depths of the Dead Marshes.

[@eraba661]

I'm currently in Dead Marshes, i first mistook it as a burn out but tbh i never felt it that way, i still loved drawing when i do it and i usually gets invested in it when i do it but whenever i complete something, I felt like I made a good art but I'm never satisfied like its missing this, missing that and biggest problem is that this period is too slow its like you don't even know if you are getting better or not, i gave up many times, thinking like "Oh no age is catching up to me so i will never be a pro artist." I'm 21+ and people says im too young for jobs so I should do them instead and I just feel old for art cause obv I have seen people with better skills younger than me, combining with my relatives pressure, money pressure and many other factors. Conclusion: I'm not feeling better nor motivated but this video gave me direction to what i should be doing, no matter how slow things are feeling I should just keep on improving and I will improve or at least I hope so, I would say I improve alot in these 2-3 years tho so I think I can only believe in my future self. I have rarely seen people talk about this issue, most of the times I hear about burnout and not this period in carrier, I'm currently into it so I felt it on a personal level so.... Thank you I will try to be better

[@Designingstuff-rd1we]

Every time I watch your videos, I get the urge to get up, practice, and get better. Keep up the great content!

[@wenofzen]

Thank you so much for posting your life lessons. The fear of being a "failing" artist makes me not want to submit anything to anyone. This is even with the fact that I was paid for art now up in Vegas at the Autism Behavior Center. But I don't want anyone to make me "hate" my art. You explain things around this so well. Thank you!!!!

[@NoorSellaeg]

Just the video I needed this morning. This is exactly where I am and how I feel right now. Thanks so so much for making this video

[@Lobstrique]

this is such an important video. i had to watch it several times before it fully sunk in it is the inspiration i've needed! and a perfect visual that can help not giving up

[@Your_Pal_AL]

Thank you so much for this video sir. I graduated last year in August and am now in the dead marshes. I was supposed to have a job in the Industry as a junior concept artist back in January, but after a month of training they told me I wasn't good enough yet in terms of skill and let me go. I fell into a depressed state for 3 months as many things happened during that one month of training that kept adding onto anxiety, impostor syndrome, and other things. A handful of my batchmates who studied alongside me had already caught their waves soon after graduation and are riding it well to this day, I'm still working hard to catch mine. This was a very reassuring video for me and a great reminder for me to keep going no matter the amount of missed waves.

[@Sara-pk8wv]

rewatching this because it gives me hope

[@driftermorrelo]

Yup, the dead marshes of art are definitely real. I think all artists go through it because when we're beginners and intermediate our skills do not match our knowledge. So the art we make is much lower level than what we see from advanced artists. Persevering and doing studies and learning art despite the internal discouragement is a big part of learning how to paint. In painting there are insights that you can only get by painting, both from a mental aspect (perspective, colors ect) and from a physical aspect (brush control, line quality ect). The latter one is something that I'm currently struggling with: I have a hard time with brush control. My shapes are either too separated or too blended together but I will get through it one day.

[@LukasDamgaard]

Love this image of the marshes ! I felt a lot of motivation venturing through the fundamentals, and Found a great thrill in discovering new peaks of theory and craft, but when I stumbled into the fact that it only resonates with an audience, if it evokes emotion, and I started climbing towards storytelling and screenwriting… damn. this is an endless mountain, and I sure feel some days that I am going in circles with my art progression. But as you point out, keep at it, the journey is the reward. Visual storytelling is one of the most powerful and meaningful human communication crafts.

[@MORROSSS]

Thank you very much for creating this video!

[@sea5971]

Thank you!

[@darktanookie]

Thank you so much for this Video! It feels so relieving to hear from a professional that what I feel right now is normal and not a sign of "something is wrong". The emotional curve I go through is all the way from "maybe my creativity lies somewhere else entirely, no artwork anymore" to "okay, I will make a plan and pump the knowledge into my brain as quick as possible and then I'll fight for a carreer, all in" ... My art comes in waves now. with long breaks inbetween where I question, if I even should continue doing it or just let it die. The Marshes is truly a weird place. :D

[@kin8940]

thank you so much for this. i left art school to major in business due to not finding the way teachers taught art suitable for myself, and since then i've developed this sort or subconscious feeling of 'because i couldn't pursue art academically, i'm not made for this' i'm still unsure how far i can make it as a self taught artist or an artist who hasn't studied art academically/has an art degree, but i truly appreciate the way you put it into words and the encouragement that came with it.

