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elsevilla β€” Why people measure art skills with age?
Published: 2010-09-20 20:46:50 +0000 UTC; Views: 1798; Favourites: 5; Downloads: 0
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Description WAKE UP CALL.

People dont want to wait now, people want to get rich easy, people cant wait for a movie to get in theaters, they download it. People wont have time to buy a coke 1 block for their home, they go in car instead of feet. And of course people wants to get better in Art skills fast and pronto, with out the work and blood tears.


FACT, there are tons of kids that can kick my ass right now, and tons of old guys that can kick me with their cane. In equal numbers.

People constantly ask me about my age, like if it were a time bomb to measure themselves instead of measuring art.

I started working professionally at age of 25, some people started at 18 some at 13.

So that will means that i should had putted a bullet in my head at age of 19 or 14?

Do you really think that art can be sized in years? Instead of hours of work?


There were kids that been more talented than me, and i mean huge distances, my drawings looked like a kindergarden level compared with them, time passed, and they still have the same skill, they didnt improved at all, now who is on top?


Lazyness cant be measured in years.


Nobody knows how the learning curve works, you can be working in colors for years and someone can get it in one day.


When people buy a book they wont ask about the age of the artist, they want creativity and skills that they like.


There is no age for art. even at age of 50 you can learn to draw. And beat the crap of a student with age 25.

Also people finding excuses for their slow learning skill saying, i have this level because im not 35 or 26 old, they are lying to themselves.


You just can sit on a chair and wait for the years to come and magically improve skills. Wake up people there are no short cuts for art, no magic pencil, not using the same brand of artist you like.

Not using same brushes as other artist will give you years of practice in a downloadable content.


Because the answer its simple, no one can learn for you. every one have their own learning curve, their own pace. Dont get sad because everyone one are learning fast, and you are getting at the back of the race, because art its not a race its a marathon.


Thats right, ART ITS NOT A RACE ITS A MARATHON. That means that art dont want you to be fast, he wants you to be constant, because those who runs fast are going to lose their breath so easily and get discouraged faster than people that have their on pace.


The key to a healthy art improvement, its never compare with other artists learning curve, constantly try new things, because routine kills the art marriage, you will get bored and never learn anything new, practice tons of hours everyday, yeahhh that means some times you wont be able to be with friends see the sun and sometimes dating. Because art its like alchemy the more you give the more will return you in exchange. NEVER COMPARE art with age, but with time, that means how much time people use for art in a day, some of them work even 12 hours a day.


If you are 30, and ever wanted to be in comics, or even 45, whats stopping you?, stop blaming the age, stop blaming your school, stop blaming your life, just work hard and chase your DREAM.
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Comments: 342

atrueenglishman [2011-03-26 10:50:14 +0000 UTC]

Even though this was posted so long ago, I just saw it now xD

Very, very true. These are like the thoughts I've been trying to put into words but never could. Thank you for posting this c:

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gemmafm [2011-01-23 04:20:39 +0000 UTC]

Very very very true! I absolutely, positively agree!

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SuperCaterina [2010-11-26 22:52:30 +0000 UTC]

It works the same for LIFE! People normally think that the "old" people are wise just because they are "old"... But there are some old people who will never understand anything from life and some very young people just scare for their experience and big knowledge (kids are mostly "pure" with mind because they are not yet fully influenced from the society, also...). The same works for arts.
But I also believe that the "secret" is not the "talent", but the training.

You are great!

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DDT87 [2010-10-23 11:28:18 +0000 UTC]

My level is still pretty low, but I remember in High School when from a level zero, I ended up being not the best, but an ok artist between my classmates.
Probabily I just taken the wrong road wich has slowed me down on my learning curve and killed some of my enthusiasm...but I'm still 23, if I come back to my old habits, it should be fine.
Thanks, your journal always give me some hopes or a kick in the balls when I need it.

Lately I've been kind of depressed, lack of inspiration and university deadlines...but I know I can get out of this if I put more efforts in the things I like most, drawing.

Even if I will still need to learn how to animate something, post-product some video and improove my 3D modeling abilities. >_<

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elsevilla In reply to DDT87 [2010-10-23 17:30:30 +0000 UTC]

felt the same this time, sometimes its because we dont hear our body, to take naps rest, or do exercise, stop the rutine and you will notice changes, sometimes its not mental, its psycal.

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DDT87 In reply to elsevilla [2010-10-24 00:48:06 +0000 UTC]

That's a good advice, I will apply it as soon as I can, thanks.^^

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GisaPizzatto [2010-10-01 16:48:36 +0000 UTC]

featured: [link]

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Hailey16 [2010-09-30 05:12:44 +0000 UTC]

Wow, thank you so much for this. I've been feeling like I have to hurry up and improve my drawing skills 'coz I get pressured by those who are younger than me but does wonderful works. Well, I guess it also kinda serve me as a nice push on the back to keep practicing and studying different art.

