A question about comments.

[Pawkfox]

Okay, here's yet another stupid question from me.

We have all seen people post comments such as "Your drawings have inspired me to do better at yada yada bla bla!"
And all the different variations. Odds are, you have probably done this yourself.

If so, then my questions is to you.

Just how exactly does looking at other peoples art inspire/motivate you to keep on drawing/improving?

It's very alien to me. Please elaborate.

[Dusty]

The question is how *DOESN'T* it motivate you?
I see someone who is better than me and I want to be at their level. Or possibly they have an idea or technique that I would like to try and incorporate into my own work and that makes me excited to try it.

When I was like 13 years old, my dad bought me Michael Whelan's art book and it changed my life. I couldn't believe the creativity, imagination, characters and worlds that he painted and I wanted to do THAT.
Same with Wayne D. Barlowe after buying his A-Z of Extraterrestrials...I just saw all these awesome creatures and aliens and immediately felt compelled to create my own.

To this day I am always looking for new ideas, styles, and techniques to learn and be inspired by. You say it's alien to you....which is interesting, because that comment itself is alien to *ME*. ;)

-D

[Pawkfox]

Dusty - If I was Yin, you'd be Yang :hugsmile:

[HunterKiller_]

here's yet another very very very very very very very very very very stupid question from me.

Fixed.

[DavePalumbo]

how exactly does looking at other peoples art inspire/motivate you to keep on drawing/improving?

I thought this was pretty much the reason why everyone here does what they do :shrug:

[Pawkfox]

HunterKiller - Uncalled for, unnecessary, and proves what is said in my signature. But the internet is free, even for you.

DavePalumbo - "pretty much" I guess. But apparently not completely.

[SlinkyDice]

It might be pertinent for someone like you to understand the value of Google.

[Dusty]

Maybe you should explain what you feel when you see other peoples' art.
You ask how someone can be inspired and ask them to explain why, but then you don't elaborate on your own feelings much at all.

[Aphotic Phoenix]

In general seeing the progression that people can make in a year or two is far more motivating and inspirational than any single image.

[Flake]

How did you decide you wanted to be an artist if not by looking at badass art and thinking "I want to do that."

[HunterKiller_]

HunterKiller - Uncalled for, unnecessary, and proves what is said in my signature.

An artist asking a question like that is like asking why do we breathe.

There have been a lot of attention seeking threads lately, with stupid topics made by people in an attempt to justify their own inadequacies.
I think this is one of them, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.

[Goog]

An artist asking a question like that is like asking why do we breathe.

There have been a lot of attention seeking threads lately, with stupid topics made by people in an attempt to justify their own inadequacies.
I think this is one of them, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.

Good god man, everyone comes from a different perspective.

You related the original question to the question of why do we breathe. Breathing is a very foreign concept when one doesn't know about lungs, oxygen, or the necessary requirements for organs to function.

I am saddened to see such detrimental comments because I was once in the same boat as many of the folks who create "stupid topics". However, I did not post my questions for fear of people responding in such a derogatory manner. I know that my progress has been hampered because of this as it has been an extremely difficult process discovering everything related to the non-technical side of art on my own.

As for the attention seeking comment, this is a fucking internet forum, everyone here is seeking attention.

Try to understand those who ask questions, and worry about those who aren't.

[Flake]

You related the original question to the question of why do we breathe. Breathing is a very foreign concept when one doesn't know about lungs, oxygen, or the necessary requirements for organs to function.

You missed the point. You don't need to know how lungs work to know that you must breathe. I'd reiterate my earlier question.

I am saddened to see such detrimental comments because I was once in the same boat as many of the folks who create "stupid topics".

And if you look through this forum there's a whole bunch of patience and understanding that everyone starts somewhere. There are some really dumb questions responded to politely, usually with links, free downloads etc.

this is a fucking internet forum, everyone here is seeking attention.
Really? , I just like to chat and discuss arty subjects with other art monkeys...

[Not Pink]

How did you decide you wanted to be an artist if not by looking at badass art and thinking "I want to do that."

The Truth. Flake has it.

I think the biggest thing for me is looking at a piece I like and getting that sudden burning and pressure sensation in my gut that's screaming "GO GET A PENCIL YOU MORON!!!" and even when I can't think of anything to draw, just doodling will bring such vistas of unimaginable ideas from your head to your hand, resulting in something that only you can understand, feel, and appreciate. Seeing such pieces like the ones that cause these feelings can further justify the little voice in the back of your head screaming "I NEED TO CREATE!", and in doing so you learn so much. Little nuances that would go unnoticed by the average eye can be seen by you and you learn from that: add greens to red, and scribble here and there to make it realistic, etc., etc. Being inspired by a piece is there everytime you look at anything from a cereal box to a canvas masterpiece, it's wether or not YOU of all people on this earth, are willing to further take that inspiration into your heart, mind, body, and soul to create what you NEED to create.

[Pawkfox]

How did you decide you wanted to be an artist if not by looking at badass art and thinking "I want to do that."

Perhaps sometime in my younger years (around elementary school) I saw some cool drawing and decided I wanted to know how to make one.. I honestly can't remember.

All I know is that when I needed an escape from bullies and the world in general, I would draw (Some choose to read or play games). The fact that I've become better at it is because I keep doing it. Not because I love it. I do art because I'm good at it, imo. And I'm referring to learning as well as producing.

When I see cool art I think "Cool.." and thats It. I don't have a special feeling about anything in life for that matter that makes me want to go "I want to do that." Because I don't. Even if its the coolest thing I've ever seen, It has been done. And it was he/she/it who did it. I don't want to become them I want to be me. This doesn't mean I dont want to do things just because they have been done before, that would be stupid. Use your common sense.

