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Features the 10 Things He Wish He Knew As a Young Artist , 'Make Good Art' | ARTLECTURE

Features the 10 Things He Wish He Knew As a Young Artist , 'Make Good Art'

/Insight/
by Neil Gaiman
Tag : #make, #art, #idea, #arts, #study, #research



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Neil Gaiman reads from his inspirational 'Make Good Art' speech at the Art Matters Live event at Earth Hackney on 6th September 2018. With live illustration by Chris Riddell.


I think you're absolutely allowed several minutes, possibly even half a day to feel very, very sorry for yourself indeed. And then just start making art. Neil Gaiman




Do you need to know how to draw as well as he does? The rules, below, suggest not. We’d love to take a peek inside your sketchbook after.


  1. Embrace the fact that you're young. Accept that you don't know what you're doing. And don't listen to anyone who says there are rules and limits.

  2. If you know your calling, go there. Stay on track. Keep moving towards it, even if the process takes time and requires sacrifice.

  3. Learn to accept failure. Know that things will go wrong. Then, when things go right, you'll probably feel like a fraud. It's normal.

  4. Make mistakes, glorious and fantastic ones. It means that you're out there doing and trying things.

  5. When life gets hard, as it inevitably will, make good art. Just make good art.

  6. Make your own art, meaning the art that reflects your individuality and personal vision.

  7. You get freelance work if your work is good, if you're easy to get along with, and if you're on deadline. Actually you don't need all three. Just two.

  8. Enjoy the ride. Don’t fret it all away. (That one comes compliments of Stephen King.)

  9. Be wise and accomplish things in your career. If you have problems getting started, pretend you're someone who is wise, who can get things done. It will help you along.

  10. Leave the world more interesting than it was before.



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Read a complete transcript of the speech here.