When it seems TOO HARD to MAKE ART...

Tutorials/Templates/Brushes - gumroad.com/tr...
Ebay (signed books and original art) - www.ebay.com/u...
Audiobooks + fiction - / aquaticmoon
Books + Merch - www.aquatic-moo...
Ikeda (free game on Steam) - bit.ly/32DrSzP
Discord = / discord
Twitch gaming + livestream = / aquatictrent
Twitter- / trentkaniuga
Cubebrush - cubebrush.co/t...
Equipment I use- www.amazon.com...
When it seems like it's too hard to keep coming back to art, watch this video! Super motivational! At least thats what my wife told me before I posted it.
PO BOX - Aquatic Trent 26895 Aliso Creek Rd, B1031 Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Intro song #1 = "Salgre" by Jimmy Fontanez
Intro song #2 = "Blue Moon" by JVNA
Games I've worked on -
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

[@moderndayjames]

I enjoy this style of video, love your enthusiasm and genuine love of art

[@EckosamaGhostTsushima]

he is the concept artist behind many levels and places, art and other things in diablo 3, world of warcraft, and other blizzard games. his company also works and makes concept art for overwatch and many new games. he is an industry legend XD

[@ico9966]

@@EckosamaGhostTsushima haha i am pretty sure moderndayjames knows him xD check him out, u wont regret!

[@judahgott1821]

Yo what’s up James I’ve been really loving your videos lately

[@RusPitman]

The enthusiasm cant be beat.

[@lrdalucardart]

@moderndayjames thank your for ur videos, they have helped me tremendously.

[@gouravdas7557]

That was a confidence boost. A reason to live.

[@edwardteach1992]

Yeah buddy let's live for now.

[@cesaraguilar593]

F o r n o w *looks at one side and the other squinting*

[@JonLauArt]

Love how this video is all about taking care of yourself. Seriously you've got one body. Don't kill yourself over a passion. Yes be passionate but listen to your mind, your body. Take the breaks you need no matter the time so that you can keep doing the things you love throughout your life.

[@kontrolincorporated-gaming9015]

The worst days are when I can't get something to work...that I've done a hundred times. 😱 Fact is my level of skill weirdly varies from day to day 🙂😛

[@gouravdas7557]

Tho your words are more of a phrase but that is literally happended to me yesterday. In the morning i practiced it like 100times and can't figure out how to do it in the evening.

[@di_anso]

I had that day yesterday.... I just stopped working and went back to watch tutorials on the stuff I've known for 8 years~ now I'm gonna go see if it got better or not lol

[@TrentKaniuga]

I can relate! I feel that way most days.

[@chreoticus]

I needed this right now. Thank you.

[@nullcase404]

At work I got two rounds of feedbacks because the sketch fase wasn't landing greatly I got so frustrated today and this video is helping me leagues right now.

[@yarugatyger1603]

A couple of days back I handed in a 3D animation project which I have been working on the past 3 months, I did everything from modelling, texturing, rigging animating and post production and I was really proud of the result. Then I got sh*t on by my head of course at the presentation. Now I got 3 weeks til the start of the next project and I am in this mindset now, that I have improved so much during this project and I will show them what I can do now, knowing were I failed at and doing it different now. I feel failure motivates.

[@TrentKaniuga]

You will overcome many challenges with this mindset.

[@Pibbmasta]

I'm in a strange place because art is new and exciting, yet still extremely difficult. I've been teaching myself to draw for about a year now, and its exciting because I'm discovering my style, learning new things almost constantly, building on my foundations and finding inspiration everywhere! But its extremely difficult because... I'm discovering my style - I have no idea what it is, things change constantly and I'll draw one thing one way one day, then try something entirely different another! It's like being at a buffet and having no idea what you're in the mood to eat, so you spend time at each tray trying a little of everything! It's very time consuming. It's difficult because I'm looking at how far I've come on this mountain of a challenge that is art, then I look ahead and the Himalayas are before me! I have soooo much to learn and try, that its overwhelming at times. And finally with the foundations - I'll spend months working on basic shapes, perspective, shading and textures - and realize that in that span of time I've gone from making a circle that looks like its had a seizure, to a circle that's only kinda wobbly. It's such an investment of time and so difficult, that sometimes I don't even want to look at my sketchbook. But then other times I feel so excited and inspired that I'll blow through page after page and not even realize that its now 1am and I gotta get up for work in just a few hours! It's the 'in between' those extremes where I find myself maintaining the balance of keeping up with it all and improving, while not pushing too hard... but also not stopping for too long. I follow lots of artists like you Trent, Adam Duff, Kontrol and Marc Brunet to keep me inspired and directed when I feel like my field of view gets too big. Thank you - all of you - for making these videos, it really does help so much.

