grow old, not up

Hmmm this can be tricky sometimes. But (speaking from personal experiences) I feel like in one way or another, eventually you’ll know. If not from remembering things like certain childhood crushes or (what seems now to be strange) fantasies, you’ll know when you meet the right people and grow more as an individual. I didn’t realize I was bi until I was 14, but there had always been little hints and reminders in my past that pointed towards it. My best advice is to not stress too much about it😊 Just keep yourself open to experiencing new feelings and keep in mind that you can still be full of surprises, even to yourself!

Oh definitely not! I drew with references for yeeeears and years before I could draw from memory. There’s no better way to understand the motion of drawing say, a face with the correct proportions unless you instill it in your muscle memory. The more you practice with references, the more your hand remembers! It’s got a brain of its own, you’ll be surprised. haha

Honestly you might want to smack me for saying this but, in my experiences of floundering through high school and 2 years of college, I retained one piece of information: it’s just school. Say it again. It’s just school. God. … What a great sentence. Almost makes you feel relieved. Which is new.  I know it all seems ferociously important and pressing now, but don’t let your culture and influences scare you into believing that education is the only way to build a future for yourself. And pleeeaaaasseee don’t pinion your self-worth to something as arbitrary as your academic performance, even if some backwards people do. Unless you’re in the medical field or something to that degree, there are dozens of alternatives if the structure of school isn’t compatible with your interests or learning style. And also keep in mind that everyone learns at a different pace and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. It’s one of the biggest flaws of our education system that each student is forced to follow the same “sit and listen” learning process. Einstein wouldn’t of had to be homeschooled. 

I dropped out of school just this semester and I can say that since leaving, I’ve had so much more time to focus on what I actually want my future to consist of rather than taking some random, inapplicable class just to get more credits. I’ve been able to work more, too. Actually!! I just submitted an application to rent my first house! I don’t think I would’ve ever had the time or energy to make that happen if I were still slumped over Pre Calc textbooks. But, to each their own. 

If you’re going to pursue education, don’t do it half-heartedly. Study, do your homework, get to class on time, do whatever it takes to get you out of that toilet bowl fastest. Or, you know, enjoy or time learning. Either way, don’t be too hard on yourself. School isn’t as paramount to your future as it would’ve been ten, fifteen years ago. You have options now! So just take care, learn at your own pace, try to absorb the information as naturally as possible, and don’t worry too much about it. 

You’ll be okay, homes. I believe in you :’D

Ya know, humans are a pretty damn durable species even if we seem to look or think otherwise. There isn’t anything we can’t teach ourselves to get comfortable with, even loss. It’s one of our few advantages, I think. So, just give it some time. You seem young; you’ve got plenty. We’re fortunate in still having that option. (And luckily, people’ve always had a talent for healing fast. It’ll happen, you’re no exception.) But if I could get one point across I’d want you to believe me when I say that there are veeeeeery few people in life worth fighting to keep around, regardless of how important they seem in the throws of transition. Your energy, your time, your words, your kindness, your mind and the things that fill it: they’re invaluable. Don’t discredit them with excess - especially on morons. Now it’s still alright to be disappointed. Just be careful not to wade in it so long that it curdles into bitterness or self-pity. Stand up. Dust yourself off. Try at least, if you can’t. And please don’t allow someone who wasn’t willing to stay and be your foundation to dictate your stability without them. You’ll be just fine, friend. I trust my own and plenty of others’ experiences enough to promise you that 😌

Honestly and now

👆👆👆👆👏👏

Oh gosh, trust me, every artist knows exactly how you feel so don’t get too discouraged. Finding a style can be one of the most frustrating things to do for an artist, but I promise once you find it you’ll never want to stop.      It took me a few years to find my style of drawing (sometimes I think I’m still in the middle of it to be honest.) But when it came down to it, I began to analyze numerous styles and I realized that for my purpose of art (which at the time was just to sort out a jumble of emotions) I should draw in whichever way makes that “sorting-out” process easiest. For you, however, you’re still in the experimental level.     Since a few other people have asked similar questions lately, I’ll make a mini-master post. you said you aren’t sure of a subject or concept, my best advice for you is: 

1. Fill up notebooks with no regard for what you think it “should” look like. Just draw and draw. People, still-life, screenshots from films, recreate others’ art ***(with permission and credit of course,)*** scribble nonsense, get inspired, take something apart and see how it works on the inside, get your hands dirty, research different kinds of art, tear pages and watch the way paint drips without meaning. Art is a place to forget every should and shouldn’t you’ve ever been taught. You can be anyone, anyplace, at any time and with any purpose. You can also be none of those at all. The possibilities may overwhelm you now, but as you continue drawing you’ll see that the very thoughts that frustrate you now will serve as creative ammunition while you develop as an artist.

