GIVING UP on my animation dreams.

[@kdsketch]

The first 500 people to use my link will get a 1 month free trial of Skillshare - skl.sh/kdsketch08241 This has been a long time coming. Excited is an understatement :D

[@silverfiore01]

I got so scared hdhdhf

[@srank9231]

Why am I telling other people this but not myself. That really hits home. Sometimes you have to give yourself grace.

[@kdsketch]

Definitely!! Sometimes you don't even realise you're doing it either :')

[@rejectconvenience]

I expect an apology video for that thumbnail +title

[@kdsketch]

That will be my next video haha :')

[@aavi.]

so true I clicked on it screaming internally

[@MisterM4n]

Animation is my favorite topic on youtube, I can't believe it is very underrated.

[@drendelous]

you inspired me to return to animation which i had been dreaming of doing a lot. im 32 now and i animated only a few videos for my friends' birthday. that was fun and i am thankful to you for helping me going at that time

[@kdsketch]

That's amazing!! So glad I could help in some small way, means a lot! :)

[@gabrielangeliccc]

WHAT ITS NOT APRIL WAIT edit after watching - I am honestly so proud of you! I've been subscribed for a while now and honestly.. doing what's best for you and your mental health matters the most! Good luck on your future endeavours

[@kdsketch]

:')

[@Nkanyiso_K]

I feel you, I just turned 30: I've always wanted to make movies & right now I'm working on an animated music video for fun. It's been a really affirming process because for the first time in awhile i feel like anything is possible, even solo

[@kdsketch]

Sometimes the best stuff is made when you just have fun with it, good luck with your music video :D if you post it anywhere let me know!

[@AlantimeTV]

Thank you for being so transparent with your journey, It's refreshing seeing a genuine insight into the whole youtube thing!

[@kdsketch]

Glad you found it helpful! I try and include the stuff I would enjoy or find interesting ✨🙌

[@AnaFlavinh_]

giving up on your dreams seems like a scary choice, but if that takes you to other paths, new experiences and dreams, and most importantly, if that makes you happy, go for it. I'm glad you had the courage to make this choice, it's not an easy decision. This is inspiring ! :)

[@kdsketch]

Thanks for the support 🙏✨! I feel like it was a now or never choice, so while very scary, also very excited 😅

[@TsubasaAnimations]

Honestly I understand this 😂 been feeling the same way and want to do something else. The freelance grind has been getting harder to get through over the years chasing deadline after deadline and not having much time for anything else. All the best otherwise KD! Looking forward to the next direction you'll take the channel. That pottery looks really good

[@kdsketch]

The freelance grind never stops and I'm TIRED Excited to rest and properly put my energy into this :D Glad you liked the pottery it was so fun to try something new!

[@eb4586]

i love your channel and look forward to your videos!! as a 2d animation student I love how inspirational your videos are!

[@kdsketch]

Thank you so much, that really means a lot!! Good luck with your animation studies :D

[@m_lies]

You scared me... With the title and cover immage, I thought you will stop all animation even KZbin.

[@kdsketch]

sorry, thought I'd try clickbait for once and see how the youtube gods react -- tbh it's got more views and comments than I've ever had in such a short space of time so...will report back haha :) Definitely not stopping animation on here - I'll be stopping freelance, can't do it all at the same time it's a bit too much for me personally :')

[@YamiyugiXenith]

I gave up on animation a long time ago, I decided I wanna become a Illustrator and mangaka

[@kdsketch]

Nice!! Good luck 🤞 ✨🙌

[@iCookMe]

So excited for you and this next leg of our journey!! Absolutely massive leap, and you've got this!!

[@kdsketch]

Thank you!! :D

[@tarz1109]

27 here, feeling as dead end as I've ever felt. With my animation degree and 2D animation position in the UK being very lackluster...I don't know what to do. I can overlook the whole friends and family being more successful thing, but it doesn't help my parents constantly remind me. I keep at it hoping for a different result with just a little more effort and it's probably self-destructive. At least, I do have the KZbin option if all else fails. I do hope for a change or an answer somewhere.

[@kdsketch]

I feel that, totally know what you’re going through. UK animation is pretty grim - when I graduated I couldn’t get a job so I HAD to go freelance and honestly it’s been rough. If I didn’t have friends who were already doing it or recommending me for things (networking events have never been my favourite 🤢) the thing that brought me the most exposure was making the stuff I wanted to be hired for and sharing it on KZbin which has the most longevity of social media imo. Discord has also been great for getting feedback on stuff in different groups. Having people close to you with the reminders is rough, hope you find some success and joy in animation whether that’s in the industry, personal work or doing things on KZbin ✨

[@eejitsAnimations]

Good luck! Must've been a difficult decision, but I'm sure you'll thrive doing full time!! Looking forward to the new videos!