[@CellVoid]

Holy shit. Just got a torrent of rejection emails in my inbox this morning, didn't see this video in my feed until now. It was very much needed. Thank you Trent! ❤️

[@theforgedone]

Totally agree - we need more truly heroic characters!

[@idiocracy10]

I am glad you address the hero deficit.

[@aliassafiart]

More Art Therapy please. I wrote the story for my book and struggling at making the illustrations. I definitely need Art Therapy now😂😂

[@TheClassiccinema]

Art Therapy is good to have, and you are a good motivational speaker for people in art. Few people were born with the talent to do art. But, like me, it took me a lot of time drawing from 12 to now, and I am still learning. It's like I did not know how to become a soldier in the military I had to learn to do it even though I was a military brat, I still had to learn how to fight in a military setting. The same is in art I still am learning anatomy I lost that when I went into the military, and I have to train my mind to get back in a positive mind set to do it and to take breaks and all that. Keep making the videos it is helping all the people in the art to strive.

[@user-by4ru5pr1g]

This video almost made me cry. Been recovering from dental surgery and did no art for the entire time. School starts next week and I will be busy then. Making art sounds like a chore right now. This video helped a ton!

[@thaumana8489]

A lot of things in this video hit me close to home with my current situation. Felt like I walked against many walls recently. While dealing with my never-ending financial struggles, I also had some sort of art block where not on single brush stroke seems to "work" and somehow it constantly occurred to me that I need to become much more effective and faster, so I felt that some changes and tweaks of my workflow were necessary. At that moment I was overwhelmed with doubts whether I could be able to maintain my work with that kind of "meticulous" time-consuming art style that I aimed for or being stuck forever. I practiced a lot, but felt like every line I drew looked wrong. And then I had that big game changer moment when I saw a viral tweet. I'm paraphrasing here, but it said something about art we enjoy and art we strive for ourselves. That sometimes, the art or style or artist we like and get inspirations from are not necessarily the ones that makes us comfortable to work with ourselves. I always aimed for the fine thin clean line art many of my fellow art seniors had, but somehow my brain wasn't "programmed" for this kind of line art ( I'm the type that intuitively do lots of rough swift strokes), but I tried it over and over again over the years. This tweet made me reflecting on this mindset the first time, and so I eventually made peace with myself that it was ok not being suited for that certain art style which I always tried to incorporate into my own workflow, and used my dynamical more sketch-like art style for many other projects this time instead. I felt like the first time I came clean with my own art since my "new" style which I usually used exclusively for my sketches was the most intuitive one and helped me to finish a lot of work within a reasonable amount of time. I hope I can keep this motivational momentum for a while.

[@RioLajasWolF]

This is the type of chill I need while watching an art video.

[@nathalik1]

Thank you for you unlicensed art therapy I shall now work for the next 13 hours straight

[@TrentKaniuga]

me too:)

[@tyler-tz2hz]

Me too

[@fpatrocinio]

Thank you for this video, i was on this path, but then i push myself to get out of it, and i feel more motivated.

[@blackcitadel9]

Maxim 70 - "Failure is not an option - it is mandatory. The option is whether or not to let failure be the last thing you do." - The Seventy Maxims of Maximally Effective Mercenaries. I don't know why I want to learn art. I just know that I do and take steps towards it. I guess it will have to do, I don't intend to give up anytime soon, no matter how rubbish my art is. xD

[@silverblue73]

That first minute where you're describing the struggle of being stuck on a project you're working on just sounds like my life :P

[@stilo398]

I just read that some famous musician's first opera failed so miserably, he didn't write another for fifty years.

[@TrentKaniuga]

I guess he didn’t have a strong enough purpose to do it then? Otherwise he would have kept trying.

