don't stop making art this year (art + commentary) ft. @nauseousdog

[@sketchesofshay]

happy new year and thank you for watching! comment down below your goals or art things you want to accomplish in 2024, no matter how big or small, so we can cheer each other on! My main art goal for this year is to make more finished illustrations! Habits that will help me get close to this goal are: daily sketching and ideating, completing one illustration per week, and focusing on my own stories and what interests me to keep the art block away! (also really looking to my favorite artists for inspiration to better my skills and ideas, we can learn so much from other artists!)

[@violettiplady3113]

my stump in life was thinking you cannot do art for a job. So i am turning 30 this year and only last year in 23 rediscovered that hey i have a natural eye for art. and have stared learning it now. Also I didnt think I was allowed to use references. my art teacher in primary teacher was not a true art tearcher, sort of a fill in so she never taught us that we should use references to learn. So that also stopped me. So happy I can start again and work out my style allow the way so I can create my childrens books.

[@sketchesofshay]

that is awesome! so happy that you are re-discovering your inclination to create! most professional artists use reference for most of their work so I hope you never feel bad about using it. We learn from what we see and experience!

[@ryanc3884]

i've just turned 40 this year. I haven't drawn anything from when I was 18 until recently. At this point there's alot of artists out there that are way younger, and way more skilled. I don't mind though. There are so many people I can learn from. I try to pick an area to study each week. It's not a race for me as I don't plan for this to be a career. I aim to sell prints and stickers of my designs in the long term.

[@sketchesofshay]

that is a great mindset! even if you want to make a career, there is no rush to learn everything. I wish you the best in your journey and reaching your goals!

[@Rooibos_]

Your boyfriend should totally get a KZbin too it would be so cute to see you guys draw together or something

[@anton_ultradeluxegeek]

real!

[@ThatOneArtDude]

My goal is to make more art with my friends! I miss being in an art club, but I want to always hope to foster the same feelings I cherished as a member of a creative group.

[@sketchesofshay]

that's awesome!! there is so much value and enjoyment that comes from drawing with friends !

[@andreabutlerart]

This is such a warm and needed conversation for people struggling with comparing themselves to other people's "success" and skill level. Love listening to your conversations!

[@sketchesofshay]

so happy you found it comforting!

[@whowhat.wherewhen]

Giving hope and reassurance to other artists is a gracious and beautiful thing. Thank you, Dear!!!!! Keep up the good work. The world needs more kind hearted artists like you!! (Here is a little love to help keep you warm until the weather breaks and gives us back the sun! ❤ ☀️ ❤️ ☀️❤ -You are valid and your hard work is paying off. Never stop drawing❤)

[@sketchesofshay]

this comment made me smile so much, thank you for the kindness!

[@whowhat.wherewhen]

​@sketchesofshay you are very welcome, my dear. Your video brought me such an enormous amount of comfort. I'm a 35 year old mom that found myself lost and lonely until my love for art brought me back to loving life again. The topics in your video touched on many of the worries and fears of how it is to be starting a professional art journey later in life and it is incredibly encouraging to hear you and Steve speak with such wisdom and understanding. So thank you thank you thank You and Steve!

[@sketchesofshay]

I wish you the best ! so happy for you, and I hope my content continues to bring you company and reassurance during your journey!@@whowhat.wherewhen

[@whowhat.wherewhen]

Thank you for wishing me well 😊 ❤​@sketchesofshay

[@Kobiflour07]

YOOO NEW SKETCHES OF SHAY VIDEO JUST DROPPED!?? 🔥🤯🤯🤯 no way

[@sketchesofshay]

make sure to catch the live chat tomorrow when it premieres!

[@critiqueofthegothgf]

touching on the rushing things part, i know it's a bit unrelated but personally, i'm a huge fan of your longer videos and if you're planning on maybe letting videos go a bit longer in order to fully express your points or just because you want to, i think that'd be awesome. i hope you and steven have an amazing year and that you're to dedicate more time to art, especially since you've touched on that many many times! btw, the piece is absolutely gorgeous, my jaw dropped

[@sketchesofshay]

thank you so much critique! i hope you have an amazing year as well, I always look forward to your comments!!

