After This Year, Maybe You Can Relate.

[@AWE-Nessy]

The last 12 months definitely have been the 12 months of all time, one of the bumpiest years for me but i still managed to improve a lot in many ways other than art, start animating, changed my college major for the better, tried out different jobs to see what i could do in the future, learned digital mapmaking (probably won’t use but just in case), got better at public speaking, revisited older characters of mine, got better with anatomy, starting to improve at drawing human heads, and started to convince family members to have more native plants in their lawns

[@TheArtofKAS]

"Not so good and not so bad" is basically one of the best ways to think about this year. And comparing the AI crazed to Y2K made me laugh a good bit. Thank you, Brookes! As someone who is just getting back into blender and is trying to avoid as many plugins as possible because of the exact fact that one update can break everything, I cry to see that there is a big impact on your projects.

[@C4DNerd]

Yeah, "good and bad" is how I'd describe 2023. It was rough for things related to work (QA for video games) and financial stresses overall, but generally some positive things happened outside of that. Have some plans to hopefully make 2024 better, but we'll see how things play out.

[@dransnake]

Honestly I gotta agree that this year has been rough for artists. I just went through the experience of getting up my first small solo exhibition while also doing school, which led to a very rough semester. And then last spring semester was rough for seemingly no reason, but at least my grades didn't suffer. Summer was... Summer I suppose. Here's hoping next year is better and may we live in uninteresting times

[@voice_0f_reason]

Congrats on getting through it all, dude

[@markguyton2868]

Man, I wish I was here mentally :\ Decision Paralysis combined with Task Paralysis and the fear of both failure and success is a real nightmare.

[@tridek1949]

BEARD!

[@JSSMVCJR2.1]

Anti-AI Beard.

[@JSSMVCJR2.1]

Also, conflating Ethics and Morality.

[@nodewizard]

At our studio we're using Stable Diffusion in our in-house models to make background art. We're also using our own animation-based LLMs (large language models) to help with editing scripts and generating ideas. We also use Stable Diffusion for coming up with character design - which is then refined by the actual artist. We use AI as a tool, like Photoshop, instead of a complete replacement. It helps smaller studios with time management and cost-savings. Your mileage may vary. We also use rigged characters in Toon Boom instead of hand drawn.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Whatever you tell yourself, it’s still theft in two directions.

[@JSSMVCJR2.1]

@@CharacterDesignForge thus establishing your stance as Staunchly Anti-AI.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

@@JSSMVCJR2.1 As it has been, for the entire year!

[@Story_paint]

Taking too long because I am dumb, is relatable and exactly the headspace I am in right now.

[@Catpuff818]

The only thing I can think of that ai "art" could be of any use is a sociological study of what kinds of trends occur and what subjects are associated with the ideas of the prompts. But other than that I just can't look at ai "art" without feeling incredibly depressed. It's scary, but it's helped me realize and redefine what art is and why it's so valuable. Sure ai can make beautiful things but so can nature. Beauty is something we value but it isn't want makes art Art. It isn't what makes art "good". I'm glad you talk about expression because now that I feel so depressed about life and art I rely on art to feel better. I've reached a turning point where I don't just make art because I want to get better, I've been drawing far more consistently than ever and the only way I've kept that consistency is by drawing things that make me feel better. It's like I'm taking care of my soul. And there's no way you can get that with pressing a button. It's like saying a word generator can give you the catharsis you need from whatever it is you're going through.

[@AZUREPHOENIX777]

Last 12 months have been relatively stressful, but I think things are finally turning a corner. I intend to get back into drawing in the new year, and hopefully I'll be sticking with it for good this time.

[@TheArtofKAS]

You got this my friend! 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@RJS2003]

This year was pretty middle-of-the-road for me. Good but not amazing or anything. Truly worthy of the motto "same sh*t, different day." If I had to rate it I'd give a comfortable 7/10. HOWEVER, video games were NOT playing around this year. If we're looking at the gaming industry in 2023 purely from a content/quality per basis standpoint this is easily the best year for games since 2017, arguably better even. Yeah, plenty of bad games still did come out this year, they always will, even 2017 had games like Mass Effect: Andromeda. But it definitely isn't outweighed by the amount of amazing experiences on offer. Pikmin 4 is my Game of the Year for sure. :)

[@theinvisiblboom]

11:55 “At least %40 less dying on the inside” is probably the most relatable sentence I’ve heard lately 😂

[@РамильГильманов-з5о]

literally me living in one eastern Europe country: 2023 not great not terrible

[@BlackPeerama]

I love your videos so much they are amazing and helpful thank you

[@salvidomum5287]

This year was wild for art as I went through some major lows and had to re-teach myself skills from years past. This last month in particular tho I feel like I've made a breakthrough in specific projects and I feel hopeful for my art in the coming year. I'm not setting any goals because I know it'll just 1. Stress me out 2. Disappoint myself I'm also just so proud of you and being able to support your journey and I'm so excited to keep supporting you as we go

[@TeeKetch]

Glad to hear you made it through and have had some good changes of pace in life dude. I feel like we navigate things in similar ways so It's always nice to hear positives coming your way.

