I'm trying to be a better artist but the confidence isn't there. How do I get better?

Question

So I'm really bad at art. I just can't do it. I have this werid fear that if I try to draw, I'll do it wrong. I got the Drawing From the Right Side of the Brain book to help me. I'm just having confidence problems. I think I realize that I'm using my logical side too much and I'm doing little things to try to connect my right brain with my body, even trying to develop my left hand more. I took art class last year to try and help me. I had to choose between grade 9 and 10 and chose 9. My Guidance Counsellor is ignorant and said 10 was the exact same as 9. I knew she was lying so I stuck with 9. Then I get my schedule and it said 10. I didn't want to change it so I was stuck. Well I was right, it was harder. Everyone was so good and I was absolute c**p. So I dropped out. This kid next to me said he couldn't draw, when he was actually really good at it. I hate it when people say that, it just makes me feel worse about myself. So that's it. How do I get better at art?

Answer 1

Firstly, art is in the eye of the beholder, you may think what you draw is horrible, but what other people see could be a masterpiece. Many famous artists have criticized themselves, and now their work is among some of the most famous ones out there. And to be honest, sometimes thinking your not good at drawing is good motivation for actually improving.

Point blank, If you want to get better, practice. I would start with drawing still life drawings, working on techniques, finding whats right for you. Some books are good to look at, but a lot can restrict your style, causing you to loose your own personal touch.

So just practice as much as you can, and you'll get better, even if you don't see it yourself.

A good thing for confidence though, keep some of the work that you do to look back on later. With hope, you'll notice that you are improving.

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

well i was lucky enough to have been in art class with my two bests friends one was good like me and the other was well bad

for the confidence idk my stuff was better and we joked around and now im known as the big headed one lol

and for the art maybe drawing isnt your thing

maybe you'll uncover great talents in painting or sculpure

not every one has the natural talent some ppl just have to work and practice

im good at drawing and not so good on ppl what i do like is painting

its sounds like your left brained so try scuplture

oh and its okay to be left brained i think that what makes me good im over analitical and that helps me to correct things and stuff

well good luck im going back to school and another art class awaits lol

Answer 3

to practice get paper and start making lines and turn it into something. dont be so shaky with lines just draw what you see you dont have to use other peoples opinions or styles or the way they make objects use your own perception don't tjhink so much

Answer 4

One thing to consider is that even the most artistic people have different areas of skill. So it is possible that you're perfectly artistic but that drawing isn't exactly your thing.

In general, though, the best way to improve is to keep doing it. I know, you're thinking, gee, thanks...but seriously...keep a sketchbook and give yourself homework to draw for at least 10-15 minutes every day. It's amazing how much that little time can really help.

Making it a habit also helps train your eye and brain, I think. You start to see things with an artist's eye more easily, to pick out the different lines and value and hues.

One other thing that helped me out was actually trying to copy paintings just using a drawing pencil. The process of trying to train your eye to see beyond blobs of paint and turning it into a black and white sketch seemed to really make the two sides of my brain work together.

And you know what, at the end of the day, as long as you do OK in class, for most of us, art is "only" for our own enjoyment. Enjoy the process, admire your results, try to learn from the less perfect things you do, and give yourself a real pat on the back when you do something well.

Answer 5

ok well i guess you don't see how many people are just like you. i am an artist, and i always have been, and i had the same problem. but i had to choose between what i liked and what i didn't like and i like art. so stick with it you will get a lot better and it will pay off in the end.

Answer 6

Drawing comes from inside the soul, it's the colour and shape of your mind's eye. A good thing to do, is whenever you're about to go to sleep, like almost exhausted, listen to music that makes you think, or makes you feel something, and just draw it out. Can be simple, maybe a pencil or pen is making you feel uncomfortable, so switch to markers or charcoal. Inspiration is what you need to let yourself feel, so go with it hun. Good luck.

Answer 7

Draw from inspiration, not aspiration.  

Answer 8

I'm sure you can't be as bad as you think you are. You can't be afraid to do it "wrong,"

The only way to get better at anything is to practice. Get a sketchbook(it doesn't have to be fancy, just a book of some blank paper), grab a few pencils, and draw anytime you have some downtime, etc. You can draw anything from your mind, or something you see. A chair, your hand, your phone. I like to look up different art online to get inspired to draw. You have to realize you don't have the same exact skills as someone else, and everyone has different styles.

Two people could draw the same thing COMPLETELY differently, but they'll both be really good.

Just practice, develop your own style. Maybe ask a teacher to give you some constructive criticism on what you can work on, and what you do well.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Do you feel deep inside that you might be an artist?  

What makes you think you need to be able to draw?  Pick up a brush and paint!

I suggest you get into a few art museums or galleries, rent some movies about artists (Jackson Pollack for example) and realize there is more to art than drawing.  You may even have a sculptor in you trying to get out.  

If you really want to learn to draw, you have to just do it.  But by all means don't try to do it like every one else does!  You may be having difficulty getting started because you are intimidated by others, or it may be that your style is unique and you feel you won't fit in, or be "good" as everyone else.  I have known a couple of artists who wanted to paint the pretty watercolors like everyone around them, but they were (unknown to themselves) very talented abstractionists!  The paintings they did hardly resembled the subject the rest of the class so faithfully reproduced . . . but they were wonderful paintings!  And they reflected a style and ability that the "pretty painters" could never touch!  

So give it a try.  Art may not be your thing at all. . . .but you won't know if you never try!

