This expresses what so many of us feel! The "training" period for artists is extremely long, so we feel that drive to constantly exceed our limits well into our careers. Some artists we know make a distinction in their work between craft- the physical aspects that have to meet specific standards- and the "art"- the unique, subjective, and intangible way in which the craft is applied. That helps set objective targets for things like surface quality, proportion, likeness, paint handling, and makes them into achievables (or at least reasonable aspirations) so that personal expression always has room to live and breathe, no matter where we are in our development.
Oh I like that, the idea of separating the craft elements from the art elements when evaluating one’s work. I think it is important to find balance in both :)
Professional toxic perfectionist here. Actually took a 2 year long artblock and stoped all my online art pages. Huge relief and got me to step bacj, relax, and actually properly reflect on all of my art journey. This year I started learning to do ugly, childish sketches. Perfectionist still kicks in and i think generally, it always will. But I notice I am impriving at recognising that little inner bastard on the spot and calming it down. I dont have the goal of making a perfect drawing, at least for now, as i am generally re-learning drawing from the beginning. So my main goal for any art or sketch I do now, is just to do it. It took actually few months from the first time I said to myself I closed down my artblock, to me now actively drawing and enjoying it again in full. All that time what I couldnt do, was just to force myself to do it. It was a step outside of my comfort bubble, as well as the fact that I am not used to sketch after such a long break. Now I am consistently forcing myself to make sketches and I love it. Its like surfing, maybe.. Here comes a metaphor: the whole process reminds me of crossing a wave. I need to force myself to swim through it, and its tough at the very start. But as soon as I crossed it I feel joy. And the next wave is a little easier to go through. Yeah i tried surfing last summer and I hurted my toe so no surfing for me any time soon, the bastard still healing 😢
That's great, so happy to hear you got through your block and found joy in creating again! I love the surfing metaphor, it's so true. It sounds like you are on the right track, keep it up 😃🙌
Thank you, Christina. This really helped me as someone still struggling with perfectionism in creativity. When I start up art of any kind again, I have a similar issue that I hyperfocus on just one piece for a long time. And because of that, I put so much pressure on myself to make it good. I also inevitably bring it up with friends/family, and they tend to want to look at it, thus adding more pressure. I used to love art, but since I graduated with my art degree (2021), I haven't touched any art activity since. I'm trying to get the courage to start again, and I'm getting close. Hearing your story is certainly helping
So glad you found it helpful! Your story really sounds a lot like mine. And I totally know what you mean about pressure from friends and family. I actually won't let anyone see my work in progress because it really messes with my process. Maybe you can give something like daily painting, or daily sketching, a try. Something simple with no pressure, to rediscover the joy in creating :) Good luck ❤️
I am in this drought right now because I couldn't get myself to make art during peak inspiration because i knew it would not come close to the way i needed it to look. I am glad at least that it sounds like there is a way out. Me too. I used to draw on the back of math tests. You have such a positive outlook on things. i really appreciate that.
I feel that. The nice thing is you can work on your craft/technique even when you aren’t very inspired. Then when inspiration hits you will have the skills you need (or at least be a little better than before!)
Thanks so much for your insight and book recommendation. I think, the perfectionist workbook will really help! I went through CBT therapy for a while for social skills but I never really thought there was anything out there for my perfectionist obsession for art. I"ve really been struggling. Anyway thanks!
wow I really need it right now!!! thanks for all the tips. I'm not as bad as you were that you were scared of painting, (not yet....) I enjoy painting, I feel satisfied of how beautiful the result is, I'm proud of that I'm able to recreate the whole photo on the canvas. my families are all saying: "wow, it is so beautiful, so real, like a photo, I thought it is a photo....." but only I know that it is not what I want, I want more than just copying the photo, but I don't know how and I'm afraid of showing my bad skill, I'm afraid of looking at a failed ugly painting, maybe I need to start somewhere, slowly, do the change. ok I'm going to start with using a bigger brush to paint live objects and limit how many brush strokes I can use. like use 10 strokes to paint an apple something.
Perfection in Art hurts and talent in draftsmanship also hurts because students who draw with perfect likeness breeze through Art classes without even trying but the down side they never ask hard questions about what it is to be an Artist unless they push themselves or get pushed by their mentors.
Hey Chriss! i just want to tell you the gossip that i am getting spammed with your videos and shorts in my YT feed, so keep up the good work! the algorithm is being a good boi with you! lol! My best regards for you!!!!
