Here's something that might help -- I've read (somewhere, don't remember where) that the sizing of even some premium brands of watercolor paper begins to deteriorate after as little as 5 years, leading to irregular water absorption and paint lay down. Reading that finallygot me to start painting on the A4 tablets of Arches that I'd been stockpiling for when my art got "good enough". My art still isn't "good enough" but I do notice a difference in what I can do with Arches versus the budget brands I felt I deserved. (By the way, those Arches pads are at least 15 years old now, and they still paint fine as far as I can see. But why take chances in case they go to hell next year -- I'll keep painting on them now!)
@@zeldacheri This is one of the best pieces of advice I've gotten - thank you! I'm going to print it out in a large typeface and paste it to the front of the *formerly* untouchable "best paper" drawer!
@@LisbethDavies So glad it resonated with you like it did me when I read that! To be clear, the sizing deterioration has only a potential impact on the working qualities of a paper - water absorption and how the paint flows. The paper's archival quality, i.e. how long the finished work will last, is not affected by this. So paint away!
One day I decided to paint with my non dominant hand and no glasses. It has literally changed my whole approach and outlook. At first it was extremely frustrating because my hand would not respond as I wished. I finally let go and painted intuitively. It is one of my fav pieces I've done. Thank you for the reminder to let go of some perfectionism and have fun with arting!
Working with the smallest "littles" (under 3 y/o) in childcare centers, We, (as teachers) always have a motto regarding "Art time"... "Process OVER Product"! The main principle being: Allow kids to enjoy whatever they are creating, even if the final outcome doesn't look like "anything"! Did the child enjoy making art? If they did, then the outcome doesn't matter one bit.
Thanks for the pep talk. I am self taught and progressing, but for years I had stopped painting. I didn't think I was good enough and was only wasting my time. Now I try not to compare my work to others and just enjoy the process.
Yes! I am a Fluid Art artist. I started painting 2 years ago, at age 71! I MUST paint every day. I am good at it. I just got my first 2 month booking. However... I have painted well over 200 pieces. I am reluctant to share my art, because they aren't PERFECT. Your tips are so helpful. Your voice is perfect for teaching. Thank you! Oh... im the beginning of your video, when you straightened your brushes and pencil, I had to laugh. Great visual. They still weren't spaced identically!😂❤
Proudly display your art . The first painting I'd as a grown-up at the age 50 ish I put away for years. I now realise it is a wonderful work of art and proudly display it. Every work of art is a work of art
I am impressed by 'perfect' artwork. But I Enjoy the sheer charm of the imperfect. There is the pleasure of the artist in it. I wish I was so free from my BS. No so much charm in the 'perfect'. leave perfectionism to the engineers, etc. That is their burden. Hahaha!
I am an absolute beginner in water colour - I have bought beautiful watercolour paper, high pigment paints , and brushes that feel fantastic to hold - yet I haven’t use them as I can’t bear the thought of messing them up. I love that you have stated that tracing is not cheating - another fear of mine stemming from school years, as I can’t draw. All of this is stopping me from exploring and experience the joy of creating my own art. I love colour and folk art - I think I have just given myself permission to simply have fun with my painting journey. Thanks for your very helpful and insightful video.
I love to sketch and use watercolors -I have just started a nature diary and on the first page I announced to all who happen to look at it that mistakes will be made🥰
Someone once wrote me a note years ago which reads "mystery not mastery". I still have that note and I've tried to live by that when it comes to all my interests
When I find a picture I want to draw, the first thought that comes to mind is, ' What if I can't do it? " That perfectionist voice in my head. And I hesitate doing it. I try to ignore that voice, and just draw with no expectations, and draw it for the fun of it. The struggle is real!
I can absolutely recommend Anthony's Masterclass. His teaching method is methodical and detailed and allows for questions to be asked in the individual units. Well worth while.
Not always and, it also happens when you plan, concentrate and work with your style. Painting is not one size fits all. This style isn't mine but it's okay, my paintings still sell.
Thank you Anthony, I keep setting myself up , buying brushes , sketch books etc and then being very critical & disappointed with myself when it’s not good …. so today I’m going to get lost in filling pages with practice. 😂 you have inspired me 🎨🖌️
Nailed it! I can draw, and color in between the lines and feature little details well enough, but fast and loose and a hint of realism without looking like a Warner Bros. cartoon is my goal.
I’d be on your band wave until I say to myself that the Warner Bros. cartoons are superb and, wait for it, that’s why they are worldwide loved. Then I’m back squinting and dotting the “i”s.
I’m a strong perfectionist and it helps me in many ways but ruins my desire for painting, when the result is not what I expect I get very frustrated bc I know I can do better, but slowly I’m working on it. Thanks for your video, I’m sure your tips will be helpful🥰
All of the artist that paint fast and loose recommend larger and longer paint brushes. My problem is my inner ctitic wants to stop and fix ever stroke that isn't perfect so I've been trying mixed media and abstract art trying to break my need to have every stroke perfected with tons of details
I think drawing and painting from life is very important. It’s fun and definitely loosened me up. Last week I was lucky to have a chance to quickly paint an approaching thunderstorm. I was on a bench on the coast overlooking cliffs (not the wisest idea 😂) My palette was filling up with rain before I retreated 😂 but the clouds and lightning were beautiful to watch 😊
Great video tyfs. I have just found a little trick that has worked for me with a brand new sketchbook I just got (100% cotton beautiful book) I used a stencil to trace out a pattern i like and then painted that. First page done 👍 then i did a few neurographic pieces and I'm completely over the "fear" of using it. Hope this helps someone 😊
Lovely, thank you Anthony, so many people would be so much happier if they spent regular time painting and not minding too much about the outcome, warmest regards, Karen
Thank you. This is a great video for me. I don't work often enough and when I do I don't really enjoy it - yep, I don't want to waste the precious paper so don't even start!
