I don't know if your active any longer but I want to give you some sort of update. I recently started college, those words you gave me a year ago. I've held on to them, I'm one of the top of among my piers, I've aced 3 of my Design programs with a teacher who grades like we are working at a design firm.
Unlike the last time I spoke to you, I've become confident in my work, I no longer become discouraged when I see others making spectacular work; instead its quite opposite, I tend to work as hard as I can to bring my work to their level.
"Never stop drawing, and never be close minded, because inspiration can come from anywhere at any time. Plan large works ahead of time with thumbnails, that's something I tend to do. It's akin to writing drafts. Also, if you are going to take this extremely seriously, as in career serious, go to an art school so you can learn how to be efficient above all, but keep your own style, because sometimes I think the schools do try to mold you into their house style at times."
At first I wasn't quite sure what the importance in thumbnails were, I didn't quite understand this until after going in through the courses and learning about all of it. Thanks for making me aware of it. I've also been sure to hold on to my own style in this first semester, of course I'm still very experimental at this point. I feel like I have a lot to explore.
"When I was younger I probably did. It can be hard not to compare yourself to other people, but once I got older, I just realized that none of that matters. It's fine to be inspired by people who have done this for years with lots of training and practice, but you shouldn't beat yourself up over it. If that's the direction you want to go in, you'll automatically push yourself to go in that direction. If it's not for you, it's not for you. For example, I just don't draw realistically. Sure, it looks cool, but it's just not something I do or would want to do beyond fundamental reasons. I'm much more of a cartoonist. I'm not going to beat myself up because I can't paint a realistic picture, but I can appreciate the time and talent that goes into it when someone else can and does.
Essentially, you can probably do anything if you want to do it. Heck, I could probably draw realistically without too much of a problem if I wanted to do it, but I wouldn't be as good at it as people who have been doing it for years. Nevertheless, as I stated, if you want it bad enough, you'll put in the effort to do it. And you'll keep practicing it until you get better at it. Along the way, you'll learn some tricks and techniques that'll make the next time easier, too. Never hurts to check out the methods other people use, too, so that you aren't going in totally blind, either!"
I've kept this, It really was what I needed to hear at that point in time.. Like I said, I'm experimenting a lot with different styles now.
Anyways, it was a bit spontaneous; Just thought I'd let you know those words your said about a year ago really meant something to me, and helped get me where I am now.
My profile pic is something I'm currently working on as well, vector. I don't know when you'll see it but at the time of the message its a work in prog.
Thanks again