10 Things Artists Are So Tired of Hearing
When you tell us that you 'wish you could draw', what you're really saying is 'I wish I had that talent without putting in the effort.'
Here's what us artists really want you to know...
1. Can you draw me for free?
Can I? Yes. Will I? No. Seriously, that is an artist's biggest pet peeve. If you expect free work because you're a 'friend' that should be even more of a reason why you shouldn't expect it. You should support your friend's small businesses rather than take advantage of them.
2. I wish I could draw like you!
You can. I didn't just wake up one morning and magically know how to draw. I picked up a crayon when I was five and never set it down. When you tell us that you 'wish you could draw', what you're really saying is 'I wish I had that talent without putting in the effort.' If you want to be good at art, you have to do what everybody does when they have a talent… PRACTICE!!!
3. Are you ever going to get a real job?
Cue eye roll. Who are you to dictate what makes a job a 'real job'? If I'm making enough money off of selling art, then you have no need to worry. Even if I'm not, I'd rather go broke doing what I love instead of dying in a cubicle with no dignity. Worry about your own wallet, I'll worry about mine.
4. No offense but...
NO! Stop. Offense taken! Unless you are an artist who has an undoubtedly higher skill level than me, I'm not interested in hearing it. Yes, the nose is crooked. Yes, the eyes don't exactly match. No, I didn't ask for your opinion. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Stop telling me how to create my own art.
5. My [insert relative] is a REALLY good artist!
Oh, thanks? What on Earth am I supposed to do with that information? When I hear this sentence, all I can do is read between the lines and hear you basically saying 'my relative is better than you'. Good for them! I don't doubt that they are; I'm sure your niece or whatever is great, but I'm not interested in being told who is better than me at what I do.
6. Oh wow! Did you trace that?
GRRRR. Maybe I did, maybe I didn't! Does it matter? If I've been slaving over my sketchbook for 4 hours creating a piece, it shouldn't matter if I did it free-hand or if I used a reference. If you have a problem, just keep scrolling.
7. Art can be just a hobby.
So can selling drugs. Do you see me out here trying to be El Chapo? For all you know, art is just a hobby for me. Again, don't worry about what I consider a career in my life if it isn't any of your business.
8. Can you teach me how to draw?
Sure! Let's drop everything we're doing right now and I'll teach you in 60 minutes what took me a decade to learn. The answer is no, I can't teach you to draw. I can make a few recommendations on how you can learn! PRACTICE! Find a picture, study it, draw it, fail, try again, and fail better next time. You have to put the time and the effort into art if you want to be good at it.
9. How about you try [insert art style] instead!
Cool recommendation! I'm not going to do it, but still, thanks for the input. I might look it up and consider trying it, maybe I already have, but I'm happy with what I'm doing. If you see me posting a lot of the same genre, odds are that that's where I feel most comfortable. Every artist steps out of their comfort zone at some point and it's a lot more common than you think. If I like doing realism and that's my strong suit, I'm probably not going to just switch over to contemporary because you told me to. If I do switch my genre, it's because I feel confident enough to do so.
10. You should post more of your art.
Eh, maybe I will or maybe I won't. When you're in the art world, there's a sense of insecurity. You're constantly being reminded that someone out there is better than you or that you aren't where you'd like to be, skill-wise. If I'm not posting my art, it might be because I don't feel confident enough to do so. Nobody is entitled to see what I create. I'll post it when I'm ready.
Paper World Geography Notebook Brochure Pen Map
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Pianist Music Note Lyrics Instrument Sheet Music
13 YouTubers You Need To Start Watching, ASAP
Whether you have twelve minutes or half an hour, like true crime or travel vlogs, YouTube is the place you should be.
With hundreds of thousands of content creators out in the YouTube universe, I only thought that it would be right to name a few that are actually worth your time. YouTubers come in all shapes, sizes, and genres. Most YouTubers fit into multiple molds so when you find a good one it is worth it to stick with them, and dare I say, turn on notifications. Here are thirteen of my favorite YouTubers!
