Art Slumps & How to Prevent Them

I would personally love to see you do a Patreon Account. Maybe some tutorials on specific things that people struggle with. For example I'm really bad at rendering my images. I can block in my color and then start to build but I feel like it doesn't go anywhere. Adding that depth tends to be where I struggle personally. So I feel as though some tutorials would be a great start for new artists. I tend to find people doing extended video processes, workshops, high res images, brushes, etc. One artist that I follow, Sakimichan, has a Mentorship tier for a higher cost, but it's like a one on one session to help someone of their unique skill. I've also seen full commentary/voice overs for projects they are working on and what goes through their head while they work. It's a lot of work/pressure on you as you're working so keep that in mind. Hopefully some of these ideas will interest you. I'm really looking forward to learning from you. <3

I missed you so much :'(

Thank you! I'm kinda burnt out pretty bad too, but I think your video is really helpful for every artist and gave me new motivation. Keep up your wonderful work. <3

I don't have any ideas for your's Patronite site, but I want you to know, that I would be really happy to be one of your Patronite's clients, because you are an inspiration for me.

You shouldn't feel bad about your art at all though, I mean how many people can claim to be working profesionally and at such a high level at the mere age of 20. I think you should be proud of it, I know I certainly would have. Also you seem a lot less nervous when doing voice-overs.

Honestly can't wait if you do a Patreon, one of few I will give money to see their art. Maybe an idea would be small tutorials and maybe colour tutorials ( I really struggle with that and probably not the only one). Thanks for great video and advice ^^

I love your art and I can't wait for you to start your Patreon! Thanks for this video, it was really motivating <3

It must be hard to take care of your hair with those horns... On the slumps, I'm working my way out of one (that I got into once I realized the comic I've been working had pretty much no plot) so I'm trying to get some of the joy I had in drawing by drawing for others (kind of the opposite of what you said, but my problem it's pretty much the opposite).

Damn thank you sm! Since I have stopped Insta I have been in that art slump hole because I suddenly realize how I have been overworking myself to satisfy my followers. Now where this pressure is off my shoulders I have literally no motivation anymore. Plus school is getting more and more serious so yeah. Somewhere deep down I even gave up on art but at the same time I don't want all these years of improving my skills to be for naught so... I will definitely try out what you said 😃

What got me into art was character design and the fact that you can create a human being or whatever you want.

I think I needed to hear this. I've been pretty hard on myself lately!

thank you so much for this <3 it's always vital to do exactly what you mentioned in the video, so take care of yourself please (:

this has nothing to do with the video, but i was wondering if you're using photoshop here, and how often you use the smudge tool if at all, ty!

That's really good art :>

thanks for sharing this, made me cry T T and also made me feel better

👏👏Woow😀 New sub

Great video. I love the painting and I really love the commentary. I don't care for timelapse videos with just music nearly as much as those with commentary. I'd rather learn something from the artist as he or she creates, much more than just looking at their work. Granted, your work is amazing, but I eventually become bored by those types of videos. Also, from what I've heard, Patreon can be a grind. This is especially true if you don't have a decent size following. People I've heard from, who joined without enough supporters in the beginning, found themselves having to adhere to their Patreon schedule without having enough members to make working that schedule worthwhile. So it became just another responsibility taking time away from other things. It became a grind for them. Thankfully, that shouldn't be the case with you. With the number of followers you've got on social media, you're sure to get enough people contributing to make everything worth it at the very start.
Have you also considered live streaming on Twitch as an alternative to Patreon? It seems to be a similar business model. You get subscribers who support you with a monthly donation, but you live stream yourself painting and drawing. It seems to be a lot more laid back. Just a thought...Good luck to you. I'm sure you'll do well no matter which route you choose.

I LOVE your videos and love your art. You're one of the people I look up to as I work my way up to your level of skill and beyond. But with the videos... don't do what you did with the commissions with videos. We love when you post but we can wait if it's at the expense of your health and wellbeing. That said it's probably a redundant statement seeing as you did address pretty much the same issue. Oh well, we love you dude. Glad you feel better!

yes thanks for the help. 😊👍

so you were actually taking to yourself, but it also felt like you talked to. just that I haven't taken so much time for drawing.

I think I hit you up on DA a while ago about Patreon, and I'd still love to support you!

Things I'd really love to see:
- How you painted that picture! I'm a newbie to digital art, and I'm rubbish with brushes. I currently bounce between the soft and hard round brushes, so my art is flat as :( I don't know what brush you used, but wow!
- How you achieve the WoW look, or any particular style that catches your eye
- Tutorials in general, really.

I look forward to a real Patreon announcement! :D

As a Sophmore Animation major, I can completely relate to all of your points. I couldn’t believe I forgot how to Create For Myself when it was what showed my why art is so important to me! Thanks for making this video! I was wondering what screen capture recording program do you use for your time lapse videos?

Wonderful.

To prevent art slumps:
1. To have good art supplies
2. Money
3. Also money
And 4. If you have fans that believe in you

(which i don't have)


Great video by the way😍

Thank you very much <3

Keen for a patreon!! I found your channel through this video and I LOVE your WoW works. Its inspired me to want to pick up the stylus again.

