Your Zine Sucks (And That's Okay)

[@brattyxbre]

If you don’t know, zines are DIY print work that you can make copies of to sell, trade, or give away for free. Unlike traditional magazines, zines are DIY to be more accessible, cheap to make, and expressive!

[@lilaboxx]

I recently made a little zine with my personal advice for starting / keeping up with a sketchbook mainly for a friend who's been getting into art again lately and a lot of it was also "allow yourself to be bad / messy" I have a sketchbook that turned into my "trash sketchbook" and because there's less pressure I've developed some really amazing ideas in it

[@brattyxbre]

Yes! Less pressure allows you to just BEGIN..I love your comment, thank you for sharing :)

[@wren.no.1]

i love ur whole vibe, bre!!! i also have some tips :) 1. make a zine about why it's hard to make zines. i'm currently doing this one even though my creative writing teacher said writing about not being able to write is boring. since it's something a lot of people experience, your take on it could help someone else at least feel less alone, so i don't think its boring. i think it's necessary. (i could rant about this forever) 2. being wrong and failing is gonna happen, but you've got people who will support you through it. if not yet, we're on our way

[@brattyxbre]

Thank you Wren, this is incredible! I appreciate your tips and will definitely be trying em out ♥️

[@wren.no.1]

@@brattyxbre no problem!! i hope it can be a resource for your amazing community here on yt

[@pancake4688]

I’m a beginner artist also perfectionist and someone who is also trying to regain my creativity and I’m making a zine for the first time and I’m just going to make these to kinda track my progress as a leaning artist and I literally am making a zine that is titled “my first zine” and I’m honestly just talking about myself and letting myself make mistakes and it’s actually REALLY FUN LIKE WTF like his is the first time I haven’t gotten mad at myself for something not being “perfect” (you were one of the first artist I learned about zines from so thank you!)

[@brattyxbre]

the power of zines! I love this 💞 thank you so much for commenting this and watching my video. Keep going!!

[@throughcolouredglasses9300]

I was honestly just looking for something to put on in the background while I spontaneously craft a little zine (spontaneous idea, never done that before). But the things you talked about here hit me so hard I spent most of the video sobbing?? I've had such a love-hate relationship with my art for the past 10 years, I miss the time when I just used to draw for the fun of it without feeling like I lack the skill to make things that are up to my standards. You spoke so kindly and intelligently about these things, it feels like you reached back to when my teenage self first discovered that she's not actually an art-genius and told her all the things I wish I had been told before I gave up trying to create things. Thank you for putting this video out here. I did *not* expect to be so touched - or, more accurately, punched in the gut (in a good way!) - but here we are. Guess there are things I gotta work on/through! You speak with such understanding and compassion, it so soothing to hear you talk about this. I can't believe you don't have like 200.000+ views on this video. It feels like exactly the kind of conversation we as creatives should have more of. I so appreciate you going beyond just "it's okay to make mistakes" and "gotta make bad art before you make good art, so just be okay with it". While these are true, that's not enough to actually be helpful for those of us who struggle. You definetely gained a new subscriber in me. I'm excited to see your other videos :)

[@brattyxbre]

I’m so glad we crossed paths this way! Keep going ❤️❤️❤️ I know this creative path is not easy but you got this. Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to comment - it means everything to me. Have a great weekend!

[@jumies4056]

i’ve been working on a zine with a similar message to this video but i haven’t been taking my own advice. hearing the words from someone else’s mouth helped them sink in a little more and was really encouraging. thank you!!

[@brattyxbre]

You got this! 🥰

[@Machati]

I've never made a zine before but I'm a professional artist and I really struggle with these fears, especially when it's a personal project that's supposed to be for fun..! This was really helpful to hear, you've inspired me, and I'm gonna check out those books!

[@TurtleCano]

im not really planning on making any zines anytime soon, but the advice you gave here could be used interchangeably with making/posting drawings, and in my case, animations! i found this very insightful and made me take a step back on how i hoard all of my animations until i think they cant possibly be improved upon anymore, which isnt very good i feel!! i know that's not relevant to the zine talk at all lmao, but thanks for the inspiring words none the less!!