Great video, thank you :) i struggle with this all.the.time. a couple of other ideas that are working for me to just get me started creating: 1. do something to that pristine paper to "ruin" it before you start: splash it with paint, tear it, mark it. 2. work on disposable paper: cheap printer paper paper for drawing sketches and studies, back sides of other paintings. 3. find random prompts that are unrelated to what you really want to work on.
You describe me with my writing! I have a wish to try illustrating some of my stories but perfectionism leads to procrastination. Thanks for the tips 😁
Such true words that many can resonate with. I think the best advise was painting the same subject quite a few times and see your progress thank you so much 🙌
Thank you for such a helpful presentation. It was intended for watercolor art but applies to so many other endeavors. Modelers who never build a quality kit because it may not come out perfect. Woodworkers not using the more expensive or special piece of wood. Think of all the most special materials in our collections that never get used because of such procrastination. Thank you
Yes, like the China and fancy stemware only used for special occasions. Or a beautiful dress I never wore because it had to the 'perfect' special occasion.
Yes this is me not actually using ceramic or glass in my favorite art form, mosaics. I always use heavy cardstock and dress it up to LOOK like real tessare. The techniques for doing that are really enjoyable but I still want to one day use real tiles and glass. I am afraid of wasting a lot of money and making a huge mess.
Almost all of this resonated with me, including the introvert bit. Because good paper is key for watercolour, I worked out early on to get large sheets/pads of good quality paper and cut it down to manageable sizes - not so daunting, and way more cost effective. Recently I had a friend come to my studio for the first time and she wanted to look through my stash of ‘rejects’. Even I had to admit I couldn’t see what was wrong with most of them. My inner critic frequently gets it wrong it seems! ☺️
Thankyou so much for this video. Not all of it is applicable to my situation but much of it is and it has awakened me to my "weaknesses". Thanks very much.
Anthony, Good Morning, Thank you for this very positive and inspiring video...I have worked in "The exactness" world my whole life and have tried letting go, but your video has given me a whole new perspective and I absolutely "LOVE" it. I look forward to more videos from the positive side of Can Do! This has put me on a whole new path. Thank you...and Best Wishes for a lovely day. Sincerely Kassandra.
Were the misspelled words a trick meant to show your perfectionist viewers a point? 😂. I paint in acrylics, grossly overthink my approach, and spend ridiculous amounts of time thinking, planning, and researching. I feel like you were speaking to me. I’ve started a loose painting so many times, only to revert back to details. I wrote down your words about the viewer’s eye filling in the details. I will be hanging it in my studio as I continue to strive to overcome come my perfectionism. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.
Oh, this was perfect. Wish I saw this years ago. I began my art "career" doing graphite and pen and ink. I LOVED the detail. The more complicated the better. I never figured in the time...because time flew by with every stipple dot! However, I had a yearning to do watercolor. I admit, my minute detail got in the way and things looked awful. Oh, yes, I am impatient! I took some classes that I describe as "traditional." You layered color. That meant drying in between! I got frustrated. Without knowing the term, I kept saying I wanted "watery watercolor!" The watercolor teachers I had (many) all gave the same instruction. UGH! I, by accident, during COVID found RUclips. I saw a person use pen and ink (WAIT....what? Pen and ink....MY FAVORITE!) and add swirls of watercolor. I was hooked. Now I am getting looser and looser. And, on occasion, I prove to myself that I CAN sit for hours and draw a bird wing with a million strokes. Both styles satisfy me. However, I cannot do both in the same art piece! Gotta run....I have 15 minutes before I have to meet someone. I'm hoping to splat out a watercolor before I leave! Thank you!
He's a perfectionist but I just want to make sure everything's right Haha A large part of the problem comes from how we talk to ourselves. If we tell ourselves that we are going to 'do a painting', then that can put undue pressure on ourselves to produce something 'finished', whereas if we tell ourselves that we are just going to' play around a bit' or 'try this and just see what happens', wording it these ways reduces the pressure we can put on ourselves to produce something wonderful. I find that I do a lot of my better work simply by not having any particular plan in mind, but simply going with the flow of it & seeing what happens. You have a lot of good tips there Anthony - thank you for sharing them
i love what you said here! i am so into words & what our thoughts & words do to us. it's so true, it's said that we should always talk positive which seems hard to do if you've been a pessimist all your life. so i started out lying to myself, knowing it was a lie, until one day i realised it was no longer a lie. that day changed my whole outlook on things.
