What if You Weren't An Artist?

[@rtradicalanim]

I like to think I’d still pursue something creative. “If there’s a will there’s a way” - someone

[@ninjabot3606]

Johnny Cage, arguing about a mate between a human and f*cking monster

[@belacile]

If there's a whip, there's a way

[@efranwolfram]

@@belacile same thought

[@areoants9453]

It's funny, I had the "I'm not an artist" thing ALMOST happen to me. I drew a bit when I was back in elementary school, but another friend of mine happened to also draw, and could draw a *lot* better than me. Like, I'd draw and I'd draw, but there was simply no way I could ever hope to be as good as him. And I kinda just... gave up after a bit, probably somewhere around 2nd grade. What got me back in the game was Pokemon Black/White coming out, I wanna say maybe 4-5 years later. Specifically, they had a poster for a cool event Pokemon that was gonna be coming out, Zoroark. And I was so enamored with that design, something made me want to just... draw them anyway. I ended up tracing over the poster, and the end result was... actually not bad? For 13-year me, anyway. It ended up being exactly the spark I needed to try drawing them again, this time without tracing, and after maybe 3 hours of work (a lot of which was from coloring over my eraser mistakes), I had a piece I could call my own. Which eventually spiraled out into me becoming what I am today. So ironically, I've got TWO fun what-ifs. "What if I wasn't an artist", and "what if I never stopped and took that break?" Because I'd absolutely have far more experience if I never stopped in the first place, but it's possible that I'd be in a completely different group if I had an earlier starting point. Met different people because of my different experiences, etc etc. Maybe not even take getting better as seriously as I do now.

[@GunGryphon]

I've often sought to measure my worth from the things I've made, but deep down I had always worried that even though the stuff I make is good, my own self is lacking. It is far better to be liked for you than for the stuff you make.

[@tuskinekinase]

Same! I recently found myself in this weird place where I both want to be recognized for what I've made, and also...not want.. to be recognized for what I've made? My friend and therapist said the exact same thing as you just said! On one hand we're so used to the cycle of measuring self worth (or, other people measuring our worth) through result, but on the other hand we really want to have the recognition that we don't *have to* keep performing, keep making stuff that is good for other people, that we can be loved for just being ourselves. It's an uphill battle especially in this day and age but we can push through and find peace!

[@zondwhomlovesjesus8444]

God bless you

[@coffintears5821]

Ive always had this problem in school were people absolutely adored my art but hated me for absolutely no reason than just them being stupid teenagers. I felt so inadequate and small that the only source of validation that i could get was from my artwork. I had nothing to offer but my work and thats what people know me for. Idk what i would be if i stopped drawing. Who am i if i wasn't an artist. This question always puzzles me because your hobbies dont define you but at the same time they kinda do and it also puzzles me because i haven't figured out who i am without my art. Am i just a boring person who just so happens to draw. And thats the only way to make up for lack of individuality. Idk. I get identity crises every year to the point where i don't even know who i am anymore. All i know is that drawing is a coping mechanism for me when times were hard. Call me Vincent van go in that respect.

[@graceoartyo]

I was actually thinking about this question earlier today! I’m in high school, so my career is still totally open ended, but i’ve been pretty sure that I wanted to work in animation since 7th grade. But it seems like a lot of professional artists and people in animation are kind of.. unhappy? I’ve got a lot of skills outside of art (just like, school subjects- im good at math, pretty decent at writing, etc) so i could probably succeed in a non-art related career, and I’m really not sure which I would prefer! I love art and I want to keep making it, but I feel like I already tie too much of my self worth to my art, and I’m worried that having it be my career and source of income would be bad for me and my mental health.

[@lioedevon4275]

honestly animation is a lot of fun- but yea it can also be hard work too, it definitely isn't for everybody. You are in high school so you do have options, but I'd taking an online class and setting a deadline for yourself to see if animation is for you (I'd recommend Aaron Blaise's stuff, he always has something on sale and his videos are top quality) I wish you the best of luck in whatever future career you pick dude

[@Noir915]

Do something you love, thats all the advice I can give you tbh What people dont say its that, whatever you do, life is hard and will be hard, I can promise. The thing is that if you play it safe, you will never accomplish something that matters to you. Any path you choose will be kinda risky, just do it with passion, give your 100% because people will notice and will forge your way

[@lambdaweaponscache5394]

Consider this career path as voluntary slavery, at least for a time. Art is an excellent tool, but a terrible master. Drama aside, Have a plan A that will allow you to make decent/steady income while doing art on the side 🙂

[@TheVoiceOfChaos]

@@mommalion7028 as an extrovert with a diverse social life I can confirm. ever since I started animation studies my social life got absolutely obliterated.

[@dariabelichenko9692]

Most adults are kinda unhappy, and those who seem happy are probably selling a book or a course about achieving happiness. Choose what feels right and try to be good at it. Being good at something always feels great. You also don't have to choose between math and art, you could pursue both. Good luck :)

[@nicks4727]

As a programmer and an artist, I'll say the both things are creative and I would consider both art to some extent.

