STOP "FAILING" AT ART... PERMANENTLY.

🖌️ -Buy REAL-TIME Tutorials/Templates/Brushes - gumroad.com/trentk
🖌️ -Buy Books + Ebooks by Trent - www.aquatic-moon.com
🖌️ -Join the Discord = / discord
🖌️ Wishlist the Twilight Monk Game on Steam store.steampowered.com/app/19...
🖌️ - Become a MEMBER to communicate directly with Trent and get exclusive videos and sneak peeks at new art. :
/ @trentkaniuga
STOP FAILING AT ART... PERMANENTLY.
Are you STUCK "FAILING" AT ART? First, you'd have to define what that even means! For some people, failing just means that they are not growing. For others, failing means that they can't get their dream job. The problem is actually internal. If you can recontextualize the events that are occurring, you can use every experience to strengthen your resolve and inch your way closer to your goals. These techniques will work for many aspects of life as well.
Games I've worked on -
CURRENTLY WORKING ON- Twilight Monk Metroidvania
Fortnite (Environment concept art)
Overwatch (Environment concept art + Sprays artwork)
League of Legends (Character design + Environment concept art, UI + Icons)
Diablo 3 (Character design + Environment concept art)
Hearthstone (Illustration)
Burning Crusade(Character design + Environment concept art)
Wrath of the Lich King (Character design + Environment concept art)
Indivisible (Environment concept art)
Final Fight Streetwise (Voice Acting + Character Design + World Design + Cutscene Direction + Co writer on script)
He Man GBA (Pixel Art)
Terminator 3 GBA (Art Direction + Pixel Art)
CannonBallers (Character + World design)
Ikeda: The Scrap Hunter (Programming + Art + Design)
Goblins and Gnomes (Concept Art)
Books available-
CreeD Re:Imaginary (2021) - 2 part Comic series
Twilight Monk - Return of the Ancients (2021) - Illustrated Novel
Twilight Monk Secrets of Kung Fulio (2020) - Illustrated Novel
Escape from Giants Crown (2019) - Illustrated Novella
World Of Twilight Monk Vol 1 (2019) Art Book
The Man and the Moonken (2019) - Illustrated Novella
The Beast of Tuksa (2018) - Illustrated Novella
Twilight Monk (2012) - 2 Graphic Novels
Nova Colony (2009) - 1 Graphic Novel
CreeD (1993-2007) - Comic Book Series
Ghost Rider (2000) - Comic Book Series
The Fuzz (1997) - Comic Book

[@wallacecrowmanproject9235]

I was honestly thinking about quitting art for the last few weeks. I want to thank you for this video. I feel like God wanted me to see this since it was the first video in my recommendation.

[@AndrewMaksymBrainNectar]

Agreed! Trent might sometimes think we're goofy for saying that, but it really helps to have a "guru" like teacher to study alongside. Helps with discipline and learning new skills.

[@lordofthe6string]

A god used their infinite power to give an artist a video recommendation they would have gotten anyway, but doesn't do a single thing for the children forced to mine in Africa, or the Cambodian sex slaves etc. etc. What a blessing!

[@beesareLameWasps]

Trent, my University professors came together to hold a "Dragons Den" (see: canadian version of shark tank), where they told me, in a 15 minute interview where I had no time to speak, that I wasn't good enough to be an illustrator and learn from them. That was in the beginning of my second year. In my first year, I asked to learn things, and the co-director of the program laughed in my face, told me what I was asking to learn was "out of fashion" and moved on with his day. Trent, you are lightyears ahead of that place. If anyone else is reading this, listen to Trent and just fucking keep going. Great video, always excellent to be reminded of nuggets like this, thanks.

[@subterranean327]

My first comic sucked by anyone's standards. My current comic will probably sucks by professional standards. If my next comic sucks by legendary standards, I'll be happy.

[@officialgrimwaregamesllc]

One thing I've learned, failure is important, working out a muscle to failure will make it grow and make you stronger, its also important in an iterative medium like concept/3D art, its important to figure out what doesn't work as much as you need to figure out what does work. For how many designs you see in the concept art book for a AAA game, there's likely 50-100 total designs that don't make it in.

