90: IRA GLASS: Advice for beginners
Ira Glass (1959-) is a radio broadcaster and host of the award-winning program and podcast This American Life. My cousin in the States recently recommended the podcast and it’s great. This quote came from an interview Glass did about the storytelling process. And here’s a cool moving typography version.
I hate to get all meta and self-indulgent on you by drawing myself into a comic, but this quote perfectly summed up my creative journey. I get a lot of emails from aspiring artists asking me “What’s the best advice you can give me?” or “I’ll never be able to draw as good as you”. I hope people don’t think I left my old job and just picked up a pencil for the first time and starting making these Zen Pencils comics. It doesn’t work like that.
Before Zen Pencils, I had been making regular comics for at least five years. I was lucky enough to get a comic strip published in a local paper which required me to do one comic a week, every week of the year, for five years. Around 3 years ago, I got another comic published in a different paper. So for the last 3 years I was making two different comics a week. That’s roughly (52 x 5 = 260) + (52 x 3 = 156) 416 comics in the last five years on top of working my regular job BEFORE I had even thought of Zen Pencils. And I would say at least 200 of those comics are terrible and I would be embarrassed to show them to you. Before those newspaper comics, I did a lot of illustration projects in university, high-school and have been constantly drawing since I was a toddler.
In his book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell writes about the 10,000 hour rule, which basically states that in order to become a successful professional it takes 10,000 hours of practice. He uses examples, like how The Beatles played in Hamburg non-stop for two years honing their skill before they even recorded their first track.
So the best advice I can give to any young person, no matter what their pursuit: PUT IN THE WORK!
- TRUE: One of my fondest childhood memories is watching Looney Tunes cartoons at my grandmother’s house while eating potato chips.
- FALSE: I never worked at McDonald’s, but I did work briefly at a local fast-food joint.
- TRUE: I’ve had the same haircut for 29 years.
- Thanks to Jeffrey and Geoffrey for submitting this quote.
- RELATED COMICS: Make Good Art. The Life of Art.
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MAN! You.. Are.. Amazing!
Cant thank you enough for this. Its been a year now since i cant write; i was near total confidence loss, but this comic is just perfect, the truth of the words combined with your touching art gave me resolution i didnt knew was in me. Thanks
Hoho, Jeffrey and Geoffrey
Anyway, you’ve inspired me, too. Lately I feel like I’m not good enough, but THIS is the ultimate motivator.
Thanks so much.
Wow gave , iv’e been reading your comics since i saw the one with the terrorist fighting the soldier, and i have to say this one is one of the best you’ve made. Thank you very much for the inspirations
Is it me, or is the word “What” missing from the very beginning of the text?
“Nobody tells people who are beginners is that all of us …” doesn’t make sense.
maybe it’s like: “nobody tells [that] people who are beginners is that all of us …” because putting what changes the meaning i guess
A fine choice!
Should be essential listening for creatives in training.
Be sure to watch the video companion linked to above…
(http://vimeo.com/24715531)
You got those hair spikes just right! Love this one Gav, could not be truer.
Woah! Comic within comic! I love that!
Keep up the great work!!
I love This American Life, and because of hearing so many I love that I got to read this in my head with an Ira Glass voice.
Also, I read “Guitar Zero” a couple months ago and it debunks the 10000 hour myth. Marcus makes the point that it’s 10000 hours of the right kind of practice. If you play the same thing over and over again and never work on the things you struggle with, you won’t be any better at 10000 hours than you were at 1000.
This fits well with this comic.
Good point. thanks for sharing!
Nevermind: practicing 10,000 hours an error would make you a master of such kind of error.
Awesome!
I was reading and trying to guess what famous artist you were talking about.
It was a very good surprise to know the character in the comic was you.
Congratulations and greetings from Brazil
Oh my goodness Gav, you’ve hit the nail on the head right here.
In my early teens I would watch cartoons, read CALVIN AND HOBBES (:D) and other comics and manga (not Akira, yet), get inspired, draw, realise it wasn’t get half as good or creative as the original, get depressed, cry, try again, draw more, cry more, draw more, etc. all the while questioning ‘am I actually talented?’ ‘do I actually possess any skill at all?’ I can so so relate to the middle part of this comic, it’s like an arrow to the soul, straight to the heart of my childhood. A decade later… I’m still persevering and hopefully one day I’ll make it to the last panel too!!