[@diamondjub2318]

all of the hypothetical questions were true, I live an interesting life

[@CharacterDesignForge]

wowow

[@piashatiel5842]

That's a hard question for me to answer. Art plays a pretty big role in my life. It was an outlet for me as a kid when I was pretty much "boring" otherwise (quiet, shy, strictly focused on school, played games otherwise). It was a pretty huge part of my identity when I didn't have anything else that made me stand out, I'd say. I probably wouldn't have chosen my major if it weren't for me drawing. And about you're statement as viewing programming etc. as sth. on the opposite end of the spectrum, I'd disagree. There's been some pretty creative solutions when it comes to programming and all these constraints they sometimes have to juggle with. Like, I've seen a talk about how they did the pathfinding system for the machines in Horizon Zero Dawn and, after several attempts that didn't quite work, they used trains as an inspiration on how they can make smoother turns. Trains! There are competitions for videos that are made using code to create visualizations that have to be under a certain file size limit and it's amazing what people can create with just a few bytes of space. And I kind of view myself more as a logical/methodical kind of artist? As in, drawing comes easier to me when I understand what to do. I can learn anatomy just fine if so. explains it in detail to me, but things like perspective give me trouble beyond the basics because I feel like it's sth. you just have to develop a "feel" for. Currently, I'm also interested in writing, but when it comes to creating and developing characters, what kind of personality they'd have and how they'd react... I just.. how do people do it? How can they thread all these different elements of storytelling together to make for an exciting story that you just can't seem to put down? It's got me stumped..

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Oh for sure, I’ll clarify that I definitely think those fields still highly creative- its just NOT my strength 😃

[@TheCosmicCloud]

The part about friends valuing you for parts of you other than your ability to create really hit home. I’ve recently started streaming and making KZbin videos while also trying to improve at drawing and I definitely think I forget sometimes that my own worth isn’t measured by the amount interactions these things get on Twitter and Reddit. It’s nice to be reminded that we can make a difference in other people’s lives just by talking and not always creating

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Absolutely!

[@professorpedropontes4402]

Dude, this is probably the most important video I’ve seen this year. It’s such a pressure relief. I’m like “well, maybe I can take this stuff a lot more lightly, after all; my identity doesn’t depend on it at all”.

[@Noir915]

I'm a Cook :) I used to draw and write a lot, and still am an avid reader, but for me, cooking is something so fullfilling and creative in a way that I cant really express. It's a hard career but I love it, even though work can be shitty sometimes. Also, the futility of a nice dish kinda makes it more special to me. I can replicate it, of course, and it will always taste and look almost the same, but for people it's something that will make that exact moment special; it's not just a meal, it's a memory, a conversation, maybe a celebration. That's why I love cooking! Its really emotional if you think about it

[@ProphetEKA]

The fun of going down this line if questioning is I kinda' have an answer. If I wasn't a Cartoonist, I'd be a Scientist. Jobwise... If art hadn't won out, I'd be in either medicine or astronomy. Science was my career goal early on but I liked drawing & writing more. I know I'd still be a creative-type person... it just wouldn't be in the form of a comic. = )

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Yeah creative output still feels inevitable right?

[@ProphetEKA]

@@CharacterDesignForge Eyup. I started down this line of questions early on so I fell into the idea of "Be creative in whatever you do" in a way beyond it making for a nice inspirational office poster. It's more up front with my artwork but it also comes out in figuring out how to do things faster & smarter. That ability to link concepts or run numbers a certain way or getting into a groove when doing a repetitive task is, in its own way, a person's expression of creativity. That understanding also what helps to stop me from stewing in that lovely existential dread when I can't work on my stuff or wondering if my comic is all there is to me. = )

[@sketchfluff5471]

I honestly don’t know where I would be without this amazing channel. I love digging deep and finding core motives, flaws, and inner workings that help me as an artist and a person. Thank you so much, Brooks!! You are awesome

[@CharacterDesignForge]

That’s really so kind, thank you so much!

[@jacobandrewart]

Knowing myself; If I weren't an Artist I'd throw myself into becoming a History Professor. I like the Artistic mindset series, I think spreading the message of the importance of mental and physical health in combination with creative career is a great one♡

[@LuckySketches]

I have, in fact, been envious of a bird's talents.

[@Kyamusuku]

I being an artist is the only thing stopping me from becoming a gamer, I can’t have two hobbies with expensive equipment. On another note, I could see myself becoming some sort of figure skater. Olympic? probably not, but I really enjoyed taking lessons

[@coffintears5821]

Whats wrong with gaming?

[@SirMasi]

Great question! It ties in with your "artistic voice" video ("why you do > how you do"). Also, it's fitting to see you include more of your deadpan humor in this ep! As a professional software engineer, art is already my "what if", but I think my underlying passion is story telling and empowerment. So I'm also interested in teaching, which is like telling a story that stimulates that mind.

[@dcb99filmz]

"Why don't I feel like creating anymore?" is an easier question to answer at this point. I used to draw a lot in my teens but these days I've stopped entirely...not even doodles...I can't bring myself to make anything...is it executive dysfunction?

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Very well could be! I’ve made a lot of videos on motivation and inspiration and the like

[@whatwilliwatch3405]

I've been going through the exact same thing with both my art and my writing, and I've narrowed it down to one critical issue. It's this: I know that because I'm so out of practice, I'm essentially going to have to relearn some things. In the meantime, it will stink and I'll be frustrated with myself because I know I USED TO be able to do better. So there's that (negative) anticipation of it being a struggle at first, and that makes me avoid it. It is, in a nutshell, fear. Fear of failure. Feel of having to push past the "I stink at this" phase... again. But I finally reached the point recently where I had to admit to myself that I hate not being able to create WAY more than I'm afraid of doing badly. That artistic side of me is slowly starving, and it's having a negative impact on the rest of my life. For that reason, I'm participating in NaNoWriMo this month, to get me back in gear with writing. I'm only a week in, and it's already re-sparking my interest in it. I've also bought several new art books, and I'm going to work on getting back in practice with that, too. My goal is to do one art exercise from one of these books a day - and throw it away right afterwards. (If I throw it away, I can't dwell on how badly it stinks, and I start fresh the next day.) I fully expect it to be hard at first, but I think if I can just stick to it for even as little as a week, the spark will come back (like it did with NaNoWriMo). TL;DR. You're probably afraid of doing badly because you're out of practice, and that's holding you back. Make yourself do something - anything - a doodle the size of a postage stamp, even. And do it daily for one week. Maybe that will help get you back in gear. Best of luck!

