Hey guys, happy Sunday! :D Not to bring everyone's mood down, but this is a pretty sad (and ridiculously long, jfc, I'm sorry D:) video. I didn't seem right to just condense the past couple of years into a quick few sentences cause 1) I doubt you'd understand just how bad this art block was and 2) I need you to realize how important it is to put yourself first before your art work. Yeah, I could've just kept on working myself into an early grave, but it would've gotten me no where. Please remember to take care of yourself. And /please/ don't hesitate to get help when you need it. I thought my mental state and my artwork were two separate entities when in reality they couldn't be more entwined. Also, for those wondering, I am doing a lot better (like a LOT better). Technically, I could crank out a video every week on top of doing thesis, but I don't want to relapse into my old toxic habits. So instead, I'm taking it easy, and posting when I feel like it. I hope you all understand
Hey Biana, im so happy that u took the time to make this video. For the 6 months i havent done any art. I physically cant put pen to paper. I have no clue what to do like i literally havent done any drawing. My teacher never caught on in the beginning but she has recently. The worst part is i dont know what to do i cant keep going on the way im going i will end up failing. The thing is like year i did my art portfolio and just got my score in october, i ended up getting full marks. But that was for last years portfolio. I havent done any work for this years and im 3 months into the school year. I dont know what to do everytime i try to do art i just blank out, and feel as though i cant draw and have no confidence.
I can't relate more to you. My friend actually send me this video saying "she remind me of you" You inspired me to share my experience with a heavy artblock because to be honest, people outside the art community don't know how hard It is to deal with artblocks. Not that they are ignorant, no. But I see many people sharing their experiences with depression and saying how hard It is and how nobody understands ext. Truly heavy artblock is very similar to that.
Man! This is the most relate-able video I've ever watched. I am not in art school, but I had a year like this. Thanks for sharing your process and experience.
I know this is a late comment, but I needed this. I think it's the most helpful art block video I've ever watched. I have been struggling with my art style for so long and I think part of it has been because I'm paying too much attention to other artists and what would look good on social media. The struggle makes me feel tired and like I don't want to do art. I do want a cohesive style though and I hope that as I analyze why I love certain creators that will reflect in my work. For instance I love bright colors as well, and I also love lineless work. Right now I'm figuring out how to mix some linework with lineless work and mixing more painted, smooth textures with gritty textures like colored pencil.
I have to say this you are my savior, I've been struggling with depression and a lot of school work has been piled on me. I have been seeking help with it but still very hard and watching your videos had made me feel so much better. Especially your educational videos about college and how to prepare myself for that and improving on my art work. Thank you so much you have lifted a burden on me. I've seen dozen of youtube videos that's similar to yours but I can never find it the way you do it. I understand that people have their own point of views but yours has made me feel so good and made me feel so comfortable and educated thank you again.
I had a huge art block because my opus is a body of large-scale oil paintings I made while getting out of my mom's cult, and dealing with severe suicidal ideation, and after that I spent a year trying to recycle that idea lol. The thing that made it all better for me was quitting art to figure out what I wanted to be afterwards. now I'm 17, starting an art business and finally getting a GED, then I'm gonna go into MCAD to make myself a great artist while having fun :D
I started following you around the time you changed to Massart and it's insane to see your growth through your art. The art an artist makes somehow always shows how they're feeling and that's so cool. I realllllly love you newer pieces that you put on IG. They look so happy and loved. You are such an inspiration and i friggin love you and your work. I am glad to see you grow and you deserve to be happy. Have a great day 🤗🤗
omg yesss i freaking love victo ngai, her 'mooncatcher' piece has been the lock screen on my phone for about 3 years now. i totally know what you mean about the 'feels' her work gives. its so detailed and tight and yet so expressive, i'm in awe of that lady. thanks so much for this video, i've only just started making art properly this year and i managed a few months before i hit a wall haha trying to get back to that place where i couldnt wait to sit at my desk and paint something ❤
I relate so much to this. I have an auto- immune disease and at one point the only thing I could physically do was drawing. So that's all I did. As I found appropriate treatment and I was able to do other things I just couldn't work up the desire or inspiration to put anything down on paper. I'm still working on coming out of my art block to be honest.
