You might be trying to master too many skills at the same time, which is what is making you feel like you're making progress in none. The reality is, you ARE making progress. I once heard someone say that when you're learning a new skill and it appears that you've plateaued or regressed, that's just your brain burning the new neural pathways that you've built. If I can suggest taking a new tactic for a little while - maybe work on something small that is really interesting to you (that won't necessarily make you money). Recently, I got some air-dry clay and sculpted a character that was related to my paintings, but also, so far removed from my other artwork, and it was SO MUCH FUN! That joy and excitement in the NEW drove me towards the work I'm making now, and I have at least 6 new painting ideas for my previous collection that was starting to feel stagnant. The long and short of it is - make stuff! Make a LOT of stuff! Once you have a HOARD of stuff, that's when you start curating your collection for others :)

Hey Antti, I think what @Liandro had to say is very profound and correct in his evaluation of why you are struggling. I wanted to add something that I noticed about you from your past posts. I think this is the biggest issue you are having: You do not plan out your images... and you do not use reference. How are you going to make a successful image if you don't plan it ahead of time. You should be doing thumbnails, value studies, color studies and compositional studies before you start painting the final image. How do you think book cover illustrators do it? They have to send the client at least 3 or more thumbnails to get approval on the final image. Trying to do everything from imagination is just spinning your wheels, you will never build up a visual library unless you study from reference. Non of the elements of your image will feel true because they are based on incomplete information. Using reference is not the same as copying nature or a photo, you are using it to study texture, lighting, color, mood, etc. Until you start doing these things, you will never be satisficed with your work.

Hey, @Antti Kallinen! I don’t know if you wanted or expected any kind of reply to your post, but I was moved by it and, if you allow me, I’d love to share some thoughts. I can see how you’re frustrated, and I’m sorry that you feel that way. I took a look at your Instagram profile and I think your work is actually pretty good! You’ve had your share of learning anatomy, you do plen-air painting, you’re also creating some original illustrations. You might be more on track than you think. What I get from your words, however, is that you probably want several different goals for your artwork, and these goals may be getting tangled up and clouding your perspective over your own journey. Here are some insights over things you’ve written: . “When will I learn to paint?” - From what I saw on your social media, you already know how to paint. Of course, learning is an endless path, so, if you want to keep learning and improving, or if you want to reach a specific proficiency level with your painting, there’s always room for it - but that doesn’t mean you currently don’t know how to paint. Framing this differently (for example, something like: “I’ve learned some painting and I want to learn more / keep improving”) could help empower you and boost your confidence. . “I can’t do the things I want” - What is it exactly that you want to do? What’s keeping you from actually doing it? What can you do right now to move you at least a bit closer to doing that? These are questions that can help you clarify this sentence into perhaps a more attainable and actionable objective. . “I really don’t know what to paint” - Right after you wrote this, you also wrote “I’d love to do fantasy”, so I actually think you know what to paint. But the practical problem of having to show/sell it online may be getting in the way. . “I’ll never be good enough to do, for example, book covers” - As far as I know, there’s not a minimum amount of “good” required for creating book covers. Illustration is a very diverse field, and it just takes a quick browse at the nearest book store for us to notice that the unaccountable number of artists who create book covers and book illustrations have all sorts of different artistic levels. Here’s one of your pieces which I, personally, can totally picture as a fantasy novel book cover: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs6m6tEthgw/?hl=fi - at least, as far as my concept of “artistic quality” is concerned (although it’s important to highlight that the book illustration industry has other layers of complexity such as editorial demands, marketing, politics etc. Unfortunately, artistic quality is not always decisive for itself). . “I watched [*link*] and felt like all I’ve done before has been a toddler trying to emulate somethings he has no idea of” - Oh, man, comparing yourself with Frank Frazetta can be a trap. In fact, comparing ourselves with anyone other than our own selves can be an ingredient for artistic doom. I intimately know the feeling of: “Wow, look at this person’s work. Mine sucks!” - I know it well enough to be as aware as I possibly can to notice it without letting myself be swept away by it when it shows up. So this is what I’d recommend: remember that each artist has their own journey, and comparing yourself with anyone else (even with Frazetta) is unfair to your own life and accomplishments. If possible, let masters such as Frazetta amaze you and inspire you to do your own best, but try to not hold expectations or put pressure on your shoulders such as “my work SHOULD be like that, otherwise I’m not good”, or “if I can’t draw/paint just like THAT guy, it’s not worth it” etc. etc. As much as possible, value your own individuality. . “I’d love to create art that gives other people enjoyment/peace/emotions that I’ve had” - I get it, and this is actually a good specific goal you can aim for with your artwork: offering an emotional experience to your audience through which you can create connection with them. . “Create something I’m proud of” - Now, this sounds like a different (and slightly more nebulous) objective than the other one above. In order to do something you’re proud of, first, maybe try to understand what would actually make you proud. Is it being featured as the staff of a big name company? Is it getting individually famous? Is it earning money? Is it achieving a specific technical/artistic level? Is it having a social impact? Is it overcoming your own personal obstacles? “Being proud” is just the result of doing something that you consider to be meaningful in your life, so the real point is: what feels meaningful to you? . “Create something […] people will like” - And this is yet another different objective, a pretty tricky one in fact. We know it’s nearly impossible to please literally everyone, so who is “people”? What kind of group or niche exactly do you expect to engage with your work? And what kind of feedback do you expect from these people that could confirm that they actually like what you do: is it verbal compliments? A stronger reach on social media? More job requests? Featuring in art shows? Whatever it is, again, reframing a concern into a specific actionable objective could help. Just be careful not to place your own sense of artistic self-worth exclusively in the approval of others. Keep in mind that all these questions can be hard to think about, so you don't need to have every answer ready now. If you need to, allow yourself enough time to slowly figure things out as you keep working on your art. To sum up, I honestly don’t think this is the end of the road for you. As long as you don’t want it to be. I hope you know that things like age, financial situation and geographic location have nothing to do with being able to create good art. Maybe you are a bit burned out and really just need some rest, some venting, some time and space to let things be. Hope this makes sense to you. Feel free to let me know any thoughts or questions you might have. Stay well!