You are not running out of time

[Jie Kageshinzo]

I thought this is an interesting read, especially in light with the occasional "Is it too late for me to learn drawing" threads that pop up every now and then.

You are not running out of time.

[Star Eater]

Iain Mccaig gave art lessons to an 84 year old man who went on to become a working artist.

[Saraiva]

Great post! Thanks for sharing! I liked this quote:

"Now imagine building a family, or a skillset, or any object or business. Is it more important to do it rapidly and compare it to others or to build something that will last, and bring your vision to life?"

I feel like this applies to me and to many here. We are so focused on improving as fast as we can and comparing ourselves with other sketchbooks/portfolios that we forget why we are doing it in the first place.

[rem92]

Great post! Thanks for sharing! I liked this quote:

"Now imagine building a family, or a skillset, or any object or business. Is it more important to do it rapidly and compare it to others or to build something that will last, and bring your vision to life?"

I feel like this applies to me and to many here. We are so focused on improving as fast as we can and comparing ourselves with other sketchbooks/portfolios that we forget why we are doing it in the first place.

True that, right now im so overwhelmed by all the things i want to dominate, digital painting, drawing the figure, drawing dragons... at the end of the day i am not able to focus properly on something and it ends up being counterproductive..

[Angel Intheuk]

Totally! I have so many half finished projects because I know I don't have the skills yet to finish them to the standard that's in my head Maybe they aren't meant to be finished though, I didn't carry on with them because they weren't working so each unfinished piece is a testament to what I need to work on, a record of what not to do! But I still enjoyed painting them up til that point.



EDIT: However one thing that bugs me is the the part about building families, because as a woman there is such a thing as running out of time (Not a fan of IVF for women over 45 it's just doesn't seem right), I'm only saying because as I'm 32 it's been on my mind for a few years now and unfortunately my hormones are against me and are demanding I procreate, it's annoying, I just want to get better at painting.

[Kjesta]

EDIT: However one thing that bugs me is the the part about building families, because as a woman there is such a thing as running out of time (Not a fan of IVF for women over 45 it's just doesn't seem right), I'm only saying because as I'm 32 it's been on my mind for a few years now and unfortunately my hormones are against me and are demanding I procreate, it's annoying, I just want to get better at painting.

You can still build a family by adopting. The world is woefully overpopulated anyway and there are millions of kids out there who have no one in the whole world to love them and give them a home. That's what I plan to do, should I ever feel the need to have kids. (No pregnancy for me ever, TYVM.)

[Tim Murphy]

I feel like this applies to me and to many here. We are so focused on improving as fast as we can and comparing ourselves with other sketchbooks/portfolios that we forget why we are doing it in the first place.

I know I've fallen into that trap before, comparing myself to many of the people on this site/CGhub/etc. Not really fair to myself I suppose, I've only been at this for about a year, without even doodling before that, while others have been doing it for decades.

To a certain point though, I feel it can be a useful thing. Aiming to be better than X can push one through tough spots. Just have to be careful that you don't reach X and say "Eh, fuck it."

[untier]

At 28 and as a single man, I have something sick( if it's not kinky...) on this topic... I'm just a common technical worker and make less money. Basically Each week I have only one non-working day. So I have to paint at night and this is the very time I have to do many things in... I have somewhat tristimania slightly. Sometimes I can't cope with pressures appropriately... I often sensed the contradiction that it's a pity that I was doing thing 1 while I wasn't doing thing 2, if I was doing the thing 2 , I also felt it's a pity that I wasn't doing the thing 1... This mood would be killing me!

Moreover, I haven't done a work that's priced over $18 per piece... It makes me insane and is torturing my passion of painting! I suppose I'm about to be a numb this way!

[Jie Kageshinzo]

To a certain point though, I feel it can be a useful thing. Aiming to be better than X can push one through tough spots. Just have to be careful that you don't reach X and say "Eh, fuck it."

I think this is why you have to set little personal goalposts to your ultimate goal. Once you reach your personal goalpost, move it just a little further away, to the direction of your ultimate goal. You'll just wake up one day to know you're at the finish line.

Of course, once you're at the finish line, then that's when you start putting up a new ultimate goal. Like the article says, work at your own pace.

It's like eating this huge burger. Swallow it whole and you risk the danger of choking. Take a bite one piece at a time however, and you will find that you can finish it easier that way, and enjoy it in the process too!

[gruve24]

I didn't read the link but it kills me when people give themselves ultimatums. Should I get a business degree or focus on my passion of art.

I always say DO BOTH but prioritize things based on necessity.

[OldJake666]

I feel this way about music sometimes which is a shame, but it's no secret that most musicians either make it or break it in their early 20's. The percentage of the people that become very musically successful post-26 or so is rather small, even in non-commercial music. Or not even musically successful, but in a band that plays original material and maybe even has a small contract with a label.