@@crystalinedreams6039'Acting as if' it's called. Sometimes we just need to reframe the things we say to ourselves as I did in my first comment or an example would be 'He's indecisive,, he can't make up his mind & I've just reconsidered it' they all mean basically the same thing but they all have different effects on our neurology. By changing the language we use, we can take a lot of the pressure off ourselves to produce something truly exceptional & often by doing so, we'll amaze ourselves at what we do produce
This is great. I actually did this tonight even without realizing it. I wasn't on a particular project, I just started trying some different techniques and giving myself a break if it didn't come out right because I was just "experimenting". I ended up pleased with the results.
I recognise that what you say . I felt you were describing my ways . Strangely enough I`ve never seen myself as a perfectionist though . Maybe I`m in denial.But I do enjoy detail if only for well, my view of reality.
You describe everything that I am not😂...sometimes when everything goes wrong I put the sheet under running water and wash off the paint. Then I try again...and sometimes it works...I once wanted to paint a branch of flowers. It was a desaster...so I sprayed the paper with lots of water and sprinkled different brusho cristall colors on it. Then I went away..when I come back it turned out as a very impressive abstract painting: burning branch in a wild fire. My motto: don't give up, but it doesn't matter if it doesn't work. For example I made cards out of some pictures
Perfectionism has held me back at every aspect of my life...I'm now 51 and have all kinds of talents but won't let the world see anything I've accomplished..Perfection leads to anger,frustration and a self defeated way of thinking.My brain cant comprehend "just do it and walk away"..i overwork writig songs,drawing,painting..Not sure if perfectionism stems from OCD..Lol..Here i am trying to write the perfect comment.
Wow, that's me also, not wanting to spoil new pads, paint brushes and even paint ( which becomes unusable), ive always wanted to paint looser, I've only just painting again as I lost my confidence. I inow I'm not alone now , many thanks Anthony 😊
This sounds nuts to me. But I do a form of it because I buy a lot of beautiful materials to start on a mosaic - and till now I have not graduated from cardstock. Because I'm worried that I'll be terrible using ceramic or glass. I'm also worried that I'll make a terrible mess.
Thank you! Very practical ideas to get past the taste-talent gap! We see such beautiful art and (of course) when we are beginners, we do not have the skills or experience to replicate what we see. Unfortunately, the only way to produce to that high level of art we desire, is to practice. This means making some really ugly art art the start!! 😁 I have decided that I’m not letting anyone see my art for at least year. I’ll fling paint like mad and learn all I can. It takes away the “embarrassment” and gives me room to breathe. ❤
I had an art teacher who used a really good method for overcoming perfectionism. She placed a simple chair in front of us, gave us only two colours to use + white. She then gave us only a few minutes to fill our paper with a painting of the chair. After the initial panic, I just got on with the task quickly and was so pleased with the result. I had to throw my perfectionism out of the window and it felt like wonderful freedom.
Everything you said sounds like me! My clouds look ridiculous, can’t draw why try & from a very young age was very good at many things but parents did expect perfection from me. Have torn up paintings I did (others liked) but all I saw were places messed up 🙁. Just today used all paints used for a painting left on plate & just did any color, shapes, wet blooms and was fun. Tyvm!!
I wanted to do watercolors but I got too impatient and discouraged. I wasn't happy with my results. My husband liked them but I threw them out. I figured I'd work on something else and go back to it.I really felt compelled to work on something so I started trying other art forms that I felt more in control with. Like mosaics and epoxy resin pieces. I never did go back to watercolors yet.
Well, you described me to a T!! I asked another artist one time how to avoid seeing all the details of the subject photo and being overwhelmed by it. He said to squint your eyes, and it does help to look through my eyelashes at the subject photo!
Thank you for the great tips! You described me perfectly. An introvert and a perfectionist. I always procrastinate in just starting a painting. I’ll have the paint colors out, the line drawing on the paper and everything ready to go but that’s when I feel paralyzed to even begin, for weeks. Once I force myself to start, I’m ok unless I make a mistake. I give up after that. I realize that I can’t improve by giving up like this and I’m not making any progress. 😢
Thankyou so much for this. This video popped up when I needed it. I've been art blocked and burnt out lately, aswell as constantly doing designs I don't like. Its frustrating and exhausting. But this has really helped me to learn to be gentle with myself. Art is a process and should be enjoyed. We forget that's why we do it. So this has really given me comfort. Thankyou Anthony! This really helped! Also your voice is really relaxing! Subscribed!
Struggling with it now..when I was in business, my work being realistic, or deliberately stylised gave me a slight edge over competition, & a steady paycheck. But retired now, I find it hard to break old habits of everything being in focus. Now older, needing eyeglasses, im painting without them. When I put them on, I dont like the work. Without them its fine. So standing back from the work, it looks all right to me. I think it was monet who had bad eyesight. It turned out to be a gift to him, to see the colors & tones without sharp details. Monet, manet?? One of them, not sure?
That's me 😅 ...just watching you line up everything at the start, nailed it for me. It's been a year now and I am improving but realize it's an ongoing learning experience. Thanks for this video.
