Feeling Like Your Art is Never Good Enough 

I remember when I actually used to be proud for my drawings and enjoy the feeling of it, now it's just a rollercoaster of judgement and shame.

One of my favorite quotes recently that relate to this: “draw stick figures. sing off key. write bad poems. sew ugly clothes. run slowly. flirt clumisly. play video games on easy. you do not need to be good at something to enjoy the act. talent is overrated. do things you like doing. it’s ok to suck”

I feel that 99.9% of the time. Some times I wish I never went the creative field and just did a "regular" job. But then I realize I don’t have passion for anything else expect art.

I'm finding art so hard these days... I have no motivation anymore and everyone seems to be catching up to me, no matter how hard I try to improve. I draw something and feel extremely proud about it, only to hate it a day later. At this point the stress is getting way too hard to handle but I can't talk to anyone about it, because people just think I'm fishing for compliments. I mean, I've certainly improved (judging from my profile picture) but I just can't feel at peace with myself, and it's really bringing me down... I know no-one will see this, but I just needed to get this off my chest.

that feeling of self hatred made me stop drawing completely for several years till today ... i used to love and enjoy drawing, and now its just no part of my life anymore, ... it really sucks, dont be like me

I remember I used to have fun drawing and now I just start stressing over everything, clothing, shoes, hair, etc. My art was good for my age back then but now I don't even really have an art style.

I’ve always thought my art is ugly. Either the proportions are messed up, or the shading is too dark, not dark enough, I can always find something to hate about my art. I love it so much but I always feel so empty after I look at my art because I never find it attractive.

An artist: *Looking at own art* "Wow, this is good." Same artist: *Looks at Mona Lisa* The artist again: "Nevermind." *Crying on the inside*

Growing up I've always felt so proud of my drawings (even if they were bad) and always wanted to show everyone bc I yearned for their compliments and nice words. That was like my reward for drawing until now. As I grew older I became more discouraged and as I looked to other artists it became even worse. I think that's just what happens when you compare your art to others but I hope is just a phase :( Edit: aight phase over now its time to listen to my ted talk Tbh you're supposed to start off pretty bad at art that's how it's supposed to work and that's not necessarily a bad thing either. It would be hella boring if you just came out the womb knowing everything there is to art. What I've learned is that art is all abt the adventure not how good it is, even I still have to learn that it's not all abt how perfect I can get a line but if I'm having fun doing it as that is the reason I started in the first place. Your art might look shitty to you, but it was better than how it was before and if it's better than how it was before than its gonna keep getting better if you just keep trying and if you believe in the process. You might think your art is trash bc you keep looking towards what it could be instead of congratulating yourself for how it looks now. You cant skip to the future where your skills get better so just enjoy where you are now, don't stress on what your art looks like at the moment or look to other that are better, just chill out and enjoy yourself- stay in your own lane and vibe. Art is not a competition to see who's better , it's the impression of the imagination. So yes, it is just a phase yall you'll get over it also shameless flex but I did draw my profile picture and BITCH my oc Carter is KILLING IT!

When I look at my old art it makes me feel even worse. I thought my old art was good when I made it, but I was unable to see just how terrible it was. So I tell myself that because I couldn’t see how bad my work was then, I can’t see how bad my work is now. And this feeling is only more justified the more I improve. When I should feel good that I’ve gotten better I just feel bad that I was so bad to begin with and still am.

Thank you so much for this. Imposter syndrome is so prevalent in every field (a physics professor at my uni said he's met an astonishing number of PhD's and even other professors who feel like they cheated their way to their position and don't deserve it, and their "actual lack of skill" will catch up to them someday), and even if nobody has an answer, it is something people need to talk about more, at least so we know we're not alone. It's chronic and doesn't go away easily and more people need to know that a couple reassuring words, no matter how well-intentioned, won't fix it. Thank you so, so much for being brave enough to talk about something really difficult. I wish you all the best ❤

Everytime I do art, I feel like a total failure, I feel worthless and depressed..... I feel even worse if people compliment my art, because its like they always lie to me because the dont want to hurt my feelings, but sometimes I want an opinion that says the truth, I want to really know how bad my art is

This does happen to me all the time and not just with art, in every part of my life. I'm changing between having infinite self confidence and feeling like a failure all the time.

