It's About How You (Want To) Feel, Not The Result
You might catch yourself every so often thinking about your art, rather than actually spending time in your sketchbook. Maybe you are worried. Will be good enough? You're asking yourself if and how you can develop your own unique style. You don't dare showing your sketchbook pages to others, because you don't feel all that confident about your art. Or you worry about what people will think or say.
You are not alone.
Maybe you scroll on social media to get inspired. But it's easy and more likely to find yourself feeling intimidated instead.
We see beautiful, polished artwork, but what we don’t see are the many years of practice, the countless “fails,” and the struggles that led to that final piece. It can make us feel like we should be able to create something just as amazing. And without any effort.
It reminds me of something I read the other day. I don't remember who got quoted on this, but they said something along the lines of: "Calling someone talented is kind of an insult".
Meaning: there's an assumption the artist was born this way. It's not recognizing the effort and dedication someone has put into their craft.
I don't think it's ever meant to be insulting. It's a polite way to say you're being supportive of the artist and their art, while not knowing much about the skills behind the work.
But I digress.
It's our inner critics who encourage our inner artists to focus on the outcome, rather than the process of getting where we want to go.
Focus on how you (want to) feel
Instead of focusing on the end result, learn to focus on how you want to feel along the way.
Here's a set of questions, to help you toward it. Take a few minutes and write down your answers. Then follow up on the answer you give at question number 3
What are three words that describe your sketchbook practice as it currently is?
What are three words that describes what I want my sketchbook practice to feel to me?
What is one small thing I can do today to make that happen?
If life gets in the way, or you’re not feeling great physically or mentally, of course it will affect your art. Some days, drawing can be a wonderful escape. Other days, it’s just another thing that doesn’t go as planned. That’s normal.
There are highs and there are lows, but very often, once you get started, you will get into that wonderful creative flow, that immediately will make you feel a little bit better. And that's what I mean every time when I say: it's about the act of drawing, not the result.
On social media, I've touched upon this topic, and these are some responses that may be helpful:
"What you say is so true for artists at any level. I post my things, as they are, whether I’m thrilled with them or not. Mainly because most FB art groups have a range of beginner through expert. I’m no expert and try to encourage everyone to post, because we all need to start somewhere and no one should be embarrassed to share what they enjoy. I like a phrase I have heard in yoga classes….”start where you are”. I think it works for art on any day one creates."
"My conscious mind is interfering with my intuitive style. Instead, I switched to creating a true “junk journal” out of a large brown Amazon envelope and packaging materials, etc.. It requires little thought and I can stay in the moment, Especially since I have zero expectations and, once it’s assembled, I plan to splash around on every page."
"I have come to terms with the idea that not all art has to be a masterpiece. And it has made things a lot more fun."
"Most times, other people will love your work more than you do. And so that's why I post, even things I don't actually love. Their feedback gives me encouragement. If you have no "failures, you are working within the confines of a "safe zone." And what fun is that? We fall when we are learning to walk, because it is something new."