[@FumbleBee27]

HOW do you always put out the exact videos I need right when I need them?! I was just asking myself this last night! Art and storytelling are a HUGE part of my life, especially right now. I'm on the road to publishing my first book, and I just hit 200 followers on my art Instagram, but I keep wondering what I would do if I didn't do this. I feel like the stories I tell are parts of me, and I wonder what would be left if I took that away. I can’t imagine myself doing anything that isn't creative! But man, this video made me feel way better. I feel very understood after that! Thanks for the video Brookes. Looking forward to what comes next!

[@Akuspizza]

Gosh darn it you used the 'Despite everything' quote...one of my favorite quotes when self reflecting about topics like these great video aaaa

[@Sanngot]

I don’t know if you’ve done this idea already. Or if this is even what people would want. But a topic I might find interesting is taking popular (or underrated) characters/franchises, breaking them down on a design perspective, and distinguishing what makes them appealing.

[@2fortsmostwanted]

I appreciate your jonathan frakes impression, very good We like you and your videos because you do great character design and have good advice, yes, but we also value you because you're a genuine, candid person who takes pride in putting out high-quality content that actually helps people. You're also funny and have a very unique mind. So if you weren't an artist, you'd still be those great things.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thanks Sarah, much appreciated!

[@casuallynxgaming]

I'm currently a software engineer. I write code, find solutions and give support to users across the system we delevop. I want to get into art and drawing. This question actually doesn't affect me at all since I'm still on my way to become an artist, but if I were one I guess I'd go back into programming. But knowing myself and how stubborn I am, if I become the artist I want to be I'll try my best to not give up. I love art, even if anything I do (comic, character, etc...) doesn't work, I would continue with something else. Art is not something I do or would like to do for others, but for myself. Thanks for the video.

[@gregjayonnaise8314]

The funny thing is, when I was younger I actually wanted to be a singer (I was part of a choir program). One of the girls at the program was an artist and loved anime, and when she showed it to me I fell in love with making art and shows and stuff. After that, I lost interest in singing and wanted to be an artist. I’m not really close to that girl anymore, since we haven’t seen each other in a while, but if I hadn’t met her I probably wouldn’t be an artist at all.

[@theartistrator766]

About 3 years after I graduated I had a random internal 10 second conversation where I told myself I was going to stop arting..and I immediately countered it with ...well I would have wasted so much time in my life if I stopped, could I live with that...and the answer was no. Instead I just branched out and with trying diffrent media. Some months I do well with art and some months I exploring other aspects of non creative things that interest me.

[@AlphaDaArtist]

5:54 I never thought of it that way. Thank you for always making videos like these. I really appreciate them.

[@clara1291]

For health reasons, I've been unable to draw/write/knit/sew for several months now. It turns out that the answer to this question for me is "read a lot of bootleg chinese webnovels" and "make lists of ideas for creative projects inspired by them".

[@circletrees2015]

Artist is quite the different word to some people, to me, its ability to create, nothing is particular, but in any medium you want. If I wasn't an artist, I wouldn't draw, make music, aspire to be a content creator, cook well, or do anything much. I honestly can't think for my non-artist self since I don't know him

[@Yensid951927]

I wonder sometimes if this is all worth it, whether my ideas or stories are any good, or if I'll ever complete something meaningful at all. There are stories I want to tell but then I see something similar in a new show or movie that becomes instantly popular online and I think, "no one's going to want to see my story now because they'll just compare it as a watered-down version of this thing. Why go to the trouble when I already see other people out there doing it better than me." I'm so slow at starting anything, I wonder if I could even get anywhere.

[@Jellyped]

Thank you for making a video like this. Not enough artists talk about this mindset or way of thinking. Please keep them coming dude! :)

[@feanaro2712]

I'm still trying to figure out if I *am* an artist, because my primary creative expression is writing. But maybe for me the answer is as simple as: "If I wasn't an artist, I wouldn't be trying so hard to learn how to draw". Which is a nice change of perspective from "I'm not trying hard enough to learn how to draw".

[@keythealien]

Storytelling is certainly an artform, and don't let anybody tell you otherwise, fellow written-word creator! I don't know if this will help, but I find I lack motivation when thinking I need to learn "how" to do something. Like it's procedural, like schools, and I'll be tested on it and risk failing. Instead, learning to draw, in my head, isn't learning "how," it's learning new things ABOUT drawing. The experience is self-driven. There's no expectation. It's like a fancy strikes and I realize I'm writing a story about pirates but don't know anything about boats, so I spend an exorbitant amount of time learning about sailing and ancient seafaring vessels and their uses. It's the same for drawing. I'm making a character portrait, realize I don't know how to draw Asian features, lose two or three hours looking at two-dimensional references. There's no weight to learning how, so it makes it easier to motivate myself to just... do. There's no pressure of "well, shit, I dunno how to make straight lines, so I now I have to either get a straight-edge or bore myself learning microbial details about finger stance and arm placement until I don't even want to draw this thing anymore." I like to look at it more widely, so I'd be looking up pictures of, say, tables or something instead. Sort of like if I mess it up, at least it's because I didn't take all the appropriate steps beforehand and am just impatient and undisciplined instead of failing at the fundamentals and, therefore, being a failure. Something about the phrase "learn how to" just sets me off, I guess. School was such a scarring thing it still affects me to this day. The fear of failure, ugh. No one said running before crawling meant you couldn't figure out crawling later, you know? At that point, it's just a little bit of deduction to get the basics after you've been sputzing around with the bigger stuff for a while. A self-teaching thing, I guess. I never took any formal art lessons. I learned through mimicry alone until I understood how those things were made in the first place by attempting replication without reference. It was mostly just connecting dots afterward. Shadows goes here and here because fabric folds and I watched a lot of people draw shadows in these specific places like this; skin color varies even across the face itself because lighting, temperature, etc, and I've watched a lot of people put flushes or highlights or whatever in these places; shoes are a satanic mystery I'm unwilling to sell my soul to learn; etc, so on, so forth. Would I have picked these things up sooner had I been taught "properly" in the first place? Maybe. But maybe not. I am neurodivergent -- ADHD -- and I learn... funny. Backwards, might be a good way to put it. So, my advice could be absolutely worthless and even incomprehensible; I have no idea! Best of luck, regardless, fellow artist.