This video is another proof of how hating your art is an irrational feeling.

This really hits hard when you see how fast people improve in 3 years while you've been going at it for longer and still have lacking progress. I practice as much as I can but it always feels like I'm constantly lost. I love the process of drawing something, it's why I do it. But as soon as it's done comes the comparisons. My line work, colors, and everything just looks so terrible and lifeless compare to others. I've seen posts online where someone asks to share their art. I always go in there to look at some good new artists to follow, but I never share mine, I don't feel like I'm on the level to put my art next to others.

That 2019 vs 2011 one got me, I hope I can improve that much

I think that I am the worst human being most of the times, I can't pay my bills, I can't feel like I do good things i can't feel like I matter but i didn't have an easy life here on Brasil, abusive family, country on financial and moral decay, the violence on the streets being so real around here made everything feel empty, dead. I would say for everyone who is in a similar situation just fight harder don't let others says what you can or can't be or desire because Having a dream can save you from a nightmare.

4:36 *Miku defending the people in ww2*

Imposter? I wouldn't even dare to refer to my work as "art" lol... in fact, I feel rather pretentious even referring to it as "work". For now, I should just refer to it as "my hobby".

when I feel not good enough, I always look at my old works. looking at my progress make me feel assured. human never be perfect after all. we just can improve. and you right, never compare to other artist. every artist are different.

It felt really nice to meet someone with the same problem. I permanently compare myself to artists I look up to and no matter how much I get better at things I keep reminding myself that they're still better and that this much time has passed and I am still not there.I actually thought it really was just me being a perfectionist because that's what my teachers would say when I refused to hand in at the deadline because I still thought the work sucked. I just can't hand something over when I see I can still do something to make it better but even when I do manage to get done with a picture to a point where I say I can't do more,this is just it...it's just not good enough to me.And not knowing how to fix it or how certain things are done so it looks like it looked in my head is frustrating and annoying.And the worst part is that I often don't even get to the colouring process because I always find something to improve at the lineart or posture.Then after sitting 8 hours or something just on that I look at it ,exhausted,thinking "and it's still not close to what I want". I am most of the time even ashamed to show my art to friends because even though they're always like "you draw so well." "you have talent" "what do you mean!?It's good" ,to me it just sounds like pity talk or lies because I think it's not good .-. I wish there would be an easy solution for this but it's at least nice to know I am not the only one struggling with it.

"I will never be satisfied."

Although i dont know who you are, or why this channel appeared in my recommended, i kinda want to point out that another tip is that you should always give your all. People will often tell you, "you dont need to prove anything", "is fine to suck", "you dont need to go for the top ten in the list". I really think that kind of comments ruin the possibility of improvement, and really dont help at all. Criticism is something very important for improvement and although not a lot of people take It the best way possible, i think is very needed for a mix of improvement/happiness for your work. Its kinda like the contrary for people turning you down, and not feeling capable of doing a great work. Instead of wishing you luck, im going to tell you to please strive!!! (Ganbatte Kudasai!!!).

1 of the artists i look up to is you... and hearing those things from you rlly helps, especially this one. ty for your GREAT art and reminding me that great artists like you stuggled with the same things i struggle with. (im going to ask somthing from you it might be a bit rude but can you maybe do why we have art block or art fear?) ty for the videos!

Sometimes, you need to hear this from someone who actually understands these feelings. I cannot express how much this helped, thank you!

Hello I just wanted to say that this really felt comforting to me. Thank you. Also, your left hand drawings are adorable!

does anyone else get mattias pilhede vibes? not a bad thing

girl no outside complement is ever gonna make you love your art, you gotta just be content in yourself. i believe the day will come that you are satisfied, but still knowing you can still always improve.

started at art college last week, feel worrhless compared to my peers, everyone else is capable, i feel like i’m not, ive been doing arg for years and was always at the top of my class, always regarded as talented but now compared to everyone else, i feel inadequate, i’m going to try use this feeling to motivate myself to improve but its hard right now

This illustrations are so funny and cute.