I want to thank you so much for making this video. I have struggled with all of this ever since I wanted to become an artist. The ones that hits me the strongest is about perfection and quickly finishing a painting. You see my work has been mostly with pastel pencils. To do a protest on a 9x12 PastelMat sheet, could take me upwards of 60 hours, weeks to get one finished. And yes, the details become a big part of it. In the end I usually love the finished piece, but the process to get to is, well lets just say a lot of times I stop somewhere in the painting and don't get back to it for months. And in that time I am always angry with myself for stopping, and the frustration drags me down. With that a full blown anxiety attack hits me, which hold me back from doing any art at all. I know deep down that pastel pencils are most likely not for me, and that mediums like watercolor or gouache would be more suited for me. But the learning process makes giving it a try even more anxiety. I know what to do with pastel pencils, just hate the weeks it can take to actually finish a painting. Add to that the storing of the paintings are not the easiest to deal with too. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I always find drawing time-consuming (when it's not sketching). I like drawing! But only when I'm in the right frame of mind... I'm not an expert in pastels, but if you wnat to try your hand a watercolors with some easy step by step lessons i have a few other videos here you might find useful. For example: ruclips.net/video/s9oETSzLbtU/видео.html or ruclips.net/video/eJC8OqNgIDI/видео.html Hope that helps :-)
@@WatercolorAffair Thank you. I will look at them. I am also considering your master class. I know I have to loosen up and just paint. I have to bring myself back to enjoying the process. Something I forget very often, especially when I want great details. I am not a great sketcher but I got very good painting landscapes with pastel pencils, (hate the messy fingers with soft pastels, so I stay away from them) but hate how it effects me mentally. Love art, and I know it is best for me to continue to learn it and do it, but maybe with more the approach you have mentioned in the video. Would love to see you do more videos like this in the future. Thanks and maybe I will see you in the master class.
Thank you for what might help me, I just need to paint on the first page of the sketch book at the top of the pile of empty books lol Yes you descibed me perfectly :) So want to go back to collage and resit my art course I do miss having a model, sighs
I changed my perspective. If I screw up a page, it gives me carte blanche to try anything on it, do anything to it. And I throw away my old sketchbooks. I didn't paint any works of art. I was learning & I don't need to review how bad I was when I started, so I don't need to hold on to them. Maybe I will this next set. (I have lots of active sketchbooks.) They're not quite so terrible anymore.
A former art teacher told a story of an art class. The teacher divided the class in two, half the class would be graded on perfection. She only wanted them to paint perfect paintings. The other half of the class was graded on quantity. At the end of the semester they held contest to see whose paintings were the best. Guess whose paintings were the best… (quantity, of course)!
OMG! This is so me. Everything you said resonates. I hate being such a perfectionist as it does my head in. I’m going to use your tip of using a larger brush - in fact, I’m going to use all of your tips! Thank you.
Tell me your thoughts and comments below 👇🏻 Don't miss my Fast Track to Watercolor course *The WATERCOLOR MASTERCLASS* ⭐ If you’re struggling and frustrated with watercolors and tired of not making progress, my “Masterclass” is the quickest and easiest way to master watercolor painting! Check it out here: www.watercoloraffair.com/watercolor-masterclass-for-beginners/
You have described me at every turn. I have pads that are 20 years old and untouched.
Me too!
Me too, let’s change that!
Here's something that might help -- I've read (somewhere, don't remember where) that the sizing of even some premium brands of watercolor paper begins to deteriorate after as little as 5 years, leading to irregular water absorption and paint lay down. Reading that finallygot me to start painting on the A4 tablets of Arches that I'd been stockpiling for when my art got "good enough". My art still isn't "good enough" but I do notice a difference in what I can do with Arches versus the budget brands I felt I deserved. (By the way, those Arches pads are at least 15 years old now, and they still paint fine as far as I can see. But why take chances in case they go to hell next year -- I'll keep painting on them now!)
@@zeldacheri This is one of the best pieces of advice I've gotten - thank you! I'm going to print it out in a large typeface and paste it to the front of the *formerly* untouchable "best paper" drawer!
@@LisbethDavies So glad it resonated with you like it did me when I read that! To be clear, the sizing deterioration has only a potential impact on the working qualities of a paper - water absorption and how the paint flows. The paper's archival quality, i.e. how long the finished work will last, is not affected by this. So paint away!
A quote from Ben Franklin: Steady improvement is much preferred to delayed perfectionism. Thanks for the videos!
One day I decided to paint with my non dominant hand and no glasses. It has literally changed my whole approach and outlook. At first it was extremely frustrating because my hand would not respond as I wished. I finally let go and painted intuitively. It is one of my fav pieces I've done. Thank you for the reminder to let go of some perfectionism and have fun with arting!
That sounds like a really interesting thing to do.
I will try that. Sounds like it would be freeing.
My new mantra is “Choose Progress over Perfection”. Great tips to get us perfectionist creating instead of hesitating.
Working with the smallest "littles" (under 3 y/o) in childcare centers, We, (as teachers) always have a motto regarding "Art time"...
"Process OVER Product"!
The main principle being: Allow kids to enjoy whatever they are creating, even if the final outcome doesn't look like "anything"! Did the child enjoy making art? If they did, then the outcome doesn't matter one bit.
Thanks for the pep talk. I am self taught and progressing, but for years I had stopped painting. I didn't think I was good enough and was only wasting my time. Now I try not to compare my work to others and just enjoy the process.