[@JenamDrag0n]

I'm definitely a writer artist and I love what I do and am good at it, but I'm also super envious of people who work in 2D animation because I am a sucker for gorgeous, colorful visuals and I wish I could do that, but drawing will probably always be just a hobby for me.

[@hyzmarie]

@@keythealien hello, fellow ADHD-er!

[@michaelofstjoseph]

This vid is a big thought 🧠. I love meta-level discussions.

[@kekolada]

Second part of the video was quite inspiring… i’ve been planning on creating a series, i have lots of ideas in my head but can’t start to work on all of it because of school and some other art projects that i neglected over last few monts… i gusses im curently in a phase of ‚sleeping 5h a day’ to keep up with it all. It’s nice to know that it’s a common thing among young artists. Thank you 💜

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Thanks so much for watching all the way through, I’m glad it helped you to think!

[@kekolada]

@@CharacterDesignForge You welcome

[@SoniContinuum]

I've strangely found myself falling into art due to artistic envy. Before I started drawing I wanted to be a writer, but became frustrated that I couldn't write nearly as well as my peers. That envy led me to self-loathing, and that self-loathing became too toxic for me to continue writing. So I gave it up entirely and found a new outlet for my creativity. I still feel envious of other artists now and then, but my experience with writing reminds me that I should focus on art for the love of it so that envy doesn't spoil it.

[@mytruecolors186]

I had quite a similar conversation with my mom about art yesterday. I quit drawing about 2 years ago, despite having the urge and inspiration to fuel me- the motivation factor has been a significant struggle. BUT that doesn't mean that I haven't still been creating things. I've taken up sewing, learning Blender, and even doing Pyrography. I've become more expressive in my fashion, i feel free and happy. But i still miss the art. I've come to the conclusion that I feel as if I don't feel enough Validation in my work, both on a personal level as well as from others. It was easy to want to do art back when I was in highschool taking classes for it. I love showing people my drawings, but it pains me sometimes to know that people look at it for 2 seconds just to say "oh, that's cool I guess". I've lived my whole life wanting to be a freelance commission artist when I became an adult, and now that I am one, most days I can't even bring the courage to open my sketchbook. I want it so badly- to draw again. But I realize I can't force myself. For some reason I'm compelled in a different direction with other pursuits, and all I can do is hope that it may come back to me someday.

[@eslm-studios2996]

This question has come up a few times. In fact, part of me does think about it, heck, part of me sometimes wonder if I even am an artist mainly because half the time, I trace and make fan art of my favourite series like Pokemon, Sonic and so on. Then, there are times when I worry about showing my own work out there in the fear of being thought as uncreative, being called out for copyright or just the simple claim that I've no talent. However, I show my work on Facebook and it's always well received. I even get some constructive criticism which I take to help improve my work. In fact, you also helped shape my art thanks to some of your tutorials, such as character design, animation through Procreate.

[@normmandine134]

I never knew how much I needed Beyond Belief references until just now... and I need them alot

[@DrawnAndQuartered]

I found this a really interesting video, and one of my first from you, so I've subscribed. I did a Master's degree that ended up really hating, and it made me really question whether art was something i wasn't made for. I had come from an excellent college course, which encouraged you to work how you work best, but still with marking schemes and all that. I went on to a practical course where I learnt loads but had specific themes which was okay. The course was supposed to be about personal growth in YOUR field, and ended up being limited in what what actually acceptable. Everything had to be a finished piece of work, even prototypes and quick sketches, and I was used to a much looser way of working (if i have a good idea, I will jot it on the first bit of paper in sight, not fire up photoshop and carefully draw something and finish it. ) My sketchbooks look like red-string boards not the mona lisa. I felt so bad i couldn't make anything good that i really spiraled into 'why bother'. I remember a lecture where they said 'no one will ever read your dissertation' and I found it really disheartening to hear. What was the point of writing it? I was beaten. I went into a phase where i just didn't make anything. I was miserable and basically cut down more and more on creative endevours, but found that nearly everything, with enough thought, was creative. I've now come to think of it that everyone has a creative, or self-expressive thing they do, even if it doesn't look like it at first. Humans are built for self-expression. I ended up re-finding a love of creative stuff through watching Jurassic Park Dominion. I could tell were they had used props in the film, and although the original films were better, it was enough to spur me back into sculpting again. Something about watching it just made me spark up again, and I left the cinema feeling a little more human than I had in a long time. It also taught me how much I actually had an interest in paleontology after a very dino-obsessed childhood. Really great video, going to binge-watch the others now!