I can relate to this! I’ve just started daily painting however I still find I’m spending 5-8 hours on a 6x6”! I’ve just swapped the panel size but not ditched the perfectionism 😂 I haven’t been using bigger brushes though (currently sizes 2-6 but mostly 2 ha ha) so I’m going to try that approach next week. Nothing below a 6 & see what that does. In your larger paintings, are these mostly still done Alla Prima? Thanks again for the relatable content 😊
I feel you! I used to spend so much time on all of my paintings, even the tiniest ones. I think bigger brushes will help, and also setting a time limit was a game-changer. for me. Regarding my larger paintings, I do those in multiple layers.
Productivity and perfectionism is standing in the way of play…and I don’t even have skills or a practice yet. I can’t even get far out of the gate. Any suggestions?! Thanks for sharing for a total newb.
That's a great question. I find when I want to get into a "play" mindset, it can help to try a medium that I haven't used before, or explore a new technique. I'll look for a youtube video or online class that explores something new, and give it a try. Because it is new to me, I don't feel like I need to "be perfect" or even do it well, and it's much easier to just have fun :)
Oh yes, I'm intimately familiar with this, except I didn't focus on photo-realism. Did you start with the CBT workbook? I know you're right but I'm still struggling to get started! Right now it still feels too difficult, even though I started with small canvases.
Sorry to hear about the struggle, Jay :( Yes, I started with the workbook and then did the class afterwards. Maybe it can help you as well! You can also try working with some medium that you are less familiar with, like collage, oil pastel, etc., so there is even less pressure to make "art". Good luck ❤️
For me, painting is a way to express a lot with minimal means. I think it is a mistake to try to draw everything in as much detail as possible. The great joy of painting is the ability to draw reality with an amazingly minimal number of strokes. For example, see John Singer Sargent. And a perfectionism here is to achieve this laconcal way to express.
I just don't understand why I feel so aware of the issues its causing me yet still find it hard to escape from
I feel you! Awareness is the first step, but it takes repeated practice to break the habit.
This expresses what so many of us feel! The "training" period for artists is extremely long, so we feel that drive to constantly exceed our limits well into our careers. Some artists we know make a distinction in their work between craft- the physical aspects that have to meet specific standards- and the "art"- the unique, subjective, and intangible way in which the craft is applied. That helps set objective targets for things like surface quality, proportion, likeness, paint handling, and makes them into achievables (or at least reasonable aspirations) so that personal expression always has room to live and breathe, no matter where we are in our development.
Oh I like that, the idea of separating the craft elements from the art elements when evaluating one’s work. I think it is important to find balance in both :)
Professional toxic perfectionist here. Actually took a 2 year long artblock and stoped all my online art pages. Huge relief and got me to step bacj, relax, and actually properly reflect on all of my art journey. This year I started learning to do ugly, childish sketches. Perfectionist still kicks in and i think generally, it always will. But I notice I am impriving at recognising that little inner bastard on the spot and calming it down. I dont have the goal of making a perfect drawing, at least for now, as i am generally re-learning drawing from the beginning. So my main goal for any art or sketch I do now, is just to do it. It took actually few months from the first time I said to myself I closed down my artblock, to me now actively drawing and enjoying it again in full. All that time what I couldnt do, was just to force myself to do it. It was a step outside of my comfort bubble, as well as the fact that I am not used to sketch after such a long break. Now I am consistently forcing myself to make sketches and I love it. Its like surfing, maybe.. Here comes a metaphor: the whole process reminds me of crossing a wave. I need to force myself to swim through it, and its tough at the very start. But as soon as I crossed it I feel joy. And the next wave is a little easier to go through.
Yeah i tried surfing last summer and I hurted my toe so no surfing for me any time soon, the bastard still healing 😢
That's great, so happy to hear you got through your block and found joy in creating again! I love the surfing metaphor, it's so true. It sounds like you are on the right track, keep it up 😃🙌
@@christinakentart I am inspired heavily by your artwork actually, thanks for the content you create!
Thank you, Christina. This really helped me as someone still struggling with perfectionism in creativity. When I start up art of any kind again, I have a similar issue that I hyperfocus on just one piece for a long time. And because of that, I put so much pressure on myself to make it good. I also inevitably bring it up with friends/family, and they tend to want to look at it, thus adding more pressure. I used to love art, but since I graduated with my art degree (2021), I haven't touched any art activity since. I'm trying to get the courage to start again, and I'm getting close. Hearing your story is certainly helping
So glad you found it helpful! Your story really sounds a lot like mine. And I totally know what you mean about pressure from friends and family. I actually won't let anyone see my work in progress because it really messes with my process. Maybe you can give something like daily painting, or daily sketching, a try. Something simple with no pressure, to rediscover the joy in creating :) Good luck ❤️
I am in this drought right now because I couldn't get myself to make art during peak inspiration because i knew it would not come close to the way i needed it to look. I am glad at least that it sounds like there is a way out. Me too. I used to draw on the back of math tests. You have such a positive outlook on things. i really appreciate that.
