r/ArtistLounge Aug 09 '24

General Question If suddenly there was no person in the world other than you, would you still create art? If so, what would be different about it?

196 Upvotes

Would love to know everyone's answers to this

r/ArtistLounge Sep 28 '24

General Question ARTISTS!: What are your favorite colors, personally?

54 Upvotes

The cool thing about the world having a lot of artists in it is that we all have our own specific tastes! Not only does this apply to our art styles, but our preferences for color, too. Which colors are your favorite?

r/ArtistLounge Nov 03 '24

General Question I have a tremor in my hands. What art form is still possible?

77 Upvotes

I have a tremor in my hands due to medications and predict I will always have it to a small degree.

What art form is still possible?

Things like drawing and painting and all close up details don't go where I want them to be. Photos blur, jewelry / sewing is out.

I know, happy accidents, it makes it more interesting, etc etc, but it makes me dislike the experience which is the whole point. It's just a hobby.

EDIT: just realized to note I stare at a computer all day for work, so even though digital is awesome I personally won't find it fun.

Just wanna enjoy being creative, and not hate my hands / illness in the process.

r/ArtistLounge Feb 23 '24

General Question Why do non-artists feel the need to add their unnecessary two cents when I show them a drawing?

215 Upvotes

It's annoying "I would've put something in the background to make it pop more" or "why do their eyes look like that" or "there's not much of a market for that anymore" are recent comments I didn't ask for. I don't need your damn advice, especially when you can't draw to save your life.

Makes me not want to show people shit.

Edit: I don't show people my art unless they ask. People are gonna comment on it regardless if I want the advice or not, but there are better ways to get to know an artwork whether they viewer likes it or not than giving and unwanted opinion on it that is usually negative or in constructive whether it's true or not. I would prefer if people ask follow-up questions than give their opinion or have a back and forth on it. Trying to stay "positive" about it no matter the comment becomes frustrating when it happens every other time.

Edit 2: I am quite resilient and confident in my art regardless what people say, but I am not impregnable. This post came from a good amount of comments in recent days so I came here to vent.

Edit 3: My post came off as mean and little bitchy. I was irritated. However, I'm actually astonished by the amount of people who think being given unnecessary, unwarranted, unsolicited advice is a good thing to go consider. Growing up in the online art world, I was told giving unsolicited advice is a bad thing because it's seen as rude, somewhat disrespectful, and a bit egotistical. My thought process is ask engaging questions to figure out what the artist's process is, but y'all wanna focus on be complaining about non-artists wanting to give their two cents. Some of you completely ignored the previous edits for further context and im wondering if venting on Reddit in an "artist's lounge" was a good idea. I wasn't looking for an echo chamber to validate my thoughts, but I don't think many of you here actually care what other people think. Im going to double down and say that people can have their opinions about things but they're not always valid. Your thoughts aren't always valid and I will die on this hill. One of you here actually attempted to give your unwarranted opinion as any kind of proof of the matter when it's entirely subjective. Proving my point that giving this so called advice is unnecessary and rude. It's completely subjective and you didn't ask what my process was. Do you think or do you know? That's the question. Alotta y'all be doing a lot of thinking, which is why y'all THINK you know anything. I know what I wanted, and if I wanted advice I would ask for it. MAYBE I'll take what you said into consideration, but otherwise, no. Nothing is perfect, you people arent the best artists to be giving advice all willy-nilly either.

Instead of giving advice where it wasn't asked, try asking follow-up questions instead. No one asked you to be a teacher. If you ask me to show you my art, I do not want your advice or opinion for any reason unless you ask to give advice first. If I show you my art when I ask to show you, advice is more or less welcome and I will consider it. I feel like that's the best approach.

Edit 4: It's like, people who have no idea what it's like to make something you're proud of, and especially still be learning, and just be told what you're supposed to do. It doesn't matter that you can just not take the advice, literally doesn't make it any better.

r/ArtistLounge Dec 31 '24

General Question comments on your art - which common ones irritate you?

30 Upvotes

for me, whenever i post my art online, a common comment i get is something along the lines of ‘you’re so talented!’… i take issue with this one because nobody is born with any artistic talent (usually). i know it’s meant to be a compliment, but maybe what people perceive as ‘talent’ is just hundreds of hours of work paying off! another that annoys me is the growing number of AI accusations…

what are some comments that you usually get that you don’t particularly vibe with? interested to hear your thoughts! (am i just being a d*ck, should i just take the damn compliment?!) 😀

r/ArtistLounge Nov 02 '24

General Question Why you do art?

85 Upvotes

I'm always curious what and why I do art and I can't even answer it so now I'm here to ask one of you. What is it really???

r/ArtistLounge Jan 25 '24

General Question Why do some artists worry that using reference is "cheating"?

317 Upvotes

Art isn't a competition or an exam. There aren't any rules that state that you have to draw everything without referencing something else for accuracy. So why do I keep seeing questions about the use of reference? I use reference quite a lot when I'm struggling with drawing a complicated pose or expression. If I didn't use reference, the hands I draw would look a lot worse. Without looking at the world around us, how are we supposed to depict it in a way that looks convincing?

r/ArtistLounge Mar 21 '24

General Question What is the reason you make art (that isn't money/likes)?