I hope that elaborates.

As for attention seeking.. I'll just quote Goog
..this is a fucking internet forum, everyone here is seeking attention.

HunterKiller, that is your opinion. If you cannot understand where I'm coming from then perhaps it would be better for you if you didn't participate in this discussion at all? That's my opinion.

[GaussianRaider]

Okay, here's yet another stupid question from me.

We have all seen people post comments such as "Your drawings have inspired me to do better at yada yada bla bla!"
And all the different variations. Odds are, you have probably done this yourself.

If so, then my questions is to you.

Just how exactly does looking at other peoples art inspire/motivate you to keep on drawing/improving?

It's very alien to me. Please elaborate.

I'll try to respond your question.
I didn't quite understand if you're referring to being motivated by comments and compliments from other people or by seeing other's people artwork.
My opinion is that this can hardly be the exclusive source of motivation.
If you draw odds are that the original reason is different (eg: I draw because I feel that is the one thing that better defines me in "society" and because I love to create things and make them visible from my head), nevertheless there are short term goal/motivations as well.
Positive feedbacks mean somebody appreciate what you're doing, thumbs up, and thus signal that you're probably on the "right" path.
The artwork of other people is crucial as a matter of study, you can study how different people approached the same problems and how they solved it, it can also be a visualization of the direction you want to improve (you can think "I wanna do this" and be able to see what it'd look like).
You are telling me you never had artworks that impressed your imagination?

[Max Challie]

There is no why, it just is.

[Nibras]

Guys you should all see yourselves, it's freaking scary in here.
I would seriously not have the guts to ask questions if I was a beginner here seeing the way everyone just jumps and attacks the person it's like freakin online bullying by making fun of people.

I swear the reason CA is loved so much is because of the great helpful attitude and I know everyone gives tons of advice and help for those who have shown they've tried and have the right attitude but still c'mon guys, everyone has to start somewhere so instead of flaring and ripping the person how about we just give them a simple answer and if it's a question which is always asked like "motivation" then tell them to use the search button.

But really I think it's just not as friendly any more, we're friendly to the people who post the regulars but we sure as hell ain't friendly to all the new people who enter this forum. Give em a break guys.


Anywayz Pawfox I think you've just got the wrong attitude about this, the wrong beliefs and the reason you don't find inspiration in it is because you don't give your self the chance. Like you said you say "it's cool but am not gonne make anything like it because it's already been done" we'll there you go you killed the inspiration before it was even born.
Try to be a little bit open minded and look at images with a different belief, say "god damn! this stuff is crazy imagine if one day I can do something up to that level, be that good" and all of a sudden you wanna paint so you can get that good or create something as beautiful or because the idea is freakin genius.
You're also thinking that your copying someone by being inspired by them, thats just bizarre man, no body said go and copy their painting completely what to do is take the energy the piece guys ya and output it in your own style.

Hope that helps in anyway. Just keep an open mind to this

[armando]

No, this is just a dumb question. Even if a person didn't get inspired by seeing other people's art the reason for other people getting inspired would be obvious. Look at Pawfox's art, obvious anime and fantasy influence, and he's drawing characters and creatures, where'd those ideas come from except by seeing other people do them first.

"I don't have a special feeling about anything in life for that matter that makes me want to go "I want to do that.""
Something made you want to ask this question. There's no way that you can see all the various things in life and not be attracted to some of them. Be honest about your feelings with yourself, then you'll find you have all kinds of preferences. Simple guestion: would you rather hang around a dirty crackhead loser or would you rather have decent friends? Start with something obvious like that, then you can ask yourself some questions about art.

"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society"
You're putting too much effort into trying to be different.

[darkwolf29a]

When I see someone else's work, it does inspire me. It inspires me, because I've always thought, when I see any picture or sculpture, that I want to do that. I want to have the knowledge that will allow me be as creative as some of the individuals work I see here. Some say that knowledge is a crutch, but I have found that a basic knowledge of how things should work, I can allow myself the creative freedom to use that knowledge to create new art.

If posting these type of posts, commending others and stating that they are inspiring is wrong...I don't want to be right. I think we should commend others. I mean, come on...look around this place for awhile. This place is chalked full of artists whose work I really enjoy, and would like to create something like what they have done. Obviously, I want to get as good as most of the artists here are. That's why I'm here to begin with.

Sure, I'm just beginning in my road through school, and one my way to my second career doing it, I hope. Will I ever get to the point of some of the artists I see here? I will work hard to do so. Only the adulation of the community can ever tell me if I arrive at that spot, or not.

I do find, as I look through the works on this site, a place of extreme inspiration, since everyone here had to start somewhere. Picasso wasn't born a great artist, it took time for him to learn all the ins and outs, tricks, and tips. Sure, there's always an underlaying talent. But, as you go through the process of learning to draw or sculpt, render, whatever, you also learn that talent and imagination cannot make up for bad techniques. And I find this place a great place to figure out those good techniques.

[OmenSpirits]

The question is how *DOESN'T* it motivate you?
I see someone who is better than me and I want to be at their level. Or possibly they have an idea or technique that I would like to try and incorporate into my own work and that makes me excited to try it.

To this day I am always looking for new ideas, styles, and techniques to learn and be inspired by. You say it's alien to you....which is interesting, because that comment itself is alien to *ME*. ;)

-D

That about sums it up for me.:yayca:

It's why CA is where I "study" and other sites I congregate. Though CGSociety is a place I gain knowledge about things CG. Keep track of industy and new innovations. I read the articles especially.

[Jason Ross]

For me I relate inspiration like this as competitiveness. I've been a competitor in my school days even with friends but it's the good type not the jealous type. I get a "man can I draw that well?...Let me see." type of encouragement.