Saving you 10 years of disappointing art + failed dreams in under 40 minutes

[@deckofcardboard]

The biggest reason you don't tell people about your optimistic plans (before you've done them) is that it gives you the psychological reward without putting in the work, which deflates your motivation AND encourages you in the future to talk instead of act on plans.

[@SamuraiShampoo77]

You’re best just not telling almost anyone about your goals if it involves anything “exciting” like creative careers often do. Most people won’t care, some will harbor envy, some will try to discourage you and if you’re blessed a handful of people will actually want to see you do great things

[@TheArtMentor]

Exactly! And how much easier is it to tell someone "I did it!" instead of "I'm gonna do it..." , right?

[@Smkymcpott85]

I used to draw a lot as a kid and teenager but dropped it in my 20s. I'm about to be 36 and picked up art again 3 years ago. I've been working nonstop on drawing, studying, and trying to improve myself. I found a shitty janitor job so I can draw at work, I draw after work and on the weekends. If I can do it anyone can do it. You just need to be dedicated to it.

[@danielcalencar]

Thanks for sharing this experience!! Can I ask what's your goal as an artist?

[@santero59]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@TheArtMentor]

Wow that's one incredible account! Did everyone reading this really consider how motivating that is? You're a beast, thanks for sharing! You know what's interesting? Some artists might live that life and instead view those obstacles as reasons to just give up or underachieve, yet you found ways to work with them. Everyone read that again!

[@joeschmoe3815]

Wow, thanks for your comment. You're a human printing machine. I can't do anything before or after work. I'm too exhausted to grab a pencil and do something meaningful. I'd really like to but my job is too demanding.

[@sailoreligaming]

This just popped up for me and is extremely relevant. I've been drawing since I was 12, but I'm 39 years old and only just now really starting to learn good techniques for digital art after struggling for many, many years. I also have very little social media presence. My confidence has finally started to grow, and my art has improved tremendously as a result, but as you said, I'm taking it one piece at a time. I'm not looking to necessarily build a full career just yet, but I'm hoping at least I can have this to fall back on. Really appreciate your videos!

[@Wydrolak]

Where can I follow you?

[@TheArtMentor]

That's an awesome perspective! Thanks for sharing it! What are your art goals right now?

[@sailoreligaming]

@TheArtMentor Thank you so much for the response! Right now, my biggest goals are to finish more full-body pieces and get more comfortable with lighting. I need to learn more about directional lighting and stop using the same angle in every painting.

[@oscarchavezart]

I started young, went to art school and went through the whole process and the insane amount of work. Two things I found out to really make myself in the person you want to be is how you see your self image, and the confidence. Bob Proctor talks about this here on youtube if you want to know more about it.

[@TwentyFourTigers]

Man, I think I've commented before... but I absolutely love your channel. I'm currently living as a full-time painter and you never fail to provide little inspirational nuggets and thoughts for me to chew on and use. It really helps! Keep up the amazing work Sean! Cheers to 2025!

[@rcguy2175]

I'm glad I started my 3d art at 48 my younger mind was closed off to new ideas and change.when I'm making a creation it helps to break it down to smaller parts

[@plasmaring]

A lot of really great advice here. While I don't have kids, I've realized since turning 40 that I do feel a responsibility to be someone who is giving support to others rather than looking for it. When I was in my 20s, I felt terrible about my art, and I spoke negatively about it all the time in a way that I told myself was realistic. But deep down what I was actually doing was pleading for someone to tell me I was wrong-that I was being too hard on myself, that it wasn't actually time to give up, and that my limitations were a sign of insufficient skill rather than insufficient talent. Everyone has thoughts like these occasionally, but now it's my turn to say, "I felt like that too when I was your age, and I got past it," instead of stewing in insecurity.

[@TheArtMentor]

Ironically, while younger artists are feeling inferior due to comparison, older artists tend to throw out comparison more easily, don't they?

[@angelcandelaria6728]

I will be binging you for days to break my current mindset 🙏🏽

[@toothbrush64]

I started learning video game design at age 33 this year. Previously in 2023 I was starting to learn illustration, but I realized it wasn't exactly what I wanted to make art for. But now I can use the drawing fundamentals I learned to make graphical assets for a project I'm passionate about. And video games open up a lot of doors to experimenting with other forms of art like making background music or animating a cutscene. I'm going to take your advice about sticking to one thing though and focus mostly on the graphical side of game dev for right now.

