I paint until that point of not being able to see it anymore and that feeling of despondency sets in… then I know it’s time to put the painting away and start something new. I get completely involved in the new to the point of forgetting the previous painting. When I start feeling that “artist curse” setting in again, that’s when I go and look at the other half-done paintings waiting to be completed and start on them again with completely fresh eyes. I used to think there was something wrong with me for painting like this, but it gets the work done and now I just know it’s my process and don’t fight it anymore!

After looking at the art I've been working on for several hours, I sometimes get frustrated because I can't really see the results I want to see, nor can I grasp what I need to do to obtain said result. Then....voila....I take a picture with my cell phone and think, holy crap, this looks waaay better than I thought AND I can clearly see where I need to tweak things. My cell phone has been a saving grace for my artwork and helps my eyes/brain really see what I've accomplished....I highly recommend taking those pics!

@littleheath1666

4 жыл бұрын

Very very true !!!

@behzadutube

4 жыл бұрын

I believe looking at your work in the mirror has a similar effect...by simply flipping the image, your brain starts to see it as a new object/composition and see it more objectively!

@viviananunez7680

4 жыл бұрын

I usually do that and it's very useful!!

@ShannasCountryCreek

4 жыл бұрын

I naturally picked up on doing this...my phone is always on the edge of "out of space" 🤦‍♀️ llol but it is so helpful to see where I need to tweak the painting

@ArtPaul483

4 жыл бұрын

Yes. And I will often post works in progress on my FB Art Page. My followers enjoy that, but for whatever reason seeing the painting on screen shows me A LOT of what needs to be done that I often can't see in person. Seeing the same photos in black and white to gauge the value helps tremendously as well.

Mark I’m in the 11th grade and I did my English project on you and your influence on me as a beginning artist, thanks so much for the advice and helping people like me who have no other source to learn from. Knowledge is worth more than money can fathom.

Artists Curse is so real. I struggled with it about 2 months ago, and it almost beat me. I hated everything i would produce. I beat it by simple self reflection. I asked myself "why did i like painting?" . Because its fun and i love the magic of painting. Then, gradually i began to "let go" of the pressure and paint freely, yet also confidently, and overall just make it fun again.

@martinbohring2384

5 жыл бұрын

Still fighting with it. Just had a conversation about it today. Didn’t know there is a name for it.

@S___________D

5 жыл бұрын

@@UncleJunior52 Hell, you just described my current situation. I've invested every month for the past 8 months and have about 40 canvases in progress. Good thing that I stretch them myself afterwards and for now are easy to store.

@GettinLa8d

5 жыл бұрын

Martin Bohring i think it kind of goes by different concepts or names. A case in point could be that the curse is related to the concept of an artist being their own worst critic. Perhaps that is really the root of the curse.

@GettinLa8d

5 жыл бұрын

Nickhead87 I don't fear a blank canvas, just a blank white canvas. Hence as soon as i buy, they all get primed with any color of oil paint i have laying around.

@xxxorg

5 жыл бұрын

Watch this, might help! kzread.info/dash/bejne/hGekmKaOmJW0oc4.html

Just learn to let go and enjoy art

Laziness kills. I would know

@irynash.685

3 жыл бұрын

😂 agree

@whoisharo4689

3 жыл бұрын

I was gonna reply to this a year ago but got lazy. Sorry bout that.

@elizabethbirdallgreer2773

3 жыл бұрын

Who got a funeral you or the paintings? Awww, you still alive! So the paintings left a will. Great!

Yes, I get the artist's curse too. I'll paint a landscape and spend about 15-20 hours on it, and I'll go through stages of liking it, hating it, loving it, back to liking it, then I'll eventually despise it. But it usually helps to get away from the painting for a few hours and do other things, to take my mind off of it, and then when I come back to it, I can see it with renewed eyes and 9 times out of 10, I love my work. I think we have our eyes in our work for such a long time that we can't see it anymore. Sometimes we just need to take a short break.