[@fmalovegirl98]

I'm so happy that I got this as my recommended, as a 25yo, who has always loved art but bc of my parents and my own insecurity, I'm only now knowing what I wanna do in life and that is art. I wanna create and be creative in my own way, atm I'm mostly leaning towards illustration. I feel so bad about myself not being "good enough" when I see some under age artists being way better than me and it makes me lowkey depressed that I haven't improved (in my mind). In reality, I have improved slowly and back in 2022 I started graphic design studies (vocational school level) with zero skills with digital tools. But thanks to these studies, I know better what I like and what isn't for me and I definitely try to get also a higher degree after these studies and I won't give up my dreams!! School stuff makes me busy tho so I don't draw that often but I'm trying to learn as often as I can. I keep reminding myself that it's not too late, that I can be better artist in the future if I just keep trying. So thank you for making this video and encouraging us fellow art peeps!

[@sketchesofshay]

that's amazing! you are doing what you can whenever you get the chance because you love to create, and that's more than enough to get you to where you want to be ! I wish you the best, you got this!! happy to keep on encouraging you!

[@kayleighmontijo]

Im going to try to sneak my phone to watch it in school

[@sketchesofshay]

LOL I appreciate your viewership but please be respectful of your school rules! I'd hate for you to get in trouble :'(

[@GorabisnotGorab]

Do it

[@KC-Doodle]

N-not a masterpiece?! This is beautiful. Honestly, art goals for myself. But not worries, like you said it's part of that critical artist eye. Thank you for sharing that conversation. I'm 31 and starting to create art again after years of being ashamed of what I can create. Now I am having fun and fufilment in art again. Thank you for inspiring me to keep going with your art journey. ❤

[@sketchesofshay]

aw thank you so much! I really appreciate it. And I’m so happy for you that you’re finding fulfillment in art again! Wishing you an amazing year!

[@zonalena112]

Hello! Even if You are not enterly happy with end result of that drawing i love contrasts and colors. It's look like a ray of sun in wintery frosty day. And abut my goals for this year... I think it's more colour studies, couse i lack of confidence in this matter. Wish You all the best!

[@mimthyss]

What a beautiful illustration! You said it's 'ok' but I think it's gorgeous. I love the idea behind it and appreciate the encouraging thoughts you both shared haha. It's true that there's no 'standard' or 'threshold' you're supposed to reach by any particular specific age or whatnot, it's all too easy to forget that when you're scrolling through hundreds of artists more skilled than you and thinking "why am I not on that level? How have they gotten so skilled so fast and I'm still struggling along back here with basic stuff?" But that's life I suppose haha. Just gotta keep on keeping on!

[@sketchesofshay]

thank you so much, I really appreciate your words! I tend to very critical of myself but I am happy you enjoy the piece. and yes I completely agree! we need to acknowledge that everyone is different, starts at different times, and learns at different rates. and we need to make art regardless of certain standards!

[@ClefairyFairySnowflake]

This art talk was very inspirational and helpful! Thank you for making the video! Stay awesome!

[@sketchesofshay]

so happy you found it helpful!! I really want to do more motivational/comfort videos like this, they help me too tbh 💖💕

[@andremonthieu488]

these podcasts are so great to listen to

[@sketchesofshay]

so happy you enjoy them!

[@CantonWhy]

I personally think your piece came out beautifully, even if it's not what you imagined it might be. This isn't a pity comment - I love the warmth and potential within the warm and bright colours the girl has, mixed with the cool surroundings pressing in on her light. The reindeer under her is an important element too, kind of representing (to me) that the cold is not necessarily an enemy, and even bears fruit - but for now, it is the spring spirit's only mount. I really like it - even as a Winter person myself, your perspective is great to experience through your art.

[@cornflakes-does-stuff]

I've been struggling so much with feeling like I'm not progressing in my skills and often not enjoying making art anymore because I just keep running up against walls in terms of skill, and I just want back the times when I knew I had room to grow but I still enjoyed the process and my art, you're convesration with your boyfriend is really interesting and honestly much more encouraging than a lot of advice out there which is often just aimed at beginner artists, and it often makes me feel awful because I've been always drawing, I went to artschool, I'm definitely not a beginner and yet I feel like my art is nowhere near professional level and like I'll never get better/ I should be already as good as my peers.. so this year I want the joy back! and be more gentle with myself while still working on my skills but conentrate more on being more self indulgent with my art, creating for the audience of me instead of approoval :") May I ask why you're switching to patreon? since watching your video on sticker making I think, I was contemplating making membership tiers on ko-fi, do you still reccommend it to maybe start out on? ^^"