I love your work, keep it up! Stay inspired and very best wishes x
Sound words, and something I struggle with to this day. Even though I’m just writing fan fiction, part of me wants to do the very best. I sweat blood over each word. Then I wonder why I’m expending the effort on something as inconsequential as fanfic (“I should be writing true fiction!”), and I stop.
Taste is not just for what we call “the arts” – it’s what every maker needs, whether she be a scientist, mathematician or engineer: Taste For Makers.
Holy crap, this one is A.M.A.Z.I.N.G
Simply, bravo
Okay, That made me smile.
Gavin it made my day. I guess I am still in that phase. And you know what. Maybe I’ll never get out of it. But I’ve grown attached to never giving up.
Thank you. Thank you so much for this. It’s pretty much what i needed today.
I found this Ira Glass quote a few months ago and somedays it keeps me going in my illustration endeavors. I found your site at just about the same time (and it also keeps me going somedays.) To combine them nearly had me in tears. Thank you!
neat!
Ooooooow… *U* Inspiring!
I’ve had this quote pinned on my wall for a few months now. I think it will look much better if I pinned up your comic instead. Very beautiful! I saw you speak at the PB event. What you do is amazing, and you deserve every success that comes your way. Thanks for sharing your work. Lesh
omg, I swear you made me cr with this. It´s amazing. I will remember that every single time I think my writing is not good enough… it´s going to take me a whil.
Sending you a big hug from South America.
You literally brought me to tears with that one. It’s so amazing and touching.
I draw, too, since I was a toddler in kindergarten and even before. I think I still have a bag full of old drawings. As years went by I did learn and develop and evolved my style and way I draw things. It comes rather easily for me.
BUT, few months ago I decided to finally make my dream of playing guitar come true. I have a lesson with a teacher mostly once a week. The catch: It’s damn hard to sit and train when I’m just home. My teacher agreed, it’s hard to train when you still can’t do something good enough. But you gotta keep doing it in order to do it good. So today I can play chords not so bad, even pretty good, but picking strings… Damn hard for now. It sucks and it’s annoying, but I know what to do about it. Just train train train.
I want to thank you again for sharing your inspirational thoughts and drawings. I look up to you. amazing work as always.
Thanks. Definitely not too meta. Zen pencils is amazing, and even the early ones are good. We don’t get to see the precursor work that paved the way. Seeing something like your comics is both inspiring and intimidating.
This particular comic brings everything back down to earth, and reminds us that things are a lot more achievable than they seem.
I love looking back at how crappy I was at a lot of the things I do well now. You often don’t feel the progress, but it’s recognizable when you glimpse the past. Cartooning may be different in that you have tangible evidence of your skills the whole way through.
Thanks.
Except for Gaiman’s “Make Good Art”, this is my favourite quote on the creative process. This needs to be a poster, because I will buy the shit out of it, and it can live on the wall next to “Make Good Art”.
Great work on this one! I love this quote.
Hey Gavin
Great comic! I think it’s great that you drew yourself in, it makes the comic feel more real. I’ve been torn between worlds all my life, doing what i want and wanting to be something entirely different. You’re comics are encouraging me to find the courage to work harder towards what i want to be!
Thank you!
Thanks..this was really a great comics. Plus it really it gave me the motivation to think about my skills and how I should push pass the limit I think I have..Thanks
Fucking Wonderful.
That last panel really pushed this one over the top for me. A fantastic comic.
Actually, if one has followed the zenpencils blog, Gav dropped certain hints before that are found in the panels before the last one… like that he likes Calvin and Hobbes, being slightly over apple-enthusiastic, there was a blog post showing his angled drawing desk and he mentioned that he liked to listen to music on his Ipod while drawing.
So, Congrats Gav, only if an Artist has made it somewhere, his audience will appreciate self-reference and feel happy they got it^^.
Charles
Oh, and, “Duck Season”
Thank you…… i’m doing my first year at Uni and having a terrible time writing an essay… that i like… this comic made me realise that the only way to be good at essay writing is to do more of it…. truth is i was about to throw in the towel on Uni, however, this comic has given me one more reason to keep on keeping on… that reason is to express MY good taste.
