Just an addendum for my initial post: I said I am a perfectionist in my work too, but I actually know how to balance "LAUNCH SOMETHING" versus "PERFECT IT LATER".
It is funny because for my current startup I started with a rough working and original prototype, launched quickly, built traction, raised money TWO times and now perfectionism is what is making us grow. But if I were a perfectionist 2 years ago, I would still be just polishing without launching a product. The "Finished, Not Perfect" is what made me fly high.
This is the opposite to what I do with art, as expressed. I don't know how to balance it, I think because of the lack of experience with the subject.
@aska said in Perfectionism, over studying and overthinking drain and burn me out and then I never draw anything (recently: made 30+ concepts for treehouse contest and now can't even start drawing a damn treehouse):
@collector why don't you post all your 30 thumbnails and let the forum choose? 
They are mostly scribbles tied each to a set of reference photos 
But I liked the idea and I'll try to pack the ones I find best and post here seeking guidance.
@DOTTYP said in Perfectionism, over studying and overthinking drain and burn me out and then I never draw anything (recently: made 30+ concepts for treehouse contest and now can't even start drawing a damn treehouse):
You just described me,I also cant get the treehouse finished because it is never good enough! I enter contests and then have so many ideas the contest is over before I even settle on an idea. You sound like you are a perfectionist I am too,I waste so much paper. I look forward to seeing your most amazing shocking Treehouse I now I feel mine will have to be more amazing and shocking than yours lol.I hope this makes sense i am sure other people will have better advice and I need advice too.
But you actually produce art, and very beautiful pieces
Thanks for the tips. Regarding the "most amazing and shocking [item]" that's what my brain tells me haha because I know I am not able to produce that kind of stuff yet.
@Marsha-Kay-Ottum-Owen said in Perfectionism, over studying and overthinking drain and burn me out and then I never draw anything (recently: made 30+ concepts for treehouse contest and now can't even start drawing a damn treehouse):
@collector I'm the opposite. I crank thins out and don't take enough time ot finish them until they are my best work and post them anyway, then I am a bit embarrassed sometimes. It would eb nice o find the happy medium between overkill and rushing through in a frenzy.
Thanks for sharing your side! From everything I read and watched, etc I'm quite sure you are the one that do it correctly "Better finished than abandoned!".
@rcartwright said in Perfectionism, over studying and overthinking drain and burn me out and then I never draw anything (recently: made 30+ concepts for treehouse contest and now can't even start drawing a damn treehouse):
You should consider meditating (no that was not a joke) It helps to create clarity in your thoughts. I also have issues with trying to be perfect in art but you need to remember that you will be more truly critical of your own work than other people. I don't think you can create something truly unique if you worry too much about the "right way". When I start a new concept I brainstorm in writing not drawing the thumbnails are for arranging the story elements I want after my idea is clear. One thing that has helped me a lot was when I watched Jake Parker's video on "needing a product". That helped open my eyes to how I need to think, no matter how many things I need to get done or want to study I always am able to focus back on my product
That's a good tip, thanks. My wife also tells me that all the time, but with my stubbornness (and 14-16h work days, 7 days a week), I never allocate time for mediation.
"I don't think you can create something truly unique if you worry too much about the "right way"" - I completely agree and I HONESTLY don't want that in the end. I just want to... draw. But I always end up burning out without any control (and then the time left is over for the day).
One thing that has helped me a lot was when I watched Jake Parker's video on "needing a product". That helped open my eyes to how I need to think, no matter how many things I need to get done or want to study I always am able to focus back on my product – good point, I'll try to align that in the same way as a lead when I create software products. "Rough WORKING prototype first, polish later".
@mattramsey said in Perfectionism, over studying and overthinking drain and burn me out and then I never draw anything (recently: made 30+ concepts for treehouse contest and now can't even start drawing a damn treehouse):
That would be one obvious idea. If the problem is "is this sketch good enough" then submitting it to fellow artists should help with that.
Do you actually DO studies? or just research and thumbnails/sketches? In other words: do you draw or paint pieces that you take from other artists? And if so: do you take those studies all the way to completion--making sure you get them as close as possible to the piece you are "copying."
If not, that's your problem right there. 100% and period.
You will not be able to make the most fantastic thing ever until you have the technical skills to do so.
That will not come by watching videos alone (even 9,000 hours of them).
If you DO have the skill and your sketches/thumbnails are good then maybe it's just the case that you can't decide because they are ALL AMAZING. If so, putting up on this site will help get some other eyes on them and give you nudges in certain directions.
