Personal vs Impersonal Satisfaction in Art

[@Uncomfortable]

This is unfathomably important for people to understand, and more importantly, *believe*. I'm going to go ahead and throw this video at my own students.

[@didi1406]

Here because of him^

[@dio_licious]

Also here because of Uncomfortable.

[@StevenZapataArt]

Thanks for sharing Uncomfortable! And congratulations on your recent video over on the Proko channel, it was very interesting to hear more about aphantasia.

[@Uncomfortable]

@@StevenZapataArt Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@freshmilk7122]

also here because of him^^

[@Tine_of_Nice_Dreams]

I'm currently trying to consume and absorb the idea that shame is the other side of the coin of pride, and that it's my pride that stops me from drawing because to be embarrassed by what I make would be a blow to my ego. It's safer to ride on previous successes than to make the mistakes and crude work necessary to grow and develop further. That moralizing and personal satisfaction you talk about is the pride, and I think your advice here will be worth thinking about for me as I try to negotiate with and find a way around my own. The emotional swing being too extreme is the greatest block to me even as my life has more space and resources to do the work.

[@evelynstenberg]

Thank you for this. I am a sensitive person and feel emotions very deeply, but you've helped me take a step back and realize the drawing came out good because I put the time and effort to do a good job, and not be swayed by irrelevant emotions

[@Kurtlane]

You draw a figure from scratch, and everything is in proportion. One ear is not twice larger than the other. The right arm attaches to the body in just the right place -- a bit to the left or to the right, and it would feel off -- but no, it's just right. You add another figure, just as well-drawn, and the two compose just right, both with the overall format and with each other. You add a third figure -- it only gets better. All on the spot, without preliminary compositional sketches. (Upon sketches. Upon sketches.) Here is the magic! I wish you'd teach us all how you do that!!!

[@StevenZapataArt]

What a kind message! Thank you. If only I could teach it- but I'm not sure that's something that can be taught. Know this- nothing I'm doing here is "just right", it only seems that way to you because, well, you like it! Which I greatly appreciate. I can see the errors and missteps, they are there, but me being relaxed enough to roll with it and resolve some forms and sketch around keeps the thing afloat. If you do the same with your art, somewhere down the line you'll hit the same spot. Even though you see it differently, others will see it and think "ah, just right!" So keep sharing!

[@siasleopard2668]

@@StevenZapataArt this comment alone deserves its own video imho.

[@salty_3k506]

The key to get to that level is an insane amount of the proper practice. Want to get the proportions of the head right? Look at references, analyze how a head is structured, measure out the proportions and draw lots and lots of heads. More than you can imagine. And over time, you will improve at drawing. Your proportions will get better, you understand why a head is structured like it is. And then you can easily mess with those proportions. Suddenly you can make one ear double the size without it looking weird because you understand how and why you can do it and because it's intentional. Long story short: Perfect practice, drawing for an insane amount of hours. And just doing it. Just draw figures without underdrawings without worrying if it looks good.

[@damianogiolitti3416]

Sometimes I feel like my skills are just as crazy as my thoughts...They come and go and I'm not in control of anything. I can feel bad and still make "good" drawings, I can feel great/motivated and make "bad" artwork. The more I spend my life on this journey the more I realize how bizarre this whole process is. When I try to recall my old art I don't even remember drawings that I'm particularly proud of, instead i remember meaningless sketches. I guess I don't get to decide what happens on my page, I just like to think that I'm in control.

[@WHTVRWHTVR]

Wow. This was about a lot more than drawing. You reminded me of some very important things that I tend to learn, internalize, then pass and forget. I like to believe I end up a little hardier each time the cycle concludes, but I'm always excited to learn again. Thanks Steven. You're a good person (wink)

[@chantalp.146]

Thank you... I may revisit every now and again to make this sink in...

