I Painted my Old Art, 18 Years Later 

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does anyone else want to see her try to reimagine her artwork from where she was a toddler, and see if she could turn it into something cool?

my life is just waiting for a NerdForge notification

5:20 Serj Tankian from System of a Down. Good taste in music .

Okay but is it just me or it's truly wholesome and cute to see her happy and really amused at her own work. Like YES YOU GO MARTINA THEY LOOK SO GREAT YES

Can we all take a minute to appreciate how much Martina has grown as a person, communicator, entertainer, the showmanship skills, the humor. I even got a little emotional during the NordVPN add when she made that joke about the missing pinkie. Martina, if you're reading this, you're awesome! You probably accepted by now that you're a role model for so many, and this alone means the world to someone that is trying to grow out of their shell. I still remember close to a decade ago, hiding the hand, being shy and looking down a lot. You're the living example of how to flourish. Saying it's just your godlike talent is unfair - the dedication and hard work that started before you could eat chocolate without permission is the real inspiration hundreds, if not thousands of your THREE MILLION well deserved subscribers, will pick up on.

That drawing of Serj is excellent! All of your art is incredibly impressive.

5:20 That is Serj Tankian the lead singer from the very awesome band called 'System of a Down'. Very awesome music.

Martina! Those paintings are so fantastic! You are so skilled and you've made amazing progress. I also want to tell you, that every time I watch a painting video of yours, I always get so inspired and motivated to paint. I have tried to paint some of your past artworks to learn and improve, and I really have. So I wanna say a very big THANK YOU! I'm excited to see what you make next time C:

You critiquing your own art makes me realise mistakes don't define your skill level. When i look at my own art i see these mistakes and think "im so bad" ... but I know youre extremely talented, yet you still see and recognise your own mistakes without letting them hold you back. Its inspiring! as you always are

Martina: I'm gonna paint something! Me: I want it! Martina: *50% complete* Me: I would sell my kidney for this! Martina *100% complete* Me: ... unconscious on floor from amazing overflow The combined video-editing skills from Hansi and Martina's god-sent charisma and artistry gives me life.

9:36 I LOVE the way you go off screen like a supporting character wizard in a movie trying to find a potion that the main character might find useful 😂😂😂

RIP! Not me seeing this at 3 weeks and then finding out about a cool painting being 2-week limited!

5:16 I would say it is Serj Tankian ❤

Each time you painted something, I was like "surely it can't get better" AND THEN IT DID!! I am absolutely OBSESSED with these paintings, I can't get over how incredible the lighting on the dragon one is. You never fail to blow me away!

Thank you for sharing about your struggles with motivation, I'm fifteen and struggle A LOT with feeling motivated and to do art, and not being a perfectionist. In the past I have just thrown away or given up on most of my artwork and creations because they were not exactly how I wanted. But I have just started painting again, and I am so relived to hear that I'm not the only one who has struggled with this.

Always big energy from Martina but especially with the repaints here you could tell she's very passionate about her art journey its awesome to see how much you've improved! Great work!

05:15 Serj Tankian

As a fellow artist it was very validating hearing you also struggle with huge gaps in your want to draw/paint. I have almost a 10 year gap after high school of nothing. However I’ve been reteaching myself 😂 side thought: if you ever pick up that witch project again, it could be fun to do with your patrons. Keeping each other going with inspiration could help and be super fun

As a young child I drew a LOT. my dad would bring home a ream of paper for me. I'd sit at the kitchen table and draw every day. My tiny Catholic high school did not have art classes, I still drew some, but I ended up with a job all through high school and got caught up with music. Art faded away. In my twenties a couple of different girlfriends urged me to draw again, I dabbled with pen and ink, maybe completed ten or twelve drawings, then life got in the way. (Again.) On February 7, 2023 I turned to my wife and said, "I think that I'd like to try painting with acrylics." We went to a local art store and picked up basic supplies. I need to point out that I NEVER tried to paint before. drawing with a pencil or pen is waaaaaay different than painting. The following day I sat down and painted a path through woods under a full moon. It was pretty bad, but I didn't stop. Tomorrow will mark thirteen months since I started my painting journey, and my current works are decent. The other day I completed painting number thirty-five. The beginning of May I will turn sixty-five years old. I regret all of those years that I did not paint or draw. Just do it!

Woo my print arrived today!! Coolest thing is you can even see the ridges of the canvas from the way it’s been scanned. Can’t wait to get it framed!

Apart from the art being astonishing, the best part of this video is that Martina has all of her past artwork neatly ordered in folders. Martina looking through your folders you can see a brilliant progress in skill and style, thank you for sharing this with us all, it's been magical.

