How To Overcome Fear of Starting a Painting
Hello and welcome to another Sketchbook Saturday! These sketchbook Saturdays I share a speedpaint from my sketchbook while talking about various artist topics, and today I’ll be sharing how I overcome fear of starting a painting while painting a fly agaric mushroom with oil paint (watch the video above or click HERE)
I usually paint with watercolors in my sketchbook, but today I am using oil paint. I wanted to cover up a bad watercolor attempt so I gessoed over it and then painted on black acrylic paint. I thought it’d be fun to experiment with a black background.
Do you ever feel scared to start a painting or drawing? And maybe you put it off or just don’t even start it?
I want you to know that I struggle with this too and that you’re not alone.
I think the first thing we need to do to deal with our fear of starting a painting is to find out WHY we are scared in the first place.
Before filming this video, I sat down and tried to really think WHY I have this fear and came up with a few reasons.
First, I’m afraid of what others will think of what I create. And second, I am afraid that I’ll mess it up or it won’t turn out the way I imagined it to be.
So, let’s talk about the first reason, which is we’re afraid of what others will think of our art.
To go a little deeper, I’m not only afraid of what others think, but I’m afraid because maybe the painting I create doesn’t match my art style or it’s of a different subject that people aren’t used to from me.
So a lot of the time I don’t paint something because it’s so different from what I usually create and I’m afraid of what my followers will think.
Maybe some will unfollow me. Maybe some won’t buy from me anymore. Maybe I’ll confuse people.
To overcome this fear, I think we just need to give ourselves permission to not show anyone what we paint. Maybe we just need to paint for our eyes only, just for ourselves, and maybe if we want to later on, we can show others.
So, if you are scared of what others will think of your art, create for your eyes only and know that you don’t have to show others what you create.
You should also know that other people's opinion of your art and you, doesn’t determine your worth. All that’s important is that you like what you create and that you have fun.
You don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to have others’ permission to create, and you don’t have to show anyone your art if you don’t want to.
Now, let’s talk about the other reason why we could be afraid to start a painting which is: we’re afraid that we’ll mess it up and it won’t turn out the way we imagined.
I struggle with this even more than the first one. I’m struggling with it right now.
I have so many ideas for paintings that I’m not sure will ever be born. I’m scared because these ideas I have are different than the art I create now.
And I feel like my skill level isn’t where I want it to be in order to render these ideas as I imagine them in my head. Can you relate? Maybe this is perfectionism?
I think the only way to overcome this fear is to JUST START. Even if you have to start over again, and again, and again for your idea to really come to life.
JUST START even if we suck right now, we will get better. Just start even if it’s just a quick sketch, make that idea see some kind of light even if it’s dim.
We need to just start, not put pressure on ourselves, paint for our eyes only, be patient with our growth, have no expectations, have fun, and don't compare our beginning to someone else’s middle.
Let us know in the comments if you struggle with this fear and if you have any tips on overcoming it.
In the last Sketchbook Saturday, I shared 12 ways to get better at art quickly. You can go HERE to watch!
♡♡♡ WATERCOLOR CHALLENGES♡♡♡
10 Day Watercolor Woodland Animal Challenge ► https://allisonlyonart.live/watercoloranimalchallengeyt
10 Day Watercolor Bird Challenge ► https://allisonlyonart.live/watercolorbirdchallengeyt
10 Day Watercolor Butterfly Challenge ► https://allisonlyonart.live/watercolorbutterflychallengeyt
Free Beginner Watercolor Class ► https://allisonlyonart.live/freewatercolorclass
DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.