this is so wild to listen to wow. I remember when u were posting the 100 store fronts thing and all that. U really dont know wats going on in someones life huh? Well anyways i love this video and i loved hearing about this. Thank u for sharing this was really interesting and helpful ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you for this video! ♥ Excessively drawing sounds just... like me. Sometimes I get up at 5 am to draw before work, draw during my lunchbreak and draw as soon as I get home. If I don't draw but think about playing videogames or reading a book, there's like an inner voice, telling me to not do that lazy unproductive crap, but instead draw. It got worse since my grandma died in february and my parents had to give up living on the farm where I grew up... ... but compared to you, art is still something, I do in my free time, it's not my job. It's all just "personal art". You as an art-student are in a different situation. Just like you, I'm not a child anymore. I'm an adult living with my fiancé, working fulltime (in a boring job, just to pay my bills) and draw in every free minute. There are no assignments. I don't "have to" do anything. But if I don't draw, I feel bad. If I don't have a sketchbook with me, when leaving the house, I feel like something's wrong... I know it's probably not healthy, but it's all I got. And I don't even want to think about taking a break, even if my wrist hurts, even if I feel like getting more sleep... because if I stop, I might have to think more about the past things, which happened this year.
Hi Biana! I’ve been loving your TH-cam videos for a while now and feel so inspired by your content. I’m so happy you chose to share this experience. I’ve had so many periods in my life (mostly in college) where I did art and projects because of having to for class but didn’t connect with any of it ...at all. My technical skills had even stagnated and while passed classes and got my degree BUT I did not feel like I deserved it. It wasn’t until I went into my masters (art therapy/psychology) where I was forced to self examine and deal with a lot of my baggage and I ended up falling back in love with the art making process. I think your points about noting what you like and focusing on that relationship can help SO much to break out of that feeling of being stuck...It may sound obvious but how often do we really spend time getting to know ourselves better? I’m so happy you’ve been able to break out of that period in your life...I’m so excited to see more of your work (especially what you are enjoying creating most).
I've been going through this for over a year. It lifted for the month of May and I made a bunch of stuff. Then it went back the other way. I have done thousands of pieces and received a fair amount of praise. Now, I can't produce anything that is even remotely good, regardless of personal taste. Maybe I've just done all that I'm ever going to do. I wish I could know that for certain, then I'd just walk away from it forever. I'm sick of every single color but I don't fancy black and white either. What is left? Nothing at all and even 'nothing' has already been done.