[@monopixel5569]

This video came in the best time! I am going through the process and it really does look like a dead end, but it's good seeing it in a Birdseye view to remind us that it is a process, and if keep insisting and betting on ourselves, we can reach our goals. Thank you!

[@isthisfinn]

thank you. im going through the dead marshes right now but that's it, im going to art college this year ! i have thought many times about simply giving up and studying something easier with more job opportunity... but this video, along with my friends' and family's kindness, is giving me the strength to keep going and believe in myself !!! thank you so much

[@haldiroot]

Being in the dead marshes is something I tend to struggle with a lot. But what helps is looking at the art cycle that many people have described/drawn before. It's similar to how you've shown it, where your critical eye is better than your current drawing skill, so you notice what you need to improve and feel frustrated. But then there's the upcycle, where your critical eye is below or at your drawing skill level, and that rush of joy is amazing! We get better, and better sometimes means finding ways to get through the downside so we can reach the upside!

[@Ellie-fq4zn]

hi jeremy! would you perhaps some time make a video on how to approach figuring out lighting composition for an artwork? its something i struggle a lot with, not knowing how to approach the sheer amount of possibilities and choose which one feels best. i know theres no easy answer to this, but learning about different lighting techniques has helped me before and maybe it will help other artists too!

[@TheGuerreroinca]

dude is like he could right look into my soul. thank you for this video (and all the others!!)

[@paulathevalley]

I felt that face plant into the marsh, yep. Sure did. I really appreciate how you defined skill. An artist I admired would distinguish between skill and taste. He told me taste is the natural, innate “thing” that “either designers have it or they don’t” and “taste can’t be taught.” It always made me feel lacking because our tastes differ (or perhaps I lack taste?). What do you think of taste? Can taste be taught, too?

[@silvz524]

I kept asking myself this for 4 years now. I study design but I feel I lack taste, even tough I can recognize a good and a bad design, It's like taste has its own rules, like a language. A language I don't know If can be learned (sorry for my english)

[@santozard]

You are a true mentor.

[@JA-in3hw]

I'm so much more a programmer than an artist. But I relate thoroughly to the feeling you described. Wound up on projects without many older guys to lead so had to scramble to find a way to program a long term architecture that doesn't fall over on itself one day. Took so much external practicing. Have a graveyard of the same large program being redone different ways, trying to find a way that doesn't hem you in or lock you out of things. A lot of them started great but as they grew I saw how poorly structured it was and it got too hard to add more to. Always super respected art and I practice it a lot too just enough to make some game assets that I like. Some of your videos helped me see how to start actually blending and painting a bit instead of just flat colors. Some of the first things I drew that I actually really liked myself. It's funny cause no matter what you do like this stuff, even when you get a job and get going, you still feel the same as ever. I doubted myself more than I should have at points cause of that, but some people convinced me to relax and just write it how I saw it. Need more older guys above me again. They share so much good stuff.

[@hoax2]

Great video! The process you're describing is also called the "Dunning-Kruger Effect", specifically "the valley of despair"

[@DerFinder]

this is a good way to put it! I didn't know how to describe this phase before but you nailed it. I'm sort of in the dead marshes of 3d Art rn. I know I'm getting better but there is so much more to learn and it feels like I just can't keep up with the world (especially due to recent AI technologies) However, different to the way you put it, I'm having very much fun learning about these complicated systems and rules. But I believe it's just the difference between drawing and 3d rendering, because with drawing it's more like you explained it, atleast in my own experience

[@renica2787]

This was very inspiring! I didn't realized that I myself was stuck in the dead marshes. I've always said of myself that I'm lucky if I draw something good. Because between the good drawings are many bad. The video encourages me to keep going despite bad drawings and to value the process of learning. And I realized it is important to compare my current drawings with my old ones. Because no matter how dissatisfied I am with a project, I can see the differences and the progress I made through time.

