Overcoming Perfectionism in Art: Embracing Imperfection and Growth
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- Do you struggle with perfectionism that sabotages your art?
Perhaps you avoid your home studio or refuse to finish an artwork because of what might go wrong?
Hey there! 👋 I'm Carrie. Here on Artist Strong I help self-taught artists who have a home studio, feeling stuck with their art, move from wondering what’s next to confidently expressing themselves through unique, original art.
Today let’s define perfectionism, recognize how and where it shows up for us, and what we can do about it so that we make more art.
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Thank you for the reminder that perfectionism isn’t a character flaw, something to suppress, and that being "cured" of it isn’t likely to happen, anyway. Perfectionism is also a powerful tool so using it and managing it is a much more reasonable (and practical) goal.
@@manuelapenela1924 thank you for taking the time to comment and watch!
I do switch practices in mediums when I am burned out, blocked or need to, like collage work, painting papers for future collages, or do pastels, gouache, or acrylics , sew, quilt, learn embroidery stitches, or bake new recipes!
Thank you again for sharing!
Perfectionism can keep you from improving because it cripples you. Striving to become better can empower you.
I did Inktober in 2022. At first I did small ink sketches and kept ahead of schedule. But after a week that wasn't enough. I wanted colour. That doubled the time I needed to finish the picture. And from A6 I went to A5 to A4 and even A3. Of course, working a fulltime job I wasn't able to keep up any longer. I decided "anything will do", even bad art as long as I finished Inktober. After some bad pictures of which I knew I could have been better if I had spent more time on them, I gave up the idea of finishing Inktober in October. So I finished my last Inktober picture by January. And still: I felt an enormous sense of accomplishment and was very happy with myself and my art! I DID learn ALOT in those months! But it had been very exhausting and I needed a break from art. And that was a huge mistake. My expectations had become so high, I found it difficult to get back into art again. After months of not creating art I started with very low threshold art: prompt books like "Wreck this journal" or decorating my traveller's notebook calender. I enjoyed being creative again but was terrified of ruining my sketchbook that already held pieces I liked. So I started a new sketchbook which was explicitly dedicated to contain bad art. Until I painted a picture I liked. And there was the fear again to ruin a sketchbook. At present I follow the "at least one stroke a day" rule: Pick up a sketchbook and draw at least one line. So far the trick has worked. Once I have overcome the threshold I keep at drawing and painting for at least half an hour, often one or two hours, sometimes more. I accept if it doesn't turn out good but go on until I find the result acceptable. There is always the ugly state of a painting which you have to overcome!
To make a long tale short: If you harness your perfectionism, it can help you improve. But allow yourself imperfect result. The most important thing is to show up and keep going, even if it's just a one-minute sketch. Maybe tomorrow you'll work on that sketch another minute, or 10 or 100. Or you start something new. If you improve 1 % a day, there is still improvement. If you don't even show up, you lose all your progress. So show up!
Yes! I have an article about setting up a low threshhold starting point.... I love your work of low threshhold - I talk about having a super small daily commitment: ruclips.net/video/wCrW536SD5c/видео.htmlsi=I5GCVP8jfzRvz5R5
I love what you have to say here and I hope more perfectionists hear what you've shared and start to show up for their art too!
@@artiststrong I have only discovered you today. I have watched some of your videos and what you say resonates with me (subscribed! Of course!)! I particularly love your signing off phrase! 😁👍
@@anjapinkau3737 thank you Anja! It's something I need to hear repeatedly so I thought, why not remind everyone? :) I'm so glad you like what you're seeing here. Thanks for joining Artist Strong here on YT :)
Great ideas!😊
@@anjapinkau3737I just discovered this site and wonderful artist tonight and am delighted to find her discussing issues that plague many of us! 😊😊😊❤
I do switch practices in mediums when I am burned out, blocked or ❤need to, like collage work, painting papers for future collages, or do pastels, gouache, or acrylics , sew, quilt, learn embroidery stitches, or bake new recipes! I also go outside in nature to restore my soul and might find observing an unusual plant or bug inspires me for new art!
I love hearing how others help reconnect to their work and step aware from perfectionism. I hope it inspires others, too.
So. Much. I grew up with a father who would literally say "if you're going to do something, do it right (aka perfectly), or don't bother doing it at all". I get artist's and writers block any time I try to materialize an idea that's important to me. Thank you for this video
Ana I'm so sorry. I would come home from school and be asked why I had an A-minus instead of an A-plus. My grades never felt good enough, and neither did my art. I hope you find some space to grieve this message you've internalized and release it. The world is better off with your art.
This video was so helpful…thank you! 😀👋
@@deannamcnamara1745 I’m so glad to hear it!!!
I tend to aim for perfection every time I produce art, I procrastinate, i cogitate and agitate and fill myself with self hate….sorry, my rhyming obsession betrays me ! 😊I tell myself no one will be interested in my work, whenever I share a piece with friends or family, I gauge the success of my work based on their facial and verbal reactions, which often sadly influences my thinking that it’s not up to par. Not always, and I do not complete some work. Am I able to consider myself an artist? Lots of doubt but boy when I paint, most times I’m in my happy place!
You are an artist.
I think I don’t need a psychologist anymore
thanks I think? In all seriousness, perfectionism can be quite toxic and I think we should get all the help we can to overcome any negatively induced behaviors. Therapy can be such a valuable tool in our toolkit for mental health.