@robertchilders8698

Жыл бұрын

Sometimes a long break is better?! I've put aside many paintings for months before taking them out ! Then suddenly the answer is there! Then you can really make improvements ! Just keep on painting! The mind keeps on working even when you don't!

I think talent in painting doesnt exist , when people see me paint they say omg your so talented i could never paint like you because im not talented enough but in reality passion and hard work is the key . There is a great quote by Michelangelo Buonarroti "If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn't seem so wonderful at all.

@amysbees6686

2 жыл бұрын

I prefer "aptitude" over "talent". You still have to work at mastery, as Michelangelo said.

Been there, done that,all 6 points. Increasingly we are letting “screen time” replace easel time, making our power to concentrate evaporate. As visual learners, we are screwed if we can’t get a handle on that and focus on what’s on the easel.

@steveharrigan7811

4 жыл бұрын

Wow, Ellie you sure said a mouthfull there! And you are right on the money. I really have to "commit" more. I find myself researching subject material much more than I should be, and getting off track.

Spot on Mark! I love painting, have drawn and painted since I was three am now seventy two. After art college I got a job in London in a studio as a fashion illustrator, then I got married and I had to work to earn money eventually I went freelance then I had my son but was still working. After having to get a teaching job to pay the bills, I now find myself looking after a blind ninety-five year old mother with dementia. I still have a little corner in the conservatory but painting is crammed in between everything else. My husband thinks I should just knock out paintings but he doesn't understand that apart from being knackered its not that easy!!! I love your videos, so inspirational and excellent to watch....they inspire me not to give up!

'Talent' lies in our individual ability to successfully identify, navigate and persevere in overcoming these internal and external hurdles. Amazing work Mark.

Great artists, great scientists or anyone genuinely great at what they do, actually love what they do. It’s that zing and passion, that makes them succeed.

@robertchilders8698

Жыл бұрын

Not true!

I used your knowledge base in the beginning almost 10 years ago or so. It helped me a lot in that first year of painting. Now I'm a working professional represented by galleries across the nation with press in national magazines like southwest art, american art collector etc. Listen to what he says, but also remember it's not as bleak as it may sound in this.

@lobsterwhisperer7932

4 жыл бұрын

its all meaninglessness.

@bensartakamcas1n126

3 жыл бұрын

Nice mate can you please do a painting video or show some artwork of yours, like your first and your most recent, because I am still a beginner and am trying to learn painting for me Im going for wet on wet cause it is quick and I am somewhat ok with the results.

@devinmichaelroberts9954

3 жыл бұрын

@@lobsterwhisperer7932 I assure you being able to do what you love and actually pay the bills doing it is hardly meaningless. If you would have asked me back when I was a homeless drug addict if I would have turned my life around andHad the privilege to do art as a living. I probably would have thought that will never happen. I assure you it's anything but meaningless. It saved my life

Thanks for your frank accessment. I had the beginnings of a solid art career and the last year I painted all the time and a well to do mother and her son commissioned 15 paintings from me. Then "life got in the way" and I also lost ALL my slides, I was playing in a band a lot also...I got cocky and thought I didn't need galleries anymore and that I would just magically do commissioned paintings from them on...then I moved halfway across the country where no one had ever heard of me, and without slides, it was overwhelming to think of doing that many paintings to build up a body of work. Anyway, recently an old friend sent me 10 photos he took of my old paintings, and it was super emotional to see these pieces I thought I'd never see again, and it was maybe what I needed to want to paint again...the art world, like the music world is super competitive but I think I am going to start painting again and see where it takes me - money might not be spectacular, but it is good for my mental health I think.

Spot on! I attended Mark's class and have been working hard to keep painting. But he is right, life and all that other stuff seems to slow you down and eventually stop you. You just have to remember that, "Quitting is not an option."