This really came in good time, needing to finish a piece and feeling like shit, like i had never drawn anything before. I think writing really helps.

This made me feel so much better , had an art show last night at work, I entered a few peices and realized after they where hung up that there where some fundamental issues , I was mortified.. thank you

I love creating, be it music, stories, drawings, photos, whatever. But it never felt like art to me. I feel like I can't put anything out that's worthwhile. It's not necessarily that I suck at the craft but at the art. I don't know how to explain it.

Robin Linn Once said that the solution, for him was...Learn to be Confortable in being Unconfortable. He also hinted to the Impostor Sindrome and for him one solution is just to think that just most of the people around you think the same and are also under the same sindrome ^^ Just wanted to pass on these words of a master

I just wanna say thank you for helping me recognize that our problem is serious and not a cry for attention. Also, I love your left-hand drawings! they're so cute!

I love how you're so true to your subscribers and let us know that what us artists feel isn't just something few people get.

If you see your bad art as one more step closer to improving, that can also lift the pressure off your shoulders. If drawing for 5 years has taught me anything, it's the journey that counts. When you're hyper focused on the result, you can't enjoy the process. I've learned to say to myself; "enjoy the process. The result is just a bonus of finishing your art piece" forcing yourself to draw will just be frustrating because it's putting unnecessary pressure on yourself to make something amazing, when you're forgetting the most important part: enjoy what you create as you create it!

I like when you mentioned having stared at a piece of your work for hours while you work on it. I feel the same with music I’m working on - you spend hours, days even listening to the same thing and it’s easy to become disillusioned by it, and even feel like scrapping it completely. You almost have to try and see it or hear it with fresh eyes/ears, and ultimately remember the spark you felt with it in the beginning

Being a perfectionist and an artist at the same time sucks so bad, like I will always tell myself that I'm a beginner, my first drawing is meant to be not as great as other artist's work but I always end up deleting all of my unfinished artworks which sucks so bad.

Thank you. As someone who absolutely dispises their art someone like you saying something other then its just a phase and doesn't last that long is encouraging.

This sounds like my life as an artist word for word. Thank you for posting. Gotta keep learning!

I work as a professional graphic designer, copywriter, and administrator for a graphic design firm. I've been writing since 1996. I've put in a lot of time handling teams, and picking up leadership skills. I've spent a lot of time learning graphic design, as well as art. (I'm an alright shader and colorist.) But I have no degrees in these fields. My in-house peers do. I always feel like I don't measure up. I'm always playing catch up. Even though I have taught my peers things, developed new processes with/for them, in house that they really struggled with. One of them is fighting a similar battle, even though she has her degree, worked for newspapers, and has done a fair bit of work. And the rest of the design team tells me fairly often how much they look up to me for my skills/ability. It's great to hear, lessens the noise, but I still feel how I feel. It doesn't stop me from working on projects, but I will often collaborate with my team. And from an art standpoint, I feel like I can't sketch or draw in any real fashion, save for landscapes. THIS is my hardest roadblock, art wise. I feel absolutely terrible at it, and I have no idea how to move forward, even though I know once I start grinding out the stuff I need to work on, I will progress quickly. When it comes to writing, I've over two decades experience, often writing sixteen hours a day. Often, when I work on a first draft for something, it comes out at a high level. The work will often compare to Stephen King, Anne Rice, or other high end writers. I've had people put my work in their "top five writers" list, and they are voracious readers. It's high praise, and it helps. But I still struggle with "are people going to like this?" - I know I'm weird. I don't think like most people. And I've spent a lot of time writing in collaboration, rather than on solo projects. I will work on a piece, and suffer the same analytical problem you do. I see all the flaws or problems, or feel like stuff is flat and boring. I know every manipulation and trick I'm using. But I give it to others to beta read, and they are like "MOAR! I need more! This is great so far!" - I feel like they're biased, or blowing smoke up my ass sometimes. But I have to force myself to remember they don't see what I see, know what I know. And it's quite likely their opinions, and even analysis are genuine, not trying to just appease me. It helps, but... I struggle with it. I've been battling imposter syndrome for a long time, which is only compounded by a mood disorder (Cyclothymia, which is like diet bi-polar/manic-depressive disorder. The swings aren't as intense and the cycles aren't as fast. And self-awareness, and the right tools can help manage it. I have no medication or anything for it, and generally don't need it, but on the bad days... it's rough in my head.) Some of these strategies are ones I've also picked up on my own, learned a few new ones. Thank you so much for making this video. It is incredible how much it resonates, and how other professionals feel, and so many of us feel this way. Your efforts are appreciated. I only just found your stuff on Twitter today and then this channel, but already I'm quite a fan. Self-doubt is a hard monster to beat. I don't know if I ever will. Know that what you do is great, and your work is impressive, for real.