[@FrancisTheBerd]

I'm here listening while watching this bro mish and mash the shapes, cut them and glueing them somewhere else and stretching them like clay, insane I wanna do this someday it looks like a cool process, controlled yet spontaneous at the same time

[@howlettcorps5996]

I’ve notice some people are more worried about their career instead of creating art. That mentally can be brutal for something that takes so much time and effort. It helps to be realistic and have encouragement from humble souls like you. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@afrodude4782]

I find myself going back and forth on my art all the time. I put too much pressure on myself about being successful when really the most important thing is me just getting better and enjoying the process. So that's the plan I've made for myself. Just a dude who likes to draw and is sharing his journey. No pressure, no stress. Then somewhere down the line, I can create something. Appreciate this video man.

[@Mupersega]

I love coming back to your channel, sometimes its too much, but other times its just what I need. I say "too much", but I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks mate.

[@Murimz]

You posted this right before my lunch lmao. Right on time, thank you trent.

[@omegaredtooth5104]

Dude… seeing this process from front to back… incredibly self explanatory. Thank you for both the audio and the visual!

[@baileyjustin12]

Draw this again meme is always really helpful when you're feeling down, it can even be useful to make it a yearly tradition to keep yourself motivated.

[@harkelan]

So truee, I was facing that problem this summer and I finallydecided tosolve it. I started to think what does "success" and "failure" mean to me and what do I really want in life. I realised all that matters to me it to be able to tell stories and draw, just that, doesn't matter from which job or how pretty do they look. Of course I want to get in the industry but suddenly my approach and relation with drawing is different, I feel like its better. Now I'm able to sketch and have fun without caring on how it looks, and when I need to, I turn on my inner critic to throw myself some constructive criticism. Im more happy, im also able to make studies and experiment more, and im having fun. I've learned to enjoy the process and not the end result.

[@katerichards6802]

“I’m ‘bout to blow your MIND!” HAHA aw man I haven’t laughed out loud at an art video in ages!! This was freaking amazing, and I’m SO HAPPY you talked about this, mindset, and different approaches when you get stuck. Also, redefining success for ourselves. I recently got into 3D art (after being a traditional graphite artist), because I was feeling bored, disenchanted, and didn’t know where to go after stalling in digital and traditional art. And 3D was way more fun than I ever realized I could have. At times wickedly frustrating, but solving the creative problems was fun. I’ve now got an unpaid internship to develop my chops at 3D modelling for short films, and all of the knowledge and practice from every art form I’ve worked on is coming together beautifully and complimenting in ways that I never could have guessed. And because I’m learning and developing in different areas, ALL of my art and creations are getting better. So HELL YEAH to pivoting, trying different things, and defining success for ourselves!! There is no spoon. LOL Thank you Trent!!!

[@denfreezewolf]

Thank you very much for the motivation. Please tell me, we all understand that the more and more often we train, the faster our skill level grows. But what does a budding artist need? Have to make a choice between job and drawing after it, stretching your progress over years. Or diligently studies drawing, investing all his time and effort, getting good and quick results, but during this period denying himself everything, because beginners have no orders, no orders - no money. Vicious circle.

[@trs5799]

Brother my whole goal has been to finish something and ive found a group of dedicated folks who also want to! The light at the end of the goalpost tunnel is finally in view! I spent tons of time networking and trying to find other like minded people and its made all the difference! This video is pure gold, just like all your others man. Seriously i always come back to you if i need a little boost in mentality. Youre a true legend, thank you so much. When im a bit more financially stable ill be doing my best to support your endeavours, but for now some video likes will have to suffice! Thank you again Trent, truly!

[@Renzowhitt]

So good I had to watch it twice! Just finished reading the book “Atomic Habits” and everything you said in this video lines up with everything I learned in that book. Love these videos man! They really pump me up and reaffirm my beliefs in myself and my art journey. Be blessed man! I’ll see ya in the indie game space someday! ✊🏾

[@TrentKaniuga]

Thank you! I liked that book also.

[@Renzowhitt]

@@TrentKaniugaWatched it 4 times now. Lmao Can’t wait to play your game! Keep on keeping on! ✊🏾

[@Overcraft17]

as always, you find the right words to motivate and think positively. Our Art journey goes on! Thank's a lot Trent :)

[@masonw6361]

Thanks for the video and motivation! Just ordered a couple of your courses. Can't wait to get started!