[@lem5093]

I am many things creativity wise but there's only one thing I can dare say that I am decent at, which is simple writing. For the longest time, I have always denied my talents telling myself "Anyone can do this." or something along the line of that, over time my love for writing slowly became hateful and bitter. "If only you were an artist." this thought stuck with me for the longest time, I held artists in such high regard that I just convinced myself that it isn't worth writing anymore, I further became deluded believing that writing isn't a valid creative endeavor and all I am is just a poser. I'm in a better place mentally thanks to a combination of therapy and support from friends, sooner or later I picked writing again and I can say it felt good to be back. Sometimes I feel myself drift back into those thoughts again but this time I tell myself "I can make something good, someday." It's hard to be a creative person but there's still hope for everyone.

[@GH88ST_Original]

I think I'd be involved in science in some type of way personally tbh, I've always been interested in learning about and finding new things....more specifically astrophysics or biotech...I spend a lot of time studying that stuff on my own because it interests me, I think everyone, even artists, should always learn to become "well-rounded", never stick to only one thing, there are a lot of possibilities and everyone has more than just one dimension whether they know it or not.

[@Zodiacman16]

My drive to work and make great things is really the only thing keeping me going. I've thought about this several times in the past but I honestly can't think of anything more important to me. That's probably a dangerous mindset, but I don't know a solution that wouldn't fundamentally change who I am.

[@alias5305]

I guess I started playing the saxophone at the same time as I started drawing more, so maybe I would be better at the saxophone? But it’s still very similar to art! This question is really important, and I try to avoid defining myself only by what I do. Also I love these artistic mindset videos!

[@unorthodoxbox]

I'm not sure what I'd be but I'm fairly sure I'd still doodle. The thing is drawing was something I always came back too. I never made an active effort to be an artist. I tired music, cooking, computer software programming and art but in the end Art really did seem to be the most consistent thing I was okay at. So in some alternate reality where I am a chef, or a programmer, or a muscian I'm sure they're doodling little things somewhere wondering what if too. At this point art is an outlet for me. It helps me ease my anxiety and let's me just go somewhere else for a while. I'd like to say I'm successful but I hardly am noticed online but that doesn't upset me much. As long as I get to create I know it gives me joy. If others notice and like it we'll I'm glad I made their day a little better.

[@blakespangler3111]

Really good video as always! I think if I weren’t an artist and that cheat were allowed then I would be a writer. If I couldn’t do anything creative, I think I’d die. I really think humans have a need to make and create and I truly believe there are more sides to us than we see at first glance. We have a mental side, an emotional side, a physical side, and I’d argue even a spiritual side.

[@stratovolcano7813]

I find this philosophy very useful! I feel like if I didn't pick up art I would have become a writer, either way I think I would be motivated to tell stories. I love these types of videos!

[@Synnemoroll]

For me, it's really difficult to answer this question. I have been drawing since I was a kid, and I've been improving a lot over the years. I'm still in high school and after graduating I can't imagine having a career that isn't centered around making art. Maybe I'd edit videos or something along those lines if being an artist wasn't an option.

[@mackenziediaz8780]

This came at just the right time tbh when I wasn't feeling very good creatively. But this video has pushed me to remember I'm more that just my art! Thanks a bunch Brookes! :D

[@duskadown6751]

I've been creating art (mainly drawing but also arts n crafts, attempts at story telling) practically since birth, I genuinely have no idea what direction I'd take if I hadn't since I feel as though it's so deeply ingrained as part of my personality and self-expression. (I don't mind these sorta philosophical videos, I like em :D)

[@no-md2ub]

you just sent me down a rabbit hole of imagining how I'd be, if i would still be, where I'd be, and... who

[@JunniorStarLight]

Honestly, I'm trying to branch out from my Graphic Design Degree/Background, I fell out of love working at agencies because most only want to pay 500$ per month, which wouldn't be bad except most agency jobs, tend to be full of overwork, tight deadlines, spoiled clients and even worst having to go on saturdays to dish stuff out, and it made me think "Is this gonna be my life? Am I not good enough to fly solo?" It is terrifying, specially cause the pandemic broke any means for me to have any stable agency jobs, I'm currently free lancing and focusing on my growth as an artist, and honestly, I've felt much better specially during the depressing times of the pandemic, I just hope I get to move on and achieve my goals Thank you Brookes!

[@bloodykun4443]

I really don't think I can give a very substantial answer...perhaps just because I've been interested in drawing as far back as I can remember, and my love for both video games and cartoons only inspired me to try and not only emulate them as best I could but to also one day create many of my own worlds and characters. Nowadays I feel it's more musicians and music in general that generates emotions that drive my art, not to mention some really bizarre dreams, but either way the passion is still there. On top of that, as an autist, I spend a ton of time in my own head just thinking up whatever without too many different outlets. I could stand to spend more time doing other things, however I feel a 40+ hour job is just enough to drain my social battery; sharing art I make with others online is just how I prefer to interact I guess. But maybe one day I'll have to make some effort to try some alternatives. There is a question of what exactly is an artist...I never used to watch him, but lately I've enjoyed lots of videos from the Joy of painting series with Bob Ross, Not really my subject matter or medium(though I might like to try sometime) but he's still very inspiring all the same, and it seems to many others as well. However, I've run into some that claim he was some kind of hack or not particularly talented, only wanted to sell overpriced paints and tools, etc. I don't really understand it, I don't get why using some techniques are bad or whatever else, but my point is what does it really matter so long as someone shares a love for creativity? All the better that they inspired tons of other people to at least try it out and give them confidence. I think in that way, even people who don't consider themselves artists can channel creative energy just the same, just in other ways.

