My confidence is exclusively determined by who I show my work to. If I’m happy with something, I’ll put it in the gallery and share it on social media. If I’m seeking confidence, I’ll show it to my best friend. I shut it in a cupboard if I think I’ve been ostentatious and wait for the dust to settle
Just doing it and not overthinking too much. I’ve been bending neon for almost 40 years and I take everything that comes my way as a challenge. The harder something is to do, the better it makes you!
Confidence? Where we are going we don’t need “confidence”…
Honestly I get a nagging itch I need to scratch creatively and then just start something which never ends up the way I intended, but the creative research along the way is enlightening.
Grab a selection of your favorite works, find a comfy spot with some good music and, if you are into that sort of thing, a preferred intoxicant.
Let yourself get lost in your own work and the vibes you create. Ask yourself where you want to go creatively. Sit with it for a bit and let it ride.
I had to actually get my mental wellbeing in place. Then I got my motivation back and then I did art. Looked at pinterest exactly what I wanted to achieve and each finished work grew my confidence. Do not presdure yourself.
Keep making and keep sharing. This post just came across my feed, so I started looking at your work. It's wonderful. It's deep. It's powerful. You have a new fan now.
you don't... XD i'm joking. Hmm I like to look back at my old drawings and see how far my art has improved and sometimes laugh at how bad my old drawing was hahaha
Never had confidence in my drawings, but to get into drawing mood i usually look for characters i find interesting and go from there. Creating gift art makes me happy
There is a great book that can help you with breaking artistic block: The artist way by Julia Cameron
There you will find the tools you need to regain a sense of confidence.
There's a saying my dad told me when I was little that always stuck with me: No matter what you do, someone out there will love it.
Artists are absolutely our own worst critics. As long as you are learning and growing even if it's only in small steps, you are always doing the best you can.
i took a class on abstract art and it really helped me realize that theres more to art than just the 'aesthetics' of the final piece, all famous abstract artists where heavily criticized and ridiculed for not fitting the mold of 'classical art' bc they focused on the process of creating instead :D
is that word salad sorry i mean like try to not be too concered with how the final artwork looks and instead try to just have fun with creating it ! :D or at least that has helped me be less nervous and more confident when making art
Draw for yourself, not for the judgement of others. Art is subjective…make that subjection not matter. Draw as much as you can. Don’t lose the muscle memory because of someone made you question your art. Keep doing what you love, remember Van Gogh only sold one painting during his lifetime.
I don’t mean this to sound glib, I know being an artist can be a difficult path. But as much as possible, flush expectations or concerns of what other people will think, and follow your heart and your own vision. I’ve never found that to be a mistake.
Work. No magic bullet. You will find a way through the work. Confidence comes from exhausting the possibilities. The work will guide you. Trust the process. No one can tell you.
I'm not an artist, but get some sleep, go outside, see and observe nature & people. maybe try something new, then your mind may become clearer and realise what is holding you back.
Please don't mind this comment.
I like looking at my old stuff. Not just to compare but to see just what Im capeable of. Like sometimes I go trough old sketches and think "Damn, how did I even come up with this stuff." and it makes me feel proud and keep going.
By doing your art. I think it's the only way. Praise from people always helps but ultimately you are the judge of your work. It doesn't matter if everyone else loves it if you don't. Read this...it might help.
Go back to simple things. Draw circles on a page. Let yourself doddle or play. You aren’t making art, you’re just exploring your tools and getting back to what made it fun to begin with.
Realize that you haven't lost it, it's just sleeping. Our brains play tricks on us every other day, either with doubt or various other feelings. Clear your mind then get back to what you know you're good at.
I've had days where I was crying while painting. The anxiety gets unbearable, and my confidence is nowhere to be found. But once I get into painting with my AirPods on with music, I slowly get into a groove. You can also walk away from your art for a month and come back inspired:)
For me, I usually try to look at old work that used to inspire me. Sometimes, though, it just means I need to few weeks away from art-making and giving myself the freedom to, like, watch tv or play video games at night without thinking about how I should be making art instead at the back of my head
Maybe not confidence but helping with burnout and a desire to create - trying completely different mediums like sculpture or printmaking. Something that forces you to focus on technique because you’re learning the basics
Something else I learned in dog training/behavior. Confidence means knowing what you’re supposed to do in a given situation and having the skill to do it. Not easy with art but maybe breaking out those parts will help you. I hope you feel better soon and I love your art!
I don't know about artists, but in general people can burn out in any profession. And the way out is to just start doing small steps: take an extremely easy task, and finish it. And another. And another. Until your brain will be excited to take something larger.
AI has made me realize how much true fraud, plagiarism and corner-cutting there is out there, so now I feel really liberated when I draw a shitty foreshortening or a weird hand.
Well, who's problem would that be? I typed it with no ill internet. Ment it as humor. Was not rude in the least. But somehow. You read it and added those aspects to it in your own brain. And now I apologize? Thinker skin would serve you well through this life.
a normal person would just say "sorry" for joking about how a random stranger should die because yeah, it's kinda rude to say someone should die, even as a "joke"
Having lost confidence in my somewhat meagre skills a few times, I think it's about trying less ambitious pieces, or just trying/honing techniques that end in a positive - you'll learn something useful for future more ambitious stuff. 'Little victories' I call them. Build yourself up bit by bit. 😊
“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” - Andy Warhol
This comment from Warhol is canonically the best answer ever offered to the question: you gain confidence by ignoring the question about regaining confidence, and just make art. On bad days, make art. On good days, make art. Just make art.
I suggest just start small with something you know. For instance, I make art quilts but when I get stuck I make potholders or place mats. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.
honestly? self indulgence. return to media that inspires you. draw original characters, smut, your favorite things to draw. draw something weird. you'll put that stuff off forever if you're not careful.
By focusing on what you control—creating authentic work that reflects what's in your heart—and not worrying about what you can't control—outcomes requiring external validation.
I felt other peoples' praise of my drawings made unconfident when I got back into drawing. Like I had to try to please them. Eventually I have just done it for me and my mental health. A way to escape. If people like it, it is a bonus not a pressure. I only started drawing again in the last year.
Comments
Honestly I get a nagging itch I need to scratch creatively and then just start something which never ends up the way I intended, but the creative research along the way is enlightening.
Also: chocolate.
Let yourself get lost in your own work and the vibes you create. Ask yourself where you want to go creatively. Sit with it for a bit and let it ride.
Bravery (or determination) first, confidence after.
I had to actually get my mental wellbeing in place. Then I got my motivation back and then I did art. Looked at pinterest exactly what I wanted to achieve and each finished work grew my confidence. Do not presdure yourself.
Your Mothra and Flower Washing Machine pictures are good.
There you will find the tools you need to regain a sense of confidence.
Artists are absolutely our own worst critics. As long as you are learning and growing even if it's only in small steps, you are always doing the best you can.
Please don't mind this comment.
- George Orwell
Could be worse!