P.S. had to wipe away tears at the end of this, but don’t worry they were happy tears
Ok, I NEED this… Can I buy a print??
I’ve been stuck in that middle point, and am becoming discouraged.
This is just what all artists need!!
Thanks so much!!
There probably won’t be a print, these words belong to Ira Glass
Is there a way you could get permission? I know you did for a couple of other strips you did (like Neil Gaiman’s). This is just so perfect, and I very, very desperately would love a copy!
I’ll give it a shot, I can’t promise anything – Gav
I think this one has more impact because its your own personal story, and so it felt somehow even more down-to-earth and real than usual. It had a real impact on me, that’s for sure. I’m a little under the weather right now, so I think I’m going to use this time off right now to go pick up that writing pad I dropped somewhere in high school and breathe some life back into the stories I used to love.
Thanks a lot, Gav, this one’s another straight shot to the heart. Your work is the most fantastic source of motivation I’ve seen in a long time.
Gavin why are you…so GOOD?
I love this.
haha I like this one!
The message is so strong that the illustration amplified it to be incredibly overwhelming! This work hit me right into my heart.
Thank you so much for never failing to brighten up our lives
Perhaps this is your best work so far!
You don’t know how happy this makes me. x3
Oh, hey… Jeffrey… That’s neat. =D
Posted the quote originally because I’m trying to get through this phase right now myself, since I just spent most of the money I had, which I got for my 16th birthday about a month or so ago, on a drawing tablet for my computer.
Nothing evokes me like art and music, I don’t think I’ll be truly happy if I can’t at least do one.
Again, thank you so very much for bringing even more life to these inspirational words. =3 Totally buying a print of this if ever I get the money for it. Like so many other of these. And music stuff.
Really liked this one. Kind of the kick in the butt I need right now.
This speaks to me so much as I have the same interests (Looney Tunes and drawing!) I hope I can achieve like you have
all in due course!
I agree with a comment posted above…I think that the word “is” should be removed from the first panel.
However, I am a huge fan of the comic, and I think this is great!!
amazing comic, gav !
My mom always told me a Kannada [one of the many Indian languages] saying that for gold to shine, it has to be beaten several times. Similarly, only after several failures and tons of hardwork, can an individual shine like gold !!
lovely and apt artwork as always!
I almost dropped a tear, reading this. Even when I hear this quote from Ira before. Great one!
One of my favorite and most inspiring “speech”. Well done
Brilliant!
Great one! Question: Did you read “The Dark Knight Returns” or some other Frank Miller work? Had any impact on you or your work?
I’ve read all of Miller’s stuff. I think TDKR was the first, then Year One, Daredevil, Sin City etc
Aha! I knew this was coming! Fab stuff Gav.
Wow, meta.
The fact that you have 50 comments within hours when it usually takes 5 days speaks for itself.
BEst comic ever, in my opinion. Better than the dalai lama, better than Robert frost, better than Richard Feynman. This comic, I think, will speak to the most people and have the most influence upon the world of any you’ve drawn yet.
Yep, definitely read that one in Ira’s voice.
Wow! truly inspiring. Sincere thanks for making this one. It will definitely continue to inspire me for a long long time to come and has found a space in my mind above all other pieces you’ve made.
Beautiful as usual Gavin
Beautiful as usual…
Thanks for all the comments – I had a feeling that a lot of you would relate and be helped by this great quote. It’s so true and really think this is the best advice anyone can give someone who wants to be good at something … anything.
Bookmark this twice. Firefox, Chrome! Whenever someone talks of the best strip that Gav ever drew, I’ll show them this one. The best of the best, Cap’n!! Awesome!
I think I’ll write a post with some examples of my crappy, early work
Definitely do that!!!!!!
I highly doubt any of your earlier work was “crappy”.
you’ve always been a superstar in my eyes.
Bro, I am so proud
Amazing yet again Gav!
I didn’t know you also like Akira.
I guess its back to practice and doing a lot of work for me.
I cried… there I said it..!!!
That is absolutely beautiful. Thank you, Gav, you are doing such awesome, inspirational work.
wow!! amazing sketches. very very inspiring story
awesome like usual friend!