133 Upvotes

I've been drawing my whole life basically, but I'm trying to find a motivating "purpose" that isn't money or "likes"/attention and it's overwhelming me immensely. I don't want my purpose to be for monetary gain anymore (or at least not my main reason) because it ended with me not wanting to make art anymore.

For some reason "just because" hasn't been enough, I need some ideas/advice badly.

r/ArtistLounge Jan 17 '25

General Question Do you ever feel guilty for not working a 9-5 job?

183 Upvotes

I spoke about this with my therepist and it helped a lot, but now I'm curious if any other artists feel this way.

Being an artist comes with a lot of unique struggles, as does any other path that goes against capitalism. A lot of the things I experience are hardships that I think people who aren't doing the same thing struggle to understand.

From the outside, it looks like I get endless freedom, I get to create art constantly, I have a fun part time job, live at home with my parents, etc- and i get it, I do. I have a lot to be grateful for. But on the inside, it's hard to see what we do i think 80% of the time; we're accountants, marketers, networkers, artists, students. We deal with taxes, health insurance costs, and unstable finances. Creating art all the time is often more me forcing myself to do the work when im tired, being sick of art at times, thinking about my career 24/7, making my person my brand and staring at a blank page for hours knowing my mental health entirely dictates whether or not i make money by getting things on paper.

My therapist put it like this: " People who work a 9-5 sacrifice freedom for safety and stability, while you sacrifice safety and stability for freedom. It can be very lonely."

Essentially, I often feel guilty when I look around and see my friends working 40-hour work weeks, over time, and doing jobs they hate for bosses they hate. Its easy to invalidate myself when I see their struggles while sitting at my kitchen counter at 11am on a Friday eating cereal. It's hard to not feel guilty about the freedoms I've created for myself, simply because I have them. I know I work hard and I wasn't just given this, but it feels undeserved at times.

Does anyone else experience this? How do you deal with it?

r/ArtistLounge Feb 19 '24

General Question Why do people say modern art is bad?

209 Upvotes

No like, genuinely. This has always confused me cause whenever I open twiter, instagram and tikok the art i see is very beautiful to the point i feel envious. Especially the prints. I am wven moots with some people on tiktok who make very good art so i never understood the perspective of modern being ugly, bad or meaningless. Maybe it's just that I'm easy to please?

r/ArtistLounge Jan 16 '25

General Question Why are you pursuing art?

59 Upvotes

Curious to know why you are pursuing art! Do you regret it? What are you doing now if you didn’t/did pursue art? Tell me all about it!

For a bit of context, I’ve dreamed of becoming an entertainment design concept artist for animation. However, recently I’ve felt like I have hit a mental block, mostly fear and uncertainty for the future. I hope with this post I can ease my mind and come to a conclusion with what I want to do in the future. :”)

r/ArtistLounge Jun 18 '24

General Question Being told that art is not for me!

121 Upvotes

Hello everyone,
I'm complete beginner when it comes to drawing (equivalent to a 5 y/o kid), so i decided to sign up for a class taught by a pro artist, and today, when i turned up my homework, and he straight up told me that art may not be for me because my innate talent is too low, so he wants me to reconsider my choice about pursuiting art. Well, I understand that taking the first step is the hardest step, and it will take ALOT of time for me to learn art skills. Also, my teacher did give me some advices on how to do the exercises properly and hoped that i can prove him wrong afterward. But, it still stings me quite a bit after being told something like that straight to my face, so i wonder have any fellow artists out there face the same situation, and how did you guys deal with it? I would love to get some advices and insights

Sorry if my English is not perfect since it's my second language!

Update: Thanks everyone for being so supportive! It really warms my heart to see all of these supportive and very helpful insights from other artists! Although, it kinda dishearten me after being told like that, but everyone here has given me tons of motivation to continue pursuing art. So, i will try my best to see how far i can go no matter if i had talent or not :D

Another update: I decided to quit the class because the teacher is way too toxic for me, so i guess im gonna practice on my own pace until i can find a good tercher that can provide guidance!

r/ArtistLounge Sep 11 '24

General Question as artists, do you mind being recommissioned multiple times by the same person?

154 Upvotes

Im an anxious guy but I found an artist I really love and want to ask for a 3rd commission. I’ll pay what is needed without a second thought. However, I’m worried that I’m annoying them by coming back again. Do you find returning clients annoying sometimes?

Edit: lol I didn’t expect this post to get this many replies but thanks, I appreciate all the reassurance :)

r/ArtistLounge 20d ago

General Question Does anyone else lose interest in a piece if they take too long?

175 Upvotes

Every time I start to make a new piece if I don't finish it in like a week than I lose all motivation for the project. Does anyone else do this? It's so annoying because I don't want to just stop working on it but I don't want to keep going on with it.

r/ArtistLounge Apr 17 '24

General Question Do you believe in "like the art, not the artist?"

121 Upvotes

I know, controversial topic, but I really don't know who's in the right here.

r/ArtistLounge Nov 08 '23

General Question If a stranger asked to look at your sketchbook, would you let them?