Loved this, thank you! I think everyone should go to therapy at some point in their life, it is sooo helpful. And thank you for crushing the artist in pain = good art. ❤💖💜🧡💗
I’m trying to bring myself out of a year + art block and have noooo idea where to start. My style and content I used to make just doesn’t fit me well anymore
I’m only at the beginning of the video but when you said Starbucks full time and going to massart I was like ME TOOO first of all I have to say one of the biggest factors of my burnout has to have been working at Starbucks full time omG then like all the other reasons etc but I was just shook also shook that you went to massart!! I’m in my last year in animation- anyways lemme finish this video LMAO Edit: wow we really had the same experience even with the emotional coping via art :( it’s the worst feeling realizing you have been making art via coping and then trying to figure out how to make art just art again it took me about a year so far (a little over?) for me to come out of my burnout and I’m not 100% over it yet Edit 2: OMG HALFWAY THROUGH THIS VIDEO WE REALLY HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE IMG my junior year work (coming from an emotionally hORRIBLE sophomore year) was so flat and lifeless and I just couldn’t get myself to care about any of my work and literally only now, the end of the first semester my senior year am I really starting to care and feel for my work again it’s really insane to not be alone in this. I couldn’t get myself to make it to so many classes and my assignments I barely got done cause I just felt so worthless I suppose? Like I didn’t matter and my work didn’t matter and that I am so this and that and just so overwhelmed by everything because I couldn’t keep up the workload I used to when my passion converted into coping. This is incredible I felt so alone last year and I should’ve seen this video much sooner. End Of Video Edit: LMAOO I apologize for the wall of text this video just speaks so deeply to me it feels like we had the exact same experience. It really is true the lack of motivation to make art is so internal and often comes from an emotional block, for me too it was a lot of catering to my needs (I like to believe that all my past selves are alive in my and if there is a need not being met it’s like say my 13 year old self wouldve needed this or my 15 year old self would’ve needed this thing which for me somehow helps a lot because I been doing all this work for my future self I don’t wanna let my past selves down) and also creating a routing that works and makes me happy, everyone has all kinds of things they need to properly make art, I’m banking on being able to make my peak art after I graduate just due to my living circumstances etc, but I feel myself more motivated every day I cater to myself instead of trying ti make everyone around me happy.
Why does this all interest us? You have to love what you do, especially when it comes to artwork, otherwise it's just another job and boring work and when that happens you have to think about changing.
I feel like I'm having a simler problem but not because I draw to much it's because I'm working on commissions all the time for like a year now and don't have time to draw for myself (without guilt)
Hey guys, happy Sunday! :D Not to bring everyone's mood down, but this is a pretty sad (and ridiculously long, jfc, I'm sorry D:) video. I didn't seem right to just condense the past couple of years into a quick few sentences cause 1) I doubt you'd understand just how bad this art block was and 2) I need you to realize how important it is to put yourself first before your art work. Yeah, I could've just kept on working myself into an early grave, but it would've gotten me no where. Please remember to take care of yourself. And /please/ don't hesitate to get help when you need it. I thought my mental state and my artwork were two separate entities when in reality they couldn't be more entwined.
Also, for those wondering, I am doing a lot better (like a LOT better). Technically, I could crank out a video every week on top of doing thesis, but I don't want to relapse into my old toxic habits. So instead, I'm taking it easy, and posting when I feel like it. I hope you all understand
Hey Biana, im so happy that u took the time to make this video. For the 6 months i havent done any art. I physically cant put pen to paper. I have no clue what to do like i literally havent done any drawing. My teacher never caught on in the beginning but she has recently. The worst part is i dont know what to do i cant keep going on the way im going i will end up failing. The thing is like year i did my art portfolio and just got my score in october, i ended up getting full marks. But that was for last years portfolio. I havent done any work for this years and im 3 months into the school year. I dont know what to do everytime i try to do art i just blank out, and feel as though i cant draw and have no confidence.
Im in an art slump right now and man. This is helpful.
I'm happy to see that I'm not alone in this 😢
I’ve been in art block + burnout for months now and every time I try to draw I want to throw my computer across the United States
I can't relate more to you. My friend actually send me this video saying "she remind me of you"
You inspired me to share my experience with a heavy artblock because to be honest, people outside the art community don't know how hard It is to deal with artblocks. Not that they are ignorant, no. But I see many people sharing their experiences with depression and saying how hard It is and how nobody understands ext. Truly heavy artblock is very similar to that.
Man! This is the most relate-able video I've ever watched. I am not in art school, but I had a year like this. Thanks for sharing your process and experience.
I know this is a late comment, but I needed this. I think it's the most helpful art block video I've ever watched. I have been struggling with my art style for so long and I think part of it has been because I'm paying too much attention to other artists and what would look good on social media. The struggle makes me feel tired and like I don't want to do art. I do want a cohesive style though and I hope that as I analyze why I love certain creators that will reflect in my work. For instance I love bright colors as well, and I also love lineless work. Right now I'm figuring out how to mix some linework with lineless work and mixing more painted, smooth textures with gritty textures like colored pencil.