[@YourBestBottom]

Ty so much for sharing your Knoledge with Us 💙

[@thomasmarshall97]

I think everyone should hear this, regardless of industry. This is just amazing advice. Thank you Trent!

[@amac8652]

trent, your videos always seem to find ,e when i’m having a tough time with my art. thanks for everything man, no matter how hard it gets i’ll never give up on being an artist. my passion for art can’t fade. the hard work is always worth it if i get to create.

[@jullcepts8780]

Thank you. I haven't been doing art for a while. My creative chakras were being blocked xD but I'm ready to return soon and this helps

[@beaverson]

I really needed to hear this video..✨️Thank you Trent.✨️

[@ariaranjbar5986]

Man... thank you for this💙

[@Zzvonarka]

Thank you for this amazing video Trent!!

[@Zinlor]

Long time follower here. First off good video. Like how you always salt the motivational stuff with the cold hard truth that a lot of folks tend to avoid. Second here. I'm looking Forward to this game dropping on Steam. Watching you sketch out "Razor Feng" and showing some footage of the boss fight here. Pretty wicked. Wish you all the luck and success here for it's release. Know it's a passionate project and I'm looking forward to it!

[@vojinvmilojkovic7622]

Your videos are both amazing to listen and watch, always returning to your content, thanks T ^^

[@Riste.R]

Thank you for you videos as always 💖

[@BloodyCrowXD]

thank you for the motivation :)

[@justfrancesca8185]

really great video again: great encouragement. Partly because of your videos, I pushed through and self-published a couple children's illustrated books. It's really amazing looking at it from the other side and seeing how it's putting in the practice and time little by little that pays off. Holding my own copyrighted finished, hardbound book is an incredible feeling. So thanks Trent!

[@TrentKaniuga]

That’s a huge accomplishment! Congrats!

[@chukukaogude5894]

Failure is a part of life. I accepted that and then my skills in everything jumped up quick. I realized in college, I only learned what was on the test. we were not allow to fail and stray away to explore. Otherwise, you'll have to pay thousands to retake a class. I went back to re-learn everything outside of college and realized that there was a lot more that I missed. It was all because I was focused on "How do I pass this class so I don't have to pay thousands" rather than learning the materials of the subject. I can see EVERYTHING now. I see how all subjects are tied together. The problem is in my 20s, my view was small. I had no idea how the world worked. I just followed because that's what they told me to do. Then in my 30s after multiple failures, learning from them, understanding people and widening my view. I can learn anything and see everything. I know what to expect when I am learning something new. That annoying feeling I feel when I am learning something new is NATURAL!! That feeling when I can only read like for 5-10 minutes at first is NATURAL!! Over time I start reading and doing the stuff for 2-3 hours. The neurons in the brain have to take time to move and strengthen those pathways and get more combined to fire faster. If you haven't read in ages, it will take time for you to take the rust off and get the patience to read again.... Then if you are learning something new it will take time to push passed the friction to get the ball rolling on the new subject. When both come together, that's when it feels hard and impossible, and you'll want to run back watching yt, tiktoks or playing games. The reason why is because your neuron pathwys are atuned to easily accept that pattern of life. It takes time to break away from the old habit and strengthen new ones. All you have to do is catch yourself and actively change your mind to the new pattern. It first starts with 10 mins a day, then push it to 20 mins, then an hour, etc..Don't beat yourself up for falling into old habit from time to time. So long as you are putting the time in for the new habit more than not doing it at all, you are walking positive.

[@makekong]

Wonderful video, thank you, Im starting to finally get my comic/webcomic out of the brain, just sitting down, an hour a day, and enjoying the process. Theres nothing like seeing your finished comic

[@frost8077]

Great way of putting it. I never thought of my artwork as being good enough, but maybe I'm in a better position than I think I'm in. I've been learning learning lots of new techniques lately from KZbin that have greatly improved the speed and quality of how I draw people, and coloring some pixel sprites lately helped me learn how to make fabric folds look better from frame to frame in movement animations. It's easier than ever to use comic book looking images in video game engines, so it's been a pleasant journey so far to step into game making.

[@jonhopkinsart]

Really cool vid Trent, love the way you're encouraging everyone to count tge small wins along tge way that build momentum to more wins. Awesone as always!