[@Beatumpop]

I dont comment often but this year was quite hard personally in the art front, and your vids have been really helpful with just having a better mindset about not putting out stuff and being easier on myself so thanks :) hope next year is a hell of a lot better but also i don't wanna put any more pressure on myself than necessary! Happy new years !!!! Weewoo!

[@pollycmaker]

I have been following you for years now and I am so glad to see your work build upon itself. I remember attending your Twitch streams for lightbox with the caterpillars and the stormfellers shopkeeper (I believe that’s what she was lol). I remember you talking about being diagnosed with ADHD and it clicking with me on why I liked your content so much, because your style of teaching is one i resonate with. 2023 for me has been a decision-heavy year. I’ll be moving across the country at the end of next year, finishing my degree (finally), and working toward a business I plan on running in my new state. It’s been a hard one, though, not gonna lie. The last few months especially. I hope to get into some creative stuff in 2024, maybe even some actual character design of my own 👀 - for fun, that is. But I hope that this year ends well and next year is bountiful! PS - I discovered Dropout TV, dimension 20 via Dungeons and Drag Queens, and I highly recommend it!!! Byyyyye :)

[@Sweeteaandthebee]

2024 was an interesting year for me personally. I have realized I have to let go of my first job even though I really don’t want to. It was fun while it lasted but one of the owners of the resort I worked at didn’t respect the waitstaff (which my older sibling was a part of) and he acted very immature when anyone tried to call him out for his behavior. I still got to meet a lot of cool people this year that I would never have met if I hadn’t gone to that job (which is in another state.) This year was a roller coaster but for the first time in years I think I’m gonna be fine. Amazing video as always! You inspire me to work on my own projects that I have been working on. I still have much to learn but I know that i have plenty of time to do so. Happy new year may 2024 bring great things to you all! :)

[@FumbleBee27]

Man, these types of videos are so encouraging to me for some reason. Makes me feel less alone with the way I feel and the things I'm experiencing. Ohhh boy has this year been something; the first half was absolutely horrendous for me, but luckily I was able to learn from my mistakes and do some healing and growing. I've gotten a lot better with art and animation and have a lot of exciting plans for the new year in regards to that. My stories and writing are falling into place finally as well. Despite everything feeling like it's too much at a times and AI talk making me feel like I'm losing my mind, I have high hopes for this coming year! Oh, and thanks to your office tour video, I ended up cleaning and rearranging my entire room/office setup, so thanks for that motivation! Wishing anyone and everyone who reads this comment a great 2024; keep on creating and take care of yourselves, people!

[@spooked-cowboy]

this has definitely been one of my rougher years- atleast academically. I started highschool this year with 3 Ap classes, but I’m proud to say I’m managed to pass all three of them this semester. That doesn’t make the classes easier, and to be honest starting this semester felt like getting hit by a train, but we stayed silly and persevered. I also managed to get (slightly) better at art and I hope as my schedule becomes more free I’ll be able to dedicate more time to it 💜 hope everything is able to improve for everyone else, especially you Brookes!!! I really look up to you as an artist

[@sylvanshroom]

I definitely agree that this was a rough year for artists. Honestly my fiance and I made the tough decision to pull back a lot on trying to do art professionally and that has frankly improved my mental health and re-energized me to work on my skills and enjoy it as a craft.

[@Mjumiman]

Here's to a new year that will treat artists kindly. I'm really looking forward to see everything you create, especially Stormfellers, and seeing your progress on the way is always inspiring.

[@reachupandpickabean]

Just realized I've been watching for 6 years brookes. Thanks for what you do

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Love your joe pera username- thanks for watching for so long!