[@cherrycordiaI]

If I weren't an artist, I genuinely feel like I'd be free. Especially if I had natural aptitude for something that wasn't art adjacent, like math or science. Being an artist has caused some of the most stressful, soul-crushing, depressing moments of my life. It's more or less been like that since I became aware of the fact that I will always be stacked up against every other artist I come across. I'm all the way grown now, and with my history I feel like if I were to leave art behind it would just stay as a monkey on my back for the rest of my life. I tried giving it up many times before, usually by replacing/supplimenting with another passion, and all I could think about was how far I could have gone with my art if I were just a bit more skilled, then comes in the shame of my lack of accomplishments. Best case scenario for me would have been to leave the doodling behind as a childhood pleasure and never pursue art as a job or hobby. The money made from commissions, projects, etc, will never feel worth it to me because I can never meet what I consider a baseline standard.

[@sadyoshhours2769]

I feel similar as you, but I'd rather make art and live in my own world than face reality, which is boring and bleak

[@harrymason5087]

I am thinking about learning more about art and character design because I am wanting to become a Video Game Writer and Designer in the future.

[@sylvanshroom]

I think about this a lot, especially as a disabled/neurodivergent artist, I have to learn how to be okay with who I am no matter what I'm making or not. As my mom often tells me, "you're a human Being, not a human Doing"

[@hyzmarie]

Hello, fellow neurominority!

[@StephTHatt]

I think that this video spoke out to me the most.

[@TellYoutube]

_When you said you see yourself at the opposite of the mental spectrum compared to a programmer, I had to think about myself. Because I think there are plenty similarities between different kinds of work and I see programming and art as kind of the same in its core. You create new things in your own form and shape (if you don't have regulations though) and are able to express yourself in certain ways. So there might be an artistic and creative side to many occupations, just think about it ..._

[@joy-zd9qq]

actually my biggest goal is to have my own business, since I was a kid I've been trying to pursue that, and decided to do through art, so maybe I'd invest in something else to open a store or something, actually, i thought of that many times, but i don't think it would be as much rewarding as i think it would be having my own studio or art store

[@TheZiiFamily]

(Just started the video) id not have done so many thing that i had/will do, 2021 was when my interests and skill “debuted”/reawakened you could say, i have this cast of characters for a comic from when i was around 12, pages of fan made skylanders from earlier than that, ive built with legos since forever (and still do to this day) and a bunch more (idk if stuff from that long ago counts) now ive got plans to do cool things and my drawings and lego builds i have are a big part of it, ive never actually ever called myself “an artist” but I probably could by now… So to answer the question id think I would just be more boring and less fun

[@Xenderman]

If I weren't an artist? A commercial airline pilot or an astronaut / aerospace engineer but I just want to say that it was completely opposite to "if I dropped art" and such and such, I dropped Aerospace engineering and all that *for* art. I found out that it was the thing I wanted to do after recollecting my memories and seeing all kinds of thoughts and stuff leading me to where I am now (in high school, studying art on my own)

[@dumplingduppy1502]

I would be a zoologist/ Adventurer probably going to look into that more after i get my art degree. I grew up drawing animals from the big book of animals i think i want to try doing that again now i'm an adult and professional illustrator

[@lukedoglt]

I actually think about this from time to time. I love music and really believe I’d do that more, it’s a big hobby of mine. Really liked the video and points. Especially about if you have friends who aren’t indulged in your art, they like you for you :)

[@Lucien_M]

I might've pursued poetry like I pursue art now. I was originally let down when starting secondary school, realising that it's not all about rhymes. Yet, I still kept through art when it was about writing things. So, I think I'd probably move away from poetry into general writing, similar to how I left my anime/manga inspired style. My mum would try to spin it into having a more traditional job, as creative jobs aren't as valuable or sustainable as ones based in science and maths. This is being optimistic and thinking that there'd be writing competitions for me to take part in

[@RhiannonSmudge]

If I had no interest in a creative job, I think I'd end up as either a psychologist or anthropologist, just because it's so interesting to learn about how people work and how two completely different cultures can have similar patterns and themes in their mythos or daily rituals

[@cryforhelp7270]

Drawing makes me feel bad about myself, because even though I try so hard- it feels like I'm not improving. But it's also impossible for me not to draw, it just ended up as something I do absent mindedly even if I don't want to.

[@kentschroer8208]

This is an inquiry that I've been considering for a while now, perhaps to an unhealthy degree. The reason, for me at least, is because I've been working on the same project for about 4-5 years at this point, and at times I think to myself, "what would happen if the project suddenly vanished? What would become of me?" To have worked for so long, towards a singular goal, and to then see it vanish; it felt a bit like Camus' idea of the absurd- the you, vs. the universe in which you reside, and the magnitude between. But I concluded, again strictly for myself, that having so much hinging on something external was a failing of consciousness, the mark of an unhealthy mind; so I continue to write, but I take strides to understand its ultimate futility, and to reconcile with it as best I can. As you said, I'm working to fathom that, just maybe, people like me for me, and not necessarily what I provide as an artist.

[@swalsh7729]

That Jonathan Frakes asks you things intro was brilliant!! Great vid, thanks for the morale boost

[@CharacterDesignForge]

I'm so glad, thank you!