I’d also like to emphasize that it’s never too late to start creating. Most of us carry our childhood interests into our adult lives, but sometimes you can stumble onto something new or tap into some undiscovered creativity.
For instance, I started a band in high school having never played an instrument before. We were awful at first but it was still a lot of fun. I still dabble occasionally (drums are not very apartment friendly) but I was very much inspired by another drummer.
This man attended the same University as my sister, and as a student, he met some like-minded individuals who were having a hard time finding quality heavy metal music in their area. They decided to start a garage band, really as an excuse to drink beers and jam (creating the kind of music they wanted to listen). So at the age of 19 this guy picks up drum sticks for the first time in his life and started a band. After years of working his ass off, he’s in one of the most well known contemporary metal bands “Lamb of God”. He’s won awards, travels the world putting on clinics (when not touring), has a signature snare drum and a book he just finished compiling. It’s incredible what he’s accomplished in such a short amount of time.
It’s really incredible what you can achieve with perseverance and motivation, and it’s never too late to take the first step.
Brilliant comic, as usual. Is there a typo in the first panel? I reread it several times, but it doesn’t quite make sense.
Awesome, Comic— just as wonderful as your other works… True Insipirational…
I love that the last panel just sucker-punched me with happy! There’s a lot of us rooting for you, and we’re blessed that we can cheer you on this wonderful journey you’re on.
Wow.! When I first watched Ira’s video, I was amazed. My, once called disappointments, suddenly changed into something very inspiring – My own taste for the work.. Love this comic.. Thank you.!
I love starting my day on Tuesdays with your comics..
Gav,
I don’t know if you truly comprehend how much power you have. True, the words are not your’s, but attached to your illustrations it all combines to be a powerful force in the Universe. I don’t quite make totally creative works, but I do written and video car reviews. I’m bad right now, but I know that I have good taste. Thank you for keeping me motivated! I needed this comic!
A loyal reader,
Chris
I’m gonna go ahead and say that this post warmed my heart, put a smile on my face and a tear behind my eyes.
Thank you Gav!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3
Awesome comic today, they’re all great really. This one though is one of my instant favourites. Thanks for all the hardwork you put in to you art. I love reading these.
Well, what an awesome comic, to be honest this is exactly what I am feeling nowadays, since I’m not really satisfied with my drawings and I started wondering if I’ll ever get a job in this field or, at least, if I’ll ever be truly satisfied with my artwork. But, I dunno, man, comics like this and Subnormality make me to keep trying to progress if I’m ever down, so thanks for being an inspiration and keep doing all these awesome things that you do =D
I think I am half way to my 10000
I remember the last time I heard Ira Glass say this, I was in a rough patch in my creative journey. Tears just flowed, uncontrollably, and I’m not even someone that tears easily. It wasn’t even my first time hearing this, but I guess when you’re at the brink of giving up, these are exactly the kind of words you need to hear. I’m so glad I’m still holding on to that pencil.
Great quote, and great work on this one, like always.
“All great thoughts and all great deeds had a ridiculous beginning.” –Marcel Proust, “The Myth of Sisyphus”
Your work really helped me to change my mindset. Thank you so much!
This is exactly what I feel I’m going through right now. At the point of comic strip where the character feels like his work is still inadequate and may choose to quit. I’ve been drawing since middle school and over the years I’ve become a lot better but still not good enough… I don’t know whether to pursue it career-wise or not, but I definitely won’t stop now.
Awesome post. Truly inspiring. Thanx for sharing
I’m an aspiring programmer, and I think this idea you’re showcasing here extends also to my work. Even though it’s not really art, it still requires that I problem-solve, often in interesting ways, to reach suitable solutions. While I don’t look at the code and say “man, this is just totally garbage” like I’ve done in attempts at actual storytelling and writing, there is definitely that feeling of “this could be so much better, how am I ever going to learn every way to make it work right?”
It’s almost weird having a similar feeling while programming as I’ve had working on games or writing… but maybe there’s a lot of creativity required here, too?
Anyway, the point is I think this idea extends to creativity in more ways than the obvious, and really appeals to ourselves rather than our work. Thanks for sharing.
Totally agree, this applies to everyone – not just artistic types
I started off drawing Bugs Bunny as well! And a few Disney characters. I related so much to this comic — great work as usual, Gavin.