[@sketchesofshay]

so happy that you’re taking a different mindset with your art and focusing on what matters: your own enjoyment and fulfillment! as for my decision to switch to patreon, it was purely because of my audience size! I think Kofi is a great place to start monetizing (it was perfect when I was starting out), but it was really difficult to manage shop orders and memberships on a large scale (over 120+ members, hundreds of shop orders). I’m thinking about making a full video about this so I can better explain my reasoning 💖

[@cornflakes-does-stuff]

@@sketchesofshay ooh, I see! Thank you for asnwering and I hope you end up making a video about, I at leat would be very interested in it! ^^

[@El3CTR0F1SH]

Drawing legolas while listening to this haha super helpful video! 🩷🩷🩷

[@sketchesofshay]

YES my favorite Mirkwood elf, so happy you drew along to my video!

[@Leviathan1000]

My goal itself is to be the best I can be, no such thing as greatest of all time cause even the greatest say there still improving. I think I understand abit better now, I'm still learning art even when I'm part of an art course it's still hard but like you said, no need to rush. Thanks for this video cause it put a better perspective on my goals. I should read books more aswell.

[@critiqueofthegothgf]

omg i just started the video and the intro transition was so cool i love it. editing has been brought up a notch first video of the year?!

[@sketchesofshay]

thank you so much for noticing ! defintely trying to bump up the quality while still keeping things natural and not too flashy hehe

[@Clericspaladin]

You have really inspired me to draw, I love your creativity and color palettes! I have always drawn, but it’s hard finding inspo nowadays.

[@sketchesofshay]

I would really recommend using Milanote, a moodboard, or a pinterest board to compile your favorite piece of artwork from each of your favorite artists. Having all of these pieces in one place can give you that boost of inspiration or ideas to get started!

[@Clericspaladin]

@@sketchesofshay I did that before and it did help! I think I was just in a depressive state so it didn’t motivate me at the time, but I’ll definitely try again:)!

[@GooberSnoobers]

I grew up loving to create and when looking at artists who were better and more skilled than I was, I used those artists as fuel of encouragement and inspiration to continue developing my artistic skills and leading me to a point where I was able to create artworks closer to how I imagined them to look stylistically and also how they conveyed the messages and ideas that I aspired to reflect. I still hold this mindset and way of thinking when looking at other artists and find it disheartening to hear the number of artists who compare, criticise and look down on their work with a negative lens and deter them from being creative and producing art. While I understand how looking at a younger artist who is more skilled can be discouraging for some, I can't help but get so excited to see how quickly young artists have improved as it feels like more and more youth have better access to resources and are being encouraged to be more creative than I was when I was younger. Thank you Shay for using your platform to have these important conversations and encouraging more people to be creative :) can't wait to follow your work this year and see all the wondering things you are going to create!

[@sketchesofshay]

I completely agree!! it's amazing how much the internet has influenced my own skills and foundations in art, and it's so inspiring to see fellow artists teaching themselves and achieving such a proficient level. thank you so much for watching, I hope to have more important discussions like this!

[@harmonovaa]

thank you for sharing this !! reminders like these are so important to remember and very comforting to hear 🫶 sending lots of cozy blankets and warm coffees !!

[@sketchesofshay]

☕️💖

[@cazh34rts]

New sketchbook new goals! I say if i wanna get into an art required job, i need to actually draw so yeah im drawing!

[@sketchesofshay]

YIPPPEEE let's draw and get that job!!

[@decomposed.carrot]

my goal for art this year is to study the style of at least three artists that inspire me, and to also work on more finished pieces for my portfolio !!!! also, i’m curious - do you sell prints of your pieces? if not, have you thought abt it before? tbh i’d love to get prints if you do make them :DD

[@sketchesofshay]

that's awesome! we have the same goal, let's crush it this year! also, my shop is currently closed, but I defintely want to start offering prints, thank you so much for the support!

[@leolune_art]

My goals for this year are to fill a max of sketchbook to play more and doing my art studio :3 I hope i get to do it by the end of the year. Good luck on your goals

[@sketchesofshay]

wishing you the best art sessions to get that done! you got this!