I feel that. The nice thing is you can work on your craft/technique even when you aren’t very inspired. Then when inspiration hits you will have the skills you need (or at least be a little better than before!)
Such.great.advice👌. Thanks
Thanks, glad you liked it! ❤️
Think I'll be ordering that cbt book. Thanks for today's video. Excellent info as usual .
That's awesome, I hope you like it! ❤️
Thanks so much for your insight and book recommendation. I think, the perfectionist workbook will really help! I went through CBT therapy for a while for social skills but I never really thought there was anything out there for my perfectionist obsession for art. I"ve really been struggling. Anyway thanks!
Yeah I feel you! I hope it helps :)
Perfect topic to talk about. Great video!!!
Thank you! ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing this. It was enlightening and helpful. This is for sure what in struggling with lately!
So glad it was helpful! 😃🙌
wow I really need it right now!!! thanks for all the tips.
I'm not as bad as you were that you were scared of painting, (not yet....)
I enjoy painting, I feel satisfied of how beautiful the result is, I'm proud of that I'm able to recreate the whole photo on the canvas. my families are all saying: "wow, it is so beautiful, so real, like a photo, I thought it is a photo....." but only I know that it is not what I want, I want more than just copying the photo, but I don't know how and I'm afraid of showing my bad skill, I'm afraid of looking at a failed ugly painting, maybe I need to start somewhere, slowly, do the change.
ok I'm going to start with using a bigger brush to paint live objects and limit how many brush strokes I can use. like use 10 strokes to paint an apple something.
Glad you found it helpful! I hope you can follow where your heart is leading ❤️ good luck with the bigger brushes, and happy painting!
Very helpful. Thank you!!
Glad you found it helpful! :)
Yes definitely! I so relate😄 Great video.
Glad it resonated! Happy painting ❤️
Thanks for sharing🌷
I hope you found it helpful! Happy painting ❤️
I have the perfectionism workbook, and it was definitely helpful! Thanks for the video!
Yay! Glad to hear it :)
Well said!
The start of your story was me 100%!
I feel you! Hope this was helpful :)
❤❤❤❤❤
Perfection in Art hurts and talent in draftsmanship also hurts because students who draw with perfect likeness breeze through Art classes without even trying but the down side they never ask hard questions about what it is to be an Artist unless they push themselves or get pushed by their mentors.
Hey Chriss! i just want to tell you the gossip that i am getting spammed with your videos and shorts in my YT feed, so keep up the good work! the algorithm is being a good boi with you! lol!
My best regards for you!!!!
Haha thanks for letting me know! Gotta give thanks to the algorithm 😂
I can relate to this! I’ve just started daily painting however I still find I’m spending 5-8 hours on a 6x6”! I’ve just swapped the panel size but not ditched the perfectionism 😂 I haven’t been using bigger brushes though (currently sizes 2-6 but mostly 2 ha ha) so I’m going to try that approach next week. Nothing below a 6 & see what that does. In your larger paintings, are these mostly still done Alla Prima?
Thanks again for the relatable content 😊
I feel you! I used to spend so much time on all of my paintings, even the tiniest ones. I think bigger brushes will help, and also setting a time limit was a game-changer. for me. Regarding my larger paintings, I do those in multiple layers.
@ appreciate the reply. Cheers
Productivity and perfectionism is standing in the way of play…and I don’t even have skills or a practice yet. I can’t even get far out of the gate. Any suggestions?! Thanks for sharing for a total newb.
That's a great question. I find when I want to get into a "play" mindset, it can help to try a medium that I haven't used before, or explore a new technique. I'll look for a youtube video or online class that explores something new, and give it a try. Because it is new to me, I don't feel like I need to "be perfect" or even do it well, and it's much easier to just have fun :)
Oh yes, I'm intimately familiar with this, except I didn't focus on photo-realism. Did you start with the CBT workbook? I know you're right but I'm still struggling to get started! Right now it still feels too difficult, even though I started with small canvases.
Sorry to hear about the struggle, Jay :( Yes, I started with the workbook and then did the class afterwards. Maybe it can help you as well! You can also try working with some medium that you are less familiar with, like collage, oil pastel, etc., so there is even less pressure to make "art". Good luck ❤️
For me, painting is a way to express a lot with minimal means. I think it is a mistake to try to draw everything in as much detail as possible. The great joy of painting is the ability to draw reality with an amazingly minimal number of strokes. For example, see John Singer Sargent. And a perfectionism here is to achieve this laconcal way to express.