This is a great comic and advice, everyone who is learning something new pass through this phases, the secret is being persistant and love what you do.
Great work!
Inspirational. I like the concept. Positive messages to move us to our dreams.
Wow. Just found this site and I’m blown away by your work. As a beginner cartoonist, this was what I needed to read. Long hours drawing, Bugs Bunny, Calvin and Hobbes, Batman, black-spiked hair, working on a Mac… it’s as if you were drawing my life.
Thanks Gavin. Keep going!
Been coming back to this site since the first comic was posted and it never disappointed. Been sharing this site with friends who also enjoy the art you build around motivational quotes. You can bet we’ll be around to watch your art grow with you! Keep up the excellent work, Gav!
You have described my life! You are so good, I love everything you do! May you be very successful ( you already are) . Your work is Universal. Kisses and Hugs to you
This is so perfect and so right! I can totally relate. Up till now, my best is not good enough. I can do better, I can be better. All due to good taste!
Most inspiring. Thank you!
Wow, this really motivated me a lot. I’m a novice teacher, and I’m feeling helpless with my situation. Thanks a lot. this picture made my day
You, my friend, are a genius! That final frame where you place yourself firmly in among those who have struggled to achieve, that final frame is perfection! I’m so thrilled to have found this site – keep on enlightening people’s lives my friend!
Awesome!
Amazing! This one actually made me shed a few tears. I’ve been visiting this website since I’ve read the Carl Sagan quote months ago. I’d say this is one of your best, keep up the great work! (:
Amazing, this actually made me shed a few tears. I’ve been visiting this website since I’ve read the comic with Carl Sagan months ago. I’d say this is one of your best, keep up the great work! (:
Hi. Very inspiring. It takes so much practice to get better at something. Lots and lots of practice. That is what I am doing now. Pushing through. I wish I could buy this one buy you said no?
This is one of the early quotes that really helped me push forward and seeing it again at a moment where I’m really feeling down creatively … It really helps a lot … This is just what I wanted
I’m just noticing that this probably is missing a “what” at the beginning of the comic … It should say what nobody tells beginners instead of nobody tells beginners … read it over and you will get what I mean
this is exacty what I need
It gave me chills really..Inspiring. You made my day. thank you
Thank you Ira,
I just need something like this, even I’m not too young I’m 47 years old, I’m just started doing some photography and sometimes I think that I will never learn how to take beautiful pictures. But you are right! It will take time and practice. Nobody did it right at the beginning.
Thank you again… You make my day!!!
i absolutely enjoy your work Mr. Gav!!!!!
Your posts have inspired me daily, I’ve been waiting, every week, just to see one more quote. I have searched everywhere trying to find something that would give you an ideea, to make a contribution, because what you do is wonderful! Thank you, you’ve changed my perspective on many things!
Thank you for the much needed Inspiration!
Thank you Gav.
Wow! Wow! Wow! This one is simply superb.
I had been busy lately, and was just catching up only to find this masterpiece. Man! Have you penned down your struggles anywhere? The cartoon strip itself speaks volumes.
I literally just read this exact same quote this morning. It was posted on the wall of the office as I was waiting for a job interview. And now I check your site on a whim and bam! I’m hoping this is a good sign for me. I need these words drilled into my head more than ever now.
I thought it was you in, from the 1st frame! hehehehe
Thanks so much for this. I do adult 3d work in Carrara, and I’ve been doing it a few years now. I look back on my early stuff and its crap. I look at the stuff I’m doing now, and its decent. It is still not where I want to be, but I’ve improved.
right now my husband is struggling with 3D modeling, and he is in the beginning phase. I just showed him this, and it really inspired him too to keep on going. I tell him, in a year from now the stuff you model for other artists will be good. In a few years, great. Like you said, you just have to keep practicing.
You are amazing… Your last three works manage to make me cry… And think… Thanks, really, thanks for this.
Wow. Thanks. I really needed this. I just started a vlog and I’ve been struggling to deliver one per week like I initially set out to do. I think, however, that this just convinced me to write a script or two. I’ve been sick for a few days and I’ve just been wallowing in my snot and vomit. (sometimes literally)
WELL NO MORE! I SHALL WRITE SCRIPTS EVERY WEEK. I SHALL IMPROVE MY VLOGGING SKILLS. I SHALL DO ALL OF THIS AND IT WILL BE GOOD!!!
