How do you tell someone that they're a bad artist?  How exactly do you tell someone that although they have good points, their artwork lacks the spark of life that separates a doodle from a piece of entertaining art.  How exactly do you tell someone that they have no hopes of being a professional because they didn't seek inspiration and improvement when they should have... and now their style has solidified into something that has technical merit but still looks amateurish? Beh... I mean, I look across the web and I see people whose art literally frightens me, then I'll pop online and listen to them brag about themselves.  The greatest artists I know think they suck, and never... ever... EVER claim to be better than anyone.  I don't offer advice anymore because people don't want to hear it, they want a pat on the head and a word of reassurance when they should be told to get a day job. Even if you *ARE* good... I can count the number of professionals I know on the digits of one foot and still have some left over, even more if I discount those who are living off ramen and only a hair away from the bill  collector. That said... what makes an artist?  Well.. here's my recipe... One part natural skill -- If you're really meant to be an artist you'll have some kind of natural skill, usually multiple talents.  Those talents usually are anatomy, expression, composition, inking, or just getting creative ideas. One part dedication -- Natural talent doesn't cut it completely.  It's the seed in which you have to fertilize and cultivate.  You have to be willing to give up a lot for your art, even your comfort if it comes down to it.  You have to be willing to draw the same picture ten times until it comes out 'right'.  You have to be willing to give up your social life because you need to stay home and finish a painting, you have to give up your play time to study anatomy and expression, to fill a page full of useless wiggly lines while you learn how to ink with a brush.  It doesn't just come to you.. you earn every bit by paying with your time, sweat, and dedication. One part humility -- Assume you suck.  Assume that nobody in their right mind would  hire you.  Save your sketchbooks from years ago so you can crack them open and remember how much you used to REALLY suck when you started out, sit and stare at them when you start to think you're really great, maybe prop it next to a renaissance painting for comparison if you need some help.  When given advice, even by someone that you think has no talent assume that every word they say is true.  When you show people your art, don't say "do you like this?" instead  say, "I think something's wrong with this picture, can you show me what?".  When criticized, listen.. don't stand up for your art or make excuses for doing something badly unless you think it's an honest and genuine argument.  Bruised egos don't count. Mix thoroughly and let it cook for about ten to fifteen years. Do not draw for the following reasons: To get attention -- Assume nobody will ever see your art.  Assume that showing your art to people is as insulting as smacking them in the head with a large board. Assume nobody gives a flip about your art and would rather hammer salty icepicks into their eyes than look at it.  You still want to do it? Because all your friends draw -- Puh-leeeze!  You should just burn all your books and papers now.  If your only drive is to follow your friends you'll never get anywhere.  what's more, in your drive to do something with pen and ink you could be smothering your REAL talent, which is an even greater sin.   Why am I so harsh?  Because too many people use their art talent as a flag to wave to get attention, they expect jobs to be handed to them without the talent, or they simply stand and boast about themselves.  their styles are bland, expressionless, and unoriginal. Drawing for the wrong reasons means you are motivated by something other than the urge to create.  That's not good. Humility is how you learn.  If you close your eyes and stick your nose up in the air you'll never notice a thing.  If you constantly look for things in someone's work to feel superior over you won't ever see the things that might teach you.  You might as well stick your talent in a block of ice for all the good it does you. Dedication is how you pay for your talent.  There's not such thing as a free lunch, not even with drawing.  People who cough out a couple of doodles now and again and don't bother to try and clean them up or develop them.  There is a saying that there are at least ten thousand bad drawings in someone, and you have to get them all out before you can hope to get to the good ones.   that's how it goes. -Genesis 06-99 BACK