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BtAB - "Don't compare yourself to others"
9 years ago
Ah see, this one’s a very dynamic answer!
I know a lot of people won’t agree with me on this, but I think it’s actually a REALLY GOOD IDEA to compare yourself to others.
What you shouldn’t do – is let that comparison get you DOWN.
A lot of people seem to get really down and depressed when they find people way better than them at something. Please do be aware, that you’re PROOOOOOOOOOOOBABLY not the best at literally anything. You’re probably not close. There’s probably nothing you can do that someone else can’t do better. And find SOLACE IN THAT. OF COURSE you’re not the best. Neither are the other 6 billion peeps. You should not be concerned with where you’re at in regards to other people – that is an impossible battle that has been lost before you were born.
That’s also not what art’s about, even remotely.
I think the other issue people find, is when they compare themselves with people that they’ve known for a while. Like a friend that has blazed past them. The new problem is probably that you feel like you’re “a lesser person” because you didn’t improve as fast as that other person in the same time.
Well. Keep in mind that HOW you study is going to SERIOUSLY impact your progress.
This is where you SHOULD be paying attention to others out there. Some people improve SERIOUSLY FAST – and you have to really ask: What are they doing differently? You can start by comparing what they’re actually drawing. If you find yourself drawing simpler things, and they’re drawing very complex things – perhaps they’re pushing themselves in all forms simply in their subject matter. Perhaps they’re drawing 3-4 times more than you are. These comparisons can yield a ton of information. At the same time, the information we see, isn’t always the full story. Keep in mind, what people post is only what they POST – not all of what they draw.
You’ll find some randos online who claim they’ve only been drawing for a year, or that they just started – and it’s PRETTY EASY TO TELL when that’s absolute bull shit. I don’t know why people would try to lie about something like that, but it happens all the time. This is a scenario where you should not be paying attention.
A lot of this varies person to person. I find it really humbling to actually see all the experienced people out there. It kinda gives me a sense of being a part of some great journey that people have walked before, and are dreaming of walking on. And it’s even cooler seeing all my other homies taking the path with me!
It’s also a great idea to find some peers whose work you idolize. Finding stuff that you enjoy tells you more about yourself. You start to find out what sort of things you think is important, what you want to see more of. You can also see what people are doing differently, and how they’re working. There’s a lot of advantages from studying those above you.
Learning through other people can be very beneficial as well. Close studies can show you how an artist approaches a task. Perhaps there is a situation you would approach differently, you’re given an opportunity to think the task through, despite not actually working on it.
Finally, by knowing what’s out there, you’re able to know what’s NOT out there.
I think, if you’re being vigilant about “not trying to compare yourself” – you might find yourself avoiding other artists entirely. And being oblivious to what’s out there, encapsulated in your own little bubble, can do a lot of harm to your personal growth.
The problem is not in comparing yourself with others. The problem is when you do negative things with that comparison.
This article and the future ones to come is apart of an on-going project called Bursting the Artistic Bubble! Where I go around trying to debunk/clarify pre-established notions, and give some different perspectives on em. Things aren't always black and white, and I find a lot of these concepts can't be summarized in a single sentence. Paraphrasing can cause more harm than good, so I'm doing what I can to illuminate these concepts.
This project is possible because of my Patreons!
I know a lot of people won’t agree with me on this, but I think it’s actually a REALLY GOOD IDEA to compare yourself to others.
What you shouldn’t do – is let that comparison get you DOWN.
A lot of people seem to get really down and depressed when they find people way better than them at something. Please do be aware, that you’re PROOOOOOOOOOOOBABLY not the best at literally anything. You’re probably not close. There’s probably nothing you can do that someone else can’t do better. And find SOLACE IN THAT. OF COURSE you’re not the best. Neither are the other 6 billion peeps. You should not be concerned with where you’re at in regards to other people – that is an impossible battle that has been lost before you were born.
That’s also not what art’s about, even remotely.
I think the other issue people find, is when they compare themselves with people that they’ve known for a while. Like a friend that has blazed past them. The new problem is probably that you feel like you’re “a lesser person” because you didn’t improve as fast as that other person in the same time.