Answer 10

i think you're thinking too much about it. you need to relax! my fiance always complained that he wasn't a good artist, and I told him to sit down, take his time and WHAT do ya know! he drew a great picture. the best advice artists can give is to practice, practice, practice! like any skill, you need to keep working at it...every day, all the time. eventually things will come easier because you're getting used to what you can handle and draw well. stop worrying about it so much and put all that concentration into drawing. everything you see. buy a sketchpad and get to work!

Answer 11

try relaxing in your rooom and listen to music, tell yourself there are no rules and start drawing simple shapes and shadowing...then work on faces and bodies. jo go at it  and have fun. you cant think what your going to draw next just let it happen.

Answer 12

start getting old drawing books and completely tracr the pictures. eventually you will catch on to the artist's skill and become an amazzing artist

Answer 13

true art is about expressing the way you feel, and not caring about what people say or think about it. if someone doesn't like what you create, so what? who cares? all art is unique, and the only way to create art that you feel is 'good' or meets your standards is to let it flow. you're trying too hard; all the books and stuff don't help. by creating these binds you've put upon yourself you're just holding back any potential. relax. try to listen to music to get the breakthrough that you need.  

Answer 14

Relax. Don't think that you are a bad artist. Tell yourself you are good at it. Then you will view things in a different way. Then confidence will be coming back.

Answer 15

The key is to concentrate and dedicate time to it. You can't expect to draw the Mona Lisa when you start.

Initially I would suggest just looking at photos and trying to replicate them, even if they don't come out good just keep trying.

Einstein wasn't good at science throughout high school yet he's a legend in the field of science today. Move forth without fear, if you don't try due to fear of failure you will never succeed.

Hard work can work miracles.

In your case it seems like the very thought that you think you have confidence issues is the problem. Art is a means of expression, there is no right or wrong, good or bad art. Just draw fearlessly. It's all about being yourself.

Answer 16

Keep creating.

Do not look for validation from friends and family. If you get it, thank them graciously. However do not go seeking it.

Next, keep creating. Save some of each of your works.

Start going to art shows, fairs, and galleries. Ask what is selling. Take note.

Next start creating what is selling at the present in your area.

This is important.

I created dozens of pieces that people love but only a few have sold. The reason, I am in the wrong area. My website stats show that Florida, California, and Texas have greater traffic for my paintings than where I live in PA.

I did not create for the area I live in.

Finally start selling in art fairs. It will cost a bit of money to get started.

However this is where you find out what is good and not. This is where you sell, the ultimate measure of what is good.

Most people take 10 years to get good at what they do. Many shows take three or four years to even make a profit from your sales.

Being an artist is part about being a businessman. Once you start the shows you will see that you need to learn the business. Getting good is the least of your worries.

I have sold pieces I hated but my patrons loved. One work was 52k with the average being 4-6K. It took years to get here. Even so, my failing has always been as a businessman and not as an artist.

This is the failing of most artists.

How ever you fare, may you fare well.

Answer 17

there is only one way to get better at art, and that is through practice! i am an art student too...its a little daunting when people around you are really good. try not to measure ur skill and technique with theirs especially if you havent gotten much training...i would also suggest for u to take as much art classes as u can take. even those community art classes in ur community (the ones old ppl take...if u have any) i would suggest u get some really cheap materials at first coz you will try to limit ur self and keep erasing because you feel a certain mark u made was wrong...have fun....be as loose as u can be...a great excercise to train ur eyes would be to do gradients of black and white...draw like 10 bokes u can either start from black then gradually go to white or vice versa. stick to black and white first its a lot harder to work with color when u dont know ur basics.  

Answer 18

Step 1: Get a notebook, start drawing things. It's the same as anything, practice practice practice.

Will you become the great artist of the century? No idea, don't expect to get there in a year in any case

Just draw! Look at a sunset and draw without looking at the paper. Draw what you feel.

I also bought that book a little while ago to help me with my drawing and the best way to learn to draw is by drawing.

Step 2: After you draw something, or fill your notebook with doodles, then bring it to the art teacher. It doesn't matter if you aren't in the class any more, say that you really want to try to become a better artist and you want to learn how to grow. I bet you anything, they'll give you some help.

Step 3: Perhaps this should be step 1.. too late ^_^  Just take things as they come along! Don't care what the person beside you is able to do. Why does that matter? There are always people in the world that are better than you at certain things, every person you meet is better than you at something.

Work hard, reward yourself for small achievements, and seek constructive criticism

Although I must admit something here at the end. I have no drawing talent whatsoever. I'm good at shades and colour coordination but that's it. But, and this is a pretty big but, I'm really really good at painting. I've never understood how I can do one but not the other, but I just can.

If you try your best and you still can't achieve as far as you wish to then accept your best and try something new to work on. It's a bit cliched and I've already said the first half but no one can be the best at everything. Find your path ^_^

*edit

Don't just trace other artists until you have enough control to draw unaided. Look for your own style, draw with your own hand

Answer 19

take art classes you can look them up online locally from google

Answer 20

go ahead and work with your logical nature.

look at things in basic shapes. example: house. start with the skeleton: triangle and square. keep fleshing it out- minute details are the FINAL step.

pine tree: draw a line for the trunk. then do a rough outline of the foliage (this should be as basic as a triangle). etc. etc.

this is actually sketching. use light lines.

Answer 21

You must keep drawing until you feel that the artwork is at its zenith. Practice, practice, practice