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Leonidas666 [2010-09-27 18:00:17 +0000 UTC]

If Art is a Marathon, I'm getting out of it... I'm too old - hehehe - I kid

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Poki-art [2010-09-27 16:41:35 +0000 UTC]

man. great words. +favfavfavafav !

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Teba [2010-09-26 17:50:50 +0000 UTC]

Words of Wisdom

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AEgln [2010-09-26 14:41:20 +0000 UTC]

Eres genial bato, no solo tienes la experiencia que respalda ese gran talento sino que tienes una gran madurez en como se dan las cosas.

No solo es increible ver tu trabajo, sino tambiΓ©n ver lo que escribes.

Gracias por tu tiempo en los dibujos y en los journals.

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Chtite-Nao [2010-09-25 19:57:48 +0000 UTC]

I wish I could fav' this journal entry.

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Somebodylost [2010-09-25 16:24:34 +0000 UTC]



That was really inspiring. Thank you.

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Dualmask [2010-09-24 14:25:20 +0000 UTC]

This is an awesome lesson, and something that I think about constantly. I sometimes badger myself because I feel like I should be better than I am at 33, and other times when I realize that my art doesn't suck and people have paid me money for it in the past, so maybe I'm not as bad as I think. I'm in school now and getting better...but it does get a little tough looking at the work of younger guys who seem to really have it together while I'm just starting to.

Still, I'll never give up. If I'm not a master at 95 I will have still enjoyed the ride.

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xVocaloidFanx [2010-09-24 02:30:49 +0000 UTC]

Someone that realizes it again XD ily for this...

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AlexUdeg [2010-09-24 01:13:12 +0000 UTC]

A lot of me are in your words...

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AlexUdeg [2010-09-24 01:13:12 +0000 UTC]

A lot of me are in your words...

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soulguardion [2010-09-23 18:13:43 +0000 UTC]

So damn right...

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Khuzang [2010-09-23 12:28:43 +0000 UTC]

Well that's a slap on my face. Thanks for the wake up call...

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renei [2010-09-23 00:54:50 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. You are completely right. I'm turning 18 in a month and I've been treating it like a deadline... I have felt that if I don't become as good as I wish by then, then my art will never progress.

Thank you for letting me see the error in my thinking, you're absolutely right. I must admit though, I can't help but envy so many people who are so young yet they have over 50k pageviews and they are so talented...

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fatmandreams [2010-09-22 21:34:52 +0000 UTC]

wow that was so aspiring!!!!! thx a bunch

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UzumakiRamen [2010-09-22 19:28:42 +0000 UTC]

thank you

I wish everyone felt this way. When you gain more experience, that's when you realize how stupid you were at the beginning to have been angry with impatience. But honestly sometimes when it comes to artists who are better than you, it's easier to respect those older but no so much those younger, and you know full well, you shouldn't be thinking this way. And at the same time, some older artists with not much to show for, get looked down upon especially by regular people who don't think twice about what makes an artist talented, and assume it's innate. Age is just kinda something we're naturally sensitive to because of how we're raised, how we're treated, and the patterns that we see with every other subject where age typically does matter.

I love what you have said here. It was a good reminder of what art should be about. and I've said too much. stops.

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leoEye [2010-09-22 18:24:57 +0000 UTC]

I completely agree. Some kids are very fast at learning, they draw every day and practise practise, practise.

I'm fifteen and draw since I can hold a pencil, but I just drew in boring school lessons (it means: every lesson). But I was never interested in anatomy or something. Some people start with this!

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SaviourOmnissiah [2010-09-22 16:33:06 +0000 UTC]

I Need to Re-Think This

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zetzukan [2010-09-22 14:51:37 +0000 UTC]

big punch, now i got what should i do, and what should be done

Thanks

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lotusbiru [2010-09-22 14:48:33 +0000 UTC]

wow it's like a big slap on my face!

yeah..it's not the matter of age
your writing is really inspiring

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onionmania33 [2010-09-22 14:29:04 +0000 UTC]

completely agree. its all about HARDWORK.

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Betsuni-chan [2010-09-22 05:25:32 +0000 UTC]

thanks! I really need it.

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JessySketches [2010-09-22 05:08:39 +0000 UTC]

Well said! I know there people out there that can kick my ass at art, but it doesnt mean I will stop trying! I just want to keep improving till I am happy with my work and then I will bust out and be a badass. Shit yeah.

