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.
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.
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.
Every artist has a distinct look to their art. It is this characteristic that sets them apart from their peers and their work recognizable to the world. Artists merge and employ the different techniques and methods they've learned through the years. After trial and error, eventually they will find their artistic style.
This is observable through the colors they use, composition, the subject matter or the medium of their choice. These are just some of the main elements that constitute one’s own personal style. Since it is unique to each individual, this could have a great impact on the artist’s brand, the artwork’s desirability to potential patrons, and overall public recognition.
Don't confuse them with art movements because art styles can go beyond that. Art Styles can be reminiscent of the time period’s concepts and methods but ultimately, they are not part of the movement itself. There are a lot of different variations of art styles and listing them all is not the point of this article. We'll go through some of the popular art styles and discuss how to discover your own.
I think this one is self-explanatory. This kind of style is capturing the likeness and natural state of the subject. Realism is known for its intricate details and keen attention to the original figure. This also branches out to photorealism, where an artist replicates an image or photograph as precisely as possible. This is the closest to my own personal style, which I consider Surrealism. I do like to switch it up by choosing more vibrant colors and adding a bit of whimsical feel to my art. I enjoy combining natural subjects like flowers, stars, and animals with vibrant, futuristic color palettes. You can see it on my page freya.just.art.
On the opposite spectrum of the first, this style opts for simplicity. There usually isn’t a particular subject matter. Shapes and patterns are used to create an image. This style brings elements like composition, texture and values to the forefront and creates a striking art piece.
This type is from the Romanticism Movement. This is the period that championed the individual imagination, emotion and spirituality. Nowadays, it’s a style that is distinguishable with sharp contrasts, bright highlights and glossy finish.
Popular in a lot of animated movies and shows. From the big shots like Disney, Pixar and Cartoon Network. You can identify it by the exaggerated expressions and gestures in simplified forms. Cartooning is a preferred technique because it is easier to animate.
If you’re a Marvel fan or were a child who grew up reading comic books, then this particular art style will be no stranger to you and might even evoke some fond memories. It conveys stories through a series of panels that contain scenes or the narrative. Artists use speech bubbles to indicate conversation, thought of onomatopoeia. Artists using this style try to emulate the popular comic books by heavily emphasizing line weight variance and shadows. For colored editions, they usually rely on bold but flat colors to enhance the line art.
We can trace the origins of this style back to Japan. It’s features include but not limited to: unique hairstyles and exaggerated physical features, vivid effects and colors. In recent years, a charming mix of 2D and 3D techniques. It is synonymous to a lot of anime shows that have become dear to many of its fans, the characters are immediately recognizable even to the less avid viewer. This clearly demonstrates the power of an art style.
There are a multitude of art styles that are used by artists all over the world that have not been mentioned here. The ones I have enumerated are not even the tip of the iceberg. You can explore them on your own time and see what catches your interest and will fit your own preferences.
Personal art styles can change as the artist gains more experience and wisdom both in their craft and their own lives. It is not uncommon for beginners or those who haven’t found their own style yet to use the work of the artist’s they admire and try to mimic theirs. There is no shame in using available work as long as you’re using it as a means to educate yourself and boost your progress. I find this one the most efficient way to learn and develop your own unique art style. So, how do we go about cultivating our own unique style? I compiled a few tips to help you get started.
Your unique style or narrative is embedded in your own story. It doesn’t have to be entirely new or complex. For example, simply rearranging the form of a leaf can become a unique subject and style. Your experiences are enough to inform your own preferences and stylistic choices. Let’s say you liked to read comic books when you were a child, you might find yourself leaning towards techniques that bring out those kinds of qualities and assimilate them to your own art.
One way to discover your own art style is to study the work of other artists. I suggest selecting a couple of your favorite artists and looking through their works. From here, you can ask yourself: what specific aspect of this piece draws me in? Take note of the things you liked about it such as composition, the way they play with shadows, the line art, color scheme. Whatever it is, try to understand its main elements and try to mimic it in your drawing. There is nothing wrong with using reference as a tool for growth, expert artists also started out learning from other experts and masters they looked up to.