Thanks Gav.
This is truly inspiring, and the best part is that it can be applied to any form of creative work, thank you, truly, i hope that someday i can inspire this way to other people as well
I loooooove this one Gavin this is awesome bro very inspiring about perseverance!
Awesome comic too bro!
I know I sound like a broken record.. but dude, your work is amazing. Please keep it up!
-PJ
As an aspiring jazz guitarist going to music school, I can totally relate to this. When I’m improvising, it always sounds bad to me, no matter how hard I try to play my lines really good. There has been some improvement within the last few months as I transcribe, analyze, and play the solos of Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Miles Davis. I know it’ll take a while, but hopefully I’ll get there. Nice job on the site!
TX
wwwwwwwwwwoooooooooooooooooooowwwwwww!!!!!!
you inspired me trully!!!!!!
Wow! Talk about knowing what’s been bothering me these past few months.
Thank your for this, it’a a great comic and a great advice that we all should try to remember everyday, but that is so easy to forget.
You need to make an Escher version of that last panel!
At any point will this be available in your store? I would love to have it on my wall as a reminder.
These comics are amazing, especially this piece. It really speaks to me. Thank you for making these.
Good to know that kannadigas are following this page….
The above is in response to CHETANA’s comment
Is there any chance of this becoming a print? I love it.
Hi, i just want to say you did a wonderful job, and the quote is truly inspiring and motivating. I put your picture at my friend circle site (http://www.medicaltequila.com/). Hope you won’t mind
Man, this is just what I needed to see. Will keep working and set some short achievable deadlines! All the best to you and everyone else reading this!
you had me a at akira and the dark knight returns
Dark Knight would have been better. DKR is not that much of a signifier of good taste in our opinion.
You’re truly inspiring my man. Thank you
Hi Gav, I discovered your site only recently via Bad Astronomy, and I have been enjoying catching up with it. I have seen this particular quote done in several different ways, and I like yours best. I really love the progression in the five panels before “it’s going to take you a while” – they speak volumes!
I am a composer in my spare time, and your work really inspires me. Thank you!
Tears pooled in my eyes. Thank you, Zen Pencils. And if you do celebrate it, Happy Chinese New Year (:
Thank you so much. This is what I needed, quite often I’ve felt quite down by seeing countless people admire other artists’ works while I get only a smattering of people comment on my work or none at all and with this comic, I realise I will need to make lots and lots of work before people start noticing and this will take a long time and I know it will be worth it.
I’ve favourited this page so whenever I need a kick up the backside then I’ll just look at this, so thank you again.
I have, for almost 12 hours now, been looking nonstop at your art. This, so far is one of my favorites. I have heard this quote before and even then I took it to heart (I too am involved in arts, just a different form).
This
Is
Art.
Thanks Maggie
This comic made me cry, I’m currently at the quitting point of my creative process and have been for a few years now. But this made my day.
Will this one make it to print or is it copyrighted? It’s just brilliant!
Im so down right now and this just… thank you so much, you rock!
I am going through that patch right now! Where I feel I’m quite good but not amazing! Thanks for this enlightenment, I been sending your comics to everyone ! thanks very much!
Okay, this made me smile from one ear to the other.
I love reading your comics, they are very uplifting – a great creative input you have there.
Aside from the self-praise, we loved this cartoon. Tweeted at on our Twitter account too (@skibbit).
Three of my all-time favourites. Calvin & Hobbes, Akira and the Dark Knight Returns. You legend
They made you wear a tie when you were a child? That’s horrible
lol
Thank you for making me laugh, and for giving me a kick in the seat of the pants. I needed to hear this. Blessings.
I’ve just dropped a tear. Thank you.
I love this one.
Any chance it will be reprinted for sale?
I think it’s really cool how you worked yourself into a comic, and what you wrote about it is inspirational (in a “go do work!” kind of way).
Thank you for making these comics. I share them as often as they are relevant (which is pretty often), most recently at http://imgur.com/gallery/lNl0ng1
Where was this comic 14 years ago, when I needed it?