[@brattyxbre]

omg this is so awesome!! glad my video resonated with you…keep drawing and never give up ❤️❤️ thanks for watching I appreciate you

[@virgil.alonso]

goddamn i actually have this in my notes app like 6 months ago. im glad a video like this exists

[@theartistvei]

Omg The War of Art is suuuuuch a good book! I never came across a book that gets my approach more than The War of Art. Great video, Bre!

[@JayDeadie]

I've never seen your videos, and I've never even heard of zines until today, but you are so interesting and inspiring! Thank you I'm gonna try to make something now!

[@ashleyboots3386]

Fear of needing to be perfect before trying something creative was a huge, huge blocker for us for most of our life. Between that and other mental health issues, it took **decades** to finally learn how to draw. Once I let go of needing to be perfect, the world opened up. Be proud of being imperfect! Practice makes progress. 😄

[@kateryneart]

Hi Bre, I know this is an old video but I’m such a fan and find myself rewatching your videos because they lift me up and give me great ideas. Thank you so much for your great advice. I gave up setting New Year’s resolutions years ago but I do set goals often. This year I decided to do a monthly zine on different topics. I made a Flexagon for my grandson of scenes from Five Nights at Freddie’s (his favorite movie). He has ADHD and it’s like a homemade fidget thing. It’s not perfect but he loved it. Thank you, Bre, for your advice, instructions and your beautiful soul! 🤗

[@brattyxbre]

Happy New Year 🎊🎆 Thank you for always commenting and connecting with me in 2023 x so happy I could inspire you and love hearing about your zine projects! The FNAF flexagon is brilliant, sooo nice as a fidget toy for sure :)

[@Omegawerewolfx]

I like your hair. The bees would probably work if the foam frame was thicker. Experimenting is learning and that's always good. Mr Cage is worth all effort!

[@brattyxbre]

Thanks for the tips! And the compliment on my hair. I won’t give up on Mr Cage ❤️

[@gargoylebabe5427]

Yes bre!!! I love your work so much it makes me so happy when I see your posts come up

[@brattyxbre]

You’re making me blusssssh 😭♥️ thank you for always showing up for me, I appreciate it so much

[@bone_dust8343]

Ive been making zines for a little while now, but only recently have i been actually making copies and giving them out to friends. This video has been a big help!!! Thank you bre!!

[@brattyxbre]

🥰♥️♥️♥️

[@camille76610]

I started Julia Cameron's book "The Artist's way" recently and so much of what you said in this video reminds me of it! Which isvgreat because I need to hear those advice again and again and hopefully at some point it'll stick 😅 Also I working on creating a zine about my great-grandmother's life (I looove family history and I really want her story to be remembered and passed on to future generation) and after a few drafts, I feel llike i'm getting close to a final version, yay!! So thank you for your videos, they're always very inspiring and encouraging 🥰 and also I love your voice, it's very soothing 😅

[@brattyxbre]

I was just gifted The Artist’s Way and can’t wait to start it! I hear that there are some great practices in there, too. I love books like that. I’m so excited to hear about your family history zine - I can agree that I love diving into the past like that! It’s also very interesting to see where we come from and who was here before us 💞 Have fun with that, I’m really happy that you enjoy my videos!! Hope you enjoy october!!

[@faceinclouds]

you have the coolest attitude and it inspired me to start my own zine i live in a really big city so dont have a car and go public everywhere which means there are lots of little nooks and cranies for me to stuff my zines into :)

[@brattyxbre]

This is awesome 💞 Whoever comes across your zines are in for a sweet surprise :) I wish it were me getting to find them!

[@valisha.1111]

thank you Bre! Ive only learnt about zines this week and been obsessed with your videos! I love your work, your passion and high quality contents! Thank you so much for being so inspiring and motivating! 💓

[@brattyxbre]

This comment is so nice, thank you for watching my videos! I’m glad I can be part of your zine journey 🥰

[@ummmheather]

you're literally so talented and smart :,) I LUV U

[@brattyxbre]

Thank you, friend! 🫶🏽 I love you, too!

[@Fortunalux]

There is a lot of wisdom in this video. Thank you, Bre

[@B.coffin]

Very uplifting! Thanks for making this video.