[@fuzzydragons]

the dead marshes is actually a great analogy for art as a career, its def very hard to make art a job, well a job that pays enough to constantly and safely live on. its def doable, it just takes time,practice,honing skills, a bit of luck and determination 🙂

[@davidhackett6317]

The dead marshes is an excellent analogy for this. The greatest difficulty is the existential dread. I've been working at this for 14 years and I'm far better than when I first started, but it's like wandering in a maze with the lights off. Other skills are better paying and easier to learn, but they aren't magic. At 34, I work as an engraver. My life is not glamorous by societal or even artistic standards, but I do have a bit of magic at my command and I've become emotionally resilient enough to continue on my way. You just have to bite down on what you want and never let go. That's what I tell myself anyway.

[@allroundlad]

It gets tough staying on the art path, you struggle, spend hours learning and improving to keep up with the demand of high quality and in the end, higher paying industries that actually need you are there, it becomes hard to justify the art grind. But I guess to do what you love is worth all that, I still haven't reached that point of clarity yet.

[@manuprasadgopinath]

Thanks for the talk! love the surfing analogy!

[@Zarzar22]

Wise words. And works for more than art, for any skill or hobby or career. Thank you!

[@jimravenclaw5096]

Thank you. It was a really good advice with a perfect timing Might need to rewatch it some time in the future when i stumble in the marshes again ❤

[@michiel-vdheuvel]

Hitting the nail on the head! What a great reflection. I could totally relate

[@YassineCherifi]

You are the absolute best and am very thankful to every video you put out. Wish you all the best and to always enlighten us.

[@jeffm3283]

Yeah I get what your putting down. My thing lately has been how to actually provide something to the art world even if I do get good at painting. Haven't figured it out yet.

[@jeffm3283]

Thanks for the video. Doubt I'll be able to shine nearly as brightly as some other painters but we'll see.

[@michelangelo_6933]

I’m in the dead marshes and my stuff sucks 😅. Quite frustrated: I’ve been studying and practicing pretty consistently for 2 years, following books, tutorials, this year I’ve been taking classes and mentorships and i still feel lost. I feel lost even with the basics: I know the basic theory, I do studies and I still can’t make it work. I’m not going to give up but I’ve definitely lost the drive to do it, I’ve lost interest a bit because I feel clueless when I sit down to paint & things never turn out how I’d like them to. I’ll keep going and see what happens, it’s bloody frustrating though.

[@lynnmartin8260]

Great message, perfect timing, thank you!!

[@DynastyUK]

Needed this, I'm in the dead marshes and have really been down. thank you

[@sunkyasisa1834]

I needed this video in this exact moment of my life, thanks.

[@JustAGuyDrawing]

Thank you for this, it's exactly what I needed to hear. Just gotta keep pushing through it 😤

[@JoshAshConceptArt]

Man this was such a good video and a perfect analogy for how I feel!! Such an inspiration, thank you for taking the time to talk about this!

[@mehrabahmedhasam5998]

This was the video, i needed the most right now. Thank You.

[@nicchung3471]

AHHH!! This is exactly what I needed to hear today. Thank you!

[@Ss-ze2mn]

I feel stuck a lot of the time, but I do feel stuck in learning something and then applying that something. I really wish I understood lighting and color better. I feel Im getting old and I’ll never catch the wave, but I can’t help but keep wading through the dead marshes

[@autumnparks]

That was definitely a pep talk I needed. Thanks!

[@spooki5556]

great great video, thank you so much for sharing.

