This art plan will actually transform your life in 2025

[@gabigabilopez]

Hi!! I'm the girl that interviewed you back in 2023 for my uni project on the democratization of AI. I'm so glad to stumble upon your chanel once again, and to see how much you've grown! Thank you again for lending me your insight, it allowed me to place first place with my essay, won a certificate and all. You are the best! It's so great to see senior artists helping out juniors like me. My goal for 2025 is to surround myself with more people like you!!

[@SoraHibana]

"Time doesn't care about you, so you might as well start now!" Whew, I think you hit a spot with that one. It's true, I keep collecting ideas and never get to them, keep theorycrafting without jumping into action. There's a sea of knowledge out there for learning to draw, and I've yet to even dip my hand in.

[@TheArtMentor]

All the more reason to get in there, take action, screw things up, and eventually find success, right? Time won't wait for you, but regret always will

[@MarcMcKenzie-qb6or]

I opened an account on Cara, and I do like that platform a lot. I also like posting on Bluesky. For this year, I'm going to start work on a comic anthology I've had on my mind for a while now--three stories in one volume. I have them scripted and I have the thumbnails and designs...now I have to start on the thing. Also there is another "passion project" involving an astronaut that I've been working on bit by bit for a few years--but as you said, the time to finish it is NOW. Thanks again for this video, Sean!

[@SajiriArt]

For me, I want to get back into youtube. I took on more than I could handle in 2024 and had to prioritize what I was doing. Im also going to focus on bsky for social media, I find it's a lot friendlier and more active than others, and from my experience even though my following there is still small, it gets more engagement than other social media. I'm also hoping I can get back into your mentorship this year! I learned more from you in that first month than I had in years before, and I always looked forward to the weekly feedback

[@thistlearts5161]

I've got very similar goals about social media! And I completely agree about bsky!

[@TheArtMentor]

Can't wait to see your content you're putting out soon! It's a great move for you to bring massive change in your life, plus I think you have a lot of good things to say. Looking forward to everything you do and bring this year! Hoping I can help you in it too!

[@Graphi]

As someone with several passion projects that I've been working on for years and new ones i'm starting: DO IIIIIT!!! my best advice when it comes to passion project is have at least two you can alternate between as inspiration waxes and wanes. I find what works best for me is having the One Big One and then small side ones. Since doing this, I have a small finished video game, 3 chapters of a visual novel, a second game in the making, a comic in the concept stages, a blog i just fill to the brim with my creature illustrations, and more stuff that's just a thought for now. Even if the project takes YEARS, it's worth it i say. like, the time will pass anyway!

[@oscarchavezart]

I used to have passion projects separately, but now, I pick one and I dive in to learn and use the skills learned in the fields. For example, the passion project is a comic. The field works in the comic are concept art, which is called reference sheets for comics, then the comic itself, called sequential art and falls in comics. He, I know. And last, Illustration, which is the cover, if I do it with real paint, it's called fine arts illustration, if I do it with the computer it gets called digital illustration, and depending how I do it, if it's rendered it will be rendered digital art, or if I do it graphic, it will get called cel-shade art. From one passion project, I get as much different work, so that I not only show one part of the process of the final work, but several. It's like when they make a movie and there are several departments coming together. The art department, the costume designers, the music score, the light department, etc. And the video that shows behind the scenes of the making of "Robocop."

[@TheArtMentor]

I like that theory! I also like to have two or more artworks to move between as well for similar reasons. Thanks for dropping that pearl of wisdom!

[@Uhhhhnope]

I hope you get to achieve those 100k subs goal this year, you definitely deserve it! Never seen an art youtuber that gives such solid advice!

[@TheArtMentor]

That's kind of you to say! Regardless, I'm thrilled to have people like you who enjoy my content 😁 but hey if you wanna help that cause, tell all your friends about me and don't keep my channel a secret okay? 😂

[@2hotskulls]

Good stuff dude. main goal for this year is starting and finishing a visual novel :]

[@TheArtMentor]

Awesome! What minigoals do you have to help hit that goal?

[@Surkk2960]

Thank you for these art plans, I will now proceed to fail or forget all of them as is par for the course :3

[@LillenArt2]

Have you ever tried a note-taking app or project management app? That's the only way I remember.

[@Surkk2960]

@@LillenArt2 I have tried, but then I stop keeping track of the notes and it's back to square 1.

[@TheArtMentor]

Well why is that, exactly?

[@Surkk2960]

@@TheArtMentor I forget I made notes to begin with.

[@Ignited_x]

One of my goals for 2025 is to make an illustration as Ive never made one since 2023. Recently at work, I had a very cool idea in my head for a drawing to work on to really test my skills. Something that is really in my head now is that life is short and time is precious (Quoting Robert Greene). I just have a feeling that if I dont do it, I wont feel too good in the future. (I almost died to learn this lesson pretty.) Another goal was to involve social media to connect with artists who'll guide me in my art journey. Follower count is only second to me.

[@TheArtMentor]

All good things! So what specific steps and goals are you creating for yourself to achieve those?

[@thistlearts5161]

For my social media goals I want to return to youtube and make art tutorials and videos about book cover art side of the business on a regular basis. Also grow my bsky account and continue to grow a supportive community there, making new meaningful connections and interactions with both authors that might become my clients and other artists. I also want to engage in conversations on Discord more. For artistic plans: Aside from all the cover art projects I'm already booked for (till the end of 2025) I want to work on my personal artbook and draw more for myself and for fun with traditional materials. I need more art that is just for me, not just for work and I want it to be on paper. That's my return to my roots, since I started drawing as a watercolorist, before switching to digital media. I also want to try oils and acrylics as a part of "for the fun of it", since I have two canvases waiting for me for two years so far.