[@valkorey]

Very motivational 😊 Great video as always. Very interesting character too by the way

[@TrentKaniuga]

Thanks! This is a character that will play an important role in the Twilight Monk game.

[@WHTJunior]

Similar to what you mentioned, when I can't bring myself to draw or paint, I will do other creative projects, which often include small, or easy to complete tasks. I recently completed an MMO wallpaper project, which I had been working on for the past few months. I've also been actively watching real-time and speed draw art videos (like yours, Brookes Eggleston, Drawfee, Marc Brunet, Samdoesarts, etc), some of which are tutorials of things I learned way back when, just to keep my observational skills up, for when I decide to start drawing again.

[@mcbaltz]

I'm so happy when I see your game being made, Trent. Those sprites are so juicy... :)

[@garoozies914]

Thank you for your videos Trent. Honestly the amount of good you do with them far surpasses that of more popular tubers with millions of views/subscribers. If we’re measuring online success by how much you impact your viewers, then you’re on top baby.

[@Heisenburg17]

When I feel stuck and bored I usually consume cinema and fanart and study something by creating fanart. And then I can get back to my main works, refreshed and fulfilled.

[@vough9542]

Love u Trent

[@EliseWolfy]

Damnit man, how come every time I start slipping into art block a new video drops with advice for the exact thing I am struggling with. Thanks for this, it helps so much

[@devilzelink]

Oh, i remember this drawing, it was the on the video "special sauce" one, few years ago!

[@ShemoKam]

Ive been trying to learn how to draw backgrounds lately, because I’m not good at it 😅and I’m not gonna lie, I feel like quitting every other day 😂 Even though today was a good art day, I still needed this video. Thanks for always posting at the right times 😂👍

[@wingbutler]

I did not expect to hear a Matrix philosophical talk in this one. It's been a decade i think since I've heard anyone talk about Matrix Philosophy

[@al1c348]

Hi! Have been following for more than a two years now! Looking back I didn’t really know you could actually succeed at art, although I don’t plan on working in the game industry, your videos really taught me the mindset to chase my dreams and trust the process! Thank you for that! I know you’ve made some videos about that but I would love some more specific guides on pricing art, specially as a freelancer /commission artist. I ask this because my first sold artwork was a Lofi album cover that was worth way more than $25 but I didn’t know how much my skills at that time were worth. Three years later and I still struggle with it, so if you could show some examples of art and say how much they are worth (and I know it’s a tricky question) it would be really helpful to me. Thank you for reading and for making these amazing videos!!

[@kuzillon]

Thanks for covering topics like this, it's helped me a bunch! I have a question if you find the time to answer. People say that the main reason to get a degree in art is for the accountability and connections, but do you know if employers really care at all if you have a degree or not? Could it give you the tipping point over someone with equal skill who doesn't have one? I'm in an odd situation where I feel I'm not getting much out of my school experience, but I've got just a year and a half left. It's a small art program with my major being fazed out and classes getting canceled :'D

[@TheArtMentor]

Well said Trent! There are more fears about failure than actual failures aren’t there?

[@CrayfishDesign]

Damn dude, people keep telling me I'm too hard on myself but I feel so guilty for "taking it easy". It feels like I'm not as productive even though efficiency wise it's not problematic. I still don't know how to overcome this but at least this video make me feel a bit better.

[@sants182]

Did you use the same brush for all the bnw paint?

[@mrfiggsart9207]

I’ve applied to animation studies and even game studios for character designer/character concept artist. All passed on me, even some pros thought I was already working 🤷🏽‍♂️. So idk if I’m a fit for the industry now or maybe never. Had talks with others around me and told me just to do my own thing.

[@TrentKaniuga]

Sometimes you have to. In hindsight, I’d tried to change who I am so much to get a job years ago, and I wish I’d just gone indie back then.

[@ochavezart]

One thing to keep with oneself is the phrase "Que Sera, sera." What may be, will be. Put all your energy and effort into making the task you are working on real. Have faith that it will succeed, and like an archer, release the arrow and leave the outcome to God.

[@bluezald]

This video just came up at the right time T_T

[@lunarfifthstudios]

3 AM... can't sleep... injured leg... already know I need this video... 👍

[@lunarfifthstudios]

Alright, firing up Gumroad now. 👍👍

[@Armendicus]

Small victories lead to to large ones.