Well. Keep in mind that HOW you study is going to SERIOUSLY impact your progress.
This is where you SHOULD be paying attention to others out there. Some people improve SERIOUSLY FAST – and you have to really ask: What are they doing differently? You can start by comparing what they’re actually drawing. If you find yourself drawing simpler things, and they’re drawing very complex things – perhaps they’re pushing themselves in all forms simply in their subject matter. Perhaps they’re drawing 3-4 times more than you are. These comparisons can yield a ton of information. At the same time, the information we see, isn’t always the full story. Keep in mind, what people post is only what they POST – not all of what they draw.
You’ll find some randos online who claim they’ve only been drawing for a year, or that they just started – and it’s PRETTY EASY TO TELL when that’s absolute bull shit. I don’t know why people would try to lie about something like that, but it happens all the time. This is a scenario where you should not be paying attention.
A lot of this varies person to person. I find it really humbling to actually see all the experienced people out there. It kinda gives me a sense of being a part of some great journey that people have walked before, and are dreaming of walking on. And it’s even cooler seeing all my other homies taking the path with me!
It’s also a great idea to find some peers whose work you idolize. Finding stuff that you enjoy tells you more about yourself. You start to find out what sort of things you think is important, what you want to see more of. You can also see what people are doing differently, and how they’re working. There’s a lot of advantages from studying those above you.
Learning through other people can be very beneficial as well. Close studies can show you how an artist approaches a task. Perhaps there is a situation you would approach differently, you’re given an opportunity to think the task through, despite not actually working on it.
Finally, by knowing what’s out there, you’re able to know what’s NOT out there.
I think, if you’re being vigilant about “not trying to compare yourself” – you might find yourself avoiding other artists entirely. And being oblivious to what’s out there, encapsulated in your own little bubble, can do a lot of harm to your personal growth.
The problem is not in comparing yourself with others. The problem is when you do negative things with that comparison.
This article and the future ones to come is apart of an on-going project called Bursting the Artistic Bubble! Where I go around trying to debunk/clarify pre-established notions, and give some different perspectives on em. Things aren't always black and white, and I find a lot of these concepts can't be summarized in a single sentence. Paraphrasing can cause more harm than good, so I'm doing what I can to illuminate these concepts.
This project is possible because of my Patreons!
This is some of the most inspirational stuff I've read on the matter and I'd love to help you get your message out further.
I agree with a lot of this, actually. I've only been doing digital art seriously since Oct 15 (little over a year) and back when I first start doing stuff, I would look at other art for inspiration, but find that I was like... punishing myself/berating myself as I looked at nicer art than mine. It was self sabotage and in the early stages of learning, it's a really dangerous mindset to have. Luckily I was able to identify that early on and handle it in my own way. First, I stopped looking at other art for 'inspiration' altogether, and took a month or two to just create on my own. Then I would ease myself back into it, and learned to shut down the negative mentality of 'I'll never be this good' and replace it with 'What do they do that makes them this good?' instead. Turning it from an exercise in envy to a learning exercise instead.
In terms of progress, I've met people who've claimed they've been drawing for seven years and don't understand where eyes go on a skull, and then I've seen people who have only had a couple years of practice and are already coming into their own, unique style, anatomy down, the lot.
I think how you go about learning really, REALLY heavily influences the quality of your art. And having the patience and understanding to know that as much as you practice, time is a factor and change won't happen overnight - at least, not in the way you'd want it to. Also understanding that sometimes, the art from artists you admire is the product of several years, sometimes a decade's worth of trial and error.
I get told a lot that I progress really fast, and that alone is a huge motivator. When people compare your old work to your new work, it's so much healthier than comparing your work to someone else's, wherein the learning style is different and pretty much everything else down to the tools you use.
Comparing can totally be healthy, for sure. But comparison to the right things, at the right stage in your learning, for the right reasons matters. If there's ever any negative feelings about yourself when looking at someone else's art, that's something that needs to be handled immediately, for sure.
Thanks for writing all of these. I'm totally enjoying reading them! \o/
Glad ya digging these :> I have so much more to share!
