The Start of My Artistic Journey

From Scribbles to Animation Triumph

I’ve often reflected on my journey as an artist,

and it’s remarkable how clear the path has become in hindsight. It all began as a child, deeply enamoured with drawing—my pencils were my trusted allies, and my canvas was anything I could find. The only formal instruction I received was from my mother, who was not just my teacher but my biggest supporter. I remember the thrill of entering competitions, where each award I received felt like another small confirmation that I was destined to create.

At the age of 21, however, my artistic journey took a pivotal turn. I found myself enrolling in a 2D classical animation program—a decision that would mark my first significant milestone. The day I stepped into that studio, I was filled with both excitement and trepidation. We began our mornings drawing circles and quickly progressed to creating animations, frame by painstaking frame.

It soon became apparent to me that I was the slowest among my peers—a team of 15 newly appointed assistant animators. I was also the only one without formal drawing training. Every time I put pencil to paper, doubt crept in. Initially, I struggled just to keep up. Then a fateful encounter changed everything.

One day, as I wandered into the television room, I stumbled upon a few colleagues practicing their sketching speed. Curious, I asked what they were doing and was shocked to learn that they were attempting to reproduce a paused animation frame in just 30 seconds. I felt an overwhelming sense of dread; drawing something in that short a time was far from my grasp. I attempted it—unsuccessfully. My failure echoed in my mind like an unshakable melody, and before I knew it, the news had reached our chief animator, Mr. Thomas.

When I heard him call my name, my heart sank, and I braced for the worst. Mr. Thomas, with his serious demeanor, laid it all out: if I wasn’t willing to work hard, there were hundreds waiting in line for my opportunity. His words cut deep. How could I, someone who loved drawing so much, be so complacent? I left his office questioning everything.

But rather than giving up, I realized I needed to confront my challenges head-on. I mustered the courage to return to Mr. Thomas, who found me in tears, shaken and overwhelmed. “I don’t know animation! I don’t know how to draw like the rest of you!” I cried out, feeling utterly lost. To my surprise, he simply laughed and offered me a straightforward solution. “You need to practice.”

That night, fueled by a blend of motivation and desperation, I drew—endlessly. I focused on perfecting circles, filling sheet after sheet with my attempts. Finally, I felt a flicker of determination reignite within me. The next morning, I hastened to the library and retrieved “The Art of Preston Blair.” It was a treasure trove of knowledge, and within a week, my skills had noticeably improved.

As time passed, I set small goals. I started by attempting to sketch frames in a minute instead of 30 seconds. To my absolute astonishment, I soon managed to do it in less than 20 seconds. My confidence grew like wildfire, and I began to draw with an intensity I had never experienced before.

For two months, I dedicated myself to studying and practicing in solitude. Mr. Thomas eventually reviewed our progress and announced the final test: we were to create an 8-second animated sequence, complete with a storyboard and character sheet, all in one week. The stakes were higher than ever, and I flung myself into my work with fervor, staying in the studio from morning until night.

The day my hand-drawn animations came to life is etched in my memory. As I entered the line test room with my creations, I was met with a room full of my peers and Mr. Thomas. My heart pounded as the senior animators reviewed my work. “Did you do this?” Mr. Thomas asked, astonished. I hesitated; what if this was a cruel joke? But the laughter behind me quickly turned into applause, and I realized they were cheering for my persistence.

That day marked my official entry into the world of animation. After a year and a half of hard work and countless sketches, I received the opportunity to lead the 2D department at a German company.

Looking back, I see that artistic journey not as a linear path, but a series of trials and tribulations that taught me resilience and passion. I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything because they shaped me into who I am today. I learned that talent can only take you so far, but perseverance and dedication forge the true artist.

To anyone standing on the brink of their own journey—embrace your struggles, learn from them, and never shy away from seeking help. After all, every masterpiece begins with a single stroke.