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edwin-saenz [2010-09-22 04:40:54 +0000 UTC]

Thank you, toching speech

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Nevar18 [2010-09-22 04:05:00 +0000 UTC]

*amen

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sketchandthecity [2010-09-22 03:14:17 +0000 UTC]

I know some people think you won't be able to be at your peak until you have drawn for 20 years... less than ten more years for me...

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Tobal-gz [2010-09-22 01:43:43 +0000 UTC]

Really true

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Phinnimonster [2010-09-22 01:24:25 +0000 UTC]

I love the marathon analogy, what a good one.
I have to say that I am sometimes curious to know an artist's age, as if looking for some sort of verification as to whether or not I'm up to par with a "good" artist of my age. But really, it's unnecessary. At time it can be encouraging, but at others, discouraging. Some people see an artist and think, "Well, they're only so good because they're older than me" or, "I'll never be a good artist because I didn't start learning early enough." It's never to early or too late to be a great artist. You shouldn't wait for age to "magically" make you a better artist, and you also shouldn't think that once you're past a certain age it's "too late". It's about amount of effort, not age. Shoot for the stars no matter how old you are, and you may surprise yourself.

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Conkeras [2010-09-22 01:12:17 +0000 UTC]

If I could fave journals, I would favorite this one! Thanks for saying it, as too many people do think that... Even if we would all believe that art is a matter of practice and hard work, it would always be great to hear something like this from time to time! My marathon is not gonna end so fast and just reading this makes me want to slow down and get back to the real business, wich is to improve and not compare. Age doesn't count afterall, someone can be very young and talented, but get tired of it because its young mind tend to reach other goals and dreams and an adult that never thought he would find hisself in his art could become a wonderful artist as well! The only one we can compare ourself to, is our own person, because the others don't make us more skilled, sure they do give us ideas, concepts, and encouragements, but we make our own talent, we make our passion!

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Dj--Vixxen [2010-09-22 00:24:16 +0000 UTC]

Wow.
I'm left speechless.

You've taken an entire art community.. And given it life again. The knowledge to keep on going.

I salute you.

You've been a great inspiration for me with this journal alone. And it's all true.

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Liansa [2010-09-22 00:17:04 +0000 UTC]

Thanks man

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CalionCreates [2010-09-21 23:56:31 +0000 UTC]

Wow. This was really inspiring! Thank you~

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suzanastojanovic [2010-09-21 23:42:53 +0000 UTC]

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Samurai-PET [2010-09-21 23:28:25 +0000 UTC]

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Ephriokko [2010-09-21 23:24:50 +0000 UTC]

Well said.

Guh... I can't think of anything else to say. <_>;;

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raffaellac [2010-09-21 23:20:16 +0000 UTC]

YES. You got it exactly right man.

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Noolin [2010-09-21 22:54:21 +0000 UTC]

A wake up kick that me and probably several other people needed.
Thank you

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ameru [2010-09-21 22:51:22 +0000 UTC]

word. WORD.

parabla >w>;

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OneManDraw [2010-09-21 22:14:40 +0000 UTC]

Sooo damn true....

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Dottwing [2010-09-21 22:02:23 +0000 UTC]

I have to say even though I know all this, say it to my self constantly, that sometimes I'd like to get better without having to work for it, but then I always wake up a realize that there is no shortcut, just hard work (and that depresses me) and even if it takes me twice, three- times the time than others to improve I will get there someday

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XjennypennyX [2010-09-21 21:47:26 +0000 UTC]

this was very inspiring to me. thank you very much. Im 23 and i have been slacking on my talent.

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DrummerboyDomo [2010-09-21 21:33:33 +0000 UTC]

Very good point. Perseverance and a lot of practice definitely helps, but I think it also deals ALOT with who you know as well.

For example, a self-taught orphan who does nothing but dedicate their life, blood sweat, and tears to drawing may never be as good as the kid who, is interesting in drawing, but it isn't really their passion. They just do it because their father is Jim Lee, or Frank Frazetta. Just because of the sole fact that, even though the orphan may have an enormous amount of natural talent, they don't necessarily have the knowledge or resources to really understand how to get better.

But everyones' story is different. I don't think age really plays that big of a part in it.

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DrawlyGoLightly [2010-09-21 21:13:19 +0000 UTC]

Fucking NICE!

Loved reading this. I too often get down because I worry that I am not as good as I should be and wish I could have known ten years ago what I know now and be able to apply it from there,
But a reality check once in a while is a powerful thing.
It's like a wake-up slap-to-the-face saying "GET OVER YOURSELF!" because it's not about where you were a year ago, or how good the person next to you is, but what you're doing RIGHT NOW.

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