Thank you for giving me permission to not strive for perfection 😊 Your advice is spot on!
Yes! I am a Fluid Art artist. I started painting 2 years ago, at age 71! I MUST paint every day. I am good at it. I just got my first 2 month booking. However... I have painted well over 200 pieces. I am reluctant to share my art, because they aren't PERFECT. Your tips are so helpful. Your voice is perfect for teaching. Thank you! Oh... im the beginning of your video, when you straightened your brushes and pencil, I had to laugh. Great visual. They still weren't spaced identically!😂❤
You're awesome! Can I adopt you as my grandparent??? You're so cute 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Proudly display your art . The first painting I'd as a grown-up at the age 50 ish I put away for years. I now realise it is a wonderful work of art and proudly display it.
Every work of art is a work of art
I am impressed by 'perfect' artwork. But I Enjoy the sheer charm of the imperfect. There is the pleasure of the artist in it. I wish I was so free from my BS. No so much charm in the 'perfect'. leave perfectionism to the engineers, etc. That is their burden. Hahaha!
Good grief, you have no idea how much I needed this “therapy art session”. I feel so much better!
I am an absolute beginner in water colour - I have bought beautiful watercolour paper, high pigment paints , and brushes that feel fantastic to hold - yet I haven’t use them as I can’t bear the thought of messing them up. I love that you have stated that tracing is not cheating - another fear of mine stemming from school years, as I can’t draw. All of this is stopping me from exploring and experience the joy of creating my own art. I love colour and folk art - I think I have just given myself permission to simply have fun with my painting journey. Thanks for your very helpful and insightful video.
I love to sketch and use watercolors -I have just started a nature diary and on the first page I announced to all who happen to look at it that mistakes will be made🥰
Someone once wrote me a note years ago which reads "mystery not mastery". I still have that note and I've tried to live by that when it comes to all my interests
When I find a picture I want to draw, the first thought that comes to mind is, ' What if I can't do it? " That perfectionist voice in my head. And I hesitate doing it. I try to ignore that voice, and just draw with no expectations, and draw it for the fun of it. The struggle is real!
… does any of this sounds familiar? Yes, yes and yes!!!!!!!! 😂❤
And a big ves to the impatience thing as well
My shoulders just relaxes, and I sighed out relief. Thank you. ❤️
I can absolutely recommend Anthony's Masterclass. His teaching method is methodical and detailed and allows for questions to be asked in the individual units. Well worth while.
Thanks Alison :-)
@WatercolorAffair good to know, I'm going to sign up soon
My favourite: Magic happens when you let go... 🥰
Not always and, it also happens when you plan, concentrate and work with your style. Painting is not one size fits all. This style isn't mine but it's okay, my paintings still sell.
👍👍👍“Done is better than perfect” Thanks a lot.
Thank you Anthony, I keep setting myself up , buying brushes , sketch books etc and then being very critical & disappointed with myself when it’s not good …. so today I’m going to get lost in filling pages with practice. 😂 you have inspired me 🎨🖌️
Nailed it! I can draw, and color in between the lines and feature little details well enough, but fast and loose and a hint of realism without looking like a Warner Bros. cartoon is my goal.
I’d be on your band wave until I say to myself that the Warner Bros. cartoons are superb and, wait for it, that’s why they are worldwide loved. Then I’m back squinting and dotting the “i”s.
I’m a strong perfectionist and it helps me in many ways but ruins my desire for painting, when the result is not what I expect I get very frustrated bc I know I can do better, but slowly I’m working on it. Thanks for your video, I’m sure your tips will be helpful🥰
All of the artist that paint fast and loose recommend larger and longer paint brushes. My problem is my inner ctitic wants to stop and fix ever stroke that isn't perfect so I've been trying mixed media and abstract art trying to break my need to have every stroke perfected with tons of details
I think drawing and painting from life is very important. It’s fun and definitely loosened me up. Last week I was lucky to have a chance to quickly paint an approaching thunderstorm. I was on a bench on the coast overlooking cliffs (not the wisest idea 😂) My palette was filling up with rain before I retreated 😂 but the clouds and lightning were beautiful to watch 😊
Quick plein aire painting is an excellent antidote for perfectionism , so is any moving animal subject 🎉
Great video tyfs. I have just found a little trick that has worked for me with a brand new sketchbook I just got (100% cotton beautiful book)
I used a stencil to trace out a pattern i like and then painted that. First page done 👍 then i did a few neurographic pieces and I'm completely over the "fear" of using it. Hope this helps someone 😊
That's a good idea. Makes perfect sense & I can't believe I haven't done the same thing
I would call this strategy, "christening" your work. After this the journey begins. Very helpful idea.
Lovely, thank you Anthony, so many people would be so much happier if they spent regular time painting and not minding too much about the outcome,
warmest regards,
Karen
Thank you. This is a great video for me. I don't work often enough and when I do I don't really enjoy it - yep, I don't want to waste the precious paper so don't even start!
Great video. Im so close to breaking a 15 year dry spell!
Sooo close.. 😅
I can appreciate that.
