I Drew for 11,770 Hours... Here's What I Learned

Summary

In this insightful video, the creator shares their 11,770-hour art journey, highlighting the challenges and breakthroughs faced along the way. Starting with the struggle of improving drawing skills, they realized that mastering individual smaller skills was key to growth. The video explores the concept of the 'Creator Curve,' where early struggles eventually lead to breakthroughs. By reflecting on key moments such as reaching 10,000 hours, gaining traction on social media, and navigating new opportunities, the creator encourages beginners to embrace the art journey as a path of continuous self-discovery and improvement.

Takeaways

• 😀 The journey to improvement in art requires consistent effort and overcoming plateaus. Small breakthroughs in skills often lead to significant progress.
• 😀 Drawing skills are the foundation of anime-style art and must be prioritized for growth. Many artists neglect it, focusing on painting or other aspects instead.
• 😀 Art is made up of hundreds of smaller, specific skills, not just one overarching ability. Mastering each individual skill is key to improving overall artistic ability.
• 😀 Success in art is a journey, and it's important to understand that progress might not be visible at first. However, hard work and effort compound over time, leading to breakthroughs.
• 😀 There is no magical number like 10,000 hours that guarantees success, but consistency, focused effort, and improvement will eventually lead to a breakthrough.
• 😀 After achieving early success, opportunities can become overwhelming. It's crucial to learn how to prioritize and stay focused on what aligns with personal goals and identity as a creator.
• 😀 Art is an ongoing process of self-discovery, and creators must continuously evaluate their identity and purpose in their work.
• 😀 The ‘Creator Curve’ illustrates that at the start of an artistic journey, progress may seem slow, but it eventually compounds, leading to faster growth after reaching a breakthrough point.
• 😀 The bottleneck in improvement is often related to overlooked fundamentals. By focusing on the foundational skills, significant artistic growth can occur.
• 😀 The key to staying grounded as a creator is to practice and master the art of self-prioritization, allowing for personal growth and avoiding burnout from external pressures.
• 😀 Art is a journey, not a destination. It’s about taking one step at a time and continually pushing yourself to improve, no matter how long the journey takes.

Q & A

What was the key realization the artist had at the 7,000-hour mark?

The artist realized that their drawing skills were the bottleneck holding them back, and they needed to focus on improving them to progress further.

Why did the artist neglect practicing drawing for so long?

The artist believed that since anime is stylized, they could get away with neglecting drawing fundamentals, assuming there were no rules. However, they later discovered that there are principles behind good stylization.

How did the artist compare art improvement to an isekai anime?

The artist compared art improvement to an isekai anime protagonist's 'identify' skill, where the artist could see individual, smaller skills—like hand anatomy or facial expressions—being leveled up separately, contributing to overall artistic growth.

What is the 'Creator Curve' and how does it relate to an artist's journey?

The 'Creator Curve' refers to the trajectory of many creators, where they initially see little progress, but after years of hard work, they reach a breakthrough point. From then on, success compounds rapidly as they gain more recognition and opportunities.

What milestone did the artist reach at around 10,000 hours?

At around 10,000 hours, the artist reached their initial breakthrough, gaining traction on social media and completing a commission for Hololive's Watame.

Is there anything magical about the 10,000-hour mark?

No, the 10,000-hour mark is not magical. Some people reach their breakthrough earlier or later. The key takeaway is that consistent hard work eventually builds up and leads to a breakthrough.

What challenges did the artist face after their initial breakthrough?

After the breakthrough, the artist began receiving more opportunities, which overwhelmed them. They found it difficult to manage and prioritize all the opportunities, leading to confusion.

What skill did the artist need to develop after experiencing success?

The artist needed to develop the skill of prioritizing and understanding their identity as a creator. This involved determining what they truly wanted to focus on and how to manage the influx of opportunities.

How does the artist view their journey in art?

The artist views their journey in art as ongoing and a form of self-discovery. They recognize that art is not a destination but a continual process of growth and refinement.

What advice does the artist give to beginners feeling daunted by their journey?

The artist advises beginners not to feel overwhelmed, as art is a journey, not a destination. They encourage taking one step at a time and gradually improving, no matter how long the journey takes.