Thanks Mark. The artist’s curse Is such an important subject and you have explained it so well. I had friends ask me to do a 16x20 painting of a photo for a fee. This was my first time being asked to do a commission. I was flattered and accepted. After a few months I started to feel pressure and fear that they wouldn’t like it. I kept asking myself, ‘why did you ever think you are good enough to do a commissioned piece’. The shame of backing out of the commitment was greater than the fear of them not liking it, so I kept working on the painting along with taking classes and bringing the piece to work on, when allowed. 15 months later 😐 when I realized I could overwork it and ruin it, not to mention the embarrassment of how long it was taking, I varnished it and gave it to them. They loved it. Of course, I believed they were being kind. When I see it, I can only start to look for faults but am very proud of it at the same time. I learned quite a bit about myself because of the struggles during this period but it needed to happen and I’m very grateful. Knowing that I’m capable of losing my objectivity really helps me to know when to start thinking it’s time to call it done. It’s a wonderful journey.

This fellow knows what he is talking about. Very wise observations and advice, and very encouraging comment about "no talent required", gives me hope.

Thank you so much! I'm a newby - haven't even done one complete work yet. But I am at a crossroads, thinking that perhaps I'm just not "good enough" - talent-wise. Everything turns to mud. This video means SO MUCH to me right now. I cannot afford instruction, just KZread. I'm retired and a vet with some PTSD issues that I really think painting will help me on a therapeutic level. But I need more small successes to provide the fuel to keep going. Thanks again.

@NightTimeDay

2 жыл бұрын

Whether you're still painting or not, I hope you're doing well!

@martinscholl9410

Жыл бұрын

I mean “muddy” paintings typically just come from dirty brushes

@loumurray5237

Жыл бұрын

John, I’m also a veteran. Keep at it. It’s definitely therapeutic. Been at it about 8 years now, maybe a few hours a week, sometimes I’ll pause for a couple months but there’s always an interest. I’ve also taken classes, which I believe are necessary. Best lo luck. Welcome home brother.

You're a class act, Mr. Carder. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and experience with us.

Gotta force yourself to love yourself. The Artist's Curse can be so heavy. Twenty years ago in my late teens to early twenties I was doing a lot of painting. Took a 20 year sabbatical, getting back into it now, and find myself reflecting as such, "What I made then was so awesome! Why are I only making junk now!" But then I remember(with notable exceptions) I hated what I painted back then, too.

Applies to all art. This is the most inspirational thing I've seen recently, and I really needed to hear it. Thanks!

Finding Mark transformed my work at a time I desperately wanted to get better. I went to Austin and took a week of class with him. I got a lot out of it. That's been a couple years ago. Last Friday I think I created my best work yet and at a speed faster than I thought possible. Largely thanks to showing up to paint every week and not listening to that voice that is constantly whispering in your ear "you aren't good enough".

@littleheath1666

4 жыл бұрын

Most of Van Goghs paintings were completed in under an hour.

I definately relate to the first three points. Thankyou for bringing this up it’s nice to know that others suffer the same difficulties. I m sure I experience the artists curse too which has made me throw my previous works away

I started painting again after a 16 year hiatus. Since I last painted, I've raised 3 kids, established myself as a furniture designer, and made tons of good and bad decisions. As a result, I've learned to give myself a lot of grace. I now apply that grace to my paintings. When I feel like quitting, I walk away for 20 minutes and try again. So far, so good.

Thanks Mark. I've been painting for years now but am coming up hard against the "artist's curse" at the moment so this video couldn't have come at a better time for me. It is exactly what I needed to hear.

Excellent observations! It’s so useful to be aware of these points as an artist. Thank you so much for sharing this.

Great information. Thankful for you using KZread as a platform for this free wisdom!

These are superb documents, Mark; thank you so much for doing them. I’m a musician; there’s definitely a connection between artist’s curse and creative dissatisfaction generally, which seems to have nothing to do with the quality of work. Hearing recordings of myself years after giving live performances-and in some instances not even recognizing them-brings home that the general public comes away with a completely different experience than the artist. I’ve been happy with one or two concerts over my performing life; it’s very possible they weren’t the best ones.