[@TheDragonsong12]

Well...I'm coming into this a few days late...but I'm probably gonna ramble a bit anyway, because this really moved me...apologies in advance. I just needed to say it. Hopefully this comment just gets buried, haha! I've never particularly liked my art. It never seems to come out how I envision it, there always seems to be an air of amateurishness about it no matter how many classes I take or how much I focus in on certain aspects. I'm sure I'm just practicing wrong, but I'm not sure where the disconnect is so I'm not sure how to fix it. I've given up on going pro and it's now just something I do because I'm passionate about it. A while back I was feeling a little down and decided to do what you suggest here - redraw an old image to prove to myself that even if it was still bad, I had at least improved...and when I finished and excitedly compared the two...they were pretty much the same. I was devastated. I felt like I had wasted my life. It didn't stop me from drawing because I've always known my art was bad and I just love to create things - I still enjoyed the process even if the results were failure - but it did send me into a bit of a depression that I haven't really recovered from. ...but your video actually helped. At first it kinda opened old wounds with the "redraw old art" suggestion. But you're right. That doesn't mean there haven't been accomplishments. I make comics. Long-form story-based ones. I've actually fully finished two. I'm nearing the end on a third. And there are two others that are well underway that I keep up with regularly. They exist because I made them, that's a feat. But in addition to that, I've started working on a short animated segment to serve as the epilogue to the story that's ending. I've never even studied animation, this is just for fun, but it's coming together. I'm making animation even if it's flawed. My characters, my story, brought to life. If I can finish it, that will be a real success. Thank you for this video. I've focused on the act of creation so long I don't think I ever really gave thought to any goals. Perhaps giving myself attainable results will help to chase away some of those nagging feelings that keep bothering me. I'm going to need to check out all of your fundamental videos. Maybe by going through them I can find where I've been going wrong and finally correct it...at least it can't hurt! Thank you again! (Also, watching you creating these amazing images is kinda mesmerizing. So I'm absolutely down for more of that!)

[@toloma5640]

which is easier to get in envoriments or character design?

[@eterno1610]

You know, i have been thinking about redoing/fixing couple art pieces i did three years ago. Thank you for encouragement. However my line work is horrendous, how can improve that? I can paint/colour better than i can draw lines.

[@danielrko9895]

just practice, unless you don't want to include lines, in that case focus or painting

[@eterno1610]

@@danielrko9895 hmm, plain practice is quite boring. You know just draw straight lines like that. Most of the time when im done with painting i paint over sketch lines and it looks a lot better or sometimes i uncheck sketch layer before exporting.

[@danielrko9895]

@@eterno1610 yeah it is, try to incoporate practice into your nomal stuff, if that makes sense

[@eterno1610]

@@danielrko9895 It makes sense. Well i could try only the artwork will take longer to make.

[@ravidart-90]

love your videos/art, I have one thing I wanna ask, I used to be a storyboard artist and after spending more than 8 years in the industry I got burned out and I got interested in drawing anime , fan arts, and now I do nsfw work as indipendent artist (left my job), I am doing much better than before , work wise and mentally too. so I wanted to ask did I joined the dark side or am I redeemable, I wanted to do splash art kinda thing for a long time but havent gotten to that yet, an honest answer would be appreciated.. Thanks

[@TrentKaniuga]

Thats a question that I think - only you can answer. I have a friend that drew comics for years, and ended up taking bigger paychecks just doing NSFW art for comics. For him, years later, he felt a strong guilt because he wanted to work on his spiritual relationship with God. It made him look back at that time doing NSFW art as a dark time for himself, and now he's trying to bury it + erase the past. In some ways, doing NSFW work for an artist is the equivalent of becoming a stripper. There's always money there, but it casts a dark shadow on the psychological well being of the artist because your personal work, or passionate work will never be as "easy money" as the NSFW stuff. its hard to pull yourself out of it and into the realm of a respected creator. But then again... some NSFW artists like Sakimi Chan never carry that weight (that I know of). So it really does come down to your own choices vs values. No one can answer that for you.

[@ravidart-90]

@@TrentKaniuga that actually helps a lot, I'm not ashamed of the work I'm doing, I try to up my quality of artwork, and learning new things, i learn a lot by watching your videos, and Adam duff, you both are my favourite ones to watch, so thank you for that.

