Struggling with Motivation as an Artist - Asking Pros

Asking Pros is back with Season 2! In this episode, I went to Comic Con to ask 20 professional artists if they ever struggle with motivation, and if so, how they deal with it. I have 7 more episodes coming, so stay tuned :)

Asking Pros Season 1:

#artmotivation #comiccon #comicart

Thumbnail Art by Sanford Greene

Thank you to all the artists that participated:

Don't miss new tutorials - Hit the BELL!

FOLLOW PROKO:

WATCH MORE PROKO:

ABOUT PROKO:

Instructional How to Draw videos for artists. My drawing lessons are approachable enough for beginners and detailed enough for advanced artists. My philosophy is to teach timeless concepts in an entertaining way. I believe that when you are having fun, you learn better. I take pride in producing high quality videos that you will enjoy watching and re-watching.

CREDITS:

Editing - Sean Ramsey
Artists Interviewed:

Music Used with Permission
Intro - The Freak Fandango Orchestra
Dope beats by Otis McDonald
Additional music by Epidemic Sound

[mothandpodiatrist]

I feel like for a lot of us low motivation is not about energy levels, laziness or lack of inspiration but because of fear. The act of drawing poses so many microscopic choices and choosing incorrectly could end in failure. Oftentimes I would have a colored thumbnail sketch I had decided on but I would immediately start procrastinating when I had to begin the "final" piece. A useful trick I found when I was afraid of drawing was to create a new layer called "Test Layer" or "Attempt 1" and just draw on that while giving myself no pressure to make anything good. Since quality no longer mattered, there was no longer any reason to be afraid. Sometimes I would delete it and that would be fine but more often than not I would end up renaming that layer to "sketch", and there wouldn't even be an attempt 2.

[leonardoromero]

The one who said "just get bored" is the comment I liked most.

[mattiaskarlsson]

My mentor would kill me for admitting this, but I actually like not feeling motivated all the time. I don't like the idea of becoming a conveyor belt who does nothing but draw, I want to watch movies on occasion and go out for some coffee bread, or just lean back and listen to the rain falling on the roof. I struggle through it, but I feel good knowing my body simply won't let me become that kind of person who locks himself up and never does anything but work.

[whiskeyclones]

Having a mental health issue complicates this, especially considering one of the main symptoms is lack of motivation to get up, let alone draw. I wish there were more resources for creatives who struggle with this.

[blenderguru]

Great advice! I love the idea of asking the same question to multiple professionals to get different perspectives.

[qtu]

I like what Peter Han said about how juggling multiple things keeps him motivated

[roiferreach]

I really like what Brian Haberlin said, "inspiration for creativity is out of boredom" and I agree. Most of the time I experienced that boredom drives me to create.

[hurleyman]

Something I didn't hear anyone talk about is that it can be helpful to find out WHY you're de-motivated or discouraged. I've found that when I'm disinterested in a project it's usually one of three reasons 1) I'm stressed out about some other part of my life, in which case the solution is often to solve that other problem first. If I can't solve that problem, it can be helpful to by kind to myself by acknowledging that I'm just going to be less productive for a little while, and that's okay (if I've built it into my schedule) 2) The rest of my life has been too busy, and I'm really tired, in which case the best solution is to take some time to be very still and very quiet, without trying to distract myself with more activity 3) The problem is intimidating, in which case I try to fond some small part of it that I can actually do. Just start with the framework, or just start organizing the desk, or just start with the obvious thing, and then it becomes easier to see the problem/project as lots of smaller pieces that are less intimidating.... or can become less intimidating as you get each on finished.

[mrepicme]

wow you met karl kopinski. thats awesome

[SmooothSS]

Brian Haberlin’s strategy to Get Bored resonated with me. I am guilty of grabbing my phone and scanning social media. New credo for 2019 is allow myself to be bored.

[DonReba]

Sean Andrew Murray: "Do I struggle with motivation? Yes, of course! I think most artists do."
Bobby Chiu: "Of course! Just like everybody else."
Just about every other artist interviewed: "Nope. Not me!"

[GavinMichelliArt]

I think Eliza has it right on, and extra props to her for manning her table at a con with a new baby! She's absolutely right, though: if you want to draw for a living, you have to clock in, draw, and clock out. You have to just do it, whether or not you're inspired...you'll get inspired once you get the pencil moving. Or sometimes, you won't, and you'll end up creating something that you won't want to show anyone, and that's okay. The important thing is that you showed up and did some work.

[tripplejaz]

Bobby Chiu is a national treasure for artists. I remember watching his YouTube channel when I was about 11 in 2007 and he was the reason I wanted to become a digital painter. Thanks Bobby!

Great video as always Stan. Really like these vlog style posts, but they have substance.

[kdvr]

Practical motivation is paying the bill😂🤣

[jkstudioart]

honestly, what motivates me to draw is actualy fact I wanna be better and creative and very much the youtube comunity of artists helps me to get motivated, when I struggle and im down. Its easy to draw when i desire for it, but when i struggle other artist and even your channel helps me to wake up, keep growing and be better ! Thanks Proko ! you are great !

[PilferpupCartoons]

I think we all struggle with this, it was refreshing to see others even further along in their career in the same situation. Can't escape from it, but can slowly master it. Exactly what I needed to start my day. Love all your vidoes Proko! Also the Comic Con was a really fun and chill vibe.

[damianogiolitti]

Basically don't get stuck on something. Keep your mind fresh and if you need take a little break and come back. Work on multiple projects and switch between them

[andrewmartin]

This video was perfectly timed. I'm sitting here trying to figure out what the heck I'm gonna do with this drawing, but hearing the words of others about art motivation got me inspired

[ImCerealSuperDuperCereal]

I haven't drawn a picture in 4 years and just picked it up a couple days ago. How I keep my motivation to get back to my past level and continue to rise is not comparing my art to other people and drawing for myself. I don't follow artist on Instagram and I only watch youtube videos of drawing for educational purposes. When I went to art school, it was a real cut-throat industry and it killed my passion for drawing, so when I draw a picture, I really don't share it and if somebody comes across it and likes it, it's a bonus. I'm glad I got back into drawing.

[HeavenlySaviour]

The greatest costume is Old Man Cabbage Guy "My Cabbages"!!!