[@sandkvarn]

You Will be a contributing faktor in my future success, Trent. Thank you

[@rawr4799]

You described my exact feelings whenever I try to finish a drawing within the first 60 seconds of this video

[@user-by4ru5pr1g]

Those VFX cloud/explosions are just FIRE! Looks so good.

[@bringbackdislikesbringback1124]

Dame this is like literally my current situation like i didn't know how to even ask this question and here is the answer

[@art_of_kolo2064]

Thank you, Trent!

[@juanfranciscomontes2271]

thanks for the video sensei, i start to live as a frelancer about 4 months ago, i finish a long project, but i am having a bad time finding other works or other commitions or projects, i dont wanna be a slave again, i going to take the time free and improve my art skills,

[@nigelhill74]

Great advice, thank you, Trent. I also love what you said about wanting to give young readers heroes rather than just anti-heroes. That is such a great purpose and motive.

[@Artsensei86]

Don’t give up is the motto to live by. Love this video Trent. Thank you for the video

[@gavinshickle1814]

This applies to so many things in life. More people need to hear this message.

[@thatguy928]

Really enjoyed this video, bro. Been applying what you’re saying to not only art but piano, too. Genuine truth

[@ChrisMason_01]

Honestly needed to hear this to continue my stories. Thanks a bunch Trent😎🔥❤

[@831mark]

The struggle is real. But you have a great point, give up and you will never see it through :D Phanx

[@korinoriz]

Love how you touched upon how modern media has too many morally gray characters. Sure, they can be interesting and have their place, but there's way too many these days and they've become extremely overrated to the point being a decent/nice/heroic person is seen as "boring" or "weird". Gray villains too for that matter, but that's a little more complicated because a lot of "bad" people in the world are morally gray. However, it's definitely dangerous humanizing like hardcore serial killers, to give a binary example. Rant aside, I like how you mention to take care of yourself. Yes, you have the same gut punch a lot of "true" motivational vids have, but many of those leave out how important resting is.

[@RukileinchenChan]

It's always nice to hear somebody talking about "taking breaks". I know it's not much, but I have been seriously painting/drawing for about 3 years almost every day for 5 hours, even when I had days where I just produced bad stuff. THis year, I have "finally" started to take breaks from time to time, be it not drawing for a day or just drawing when I want to. I noticed that I really needed "days off" though not being a professional where I just spent time with my husband and family, play games or learn programming for fun. I really need that... even many of my doctors told me that I am too stressed and it definitely affects my body. So, taking a break should be something mroe talked about imo. It's hard to take that by heart when you are far from being good/a professional though...

[@Black-Clad-Disaster]

Needed to hear this today, thanks broski

[@GrinningGhoulie]

I really needed to hear this! Thank you so much

[@harvey6651]

Thank you man, I needed this

[@pillowzzzbox3466]

Totally needed this pep talk. Please do more. I am an artist myself. I think it’s sometimes me having the confidence now to complete something from start to finish. But the reason why(this been going on for awhile) is a learning curve. Basically me not studying more anatomy, referencing pictures I want the project to look like, research, warming up, trying to make more money from it which creates anxiety which then makes me frustrated to continue. It’s supposed to be fun to be creative. It’s a way for me to escape my 9 to 5 that I have hopefully drawing graphic art will turn into my 9 to 5 or something I love to do. The most important thing is to believe in yourself that you can do it and apply yourself to each task. One by one. Every time I have a sec or min I am practicing a portion of anatomy. Whether it be the head study. Torso, mouth nose legs feet or hands etc. I hate hands. Ughh! But that’s what’s been tripping me up. ✌🏽

[@halidramzan2803]

Thanks Trent😄♥️

[@fuwra]

Thank you so much; this might be a small rant, so I apologize in advance. I'm not a 2D artist but a video editor with what I'd describe as a burning passion since childhood. I've been tinkering with it for years, hoping that one day a puzzle piece would magically fit and get me where I need to be. However, after years of practice, brainstorming ideas, and attempting to improve, I've realized that the scale of my projects keeps getting bigger and bigger. I try to incorporate 3D animation, sound design, VFX-turning my work into these ambitious endeavors I'm willing to spend an absurd amount of time on, no matter how boring or tedious it may be to learn. Yet, I'm so afraid of failure and ruining the ideas in my head that I end up scrapping the project at the most crucial point. I keep thinking, 'Surely, the next project, something will change,' but it never has. It sucks being stuck in this perfectionist loop for years, and I'm writing this out to hopefully make that commitment to myself to change the way I do things because for sure I'm willing to bang my head against the wall 100,000 more times but maybe it's time to try something new. Albeit old, thanks for making this video; a lot of artists out there need to hear this.