[@TheArtMentor]

Those all sound great! Have you made specific checkpoints to help aid in your attainment of those goals?

[@Wydrolak]

I avoid giving critique. If I mention what can be improved I do it only if someone asked for it, or I'm quite confident person won't mind or be happy about it. Let's face it, most of beginner artists won't benefit on just pointing what's wrong. We usually need to grow in skill first to take a benefit from this. What I do is pointing what helped me with similar problem, or linking videos or articles, where person can see how to improve. I specifically remember a piece, that I draw after brainstorm with friends. It was another friend's RPG character - and elf from Witcher uniwersum, a Socia'tael warrior. In real life he loves motorcycles. I drew his elf character on a wooden motorcycle, with a hawk holding lamp in front (there was an old motorcycle brand - Hawk), driven by squirrles running in wheels. And it came out fun and I was happy about it. And then I showed it to another friend, who teaches art, thought he'll appreciate the concept at least. All he said was: "the wheel perspective". And I know him, he didn't intended to be mean. I was frustrated, because even he told me it, I couldn't see it. It took me over a year to see what he meant. Long story short: If your intend on giving a critique, is to help: please remember, you need to adjust your message to level a person you're trying to help is. Another way it's only discouraging.

[@TheArtMentor]

That's a very relatable situation I think, and that gives me an idea. Would you like to see a video on that subject of how to critique, how to give it better, and how to receive it better?

[@Wydrolak]

@@TheArtMentor Sounds like something valuable.

[@nobody-nk8pd]

​@@TheArtMentor yeeah that would be awesome. Giving critiques indeed requires a separate skill, and critiqueing the works of beginners in the way that is helpful is the hardest thing ever.

[@Seekish0.0]

Is there a digital art program that you recommend?

[@user-tt6oe2th6b]

krita is probably the best free program and best for beginners

[@euchale]

I would second Krita. Particularly Ctrl+Enter for search is cool.

[@boomertunes9924]

@@user-tt6oe2th6b Agreed 100%. It's what I use.

[@Surkk2960]

GIMP 2 (I'm serious) Also MS Paint (Also Serious)

[@Mrhellslayerz]

Firealpaca is very lightweight and has all the essentials you might want. It also allows you to create your own bitmap brushes, and it even has a quick-pannel tool for comics too. It's probably the most professional free art software out there.

[@Anonymouthful]

Im so paranoid about posting any kind of art anywhere because someones going to take it and use it for AI. How do I stop being affraid and post away freely like all the other artists?

[@QueenOfDelight]

There are some tools that artists use to protect their work, like glaze and nightshade. Uploading lower resolution artwork can help as well, and using watermarks ais also a common practice. I personally don't really care if my art is used or not to feed into AI, since my skills are not THAT good, I simply don't care. Though, I do hope these suggestions help you to feel a little more confident to post your art without the fear of it getting stolen.

[@Anonymouthful]

@@QueenOfDelight Ill definetluy check out these things thanks.

[@LillenArt2]

I use Glaze and I no longer post my art on pro AI platforms (like Facebook, DeviantArt, etc.). We can't really stop AI companies from scrapping data from the internet currently, but what we can do is support the people working on the legal side of these issues. If the courts rule that what they are doing is not fair use / copyright infringement and as a result there is some sort of regulation, that could be an immense help to artists.

[@TheArtMentor]

common question. Think I should make a video about this topic?

[@Anonymouthful]

@@TheArtMentor Maybe you could gather opinions from different artists about it along with telling your own thoughts.

[@Ayzay1717]

Cool stuff.

[@cuchulainn3309]

my goal right now is being able to make Dakimakura designs

[@TheArtMentor]

cool, so what specific steps are you taking to achieve that?

[@cuchulainn3309]

@TheArtMentor for now, contemplating on getting a drawing tablet as well as looking at some. Dakimakura designs for reference. Along with the usual

[@furynotes]

Ice cold shower argument is not true. If you want save on heating bill this winter. Go do that. That is way further than ow. I’ll do the cold shower trend. Because I think that helps me. Even though that doesn’t.

[@hollowedboi5937]

I’m confused what the comment is, what’s “ow”? Overwatch? Also is your argument on cold showers they don’t work for you or it doesn’t work on saving money on heating your water? I’m assuming if your heater is always on it wouldn’t matter, as for the cold shower benefits that’s up in the air.

[@TheArtMentor]

Not sure, what argument are you referring to? I’m not arguing for it, it’s just a part of my routine and that’s all lol. There’s actually a ton of science and psychology behind the reasoning, nothing to do with my heating bill since I live in the southern US where it doesn’t even snow lol

[@BettimusFrostCafe]

Thank you for the motivation! The last two months I've felt sluggish with very little art doing. But already the idea of remaking some old pieces has me excited to get back to drawing! 🤎💜💙 Your illustration is amazing btw 😮

[@TheArtMentor]

My pleasure, and thanks for your kind words! Have you started your art necromancy piece yet??

[@BettimusFrostCafe]

@TheArtMentor I have only just picked out which piece I want to remake! I'm a little nervous about it because I'm using the opportunity to move to clip studio as well!

[@LillenArt2]

Cara - For community and professional opportunities Bluesky - To cast a wider net / reconnect with art twitter Third was Reddit, but I'm looking for an alternative.

[@mythiclys]

I'm late to this but I'd highly reccommend Tumblr! It's just a nice blog-esque site. Algorithms not amazing for getting noticed but it's got the Reddit vibes sometimes and great if ur apart of any fandoms.

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks for your suggestions! Have you begun this action plan yet?