Thank you so much for a boost of confidence! I struggle with my negative attitude towards my art because I procrastinate on improving because it’s not “perfect or beautiful”. Now I feel like working hard and improving as much as I can and just ENJOY IT!!! We all seek from approval (from ourselves more than others) ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you so muchhhh this made me feel more comfortable around art !

This is so good! Please make more of this series 😄

To any artists who feel like they aren't Improving, Let me say this. I told someone else this and wanted to tell anyone else who may see this comment. So, I too felt like I am not improving. But here recently I have been the best I have ever been with my art, And.... I have been way to hard on myself. I have been practicing 3, 4 or 5 hours day. Simply drawing. But I have been improving. So I am gonna try to give you my best advice. No, I'm not gonna tell you to just practice. While this is a true, It isn't just that. For me, I was doing lots of studies and classes on RU-vid, skillshare, and multiple more platforms. And I am a lot better, But just 5 minutes ago I was ripping pages out of my sketchbook thinking It was horrible. (Or knowing It was horrible in my opinion.) But as a conclusion, Just know if you put time into learning it, You *will* get better. No, you don't have to draw for 2 to 3 hours a day. Just find a good limit of time that isn't overworking yourself. And also, Maybe try drawing one of your old artworks and you can see you have improved. It's like seeing someone in real life you see everyday, they are changing but you only really notice If you look at a photo about a year apart from this year. Then you can see changes. But only look at the pre-drawn photo for a few seconds or you will Want to copy the exact artwork. For me, I just have way to high of expectations and I need to stop comparing myself to other artists. But haha, I don't want to vent everything to you. I just want to give you advice. Sorry this is a lot, But I hope this helps you. But to anyone who knows how to fix *my* problem, What do I do if I am too hard on myself in art? I know it sounds weird, But I know I am too hard on myself yet I can't stop me from being hard on myself. I do, Compare myself to many artists. Amazing artists! This isn't their fault but I do compare myself to them. Do you know how to fix this?

All I want to say is I wish I could give you a hug! I'm an older person and I still feel the same way. You've done it brilliantly. You are a phenomenal Talent. Thank you for sharing because you do make the world better for being in it and sharing your talents.

Thanks! Really needed to hear this ♥

Thank you, I can't even tell you how much I needed to hear this 💗

Never been this happy to see a sponsorship on a video before. I hope you can make some living out of RU-vid for the time being. Your videos are entertaining and it’s really insightful seeing someone with a lot of experience express their thoughts. You don’t really get to see big artist do that. And it’s a big shame you can’t work because of your hand (or back). God bedring med handa di :)

I’m going through this rn and I’m so glad to find sb else who feels the same way. I appreciate ppl’s compliments but I don’t like how pieces look. Then I start a new one and I still feel bad

oh my gosh u are so right!

Wow! this video explains exactly what I feel! I just started doing Illustration as a job and I feel so unqualified and judgmental over my own work. It really helps that i know I'm not the only one feeling like this.

The key to loving your own creative work is to truly love yourself.

