Stop Trying To Make Good Art! 

for me personally, that mindset never leaves me. especially when you see yourself being a professional artist and making a living of it and bringing your creations to life, you want everything to be perfect, if not at least good. it’s hard for me to get out of this rut, because i know it’s bad for me but i just cannot stop being so harsh on myself. but i love the advice, jackie! you’re one of my favourite artists and you inspire me. i aspire to be like you someday 💖

I love this so much. I am legally blind and I have been an artist all my life. I just started to lose my eyesight just a few years ago and it has been a struggle. My family kept encouraging me to keep doing art but it was hard. Pushing through a deep depression I decided to do something that I never done before. I taught myself how to sculpt and I loved it but I was still trying to do things like I always done my art and it wasn't working for me at all. I didn't know what to do. One day my sister told me that I was taking my art waaay to serious. I was trying to be perfect when I really couldn't see that great. I said ok fine I will not take my art so seriously. I ended up sculpting a funny monster with One big eye, one small eye and with one long tooth lol. I showed my husband what I made and he laughed soo hard and said YES do that. That is so you. You should sale that. I can say it is definitely unique lol I decided to embrace imperfection. I can't see straight lines so I don't do straight lines. Thank God I can still see colors but when I paint my monsters it will not be perfect and that's ok. I am sharing how I see the world. This is what I see. In the end I learned to embrace all of me. I am enough. I really love my art now and I am very happy❤... Thank you for the great video. It is very encouraging❤

It’s so hard to get to that mindset of enjoying art, I always try to remind myself to enjoy the process ( and I do) but I feel like I owe it to myself to be good at art. It’s something I’m incredibly passionate about and I just want to be the best cus I definitely see myself doing this as a full time job and although the thought is exciting it’s also very scary

I needed to hear this. I’ve avoided drawing because I lost my inspiration for the last 6 months… social media has made me burnout from being able to even make bad art. I waste time if I can’t post something, so now I don’t post anything.

As a person who struggles with procrastination and perfectionism, this was very well needed.

Perfectionism is always gonna blow up in your face. Just relax and stop putting way too much pressure on yourself because art is not gonna “art” that way. Experiment, have fun, try again if you mess up. Even best artists have tons of bad art that they dont show other people. It doesnt matter if your art doesnt always look good, its still your art. You have the power to improve it, just study the right way and dont be afraid to make mistakes. Thats how people learn. Good luck on your art journey

I think this happened to me once I switched mainly to digital art. When I used to draw traditionally exclusively I would have a crap ton of fun being messy and erasing a lot. now that undo button shows no faded sketch lines so it always seems BRAND NEW lol. I need to get messy again and enjoy the sense of journeying to that end point of my pieces again instead of wanting to push something out and worrying about what time the people who follow me get to see it.

Loved this video! I enjoy Taoist philosophy and this is what they call "wuwei" effortless action. Ever since I've implemented that into my everyday life, my life changed. Even my mental health got better. So many expectations from others never help. That's why goals aren't the best way to think about achieving things, intentions are! ☺️

Thank you for this! I got really caught in this rut when seeing art from Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse and Arcane since they are my favorite styles and wanted to try something as stylized and bold. Of course it doesn't come anywhere near that level because those are done by some of the top artists. It also doesn't help I watch a lot of artist videos on RU-vid and they look so good and I get discouraged. I'm putting a lot more stress and expectations on myself. Especially when I'm just drawing as a hobby. It is supposed to be relaxing. I think I prefer painting due to me being more free in making something. It doesn't have to be perfect.

When you talked about the one layer thing it made me think about traditional art too... that's it's advantage. Traditional art is technically harder and yet, it somehow gets me into this flow state easier. I think it's also bc I'm new to it (started stocking on proper supplies back in January as a last ditch effort to renew my love for art lol) and yeah. It's kinda fascinating how limited choices in traditional produce better results as well. Like painting with 3-5 paints instead of a bigger set!

I really, really needed to hear this. I stopped drawing for a few years because my perfectionism choked out the joy I felt in creating art and it wasn't enjoyable anymore. I hated everything I made because it didn't meet the expectations I had set before even starting the piece. Recently I was motivated to draw by a cool character and it's backstory, and found so much happiness in just throwing my idea down on paper and not caring if it was perfect. I want to retrain my brain on how it approaches art and this mindset is awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your encouragement and advice!!

omg thanks so much that colour dynamics tip was something ive been looking for for ages!

I actually had this realization a while ago. Ironically it was inspired by watching you make art. I realized that I wasn’t allowing myself to draw in my style because I felt my style was too simple and not good enough. When I saw how beautiful your art was, I let go!

You have no idea how much I needed this?!😭😭 I have so many unfinished projects because I wanted to make perfect art work. I don't want to draw from reference. I just want to draw for fun and express myself.