[@KidKaimera]

There's something quite bizarre about this situation I'm in. 3 weeks ago, I confronted my personal trauma due to an abusive childhood. I realized that I internalized my abuse and assumed I just sucked at everything and whenever I made a mistake, I would relive the abuse I went through. All the time. Every day. 31 years, I believed this while people told me I was akin to a genius. lol I still don't believe the latter but now, as a designer and as a human, I've decided not to count my mistakes. So, it's fucking weird to see this video and hear the same advice I, recently began to BELIEVE. Thank you, Steven and Uncomfortable.

[@star1m2]

I feel like drawing & painting has so many life lessons. And it's a very amazing & important lesson you shared hear. Thanks for sharing

[@poisonated7467]

You are so, very well-spoken and I appreciate that.

[@abhinavgangwar4690]

Just watched the complete video. And it really helped me realise something important. I need to improve my vocabulary.

[@Iococo]

this may sound aggressive but i fucking LOVEE your videos. been going on the art grind everyday for fun of course and just having your videos to binge watch over and over again is so incredibly enjoyable. thanks for these dude. appreciate it a shit ton

[@StevenZapataArt]

THE LOVE IS TOO AGGRESSIVE

[@inb4230]

God damn I wish we could see the finished piece, each video the drawings get more amazing,and Steve tries to convince us it's not a big deal 🤭

[@lahsoe3668]

woah, just into 2 minutes and I was like, why is this guy talking about me. Wow, this video is truly relatable on a spiritual level.

[@abiscuit3988]

Beautifully said, I will definitely be quoting this.

[@bobbybrown8167]

Holy shit! you just put into words something I have been experiencing for 20 years. so much insight here thank you so much!!!!!

[@silverbowftw5225]

I am not sure why I'm crying while watching this video... Thank you for this. It really did hit close to home.

[@sunflowerphoenix2635]

From the bottom of my heart: *THANK YOU!*

[@shaquejones4119]

i just learned something from you that i have not done before. Shade light and add deeper values as i build the sketch. i usually do the opposite.

[@Janos.Artzone]

Ahhh you sooo kind

[@Vexruna]

I knew what you were talking about from the moment I saw something I like and realized there wasn't enough of it, so I need to fill that niche. Someone else could have done it but this time I was the one. I know that's the exact thing that fulfills the impersonal satisfaction the most for me. However, there's just as many personal ideas that would serve to communicate my experiences and talk about righteousness. Both are equally important.

[@mishisho2779]

This is very eye opening and im very thankful for this. I can only hope i take this to heart in the long run.

[@Schmidtcreations]

damn way to speak directly out of my heart

[@najalala]

thank you

[@olivermirez6667]

Thank you, Steven! I needed to hear this.

[@claminari3513]

so underrated i love these videos

[@te9591]

That skull turkey looks decent.

[@dpelpal]

Had to respond to this video. I work in the skilled trades (electrician) and noticed something when I began working on my own. Sometimes, I'd solve a problem and a customer would praise me heavily for my skill and intelligence--even if the job was incredibly easy to both diagnose and repair, like replacing a switch. On the flip side, I've solved very complex electrical problems and had people not even notice or care. Id feel great for the praise, and terrible when criticized. Then I came to a conclusion....99% of people don't even understand what I'm _doing._ To be elated at praise that's not justified--or, conversely, bummed when you're unjustly criticized--is a fools game. It puts your inner world at the whim and fancy of others and their opinion. Maybe someone praised me because they do that for everybody. Maybe they criticized me because they were angry they couldn't figure it out themselves, or some other personal reason. The point is, you and only you should be the one in charge of your emotions. It's the same for art as well.

[@TheCarnageChaos]

Once again thanks man. You mentioned in your transformative anatomy Rey Boustos and all the work you've done practicing, drawing ruben's drawings etch and I started lessons at new masters academy, it was the most affordable and was Rey there so. I through myself back at studying and practicing more than trying to do my next masterpiece. Really nice to hear you share your thoughts!!

[@MaximusMeridiusX]

“Some of you say, ‘Joy is greater than sorrow,’ and others say, ‘Nay, sorrow is the greater.’ But I say unto you, they are inseparable. Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your table, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed”

[@sternleiche]

one best always create things that one personally likes, to let others see it is not that important. only if one eagery want to deliver a message or has the desire to share it.