Reading through all the comments im not alone, Thankyou…..it puts things in more perspective
Great video, thank you :) i struggle with this all.the.time. a couple of other ideas that are working for me to just get me started creating: 1. do something to that pristine paper to "ruin" it before you start: splash it with paint, tear it, mark it. 2. work on disposable paper: cheap printer paper paper for drawing sketches and studies, back sides of other paintings. 3. find random prompts that are unrelated to what you really want to work on.
You hit my nail right on the head! Great comontary too!
You describe me with my writing! I have a wish to try illustrating some of my stories but perfectionism leads to procrastination. Thanks for the tips 😁
Those were golden nuggets of wisdom and observation...thank you so much
I really like the idea of painting every day to break through stagnation. Thanks for the tips.😊😊
So he perfectly lines up his brushes and paint tubes like a fancy table setting. LOL
...and the painting isn't exactly "loosely" done 😁
It’s awesome, getting over perfectionism is challenging
I am guilty of “ classic perfectionist artist dilemma”!!
I never knew other artists felt this way.
Thank you for this video. I had the impression you were talking directly to me... 😅
Ohy goodness, have you hit the nail on the head for me!! Many thanks for these very precious helpful tips!!! ❤
Such true words that many can resonate with. I think the best advise was painting the same subject quite a few times and see your progress thank you so much 🙌
You are my Hero…..it’s as if you here with me and explaining everything. Thank you so very much.
Thank you for such a helpful presentation. It was intended for watercolor art but applies to so many other endeavors. Modelers who never build a quality kit because it may not come out perfect. Woodworkers not using the more expensive or special piece of wood. Think of all the most special materials in our collections that never get used because of such procrastination. Thank you
Yes, like the China and fancy stemware only used for special occasions. Or a beautiful dress I never wore because it had to the 'perfect' special occasion.
Yes this is me not actually using ceramic or glass in my favorite art form, mosaics. I always use heavy cardstock and dress it up to LOOK like real tessare. The techniques for doing that are really enjoyable but I still want to one day use real tiles and glass. I am afraid of wasting a lot of money and making a huge mess.
Almost all of this resonated with me, including the introvert bit. Because good paper is key for watercolour, I worked out early on to get large sheets/pads of good quality paper and cut it down to manageable sizes - not so daunting, and way more cost effective. Recently I had a friend come to my studio for the first time and she wanted to look through my stash of ‘rejects’. Even I had to admit I couldn’t see what was wrong with most of them. My inner critic frequently gets it wrong it seems! ☺️
This video was made for me!
Thank you so much for all your ideas, advice. and tips.❤
Thankyou so much for this video. Not all of it is applicable to my situation but much of it is and it has awakened me to my "weaknesses". Thanks very much.
Anthony, Good Morning, Thank you for this very positive and inspiring video...I have worked in "The exactness" world my whole life and have tried letting go, but your video has given me a whole new perspective and I absolutely "LOVE" it. I look forward to more videos from the positive side of Can Do! This has put me on a whole new path. Thank you...and Best Wishes for a lovely day. Sincerely Kassandra.
Were the misspelled words a trick meant to show your perfectionist viewers a point? 😂. I paint in acrylics, grossly overthink my approach, and spend ridiculous amounts of time thinking, planning, and researching. I feel like you were speaking to me. I’ve started a loose painting so many times, only to revert back to details. I wrote down your words about the viewer’s eye filling in the details. I will be hanging it in my studio as I continue to strive to overcome come my perfectionism. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.
Oh, this was perfect. Wish I saw this years ago. I began my art "career" doing graphite and pen and ink. I LOVED the detail. The more complicated the better. I never figured in the time...because time flew by with every stipple dot! However, I had a yearning to do watercolor. I admit, my minute detail got in the way and things looked awful. Oh, yes, I am impatient! I took some classes that I describe as "traditional." You layered color. That meant drying in between! I got frustrated. Without knowing the term, I kept saying I wanted "watery watercolor!" The watercolor teachers I had (many) all gave the same instruction. UGH! I, by accident, during COVID found RUclips. I saw a person use pen and ink (WAIT....what? Pen and ink....MY FAVORITE!) and add swirls of watercolor. I was hooked. Now I am getting looser and looser. And, on occasion, I prove to myself that I CAN sit for hours and draw a bird wing with a million strokes. Both styles satisfy me. However, I cannot do both in the same art piece! Gotta run....I have 15 minutes before I have to meet someone. I'm hoping to splat out a watercolor before I leave! Thank you!
He's a perfectionist but I just want to make sure everything's right Haha A large part of the problem comes from how we talk to ourselves. If we tell ourselves that we are going to 'do a painting', then that can put undue pressure on ourselves to produce something 'finished', whereas if we tell ourselves that we are just going to' play around a bit' or 'try this and just see what happens', wording it these ways reduces the pressure we can put on ourselves to produce something wonderful. I find that I do a lot of my better work simply by not having any particular plan in mind, but simply going with the flow of it & seeing what happens. You have a lot of good tips there Anthony - thank you for sharing them
i love what you said here! i am so into words & what our thoughts & words do to us. it's so true, it's said that we should always talk positive which seems hard to do if you've been a pessimist all your life. so i started out lying to myself, knowing it was a lie, until one day i realised it was no longer a lie. that day changed my whole outlook on things.