Thanks for sharing this, a lot of what you said really resonated. I'm so worried about making "good art" that I'm now afraid to experiment. I think things like Instagram really messed my progress up: worrying about posting for likes started to make drawing almost feel like a chore instead of a way to just express myself.

I've been drawing (almost) everyday for like 5 years now and really been enjoying it! Here are some of my tips: 1. Fuck around and find out, it's impossible for everydrawing to look good, also practicing anything new will most always look shitty at the start so just embrace the ugliness. I personally started to really appreciate my ugly thumbnail sized sketches. Don't take your sketchbook (or any alternative that works for you) too seriously. They're the place where you can be as free to make ugly art and studies as you want. Lol I've called my sketchbooks shitbooks for years now because shit sketches work as fertiliser for really good art that you love to grow🤡💖 (stupid joke but the mindset works for me) Be selfish. Your personal art should only be drawn for your enjoyment. Others should always come second if at all imo Find put what YOU actually LOVE and connect to (I personally have ocs that I'm deeply connected to but it can be fanart, landscapes, still life or literally anything else) it makes accepting your shitty art days, learning the boring stuff and actually improving much more fun (and most of my art improvement begun when I adopted this mindset) Also don't feel guilty of missing a day or if you can't draw everyday, It's not for everyone and definitely not the only way to genuinely enjoy making art!!! Basically don't take art seriously like at all. take what you love seriously and it will make you want to continue and get better by proxy

Seeking perfection will make you think that you're never good, it's never gonna be perfect, sometimes it is better to enjoy the process and let your goal be finishing your drawing in the first place. Just fool around, that's way more satisfying than trying to be perfect. I had to learn that the hard way after two years of burnout 😂

I absolutely agree, I would create more art when I was strictly working on one layer. I think making art for someone else(clients etc.) should be organized but when you make it for yourself it should be messy and fun or experimental.

i really appreciate your thoughts on your experience. i think for me i was always scared of being "blind" of my mistakes and hid myself from the world. i practiced so much thinking that i had to catch up and that I can't make it otherwise. it was nice to resonate with you on these thoughts that you had to just let yourself go or "not care" which is hard when im unable to pinpoint where that thought actually is (if this makes sense) i never usually comment but i wanted to share my appreciation. love your style and love how you tried procrete dreams btw!!

This is exactly what I needed! My motivation to draw has been pretty low lately after some discouragement from seeing pieces from other artists that are significantly better than where I'm at. While I think it's great to always find ways to improve, we can get so bogged down in that area that we lose focus from ENJOYING the process of art. I've learned to enjoy what I do and to improve one step at a time. Thanks again for this Jackie!

Girl, which thought resonated? How about all of them :D all those struggles with making perfect art, ending up basically paralyzed cause "if I won't make another masterpiece why even bother" are accompanying me on a daily basis. Thank you so much for this video, it really poked at the right spots. Also, I love the piece you made, the sketchiness, colors and dynamic is exactly what makes is great! Good luck on your journey!

It's harder for me personally because I'm still trying to get a career in art, especially in animation or comics, even if I try to make something I do think is good and post it I'd still get glossed over. Or even if I do get noticed marginally nobody still wants to hire me for commissions or anything. I want to have fun making art but if I want to make a career out of it and nobody else cares that's when I feel down. Same with voice acting.

Thank you. I just found you thru this video. I'm stuck in the "need to make good art to pay bills but freeze up" and so am not doing much at all. The fear of no one liking the "bad art" enough to help me survive is like a brain worm that took over and infects everything I try to draw. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. Thank you for your perspective on this. I do remember "giving up" on pieces because I could get them to be "right". but some ended up being my most popular. I'm trying to make the mental state of not caring if it's perfect be my constant state.

gah this video was so relatable and really opened my eyes to certain patterns i have when it comes to drawing. Whenever I see a piece of unique art that really inspires me, I get super pumped up to draw like them and tend to create a piece that makes me satisfied-- and in hindsight it was because I experimented with it and had fun. On the other hand, artworks that I draw for social media tend to be a lot stiffer and lean towards same face syndrome because I've basically pressured and conditioned myself to think "oh, that's the only way to get likes. If i draw something different, it'll do badly w/ my audience and the algorithm."

The other week I started a new sketchbook and something I realized doing the first few pages was that I enjoyed the process and the outcome of pieces that I either drew faster, or drew in a dim/unevenly lit room, because it made it harder to notice all the little mistakes.

Switching to painting on one layer 9 years ago changed my life.

