Grow your part-time art business + SUCCEED by doing this!

[@PokettoMusic]

for so long I was trapped in a "practice hole" for years I never finished a piece, I was just practicing random stuff but never doing art, never expressing my ideas, I was so afraid of failing that without me realizing I made sure I failed

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s so common! It’s interesting how we tend to fail if we focus on failing rather than succeeding, isn’t it?

[@HannahMorenDraws]

I also was like this and never finished anything or just sketched from reference for practice. So I made a 100 day project for myself that I had to "finish" a whole piece of work as a full composition with a figure (I was practicing people.) It's the most work I've ever made - even though some of it was very simple!

[@johnnyy9545]

Appreciate you not sugar coating the self accountability parts, man. Reckon those sort of peppy words serve a reminder of why we love what we do when sight of that slackens

[@TheArtMentor]

It’s hard to see yourself as a part of your equation for success or failure, isn’t it?

[@Amelia_PC]

So true about diversifying. Even my agent said it was a good idea, and I told him I wanted to specialize and be recognized for one thing. After 20 years, even with prizes, NOBODY knows me in comics. And it's because I do a different thing in each freaking title I worked on. How can anyone be recognized if people can't identify your work? I'm done and now I'm specializing, at least, in the art style. I agree with you 100% Diversify AFTER building an audience.

[@TheArtMentor]

It's never too late to switch and specialize! Sorry to hear about your story, but it seems like it gifted you with the clarity you now have, right?

[@Amelia_PC]

@@TheArtMentor Right :)

[@rosieb1985]

Man, if I knew exactly what I had to do to build my art business, I wouldn't be watching this video. I'd be building my art business.🤔

[@ywlumaris]

I have about 10 extra hours a week for my business. It’s the best I can do, but I will be gentle on myself in times I get burnout. I have adhd/neurodivergent and it isn’t as easy as just focusing. I think progress looks different for different people.

[@TheArtMentor]

That's way more than most, so that's nothing to be ashamed of okay? 😁

[@Wydrolak]

So glad first thing I wanted to achieve in our classes was getting better at art. 😄

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s right! You made some awesome work in our time working together 😁

[@jullcepts8780]

I feel this video came in the nick of time for me. I'm currently desperate and anyything I do seem to be pointless... Thank you, this gave me perspective

[@TheArtMentor]

Happy to hear that! What did you realize you can do better now?

[@elmeguii]

Great video! I really enjoyed your advice, it was kinda eye opening to know that the struggles that I have as an artist are not exclusive to my life, it’s just matter of learning how to overcome them

[@TheArtMentor]

Glad to hear you enjoyed this! What are you currently facing as your biggest struggle?

[@elmeguii]

@@TheArtMentor I think my currently biggest struggle is procrastination, I know how to do the things I am suppose to but I always postpone the thing I am suppose to do, don’t know if it’s fear to the task ahead but I always do

[@bluebrightstar1117]

My brand/ art style is cute pixel art (currently mostly fanart) i have a online shop (stickers, prints, keychains..) but i also want to start doing commissions in the future, i don't know if it will be too diversifying or on brand ? Also i recently discovered your channel & it helped my point of view so much!! Thank you!! I was feeling hopeless after watching the other "how to make money with your art" yt videos ^^

[@TheArtMentor]

Welcome, and I appreciate your support so much! 😁 Can I recommend that you commit to one of those for a good period of time? Which one do you want to be your main priority?

[@derekmoore1387]

Brand identity/recognizability

[@TheArtMentor]

That’s important! What did you learn about your personal branding after watching this?

[@Wydrolak]

Hah! I failed to deliver an illustration for your Discord. Started to paint a view with enormous sword sticking out of the woods and couple of girls sitting on a meadow just outside the forest, making flower crowns. But I didn't made their figures anatomicly correct, because, hey - the're small and I figure it out later, yes? Well... no. I started to render and... I decided to pot this project away, maby come back to it in some day, but this time I'll do better job with girls, yes? And here's my lesson: no matter, that something is small. If I won't put an equal effort to it, at the end (or in the middle of work in my case) it will look bad. To bad to show anyone. Unless for kind of warning. :]

[@TheArtMentor]

Lol!

[@HannahMorenDraws]

So I am definitely in the overspreading camp - I've gotten work licensed for surface design, I've done some editorial work, and I started a youtube channel. In personal life - I am in art school (again) but in Japan (so it's different, right????) To survive I'm teaching English online. Sooooo I am very tired and overwhelmed. Based on this advice I think I want to just focus on surface design, BUT I also don't want to abandon the youtube channel. Anyone who read this- suggestions? Should I just put it on hiatus? Let it die?

[@TheArtMentor]

Can I offer a simple tip? Prioritize one over the other and build both, but with maximum time and effort dedicated towards surface design while putting less, but still consistent effort hours into your channel. How does that sound?

[@MOMOHEARTS]

My brand is based on anything related to storytelling, ie comics, illustrations, concepts, storyboarding/animations, and creative writing Though I would love to add merch one day to go along with the main thing I also thought about doing twitch seriously with a mix of playing games, streaming art, and maybe try vlog streaming idk yet

[@TheArtMentor]

All great ideas! So what's the one main thing driving all of those ideas?

[@gabudaichamuda2545]

I just want to draw consistently. I want to hide away from the world and be alone with my art, but my job drains my soul, and I have to work a ridiculous amount of time to just barely scrape by. I don't even care about income. I want to sit here with my books and supplies, and just be left the Hell alone.

[@TheArtMentor]

Have you considered that may just be your mountain to climb to move into a better state of life?

[@gabudaichamuda2545]

@@TheArtMentor My problem is that I put more effort into these jobs that are thankless and constantly put myself on hold for them. Then I end up being treated like garbage in the end.