[@VeroDeDream]

You all are speaking to me for sure...so needed this. I am 51 and literally started doing the art basics a week ago..😂 my skill was buried. But deep inside i remembered my i could draw. So my ability is being revealed now. Thank you ❤❤❤

[@mediocreartiste]

everyone is on their own journey :) for example, i only discovered the josh hutcherson whistle this week and i am 16 years old lmao. its okay to go slower if thats healthy and beneficial for you :))

[@sketchesofshay]

LOLL but yes slow and steady !

[@permonti2958]

I haven't finished the full video yet, but 8 minutes in and I can already tell this will mean a lot to me. Lately I've been struggling with my AP art class because of the rubric and pressure I feel- I know that the point of the class *is* to make something with deeper meaning and not just be talented as art but its hard to believe that sometimes. My art teacher will say things like "every part of your piece needs to have meaning" and it makes it really hard to not be hard on yourself because of that (no hate to my teacher though, she's just doing her job and collegeboard is the one that made the rubric not her) and constantly want to perfect ideas that are already fine as they are. All of this combined with depression has made me sort of dislike making art sometimes because i already felt like everything I was making was bad- but now I also feel like everyone I make needs to convey a certain emotion or meaning. Which sucks because I love making art and I don't want something like expectations which shouldn't even matter in the first place, to be the reason why i stop or stunt my growth. So thank you for making this video, I think everyone who's struggling the way I am and even artists who aren't should see this video or go through this realization.

[@sketchesofshay]

i went through a similar experience going through high school and college. it's really tough to force yourself to put meaning in things especially when you just starting out and still learning art skills and how you want to express yourself. I think it depends on what field of art you are going through, but "meaning" can be anything! you can make art because you enjoy the technical process of making an appealing picture, or telling a narrative. it doesn't always have to have a deeper message, but always make sure that you find value in creating, whatever it is. And we find meaning through exploration an experimentation! Adding objects to a piece, messing with colors and composition, sketchbooks, all of those aspects can get you closer to finding your purpose with your art. TLDR you're still at the beginning of your art journey, so be gentle with yourself and keep others from dictating how you want to express yourself (unless it's for a grade, i completely get that). yes, it is valuable to give thought to what you are creating, but it is equally harmful to overthink and add things just because you might think others would accept it. I hope this isn't too confusing, best wishes in your journey!

[@permonti2958]

@@sketchesofshay Thank you so much!! Good luck on your works this year as well :D

[@Marcusluvv]

this was such a soul healer, been feeling down cause I feel like I have to do more and be like those 14yo artists and ive been fo0rcing myself to draw things that ppl like that ive lost all pleasure on art, and this video hit the spot. I cried, literally, thank you

[@sketchesofshay]

so happy to bring some comfort. I hope you find joy in creating again!!

[@jamieroberts269]

Coming back to art at a later age can be overwhelming. I put down the art tools because of some bad professors in college with some really harsh comments. Because you don’t fit in their definition of art doesn’t mean your art is not valid. It took growing up and hitting my I don’t care era to just enjoy what I create. 💯 % agree with the message you are trying to make.

[@sketchesofshay]

ah art professors, I feel like they don't understand the impact of words sometime, but I am so happy you are coming back to art!! I hope to enter my "I don't care era" soon, I need that mindset too!

[@Fuzzycryptid]

I'm also freezing my toes off in not-that-cold Florida! Love what you guys said in this video, I grew up with a very "there is a specific right way to do art" mindset and I'm healing from that as an adult. Probably gonna be a video I come back to every now and then for the reminders. I love the piece you did, it has such great contrast in hue and value alike and really captures what you were going for, in my opinion.

[@sketchesofshay]

thank you so much! so happy that our little convo was helpful with unlearning some things. wishing you the best!

[@yaelbegel3357]

fr your channel is my comfort place, i just love hearing you both talk about art, i play it as a podcast while i draw and it keeps me going in a way ! thank you so much

[@sketchesofshay]

so happy we can join you with your art sessions!