I personally don’t care if my art looks good or bad to others, I’m having a blast when drawing or painting and the drive to keep on creating more is so much better than obsessing over my art style

honestly, some of the best art advice I've ever heard - it's like "just have fun making art" but as a well thought out and thought provoking point

Loved the video. Happy holidays I liked the handbag with linear sketches and that's the beauty of art, people love and hate it on their own and seems like artists keep forgetting about this part of it. Specially with social media we often want the likes and forget if we don't get likes is because is in a bigger place than art platforms or galleries in real life so many would come accords with it and don't think much of it but in art galleries irl or online is more targeted especially with algorithms finding people who like art is difficult because most artists don't post everyday. Doesn't matter how "perfect" the art is if you're posting it on social media it won't be doing great as much a person wants because audience for it is limited, but a guy doing a prank or a satir video would go viral and accepted. Just remember we are showcasing and even selling practices instead of "perfect art".

I needed this! I was stuck on a piece and I think this mindset/technique is what I need to finally finish it. Thank you

This is a good mindset for many creative disciplines but it's hard to be in lol

such a good mindset that i feel like doesn't get said enough. you're one of the best artist youtubers out there and definitely my favorite

Finishing an artwork has always been a challenge. Ive only done it a handful of times and im not sure why

Using markers got a lot more fun when I stopped caring about the visible streaks and occasional coloring outside the lines. Now I actually really like the slight streakiness (keyword slight)- it adds texture and personality that wouldn’t be there if it were a “perfect” solid color.

I've always dealed with big expectations from family, friends, professors and classmates while living and studying in a small city. They always wanted me to achieve great things like working for a big studio or making my own animated series and getting famous. When I finally got to work for a small studio these expectations went even higher until my mind wasn't able to keep up with that stress and hit a massive art block. Now I'm just starting to get through it by letting myself do more imperfect art and not post it on social media, and experiment with traditional media as well. I relate so much to what you're talking about here, so thank you so much for sharing!

You have literally changed my relationship with drawing the past year since I’ve started watching your channel! I relate to everything you say I swear. Thank you for making these videos! ❤❤

It’s something I still struggle with. Even though I know to just enjoy art & not worry about if it’s good or bad, part of me still puts a lot of pressure on myself to make my work just as good as everything I see on social media in hopes that I’ll get lots of likes, land a job, & become internet famous Even if it’s just something small for fun, I put too much pressure since everything else on my feed looks 100 times better than how I see my art

Wow this video helped me a lot with how I think about my art, thank you sm!!!!!! I also LOVE how sketchy your drawings are its so different and unique!!!

I love that drawing so much, this video helped me a ton, thank you

jackie I really love ur vids they always make my day better and i love how free u are while talking and drawing u got such a messy and energitic soul I love it keep feeding us pieces of ur soul we love uuuuuuu

I'm a writer, not a artist ... but this video was so helpful for me in understanding my own mindset. Thank you so much 💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛💛

Thank you. I have been through this phase and just got out of it a few weeks ago. Thanks for sharing your experience

i've been thinking about this for a while. nice video!

Thank you so much for the recommendations!

this piece is so cool, I love how unique your art style is ❤❤

the quote from 2:58 sold me

This is actually helpful.. I cant wait until I get to the level where I can just post what I want and not care about the likes. It sucks wanting to grow on socials and not creating what I want to create. Thank you for this!

Glad to know I’m not the only one working on one layer. I thought I was lazy. 😅

This video is saving sooo many artist ❤. Thank you. I feel like now I understand how to actually enjoy my self and love my art.

Glad to see videos like this one, thank you for reminding me of this important fact.

Thank you for this precious advice it really helps me grow more as an artist your art really inspires me and motivates me to keep improving!❤

Me at the start: "Stop *what??* Are you NUTS?!" Me by the end: "Okay, I totally get it. But do you realize what you are asking me? What's the point if it doesn't look how I want it?"

Great perspective on not using many layers

Thank you

I really liked this video! Sometimes we need to make perfect art, but it shouldn't be our goal always. Thank you for your advice and for showing how you made this piece.

Great advice, I will start enjoying my craft more😊

I will save this to watch periodically thank you for this video. i tend to fluctuate between learning and goal oriented. when i try to experiment and study it is so much fun when i can be in the zone but i feel like once i find something i like i fixate and complicate the process and i become more goal oriented and lose focus and drive. so this video is legit a super duper helpful reminder. to experiment, to make something for myself, and to NOT compare myself to others :")

I needed this, I've been struggling to just start again and this concept is helping me navigate the anxiety

I believe this was my art professor intention when he made a class where students learn how to make & develop their own art w/o going the traditional route (painting, drawing, sculpting, etc). He wanted us to full abstract or somewhat abstract w/ those mediums, but not so traditional. I get his point because by going inside the box, we trap ourself in wanting to make perfect art in that medium only to be stuck trying to be perfect. His class was chaotic & frustrating for perfectionists, but I discovered mixed media through it, & let myself get more loose w/ different styles & texture. I wish more classes were like this. It's like being in kindergarten all over again trying new things.

