Hitting the wall

Looking back through the works of some of the great n' recognized NG animators, I've noticed a pattern in terms of art/animation quality - they start as dumb kids, experiment & improve through their teen years, and then finalize their style in their early twenties. And I've always been REALLY worried that's gonna happen to me too.

All throughout my time on Newgrounds, I've pretty much come to hate everything I've made within six months, partially because the jokes get old, but also because I can see all the technical mistakes I've since grown out of. It sucks because it means I'm really self-conscious about my art, but it's also very reassuring 'cause it means I'm still improving. But looking back at my more recent cartoons, I'm still perfectly okay with them. As of right now, I still think my best-animated cartoon is "On the John" ( http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/624631 ), but I was 16 when I made that and I'm turning 18 in a couple of months. uh oh!

So for the last few days I've been tossing around this idea of "hitting the wall" in terms of artistic improvement. I mean I know my visual art skills aren't NEARLY as good as a real pro animation guy, but in terms of having an eye for motion and arcs and all that fluid-looking animation stuff, I'm pretty happy with where I am. And I thought I'd be safe for another three years!

Although, it's also true that I've been putting out less content. Maybe I just have to make something new. I dunno what do you kids think? I'm hoping I can come back to this post in a couple years and think "oh wow what an idiot you still have a shit ton to learn about cartoons," but only time will tell.

2559389_140338645252_ScreenShot2014-06-21at4.46.49PM.png

^this is me typing this post. I use apple products because the UI is nice

Comments

Log in to Comment

Brewster 2014-06-21 18:18:07

I don't think you're done improving.

Emrox 2014-06-21 18:18:07

yeah well I HOPE so

MSGhero 2014-06-21 18:28:11

Force yourself to make something in a short amount of time (like a jam) or release one movie a month. At least in game dev, people say those 2 cure hitting the wall after the first few failures/crap final versions.

aap 2014-06-21 20:16:58

You're still young. I am turning 24 next month. :( But have you considered studying animation? After I made Turd Eating Cat I just couldn't finish anything, and I didn't make any progress artistically. Last year I've gone back to school and the best thing about being in school is that I'm motivated to actually finish stuff and improve things.

Brewster 2014-06-21 20:32:03

U shouldve done nata this year

dylan 2014-06-21 21:00:17

if you're worried about making things that are stylistically similar, why don't you try making something stylistically different? branch out yah

Emrox 2014-06-21 21:00:17

Hey, I'm still trying new things! In fact, I almost always try something different each 'toon.

On that note, stylistic range is always good, but I hate it when people try to fake it. I've seen a lot of these kids switch up their outlines and their colors and call it a new "style," but that's a LIE and it makes 'em look like POSERS.

If I ever do another video tutorial, it might be about the whole "new style" thing, 'cause changing the art style is a lot easier than changing the animation style.

Carbonwater 2014-06-21 22:00:51

It happens.
No matter how much effort I put into something, around a year later i'll be like "jesus, what a piece of shit, what was I thinking?".
Just gotta go with it.

Thundaboom 2014-06-21 22:28:22

You're worrying too much.

Thundaboom 2014-06-21 22:29:13

Actually, that's a lot coming from me. I worry too much too.

Bill 2014-06-22 07:39:59

You gotta put more ideas on your dream board. Have you heard of 'The Secret' ?

Emrox 2014-06-22 07:39:59

nope

samulis 2014-06-22 12:06:19

Make concept art stuff for fictional projects. I do it all the time with music to keep my scoring skills sharp even when not doing any gigs. I'll imagine a game and write my perfect main menu track for it. In the end, it goes on NG under "Opening Theme #" and eventually someone uses it in their youtube or whatever.

Graeme 2014-06-22 12:42:31

Even though it's been forever since I've put anything out, I just know that if I spent the time on anything it would turn out far better than anything else I've done.
So even when I don't have a current piece to hold my old stuff up against, I still cringe at some of my older work. It's actually been years since I've even showed anyone any of my old work. I've become far to critical of it myself, so I hate putting it up to be judged by my friends and family.

I've seen you grow and improve for years on this site now! You've advanced so much more quickly than I ever did, and it's been a pleasure seeing you improve so much. I wouldn't worry about hitting a wall any time soon. You have a good mind set, and you'll always be getting better. It might become more gradual now, rather than leaps and bounds, but keep at it! There's still lots of untapped potential left in you.

Take care man!

Emrox 2014-06-22 12:42:31

Awwww thanks buddy

SimplyRobot 2014-06-22 15:00:07

"I hate being talented!!" This is fishing.

Emrox 2014-06-22 15:00:07

If that were the case, I'd probably go with "I suck and I'm not getting any better" instead of just jerkin myself off. This is more like an "I'm okay with where I am but I'm not getting any better," which is a real concern for me, and I want to know if other people have these problems.

dylan 2014-06-22 16:30:51

true, you are doing lots of new things. I remember your nancy video had a lot of effects and even some character stuff that you hadn't done before. I don't know if you do much after effects work, but you might look into it, a lot of their tools seem like they'd be right up your alley.

Emrox 2014-06-22 16:30:51 (Updated 2014-06-22 17:12:22)

I tried using after effects once and it seemed like a real hassle, but a lot of the people who use it put out some real pro-looking stuff so maybe I'll give it another shot.

Also, thanks for all the suggestions guys

YoutubeIsawesome 2014-06-22 17:34:18

you passed Nata

Your better then plenty of other people at your work

kkots 2014-06-22 18:20:24

Time to gather critique. Preferable from animators who are better than you.
Yep, that should be the new goal.

Emrox 2014-06-22 18:20:24

Yeah. Be brutal, guys.

OdellAtkinson 2014-06-23 07:07:56

You sound restless. GOOD. The best push themselves and always improve. You're one wonderfully talented mofo. Keep doing what you're doing. Don't ever change your work ethics. And don't ever stop hiring me to be in your cartoons. ;)

molkman 2014-06-23 10:24:47

Your UI is nice. <3

Hitting the wall

Comments

Log in to Comment

Main Sections

Extra, Extra!

Community

NG Related