I hope you're doing well. Your videos are like therapy for me.
I have to say this you are my savior, I've been struggling with depression and a lot of school work has been piled on me. I have been seeking help with it but still very hard and watching your videos had made me feel so much better. Especially your educational videos about college and how to prepare myself for that and improving on my art work. Thank you so much you have lifted a burden on me. I've seen dozen of youtube videos that's similar to yours but I can never find it the way you do it. I understand that people have their own point of views but yours has made me feel so good and made me feel so comfortable and educated thank you again.
I had a huge art block because my opus is a body of large-scale oil paintings I made while getting out of my mom's cult, and dealing with severe suicidal ideation, and after that I spent a year trying to recycle that idea lol. The thing that made it all better for me was quitting art to figure out what I wanted to be afterwards. now I'm 17, starting an art business and finally getting a GED, then I'm gonna go into MCAD to make myself a great artist while having fun :D
I started following you around the time you changed to Massart and it's insane to see your growth through your art. The art an artist makes somehow always shows how they're feeling and that's so cool. I realllllly love you newer pieces that you put on IG. They look so happy and loved. You are such an inspiration and i friggin love you and your work. I am glad to see you grow and you deserve to be happy. Have a great day 🤗🤗
omg yesss i freaking love victo ngai, her 'mooncatcher' piece has been the lock screen on my phone for about 3 years now. i totally know what you mean about the 'feels' her work gives. its so detailed and tight and yet so expressive, i'm in awe of that lady. thanks so much for this video, i've only just started making art properly this year and i managed a few months before i hit a wall haha trying to get back to that place where i couldnt wait to sit at my desk and paint something ❤
Oh I love your talking videos, they're always my favorites it's so nice to draw along to them
So glad you're doing better! In a bit of a block myself, thanks for the vid
I relate so much to this. I have an auto- immune disease and at one point the only thing I could physically do was drawing. So that's all I did. As I found appropriate treatment and I was able to do other things I just couldn't work up the desire or inspiration to put anything down on paper. I'm still working on coming out of my art block to be honest.
I had one that was 6 months long rip my soul
this is so wild to listen to wow. I remember when u were posting the 100 store fronts thing and all that. U really dont know wats going on in someones life huh? Well anyways i love this video and i loved hearing about this. Thank u for sharing this was really interesting and helpful ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you for this video! ♥
Excessively drawing sounds just... like me. Sometimes I get up at 5 am to draw before work, draw during my lunchbreak and draw as soon as I get home. If I don't draw but think about playing videogames or reading a book, there's like an inner voice, telling me to not do that lazy unproductive crap, but instead draw.
It got worse since my grandma died in february and my parents had to give up living on the farm where I grew up...
... but compared to you, art is still something, I do in my free time, it's not my job. It's all just "personal art". You as an art-student are in a different situation.
Just like you, I'm not a child anymore. I'm an adult living with my fiancé, working fulltime (in a boring job, just to pay my bills) and draw in every free minute. There are no assignments. I don't "have to" do anything. But if I don't draw, I feel bad. If I don't have a sketchbook with me, when leaving the house, I feel like something's wrong... I know it's probably not healthy, but it's all I got. And I don't even want to think about taking a break, even if my wrist hurts, even if I feel like getting more sleep... because if I stop, I might have to think more about the past things, which happened this year.
Hi Biana! I’ve been loving your TH-cam videos for a while now and feel so inspired by your content. I’m so happy you chose to share this experience. I’ve had so many periods in my life (mostly in college) where I did art and projects because of having to for class but didn’t connect with any of it ...at all. My technical skills had even stagnated and while passed classes and got my degree BUT I did not feel like I deserved it. It wasn’t until I went into my masters (art therapy/psychology) where I was forced to self examine and deal with a lot of my baggage and I ended up falling back in love with the art making process. I think your points about noting what you like and focusing on that relationship can help SO much to break out of that feeling of being stuck...It may sound obvious but how often do we really spend time getting to know ourselves better? I’m so happy you’ve been able to break out of that period in your life...I’m so excited to see more of your work (especially what you are enjoying creating most).