[@urielsalvador2618]

I'm not a very good english speaker so I'm having a difficult time trying to understand the video even if I watch it for so many times. The half is completely clear but the other half seems to be branching out of my mind and mostly being confused. Can someone summarize the points so I could grasp the idea?

[@loiso5421]

What he's basically saying is: Don't base your happiness or sadness on the result of your (drawing/art) work. When you're happy and nice to everyone all day *because* your art turns out "good" that day, then you're taking it too personally. There's no problem with being proud of your work but when you take your successes so personal that they impact your whole day, you also take your failures really personally too. Then you start to internalize it and it affects your day and possibly, even how you feel about yourself. (Your worth isn't determined by what you can or can't do, or by what people say!! This is something I'm trying to remind myself of daily.) Instead, try to be grateful for all the little things that helped you make that piece. Whether it's the fact that you were able to concentrate hours in a quiet place, or that your bladder (or your dog's) didn't interrupt you while you were working. Also, take satisfaction in a job well done. "[You showed up and you got the job done. It wasn't achieved because of your superior talent. Someone else could have done it, but today, it was you 🤷🏾‍♀️.]" (N.B. this is the part that stuck with me the most. I just paraphrased it. Also, If you take drawabox lessons, I think this ties in well with what @Uncomfortable teaches about "ugly drawings". When we stop focusing on making "pretty" drawings that will get likes and admiration, it's easier to focus on the fundamentals and to learn the best ways to translate the 3-dimensional objects and people we want to draw on a flat page [I think that's a good way to explain it.]) I hope this helps. I think I got the main points of the video. If you think I missed something, please add it in the comments.

[@amberzephyr]

i believe i have more experience with that reactive part of myself in video games rather than art tbh i think the reactive part is a normal part of our emotional system, given we are creatures that are shaped by what's around us like with sight and how it produces illusions though, the danger comes from the illusion of morality and the artificial highs/lows over small things in that way, tempering yourself is important, as you may not be able to control your resulting art, but you can control your emotions and detach them from whatever it is you're doing, making it overall more enjoyable however, i don't really agree with tempering it insofar as to fully remove that reactive part in relation to art, as i feel like it removes the drama, which i think is important, from the "journey" of art i can't say much about art as i consider myself early in my art journey but from my exp in comp games that reactive part brings a sort of richness and profundity to the experience that you learn to appreciate; which is why to some, it's a lifestyle... and in the end, it's just a game, and you can write it off as that, but you might not be able to appreciate it fully then also, having a reactive, emotional response might be valid and appropriate in some situations imo maybe you don't need to react over every piece you make, but perhaps there are some moments that may be significant to you -- and rightfully so -- like maybe you finish your first professional work, or maybe you open up your first art gallery i believe it's fine to take personal pride in those moments, to admire how far you've come just adding my thoughts into the discussion to explore the nuance, i don't think they contradict the advice though

[@Alresu]

That euphoria described here sounds so utterly unfamiliar to me that I can't really fathom that other people might feel that way. I get the despair though^^

[@tian7328]

That hits home.

[@harshitmehrotra6837]

My brain, it's getting bigger

[@taetaiba8839]

I think every human should see this video

[@ramleyarts9793]

so impressive

[@chamchi09]

Respect for your art work teather ^^7💯

[@severyansilver8207]

That subtle Matrix reference did not go unnoticed :)

[@nala8179]

such a lovely video with lovely art 🤗

[@blastia7937]

This was an overtly needless word-salad, but the major point I extrapolated (intended or not) is: Your mood does not need to be pushed around by the outcomes of your work, or your life. With a healthy perspective, failures don't need to define you, and successes don't "make you". By managing your feelings, you can reveal in the success, or writhe in from the failures, or take the reigns when you choose and be less guided by outside influences and outcomes, and more so stabilized by internal perspectives and selective observations. Knowing how to navigate this selective perspective, will give you power over yourself and your reactions to things that happen to you, or the things you cause, be them good or bad. Its not choosing how to feel, or nor is it choosing what's true or false, its just about choosing how deeply those realities define your sense of self. If your value is based on outcomes alone, you are letting forces beyond you most of the time, take hold of your worth. But if your value comes from more stable places, outcomes will only be a piece of your day, and much less so, a piece of your personhood. The art was exceptional regardless, even if the message felt difficult for me to recognize. If I even did so accurately.