1. Ellen Fisher
Ellen has a well around channel with videos ranging from vegan cooking, lifestyle to gardening. Her videography is unmatchable as she spends her videos centered around nature and her family. If you ever need a relaxing video to put on right before bed, Ellen Fisher is your gal.
2. Kendall Rae
Kendall's channel is centered around conspiracy theory videos and true crime. Her videos and articulation in them keep you grounded while your head is full of all this new information. Her videos always hold every piece of information holding no gruesome detail back, lasting at least half an hour. Her videos are the ones you watch when you have time to sit and soak the crime in.
3. Levi Bernhardt
Levi's videos are videos you would expect to see from your home videos from 5th grade. His editing style is just comedic gold, and his vlogs are never disappointing. He recently moved to Korea and the amount of footage he has shot has doubled. Nothing but applause for this man right here!
4. Cut
A more popular channel, Cut is known for its masterpieces such as fear bong, truth or drink, and blind date episodes. their content ranges in time but is consistent when it comes to entertainment. Subscribing to Cut's channel will fill your subscription box with nothing but ready to watch videos.
5. KKandbabyJ
This family vlog channel always can put a smile on my face. Keren and Khoa have three adorable little boys, and a wedding on the way. Their channel shows the realness of family and how not every day is going to be the picture perfect day. They both also have their own separate channels and do other types of videos there as well. A great family vlog that shows a little diversity in the YT realm.
6. Michelle Reed
Michelle is the perfect guide to living in your early twenties and navigating life, school, relationships, and religion. Based in New York City Michelle discusses heavy topics from heart break to mental illness. She isn't afraid to show her "weak" side to her viewers and always finds the positive in situations. Michelle's channel will leave you with a calming sense, and relaxed demeanor.
7. Kristin Johns
Kristin's channel always makes me leave feeling warm, if that even makes sense. Her videos have a range consisting of lifestyle, relationship, health, religion, and my favorite her love for plants. Her plant videos always give me mad inspiration to go on a shopping spree. Also, she has two golden retrievers, Camper and Honey, who make appearances in her videos adding a wonderful bonus.
8. Wear I Live
Jenny has opened my eyes to the life of living in New York as a twenty-something-year-old. Her videos are always beautifully put together and her style is something I have never seen before. Jenny spends her time as a student but also talks about body image issues and how the standard of beauty needs to be thrown out the window. She also has great random videos that make you feel like you are right there with her in her little apartment.
9. Best Dressed
Ashley has videos that talk about her open sexuality and her body, along with killer thrifting and fashion videos. She always keeps it real and gives you the advice you wish your mom gave you years ago.
10. Tess Christine
The amount of time that Tess spends on her videos speak volumes in the end. Her perfect editing style and amazing camera shots show that hard work and dedication pay off. She makes mainly fashion videos but her travel videos are always breath taking.
11. April Athena 7
This mom of two has nothing standing in her way. April has multiple channels including ones for baking and cleaning. Her cleaning videos are what drew me in, in the first place. Her encouraging voice and dedication ot cleanliness may not be for everyone but these videos reduce my stress and are great for putting on while you clean up around your room, or even go full April and clean for eight hours straight.
12. Niomi Smart
Niomi's channel is one of the best lifestyle channels on YouTube. Her videos have a broad spectrum from travel vlogs, to skin care, and clothing reviews. Niomi has a very mellow attitude that will end up leaving you binge-watching her videos. She also has an English accent so what's not to love?
13. Cody Ko
This wouldn't be the best YouTubers to watch without Mr. Ko. Cody has over 200 videos that are nothing but pure geniuses. The fact that he not only roasts other people but mostly himself make his videos worthy of a shoutout. His videos are videos that end up on twitter and go viral only to be repeated by people on the daily. Ever heard of "too much nic?" yeah it was this guy (along with Noel).
After all of this is said and done, if you made it this far drop a like, leave a comment, and I'll see you guys next week! *hand goes over camera lens like every early vlogger in 2010*