@@crystalinedreams6039'Acting as if' it's called. Sometimes we just need to reframe the things we say to ourselves as I did in my first comment or an example would be 'He's indecisive,, he can't make up his mind & I've just reconsidered it' they all mean basically the same thing but they all have different effects on our neurology. By changing the language we use, we can take a lot of the pressure off ourselves to produce something truly
exceptional & often by doing so, we'll amaze ourselves at what we do produce
This is great. I actually did this tonight even without realizing it. I wasn't on a particular project, I just started trying some different techniques and giving myself a break if it didn't come out right because I was just "experimenting". I ended up pleased with the results.
@@donnagelina8548 Good.I often do the same thing. It's really nice to surprise yourself with what you can do when you're not trying
That was incredibly helpful! For the algorithm.
Great video! I appreciate all of the tips and your humor is well.
I recognise that what you say . I felt you were describing my ways . Strangely enough I`ve never seen myself as a perfectionist though . Maybe I`m in denial.But I do enjoy detail if only for well, my view of reality.
You describe everything that I am not😂...sometimes when everything goes wrong I put the sheet under running water and wash off the paint. Then I try again...and sometimes it works...I once wanted to paint a branch of flowers. It was a desaster...so I sprayed the paper with lots of water and sprinkled different brusho cristall colors on it. Then I went away..when I come back it turned out as a very impressive abstract painting: burning branch in a wild fire. My motto: don't give up, but it doesn't matter if it doesn't work. For example I made cards out of some pictures
Perfectionism has held me back at every aspect of my life...I'm now 51 and have all kinds of talents but won't let the world see anything I've accomplished..Perfection leads to anger,frustration and a self defeated way of thinking.My brain cant comprehend "just do it and walk away"..i overwork writig songs,drawing,painting..Not sure if perfectionism stems from OCD..Lol..Here i am trying to write the perfect comment.
Wow, that's me also, not wanting to spoil new pads, paint brushes and even paint ( which becomes unusable), ive always wanted to paint looser, I've only just painting again as I lost my confidence. I inow I'm not alone now , many thanks Anthony 😊
This sounds nuts to me. But I do a form of it because I buy a lot of beautiful materials to start on a mosaic - and till now I have not graduated from cardstock. Because I'm worried that I'll be terrible using ceramic or glass. I'm also worried that I'll make a terrible mess.
Thank you so much! Thats exactly the point, why i don’t be creative since Years 😢 In future i will try to do it again ❤
Thank you, Anthony! For making this video ESPECIALLY FOR ME! How did you know?!? Brilliant! ♥️🙏♥️
I definitely needed this today. Thank you! Sometimes we just need to be reminded to get out of our own way.
This is so helpful. Thank you so much!
30 seconds in and I am already laughing at myself, that’s me😂
in a single word...Liberating!
Thanks so much for these tips. Every single one resonated with me. I'm going to bookmark this one because these tips will be valuable reminders!!
Gosh, you must be peaking over my shoulder. Thank you so much, you are so insightful.
Thank you! Very practical ideas to get past the taste-talent gap! We see such beautiful art and (of course) when we are beginners, we do not have the skills or experience to replicate what we see. Unfortunately, the only way to produce to that high level of art we desire, is to practice. This means making some really ugly art art the start!! 😁 I have decided that I’m not letting anyone see my art for at least year. I’ll fling paint like mad and learn all I can. It takes away the “embarrassment” and gives me room to breathe. ❤
I had an art teacher who used a really good method for overcoming perfectionism. She placed a simple chair in front of us, gave us only two colours to use + white. She then gave us only a few minutes to fill our paper with a painting of the chair. After the initial panic, I just got on with the task quickly and was so pleased with the result. I had to throw my perfectionism out of the window and it felt like wonderful freedom.
Everything you said sounds like me! My clouds look ridiculous, can’t draw why try & from a very young age was very good at many things but parents did expect perfection from me.
Have torn up paintings I did (others liked) but all I saw were places messed up 🙁.
Just today used all paints used for a painting left on plate & just did any color, shapes, wet blooms and was fun. Tyvm!!
I wanted to do watercolors but I got too impatient and discouraged. I wasn't happy with my results. My husband liked them but I threw them out. I figured I'd work on something else and go back to it.I really felt compelled to work on something so I started trying other art forms that I felt more in control with. Like mosaics and epoxy resin pieces. I never did go back to watercolors yet.
You have described me perfectly!
Well, you described me to a T!! I asked another artist one time how to avoid seeing all the details of the subject photo and being overwhelmed by it. He said to squint your eyes, and it does help to look through my eyelashes at the subject photo!
Thank you for the great tips! You described me perfectly. An introvert and a perfectionist. I always procrastinate in just starting a painting. I’ll have the paint colors out, the line drawing on the paper and everything ready to go but that’s when I feel paralyzed to even begin, for weeks. Once I force myself to start, I’m ok unless I make a mistake. I give up after that. I realize that I can’t improve by giving up like this and I’m not making any progress. 😢
Appreciate your advice. Really helps.
Thankyou so much for this. This video popped up when I needed it. I've been art blocked and burnt out lately, aswell as constantly doing designs I don't like. Its frustrating and exhausting.