All valid points! I think having a proper space to work is a huge thing for me. Being in my room just invites a feeling of relaxation so I throw myself on my bed and rest. To remedy this I take a sketchbook to the park or I go to the library to put in work on my ideas. Once I have sketches and stuff I want to do on bigger paper or canvas I'll limit myself to paint in my room and kick butt.

Well I work and yes life gets in the way, but I love painting so much that I use 30 min every other day to paint and in the weekends I get up and paint. I want to learn I can show you some of my paintings, there are simple, but I love this!

Pretty much spot on. I saw similar hangups in teaching private music lessons.

All such great advice! Thank you ❤️

Thank you, your geneva paint in tubes is perfect!

This is a must-see video. Thank you!

Thank you so much, yep, no 6! Perfect timing for me to see this.. back to the easel!

This guy is my favorite. Straight up advice. The kind of mentor you want.

Thank you. I'm just getting started with oil painting, but hearing that you HAVE TO spend hours for improving made me feel so much better, because I never knew if I was doing enough or no (now I know that no, so I can go, spend hours just trying to get the right color. Which is hard, but your video about that helped me a lot!)

Thanks boss. As ever your experience and plain speaking cut through to the truth of the matter. Wise words. Gratefully heard.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PART ABOUT THE MIRROR 😭😭😭 FINALLY GOING TO GET BACK TO MY PAINTING AFTER A LONG RECESS

This is a very important and honest video. You hit the major points, Mark.

Reversely, I find that the more success I get as an artist, the less time I have to paint! I'm constantly preparing for shows and traveling and keeping stock of items that I haven't had time to paint for weeks now. It's a blessing but I can't wait to paint again!

I'm a newbie, I just started painting, and completely agree with every single word you have said. And I try not to get Artist Curse. Thanks a lot for making such a great video. You motivated me in a way. thanks again Sir.

Thanks! Six good caveats 👍

Great video! I think you really nailed these top 6 reasons and that this information is extremely helpful. Thank you!

Thank you Mark. As always you produce some of the best instructional videos on painting. I learned a great deal and have improved my oil painting techniques by watching your videos and following your method. Hope to take one of your courses in person one day.

Amen. I think one must be a borderline masochist to really get to that super high level of oil painting realism. It takes an awful lot of discipline and dogged persistence. Half the battle is developing the proper mindset.

Thank you. This was definitely helpful.

Thank you for the observations . This is so useful for a new comer to art.

Mark Carder is an amazing human being for popularising his method, and so accessibly. I'd painted fifty bumbing and inept pictures before I decided to follow his instructions... and the results are phenomenally good; much better than I ever dreamt. Paint ugly, get the values right. That's what he says. That's basically all. They should give so give him a medal.

I can feel each and every word. "This is the part of the Game" which keeps me inspired.

@amysbees6686

2 жыл бұрын

"The Game" puts artmaking into a whole different light!

I've watched several of your videos and have learned a lot already even though I've been painting for years. The few things I've learned so far are the things I intend to do like for instance, I'm no longer going to blend my colors until the end. When I first started painting long ago I didn't blend much. I would make my strokes and only blend at the end when I felt it was needed. My older paintings are better than the ones I have done in the last few years. I don't know why I changed my painting method but I intend to return to it. Before I started watching you videos I watched a lot of other painting videos but never followed their instructions. It was only when I began painting with watercolors and painting with my airbrush (separate painting methods) that I started watching instructional videos. As most painters know, painting with watercolors and painting with oils is completely different. I love both. Several months ago I took out my airbrush and began painting celestial type paintings. I became very involved with it after watching someone painting like this. I then watched videos on how to create acrylic pours. I decided to mix the two. Many of my celestial paintings start out as acrylic pours and after they have dried thoroughly I airbrushed planets and stars on them. Someone saw them when I had them for sale on Ebay and the buyer purchased eleven paintings at once. I was blown away. He put them in his store. I did so many of these paintings that I ran out of room to store them so I stopped creating them. I might go back if I sell enough to make room. My attention turned to an oil painting I started about three years ago of Vincent Van Gogh. I painted six pictures of him the way I think he may have looked and they're hanging in my Vincent room. The curtains on the windows in there some of Vincent's paintings which I love. The unfinished painting sat turned away and last week I decided to go back to it. While watching your videos I looked at my painting and began to see what it needs. I saw it with new eyes. I'm still having issues however with Vincent's shirt. The folds and crease colors are driving me mad. I simply cannot decide what color (colors) I should use. ~sigh~

This was a very real and helpful explanation !