[OldJake666]

This quote by Tom Waits is relevant: "Little man | Never hurry, take it slow | Things worth while need time to grow."

[Whispy Mcwillow]

Inspiring, I've always found articles of this kind uplifting, perhaps because I'm horrible at focusing on one topic and as such spend most of my studies wandering aimlessly around...

[LordLouis]

I didn't read the link but it kills me when people give themselves ultimatums. Should I get a business degree or focus on my passion of art.

I always say DO BOTH but prioritize things based on necessity.

I don't see things that simple, but I have accepted that I make things complicated and thus develop strategies against the sort of panic I am displaying by this following paragraph.

I am finishing my BA History/Politics next year, and I would like to study art after that, in order to incorporate both art and writing into my future career.
Now the money matters. "Waste" another 3 years on education if I could teach myself? But then again, I really want to improve as fast as possible and become proficient in certain areas, so should I really stay in Marketing and doodle my way to Frazetta? How would I pay for art school? Is a scholarship a goal I could reach by next april?
What is the neccessity according to your formula? I regard working as a neccessity, but I also regard pursuing my dreams as a neccessity.
Ah, wait.. is art really my dream? I don't share this divine obsession with most the people here, does that mean I am not a "true artist"? Does that exist? Do "dreams" as such exist?


It can go off track sooo quickly

[Matani]

I thought this is an interesting read, especially in light with the occasional "Is it too late for me to learn drawing" threads that pop up every now and then.

You are not running out of time.

It was a really good and inspirational read, thanks. It's a pretty easy trap to get caught comparing one's self to a younger artist or even someone your age.

[seetsy]

thanks this is a good read.. i read recently somewhere that the phrase 'i'm not there yet', or ' i still have a long way to go', which is something i have a habit of telling myself, is quite dangerous, as it doesnt let you enjoy what you're doing or where are now. The truth is you will never get there, because 'there' always changes. Like this guy says, you've got to enjoy the moment, the process or the journey. Especailly with skillsets like art, i think you have to enjoy what you do now, because you are doing it now.

If you ever get 'there' , its most likely you will be doing the same thing you do now, you will just be better at doing it. So theres pretty much all you can do is enjoy creating, and enjoy the process of developing your skills.

[gruve24]

What is the neccessity according to your formula?

The Order of Necessities for our current times

MONEY should be your focus until it is no longer an issue
High Paying Work or Owning a Successful Business

which leads to..

Survival
Food
Shelter
Clothing
Fitness

Comfort
Stress Free Environment
Access to Quality Food
Access to Professional Clothing
Improved Level of Fitness

Mobility
Ability to Save and Plan
Access to Resources that require money in abundance
Disposable Income

Everything Else
Other endeavors of interest
Contributing to mankind
Women

Once you already have the money and success you can soul search, figure out what you want, what makes you tick and other endeavors to pursue.

[carakhan]

gruve24: All that sounds like is a good way to always be depressed and overworked. Soul searching is something that should be done all the time. You could spend your entire life trying to become wealthy and successful and never get there because shit happens. But family, love, and dreams can keep you going, and you shouldn't put those things off just because of money.
That's like saying everyone here should just stop drawing and go get a Computer Science degree, and slave away until they retire.

[MatthewHD]

Yeah, it sounds like you're trying to accomplish two dreams there, Gruve. Many people in this world would be happy to have a stable income. I read an article where a law student graduated only to not be able to find a job with a 100k in debt. Not sure of the validity as it was a Yahoo article, but it was interesting to see.

Anyways, there's certainly the practical ways to go about your life, but dreams often fly in the face of practical.

[Stuart DeViva]

Very nice read! I think about "the game" as well. But never that in depth!

The peak is definitely just a place holder. I only have one goal that will always be the same: Get better. It's not about being better than the Jones'. I don't really care who I'm better than.

The only reason for me to compete, per say, with art, is for economic gain. I don't really care about the recognition anymore. I mean, or course it's wonderful to have. But, I draw and paint because I enjoy it, not because I want to be better than someone.It's about being better than yourself. I figure, as long as I'm making myself better, enjoy what I do and actively pursue it as a career, everything else will follow.

Not to say that competitiveness is wrong or anything, I will be as competitive as the next guy in the field, in order to move up. However, it's simply not why I do it, ya know? When I ran track, that I did, primarily to win. The most enjoyable part about track and field was being the victor. That was why I trained.

Art is something I want to be able to do all of the time for the rest of my life. In order to do that, I have to be good.

[Rhubix]

This is me in a nut shell! I work in animation- sketch for an hour to and from work every day and spend at least 3 evenings dedicate to some sort of art endeavor - I easily put 60+ hours a week into my art and I still feel like I'm not doing enough.
I keep looking at all the artists ahead of me and feel like I'm drowning
I think I'm going to print this out and tape it all over my office walls...