[@kdsketch]

Thank you ✨🙌 here’s hoping it all works out 🤣

[@chez3438]

KD !! super proud of how far you've came since 2019 and how much you've accomplished and I wanna congratulate you ^^ best wishes and hopes for the best from this brave choice onwards !!

[@kdsketch]

Thanks Chez, appreciate it!! :)

[@Finchwing]

really tempted to do the same myself, though it's been depressing how little animation earns on youtube despite the amount of work hours ToT I wish you luck!!

[@kdsketch]

It's ROUGH out there!! It's partly why I got into talking about my process too rather than just animated videos because everything takes SO much time!! Good luck to you too :D

[@Finchwing]

@@kdsketch Yea I'm starting to head in that direction too I think, animation itself just isn't worth it ToT thanks so much!

[@charkoney]

Obviously it's not a living wage, but it's still more than I thought it would be. Sorry to hear you're giving up on your animation dreams, but I'm wishing you good luck on your animation dreams

[@kdsketch]

think it works out about £3-5 a day which is better than nothing haha :) This new dream will likely be a lot more exciting - appreciate the support!!

[@_widas_]

i would've never thought you were 30, you're so full of life😃

[@kdsketch]

😂😂😂 crazy that I don’t feel any different to how I did when I was 18

[@booradleyboo]

What a roller-coaster. I recently made a similar decision, although my channel is tiny. I've been a perception scientist for years, published in scientific journals and all the rest, but I've decided to put the research aside and focus on my creative itch I put aside years ago in the name of the research. I'm taking this year to learn to animate and write music and put them all together and share on my channel, site, and Patreon. It's weird and daunting but life is fleeting and I want to have had at least one year where I followed my creative calling, come what may. I wish you all the best with your push in the coming year. I'll follow your work eagerly.

[@kdsketch]

Thanks! Took longer to get to this point than I thought but hoping i'll be able to look back and thank myself for it haha. The good thing about coming from a different field is that you'll have all your influences and inspiration to draw from with your new path, good luck!! :)

[@amlanlegend3092]

Why don't You start basics beginner tutorial from zero to advance using grease pencil and explaining everything in detail.

[@Mr.POLiS_Cartoons]

Thanks for that!! 🙂 I'm going through the EXACT same dilemma... I'm thinking about giving up freelancing, I just hope youtube earnings will be enough.

[@kdsketch]

I'm hoping KZbin Adsense can make it to a minimum wage haha, and then anything on top of that is a bonus! Good luck!!

[@Mr.POLiS_Cartoons]

@@kdsketch I'm guessing sponsors will be our main income, adsense payment will be so low, especially for me, since my content is not in English... Best of luck to you too!!

[@Ghost_in_a_Nutshell42]

You are great. Feel the same way so keep going

[@kdsketch]

Thank you! You too!

[@sheilawerleman188]

I always like your work and find your tutorials very clear. I knew it was a clickbait but I did click anyway! : ) Thank you for the transparency and showing us your creative healing, I loved that. I wish you all the best and we will see you in the next video! *I did not know of your other channels, I just subcribed!

[@kdsketch]

Appreciate the click/comment for that little algorithm boost haha :) So glad you enjoy the tutorials, really looking forward to making more - and thanks for the subscribe on the other channels, it means a lot :)

[@wadenobisemartuccianimatio8366]

1:16, i know this is off topic but i love that touch screen tablet u have there. I wish I had it and i wish i bought it if it's not expensive but unfortunately I have a touchscreen laptop Chromebook that I make my cartoons on, it is what it is, no matter how challenging our projects gets we should never give up because i love this stuff it always inspires me and hypes me up to keep going for lifetime as a Animatior myself also 😊

[@kdsketch]

Using what you have to make stuff is valid! You definitely don't need anything fancy - most art youtubers will have been gifted a screen tablet at some point to review (if you see a review on their channel) I've used Huion and xppen tablets which are great -- my first tablet was a wacom which I bought myself -- no screen -- and then when I went to university I bought a screen tablet which was EXPENSIVE. ouch. they're definitely more affordable now. If you're making the stuff you want to make, then you really don't need a bigger/fancier tablet. Good luck with your animations!!