You are a great human being Mark

Summed it up perfectly.

My favorite channel. Thank you very much!!

This was excellent , thank you.

Always great info. thank you

Great video. Great content. Can't wait to see the how to paint water video!

Mark, you are awesome; thanks for the advise.

Great teacher ! 💪

First As a struggling artist I was nervous watching this, i really get the artists curse but having a community or even just a reddit account helps :)

@xxxorg

5 жыл бұрын

Watch this, might help! kzread.info/dash/bejne/hGekmKaOmJW0oc4.html

@asimnajam2964

5 жыл бұрын

Damn that's really what i was thinking before watching this video.

@icandothis1238

5 жыл бұрын

I'm on my 5th oil painting and was afraid I would have all 6 reasons, was scared to watch also!

@hakimartsmarineartsscene3816

3 жыл бұрын

you still strugling?

@SuperShiki666

3 жыл бұрын

@@hakimartsmarineartsscene3816 thankfully i had several breakthroughs

This was very help ful! Ty

I’ve had the artists curse for the past couple months. I just haven’t been happy with anything I’ve created lately. I’ve just finally started a painting that I’m actually happy with. Life gets in the way is another big one for me! I definitely have the type of personality to sit in my studio by myself all day, but there are certain things going on in my life right now that are keeping me from painting. Thanks for this video! You’re such an inspiration!

@hakimartsmarineartsscene3816

3 жыл бұрын

you doing oil?

@MichelleLynnFineArt

3 жыл бұрын

@@hakimartsmarineartsscene3816 yes

Thank you, for these are fabulous and such succinctly put tips for any artist to consider.

the method reason is interesting. thanks for sharing this insight!

Great advice❣ Thank you. Texas here🙋‍♀️

Some wise words. Thanks for sharing

Yes thank you, that was very helpful to hear.

Dear Mark. Hope you're well. I'm a big fan of your work an method. And by seeing this video, I just can say "guilty as charged". Being clearly aware of all this points is a helping hand for moving on and keep painting no matter what. Thanks for this new life lesson. Marcio

You're great. Big heart.

Thank you for share to us all your wisdom maestro. I hope soon achieve to acquire your amazing easel and high quality materials. Regards from México.

Thank you so much for this video. The artist's curse is something I can relate to. My wife says it's because I'm a perfectionist, but it is just because, so many times, I just don't like the outcome, even though others seem to love it. Good to know it's not just me!

I think I suffer from all of these to a small extent. My biggest problem is the constant feeling of other things around the house that need attention lol. Anyhow I think what's really important is how seriously do you take art? If it's something of real value, like anything in life, you'll work through the issues. This video helped me really see that. So thanks OP for the video.

Always good sound advice

So true! Everything you said is very true! Thank you

Thanks for the valuable information

very very helpful. Many times I've gone to bed exited about the painting I've been working on for hours, only to feel disappointed in the cold hard light of the next day. It seams that there is some psychology involved here.

Thank you so much for motivation

I can honestly say that these points are so true, I haven't been painting long and I am just starting an MA in Painting, and I see plenty of fellow artists around me who can paint, but just get sidetracked by styles, distracted by life or give up.

Hi There, I'm guilty of all of these. But I am trying to push forwards...

I’m guilty of all of these at one time or another. But I consider it my learning curve. I’ve figured out how to incorporate my grandchildren into my painting by having them paint along. I’ve learned to take the best of what someone teaches and make it part of what makes me even if it means throwing their idea in the trash. I’ve learned to take the down time and use it to reflect and I’m better when I go back to painting. I love your method and it has been my foundation. Life is a journey.

