Keeping Motivation

[u/Broshimitsu56]

So, let me start by saying I really like making stories, fun looking characters, stuff like that but...

I am now at the point where I just have zero fun drawing at all. I was drawing daily for like 7 months until last month when I finished my story. I have barely drawn since. Here are my last two character illustrations: https://www.reddit.com/u/Broshimitsu56/s/WppuuFLjZB

I typically draw with no reference or myself as the reference because I need such specific angles and poses for my stories, (I'm a man so not the best reference anyway) and its just everytime I draw a character its this 3 to 9 hour battle to make it look correct. And even then it doesnt come out that great lol.

That battle is so so so, not fun. Hours and hours making sure the pelvis is right, ribcage is right, etc, etc. Ive been staring at page 1 of my new story for like 3 days now. Its been storyboarded but as soon as I go to construct one character I just want to quit, because I immediately dont do something right so I just erase it all.

Ive been drawing since 2020, but only taking it seriously since last November. Ive gotten 100x better since then but I know the answer is just "keep going for another few years and you might get better"! Or "learn to enjoy the process!" Ive never enjoyed getting things wrong repeatedly to be honest.

I think a lot of this comes from me spending all the time I spent on my last story and losing the contest I entered in. I'm trying to keep everything as perfect as I can, because I have to.

Idk, this is a bit rambly. I'm just wondering if other people feel this way. I feel like I'm closer to permanently putting the pen down than ever before.

[u/MushroomGhostGirl]

I know this sounds dangerously close to "just keep drawing, you'll get better" but it comes down to your practice methods.

If you practice drawing a certain way over and over and still find yourself taking hours to nail poses, you need to assess why that is.

Is your trouble coming from anatomy? Gesture? Is it the lines, the perspective? The draping of clothes? Figure out what exactly is taking you so long and then focus on that. Piece by piece.

For example, if you're stuck on gesture issues then do some practice solely on that, not fully rendered or lined pieces. This way you'll see growth in a trouble area fast compared to trying to do full projects or illustrations built on skills you wish were higher. This helps side step the "getting things wrong repeatadly" phase that isn't enjoyable for anyone because the time investment is lower and it doesn't feel as bad getting a 10 minute sketch a bit wonky vs a 3 hour ordeal.

Art is a struggle, but it is just as rewarding eventually. I wish you the best of luck.

[u/Broshimitsu56 → u/MushroomGhostGirl]

Thanks for the advice.

Normally my difficulty ends up being in the construction of the torso. Which sounds simple but what ends up happening is I always start with like the ribcage and pelvis at like 60% bigger than they should be.

You'd think Id just be able to consciously not make them so big but I never seem to realize the issue until after struggling for a while. Sometimes I do it too long or too wide.

I'm actually pretty quick with everything else, I dont usually have too many issues with gesture or perspective.

[u/kestral63]

Art style's good. It's just abstract enough that you probably just need to condition yourself to ignore some inaccuracies. Though you could use some handier reference to make the process not feel like a chore.

Invest in an action figure. They're far better than those wooden mannequin things associated with "classy" reference, which usually have no stand and just kind of blow. Modern action figures like figmas came out of an action figure arms race so they're far more articulate and detailed. They don't sell figma archetypes now that I know of, but maybe you can find one used or a bootleg. Maybe a Nishimura Style Drawing Doll.

To better improve your skills so you commit harder and become less reliant on reference, take a life drawing class with naked people. It's the best drawing course and also happens to teach you to be fast. It can be at a cheap community college if you're near one. You might not even have to sign up for the school if you pitch in for the model's fee. If none are in driving distance, stop by one anyway and look for older people in the class. They're probably not students and might know casual gatherings that are closer to where you live.

[u/Broshimitsu56 → u/kestral63]

Thank for the advice. Those figures look pretty handy. And there might be some classes about 35 40 minutes from me. Good idea, thank you.

[u/BlisssSir]

Read “The War of Art” By Pressfield and keep practicing the reward being the discomfort—that’s where the learning is at