[@JAyala-se4st]

Your an amazing art therapist thank u

[@dustyyyyyyyy7]

I loved that video, thanks so much Trent!

[@human_of_homosapiens_]

Dude you genuinely made a great point about what society is teaching today's youth. I was falling to be apart of it. Thankyou. I'm reforming my methods.

[@zhaus3298]

way to intense man, theres so much more to life

[@TheArtMentor]

Great advice Trent! The struggle truly does mold the artist

[@Snowykats]

Thank you for your therapy. It’s gotten me out of art block

[@femkes3928]

This video was more comforting than I thought it would be :D

[@llareia]

I always appreciate your motivational speeches. ❤

[@pedrocompas8931]

Have you planned an art talk or an interview with Adam Duff? From lucid pixel? That would be great to watch!

[@j.s.ramirez4670]

Thanks, Trent! I'm a word artist (novelist) who loves visual art, and your vids inspire me too.

[@TrentKaniuga]

A lot of this goes double for authors. Man thats a long hard road. Keep up the good fight!

[@marywelter6229]

Thank you for this 🙏

[@lenardkevinvergaraiii3689]

thanks for the therapy man! 🔥

[@bunkayke2554]

Dear god, this style blesses my eyes. Amazing job!!! I'm hypnotized. And what you said motivated me a lot thank you!! I'll replay this video every time I feel down

[@davidparra1009]

Today was the best day to ear the "you need to fail" cause today I personally understand why is this soooo damn true! thx Trent

[@TheMattybake]

Dude. You just convinced me to buy Twilight Monk for my son, based on what you said about there being no more heroes that teenagers and such can look up to. Couldn't agree more.

[@TrentKaniuga]

Awesome! I hope that he enjoys it! Please leave a review after you read it! Book 2 will be out in the next couple of months.

[@TheMattybake]

@Trent Kaniuga Shall do!

[@prairiejudge]

thanks trent

[@Stubbs2501]

thanks for this, needed to hear it :)

[@hgzmatt]

I've seen this kind of perspective and mindset a lot.. what would interest me is how you get out of that mindset again without losing your drive. Because ultimately it's toxic. Yes if you work at it consistently over a long period of time chances are you will be a great artist.. but at what cost? Where do you draw the line and just enjoy life. When is it enough? I'm really tired of this 'tough love' approach because while it got me where I am now it hasn't brought me happiness or fulfillment. It just left me lonely. I appreciate you mentioning to take breaks.. but I think it needs to emphasized more. A lot of us are not 'just lazy'.. some of us just have unrealistic expectations of how fast progress should be. Also.. you need to have a balanced life to be productive and creative. If you only focus on work you won't have any energy after a while. That's burnout I suppose.

[@brandonleerajkumar]

Thank you so much for this video, Trent.

[@KJ-ix4ff]

Thank you Trent. Im going through this rn, and this has been very helpful. Also cant wait for twilight monk 3!

[@grimmleighsfiends6546]

This was amazing! I love seeing a pep-talk/real talk set to amazing art! THANK YOU!

[@Naviiiii123]

i love your content, your videos are what i come back to to find motivation again, when things get hard, Thank you so much for sharing all your experience with us!

[@SuperSnakeMan8]

New to this channel but I love this video and I love you. I feel very inspired to start on the journey to becoming an artist. I'm 25 but I feel like as long as I work hard and never give up I can do this. Your advice and wisdom was mich needed Trent thank you! ❤️

[@gordacapivara]

Aw man, MGS4 AND an art pep talk in the same day? Trent, you're becoming the real MVP of my life

[@stefanoescobedo]

Thank u so much for this video. I've been for several months now and this really helps to put things in perspective! I keep advancing but slower, so it's good when u find this kind of videos that can make u realize that everyone struggles and we have to keep moving forward regardless of what life throws at us. Best regards from Chile!

[@giulyanoviniciussanssilva2947]

These videos are so enlightening.

[@WillZero005]

I swear these are good for my soul

[@edwardteach1992]

Dammit Trent...stop reading my mind! As always, thanks for this vid!!

