Artists and other creatives have the tendency to spiral into their own mind, and the negativity that festers will usually result in what is called ‘art anxiety’. Another term for it is creative anxiety. It makes starting or finishing a project difficult because of either low confidence, or by being burnt out by the desire for perfection.

Art has been around since the dawn of man. It started out as scribbles on cave walls, engravings in pottery and ceramic that predates modern civilization. The Ancient world has given us marvels of architecture, sculptures and innovation. The Renaissance introduced the most iconic works of art that to this day is revered for its talent and mastery. Over the years, the world has not been bereft of great artists and their outstanding art. We see them in museums, exhibitions, catalogs and even in our history books. Nowadays, we can view the works of our favorite contemporary artists through their social media platforms. We can be up close and personal with them and their art. 

In the face of such masters, as an aspiring artist, there is that sneaking voice inside our heads that whispers if we’re ever going to be good as them? Will our work have such a profound impact on others and the world? There’s always a tendency to compare ourselves to our peers and predecessors that we become too self-critical of our art.

I am guilty of this too, as there are times that I am not completely satisfied with my work. I am always bogged by the idea that I am not good enough as an artist. It is difficult to deal with art anxiety because art is supposed to be a fun outlet to relieve stress. It’s not supposed to be the reason for it. In fact, there are studies that explain how art can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Yet, it happens and is very real for a lot of people. If you have ever felt this way, know that you are not alone and there are ways to overcome it.

6 Meaningful Ways to Overcome Art Anxiety

Creating something new often induces art anxiety due to inherent challenges. Each artist will deal with things differently. However, I will share five ways that might help you whenever you feel its horrid grasp on your creativity or if you ever feel unsure of your place as an artist.

Embrace the Discomfort and Persist

Personally, I advocate for harnessing the anxiety you feel when creating art, as motivation to exercise discipline. Doubt and insecurities will oftentimes strike us in differing points of our lives. Thus, these are feelings that we have to learn how to deal with. This is why whenever I feel anxious, I find ways to confront it and try to understand its source. It’s important to not let it rule over your life and your work. Let it run its course but don’t let it get to your head. Push through the uneasiness with a sound mind in order to find good coping methods. See the distress as a signal for you to redirect your focus, time and energy to more important matters.

Learn to Avoid Comparing Yourself with Others

It’s easy to buckle under the pressure when we constantly compare ourselves to others. Remember, every artwork is unique just like the artists who create them. Art is subjective. It is dependent on people's preference and tastes whether your art piece will be received well or not. What makes a painting magnificent to another person doesn’t necessarily diminish the value of your own. In fact, your strength lies within your own particular style. Your technique and the voice you use to convey meaning and tell stories also set you apart from the rest. When seeing great art, the goal is appreciation and perhaps learning, it shouldn’t dissuade you from your own aspirations.

Learn to See the Beauty in Imperfection

Oftentimes, the source of anxiety is the immense pressure to achieve perfection, either from other people or from ourselves. It is not necessarily bad to strive and work towards the best outcomes. We all want our creations to capture what we have envisioned in our heads. However, not everything will be a masterpiece and that is ok. Make ‘’bad’’ art. Not every piece needs to be marketable or set for an exhibition. Sometimes, it just needs to exist for what it is. Don’t be afraid to mess up. There will always be value in every art piece you make. It does not only scratch the itch to create something but it also shows you the path towards progress.

Make Art for the Fun of It

When I was young, I often created illustrations for my classmates' homework. I realized that I was better at drawing than other kids, and doing it for them made me feel content. I loved drawing beautifully dressed girls adorned with jewelry. Looking back, I understand that they reflected my desire to become the fine young woman that I am today. I think that was the point in my life that really strengthened my resolve to pursue my dream of becoming a full-time artist.

As I grew up and learned everything I could, the joy I felt as a kid never diminished. Despite the hardships and challenges I faced to get to where I am now. My point to all of this is that, you should never let the excitement you felt as a young artist or the happiness in completing your first drawing fade away. At the end of the day, art is a form of expression and of feeling. While the end product is always a sight to behold, the journey to reach that final form is priceless. So make art just because you can and because it brings you joy. Delight in the moment of endless possibilities and just let your creative mind lead the way.

Imbue Kindness in Our Own Self-Criticism

We marvel at the impressive and awe-inspiring art from all across the world. But what we see is always the polished, smoothened, and improved final product. We normally do not get to see what entails during the making of it. They make it look so easy and effortless when in fact it is the complete opposite. There is a lot of work that goes into completing a project or plan, and making art is no exemption. Artists will change and refine their art but never truly satisfied.

As the saying goes, we are our harshest critics. More often than not we are a lot harder on ourselves than we are with other people. When we appraise other people’s work, we try to be honest while also being considerate of the person’s hard work. We try to see things objectively and provide constructive feedback without attacking an artist. I think if we can do that for others then we can also be gentle with ourselves and our work. Ultimately, the artwork and the person are two separate entities. The value that we place upon art does not decrease our value as artists and emotional human beings.

Focus on Self-improvement to Boost Self-Confidence

In order to get over art anxiety, sometimes we also need to work on ourselves. So that we can keep enhancing our capability to bring out the best in our ideas. Each time you pick up your pen or medium of choice, you are consciously pouring effort to improve your skills. We need to constantly jump over hurdles so that we can get closer to our goals. Each leap symbolizes the progress we have accomplished. The key is to keep pushing and creating despite the claws of our insecurities trying to desperately drag us down. The more we learn from our mistakes and become familiar with our art, the better we get. This in turn will boost self-confidence and trust in one’s abilities.

The Takeaway/Final Words

When I was younger, I had limited options. But I knew all I wanted to do was draw. So, I decided to follow my passion and cultivate my skills. I had another epiphany when I was still working as a full-time graphic designer. I realized that I could no longer work for strangers or on projects I didn't enjoy. Art had always been my strong suit and it was the only thing that brought me happiness at work but I wanted to forge my own path.

This was around the time that I decided to take control over my career and start a business of my own. As you might expect, I encountered a lot of challenges and setbacks, with it came anxiety and uneasiness for the future. But I managed to surpass it because ultimately, overcoming insecurity is not just about mastering a specific technique. It's also about having a strong will to live the life you desire and working towards it.

The advice I’ve given above are just a few of the things I want you to keep in mind whenever you find yourself struck with art anxiety. Even though there will always be days when insecurities get the better of us, know that, that too shall pass. If you're overwhelmed or when anxiety hinders your art—remember this: behind every good artwork are hundreds of “bad” ones that had to be changed.

So make hundreds of art, love the ones that turned out great and learn from the ones that don’t. Every art you make fortifies your art skills and creativity. There is nowhere to go but forward. Don't focus on perfect lines because it might stump your creativity instead let loose and chase after the joy of creating something uniquely yours.