Artist Perfectionist
- Carol Gong
- Oct 23, 2020
- 2 min read
You sit there, staring at the blank sheet of paper or canvas sitting in front of you. There are so many ideas in your head, and they are all waiting to take a physical form (or digital, whatever medium works for you)! However, despite your excitement, you just can't seem to muster the courage to draw. The pure emptiness of your canvas is intimidating, and you bury your face in your hands in frustration.
This is a phenomenon many artists know all too well. The fear of producing something because it might turn out imperfect. The high standards we hold ourselves to.
I have been drawing since second grade. I could always be found with a crayon in my hand and a pile of papers by my side. It was clear I loved doing it. I did keep my passion for drawing well into my teens. However, there is one difference between drawing as a child and drawing as a teenager. When I was younger, I just drew. I didn't care whether it turned out perfect or not. It was just a fun activity for me. As I got older, I found that a blank canvas became more intimidating. I started posting my art on social media, and I noticed that I felt more pressure to make each piece perfect so that it would attract attention. The simple act of putting the tip of my brush on my canvas became an obstacle to be overcome.
It doesn't have to be this way, though. This way of thinking is definitely hard to break, but it is worth trying. Nobody deserves to be left feeling inadequate while being themselves.
Currently, I am in no way completely over this mindset. I still do struggle with it sometimes. But, how am I trying to overcome it? I am coming to terms that the value of my art is not defined by the number of likes or shares I have on social media. I will accept that I will improve my skills as time passes; making good art is a journey. Lastly, I will value every piece of my art, whether it's a work-in-progress, a quick sketch, or a fully finished piece. Will this be an overnight transformation? Absolutely not, but that is okay. After all, just like art, improving my mindset is a lifetime goal.
You wrote about the idea of perfectionism while producing art well. My grandpa gave me tips when I started drawing at a young age. He was a full-time artist himself. As I grew up, I pressured myself to create artwork as good as his, which led to unrealistic standards and stress whenever I started a new art project. Like you, I have been working on developing a better and more positive mindset while creating art.
I liked this article. I relate very much to the idea of perfectionism, especially from the perspective of an artist. I have also enjoyed drawing and creating art from a young age, and I agree that it first feels very fun, but can quickly turn into a hateful competition against yourself the more skilled you become. I loved how you gave insight on how you have attempted to overcome this toxic perfectionism. I also appreciated how you were honest about where you are in your journey, especially because it is normal for all of us to feel insecure about our creations sometimes. Your art is absolutely stunning! I cannot praise it enough.