It's a good idea to have a look at our own art. This in itself can be quite revealing. I suggest building a visual portfolio or gallery of all the pieces that you really like and then find out what they have in common. You can begin by focusing on the similar elements, color swatches or subject matter. Then, work your way to pinpointing your specific techniques, mediums and structure. Being intimately knowledgeable on the different aspects of your creation can help you understand your own artistic inclinations. Once you’ve narrowed it down, you can focus on the elements you want to stand out the most in your succeeding pieces.
Focus on learning the basics and establishing a strong foundation. In the long run, this will be useful and it will prepare you to explore the art world broadly. Give yourself some time to develop your fundamentals so that you have a better understanding of what you can and cannot do. Get to know yourself as an artist so that you can get to know the art you want to show the world.
Another way to figure out your style is to try out different styles and mediums. It’s one thing to see it on a finished artwork but another thing to use it to create your own. If you have access to different art materials, it won’t hurt to try it out. There’s also nothing wrong with not liking a certain technique or art material. It’s totally fine to not want to do landscapes, if portraiture is more up your alley. It’s cool if you vibe with a more caricature type of drawing rather than a hyper-realistic one. The important thing is to try it and learn from it.
If you’re planning to turn your art into a business venture, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just one style because it can restrict you from trying new projects, subjects, and attracting diverse clients. To secure more clients and sustain a living as an illustrator, you need to be versatile. Remember, you’re serving the market at the end of the day. However, you can also aim to develop your style along the way and publish your work as much as possible. Remember, it’s a long game.
An art style is not just a way of expression but also a form of self-exploration. The artist embeds themselves in the very fiber of their art. In a way, we give a piece of ourselves every time we make something with our own two hands. Moreover, every decision an artist makes is attributed to their own quiet rumination and choices, intentional or otherwise. This is the reason why art styles can be really personal and unique to each artist.
If you’re a novice, don’t worry if you haven’t found yours yet, take your time in exploring the abundant options available to you. Just keep practicing and you’ll get there eventually. If you’re more of an accomplished artist, you can still benefit from trying out new and unfamiliar mediums. A break from our usual routine can provide unexpected results.
Criticism will always be part of every artist’s life. I have yet to encounter one that doesn’t receive any kind of feedback, constructive or otherwise. This is a consequence of putting ourselves out there and sharing our art to the world. We subject ourselves to the public’s gaze and judgment. It is never an easy thing to deal with harsh or negative comments on your work.
Art is for the most part, a subjective experience. When we make art, we use our own thoughts, feelings and experiences as inspiration. We essentially give a piece of ourselves and embed it into the very core of our work. This is why a lot of art can be so profound and is able to establish genuine connections. Its very essence stems from the uniqueness of the artist’s circumstances and ideas. So when that kind of work gets negative feedback, it could feel quite personal. I would know, I get them all the time, especially online. But one thing is for certain: mean comments have never stopped me from doing what I love to do—making art.
In this article, I’ve laid out a few guidelines to remember when receiving feedback. We can’t really control the opinion of others and how they choose to express that. However, we can control the way we react and internalize other’s words.
When we receive negative comments, it’s important that we don’t give hasty responses that are fueled by anger. Take the time to read and listen through their statements, and ask yourself whether they are making actual valid points or are they just internet trolls? Learn how to differentiate between individuals. Ask yourself, are they professional artists? Are they successful? Are they telling the truth? Analyze their statements logically. Don’t take it personally as there are many people who are not familiar with the process of drawing.
Receiving feedback can be daunting but also insightful. As I have mentioned, when we put ourselves and our work in the spotlight, expect for criticism to follow. Some criticisms can be a straight arrow to the heart. It never really feels good for others to throw your mistakes at your face. However, it is important that we learn how to keep our pride in check and try to be open-minded. Look at it as an opportunity to see your work in someone else’s eyes and discover weaknesses you might not have noticed before. You don’t exactly have to agree with everything but you should still be willing to listen. Take note of what others have to say for improvement.
