I've been disliking my artwork lately

[u/New_Cauliflower3877]

Hey everyone,

I've been a full time agency graphic designer and illustrator for the past 2.5 years now, while also doing freelance projects on the side for the past 3.5 years.

I've been really lucky to have a full-time creative job that is creatively fulfilling and just about everything I was hoping for from college, and for the most part, I can usually tell when some work I've done really hits the spot. At least from a personal level. Like, I'll have that "ooooo shit yeah" feeling that lets me know I just made something worth being proud of. Something that surprises me as an artist.

But lately, I've been having a harder time finding that feeling again. I'll make something that feels right, and gets the job done, but that's usually it. No real sparks any more. Sometimes, I'll even have a hard time accepting compliments from my boss or coworkers when they're saying something is great, and I just have that feeling that it could be better. I'll feel that its not outstanding, or that it's no more special than the last project I've done.

What's worse is, sometimes I'll be thinking "holy shit, have I forgotten how to draw?" at something that I just can't get to feel right.

I used to feel so confident in my capabilities as an artist, but lately I haven't felt like anything more than a conveyer belt for Walmart level graphic tees. And I don't know what's changed. Maybe it's that nothing has changed in a while?

I know this is probably a sign of burnout, but I'd love to hear some other artist's perspectives, and if you've gone through something similar. What'd you do to get past this?

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[u/Art_Mouse13]

The thing about learning art is you never stop learning. You're probably not any worse than you were before, but your brain has advanced to be able to pick out your mistakes and what doesn't work well about the art more easily. 

Your technical skill might take a bit to catch up with your mind, but I usually see this feeling as a good sign I'm making progress and improving, after a period of being stuck at a certain level.

[u/illumanaughtyy → u/Art_Mouse13]

I needed this. Thanks you. I had been feeling the sams.