[@caelan0D]

really awesome talking points, you and Steven always spilling facts haha really inspired me to pick up my pencil and draw for the first time in a bit. Really excited to see how this year goes for my own art journey and yours! beautiful art in the vid btw! remember to treat your art with care and humanity, with tech its easy to expect ourselves to pump out art like a machine but getting sick and burnt out is definitely not worth it

[@sketchesofshay]

will do caelan! thank you for the reminder, and I wish you the best this year! definitely will be exploring that playlist you shared with me !

[@speckledblender5495]

I hope you had a fabulous break Shay. I live up close to the border of Canada so it's pretty cold right now so I completely understand wrap yourself in a blanket and have a warm drink. I do hope your doing well. I also can't wait for you next video. I always love seeing your art it's always a blast. I wish I could show you my art but I don't have any social media yet. Your art is always inspiring and you also inspire me. As a young artists it is always nice to have someone as cool and kind to look up to. I hope you have a great 2024. I hope you and Steven have a fabulous day.😊

[@sketchesofshay]

thank you so much!! and thank you for joining the live, I hope you are staying warm as well! can't wait to share more videos this year :)

[@amandaray_art]

Love hearing these discussions and how you’re approaching the year. My main art goal is to build my social media audiences a bit more and start making money with my art in some way.

[@sketchesofshay]

So happy that you enjoyed the video! I would really recommend watching Kelsey Rodriguez’s videos for building your audience and making money!! All of her videos got me to where I am today 💖 you got this!

[@amandaray_art]

@@sketchesofshay Will do! Love her videos! I actually got her workbook a couple weeks ago after hearing you talk about it! thank you!! 🥰

[@sketchesofshay]

OMG YES! that workbook BUILT my channel! it's going to be so helpful in your journey!@@amandaray_art

[@amandaray_art]

@@sketchesofshay Yay!! I’m so excited! 😁

[@_cyanide_.]

This video honestly made me feel so much better about my art and my skill i feel way more comfortable drawing after this ❤❤

[@sketchesofshay]

that makes me so happy! Thank you for watching!

[@artworkpending...1940]

My art goal is to find joy in creating again. I'm going to basically force myself to draw more, I've got a few art classes coming up next semester that will help do the forcing for me lol, I just really want to get back into that artistic headspace because the last time I was in that was the happiest I had ever been

[@sketchesofshay]

you got this!! take it slow and And really listen to your artist heart and what you truly want to create!💖

[@Nohzana]

My art overall has been stuck/shut away for at least a year now, life got messy and not knowing how to deal with it got me in a state of constant anxiety and uncertainty of what i wanted to do next, but a part of me still loves making art and even though i haven't been able to deal with it, i still want to get back to having a good time making something for myself, because i don't think that art is something i can give up on so easily, even right now. Thank u for making this video, is really encouraging ❤

[@sketchesofshay]

your art is so valuable and I’m so happy that you recognized that! wishing you the best as you pick it up again!💖

[@Vanillaqyoo]

I'm so excited to watch this video, I love you, your art and your videos! 🕊

[@sketchesofshay]

[@SpontaneousSketches]

The thumbnail is so pretty 💕 Can't wait to catch the premiere! (:

[@sketchesofshay]

thank you!! can't wait to chat with all of you!

[@lluminescenttl]

how can you hate the cold?! im glad you're back and that you had a nice break! thanks for sharing, cant wait to see more!

[@sketchesofshay]

LOL I am like a sickly Victorian child against the cold smh can’t wait to share more Vince! always happy to have your viewership 🫡

[@OHeyChrissy]

I'm not even half way through this video but... I just wanted to say thank you for covering these topics. I'm almost 31 and I just feel so drained? I went to art school for 4 years and you're right. You leave and you're just so burned out. When I went to art school I don't think I knew what I was even signing up for. I was so unprepared I was hoping it would help and it kinda did but also.. didn't. I'm 31 and I just feel so lost and I'm struggling to just... draw. I feel like I'm not improving even though I know I have. I know I have come a long way! It's a weird feeling.

[@sketchesofshay]

I feel you 💖 it’s been over a year since I graduated, and I’m fortunate enough to say I finally feel like I’m hitting a groove again after a year of trudging through my art. Just want to encourage to keep making and finding joy in the little things. Doodling a plant, or cat, or anything around you can spark so much! Keep a daily habit can grow that confidence, you got this, we’re in it together!