I just found your channel and i think you should do your own thing, you're so talented! 💙

This piece is amazing.

Hope you're feeling a lot better now Astri! I'm also taking on too many things and feeling exhausted. I haven't had time to create personal art, which makes it even worse like you said, and I can totally relate. Take care of yourself!

Thank you so much for posting this video I really needed to see this :) you are one of my favorite artists. I was wondering if you would ever do a video talking through the photoshop techniques you use and things like that? I’m still learning how to paint in photoshop but I feel overwhelmed with it. Thank you ❤️

I don’t mean to be that guy that comes in and criticizes but I just see this too much with creative type people not to drop a comment now and then. You’re all awful at pricing your work. 90% of the time it is way too low.

You said on one of your videos that the paintings take 10 hours. (Does this even include prep work?). You’re making $8/hr. That’s horrible. You’re doing skilled labor. I’m about to be an apprentice electrician and earn $25/hr. I’ll have just started and I’ll be practically useless until I pick up a few things. In four years it’ll be $50/hr. Construction workers earn $16/hr here. And just to prove that it works with softer skills there is a League of Legends coach called Neace. He initially charged $20 for a half hour replay analysis of your match. He upped it to $40 before he took a break from League. That’s $80 an hour for analyzing a video game replay.

On the commissions. “the demand is high, and to avoid a long wait list I unfortunately have to turn some people down.” Don’t turn people down. Charge more. Please. This is basic economics. Would I pay $80? No because personally I don't want it that much. Would I pay $10? Sure. I also don’t own a goldfish but a trucker was handing out rejected stock for free and now I have 3kg of goldfish food. Are you a tier one professional? No, that’s why you aren’t charging $40-60. Here’s another way to phrase it. You are doing your fans a disservice by not asking higher fees because you are burning yourself out. And you're doing yourself a disservice. This is heartfelt. Try it. Grandfather your current clients in at $80. Then start charging $200 and see what happens. Earn double the work and work half the time. Then spend the other half on personal work. And if demand is still high go to $300.

For all you creatives out there if you wonder why you feel the need to do this it’s probably linked to your personality. You are both highly agreeable and conscientious. If you worked in corporate you’d be the person doing all the work and taking none of the credit. The person who the boss can ask to come in at the weekend and stay late without compensation. Look in the mirror and practice “Fuck you, pay me.”

I live in Alaska so I can honestly feel like I can attest to going through slumps in winter when its dark at 3pm........
OTL" ASTRI FEELS MY PAIN, SHE DOES

I agree with pretty much everything covered. I've got a friend who consistently works on her art until she's sore and its getting pretty bad. Been trying to get her to balance her life and her artwork, but it can be difficult sometimes.

On another point, I'd definitely love to see a Patreon. Perhaps adding a critique section for rewards? Seriously I've been showing off your artwork to all my art friends and its just mind boggling how good you are. In any case, good video and I'd love to see more of your process.

I could really relate to your story, and yours tips are on point, very kind of you for sharing so thank you :)
Btw what is the first brush you used for the rough colors (the one you used when you first layed the colors)

Magnificent

Thanks for sharing this video with us, I hope you could take good care of yourself too! ❤️

Astri, this is super helpful! Could you please make a video about how to make our own brushes?

ideas for patreon:
-tutorials on the actual thought process on how to improve.
-Regular tutorials on how to paint something, like a face, or hair, or a full illustration.
- This is a big one: Top tier patreon perk: 1-1 career advice on how to break into the industry/portfolio review and advice.

Thank you so much for posting this because I am in that 2 year long stage in which I am overworking myself and I have no literal social life and that is so sad and I haven't slept the night too. This made me feel better so much better too so thank you very much!

Kiss me you beauty

Amazing art.

Thank you so much for this - I'm a uni student, and I really needed to hear someone say that I'm allowed to not spend all my time studying. Glad you're recovering from your burnout - please don't push yourself, if you feel you ever need another break, we'll all support you 💙💙💙

@Astry Lohne ... Thank you for every single art you made , thank you for sharing with us . Your art is my studies and motivation to move forward . Thank you

Excellent video and words. I’ve been going through something of a slump lately and your advice really helped, especially with comparing our art of today to our older art. Pretty sure one of the best feelings as an artist is seeing your own improvement.

Thank you for making this video it's so helpful and it's really motivating 'v'

Great work.. thanks for sharing your experience...😁

going back through old drawings is something i do very often, usually once a week, it's a really enjoyable experience and i feel far more motivated whenever i do it, so my recommendation goes out to that.

I absolutely love your use of textures. Thanks for this video! I'm sure it helped a lot of people including myself. Hope I can paint as well as you one day.

When I sleep more than 5hours, I will most likely be tired trought the day, because I overslept my time. But that is just me :D

if y can paint
you will satisfy everyone
but painting i am doing for myself
everything is fine
they can PAY BIG Cash


else i am Kind to myself i sleep 6 hours
stay healthy and Paint
Miracles Painted are only Given for BIG CASH or for free


i recognize you redid the Shoulders more then 10 Times
i also use more then 100 Papersheets on a Perfect Sketch

Idk why but, when I just sleep like 5-6hrs, I'm more capable to paint than sleeping 8 hours :/

wow amazing!! what brushes did you use?