[@vickypedia1308]

There'd be multiple answers for me, because I know I have the potential to successfully do other things than art, but none of them I'm as passionate about. And unfortunately, I can say my relationship to my art is unhealthy. Not because I'm unsatisfied with it (I feel very good about it and feel confident in my ability to improve my skills), but because after growing up with years of neglect and social isolation, art has become a way for me to draw people's attention to myself. I have this ever growing need to be successful, to get more friends interested in my work, and to have that comic I've been planning for a year be as perfect as possible, so that eventually it can have the potential to blow up and get my name out there. I want people to finally see me, and I've latched onto art as being the one thing that can consistently achieve that. I think, if I wasn't an artist, whatever other passion I'd pick up would fall under the same fate. Maybe I'd become a writer instead. I kinda am one already. I like plotting stories after all, even if visual mediums have lent themselves better to me than writing things down in words. It'd be the same issue, but with the attachment towards a book idea instead of a comic. I've also been told I have a knack for making music. Again, it'd be the same story but with songs. But also, I enjoy tech and did amazingly at the little programming lessons I've had at school. Coding is fun to me, and if I wouldn't have found an interest in art, I would have likely turned towards that instead. Even now I sometimes dream of making a game, combining coding, art, writing, and music like those indie devs that do everything by themselves and are way too talented for their own good. I could be versatile like that, I think. But... Art is where my passion lies in the end.

[@MangoBirb22]

He sounds like that guy who played Lemony Snicket at the beginning

[@CharacterDesignForge]

pretty big compliment ngl

[@mariahs6]

I used to jump between jobs I wanted to do as a kid, being quickly swayed by reality in some way or another. It wasn’t until 11 I decided fully I wanted to write and illustrate books for children, and that was due to being motivated by reality instead of swayed! I’m still working on that dream today, a decade and two years later. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder what would happen if I chose any of the other jobs instead. One of them I wanted to pursue was firefighter, and considering I like cracking jokes at appropriate moments, I think I’d be trying to cheer everyone else up after a hot day of work, or livening up demonstrations/presentations!

[@a-garden-of-worlds]

If I wasn't an artist I don't think I'd be alive today. My ability to create fuels my will to live. Without it, I have no will to remain alive.

[@Cavegeckosol]

There may be a reality where I never did art or maybe where I am blind ot have no arms. We create these identifiers in our lives to give us happiness, but in the end, the happiness comes from within. Even if you create, artists sometimes get very attached to their creations. In the end, it isn't the making or creating that gives us durable happiness. It is the realization that we alone are responsible for our own happiness regardless of where we find ourselves in life.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Interesting perspective!

[@lyiusapangolin]

For me... If I weren't a creatives person, while it's definitely hard to say - I feel as though I would be someone greatly involved in linguistics or zoology, mostly because those are the things I take creative interest in; and less so creating things and more so about the actual sciences of it if I didn't have a creative drive. I love working on my projects, as much as I can and I actually find myself to mentally benefit from being actively occupied with things such as studies, or work; but *especially* creative stuff. It puts me in a very positive mood, and it encourages me to keep working more, and I find that when I am doing nothing to occupy myself, I above all begin to suffer and lack as a person. As much as I care about my projects, I care about myself and I put as much effort into my works as I do into making sure that I am happy with who I am - if I don't love myself, then I don't love my creative output, and I find it very fulfilling to pick up small benefitting habits, even if I know it isn't something I initially want to pick up; or something that contributes to my projects. As much as I may put all my eggs in the basket of 'being a creative person who has aspirations,' I also have to accept that some of those eggs must also be for myself, and I must learn to appreciate who I am in the world. Love your videos, and this was honestly a welltimed video!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Youre so welcome, thanks for sharing!

[@TheZiiFamily]

What would you do for a robot that is built to function almost organically with its movement or a pumpkin monster that has got some magic nature stuff but moves like a zombie but with multiple vine limbs?

[@godahlrogue8587]

My easy answer if i wasnt an artist is that id be a musician and miserable, lol One of the reasons i left music was because i asked myself some of the questions in this video only about music (what would i be if i wasnt a musician, etc) and couldnt come up with satisfying answers, lol With art, im much more comfortable with the prospect of, as you said, failure or of my friends not connecting with my work, because my art is much more emotionally satisfying for me to create than my music ever was, and i dont mind the prospect of failing to gain an audience the same way since the work itself is much more edifying to me. I guess all thats a long way to say: i really connected with this video, thank you for making it!

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Yeah, i think being ok with the long process of improvement is a good sign you’re in it for the right reasons!

[@mek101whatif7]

What if I don't have the "what if" part?

[@rainpooper7088]

Probably digging up fossils and collecting bugs, and I‘m not talking about Animal Crossing. That‘s what I was into as a kid before I came in contact with video games or animated shows with extensive storytelling. If it wasn’t for those, I probably wouldn’t be an artist. Maybe, MAYBE a writer, but I definitely wouldn’t have started drawing this extensively. … Oh crap, this video‘s actually deep and relevant. Excuse me while I have an existential crisis.

[@pigeonpower42]

I know that I would just do math and I would probably be better at chess than I am currently. as long as chess counts as "not being an artist" the lines of that get very blurry when you think about what art really is. but yeah, math is really creative and beautiful and has all the appeal of art, just in different ways, and it's already my like, dual passion with art, and chess is so artistic that people debate over whether or not it is art, and I like it, so yeah.

[@Michael9635]

Definitely something I think about a lot.

[@AdamBlack137]

Well personally I think I would be a scientist. Well, I AM a scientist but the feeling I got from science growing up, that sense of exploration and adventure, I only get from art nowadays.

