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I haven't had the motivation to draw lately. What should I do?

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saya_20

I'll write this first so there's no misunderstanding. I chose the question category as "creative questions," but what I want to say is about my worries, so please forgive me for not being in the right category and for not having anywhere else to say it.

*This is a long post. On top of that, it's mostly just a complaint, so please be careful when reading it.

Recently, I haven't had the motivation to draw.
I feel like I'm drawing lazily out of inertia, and I can't get motivated to color the picture I'm currently working on, so I give up after about 5-10 minutes.
I don't have any friends in real life, so I don't have anyone to show my drawings to or encourage each other, so I'm alone, and I think that's why I'm depressed and suffering.
A friend of mine who went to the same design school (we went to different schools) and we used to say "Let's do our best" to each other, is working as an artist, and it's completely different from me, who couldn't achieve my dream, got depressed because of what happened up until now, and draws little by little at home even though it's not a job... It's also painful to think that.

I tagged people and increased my followers with the slight hope that "I might be seen on SNS", but the only reaction I got was when I first greeted them, and after that, they didn't even look at my drawings. So my only option of getting people to see my drawings on SNS and react to them was also crushed.

I've looked at a lot of SNS accounts, but it seems like most of the people who use SNS and accounts for art are people who know people in real life, or who use them as an extension of their work as an artist, or as a way to relax from work.
"So even if I post something alone, strangers who are only connected online won't be interested in my drawings..." I thought to myself, feeling depressed.

After that, I lost my motivation to draw.
I wonder if all the art supplies I bought, the expensive PC, illustration software, and drawing textbooks (which I bought and left unread because it was too painful) were a waste of money...
I thought about taking the Palmie exam, but I thought, "I'm not talented, and I wouldn't remember even if I was taught, so they'll just give up on me," so I didn't have the courage to take the exam, and I didn't feel like I could do it at all...

I don't have anywhere to say it anymore.
Is it my fault that I can't do my best because I'm depressed?

Published date : 12 days ago

Updated date : 11 days ago

Japanese

Answer

まさひこ0913

11 days ago
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I'll answer because your situation is similar to mine (I also want to be a manga artist but haven't drawn in over a year).

Manga artist Wakaki Tamiki (famous works: The World God Only Knows, 16bit Sensation) said that "The people who succeed are either those who are patient or those who slack off." In other words, it's important to keep working hard towards your dreams without giving up. Even famous people have periods of slumps, such as when they were newcomers and couldn't draw anything for five years.
I think the important thing is to keep a small flame burning if it's burning.

I also recommend drawing manga. It's because it will simply increase the number of people who praise you. It can be a derivative work of a work you like, or it can be original work.

For original work, there is a manga posting site called "Shintosha" that has produced One-Punch Man's ONE-sensei and Chainsaw Man's Tatsuki Fujimoto-sensei.
There are many local rules, such as not posting works posted on other sites and compressing to about 600px in width, but there are also benefits.
You will almost always get comments on anything you post.
When I feel like giving up, I post my work there and get words of praise.
I get words of encouragement that are unbelievable, like "A genius has appeared" (even though I posted a manga with only words), "You're a genius for being able to express yourself with words alone", "You're still hiding your true talent. Save Shintosha", etc.
So I think it's a good idea to go to an environment where you can be praised.
If you don't have the energy to draw, I recommend watching YouTube channels such as "Saito Naoki Channel", "hide channel", and "Anime Private School" and studying.
I recommend watching at double speed. I think it's very good for changing your "awareness" when drawing.
Being socially recognized really depends a lot on luck... The level of proficiency varies from person to person, so don't rush and take your time to cherish your creative desire.
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0Kuja1

11 days ago
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Hello.
After reading your article, I felt that there were some parts that I could relate to.
When I first started drawing, it was just fun, but when I started uploading my drawings on Pixiv and X, the drawings I worked hard on were not seen at all. The people I followed because I thought they were good were highly rated.
There seem to be various reasons for the ratings and reactions, and I think it's because they are acquaintances or friends.
I've also recently come to feel that some drawings are more likely to be responded to depending on the medium they are posted on.
I've always been a lone wolf, both in real life and online.
I also tend to be isolated.
I think the wall you are hitting right now is probably a path that anyone who draws pictures has to go through at least once.
I don't know how many times I've made my mind sick.
And I don't think depression is a bad thing.
I think depression is when you can't rely on or depend on someone, and you try so hard that your mind reaches its limit.
As for me now, I met someone called Saito Naoki, and I feel better now.
Drawing is something you should enjoy. If you're not relaxed, it will show in your drawing. Drawing is a gift to others. To do that, you must first heal yourself and regain the joy of drawing.
Saito Naoki taught me these things.
Please take a look at this if you're interested.
https://youtu.be/18YQAZl5uxk?si=udgxcGkoXL6Xbgw6

I've also included two other things that I bookmarked to look at when I'm struggling with a drawing.
https://youtu.be/aLAhCcBCGsg?si=EmYTwFC18mhXCa1S
https://youtu.be/LR_VrQvACEM?si=Pa3qXzd_93NS-24T
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楠四

11 days ago
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I have a mental health record.
First of all, please get proper treatment for your depression.
I think it's okay to turn to painting after that.
Put aside classes and books for now. If you push yourself when you've worked hard and are exhausted and collapsed, the damage will only get worse.
Once you've calmed down, you can slowly turn to painting, or you can step away and look for a different path.
You're free to do whatever you want, and you're not doing anything wrong.
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saya_20

11 days ago
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Thank you so much to everyone for your kind words on my depressing writing.

I wondered if I was the only one who was suffering, and I was crying alone, but there were people who reached out to me and said, "It's just like you," and people who told me, "It's okay to take a break." I can't thank them enough. Thank you so much.

Masahiko0913, who told me the recommended posting site, 0Kuja1, who recommended a useful video, and Kusunoki-san, who kindly told me that it's okay to take a break.

I'm not good at talking, so I can't find the right words at times like this, and I'm sorry I can only say "thank you."
I would like to make everyone's answers the best answer.

I'm really glad I wrote about my worries here.
Thank you so much to everyone.
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saya_20

11 days ago
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I'd like to give everyone the best answer, but the system here only allows you to choose one answer, so I'll thank everyone for solving the problem myself with this post.
Thank you so much.
- Japanese