2013-2021 repaint

Uff ok, scary vulnerable caption coming up. So I get told a lot that I’m very talented, and yes from a young age I showed natural ability when it came to drawing, but here’s how it is. Natural ability will give you a head start, but it won’t get you to the finish line. Natural ability alone will get you nowhere. At 23 I returned to college after finishing my first degree a year before because I decided that I did not want to do that (architecture) for the rest of my life. And I went to get a degree in fine art, first class EVER was digital art class. I had worked hard and polished my craft in traditional art for almost TWO DECADES, so starting over in a completely new medium at 23 was the most intimidating thing ever. I'm including my 2013 original painting, the assignment was a photoshop painting with a complementary color palette. I chose green and magenta. The 2013 painting is made solely of natural ability, the repaint is with hours of blood, sweat, tears and practice. So. Much. Practice. The first time around I avoided hard parts like eyes and hands. Second time around I’m coming at it with no inhibitions or fears because I know it would not have turned out worse than that first one 😂. Anyhow this is for all you artists out there who feel intimidated or less than because you’re constantly comparing yourself with other artists and I’m here to tell you, don’t. Compete with your own work, and no one else’s. And hours of work and effort and discipline will, in the long run, take you much father than raw natural ability.