[@itsiwhatitsi]

Wow amazing talk!

[@akkad7514]

Steven, have you ever experienced the feeling that your art isn't as good as what it used to be? Personally, i can feel that i improved in some aspects but somehow other obvious aspects arent as good or as easy to pull off as they used to be. The feeling (mayhaps the fact) that im getting worse at art even though the effort ive put in has been pretty much consistent all throughout really really frustrates me. Sorry for blabbering all that but does this ever happen to you too?

[@robeastv]

Hey. So, I've been feeling this too, especially when I look back on some past things in comparison. I think, "I can still do that. Maybe..." Don't know what it's like for you. But, I think the days when I'm not thinking too much about it (just enjoying drawing), things come out much better. Don't lose heart, man. It's still in you. Kind of like in video games when you zen out and smash a boss like it was no problem. Flow state, maybe...?

[@StevenZapataArt]

I personally don't think it's possible to "step backwards" very much in your skill. You can get rusty, sure, but the biggest improvements in our art come from grasping concepts, and that stays with you forever. If something you love in an old piece wasn't based on a well-grasped concept of craft- then it occurred by sheer luck. In that case, you indeed can't quite do it today, but you also couldn't really do it back then. But even that is rare I feel. You are probably just experiencing an improvement in your taste and discernment which your skill has not caught up with yet- and that I do indeed experience all the time.

[@mikkelmelby]

haha so well put as always!

[@drawinguntilidie1229]

Truly amazing😇

[@runanrunamaralda4855]

Great advice! Thx!

[@marthalangley2125]

I feel like I've just gone to a therapist.

[@KillerTacos54]

Love your art!

[@ethanwest8842]

It reminds me of being prideful and being humble.

[@jboogie8159]

Drawing something successfully is like a drug.

[@sil3nthunter1]

Any chance we could see your sketchbook drawings?

[@StevenZapataArt]

You're lookin' at em! I can't just flip through my sketchbook on camera because I have notes from client calls all over it.

[@NalinBalasuriya]

Really amazing work Steven. Love it . Buy the way what is this mechanical pencil?

[@extremewq]

"Thanks for drawing today" NOOO that's dirty, playing the guilty game, because I haven't drawn in a while since I'm burned out :(

[@roninnovastar1321]

It would be great if you can create your own high end comic books, with your beautiful fantasy characters.

[@lefthandstory1280]

Beautiful ..and awesome 👍😃❤️

[@alvinrylin981]

What about the ones who never feel good about their art, that includes me?

[@yabuki2502]

i feel good about my art always but still wanting to improve

[@StevenZapataArt]

Something is keeping you coming back. Maybe you don't like the end result, but the process feels good to you. In many ways that is enough, and you can find happiness in your end products if you remember the moments of peace they brought to your life.

[@alvinrylin981]

@@StevenZapataArt that is very true, all I do is paint and draw and I can't stop!😅 When I started taking art more seriously and studying subjects like anatomy, perspective, value, composition etc, I started feeling this insecurity in my pieces. This resulted in me not wanting to do any more personal work and rather focus on the so called "fundementals" of art. I can get so bogged down on the fundamentals and studying that I actually forget why I'm doing art in the first place: I love to express myself with pencil and paper.

[@ojiichan9353]

@@alvinrylin981 i feel really the same : )

[@LingatsuDesignAndDev]

Is it possible to summarize your message please ? I'm french and didn't understand all. Thanks in advance. It seem really interesting.

[@Maria-os4et]

I feel like a truck ran over me.