I've been going through this for over a year. It lifted for the month of May and I made a bunch of stuff. Then it went back the other way.
I have done thousands of pieces and received a fair amount of praise.
Now, I can't produce anything that is even remotely good, regardless of personal taste.
Maybe I've just done all that I'm ever going to do. I wish I could know that for certain, then I'd just walk away from it forever.
I'm sick of every single color but I don't fancy black and white either.
What is left? Nothing at all and even 'nothing' has already been done.
I’m in a artBlock for over 3 years:(, But I’m never giving up, I’m gonna fight until the end
Loved this, thank you! I think everyone should go to therapy at some point in their life, it is sooo helpful. And thank you for crushing the artist in pain = good art. ❤💖💜🧡💗
I’m trying to bring myself out of a year + art block and have noooo idea where to start. My style and content I used to make just doesn’t fit me well anymore
Thank you for this❤
thank you! this helps a lot!
I’m only at the beginning of the video but when you said Starbucks full time and going to massart I was like ME TOOO first of all I have to say one of the biggest factors of my burnout has to have been working at Starbucks full time omG then like all the other reasons etc but I was just shook also shook that you went to massart!! I’m in my last year in animation- anyways lemme finish this video LMAO
Edit: wow we really had the same experience even with the emotional coping via art :( it’s the worst feeling realizing you have been making art via coping and then trying to figure out how to make art just art again it took me about a year so far (a little over?) for me to come out of my burnout and I’m not 100% over it yet
Edit 2: OMG HALFWAY THROUGH THIS VIDEO WE REALLY HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE IMG my junior year work (coming from an emotionally hORRIBLE sophomore year) was so flat and lifeless and I just couldn’t get myself to care about any of my work and literally only now, the end of the first semester my senior year am I really starting to care and feel for my work again it’s really insane to not be alone in this. I couldn’t get myself to make it to so many classes and my assignments I barely got done cause I just felt so worthless I suppose? Like I didn’t matter and my work didn’t matter and that I am so this and that and just so overwhelmed by everything because I couldn’t keep up the workload I used to when my passion converted into coping. This is incredible I felt so alone last year and I should’ve seen this video much sooner.
End Of Video Edit: LMAOO I apologize for the wall of text this video just speaks so deeply to me it feels like we had the exact same experience. It really is true the lack of motivation to make art is so internal and often comes from an emotional block, for me too it was a lot of catering to my needs (I like to believe that all my past selves are alive in my and if there is a need not being met it’s like say my 13 year old self wouldve needed this or my 15 year old self would’ve needed this thing which for me somehow helps a lot because I been doing all this work for my future self I don’t wanna let my past selves down) and also creating a routing that works and makes me happy, everyone has all kinds of things they need to properly make art, I’m banking on being able to make my peak art after I graduate just due to my living circumstances etc, but I feel myself more motivated every day I cater to myself instead of trying ti make everyone around me happy.
Why does this all interest us? You have to love what you do, especially when it comes to artwork, otherwise it's just another job and boring work and when that happens you have to think about changing.
I feel like I'm having a simler problem but not because I draw to much it's because I'm working on commissions all the time for like a year now and don't have time to draw for myself (without guilt)
This is very helpful, thank you.
I tried googling victonigh and i couldnt find the artist could you link her stuff in a comment? (Or did you mean vickisigh?)
Oh, sorry--Victo Ngai! Here's her website: victo-ngai.com
Mine lasted 10 years
Omg I have the same lamp
Welp now I’m questioning everything ;-;
ME RIGHT NOW SISTER
Try 12 years...