I just do research and thumbnails and lots of drills (lines, spheres, shapes, coordination, etc), but barely (or never) do studies. Reading your question and answering you shows how obvious the issue is. The problem lies on dealing with overflow of ideas, even for studies, i.e.: "study thousands of eyes first? environments? line balance?, etc".
@TessW said in Perfectionism, over studying and overthinking drain and burn me out and then I never draw anything (recently: made 30+ concepts for treehouse contest and now can't even start drawing a damn treehouse):
Oh dear, I can relate! I feel like I've mostly conquered this problem, but sometimes those overwhelming feelings start creeping back. You can definitely find strategies to help. People have already made some really great points. I also agree with the meditation advice.
Have you shared samples of your work here yet? I would really encourage you to start a new thread and show us some of your sketches, studies, thumbnails, and finished pieces. I think if we know where you are as an artist, we can give you more specific advice on how to proceed and possibly conquer these problems you experience.
As ridiculous as it seems, what I wrote in the title is literally 100% real: I never finished any piece, other than drills or scribbles/scribbled thumbnails (and hundreds of clippings from courses and books, but that is not working/drawing :P). In all those 12+ years, I try to dive into art for 3-4 months, buying new courses, getting into drills to warm up again, and then frustration hits me again because of burning out with the choices and then I abandon art once more, without ever drawing anything ("I don't need this thing in my life, waste of time, etc etc").
That's why I created the topic, it is the first time I'm expressing this ridiculous situation I insist in my desire for art every year.
@Christine-Garner said in Perfectionism, over studying and overthinking drain and burn me out and then I never draw anything (recently: made 30+ concepts for treehouse contest and now can't even start drawing a damn treehouse):
I can relate to the endless research thing and perfectionism but I'm taking steps to curb the habit by just doing stuff and not being so precious over things. I think you have to really let go of this perfectionism mindset and just practice with what you have got because that is the only way to beat it and the frustration and anxiety it causes. Either that or do what I do and play Dungeon Keeper 1 and 2 for a bit to relax.
Good point, "just practice with what you have got". I think the contest thing (which I also try every year to get into), is what is overkill for me as well, since I can't even draw a single subject yet.
@K.-W. said in Perfectionism, over studying and overthinking drain and burn me out and then I never draw anything (recently: made 30+ concepts for treehouse contest and now can't even start drawing a damn treehouse):
There are many different techniques you can use to deal with this kind of anxiety (which can sometimes be most helpful to learn from a licensed psychologist, especially if you're hitting a wall you can't seem to get past on your own).
Since you mentioned that, and that I don't have a problem on telling this, I have to mention that I'm bipolar (under treatment for years now). I wonder if anyone else can also relate? This bipolarity "thing" is what made me start and close lots of startups all the time, and just recently I managed to control it (and finally have a growing business). I even created a study group in Brazil called "Bipolar Entrepreneurship".
But since art is so different to what I am used to do my whole life, I still have to find a way to control it as a bipolar. My psychiatrist tells me
that for any subject that I choose, the mindset has to be the same: focus on a single subject (which is easier said than done).
But how would you feel if you chose a mediocre tree-house thumbnail, followed through by finishing that illustration, entered the contest, and did not win the contest or receive finalist status? Would you still want to have completed that illustration and entered the contest?
I learn drawing and art for the sake of just wanting do draw anything that comes into my mind (and stuff comes all the time), without any need to make a living of from it or to win anything. BUT when the thing starts to get real, i.e. a contest, challenges or actually finish something, then I go like "all or nothing, win or give up". So replying you here, I can firmly say that I don't care about winning or being a finalist, but in my subconscious, as stupid and absurd as it sounds, I don't like have "crap stuff" published under my name. "You can't delete what you publish online".
When I hold the pencil, I just can't control these thoughts.
I.e. contests drive me insane, because that inner competitive monster inside want all in or nothing. Win or die. That is one of the reasons that I never do any kind of sport or multiplayer games. I just go completely insane. Heck, I played MMORPGs for a long time and I was always a lone wolf, because if I joined other players/groups, I would be the most toxic one ever, putting pressure in everyone else, due to the need to always Win, even if that means ranking top damage, etc. That was getting ridiculous and unhealthy, so I quitted those games (hey, World of Warcraft, talking about you).
But I agree with Aska and Matt that it might help you to get started if you shared your thumbnails. Would you like to get feedback on those from the forums?
They are 30 or so pages of scribbles tied to references, with descriptions in my mind, but I'll see if I assemble and describe them in a easy way to post here, thanks