[@momosietube]

Hi! Could you please tell me what are tools you are using in this particular video? I've been trying to figure that out by myself by looking at them while you draw, but didn't see any names (the brand name are never visible throughout the video)

[@StevenZapataArt]

That’s a Rotring .5 with hb lead, a staedtler .3 with h lead, and some cheap blending stumps

[@momosietube]

@@StevenZapataArt Thank you so much!

[@reeltwodialogtracktwo7666]

Стивен, жаль, что я плохо знаю английский, но рисуешь ты очень круто! :) Steven, how many years have you been drawing?

[@StevenZapataArt]

Since I was like 4 or 5, but I started taking improvement seriously about 16 years ago.

[@reeltwodialogtracktwo7666]

@@StevenZapataArt, it's inspiring! I hope that in 16 years I will draw just like you :D

[@agradoville]

Found your channel and really glad I did. You have rejuvenated my passion for pencil art and shading. I noticed you use a mechanical pencil, do you use any certain type of lead in those? Love your style and what you do.

[@ziksarthi]

are you doing this sketch by holding onto some references ? or what is the process ?

[@StevenZapataArt]

No references on this one, just dreaming things up on the paper. The process is mostly just reacting to the last thing I put down.

[@sureshanchanvasanthinaraya526]

what pencil do you use

[@UrsulaDorada]

Steven, how do you clean your blending stumps?

[@StevenZapataArt]

By throwing them out!

[@dagy6725]

What sketchbook is that?

[@StevenZapataArt]

Moleskine! The larger size.

[@Pearlflower1]

I thought i was in an hour listen to this ... why time change whenever i listen to thí type of content ????

[@bjornviir3333]

what was the weight you tried to emulate of the guy you drew in the middle...500 lbs...well done.

[@shakey3306]

Were you using references in those drawings?

[@37audiovisuals88]

Thanks for the vid :) actually right now I am learning to draw and I want to get to that level, but as a begginer is kinda hard to think like that. I am enjoying the process and I know that results are going to come late but still there is a little bit of insecurity, a disaproval for the things I am doing :( Am I wrong? Is it that complicated?

[@13igorsm]

6:52 : Wait, but isn't looking for the pratical and useful a positive moral stand? After all , wanting to help needs a pratical stance. Morality is about interaction between concient beings in a pratical perspective. Its very relativistic to separate morality from pratical living. A Dangerous performance in my opinion.

[@StevenZapataArt]

Depends on your morals and the moment? I don't think practicality or usefulness have any inherent moral charge. Plenty of abhorrent things are practical and expedient. I can also imagine many situations where the moral thing to do would be highly impractical and cause chaos. I don't see anything wrong with relativistic moral assessments, either.

[@michaelized]

McKenna vibes

[@ServetTonga]

you got inspired by Kingpin from Daredevil for the middle fat guy?

[@crowpaper2882]

i agree but i also dont understnad

[@StevenZapataArt]

Hah, that’s okay. This stuff is weird

[@XxyjmaxX]

The best draw i have done, i do it whit a craving of nicotine because i left cigarrets

[@KidKaimera]

When Sober: Ugh I don't know how to do this technique, this is gonna suck. When Inebriated: I am a professional. I'm not even going to try to get this right, I'm so good at this, watch. *makes perfect art*. See?

[@AtomPon]

I have a question, what perncils do you use for drawing?

[@StevenZapataArt]

All sorts, mostly various HB hardnesses and Palomino Blackwing pencils.

[@AtomPon]

@@StevenZapataArt thank you

[@hotpieceoftoast6909]

I’ve had to start the video numerous times. I’m mesmerising about the drawings and not paying attention to what’s being said ahaha

[@ArthurHill88]

I'm sure you've been asked this before, but do you ever sell the originals? Also, have you considered selling some of these works digitally as limited edition NFT's, I'd definitely be interested in buying a few.

[@qurpt7319]

these words are too big for me to understand 😭

[@daklr2501]

Haha he said among us

[@m.j.9627]

Talk less. Smile more.