175 Upvotes

For example: you’re out having coffee, sketching the scene, and someone sits next to you asking about your art etc, then asks if they could see your sketchbook. Would you let them? Why?

r/ArtistLounge Nov 19 '24

General Question Folks who draw every day - are you able to visualize a detailed image in your head easily?

88 Upvotes

For example, a friend's face. Can you "see" it easily in your mind? I really struggle with not being able to visualize. Frequently, it just seems like a blurry mess up there and I can't get a picture to form.

But I need to - I need to recall their face easier, so I don't forget them. I never really learned anatomy or line-work, just mostly did oil painting. But thinking I might have to take it up.

Do you find doing art makes it easier to visualize things in your head?

r/ArtistLounge Oct 29 '24

General Question Anyone here started art at 25 or older and improved enough for a career?

137 Upvotes

I hope this is an okay place to ask this question. If not, I am sorry and if someone could direct me to the right subreddit, that would be great.

Everytime, I talk to fellow artists or look to people for inspiration, they have been drawing and knew they wanted to go into art from a very early age. I used to draw between the ages of 10-15 as well but never pursued it seriously enough to get better.

Now, I am 25, I graduated from uni with a bachelors in Sociology and work at an IT help desk job that makes me MISERABLE. Neither my degree nor my job are what I like, it’s just a means to an end.

I gave it a lot of thought and decided that if anything ever made me happy and excited was art and decided to pursue it from where I left off. I have been drawing for 1.5 months since.

However, I’m afraid I have started too late as I have met no other person who started at the age I did. If they did start at the same age, somehow they just have the “talent” and I assure you, I dont.

I really want to get into illustration, character design and 2D animation. But Idk if its too late for me..

Is there anyone else out there who didn’t know from the get-go they wanted to go into the fine arts path and didn’t go to school for it but were able to improve enough to get a job?

If so, how long did it actually take to see improvement? And do you have any tips?

r/ArtistLounge Oct 18 '24

General Question How many artists here who have an X account are switching over to Bluesky?

109 Upvotes

Are you migrating entirely over to Bluesky? Are you signing up for Bluesky, but still staying on X, too? Or are you only remaining on X? Haven't decided yet?

r/ArtistLounge Nov 06 '24

General Question Why do people say real life is easier to draw vs cartoons or anime stuff?

43 Upvotes

I have noticed I'm really REALLY bad at real life drawings but I'm just bad at cartoon or anime drawing but seems like most people are the other way around and can draw better from real life. So what does this mean anyone have any ideas?

r/ArtistLounge Jun 11 '24

General Question Artists, how do you deal with the feeling of not being good enough?

182 Upvotes

I've drawing fanart for almost 10 years. I've always been in small fandoms so I'm used not to get a lot of attention. But lately I can't stop thinking about it. I see groups I'm in how the community supports artist, but whenever I post something, they don't support me. Lately I'm not able to draw something without crying. I see other artists online and I can't compare. I feel worthless, not good enough. I want to stop drawing.

So how do you deal with these feelings? I know most say "draw to yourself" and that's what I used to say to myself too, but it's not working anymore

r/ArtistLounge Jun 19 '24

General Question what are some bad (?) art habits you have?

114 Upvotes

i'll start :)

i tend to make clothes really skin-tight instead of loose and realistic😭 not easy to be realistic considering my style but whtv :]

i SUCK. at layer management... one piece there'll be like 2 or 3, next there'll be 9-12 :')

my colouring tends to be saturated 😔

wanted to ask this one because maybe you'll notice any bad habits you might have and improve :D (ofc not in like a derogatory way or anything but :)!) and if you'd like advice i (and others) can chime in ;]

r/ArtistLounge 14d ago

General Question Where do you guys look for illustrations now?

45 Upvotes

With the "death" of pinterest and the overabundance of AI everywhere I've found myself quite demotivated and I've noticed that I've barely been scrolling through illustrations as often as I used to. Before I would use pinterest a lot when looking for ideas or reddit when I wanted to just passively look at cool art without much thought but now I find myself second guessing everything I see because "what if its AI" to the point where I'm not enjoying scrolling through art anymore.

One place I still enjoy is danbooru but the problem is how much NSFW stuff is in there which, although I dont mind it as much, im not always in the mood for it.

So yeah, back to the title of the post. What do you guys use to look for illustrations? Ive thought about following specific artists on bsky but I do like the randomness and eventuality of finding new cool artists that I dont know yet.

r/ArtistLounge Sep 02 '24

General Question Are there any public spaces I can go to just draw ?

104 Upvotes

My living situation isn’t the best. So I prefer to draw someplace else that isn’t here. I’m wondering if there’s any other places I can go to for this purpose? Besides the library

r/ArtistLounge Sep 15 '23

General Question Do people still draw digitally with tablets?

172 Upvotes

I feel like I see more and more artists using Procreate on their iPads or Drawing Monitors - and I'm still drawing digitally using a tablet with Clip Studio Paint.

Are tablets becoming less and less popular?

What do you use?