Strive to be an honest judge of your own work. It is easy to be swept away by our emotions when we get defensive of our own work. There is no shame in feeling this way but we also have to know how to reel it in. Remember, the feedback is not on you but on your work. Genuine constructive feedback will pinpoint flaws or possibilities for improvement in your art or your process. Sometimes, it’s not a direct attack to your own person or your value as an artist.
No matter how many comments or feedback you receive, you get to decide if you want to use or ignore it. Sift through every opinion, comment or statement about your art and look through them carefully. Analyze them and pick out the ones that you think will help you improve in your art, be it with technique, color choices or something in your composition. It keeps us on our toes and forces us to learn how to adapt. It also helps us see the areas in need of improvement.
Sometimes, when people give feedback, it can be quite vague and abstract. So ask questions, not to argue but to try and start a meaningful and respectful conversation between you and your critic. Accept your mistakes graciously and be sensible in voicing out your own opinions. Those who provide constructive criticism will be willing to maturely express their thoughts and opinions to you.
There are a couple of takeaways that I would like to tackle as my final remark. If you’re into art as a hobby, you don’t need to concern yourself too much about criticism or compliments. Just keep doing your thing. The most important thing you need to focus on is to continuously improve your art. As a professional illustrator, it’s important to pay attention to the client’s critiques. The main reason is because they are paying you and will use your artwork for their business. Don’t listen to random people on the internet. They may be quick to negatively judge your artwork but are unable to give constructive feedback. If you’re a business owner of online art courses like me, criticisms are valuable. They can be little nuggets of information that is vital in improving the business. Compliments can also act as motivation to keep producing quality content.
Negative feedback is unavoidable. There will be times when you will receive a comment that just stabs you straight into the heart. But do not let it overshadow the positive feedback and encouragement you will also receive. Focusing on the brighter side will also make it easier to bear criticism. Remember, there are still people who find happiness in your work and take the time to appreciate it.
Looking to level up your Procreate game? Our guide has got you covered with all the online learning resources you need to become a digital art wizard!
Well, well, well, look who wants to level up your Procreate skills! Good news is the internet is bursting at the seams with ways to learn this incredible digital art tool. If you just google “Procreate tutorial”, you’ll see thousands upon thousands of results!
You could watch YouTube tutorials from famous artists who generously dedicates time to teach for free, join a Procreate Facebook group where you can work and learn with other aspiring artists, or even take an online course and follow a structured set of lessons. Some other popular ways to learn Procreate include reading blogs (hey! like this one!), following Instagram accounts dedicated to Procreate tips and tricks, and don’t forget attending virtual workshops and talks! In this blog, we’ll be going over just that! Let’s discover the myriad of ways we can improve our Procreate skill.
To start with, let's chat about the best free Procreate guides out there, and hopefully, we'll find something that doesn't break the bank.
While not specifically made for learning, the app's forum is one of the places you might want to go to first. You can share your work, comment on other people’s posts and overall just connect with other artists. Trust me, you'll want to make some Procreate friends because they're the ones who understand your struggles when your layers get out of control or when your Apple pencil decides to go rogue. Also! This is the place you can make suggestions about the app and the developers might just see it! You can also see upcoming and planned updates to keep up with.
As an added bonus is users frequently share free assets and there are some real gems out there for you to discover!
Next up are blogs, very much like the ones we do here! Blogs dedicated to Procreate tutorials are your run of the mill treasure troves of knowledge, full of fun (and sometimes secret) tips and tricks about the app.
Occassionally, blogs also offer step-by-step tutorials, tips on what to draw, and detailed explanations of how to use Procreate's features to create stunning digital art, to name a few. You'll get bite-sized learnings about app features like adjustments, layer styles, and even how to create your own custom brushes. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, you will also come across freebies and giveaways and we all love that!