[@PhthaloGreenskin]

I'm 24, and i feel like i wasted alot of years of my life. I wish i started art at 18-19.

[@SawatakeUwU]

I started art at 10 and I feel I wasted so much time at this point on it. I wist I never started.

[@Seus-s]

I'm 28, trust me you are fine! I was struggling a lot at your age, just put the work in and you will see results, future you will thank you.

[@TheArtMentor]

Have you considered that you just started at the exact moment you were best ready to begin that journey though?

[@gokuwrightattorneyatlaw5227]

Two weeks ago i made five pieces of art work before Friday, cause i work Fridays and Saturdays. I was proud that i kept it up and i still have the need to keep drawing

[@TheArtMentor]

That's awesome! And how's it going on maintaining that consistency?

[@gokuwrightattorneyatlaw5227]

@TheArtMentor yep. I've been working on character designs for my manga. Working and fixing anatomy and style. Right now I'm designing a deadpool costume for myself

[@pjohannes4825]

the levels of advice are just top notch , just a gem of advice !! Thank you

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks so much for saying so! What was most helpful for you in this video?

[@Anime_Empire_2.0]

Really loved this video, it felt like it was a message to me since it sort of fits in my current situation, I am 37 and learning how to draw I LOVE ANIME and love art since I was a kid but never had the time to pursue it, now it feels like I am too late but this video gives me hope, Thanks again for the video and looking forward to see more.

[@TheArtMentor]

That's awesome to hear, and I wish you loads of luck and hard work towards your goals! What do you see yourself doing in the future with your art?

[@Ayzay1717]

Great content as usual, thanks Sean.

[@TheArtMentor]

My pleasure, and I always love seeing you here in the comments! What did you find most helpful in this video?

[@Julie-MoonCakes]

This is SO motivational for me, I even took notes lol! Thanks so much for making this video. Lots of practical tips and advice✨

[@TheArtMentor]

That's awesome to hear! What notes were the most impactful for you from this video?

[@gabrielWachong]

Do you save selections, or do you just re select every shape when you go back into them for more details?

[@TheArtMentor]

I personally don't save any selections. If need be. I just ctrl + click on the layer and it produces the selection again

[@RagyRagd0ll]

this is not related to the topic of the video, but I really like the way you talk

[@TheArtMentor]

Wow thanks for saying so! I hope you continue to enjoy my content 😁

[@FuzzyImages]

I’m kinda curious on some example of what you would put as tasks to do in a day, tasks to do in a week, and tasks to do each month?

[@TheArtMentor]

Sure thing! Do you think I should make a more detailed video on that?

[@marik-718]

thirty is actually the best time to start this career.

[@TheArtMentor]

I agree! Why do you feel that way?

[@marik-718]

@TheArtMentor in my 20's i went to college, went to work, and tried to find a good career. that didn't work out so I started doing art at like 35. i didnt think it was promising but i would spend 40 hrs a week on it, especially animation. doing digital art is hard sometimes but you struggle and learn from mistakes. i consider myself atleast competent to work for a company but not interested enough considering the cartoon and anime industry is kind of lame rn.

[@rcguy2175]

Im home on workers comp.im a truck driver but i see i have a ability for 3d art so im hoping to transition to my passion for 3d art.so im not sure what the future will bring

[@TheArtMentor]

that's a great area of interest! Good for you!

[@ludovich.3303]

YEAAAAAAAAHH !!!!!!! suscribed

[@TheArtMentor]

thanks so much for your support! How long have you been watching my content?

[@ludovich.3303]

​@@TheArtMentor around a month I was getting back more seriously at drawing and learning how to make comics.

[@rcguy2175]

Im enjoying doing robots and scfi ships

[@ArtOfRavenD]

Yup...every time I tell a plan...I never fall through with it. I tend to fall through with things if I shut up.

[@TheArtMentor]

It's crazy how much easier it is to win in silence and then show up with a win than it is to brag and lose, isn't it? Same for me