[@OHeyChrissy]

@@sketchesofshay I'm glad that you're able to get back into things! 💖 Thanks for making this video it was helpful and nice to hear other artists going through the same issues!

[@boopityboopitay]

Awesome video ! I’m gonna be in the hospital for a little while, and for the past week I’ve just been binge watching your videos and getting back to drawing, it’s great. I really find your art to be gorgeous and it just brings me joy. So thank you for that

[@sketchesofshay]

I hope you get better soon! so honored to accompany your drawing sessions, thank you so much for watching!

[@hunibunibear]

Happy new year to everyone!!! I really enjoyed this video and I am so happy that I found your channel last year as its really inspired me to write out oc lore and create more as well as wanting to try painting again as I have always done copic or digital art. My main goal for my art this year is to also make more finished illustrations!! I really also need to build up my habits as well so I know I definitely need to sketch more but also freely sketch as before and currently I still try and make every single sketch perfect or "post worthy enough". I want to try and get into daily sketching as well as more figure drawing as not knowing how to pose and knowing how to draw a specific angle always is a stopping point for me so definitely want to use this year to learn and grow my art skills as well as my portfolio!!! (I really want to make this year, a year of growth and I hope I can make it a good one)

[@sketchesofshay]

I’m right there with you!! I also want this year to be stopping my perfection from getting in the way and just creating without worrying what it will look like in the end. Here’s to building killer portfolios in 2024!🎉🎉

[@flameggyoshi2719]

It's been a While since I've seen this channel; But I remember how supportive & understanding you guys are with having a Art journey. I'm excited to see how far you go as well as your wholesomeness 🌺

[@kanderdraw]

My New Year Resolution is to just draw more! I really want to create a habitual creative practice of drawing as often as I can. Lovely video and art commentary as always! ❤

[@sketchesofshay]

YAYY! drawing more ! right there with ya, thank you so much for watching my videos! I hope my videos can provide some company during your drawing sessions!

[@mattogie]

so excited for 2024! you've come to be one of my fav artists and i can't wait to see more of your beautiful artwork this year too!!

[@sketchesofshay]

im honored! I can't wait to share more!

[@Shiailii]

First of all I love the drawing you created ❤❤ my new year goal is actually to explore different kinds of art instead of just drawing.. I want to get more into reading, sewing, baking, and just keep my mindset open to new things.. I’ll be going into college for architecture which has drawing but is a completely different kind of art than what I create usually but I’m excited to learn all these new concepts … anyways I love your videos and I hope you can find a nice blanket to cozy in during the cold ❤❤

[@sketchesofshay]

thank you so much! and that sounds like an awesome goal, and a great way to be well-rounded in what you create :)

[@crazyhannahcreations9806]

Your art is amazing and inspiring!! I have an art goal to go back on some unfinished sketchbooks and finish them. Once when I'm a middle of a sketchbook close to the end, I stop halfway and get another one XD;

[@sketchesofshay]

you got this! i'm thinking about making a "how to actually fill your sketchbook" type of video, is there anything specific that stops you from finishing them?

[@crazyhannahcreations9806]

Aw thank you! Oh, that's a cool idea ^^ @@sketchesofshay

[@pancakes985]

shay your like one of the only KZbinrs who’s speedpaints I could just sit down and watch the whole thing

[@sketchesofshay]

AW that’s so sweet!! I’m honored ;-;💖

[@Angelo-fw1bh]

28:29 she shouldnt worry about the video time, the long time could help with our low attention spans 😅

[@sketchesofshay]

😂😂😂

[@ChantelleArts]

This is fantastic, I only just started my art journey and i cannot wait to continue the adventure 😊😊

[@mochichimmyy]

I love art goals videos 😊

[@gabim788]

This video came at a right time since I was losing motivation to draw 💜 I also wanted to ask, are you planning on making a discord server? I hope this next year will be great for all of us!

[@sketchesofshay]

you got this, keep on drawing! and yes I am currently working on setting up a discord, it should be open sometime in February~

[@pinkinkNZ]

i shall watch all of ur vids and press the like button on all of them >:] (i will watch the hole thing >:])

[@sketchesofshay]

lol thank you so much!!

[@pinkinkNZ]

@@sketchesofshay np :]

[@ibearhugs]

Do you sell prints of this piece?

[@sketchesofshay]

not yet! but hopefully soon :)