Allowing yourself to fail as an artist

Introduction

Let’s be honest, we all go through periods where our art does not meet our expectations (when it sucks!). It’s totally normal to feel down or even feel like giving up altogether at times. Whether it’s a lack of inspiration or difficulty mastering a new technique, these obstacles can be very frustrating.

But don’t worry, failed drawings are an essential part of the creative process, as it leads to progress and growth. It's important to remember that a failure isn't truly a failure if you keep going. This is what is referred to as the "growth mindset". By embracing this mindset, we can continue to push ourselves and take our work to new heights.

What is a Growth Mindset?

The growth mindset is a way of thinking that focuses on effort and perseverance, rather than natural talent or skill. This means that we believe in ourselves and know that with hard work and dedication, we can improve and achieve our goals.

If you're an artist, this mindset is particularly important because you face creative challenges that can be tough to overcome. You will make mistakes and experience failure, but remember that these are opportunities to learn and grow, and every artist experiences them on their creative journey.

How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset

So how do you grow a growth mindset? It takes practice, but there are several things you can do to develop this way of thinking. Firstly, it’s important to reframe the way you think about failure. Instead of viewing it as a negative thing, approach it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Secondly, focus on progress rather than perfection. Finally, surround yourself with supportive people who encourage you to take risks and try new things.

For me personally, doing challenges like a 365 or 100 day-challenge has really helped with this. Since I draw every day, the pressure is lower. It’s like my subconscious is telling me: “It’s ok, no big deal, you’ll get another chance again tomorrow.”

Being Vulnerable

One of the reasons why we struggle with failure is that it makes us feel vulnerable. When we put our work out into the world, we are exposing ourselves to criticism and rejection. And even if we don’t show our work to anyone, our worst criticism often come from ourselves. It can be hard to accept that our work is not perfect, especially when we have invested so much time and energy into it. But being vulnerable can also be a necessary part of the creative process.

I’ve shared my failed drawings on Instagram a couple of times and let me tell you, it’s quite scary! But I’ve gotten 100% kind feedback where people appreciate my vulnerability. Also, what I perceive as a failure may not look like it to someone else which is also a good thing to remember.

Conclusion

In conclusion, being allowed to fail as an artist is essential for growth and progress. It’s through our failures that we learn and improve, and become better artists. By embracing our vulnerability and adopting a growth mindset, we can overcome our fear of failure and just keep creating. So don't be afraid to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. Remember, every artist fails at some point, but it is those who persevere and keep pushing themselves that ultimately succeed.

So keep creating and never give up on your artistic dreams! You never know, your next masterpiece could be just around the corner.