The discouraging factor for me is a total absence of inspiration, which forces me to mimic others, and when I can't create something as good I disappoint myself. I have no idea where to go from here and it's unbelievably infuriating.

2fast4u

Well, I feel as though I didn't try hard enough.

As far as what Sothe has to say... The narcissism is endemic of these kind of people. (Grab for validation when only exposed to invalidation; etc, and I'd like to leave it at that)

Veg, I've honestly only come to terms with that sort of thing when it comes to making characters. Sadly they are pretty similar, and it's only because of my inability, and well, downright inaction, in writing that I haven't been able to differentiate them.
That being said, even if you like or emulate something, you are only going as far as I have with character development. It isn't a pleasant thought, but you are honestly going to have to imitate some more, and then push the imitations away from their source material through your own means.

Contrary, you are the paragon of explosive flight, do something with that idea. ♥♥♥♥ if I know.

I don't think that feeling ever stops. Maybe you might get to a point where you are at the pinnacle of your medium and there are few you can stand to learn from, but I think that that sense of inadequacy will always be there. I always say to myself "if only I was a little better, I would finally be happy" but it doesn't take a lot to realize the unlikeliness of that statement. Every artist of every skill level that I've ever discussed this with feels the same way. Hell, there are a lot of people who have expressed great jealousy at even my minor skill.

Now, somewhere in here I was suppose to say something to make you feel better but I forgot what it is. Probably someone who is actually skilled/knowledgeable like Adriaan might be able to set you right.

Re: Coming out game. I got bored after 3 minutes but I liked the tone of the game and what it's setting out to do. Doesn't seem narcissistic to me, just casual. Casual is probably a necessity for discussing something personal emotional like this in such an intimate way.

It's not even that I'm lacking the ability to improve, it's that nothing fills me with desire enough to finish the core of any project. I can't improve if I don't even reach a rounded point, I just give up when I know I messed up somewhere.

Then take a step down in project size/scale, and move the dot from point a, to somewhere b.

I do need to succeed in something. I'll find something super light and hopefully get it over with.

dude, we're destined for ♥♥♥♥ greatness, but you need to take it in stride, not rush it.
you really want to end up being 40 one day and hating the ♥♥♥♥ out of a decision you were forced to make out of peer pressure?

in other news, chris-chan is selling his sonicchu art for 200 bucks and people are actually buying it.
♥♥♥♥ scam artist.

I would like to hope that my regrets will be my own fault, not those under influence.

sounds like sour grapes to me. Sure I think his art is crap, but many people think its hilarious or actually interesting. Commissions are always worth the price if someone buys it.

Oh, these were about commissions?

Eh, again, sketches have a bit of freedom to them.

As a very novice artperson i can confirm this. ♥♥♥♥ annoying feeling, but on the other hand, it's kind of what drives me forward as well. Being content with what you have is a crash course towards stagnation, and although i am reasonably happy with my progress via doodling ♥♥♥♥, i am not yet content/ready to stagnate, and i don't consider myself good (i probably won't ever, but hey). It's probably going to take years before i get to any notable level of skill*, but i have enough years of my life left for it to be possible.

* "notable level of skill" meaning a lack of glaring faults and weaknesses and being able to make cool things in a comparatively short time frame and no you won't ever convince me that i have reached this point ever

this is why im not an artist
artists are never ♥♥♥♥ happy why would you want to be an artist

Oooh! I'm at this point then by your definition of it.

Everyday I write around ten thousand characters for my story and have been doing so since the first of January this year and there is a huge difference in quality between part 1 and part 100.

Always further

Perfectionism is indeed a hurdle when it comes to art. Quotas, pressure, lessons, and critiques do wonders to help you get over it.