How do you gain artistic confidence?

SUSBUN·8/14/2015, 1:27:07 AM·6 votes·1,030 views

I’m tired of my artwork not being good enough. Mom, Family, friends. They've won, I’ve ripped up all my favourite drawings, I’ve thrown them all away. I’ve broke all my art supplies. Will I never need them? I try to draw after 6 months of refusing to. It’s all pointless. I’ll go forever without doing it. Whats the point of making artwork if your the only one who enjoys it? There's so many artists out there; the profession is dead to get into so all your dreams of ever becoming one are 1/1000.

Why ever even draw again?

So this is what it feels like to have all your dreams **die. **

Can any of the artists/drawers here tell me how they push though this? Getting up after rejection hurts after it happens all the while. Should I just give up drawing altogether?

11 Comments

Crett8/14/2015, 2:15:08 AM4 votes

You're the only one who needs to enjoy your art. That's the most important thing about it.

Count Buffon8/14/2015, 1:39:37 AM3 votes

Art is super hard. I don't know how anyone does it. And even if you make it, you'll probably spend so much time working to someone else's specifications that you'll hardly have time to work on anything that means anything to you personally anyway.

http://www.theonion.com/blogpost/find-the-thing-youre-most-passionate-about-then-do-31742

3lancer8/14/2015, 4:46:05 AM3 votes

How do you expect to improve when you keep giving up and quitting.

Art is about patience. Can you improve all of your techniques in one day? No you have to gradually get better

Deep Terror Nami8/14/2015, 1:29:46 AM2 votes

Please tell me you're joking.

Master Pendragon8/14/2015, 5:46:13 AM2 votes

I don't think you need artistic confidence, but rather confidence in general. Judging from your post, you seem to give an aura of disappointment, regret, and worthlessness. This may sound really cheesy, but try to believe in yourself more. Give yourself that motivation that you CAN do it and you WILL do it. Having a mindset that only pushes you further down might as well be dead already. Instill in yourself a brighter mindset and keep at it. Over time, it will be natural and rote.

THEN focus on artistic confidence. Using that confidence you already have, you can get rid of those obstacles that block your way.

"Why ever even draw again?" Well, ask yourself. Why do you draw? Some people draw because it's their job. For some, it's casual. For some, it's fun. I know I draw because I love to draw. I even push myself to draw in styles that I don't particularly enjoy, but it's to gain a better understanding and breadth of knowledge. When I started out, I thought foundation studies and practices suck (Your usual pots, vases, still life, people, etc.). I thought traditional and old style art sucked. But y'know I did it, and I don't regret it. It taught me so much even though I kinda hated it.

And about your family and friends who criticize your artwork (without constructive criticism I assume), it's kind of a two-way street. It's one thing to ignore them. And honestly, that what I think you should do FOR THE TIME BEING. But once you gain your artistic confidence, and they still say the same thing, you should probably do some studies on how to make your artwork better. Now there's always that "my family don't approve of me making a living doing art" shit. Either try making a compromise or just ignore them (I really wouldn't do the latter if you're not an adult with a bright future ahead of you). For example, in my position, I do want to go into a field of art, visual stuff, etc., but to my parents (more my mom than dad) art is a low-paying job. As a result, I told myself that I could combine the fields of art and technology and go into a field like the gaming industry.

So that's my advice to you. You can either do something about your situation using the advice or leave it be. It's your choice. Also, some artistic advice if you need it: It's the little things that count.

Krigjer8/14/2015, 5:01:07 AM1 votes

Honestly; fuck other people when they tell you to give up something you enjoy.

I'm lucky enough to have family that encouraged me when I showed an interest in art. I don't get the feeling of rejection, but I do sometimes feel like I'll never be at the level I want to be, and that I'm just wasting my time.

This is a fantastic motivator for me when I'm feeling like I'll never improve: http://36.media.tumblr.com/27bc6cd15e418a8bc984a308cb28d848/tumblr_ncrqo05jqC1qczumoo1_r1_500.jpg

http://40.media.tumblr.com/00077c1550556f4d74ba33b43e2f292e/tumblr_ncrqo05jqC1qczumoo2_500.jpg

Keep drawing. Never stop. You WILL improve.

Linna Excel8/14/2015, 5:04:31 AM1 votes

Draw because you love to.

As for confidence, I don't think you ever fully get it because as you get better, your standards go higher too. Being an artist is about learning to juggle this is great with this is terrible at the same time with the same work. However if you can learn to look at your work objectively, it helps to see where you are compared to where you want to be.