GREAT insights!

Wow, you hit the nail with every single one. I think I suffer from all of them :D It is a privilege to hear tips and hints from this professional, he is very humble, so people here may not know, but he is the BEST painter of our current century, he painted several portraits for Former US Presidents like George Bush and a few Ladies. He also sells painting products, yet gives us videos on how to do our own mediums and paints, damaging his own business, very humble man! Thank you!!!!

You are so right on your 6 points. I spend so much time walking students thu the same problems. Everyone has creativity within but talent comes from hard work and endurance especially in the application of good skills.

@amysbees6686

2 жыл бұрын

Bravo! So glad to see someone defining talent as requiring dedication, not a magical power!

Thanx Mark!

thankyou very much,Id love to learn about the mirror thingy if you ever make a vid,all the best

Thanks that open my mind about what I may be doing wrong

excited for the water video!

Your reasons are valid. I subscribed to your channel and it helps me a lot. My teacher IS good and it's a blessing. Hoping we can meet some time for a workshop. Thank you for your thoughts and insights on this channel, they are really helpful; from Rotterdam/NL.

I love your insights and knowledge for the craft. Very interesting. 1) excuses 2) distracted 3) not focused on their work, looking for a direction from outside 4) bad sources of mentorship 5) more excuses, "can't be successful before x,y,z..." 6) you are never good enough to show, your own worst critic

So true, Mark. Hearing them out aloud really assists in combating them, though. Starting art at a mature age, fear of failure was a biggie for me. It's hard to start at the bottom. I guess everyone wants to paint their masterpiece first off, but not everyone is prepared to practice for years first, especially late in life.

I agree. I remember how i felt when i bought my first art supplies. Like.. what a waste, it wont look good anyway, who am i kidding. I never visited any art school and i felt like total outsider when it comes to art. Your videos removed that internal block in me and im soo glad. :) thanks a lot.

@littleheath1666

4 жыл бұрын

I buy all my art supplies from people who felt like you. Thousands of dollars worth of stuff for $20. As they walk away from their dream.

@hakimartsmarineartsscene3816

3 жыл бұрын

Kristina Oravcova hii you working in oil?

@amysbees6686

2 жыл бұрын

@Little Heath I can't tell you how many times I just want to GIVE all of mine away!

Thanks for the post Mark, I think your channel is one of the best on You Tube & really appreciate all of the knowledge you share, all of those points you mention are applicable to my own situation ( except for #1) I have just retired & am floundering because I’m trying to self educate overnight. !! Time to pare down the information & focus on my dream : i.e. Zorn palette/ portraits in the style of Zorn,Sargent, & thanks to you, Karen Offut ! All best from Merry England !!

@redangrybird7564

4 жыл бұрын

It is the best channel. He is the greatest art instructor online. ✌😁👍

For like 7 years I've Ben trying to teach myself to paint ,that I hope I can take your course but no money yet.I have watched videos for years trying people painting. I just have a hard time mixing colors.Also I love the painting that look so real.I love painting and spend hours trying. I can't give up.thats what I'm feeling now.

I think comparing yourself to others can be a killer.

I've always hated every single piece I create and even wrote a blog about this last year. I didn't know it was actually an artist's curse. I start off excited like you said, then hate it. I just keep pushing through and by the time it's done, I like it again, most of the time.

Hi Mark, Another astute observation from you - Happy that based on your list, I seems to have what it takes - I wonder can you demonstrate how to paint flowers, those Dutch master style- because colour checking seems challenging

I agree, holding your artwork up to a mirror is a really effective way of objectively evaluating your own work. Definitely used it before to “trick” my brain into forgetting who made the painting.

Thank you very much I really value your videos. I've been drawing and painting since I can remember and nothing has gave me an acceleration in progress as much as your advice and techniques. I would kill to be at your workshops 😂 but until then I'm going to take your online courses 😂

You are amazing.