[@Sigge.Sandstrom]

Thanks for illustrating and explaining this so well! The ups & downs of improving your knowledge relative to your physical skill is something that's been on my mind every now and then for the last year or so. (although in my head the words I've been using to describe it is technical skillset and know-how vs purely artistic skillset. Still pretty similar though, if ever so slightly different.) This video really clicked with me and helped clarify my own thoughts. Thankfully I'm already employed as a 3d Environment Artist at a great place where I believe I'll have the opportunity to keep improving on both, as well as all the sub categories of specific things I want to learn. Thanks again for the vid Jeremy, keep making them! 🙏 You rock! 🤟

[@MakiNoAtorie]

Man so much truth in this videooo aaaaaaaaaargh. I feel I'm at a turning point, SO close to have a real chance. I've been dealing with all kinds of anxiety since art its not my first career, and I disappointed a ton of people after leaving engineering behind in my late 20s some years ago (I've been painting for fun way before that tho). I'm a bit tired, but Im putting a protfolio together when I'm not doing commissions, Im going to Lightbox to ask for feedback and make friends. Hopefully just a bit more until I make it. If I don't cheer myself up, who will?

[@evarud3933]

Thank you. This is so helpful and reassuring. I cant describe how important this video, and how happy im to find it

[@alaanasser3243]

Thanks Jeremy! Such an encouraging and sincere talk.. Big fan not only of your art but also of your teachings and character.. Will be subscribing to one of your courses soon.

[@bleuvertetforetdepin]

Thank you.

[@rhizlanelk1608]

I'm close to finishing my art studies and begin to work on the industry. It's an existing moment, but full of insecurities. Thank you for this brillant video. I definitely needed it today ! Question, do you have discord server for this channel ? Could be a nice place to rest and talk together on our way in the dead marshes.

[@tate_the_artist]

that surfing analogy was great.

[@skreek.o7]

Perfect interpretation

[@NicholasLashway]

Thank you for your videos. Trying to be consistent everyday and not let negative thoughts control my actions :)

[@alvaropenademiguel2308]

I just needed this, and here it was.Thank you very much :)

[@Ar2rojas]

Beautiful video! Thanks!

[@machidraws1]

thanks for this man, your videos are always so helpful

[@marcofabro]

I really needed to hear this today. Thank you Jeremy

[@dianepetzold1523]

So true, so true!

[@sabrinaschantz]

wow. and here i was thinking for so long that those periods of "im terrible at this" are not normal!

[@02rivail]

Thank so Much!!

[@michelangelo_6933]

Thank you for this video, it helps a lot.

[@riccardolabarbera8278]

I really needed this, thank you. Hope everyone good luck :)

[@loonarsky]

Thank you so much!! This was so motivating!!❤❤❤❤

[@odl302]

Love your videos! Such a humble and motivating approach to learning. Btw, would love to see a video with your thoughts on AI art

[@np8173]

I needed to hear this. Thank you!

[@pabloruiz821]

Humanity restored 💪🏼 thanks man

[@venturar]

Thank you

[@jesusgonzalezdev]

Many thanks for this video 😊

[@leodistefano7424]

...the goal to be achieved is placed high up, far away...it requires extreme willpower, many hours of study, a lot of dedication...are we sure this is really the goal? The journey should be done lightly and always finding pleasure and enjoyment, only in this way can beauty be communicated, otherwise the work will not express positivity and then one will fall into the swamp, especially since along the way you could see and evaluate many other roads, (without necessarily being an "artist") and perhaps discovering that you can be satisfied with even less. I would focus especially on learning balance. One quality, among many others, that can be found in Jeremy's work

[@diegohinojosa5509]

I think you nailed it on the head accurately!!

[@folkertvanwijk5168]

Good video! Thanks, yes that's what it is every now and then.

[@FrancisAntonio]

Thanks

[@octopus8420]

Always excited for your vids :)

[@gillbaker1310]

So encouraging Jeremy, thank you! 😁 Dead marshes: Geeky and glorious...! It's a battle

[@Firli]

Thanks for sharing

[@chaunceypierce8803]

This is so very true!

[@danielschindler6258]

I needed this...Thanks!

[@barbi111]

I realized it is happening to me exactly how you said :D Interesting!

[@chillarttalks]

heard that somewhere before :D great video thanks!