[@brattyxbre]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vickisigh2674]

THE WICKERMAN ZINE AFSFDJKSJAJ 👌😭😭

[@brattyxbre]

😭😭😭🐝

[@tahle_art]

I remember like in 7 grade me and 2 friends made a moxie like zine and we wrote about how boys treated us. After we finished coping like 20 of them we layd them outside our school but when we came there the next morning they were gone so someone took them.

[@brattyxbre]

😩 I hope those boys read em if they stole em and changed their ways!!

[@NoLOVEinFEAR333]

Thank you so much for sharing! there's so much great wisdom and & insights in this video

[@brattyxbre]

Glad it was helpful ❤️❤️❤️

[@enamnoeki]

I make comics and always have to fight through the process even when I think it's not looking right. It's honestly better to just get it out there and then go to the next thing.

[@jacobgonzalez8146]

1. you are so pretty 2. this was really helpful

[@brattyxbre]

Glad it was helpful 💕

[@SketchbookTimeMachine]

Oh no! I knew I shouldn't have watched this video! Now I want to go make 'zines all night like back in the old days! 🤘😆🤘

[@Moon-ep2bb]

oh you should try wood in the frame. Then it will have space for the bees to really move freely.

[@brattyxbre]

GREAT tip!! Thank you I will have to revisit that zine to try it out now 🥰

[@johnchoi8748]

Thanks for this awesome video! Is really encouraging!!

[@brattyxbre]

It’s my pleasure ❤️

[@SevenUnwokenDreams]

It didn't even occur to me that my zine might suck. I guess the second two pages are really not great now that I think about it... too much writing.

[@brattyxbre]

I’m sure it’s great! The idea of this video is that it’s okay no matter how it looks :) letting go of expectations

[@Jasmine-ot8br]

Hey bre!! Love the zines I got from you ❤

[@brattyxbre]

Aww I’m happy to hear that, thank you for reading them! 😄❤️

[@yeti8850]

You should use penny sleeves for trading cards to make the bees move around

[@brattyxbre]

Ooo thanks for the tip! 🤗

[@moonriversou]

Hello, thank you for your videos, they motivate me so much

[@brattyxbre]

Hi Soundarya! Thank you for watching, I’m so excited you’re making zines :) I make digital zines often! I have a few tutorials on my website under the “zine resources” tab. You will see a tutorial in there that says “how to make zines on procreate” which is how I digitally make my zines. It’s VERY easy for a beginner. Let me know if my tutorials help! Here is my website (you may have to copy and paste it): msha.ke/brestinyprintshop

[@chiqxart]

My spouse say you look like an elf, and now I can't un see it

[@MarcusJohnsonFilms]

You might have covered this already but do you have any recommendations on places to share your zines?

[@brattyxbre]

Yes - you can always share them online, make your own website and sell them, wholesale with local bookstores and music shops, trades through mail, or donating to your local library

[@2near_death]

Then you have people like me that think your shitty work is BRILLIANT !!

[@brattyxbre]

Stop you’re too nice!! 😭❤️❤️

[@pinapplegaming5781]

the urge to pronounce zine like zine instead of zeen

[@brattyxbre]

Happens all the time 😂

[@xae-u8k]

Yaaaazz!!!

[@coconutmilch2351]

have you seen zines that are purely words with no pictures? i'm curious to see that type of zine!

[@brattyxbre]

Yes actually, there is a zine called SPEW that is text heavy. You can find them on Instagram @spewzine. Also I have a few of my own that’s all short stories and poems!

[@coconutmilch2351]

nice!!! thanks for the recommendations :D @@brattyxbre

[@brattyxbre]

My pleasure 😇

[@homunculusgrey2921]

Did she just say involuntary kegels ? Damn, more brave than me lmao

[@brattyxbre]

🤣

[@PiffanyGor]

Thank you so much for this video and recommendations. I sent this to my boyfriend regarding art and wow thank you for the transparency and common humanity. Here is an updated link for the book, if u wanna update the description link (that one was removed). kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6mWhaOLadGMmNksi=TWfcEblsljt4u215

[@brattyxbre]

You're so welcome! And thanks for this link that helps a lot, I didn’t realize the other one was gone. Have a great weekend 🥰🫶🏽