I usually think of an interesting concept for my sketchbook, but I always quit half-way with the sketch because it's not turning out right..

My problem is that I don't have enough motivation to complete my sketchbook, because I never like how the sketches turn out.

Anyone else have this problem? What do you usually use as motivation?

I do tend to have similar motivation problems (motivation to start, continue and finish things), although most of the time it's not related to drawing itself but to the idea.

For the problem itself (loosing motivation because it doesn't turn out right), to be honest, the only thing I can tell you is: just go on and finish it. If you never finish something, you will never learn how to do it. I know it is not easy, I have that problem all the time myself, and to be honest sometimes I just want to give up when I see the terrible results. This is were the motivational stuff kicks in; so here is a Top 5 of what works best for me:

1) Listen to music.
That almost always works for a short but strong boost of motivation. The best is actually to have some kind of music you somehow link to what you're drawing (e.g. when you draw a character being badass, I listen to something like this.)
If whatever you're working on is too general or you can't relate it to anything for any reason, you can try songs that make you think about work and why what you are doing is good. (again, here's what works for me: link)

2) Draw something easier to relax.
This works quite well since it makes you regain some confidence in your work as you have no problem doing it exactly the way you want. Note however that this is a hippopotamus-sized time killer, but I guess it is still better than doing nothing at all.

3) Think about why you want to draw this.
Now this one is a bit more tricky and situational, but it helped me already out of the worst cases of depression. Usually, when you "fall", you start to doubt the use of your work, both in terms of meaning and the advantage you gain out of it. Thinking about precisely this will call back up the roots of your original motivation to work on your drawing and make you "believe" again. A main part of this is telling yourself that unlike all those nice drawings made by other people you see out there, this is and will be the results of nothing but your effort.
As is said, this is very hard to pull off. You could compare it to starting a very old car: it might take several turns of the key to get the engine running again.

4) Look the solution up. (If the thing not turning out right is practical)
If for example you don't manage to draw a hand, look some hands up on google, search some tutorials and how-to's on DA or in any case try to find a model for what you're trying to do. Pair this with practising the thing several times on a separate piece of paper till you get it right without that model. Quite time-expensive too, like 2), but that's the best way to go for that kind of situations.

5) Ask someone.
That's why you're on this forum. Try to finish you're sketch even if it isn't like what you expected(If you really are exasperated, just "fill up" void spaces with simple stuff), show it to someone and point out the problems you have.
Loosing motivation for this kind is related to not being able to find the solution of the problem. And other people might already know about it or may have a different point of view on the subject which allows them to find what is wrong and how to fix it. Plus, knowing that there is someone who cares about your problem and supports you in your work is always a good thing.

Well, that is all I can think of. I hope it helped you.

If not, bash me wish a frying pan.

Thanks for the advice

Recently I've been more determined to finish rough sketches, which is a good sign..

But I've read somewhere that listening to music is a right-brain activity and can help you lose focus when doing something that requires creativity...(I do it anyway, tho)

meh.. I draw with music on, the difference, is I leave it on to hear it, not to listen to it. hearing and listening are TWO completely different things.

Now as for motivation, well.. what could motivate you more than a contest right? Consider everything you do a contest with yourself and everyone else... all the time. The strive to be the best I possibly can, is usually what motivates me.. sometimes even when I feel like being lazy XD

If a sketch doesn't turn out right, I usually just crumple up the paper and start on a new one untill I get one I like. Remember to start with the part that's giving you problems, that way you'll lose less work if it turns out to be unsalvageable.

Also, wrt listening to music whilst working, it's okay for creativity and basic sketches, but when it comes down to making stuff look right, I always find it makes my work look worse.

If you're truly focused then other background noises like music wouldn't be bothering because they just disappear.

If you can't focus unless it's quiet then don't play music. Everyone's different so do what works for you.

I've gotten to the point where I don't care if I mess up when I draw. I *just keep going* and think "s crew the worrying; I'm doing this for the experience." Funny thing is, once you overcome your own fear of failure, the drawing often turns out to be a lot better than you expected!

hey, yeah man.. plus if you see a mess up, when you scan it in and go over it digitally.. well.. photoshop is a wonderful thing

Thanks for the help guys! As stated above, I've been able to complete lots of sketches recently, thanks to your help Still listening to music though...don't really find it a distraction as much I as thought.

Looking forward to posting art in artist alley soon~

I had same problem of not finishing sketches.
I have a bunch of sketchbooks that are not even a quarter filled.
Seeing incomplete skethbooks bum me out, so I usually draw on single sheets.
This helps me to draw more often and more freely, because Im not bogged down by what page Im on, how many pages Ive done or how many pages I have left to do before I complete a sketchbook.

Or you can just come to terms with your inability to finish things.

*stands up*
"My name is KJ and I never finish my sketches. I joined Lazy Artists Anonymous for this very reason. I'm quite content in my not-finishing things, though. Question is: are you?"

I really need to join this group!! Where can I find them?

But I recognise the situ, Iation you're in kero, I used to hit the wall alot of times like that when I was fgresher in art. Since I'm running in competitions I know the feeling as prestational stress, or whatever it may be named in english. If you're to focused about the result you'll block yourself. Remeber, unless you're hired as an artist art is always about experimenting.

Also, in my opinion the idea of art is always more important than the quality of the actual work. Thus, I've scrapped many of my best quality works because I thoght they lacked soul, and some of my greatest art are just big canvases of splattered colors or strange freakish clay figures that never took me more than an hour to create.

So I can only wish you luck in your creation, and if you ever want feedback on your art based on the actual art-quality and not the quality of your skills feel free to contact me

wow nice topic it helps me alot to because i have the same problems.
sorry that i don't have a solution for you.

I just started it. Just now. We have T-shirts. |D