[@JaysJinxed]

Got me in the first half i wont lie

[@kdsketch]

We did an uno reverse :)

[@legendarybanditmb]

I'm in my mid-thirties and people still ask to see my ID at bars and restaurants, let's keep this going as long as we can! :) But I also tell myself a lot of negative things I would never say to anyone else, so thank you for talking about this and here's to a positive future! :)

[@kdsketch]

yes! lets hope the baby face lasts for a bit longer 😅 The contrast of how I'd encourage someone else but then make up reasons why I couldn't do the same thing really shook me once I realised I was doing it. Wild how we talk to ourselves vs other people! Crossing everything for good vibes this year and beyond :)

[@reginab645]

Thank you KD for sharing. I love your work and your teaching abilities . That cup is 🔥.Do what makes you happy.

[@kdsketch]

Yeah I'm excited to work on more :D It's about time I pushed forward with it honestly! Glad you liked the cup, it's so fun!

[@DottorHealer]

Good for you, good choice

[@kdsketch]

Thank you :D

[@oneaspiringartist5822]

The thumbnail had me worried for a bit since a lot of KZbinrs/Channels that i watch are retiring. MatPat was the first one I cried to this year ngl😅

[@kdsketch]

The algorithm made me do it 😅 sorry! Yeah I noticed that too! Watching KZbin is a big part of life now so no shame in that at all - I think about Jenna marbles on the regular 😭

[@Rover259Wild]

Are you really going to quit animations?

[@kdsketch]

just freelance :) KZbin is going to be my priority once my last jobs are finished :)

[@Rover259Wild]

@@kdsketch so you will still continue them after your jobs are finished?

[@adityoaryo4406]

Why you not try to make a story animated?..by the way thanks for your video tutorial its very helpfull👍🏻👍🏻

[@dr.pixels]

Young Lady Shame on you to spike this old 47 years old designer sugar levels, I hope you find the meaning you looking for on your venture and know this, It is ok to think on yourself and not only what is expected of you by others, trust me been looking for something to call my own after doing what was expected of me, married for 28 years this December, 2 kids one 25 and one 19, did study graphic design but moved to vfx and motion graphics when it wasn't a thing, and then move to photo and video and content creation, but my dream has always been an animator and i love your content specially since i do blender too and love to learn about the wonders of GP. I'm glad you are full timing on YT so we can support you either via patron or other ways to keep learning and getting inspired by your content.

[@marcynarcy]

Hope you succeed!!!

[@kdsketch]

Thanks 🙏 You too ✨

[@techies_gaming8091]

so u dont wanna make an animation again? 😥😥

[@---xv3zf]

Have you watched the full video?

[@Nuzzling]

AAAAAAAAA What a change! In a way, that's pretty awesome though! Don't wait to live your life go live it now! I wish you all the best! I'll make sure to watch every video you upload to help all I can ^_^ (also you've made 176 times as much from KZbin as me, just in case you're interested)

[@kdsketch]

life is for LIVING, excited to see where this goes :D We wouldn't have met if it wasn't for KZbin/vidcon!! 176?? that is WILD. I was chatting with a friend recently and his video made 3x one of my best with 1/3 of the views - different niche altogether obviously but it's crazy how different the totals can be!

[@Nuzzling]

@@kdsketch It's actually 100 less than that maybe I miscalculated >.< But yeah we wouldn't have! Crazy how much impact silly little videos can have ^_^

[@kdsketch]

@Nuzzling oop I meant to say 176 X 😂 tbh maths is not my strong suit either

[@vlud]

Good luck KD! Are you going to stick with tutorials or are we going to get something fresh? :)

[@kdsketch]

More tutorials, streams, some actual original animation stuff maybe?? Lots of art style tests and seeing how to animate more intricate stuff in different styles...all the things I didn't have time when I was trying to juggle everything else :D

[@mix-up9003]

Did you ever consider doing a patrion to help with the finance?

[@kdsketch]

I do have a patreon but if I can't meet rewards I tend to pause so people aren't paying for little/no content. It's something I'll be working on when I finish my current projects :)

[@soulman9070]

Just someone that likes to lurk on your streams from time to time. You giving everyone scare has already been mentioned by almost everyone else so I wont touch on it. Just wanna mention something that came to mind from watching a KZbin short from another animator that if you think you have already wasted 5 years from avoiding a project, just pretend that you time traveled back 10 years and actually got 5 more years to start that project. Whatever you choose to do, I hope you have great success with it and more importantly, have fun with it.