2. Draw in as many styles and mediums as you can. Practice with others’ styles but be careful not to adopt them as your own. Mix mediums, try out new art tools, take something that shouldn’t be art and keep turning your neck until it pleases you. Don’t over-think. Don’t box yourself up. You said yourself that you aren’t sure whether to draw or paint, but you can always do both! While a lack of direction often feels time wasting, it’s the perfect opportunity to go in as many directions as you want. (After all, that’s the only way you’ll find the style you can fully exfoliate in.) But at the same time, don’t rush yourself.

3. Art blocks are okay. Say that with me. Art. blocks. are A-okay. Sometimes it’s best to let the pencil rest for a few days. Allow yourself time to take in your surroundings and think your thoughts without trying to reproduce them or make sense of it. Developing a style is a process, like growing new teeth. You can’t force it. You’ll only make a mess for yourself. 

4. Remember that you can always have more than one committed style. If you love drawing mangas but also love making stop-motion films, do both! If you feel a certain way that can only be expressed through sculpture, then sculpt. (Remember: no shoulds and shouldn’ts)

5. Don’t compare your processes to other’s finalities. No one is born a master despite what they’d like you to think. Don’t compare your art to anyone else’s. You aren’t anyone else. You have your brain, your thoughts, your experiences and life opportunities. Never beat yourself up for not drawing sooner or developing faster. It’s not a race. It’s not a contest. Give yourself credit for picking up the pencil to begin with. Art is difficult, and it’s even more difficult at this stage. Therefore, it’s absolutely ridiculous to compare art as if differences of experience and skill effects its quality. Art is emotion-based, not necessarily skill-based. And honesty is a much more noble pursuit than skill.6. The Shouldn’ts. Okay, so I may have lied a bit. There are some things you simply shouldn’t do when trying to find a style. Like: 

7. Lastly, just have fun! (Sorry for the moodswings lol.) I don’t think I need to over-explain this one :) 

(Aaannndddd in conclusion, I apologize profusely for the length of this massive, pulsating glob of a response. But! I hope it helps a bit. If anyone wants a bit more art advice, links can be found here.) 

So, the best of luck and determination for you and anyone else who may be experiencing the same issue. Happy making! ^^

You should start to sell prints! I realize most people think of paintings/drawings when it comes to selling prints, but I know of a lot of writers who are selling their poetry this way. All you have to do is find a solid print-making company (google and research the hell out of it) and preferably find one that drop-ships to your customers. You could even go the same route I did and open your own etsy shop! (If you want more info on how that works feel free to inbox me.) Oh oh, and be sure to promote it on tumblr and Instagram and any other social media platforms you may have.

Also, don’t be afraid to tag me or shoot me a link to your poems and I can share it and help spread the word! (But please don’t send it as a chat because I almost /never ever/ check those. I’m sorry!)

But, yes. Thankfully in this day and age you can literally set up a whole shop from the warmth and favor of your bedroom 😊 honestly don’t be afraid to message me off anon for any additional help I may be able to offer. Times are always tough for writers and artists. I want to help you guys with the things I’ve learned from my time in the business cause goddamn, if I knew then what I know now it would’ve saved me a /lot/ of time 😂😅

Please be so careful not to concentrate all of your attention and purpose into any one person or thing. My best advice to prevent this kind of thing is to not pinion yourself to another person until you know for a fact that you could be completely entire and stable on your own. Don’t use people as crutches, especially when you have two perfectly capable legs. Find solidarity on your own. Start to rebuild. Life is a privilege; don’t let someone who already exists to you in the past tense spoil your happiness.

Err no I don’t, I’m sorry! Literally the only/recurring advice I give is to practice practice practice and maybe remove those sources that you feel you need in order to create things, because a lot of the time that mentality just leads to concept plagiarism or sort of nabbing someone else’s style, ya know? You can do it! Just keep practicing with new mediums and creating new styles. Eventually it will work c:

(Since I’ve gotten this question a few times before I’ll post a kind of lengthy response for anyone else who may be interested!)

1. Draw everything. I mean everything, dude. Seriously. Hand gestures, the way light falls, landscapes, people; translate your thoughts and feelings into colors, draw what you think certain words or sounds would look like. Just doodle and doodle and doodle and don’t concern yourself with how professional or finished it looks. Allow your art to be “ugly” sometimes. Good things happen that way/

2. Study anatomy and proportions. Think about shadows and highlights. Online tutorials are good with helping explain this, too! When I was younger I visited youtube quite a lot. 

3. Try out different mediums. Sometimes a person will feel they’re sketches aren’t great, but it turns out they can paint or sculpt or take incredible photographs. Everyone has a different means of expression. Find what works for you!

and of course,

4. Check out the community! Find artists you like and get inspired (but be careful not to copy). Lately I’ve found out that there aren’t many communities nicer or more helpful than artists. Really dude. Everyone I’ve met has just been so lovely and incredible and fun and I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to be surrounded by.

So yeah, I hope this was at least slightly helpful. And the best of luck to you! Art is frustrating and time-consuming and sometimes very, very difficult, but it’s one of the only things that really is worth it.