My answer to any resistance is sketchbook. I’ve always noticed that if I’m having difficulty with a particular problem I go into the sketchbook as a way to just mess up and crash around until I find something that works for me.

My sketching process is a little uncommon, at least in comparison to all artists I talked to about process. I used to get blocked really fast when I had to make thumbnails and just starting with the first that comes to my mind of course isn't a good way. And I realised that I need a thought map - I start with a few words describing what I want and I start making arrows and writing out everything, what mood I want, what I want to be the focus, what each of the elements describing the illustration is in details. It gets me to pointing out more and more into details what I need to do and what tools to use to get there (by tools I mean things like contrast, type of edges etc.). I also make separate arrows for different versions because when I sit down with a pen and paper my focus is much better and creativity works so much easier! I use sometimes tricks I use for writing too, like: what if I push in the opposite direction with something, somehow it brings even more clarity about what I want and what I don't want. So I end up with a big thought map, all written, and I can really easily make even multiple thumbnails because my ideas are clear, while in the past I struggled to invent variations of thumbnails. And I have to say that you were one of two people who helped me work my method out, the other one is Djamila Knopf and her process (you had a video with a check list for illustration with points to check and while I was watching it and taking notes I thought that I would need to have such a list when starting, not just ending and the thought kept coming back until I tried it for real and it clicked).

It has come to my attention how important is to be a creative / design person. Feng Zhu and Tyler do mention how we should pour our experiences, and that says a lot about the importance of experiencing life. Lately, it feels to me that we are in constant pursuit of becoming craftsmen. We feed ourselves with technical things, and it is a constant buffet because everything technology throws at us is starting to become a bit overwhelming. And then the entertainment industry is just asking for one person to just do so much, but I am not sure if they really like our creative thinking or just finalized pretty stuff. It feels like we also have to educate both our fellow artists and the public that creativity and originality are the roots of a meaningful work of art.

i would be deeply interested in building a career outside of the entertainment industry. Part of my wariness with the industry in general stems from how soulcrushing and competitive it can be, I'd love to hear some other ideas within the art space. Thank you for your willingness to share your knowledge.

I can't thank you enough for all the tips you give us... For me the work that make me inspired and really gets me going is yours your way of dealing with colors and architect it's just amazing ❤

Great Video Tyler, I’m definitely noticing the reasons I had trouble making new work and personal projects the last few years was because it was always for someone else and not me and my interests first. I’ve been exploring my own thoughts and sketching a lot more lately and it’s bringing the drive and passion back. Also it’s funny to see this video because Feng Zhu just posted a video with very similar themes just the other day. Feels like the entertainment community is feeling the same things lately.

I have always loved sketching first. I love the energy of those early sketches ideas, the excitement. I could look at artist sketches all day.

I'd love to hear you and or your guests go more in depth on being an indie artist as an alternative to working for an entertainment based company and how to find avenues for selling direct to the consumer, mindset, etc..

Badly need this thanks, I watch someone video like this but later on the video he's guilt tripping the former company that he worked on before, basically that company "removed" him as they progress.

my most problematic it has been always sketching and not finishing, all i have ever done are just sketches, i cant even say i have done finish paintings, because since my abilities dont allow to really say, "okay this is finish", every drawing i have ever made has just been sketching and always sharing my sketches, nothing has ever been final in my art

Thank you for that video ! I really connected with what was said here, and it comforted me that I was on the right path with my current, more personal, project.

Thank you Tyler!

You are Amazin, your videos are always thought provoking and bring a new perspective on something to the table, really refreshing. Maybe looking inward and doing the best to be authentic is enough, I definetely experience the pull to satisfy whats is supposedly "needed" from me. Also, I would really love to see you share your experience on business related stuff and being an independent artist!

As always the videos a banger tyler! thank you for this insight. As a professional chef I think I have some interesting benefits in my skill set that will help me later on as I get better at art. Chefs are always pushing the limits and trying tp mix things and constantly keep food interesting and new. I am glad once I learn my fundamentals that this mind set is going to be good for me and wont keep me stagnant and stubborn on just one style or whats popular. I'm out to seek self improvement and the joy of creation and in a way I'm glad I started my career as a chef and found interest in art later cause the foundational skills and mind set of being a chef I think will serve me greatly in my art journey. Thanks again for the video! Your insight is valued and appreciated.

Perfect! Exactly what I needed right now as I adjust to being back in the game!

The more I view you, the more I feel this channel has become a podcast and I love it.

Thank you !

Interestingly I have a lot of sketches... I take a little sketchbook with me when I go outside. But now most of the time, I sketch to relieve pressure when I'm on a big project for a long time. So the bigger the project, I will take (maybe) too many pauses and will have many sketches done during that time. That's why I think I'm a lot more on concept art than illustration, because when the projects are too long I'm getting distracted a lot at the end.

More of these content!

Haha FZD is great