Ah, YouTube tutorials - the digital art student's best friend. The one place we all default to when trying to learn something new. Why pay for expensive courses when you can watch someone teach you how to draw a cool flower for free? It's like getting a private lesson from Bob Ross without the afro or soothing voice (which is a huge LOSS, by the way)
Want to learn how to make your work look like traditional watercolor? There's a tutorial for that. Want to know how to make fluid animations? You guessed it, there's a tutorial for that too. Honestly, seek and ye shall find!
With all that good, there’s unfortunately bound to be some downsides. When it comes to trying to study the app, YouTube can be a lifesaver but be warned that they can also be a bit time-consuming. You start off the day ready to learn some new techniques, and before you know it, you've fallen into a rabbit hole of videos that have nothing to do with what you’re studying in the first place! We’ve all been there. It also doesn’t help that because there are thousands of videos to learn from, it’s hard to pinpoint which one would suit you best.
Another thing is, while one of the cool things about learning Procreate through YouTube tutorials is the freedom to explore— there's no set structure or curriculum to follow, so you can go around and learn at your own pace— it can also be tempting to jump from tutorial to tutorial, never really mastering any one skill. And as I’ve said, you might find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer amount of content available.
Next up, we’ll be going through the various paid guides you can find online. Some are definitely cheap and some might cost a bit more, but think of it as an investment in your digital art career. With paid guides, you'll have access to so much knowledge, structure, and expert tips that will help you unlock your full potential. Let’s get started!
The good old-fashioned way of learning - books! But not the regular books were used to, I’m talking ebooks! This is perfect for students who learns better when they read words on a page! The best thing about ebooks is that once you’ve downloaded it to your device, you don't need wifi to access them. You can also read anywhere like on your phone if you’re out travelling, unlike watching videos which can be less than comfortable doing on a smaller screen. If you're looking to improve your digital art skills, consider picking up (or downloading) a book or two - you might be surprised by how much you learn!
We’ve very recently gone through the pros and cons of Skillshare for Procreate but if you haven’t read that yet, I highly encourage it! Let’s recap some of the basic points here. With Skillshare, you can learn from industry professionals who have been there, done that! Whatever skill you want to learn, Skillshare has something for you! From classes on learning the basic fundamentals to in-depth tutorials on 3D or animation, there's no shortage of knowledge to be discovered.
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One of the more apparent cons is that the courses may not be tailored to your specific needs. There's tons of teachers and classes to choose from, so it can be a pain trying to find the perfect fit for your level and what you're into. You also won't be able to get your questions answered or get any feedback right away because everything is pre-recorded. This can be stressful for some students looking to get answers immediately and may have you feeling disconnected and isolated.
The cost can also add up if you aren't using it a lot since Skillshare has a subscription fee instead of a one-time payment. To add to that, although there are many courses available, there might still be some gaps in the topics or techniques that you can't find answers to. Just be aware of these drawbacks and make sure to use other resources to get the most out of Procreate!
If you're looking to enhance your digital art skills, taking a Procreate Masterclass course is a great way to do it. We've got step-by-step instructions AND hands-on practice and lessons so you can get up to speed with the Procreate app. With our classes, you'll learn how to make awesome illustrations, paintings, and designs. They're also fun and engaging, so you'll have a blast learning all the new skills. Procreate masterclass is a great way to upgrade your digital art skills and have fun doing it!
You get the added bonus of joining our Facebook group once you enrol in the course! There are tons of other digital artists who are obsessed with Procreate - so you'll definitely fit right in. Plus, you can use the group to show off your artwork, share tips and techniques, and get feedback or support from other members. It's a great place to make new friends, get inspired, and learn more about Procreate. Our team of admins are always available to lend a helping hand if you need it!
Keep experimenting with different methods, tools, and aesthetics to really step up your digital art. Don't be scared to change it up and check out something new. The art world is your playground, and we're here to support you! So, what are you waiting for? Let's do this and show the world what you've got
Harebell drawing tutorial using the premium brushes from the Effortless Flower Brush Set for Procreate
A Tiger Lotus illustration tutorial using the premium brushes from the Effortless Flower Brush Set for Procreate
