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Question: I'm so discouraged! Advice!?
About 5 years ago when I was about 14, I gave up drawing!. I had always been told that I had talent when It came to visual arts!. But, because I'm a perfectionist, I find it very difficult!. So after a recent break up, I decided to take up drawing again as an escape!. I've been doing great, and I'm really proud of what I accomplished!. But as soon as I think it's not going to turn out perfect, I just tear out the page and throw it out!. I get so discouraged!. So, when I get frustrated, I'm trying to just put my sketchbook away, and open it when I'm more relaxed, but the past few drawings I've done haven't turned out as good as I wanted them to!. And now I'm discouraged again!. I don't want to give it up again!. I'm just wondering if anyone can give me advice to stick to it, or if anyone else ever gets this way!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
I used to be a perfectionist when i started!. or anally retentive as my tutor said!. what he taught me is all the wonderful things you can create once you let go and start experimenting with your work!. he always used to tell me never be precious with your work!. Hmm!. then again he also said treat each new work as if it was your last!.

but the golden rule is Never throw away your work!. even when you know its not quite right!. because this is your most important teacher!. from all your old work you can stand back in a few years time and see just how much you have progressed!. without that you keep thinking to yourself, i'm not getting anywhere this is crap!. whether its perfect or not doesn't mean its good or bad art either!. and if you become a succcessful artist in the future, you old work could become valuable!.

But it is also a valuable resource for when you get artists block!. you should also be doing rough sketches of work you want to do, or stuff your just thinking about doing!. or just ideas!. when your stuck you just go back to an idea you thought of and dig the sketches out!.

it can be quite nostagic too sometimes to go back through your old work!. it can bring back happy memories of when you did them and why!.


BA(Hons), FMA!. Fine ArtWww@QuestionHome@Com

When I feel discouraged I like to try an alternative medium – like collage or sculpture, I don't aim for perfection more find an inspiration in the process!.

Try sticking a large sheet of paper on the wall, attaching a piece of charcoal to the end of a stick and draw at arms length revel in the marks you make, don't expect or look for perfection!. Keep everything (I have sketchbooks older than you)!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Even if you hate how a picture turns out, never throw it away!. Just flip the page and start something else!. That way in a few months time you'll stumble over all your older drawings in the one place and realize how much you actually have improved :) You can't learn from your mistakes if you don't keep them around to see!.
Its good that you're a perfectionist as an artist; most of the time it really helps to improve your skill!. But you also have to learn to be a bit freer with what you do!. Try some speed sketches; give yourself 2 minutes to quickly sketch out a lose human form or animal form!. Once you hit 2 minutes stop, analyze how you did, and then start a new different one!. You can learn to manage your time and speed and also let a little of your perfectionism slide !.!.!. good luck :)
Www@QuestionHome@Com

First of all, the ideology of celebrating a work of art that is executed to hyper-realism is misleading to those who know nothing about art!. Just because someone makes a drawing of something that looks exactly like the object is not a reason to praise it!. that is why the camera was invented!. On top of that, there are literally millions of artist who can do it much better we could!. your just showing skill!. so get over that idea of making it perfect!. we live in a imperfect world!.

The thing that really counts is imagination!. Having a graphic imagination allows you to create endless possibilities of artwork, that skill will allow you to produce it!. You attain skill through practice and keen understanding of whatever area you choose to go!.

The frustration part,!.!.!.!.!.!.!. you are your own worst enemy!. Emotion is a god giving thing that allows us to cry,laugh,hate,love,create,destroy!.!.!.!.!.t!.!.!. are superfluicies of our influences and environment!. change the negative ones and focus on the positive ones!. I know its hard to look past Friday night but you have a choice to do so or not!. The connection of art and your emotions is blocked by issues only you know!.

Art as a relief or escape!.!.!.!.!.i dont want you to be ill informed!.!.!.!.art is not an escape or therapeutic!.!.!. art is work!. those who are gifted in art produce wonderful works of art with little effort!. The rest of us have to WORK harder at it!.

Finally, dont give up on your dreams, if art is really what you were made for, your passion will take you there!. The rest will work itself out!.

good luckWww@QuestionHome@Com

As an artist I go through this quite a bit myself, even as a professional!. A successful peer of mine once said to "make bad art"!.!.!. which is basically meant to motivate to you keep creating and work through what you perceive as failures!.!.!. just keep making art!. You'll get better and as you get better your standards will raise and you'll have success!. Not every painting/drawing will be a hit but the more you make, the more successes you'll have!.

Here's a great book that is a huge hit with artists:

"Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking" by David Bayles and Ted Orland!.

Every artist struggles and very rarely does the final product look exactly like what you had envisioned!.

Keep crankin'!Www@QuestionHome@Com

I know what you mean, because the feeling of being discouraged is extremely familiar to me!.
The annoying thing is that you can only get more perfect by practicing, and obviously that's where the main problem lies!. The process of practicing is very painful, because when you mess up, you feel terrible!. And then you cannot continue!. However, I strongly suggest that you do!.
Personally, to try to get over it, I try to shut out the little voices and think of Damien Hirst!. If he's considered an artist, heck, I know it's possible for me! I have a book that I got for a couple of pounds at a discount stationary shop, and when ever I feel like drawing, I just force myself to!. Since it's a book (and has a very nice cover), I don't dare tear out the page or scribble over it!. In turn, this kind of motivates me to draw it better, and even if I make a mistake it can stay there and remind me to get better!. It's still painful, but it's like medicine- hurting to make you better, eventually!.
I cannot emphasise perserverence enough!. After ages of practicing, you will realise how much better you've become, and it will really give you a great sense of satisfaction!.
I think overall, it's best not to pressurise yourself!. Draw as you want to, according to feeling, not according to some duty you feel you should have!. Use drawing to relax, not to stress yourself out!. Try drawing a couple of things every day, and then do something to make yourself feel better if you're stressed, something that you know you're good at!. I make a cake or do housework if I feel down!.

I hope this isn't too wordy, and above all I hope it's of some use!. Good luck, and keep trying!Www@QuestionHome@Com