[@al1c348]

Great video!! Thank you!

[@lucasnelson7426]

Formula for excellence. Needed this thanx.

[@yukimizukisisterstudios7366]

You are the best art therapist XD

[@louisdevignes6138]

Merci beaucoup, ça fait du bien d'entendre ces paroles

[@OP-pe4yc]

Thank you, Trent.

[@Kittsuera]

the only reason i see art hard go makey is time. too many unfinished projects that need attention. the to do list is a mile high and months behind. sure, like 90% of it isnt immediately important but its that non existent deadline that causes less important things to take priority because the least important things actually have deadlines. maybe i should set personal deadlines for art projects. maybe the magic of a deadline will force progress @-@ but everything counts towards experience so its not really wasted time.

[@matthewbarker511]

Great advice always appreciate your candid approach to these topics, and much respect to your great ambitions with your books. I can’t help but agree with your views on diminished heroics in modern entertainment.

[@jarom84]

Good video as usual! I just keep drawing even if I take a break and feel like I’m struggling. I figure one it’ll amount to something!

[@TohokuMatt]

This is one of the best motivational art videos I've seen in a while. Thanks for this, I needed to hear it. Also I just got your brush pack and the brushes are great! The video in the brush pack is such a troll though, the message "try out the brushes yourself and figure out how you want to use them" was good though. Thanks!

[@tugrulkocyigit9336]

Bro stop hypnotizing me :D

[@mrpizzacat8273]

My ambition always grows faster than my skill level, even though I’m improving it still feels like I’m going knowhere as my projects and ideas keep growing and are completely beyond my skill level.

[@maxworthprime]

Have you ever made any videos breaking down your career step by step? If not, I think it would be beneficial and entertaining to us all to hear the struggle and success of how you grew as an artist!

[@JeremmyaDevin]

I wonder why they didn't make superhero movie heroic again, like it used to?

[@Jowyerv]

Just in time I feel very under-appreciated both my studio and my freelance client, yet being under paid, and this video came out...

[@Noxaurea]

One of my drives to get better at art and writing is because of the crap that is popularized now, those not-very-hero-like heroes. Not to mention, there's just something that feels right about creating in general.

[@juliachiazokanwanya6922]

Thank you. This means a lot to me I feel like most artist has it easy and it's not in me ,that's why I keep drawing crap it hurts 😢

[@aurorarte6175]

Love the art therapy videos. Really needed in this world. 💖

[@sibillapepi2472]

Thanks for these words Trent, really! 🙏🏻

[@lrdalucardart]

I try both types, Zen Type where I just rest properly and do stuff at my own pace VS doing it at Light Speed non-stop, sleep less and learn faster. And I can easily tell, Light Speed works better, by far.

[@8MINECRAFTDIAMONDS8]

Something that's been slipping me up recently is the question of do you have to love playing the game to make artwork for it? I love the art style of games like WoW, Magic the Gathering, Skyrim but never enjoyed the games! Whereas games like Super Smash Bros, Clash of Clans are right up my street gamewise but I could never imagine making artwork like it!

[@coreysee5469]

love it bro thanks

[@hoitheguy]

Really needed to hear this today

[@AliLand93]

If I become a father one day, I'd try my best to be you! Sir you care about other artists as your children! Respect and Appreciations.

[@TrentKaniuga]

So nice of you

[@cjsopinion]

thank you Trent🙂

[@doryahdoryah8114]

First, thank you Trent for this video, it helps a lot, really. Second... I've never been called a diarrhea fart before. That was unexpected.

[@natpalazzo8833]

Cool art style.

[@avvakatto]

Great video pal!

[@sketchtherapy1218]

Thanks for the art therapy.

[@STUDIO7Collectibles]

This has been my headache for the last 2 weeks, feel like eveything looks crap lol.

[@daughter-ofzion1370]

Thanks, again Trent, your advice is always logical and encouraging! What would you have to say about freelancing with no experience? I was thinking of connecting with local businesses and offering to do advertising/ logos for them.

[@jinn2722]

“first art therapist” 😂 don’t forget Adam Duff

[@arabidopsisThaliana402]

thanks for the emotional support. I really appreciate that

[@alexielmarquay]

I want Trent to be my big brother. So much wisdom to share! :o