[@sendoahierromedina615]

Hello. I'm afraid of sharing my drawings online and having them copy my style. Especially the way I draw noses. What advice would you give me? Thank you.

[@getsemani_rar]

That guy is the boss frome the trailer, looks amazing

[@getsemani_rar]

OMG that looks great!!!! The gameplay 👏

[@mostafanajafzadeh]

Trent, brother I gotta ask you a question. I got myself an Xp-Pen artist pro 16, and drawing on a display tablet feels really unnaturual. i've tried to adjust to it many times but it feels off. It wasn't cheap for where I live and how much money I make, and I don't know what to do. The graphic tablet that I have (Deco O1 v2), drawing on it feels alot more natual and better. But I want to draw on the better and more expensive piece of equipment that I have, instead of the older one. How can I get used to it? Doesn't it feel weird when you draw yourself? Thanks

[@TrentKaniuga]

90% of my art is done on a tablet (Wacom Intuos Pro) which is NOT drawing on the screen. Personally... I never liked drawing on the screen, and feel that my work result is better drawing off to the side so I can see everything and not block the image with my hand. T hats my persoal taste. Don't conflate "expensive" with "better". Find what works for YOU. Use the Deco if that feels more natural.

[@mostafanajafzadeh]

@@TrentKaniuga Thanks brother. I'd probably sell the tablet and try to get a Wacom Intuos pro. I had considered this option in the past, but I thought I would be missing out or that I ain't much of an artist if I ain't carrying/drawing on a big display tablet.

[@DurandFred]

Hi I just have a very honest opinion that I want you to know. You seem a great artist and a great guys ( I don't know you I just watched 5 videos of you so far) and I notice one thing. In all the video I watched you justified yourself to the haters. It is internet and that is never gonna change. Personally, I think you should just ignore them and do your content pretending that everyone like it. It is what other very popular channel do. The problem, I think, is that it gives a weird vibe to have those justifications in all your videos and on top of that it concern probably a very very small group of people.(note I haven't watched this video so I don't know if you still do this in this one. Wrote my message here because I assume you have more chance to see it)

[@RealNemo235]

You used this same video to demonstrate a coloring technique but now I can’t find it. Was it deleted? Please help.

[@RealNemo235]

A video of you coloring this character, for a book? I think

[@TrentKaniuga]

It comes with my brush pack on www.gumroad.com/trentk if you have that, you have that technique video.

[@lrdkuzco]

Very nice this racoon

[@randomdeliveryguy]

Don't worry, I will fail for all of you. Someone has to take the blunt.

[@Nogardtist]

you cant fail if you were not destined to for success in the first place

[@Mykal06]

Repent and believe the gospel! Jesus died for our sins and rose 3 days later so we could be forgiven of our sins and be gifted with everlasting life! Put your faith in him and follow him and follow him! Life is short, please make the right choice today.

[@kipz]

Thank you Kanye, very cool

[@circle2266]

Cool but like, what about the video?

[@Rune1818]

Christian fantics strike again!

[@aurallistine]

Amen✝️

[@jonhopkinsart]

Thanks for taking time to reach out to those that could need to know about Jesus, but it would be polite to watch and comment on the video also as an appreciation of the effort simeone has put in to make it.

[@edenchisnall1694]

Loved the video Trent. I can really connect with this video. I try to create goals and then try to each day get a step closer to achieving them. I have been diving into 3d a lot recently and am really enjoying using Z brush at the moment. I want to get a good grasp on both 2d and 3d because I feel they are both important skills to have and also because I love to do both. A goal of mine is to create a character by first concepting and then creating a finished 3d character sculpt using that concept. I am set on achieving these goals and becoming a artist in the industry not too sure what position I would want to aim for currently. Am loving the art for the game and the sprites look amazing. Keep it up Trent look forward to more of your videos.

[@TrentKaniuga]

You will grow SO much by building a 3D model from your own concepts! This is a TREMENDOUS idea. It will be challenging. But if you keep doing this you will improve dramatically.

[@Kaybee29523]

Whenever I decide to postpone and sleep Mr Trent drops a motivational video then I find myself picking my pen up again and draw🥲😅