That was Serj Tankian @5:20 Lead singer of System of a Down

If you're wondering what's wrong with the face in the first one it is likely only this: Basically her entire back is shown. Her neck is broken if we see this much of her face and that much of her back. So you'd honestly have to adjust the entire pose to fix it. Make the back more at an angle so this head angle fits better, or vice versa I'm surprised you went with a different pose instead of just redrawing the front facing one in your old art.

Super fun and awesome paintings. For the final piece the left side of the painting i really like the softness and lack of details, gives sense of scale while leaving focus on the fighter and Dragon head. The rocks under the fighter feel like there is now sharp edges yet the texture of them seems to be calling for it.

While you were painting that Dragon, I was in aww of how amazing it was and was wishing that I could own it. Then bam! You're letting us buy prints. Ordered!

I've been wanting to get back into painting for so long and this has absolutely inspired me to look back at my childhood art and pick up a paintbrush again.

9:40 i feel exactly the same in my roleplaying writing. I didn't write my main rpg for like 2 years and now the motivation is back nearly like before ! I really loved the "confession time" like Bobby Duke Arts does it. Really nice to hear about you ❤

15:57 the little dance you did was just *chef’s kiss 😂

The moment I saw that the dragon would be a limited edition printing I paused the video and bought one on the spot. Martina, you are so creative, natural, funny but most of all talented and authentic. Thank you so much for sharing your imaginary with us. I would 100% get lost in those worlds you create. Until the next video, I’ll rewatch all your older ones. 🤩

As soon as I saw the canvas size for that dragon I knew it was going to be a print lol. It will definitely go perfect with the 100 hour painting. Its almost like it tells a story from fighting the dragon to praying for all the lost soldiers under the tree. Beautiful work as always Martina!

This might be my favourite video of yours so far! I love the updated art and remaking old art is just one of my favourite concepts for a video, but also the pacing of the video makes it just really enjoyable to watch!

The middle painting is sooo beautiful, I would love prints or merch of that 🥰

I'm amazed you actually kept all those old drawings. I never really felt compelled to keep my drawings when I was a kid. I either gave them away or tossed em in the trash. The fun part was doing the drawing. After it's done, there's not much else to do but look at it and say "yep, I drew that." And honestly, I still sorta feel that way. But now I usually hang on to them, especially if it's something that might inspire another drawing.

When I started watching the video, seeing all your old drawings, I was thinking about how I wish I had started drawing more consistently early on in life. Since I didn’t really start until recently. It’s just so cool to see your process through time & it’s inspiring. But what I found more encouraging, is when you shared about the gap in years or months you went through without drawing & your inner struggle of wanting to do more to improve. That really spoke to me because it reminded me that we are all in our own journey & it’s okay to go slow or fast, there’s no real expectations except the ones we put on ourselves. Because at the end of the day, this is a marathon not a race. So It’s always nice to remember to enjoy the journey & the progress we make daily instead of beat ourselves down. ✨thanks for sharing your beautiful work & if you read this, I hope you also find this encouraging or anyone else that might read this 🫶🏼✨ You’re doing great! Keep going 🤍✨

I watched the Dragon one three times and it occurred to me the part that looks off to you is probably the bounce lighting. If you look and the underside of the dragon where you have the flame colors on the smoggy area it should bounce up along the main body of the dragon more directly same with the rock needing a little more of a yellow bounce. -Ren

I love all of it. The video idea, the paintings of the young Martina, the new paintings and how you recomposed them (super cool idea with the angle at the second painting with her looking down at the viewer). And, as always, your character and the editing and camera work in the video.

It's easy for me to get discouraged and compare myself to others' incredible art levels because my art skills are so underdeveloped. But this really inspired me to remember that, like anything else, art is a skill that needs to be honed and developed; and therefore it's never too late to improve. Thank you Martina for always being such a bad-ass inspiration!!!!!

I always love watching redrawing/repainting videos, it's so cool to see how someone has improved and changed!

I just got one of the copies of the last painting, and it is *insane* in person! Love it!

Please do more of this :D it was fun to see you recreate your art

I really wish you had talked about why you made different choices for the first painting, or your overall process of adapting to your current style.

your shading has stepped up so much, especially in the last 3 years. All the paintings have so much detail ans look so realistic! Love your art ❤

The dragon legit gave me chills

I really really loved this journey, as well as the message within the video. Thank you again guys also - ordered the print can’t wait haha 🎉

Serj Tankian System of a Down 🤘🏽 seen them in concert.

