I try to make my posts relevant for anyone who might be considering a career in illustration. As someone who's done it, in a variety of fields, for quite a while, I feel I might have a perspective that is potentially beneficial to anyone who wants to do commercial art of any kind for a living.

In that spirit, and in light of the many many examples I have encountered here of younger artists saying terrible things about their work, and putting both themselves and their art down for no good reason, I offer the following:

It is not good for you, your art, or any plans of an eventual career that you denigrate your ability. Whatever you may think about the need not to appear cocky or arrogant, I can tell you for a fact that nobody you encounter in the professional world will respond positively to you putting down yourself or your talent.

In fact, the exact opposite is true. It is far more likely that you will cause yourself to LOSE opportunities you might otherwise be given by putting down your art or yourself as an artist.

So stop.

Now.

I am not saying that you don't have room to improve. Every artist does. I am also not saying that there aren't many artists your age with more natural ability to draw. There probably are. However, if you have ANY plans for an eventual career in WHATEVER field of commercial art, design or illustration, it would be in your best interests to begin NOW to acknowledge your abilities in a healthy way.

Art directors get tired of self-deprecating artists very early in their careers (I have ZERO patience for massaging the faltering ego of an artist that I need to get work out of). It is much more professional to acknowledge your ability, and then set goals for yourself to improve. I, as an art director, can work with someone who has that attitude.

You are not proving anything to anyone, including your fellow artists, by putting down your work. Only the most very rank of amateurs feel this behavior is appropriate. When you receive comments or compliments from someone your respect in the art field, take the remarks like a pro. Know what you can do, and let the remarks you receive reflect OFF OF the healthy, realistic view of your work that you maintain.

You can do real damage to your future chances of a rewarding career if you don't nip this; "I am not worthy" thing in the bud right now.

Whatever the facts are regarding young artists and their egos, it should be a part of the learning process for all young talents that they develop a healthy attitude about themselves and their work. Practice this way of looking at yourself and your work if you have to, but NEVER think it is proper, or helpful, to constantly, or even uniformly say negative things about your work.

The real world truth is that, if you do this, you aren't actually impressing anyone, including those you view as being at your current level, and you are having a negative effect on anyone in a position to actually evaluate your work on a professional level.

Comments welcome.

Bring it on.

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Glad to say that "keeping up with the joneses" no longer means it's time to go see my dealer...
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Napkins? Heh, heh... Napkins? We don' need no stinkin' napkins!