Drew this to de-stress. It didn’t help.
I want to add a bit of encouragement in reaction to this because it’s relatable and made me sad- but it doesn’t have to be that way!! Art can be your job and not suck your soul out!!
Everyone here knows 90% of my work is commissions. It’s what I have to do to survive. It’s what a lot of us have to do to survive. Despite this I still love drawing even if it’s something I wouldn’t do normally. Honestly I find fun in drawing different subjects I’d never think about myself. But that’s just me. Everyone has a different range of interests and varying energy levels. It might be draining everything out of you to do art that just gets the bills paid. It can be extremely difficult to want to be creative at all after the work we have to put in..
But it’s possible to still draw for fun, and honestly I think it’s necessary in order for artistic growth. What I do personally is do art that’s completely different than what I do for work. Lately it’s been realism with watercolors, (as I’m an anime style digital artist for work) but before it’s been crafting, sculpting, etc… It’s refreshing. And often times after that I DO feel like drawing in my regular style, just for fun!
Another thing that seems to be a hindrance to not drawing for fun is priorities… If drawing for fun is really, really important to you you need to be aware of the time you’re spending on other things. I’m not accusing this artist, or any artists of this, you’re probably even more busy than I am- But I know for a fact how many hours of drawing I’ve wasted watching dog vine compilations on Youtube alone. XuX;
I used to whine about not having any time or energy to do art I love; that all I was doing was work… But then I took a hard look what I was actually doing with my time and realized that should be draw time. Drawing is more important to me than drooling over cake recipes on food blogs. So I’ve been doing my best to cut all that stuff back. (it’s really hard though. not gonna lie. but it’s what needs to be done. I need my draws times.).
What I’m trying to say is… Make sure to make time for the love your art, if art is what you really love. If art is just a job, hey, that’s okay!! There is NOTHING wrong with that. It is a skill and you are AWESOME for being a creative business person who works hard and you DESERVE to do anything you want to with the little bit of spare time you have. But if you want to draw for fun again, make a “date night” for your art. My date night is usually Saturday. Yesterday I drew a cat in bloomers with watercolor markers and I loved it. 5 year old me would be proud.
Sometimes work gets you down but always take some time to keep that childhood wonder you’ve felt for art alive. It’s important. It’s a form of self love in my opinion. Hugs and all the support in the world!
Needed that last bit..
♥
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