[@kdsketch]

Sorry for the scare 😅 the youtube algorithm doesn't push anything unless it's click-bait - friends who have notifications often tell me they don't see my videos unless I send to them directly so this 'update' was one of the more important ones . I really appreciate the lurk in streams, looking forward to getting back to more regular schedule with that - appreciate the support :) The pretend time travel trick is one I'll use haha, thanks!

[@fishfish7985]

I'm kinda of planning to start a little channel with building work because my dad's house is being renovated so I am getting to help design a workshop for me to make stuff in Edit : art / making stuff kinda channel I am art student , but start it with space making

[@kdsketch]

That is SO cool! I love renovation/building videos :D Good luck!!

[@RedDaveMotion]

Are you continuing animation on KZbin or channel is turning into something else? Sorry your videos not really clear what's happening 😅

[@kdsketch]

stopping freelance animation! I'll just be doing youtube :)

[@RedDaveMotion]

@@kdsketch ah ok awesome! Sorry if I was dummy watching the video 😅 best of luck with this new chapter. Looking forward to seeing it here 🙏

[@m_lies]

Wait what-

[@kdsketch]

sorry :')

[@SuperLaikaBros2000]

So now you're quitting animation, but you are still gonna do some vlogs about stuff you did, right?

[@kdsketch]

Did you watch the video? 😅

[@SuperLaikaBros2000]

@@kdsketch I have. I understand that you need breaks from animating and freelance stuff so you can do other things, like pottery.

[@he2nd252]

Are you quitting animation. 😢 i got alot of tips from you about animation but its all your choice enjoy your life.

[@kdsketch]

Freelance animation! Unless there's a project I can't say no to, it's all KZbin from here!! More tutorials, tips and streams :D

[@W0A1]

C'mon... you are a source of inspiration for me, kd! If you're giving up, I'll give up too! Animation was too hard anyways! Jokes aside, I am a firm believer in exploration of oneself, what ever prompted you to view things differently isn't necessarily a bad thing, on the contrary, it's a sign of growth.

[@kdsketch]

I'll confess I didn't imagine quite so many comments so soon - a lot of comments before watching the video 😅 I'm giving up freelance to do youtube - more tutorials, animations and fun stuff rather than trying to balance all of it and burn out. This year has definitely put a lot of things in perspective and being grateful for my health, where I live etc and the fact that I shouldn't be holding off on fun things I'm excited about to work because 'i've got time' etc. Lots of things to be excited about, trying to not let them all stay plans/dreams :) Glad that my videos have had some impact 😅

[@antoonsorg]

How are you gonna, pay your bills ?

[@kdsketch]

I’ve been saving since I left uni 7 years ago so I’ve got a years worth of bill money to try this 🫢

[@antoonsorg]

@@kdsketch wish you luck.

[@P.S.-dv3du]

I think you Just should have considered different types of content. You are good at animating

[@kdsketch]

What do you mean? Any examples?

[@n0raaFTW]

I like how all these comments make it so clear that they didn’t even watch 2 minutes into the video Hope this works out for you

[@kdsketch]

it was so fast :') had to watch the video back to make sure I hadn't missed anything haha

[@amezaiku-san]

I haven't animated stuff in a while. Over a year. Been busy with other things, mainly life. I've also started some other KZbin channels for other things. I'm really just trying to find my way and make things work. Especially for trying to find a balance between all of my things and all of my ideas. Even taking long breaks from content creation (on this channel haven't posted in a year or so). But watching this video makes me think I can do things again. Thanks.

[@kdsketch]

Glad this video could help! Honestly nothing wrong with trying new things to find what you’re most passionate about :) good luck!

[@tabicat.puccino7425]

NO PLEASE NO

[@kdsketch]

sorry :')

[@tabicat.puccino7425]

why?

[@kdsketch]

@@tabicat.puccino7425 clickbait title and thumbnail 😅

[@x149te]

Good news. Yet, shared my dislike

[@natdiazj]

This hit home 😅 I'm working on launching a KZbin channel, just for fun and as way to cope with life, I love drawing and making animations, but I get sad quite often, because I don't know how to pursue a career in illustration and animation. I'm thinking about quitting every other day, but I won't, I don't what else I could do 😅🫠

[@kdsketch]

The best way to start is to do it for fun, everything else will follow - I’d recommend spacing out your uploads to create a backlog while you’re feeling enthusiastic so you can be sure to have breaks while you’re making more - I used to get so excited at having a video finished I wanted to post it right away 😂 if you make the work you want to get hired for and post about it on KZbin (make sure your professional email is on your KZbin) you could then get commissioned from people finding your videos. I can’t imagine doing anything else either 😂

[@natdiazj]

@@kdsketch Thank you for the advice ✨