[@rootsnootthnute8598]

Hehehe, I'm already an artist that never creates art, you cannot kill me in a way that matters.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

I wasnt trying to 🤷‍♂️

[@deathcrave3021]

I thought of it from a technical standpoint at first. If I wasn't an artist I'd be... by default something not creative since creative fields are artistic fields. If I wasn't an artist I'd still be working a dead end retail job or would have pursued a construction or Trade Job more than likely as I have worked with my Dad who's an Electrician. I enjoy creating things though it is who I am, theory crafting ideas and concepts for existing things is something my mind just sorta does. A chef is a food Artist a Dancer is a performance artist and of course there's also writers painters sculptors and musicians all under the Artistic world's Umbrella. Creative people are artists, some people just get to have society View them more so as artists than others.

[@svrvphimprod]

"just your credit card number and three digit code is nessessary" XD

[@finalfroevo]

Might've leaned into more video game related interests like programming I would like to see where my skillset would be if I ever decided to do something live action. Not a big budget movie, but just a short for fun Kinda hard to think about a future without making art of anykind in my case

[@daughterofthestars08]

Art actually was my back up career compared to the thing i started college for, but i was better suited to art and it felt less stressful. Maybe that’s why success as an artist is so important to me: because what if i fail and have to instead do one of the other things i enjoyed but wasn’t as good at?

[@emipello]

This is a really interesting question, I guess I put so much of my self into my art and creative stuff that I just can't see myself do anything else. I think that is also stopping me from looking for other opportunities.

[@jayfeather5x569]

If I wasn't allowed to do anything creative/artistic, I would pursue Biology, specifically genetics

[@CaptainElizaye]

I'm late, but I just found your videos. To answer the question what I'd be doing if I wasn't an artist, I must say I have been interested in voice acting/singing. I even tried directing films but that was too much for my mental health (went for school). There was a time when I had to decide between animals and visual communication. I got chosen to the visuals, but I had high chance for the animal school. Tbh I do own 4 wonderful pets while I do arts. Only problem is that I don't earn money :'D But I guess I am a storyteller in nature. I observe, experience and then visualize it.

[@nuclearpancake3683]

tbh my answer to that question is: i will be a rhythm gamer in osu, etterna , and the game im currently playing: arcaea, if not i might be a photographer, a writer or even a musician

[@erikbirch3552]

Video idea: another topic-centered month (I liked the shop keeper month). Maybe next month you should do a holiday-themed month or something. Maybe explain why some creators make holiday themed episodes or something. Also, you should launch a trailer for your pilot animation. Give us a tiny taste of what's to come.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

Have every plan to release a trailer when i can. Unfortunately it seems like Shopkeeper month didnt go over well, but I can keep that in mind!

[@tatyannafrancis9935]

This is perhaps my favourite video opening in all of youtube history.

[@CharacterDesignForge]

😃

[@blackpanther256]

Well, if I wasn't an artist, probably I would have dedicated even more of my time to the music. But then, I remember that I began to learn music a couple of years after I began to draw, so I'm not that sure if that would be the way.

[@TerraFurry]

I would probably just focus more on my other interests, such as playing piano, playing videogames, etc

[@lisandepuredream9056]

I was close to not being an artist until I violently steered my life 180 degrees around. Where I live normal people don't know the art industry exists, and coming from a non artistical family my mom did her best co convince me to be anything except an artist. The "next best thing" that I would have liked to do made me absolutely miserable so I really can't see myself having a different career. I might not ever be a succesfull artist ( be it ability wise or care wise) but it is hard imagining myself doing something else and enjoying it. I of course have a lot of other likes or hobbies, but those don't come close to alternative career options

[@technounionrepresentative4274]

I don't need this question, I simply make things, I am not an artist

[@KitsuNerezza]

As someone who gave up on being an hobby artist and got into engineering, this video makes me feel like I fell into an alternate universe

[@delivered1]

The intro got me. I was scrolling through my feed and saw "have you ever used balsamic vinaigrette to pick a lock" in the autoplaying captions. Had to go see if they were accurate. XD

[@Barada73]

As a kid I always thought I would be a novelist. But, I started drawing in high school, in the mid-80s, heavily inspired by a new comic book called Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I was also heavily bullied as a kid, so I would spend most of my free time in the library, reading or drawing. By senior year, I had gotten good enough that even the kids who once bullied me were more interested in looking at my drawings than making my life a living hell. I went straight into the military after high school where drawing became my primary form of escape and stress relief. So, even though I consider myself more of an illustrator than an artist, I still can’t really imagine my life without drawing on some level. But if I had it to do all over again, I almost wish I had taken all of that time and effort and put it into learning music. Specifically playing the piano.

[@toffee.moonshake958]

When my best friend left in year 2 of primary my only trait was art so like i would have been lonely tho now in highschool i would just be playing videogames and doing the same stuff cause nobody actually really cares about that anymore tbh

[@davefromreality]

That is a interesting question...

[@codiecola3636]

I’ve been struggling mentally with the idea of being an artist. I like creating art, but thinking about how much work it will take to achieve my dream of making a comic that goes viral totally demotivates me. At the same time, considering a life outside of drawing and creating terrifies me. I can’t imagine myself in any other field without feeling ill. Recently i’ve gone back and forth on this subject feeling like crap. Am I limiting myself by being an artist? Could I really be happy in another profession? Could my dream just be a byproduct of my low self esteem?

[@anonpunk1759]

Well, on one hand it seems simple. If I wasn't an artist, I'd be a bassist. After all, when I'm not doing art, I'm playing my bass. But that's still a creative pursuit. To really find what I'd be doing other than art and music, I have to look at what I chose to study in high school. My electives were art, music and science. Yep. I ended up failing cause the field I was interested in required maths and I'm dyscalculic, but I still do volunteer work that related to birds. If art and music were out of the picture, maybe I'd go for something in ornithology.