Martina, what an inspiring video! It was so lovely to see your artistic progression from childhood drawings to your stunning work today. The patience and dedication you've shown toward improving your skills over the years really comes through. Each repainted piece highlighted your excellent progress in areas like anatomy, lighting, composition and color use. But beyond technical skills, your passion and love for art is what really shines. It was wonderful to share in your enthusiasm as you unearthed drawings from the past. Your joy is contagious! Thank you for giving us this intimate look into your artistic journey. Videos like this are so valuable for fellow creatives seeking motivation. I know this video will encourage many to keep practicing and pursuing their dreams. Wishing you all the best moving forward - can't wait to see what you create next!🙏🏻

I really enjoy the points where you seem to take a pause in the timelapse, but before people can check if it's done, you add more. With the final one I was reminded of a quote from somebody I don't remember; "only the artist can see problems with their greatest work". And at the end of the 3rd when you pointed out things you can do better, I think you showcased that extremely well. Great video, and legendary artwork.

Love the music you choose for your vids. Such a nice atmosphere.

Thank you for your infectious enthusiasm and sharing your talents, self-criticisms and accomplishments with us. Wonderful fiery dragon in the Year of the Dragon. I could see how you were in the flow zone painting the details and light on the neck/head area. The high contrast and dynamic composition makes this one my favorite of the 3 and yes, way better than the one from 3 years ago. love n peace

for some reason even though it isn't the primary kind of content you make and I don't paint at all, your painting videos have always been my favorite content of yours, it's just so satisfying to watch your process!! I hope this has sparked some motivation for you to do more painting videos! (and if it hasn't thats okay, it'll come when it comes I get that so much

THOSE PAINTINGS ARE AWESOME!!! I can only ever imagine how satisfying it would be to spend hours upon hours of your time on one art piece and step back and see your work! I have loved what you’ve done ever since I’ve been watching the channel and I hope you have a wonderful time this year ❤😊

Man, I can't even imagine being talented and persistent enough to get good at anything. You were already incredible and professional level at 15.

I love dragons and you do them so well! I used to doodle them all the time and always wished I was better but I could never dedicate the time or mental focus on it. So, I watch people like you create them and enjoy the process. I've got your other dragon painting, Final Breath, so I had to get this one to add to my wall. Can't wait till it gets here!

Good grief.... you drew better at 12 than I do at 60. Amazing stuff as always.

So enjoyable watching you make tangible a representation of your creative self. Your passion for creating something, working through how you will make what you envision and even your moments of self doubt help others, like myself, to know and respect both your acquired skills and you, the person doing the creating. Thank you for letting us bear witness.

Amazing video. The Witch series is an amazing idea, I think it would also make for a great video, I really hope you follow up on it, I would love to see paintings in different color pallets of the Witch archetypes, some examples that come to mind: 1. A high society witch, performing a spell while reading a book 2. A potion brewer/alchemist in a laboratory 3. A tribal witch, performing an animal sacrifice, somewhere in the savannah, surrounded by her tribe 4. A solitary witch in a swamp, communing with the spirits of the dead 5. A mountain tribe elder witch healing a sick child with poultices 6. A forest witch, dressed in bark and animal furs, communing with animals 7. A seductress ancient witch, that steals the youth from an unsuspecting victim. 8. A dark coven of three witches casting a curse I think you have a pretty awesome idea, there is a large variety of witches that could make for some great paitings. (I stopped at 8 ideas, but I think you can easily find more, if you don't already have them)

THOSE ARE SOOO AWSOME MARTINA!! You do such incredible artwork! You actually inspired me to try and improve my drawing! These videos are amazing!

That dragon mural was what introduced me to your channel and I’ve been hooked since, it was incredible to watch you go back through time!

This was great! The dragon mural was the first video that I saw of this channel and it motivated me to get better at drawing, and now I'm about to start my first wall mural, thank you so much you are amazing! ❤

second painting and final painting (and Martina as always): stunning.

perfect example of „practice makes perfect“ love it ❤

Yeah they look awsome. I missed you. You are amazing. You give me so much inspiration to get back in to drawing and crafting that I pray this year is the years start to turn around for me to be in a home where I can have my own ctafy/art room. You are so sweet and such an awsome woman. Thank you so much. I'm from Colorado here in the USA. Love you hugs.❤🤗💜

this was an amazing video! you're so talented and inspiring. also, it is really nice to see someone else who also only paints when motivation strikes, im the same way! thank you for sharing your art, i love ur channel!

Ordered! Thank you for all the inspiration and behind the scenes videos!

Watching you draw these pictures was like peeping into the windows of your past , I can tell your art truly comes from the soul.❤

Just when I thought painting 2 would be my favourite, you drop painting 3 😍 Btw about the head pic 1 , i think the hairline is to high, the forehead should appear shorter when viewed from below. Also, if the shoulders are square to the viewer the head turns to a profile maximum, so it is turned a bit unaturally. Im not sure though if these are even the points bothering you 😅

I'm so impressed by the layer by layer style of painting. How You really building depths in them. Amazing. So freaking cool.

First of all, I love the artworks you made! It's always soooo interesting to see when artists recreate their old art! Btw I had this weird Idea that it would be so incredibly funny when you make a time leapse next time infront of your Selfmade Window, when the Video of the scenery outside was recorded in such a slow pace that it looked normal paced in a time leapse lol

You have a fantastic eye for detail! Love all of these art pieces!