Looking at other artists makes it hard to free oneself from influence though. It's pretty much impossible today to not be influenced by other artists though, and there's nothing wrong with being influenced. I do believe it's important if an artist wants to set trends though, that they do some self inspection and limit outside media. That being said, that is very difficult as a furry artist given the partially imaginary nature of furrydom.
Your words touch my heart and I can say I always do the bad thing to compare to others, even when I was studying Graphic design, I always was so sad and depressed because I have classmate better than me, with better ideas and skill. I was sad and that makes me go back in every kind of skill or practice, because of I when I saw the projects, and I comparate with mine..... was like... Seriously? I made this?.. it's trash!!.
The comparison like you say it's something good..... all this time .... I always stop when I compared with someone else..... when I finish the university... I always was scared of seeing others people art and design, because I knew mine isn't the best in any way, I need to change this view, your words make my heart feel better. I know I will not be able to change my fear and my sadness in comparison when I see others artist and designer, but I will keep your words in my heart and mind for help me to stand up and keep going and never give up again in this life.... Thank, THANKS!!! really thanks a lot, I don't have words to express myself how much your words.... your stories, helped me.... I hope someday I will be able to pay you back and tell you thanks in person. For now, I send you again a huge Thanks, for everything, for all these journals you just made and share, I will be waiting for the others, I wish you only the best in this life, and I hope every one of your dreams and goals is coming slowly in a reality!!!. And I hope your hand feels better and you can be recovered completely soon.
Thanks for taking your time in sharing this with us, you are a great person, and I will be forever grateful for all these things you share with us. Seriously you are a really a sweet and great person, and someday I want to meet you in person, shake your hand and spend some time, meet this great guy those sacrifice years of life practicing and learning, and share this experience with us. Meet this great guy that take 2 years studying in an art school for learning and be better, meet this guy that understands the hard/amazing/and interest artist life, meet this awesome person that is a great artist and a great person too. Meet this person that always is practicing for being better, always sharing time, meet this honest guy that help me a lot tonight.
Again Thanks from the bottom of my heart, Do you know? it's the first time after years I have the courage to write to you.
Really fuckin' glad to hear these things have helped out! I have A LOT more that I have sorta typed out, and some finished, but for some reason I kinda forgot about these >o>! I do really need to get back to em! Lots of cool things to be said!
But hey seriously thanks for reaching out! Glad you found the courage, but really - most of us are nice guys |3 Busy, sure, but would love to hear the comments none-the-less <3~!
If you ever hit up any cons, I'd be more than happy to meet up!
Anywho thanks again for sayin' man. This is what it's all about! Keeping the flame going, inspiring other artists, so whenever I get comments like these it really lets me know I'm on the right track =)
Best of luck with your studies and always keep thinking for the future~! Also drop by a stream some time! They can be very helpful, and I'm usually streaming with folks who'd love to talk about their experiences and help out on art stuff.
WHICH BTW your galleries got a ton of cuties! You should be proud! Lots of cool stuff in there =)
and well, I will start to talk more, and thanks for taking of your time in reading what I said, thanks for take your time in reply me and mostly help me and many others, you are awesome, always remember that.
Well, when I hit up a cons, I will let you know, will be so awesome meeting you in person.
Sometimes I went to your streaming, but still so shy to say something, but I can say I love when your mic is on and you are talking, and one time I remember you had some soundtrack about a guy talking about being an artist and how you can talk to others, about the marketing about the artwork and all this stuff, was so cool.
Thanks, man, you are the best, your words reach my heart. you will be always an example to follow.
and Sorry for all my mistakes, my English still not be perfect.
Me and my friends suffer from comparison with other's success, fame and skill and it often leave us down. I get to fight that feeling most of the time, still not used to looking at big posts and feeling like a ghost punched me in the guts.
I try to learn the best I can by myself, recently I'm reaching out for advice and making contacts so I could grow even more, feels like the more I talk about the bothers and strategy about skill and business growth, I'll finally be able to be at ease. I want success just as anyone I know and I hate when I'm not doing anything about that, da***t!
That said, if one day I get the chance to meet you and/or other artists in person, that'll be the day, dude. There too much I'd like to talk.