[@themop2890]

I’m very late on this but it was a hard year, my almost 21 year old dog died and it was only a year after my grandpa died then at the end my pet frog died. But along with that a lot of good happened and I made lots of life progress and got to do a lot of fun things still recovering from everything now but and up and down year for sure I’m happy I’m back watching these videos they’re a great comfort always help me get through the hard I appreciate the hard work in em

[@BrookesDreamery]

I just want to say, you and your projects have always been one of my BIGEST inspirations!!!✨ Around four years ago I decided that I wanted to be a better artist, and for a couple of months I tried to learn traditional art before moving on to digital, and when I finally felt ready I looked up artists who teach character design on Procreate, and you where the first person who popped up! (And you were the first person I subscribed to since I had just got KZbin for the first time). Your videos are all fun and exciting, and through the years I’ve watched you, you’ve only gotten better!!! Your character design course was also the first- well- character design course I ever took, and I LOVED it! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I just wanted to say thank you, because even though you don’t know me, you’ve been with me for almost my entire digital art journey and have helped me in so many ways!🎨 Like just the end of this year I was finally able to achieve my dream of creating my own KZbin channel, and it’s incredible to think that you were my first introduction to the wonderful world of digital art!💖 Thank you again and God bless!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Really appreciate that Brooke thank you! So glad to have been of help!

[@rachelthompson7487]

Hello Brooke’s. I admire your work and character design. I’m looking forward to more of your content in the next year. Happy new year! 🎊

[@spinogreen0iq]

OOOOO U HAVE A BEARD NOW :0 but yeah, this year has been a year fr fr, really hard for lots of people

[@CEH00_Art]

I can say this, compared to last year 2023 has been a better experience as a whole just because I took my art less seriously, this year I felt alot more content with what I like to draw which also allowed me to simplfy what I want to learn and to also double down on the art I want to make, it's just less of "i need to be good to be professional" and more "what makes me happy", thanks for the videos this year and the update on life , happy new year.

[@Kyamusuku]

A lot of positives this year! I hope everything is trending upward and next year will be very good for you!

[@retromusiclover16]

This has been one crazy year for all of us. Right up until June, I've been homeschooled, and it was a very isolating but healing 6 months (I started last year in November). Now I'm in art school.Everyone keeps telling me that "my life will change in Artschool" and all kinds of stuff.But right now, I don't believe that's true; instead, I'm on square one. So I've been creating my own little worlds to escape to, and thanks to this brilliant channel, it has helped me achieve confidence in becoming a better artist! So thank you so much, Brookes, for also reassuring us fellow artists about AI as well!! Happy New Year, folks!

[@Chillpanes]

The last 12 months as an artist was a real struggle. Trying to find my new purpose for making art outside of college is WAY harder than I thought it would be and is taking its time. But, learning to take my time has also led me to figure out myself that I am grateful. It's starting to lead me to working on more personal works and I hope to bring this into 2024.

[@illmamnim]

This may not represent my full year but I've just started animation school and I'm as exhausted as I am excited and unbelievably joyful

[@hollowedboi5937]

I think its that I have been continually learning how to make art through constantly honing fundamentals and trying to figure out what I want to do in terms of actual end product and means of making money. I’m in my early 20s so finding your identity and what you want to do in life, all that anxiety and depression I’ve heard many times comes from this age. But yes for sure the shift in AI introduced last year becomes more and more abundant and scary, as well as the discourse around this flooding into college and job postings; as well as social media shifting to support this and push the most extreme of the worst of topics with all the wars, protests, etc constantly flooding my eyes and ears too- It’s just a lot of uncertainty and lack of meaning in things that’s been really a struggle mentally to process and work through. Its often, “because of all these things and the lack of hope I have in myself, why am I still practicing I’m gonna fail anyway or its gonna be taken over by some other thing. I have nothing that makes me special and I’m not good enough yet and all my friends are growing up into these well esteemed adults, where in the heck am I going what am I doing.” And being told its normal and to just get over it. I want a community of real artists to share and feel like a part of something greater. Not on discord in person. I need some real connection, some real progress.

[@Iddstar]

It's definitely been a rough year in my world. Your videos and joining your community and the Bikos backpack have been some highlights. Definitely feeling a bit artistically lost and useless so hopefully gonna work on that next year. Trying to find the motivation to get back to the person I used to be in terms of artistic output and bold goals! Want to find other artists to collab with.

[@salvidomum5287]

BEARD VIBEO

[@ZarinuLoren]

I wish I could just type before:2020 on Pinterest like I do on Google and have normal references :|

[@4_seagull]

4

[@tailsntales1265]

How do you design animal Characters?

[@Kyamusuku]

nice beard

[@elliswebster7041]

You're so good looking

[@Kyleology]

AI art is clearly not theft and it is not going away. You have made videos in the past recommending that artists look at art they like and emulate it. AI art is the same thing just at a larger scale. I get that AI scares you, but don't try to spread false information or make disingenuous arguments. And ask yourself this: Would you honestly be happy with AI that was trained with public domain/creative commons data? Because I have the feeling that you would latch onto a faulty argument against that too.

[@peafster]

You're a dope

[@slimetank394]

"i get that ai scares you" - rando on KZbin who clearly can read minds through videos