That drawing of the random guy is reminding me of Serg Tankian from System of a Down.

I just love the way these are edited, it shows the whole process of the painting.

I really appreciate how much effort you put into your artwork, that's probably the main thing that gets overlooked when it comes to being an artist is how much time and effort you put in because everyone else just sees the finished work, very beautiful pieces of art, I hope you continue to do what you love and I hope others get inspired by your talent through these videos❤️

HER 2 HAIR COLOURS MIXED TO GET PURPLE!!!🤩🤩🤩💜

When I see your timelapse and you stop it for a sec and show off the results so far, I am like, damn that looks good. And then the details just get piled on, so incredible.

Thanks so much Martina; I find your videos both entertaining and inspiring, and they've helped me get through many creative blockages. You inspired me to made a book nook based on my impression of a street in Ankh Morpork's 'The Shades' which everybody seems to love, but it isn't a patch on what you could do! It made me wonder if you've ever read any of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels? If you have, would you consider creating anything around that? I'd love to see what you made of it :) x

Its very rare that i will watch a video all the way through but i honestly find your work so captivating that i cant look away. Very inspiring work!

Isn't the guy in 5:20 Serj Tankian? Vocalist of System of a Down?

Love this, Martina ❤ The paintings look AMAZIIIIING ❤

You really can create amazing paintings, they are so beautiful!!

This is awesome work. I had the same problem in art school. The solution was always more detail and more light reflection. I think you need to redo the ones from when you were the youngest. This one 1:02 and this one 1:12 and make some pokemon characters out of them. You should also do a fantasy painting of your bird Martin.

the color of the dragon looks amazing!

To see an evolution in your skills, even for 3 years ago, is amazing to witness in this video. You have a great, amazing talent, and your humor is always fun to watch. Also, that room is always so fun to see. you (and your team) have done a great job with it as well. Keep up all the amazing work.

As always amazing work and I do hope to see some more of this in the future. As for motivation when you are motivated to paint do it a lot so you have content when you stray away

The details on the dragon in the shadow are amazing 💜

😭Me realizing The skill gap between me and Martina she was drawing better than me When she were 13😂

Everytime I lost my motivation to paint I watch your videos and it's like a magic inspiration blessing that takes me and brings me to my working desk and puts the brushes into my hands and I find myself infront of my new canvas. Thank you for that! And by the way, your hair color is beautiful!

You have definitely improved over the years. It is always fun to go back to childhood art and reimagine the artworks. I still have all my drawings over the last 30+ years (I'm 40) I sometimes redraw them. I'm also the same and get supermotivated and draw like a lunatic, then burn myself out and not create anything for ages. I went 2 years without touching a pencil once. I just create when it comes.

YESSS! Scare-a Bigbear-a right back atcha!! Always a good day when its a Nerdforge day!! Your crafty artsy magic is strong as always, but... its your INFECTUOUS ENERGY AND HAHAHAWESOME VIBES that really puts the cherry on top of the engaging maker sundae ❤

When Martina's drawing she did when she was 12 is better than ANY one I could do currently at 26 😆 Love these videos 😍

That second painting needs to be a Plainswalker in Magic the Gathering!

Well done, you managed to come up with something to do when we are low in inspiration, revisiting works of the past to see if we can do them better. I'm suspecting in some projects I would have had more energy and enthusiasm at the time and I simply wouldn't try them today because Audiences have changed and there just wouldn't be a market for it and doing a modern version would be a complete new entity so venturing into the unknown again. But I believe you can achieve anything you set out to do coz you know how to channel your energy and time manage better now than you did in the past and hindsight is in your pocket. I spray painted a few motorbike parts in my kitchen last weekend, but I have to wait until Summer to do Cars. Please tell Norri he has fans in the UK, Thank you!

You drew that at age 12? Thats way better than anything i've ever drawn in my entire life

Martina, Another “Tour de Forge”. Although you have definitely become a master (mistress?), the glimpse into your early art shows that the raw talent has been there from the beginning. Another video that had me smiling from the beginning all the way to the end! My face hurts. And now it is time to watch again 😜. Thank you. Keep the aspidistra flying! God bless, Paul

so much talent!! You're freaking amazing. Thanks for sharing your art.

Can we just appreciate that pretty much every art style/subject/medium has been explored since the beginning? 😍😍

5:18 Serj Tankian SOAD

They turned out so well! Seeing your progress is incredible. Little you would be amazed at how far you've come, and everything you can do!

These are so freakin cool. Especially the last one. You always make this look easy. Well done

My favorite drawing was the dragon with the sunset castle the boy getting fire breeds on him by the dragon so freaking cool!