I just wanted to say thank you so much for this video. I'm not much of an artist, but I am really into theatre and someday hope to do it professionally, The problem is I only started taking it seriously when I was 16 (I'm 18 now) & as such I'm constantly surrounded by those who have been training since they were like 5 for the same field, I work my butt off every day (and I mean every day) trying to increase my flexibility, train my vocal chords and practise new approaches to acting, but I always felt like I was never good enough as everyone around me can do better without much effort, its made me quite anxious and I've always excited the stage after giving it my all feeling like I did miserably despite what others say. The stuff you shared about feeling like a child amongst adults and comparing yourself to yourself really resonated with me and helped me realise that despite not coming anywhere close to my peers, I'm leagues better than I was two years ago and that wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for the hard work I'm putting in. I've been in a bit of a depressing place confidence-wise and the tips you gave me about seeing how far you've come and always moving forward has really helped me out, thank you so much.

Sometimes the best way to get over certain feelings is to embrace it. The key is to analyze that feeling and focus on what makes it a good thing. We are hard on ourselves because we view our art through a critical eye. That critical eye is the sole reason we push ourselves to GROW as artists. It's what helps us recognize our weaknesses so that we know what we should work on. It's the drive that keeps pushing us to improve and work tirelessly to perfect our craft. This perspective had made it so I am less harsh on myself and just work on improving my art while still doing my best to enjoy it. I've realized that bashing on myself is not productive. Meanwhile, taking action to improve my weaknesses will result in something good. Good luck everyone!

hey what an amazing page, i am so happy that i found it! you are doing such a great job, thank you for today s inspiration.

It is hard to retrain my brain to appreciate work I do when I have the ingrained habit to only analyze the things I could do better. One thing that I have forced myself to do to soften the impact of never feeling satisfaction, is verbally telling myself that I did a good job when I completed something. It felt funny saying "Well done, you did a good job" outloud to myself. But after a while it made a big impact in how I view completed work. I am still very self critical, but I am better at giving myself the congratulations for improving and finishing work. I know it is a strange trick, but I hope it can help someone else be less bleak about the work they complete and take a moment to appreciate what they put into finishing something.

Thanks for the tips and good work!

I did art in high school and I felt like I had a really great learning curve and I felt like I improved a lot in those years. I graduated and stopped drawing and painting as much and I eventually I stopped all the way for 4 years. I recently started drawing and painting again because I really want to pursue animation as my job and I have lost so much of the concepts I knew previously. Completely forgot anatomy and how to shade properly and just a lot of basic things. My art right now is not where I would like it to be, but you helped me feel better and excited to relearn everything I lost and find my style again so that I can go to school and eventually find a job in what I love to do! Thank you!

I know all of this, but somehow hearing you say it makes all the difference. Thanks. Really, it helps a lot.

Thanks for this, it really helped me out, cause I'm always looking down at what I create and stop making. I'll take these tips and try to follow some on a daily basis !

Got a good understanding of that syndrom, but it's on my nature to compare myself only to master artist and try to understand what I need to learn, it's my goal to become a living master so, in other case this is more a boost than a depression feeling. And ikr it's not adapted for all artist mindset. Compare to yourself is probably the best advice for anyone, thanks.

I love this kind of videos!

I haven’t draw or touched the story i was writing in almost 3 years. It’s like somebody came and stole my passion and flexible mental creativity and left me with a little bag of feelings of anger towards everything artistic that i dare touch.

I've struggled with school for a long time, as well as my self confidence. At some point i started disliking my art too. It's been a few years since my high and i'm struggling to draw with as much ecxitment as i used too or even draw at all. I'm soon getting professional help from a therapist. I still apreaciate art, and hopefully I can relearn to love the process of drawing and my own art.

Another great video Astri, keep up the good work!

Nobody’s art sucks it’s just the way they draw it and it’s good in theyre own way *don’t judge anyone people! And saying you’re opinion is reality*

Thank you very much! I really love these :)

Well done by an artist who is genuinely good!

the problem is youtube , when you begin researching art over youtube , youll inevitibly find artists who in a subconcious matter try to rub that unhealthy perfectionism into you. beware of that . you will never have this feeling if you just go to artschool and leave youtube out of the scheme , or if you learn from professional books... once its too late its too late though and needs years for yourself to realize it .. edit: ohh yeah , i almost forgot ..watching speedpaintings will subconsciously fuck you up (unless the painting is of less quality than your own stuff)

this is really good advice. Thank you ❤

I felt this video! I worry all the time about a client spreading hate about me. Thank you so much for this video! I really needed this today. I've been so depressed lately, and this helped so so much! ♡

I agree. My goal for this year is to just get my art out there not care what people think. Just put art out and improve thats all we can do good luck fam.