But this has really helped me to learn to be gentle with myself. Art is a process and should be enjoyed. We forget that's why we do it. So this has really given me comfort.
Thankyou Anthony! This really helped! Also your voice is really relaxing! Subscribed!
This was about me😊. Thank you very much for your great and smart advices❤❤❤
Struggling with it now..when I was in business, my work being realistic, or deliberately stylised gave me a slight edge over competition, & a steady paycheck. But retired now, I find it hard to break old habits of everything being in focus. Now older, needing eyeglasses, im painting without them. When I put them on, I dont like the work. Without them its fine. So standing back from the work, it looks all right to me. I think it was monet who had bad eyesight. It turned out to be a gift to him, to see the colors & tones without sharp details. Monet, manet?? One of them, not sure?
Great reminders! Thank you 🙏
That's me 😅 ...just watching you line up everything at the start, nailed it for me. It's been a year now and I am improving but realize it's an ongoing learning experience. Thanks for this video.
I want to thank you so much for making this video. I have struggled with all of this ever since I wanted to become an artist. The ones that hits me the strongest is about perfection and quickly finishing a painting. You see my work has been mostly with pastel pencils. To do a protest on a 9x12 PastelMat sheet, could take me upwards of 60 hours, weeks to get one finished. And yes, the details become a big part of it. In the end I usually love the finished piece, but the process to get to is, well lets just say a lot of times I stop somewhere in the painting and don't get back to it for months. And in that time I am always angry with myself for stopping, and the frustration drags me down. With that a full blown anxiety attack hits me, which hold me back from doing any art at all. I know deep down that pastel pencils are most likely not for me, and that mediums like watercolor or gouache would be more suited for me. But the learning process makes giving it a try even more anxiety. I know what to do with pastel pencils, just hate the weeks it can take to actually finish a painting. Add to that the storing of the paintings are not the easiest to deal with too. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I always find drawing time-consuming (when it's not sketching). I like drawing! But only when I'm in the right frame of mind... I'm not an expert in pastels, but if you wnat to try your hand a watercolors with some easy step by step lessons i have a few other videos here you might find useful. For example:
ruclips.net/video/s9oETSzLbtU/видео.html
or
ruclips.net/video/eJC8OqNgIDI/видео.html
Hope that helps :-)
@@WatercolorAffair Thank you. I will look at them. I am also considering your master class. I know I have to loosen up and just paint. I have to bring myself back to enjoying the process. Something I forget very often, especially when I want great details. I am not a great sketcher but I got very good painting landscapes with pastel pencils, (hate the messy fingers with soft pastels, so I stay away from them) but hate how it effects me mentally. Love art, and I know it is best for me to continue to learn it and do it, but maybe with more the approach you have mentioned in the video. Would love to see you do more videos like this in the future. Thanks and maybe I will see you in the master class.
I soooo needed this - thank you, a million times over ❤
Such good advice that I've saved it. Defo true for me.
You're correct , all your tips hit home...Thank-you 😊
Thank you for this video!❤
I’ve tried to loosen up but find it impossible.
Thank you. Every tip here was a good bonustip 😊
Lovely informative video, thank you
Thank you for what might help me, I just need to paint on the first page of the sketch book at the top of the pile of empty books lol Yes you descibed me perfectly :) So want to go back to collage and resit my art course I do miss having a model, sighs
I needed that, thank you.
I changed my perspective. If I screw up a page, it gives me carte blanche to try anything on it, do anything to it. And I throw away my old sketchbooks. I didn't paint any works of art. I was learning & I don't need to review how bad I was when I started, so I don't need to hold on to them. Maybe I will this next set. (I have lots of active sketchbooks.) They're not quite so terrible anymore.
Thank you Thank you, as you for this enlightenment, being a Realist has slowed down my progress. I’m trying to slow down and let what happens happen…
Great video. Good sound advice. Beautiful outcome with yourwatercolor.😊👍💯
Thanks, Anthony ! Very inspiring and motivating.
A former art teacher told a story of an art class. The teacher divided the class in two, half the class would be graded on perfection. She only wanted them to paint perfect paintings. The other half of the class was graded on quantity. At the end of the semester they held contest to see whose paintings were the best. Guess whose paintings were the best… (quantity, of course)!
Impatience… I know all about that 😂😅
Great..... very good advice/ suggestions
Thanks
Me ... exactly. Good, sound advice! Thank you. ❤
Thank you for this video - I will take it to heart
OMG! This is so me. Everything you said resonates. I hate being such a perfectionist as it does my head in. I’m going to use your tip of using a larger brush - in fact, I’m going to use all of your tips! Thank you.
Tell me your thoughts and comments below 👇🏻
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Just do it, people! ☺️
I well needed that advice thank u x
Thanks for the suggestion...I am afraid to use a new sketchbook due to my perfectionist attitude...
Thank you so much for these wonderful tips!
Mine was poverty...my parents didn't have the money, as soon I could buy my own.... but I still struggle with messing up. You have explained so much.
Very important tips!
Thank you for this RUclips. I am a perfectionist too. That alone has me get a slow start and it is probably due to the fear of failure.
Im guilty of trying to be precise. I always overwork the painting.
lol.....your description of a perfectionist describes me perfectly.