That 1 guy who disliked it ... I think its great to know your personality through those vids. (Keep up the good work)

Yes, we can relate to this soo much! >~

I love these little videos !! I relate so much to this and I wish I could overcome it soon!!

Guys this actually helps me a lot every week or day you decide take a piece of paper and pencil and just let out all your anger on the page about your art or really anything anyway everyday do this and use the tips from these videos and then about a week or 2 in check your progress and how it goes down day by day and that would probably inspire you because you know your doing great

I love these new kinds of videos!

There's actually a name for what I've been feelings for the past 7 years?!! I've always thought it's because of self-esteem and confidences issues that I spiral down into depressions and seems to be stuck there. (Though, I did believe that because of this being festered for 7 years, I have developed mild depression at this stage.) For years I was afraid to pick up a pencil to continue to draw. And whenever I did, I hated myself and my art. It was so hard that I simply stop drawing and run away because I didn't want to keep feeling so hopeless. This make me happy that I can finally name this feeling. I love art. I don't need anyone's help. I still have pride. I'm a perfectionist so that make it harder. But, at least now I know name of the state that I'm in. I'll stop trying to beat myself up and cheer up. Thank you so much for your video. I am so glad I clicked on it. I'll go cry and after that cheer up.

Thank you so much for this video. It came to me in my reccomended in a time of weakness and self doubt that was breaking me apart: I felt so inadequate in comparison to artist my age or even younger than me, and no matter what I drew, there was always something I felt I was doing radically wrong. It doesn't help that my art doesn't get a lot of following, so I just feel like the general public just find my art mediocre.

recently, i've been feeling so frustrated about my art. before, i used to enjoy it so much but as time passes, i get more and more insecure about it. i always expect my art to look great and i end up being disappointed because i feel like it's not good enough. i dreamt of doing it as a job because it makes me happy but now i am afraid that it will be the one holding me down. i really want to improve but whenever i practice, i stop because i hate how my drawing turns out. after watching this video, i really felt so much better, and thank you so much for that ❤ i hope that i learn to accept my art and improve in the future 💕

I feel this all the time. Just a constant up and down

man this really came to me at the perfect time

Art is not a challenge, it is life.

My parents were very commanding of me when I was small when it came to Art and Projects and Any type of work and that really impacted me. They had let go of the reins when I was getting older but since I was so used to that pressure of perfection I winded up being my own nagging parents and I was never happy with any of my art unless it either was at the same level or surpassed the level of my peers. But I’ve learned to just lay back and relax and to not be so judgmental of my art ,and my art now has improved dramatically 💗 .

I enjoy making my art and when it's just the way I want it I feel unsatisfied

I want more of these videos! :) ...you know, when you have time and if you want to. I love them!

I enjoyed watching this video, thank you for creating this.

just started art school and dear god I'm feeling this so hard...nice video to watch

Yes, I feel the same way! It's the reason why I never gave art a chance as a career before. Although I have the exact same "imposter feeling" in my profession now. I'm currently getting my diploma in nursing. most of the time I feel like I'm not good enough even though I have all my grades and people tell me I'm doing fine. But the feeling stays... I should be working on my confidence and my positive thinking. I can see now that it's the root of the problem of a lot of things... Art, RU-vid, work :/

Thank u confidence boost this vid def helped thx :)

Your work is amazing

I LOVE this style of urs:)

thank you so much for making this video! it’s nice to know that i’m not the only one who thinks this way i’m not a professional artist, but i can draw (kinda well i think?) and whenever i make something my thought process is always “yeah, maybe this is good but is so much better than me, why do i even try-”. so anyways thanks again :)

Thanks for the advice, it really helped me out.

This is the video that I needed today

design student here i had hit rock bottom in my confidence this video meant so much to me i cried thanks

and a huge huge thanks for you. a lesson in life.

SUPER HELPFUL THANK YOUUU 💗