This is pretty affirming and chill. Would definitely listen to more 😊

I needed this thank you!

Your voice and accent are so amazing! I'm a big fan of your artwork, Jackie =)

I really needed this, I just want to have fun and not worry as well. Then again, I just do this as a hobby but man it's really a whole another world I feel I can escape to while getting inspiration from youtube artists or cartoonists.

I have a question. I’m trying to get hired as a Character Designer in animation. I feel like I have trouble with enjoying art because I keep seeing things that say “if you don’t draw or practice THE RIGHT WAY your art will never improve” how can I enjoy art if just drawing like I do will never get better?? Is. There truth to that or should I just keep drawing like always?

Ur art is FIRE🔥🔥 KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

Thank you for this! helped me a lot! amazing drawing btw!

thank you SO MUCH for this video

Ohhhh, this makes so much sense

I'm not an artist, but the advice to stop trying to "make it good" applies to what I'm currently working on. It's so hard to let go of the need to make it perfect, but I've noticed the times I'm really in tune with my creativity, I'm making mistakes, but it's fun because I'm just letting it be and come naturally, not control every little detail.

I was needing this advice

loved this!

It can be really refreshing to work in this way if not always at least sometimes. Perfectionism can really kill art sometimes and cause unwanted stress. Really cool textures and gradients btw

Thank you 🥺💖

wow this video felt like you looked right through me haha, i'm having issues with all the same things. but whenever i make art from now on, i'll remember your wordsand try to embrace the ugly pieces 🫶

i needed this so bad, thanks!

great mindset and awesome advice :)

This is so meditative and fun

same i need to chill out again and take it less seriously, thats when i posted the most and had the most success and also the post with the msot likes ever took the least effort, im talking 1 hour. meanwhile a piece that took a week didnt even get half

That "ugly" style is really cool

Love this advice, just what I need, thanks

good advice! i recently started painting using a vr headset and i found it to be much more enjoyable than drawing sketches, it prompted me to stop sketching as much and figure out that it’s more enjoyable for me to create art as if i was a painter

I really needed to hear this

Yes! Also try to never use the undo button. Grab a cheap ballpoint, grab a paper, dont do detail, stay in the stick figure zone for a few months

What great advice, something i really could use. Thanks. Subbed!!!

I love the messiness of your art. I also enjoy this style of video.

2 years ago I started finishing and uploading a drawing every day, I never thought I could manage it, and a big part of that was getting over the hump of "but it looks bad..." Well, if you have to finish it in one day then it either has to take up your whole day (which is fine every so often) or you just... Let it be "bad". And it's become a highlight of my day ever since, even on days where I don't feel like doing it. And just yesterday, I got paid for my art for the first time.

Same story here, I also trying to go little free from perfection.

Good tips, thanks

I love your voice and sense of humour subscribed 🎉

Loved this video!!!

I should definitely try doing that more and not care too much about how itll end up looking, since personal art is supposed to be fun and not stressful. I feel like I get too caught up in numbers and reach in social media but thats not really why I make art for, I make art because im passionate about it and I enjoy the process of drawing and painting. Love ur videos as always

this helped me so much

I have a habit of having 50+ layers so I can separate everything and it does get a bit crazy (I only started art 4 months ago) I also been doing every day which has stressed me out to keep up the streak and it is less fun now this is a very helpful reminder that I need to dial it down a few pegs

I'm in a kind of situation where i'm constantly like: "why does it feel like everyone's trace is different than mine" and currently trying to figure out why that is

"I must be perfection"

This is… I guess something I should really focus on :) thank you

As a beginner artist, just months in. I always have a problem with doing too little practice, because during practice i could draw something and be really proud of it. But then i dont draw anything else after in fear it wont look as good

People tend to put up a standard of "good art". Where a finished product is considered the best it can be, but that's just surface level appreciation. It's one of the reasons why I don't enjoy Fine Arts as you only get to see the work and having a less chance to interact with the creator and the process. The journey on making art is the best part of art. Getting from a blank space to something by utilizing tools and techniques that you've learned over the years.

"Once I stopped trying to be good at art, and started to embrace the messy, the imperfect and the unpredictable, then I remembered why I love art in the first place" 0:33 I had to write it down. And also this 5:22. I hate how social media is ruining creativity by demanding human beings (that need to rest and worry about other things in life) to pump out art constantly and mindlessly like a machine. I used to think that way as well, and I even now I have to consciously stop it. Currently whenever and idea for an illustration comes up, the first thing I think about is how to post it on my art account, but I HAVE to stop doing that, cause it will only damage my art by putting that kind of pressure on it. I have to remind myself: do that art FOR YOURSELF, and then you can post it IF, and only if, you feel like it.

7:41 absolutely this. I think mostly many artist thought making a bad drawing will never improve or just looking bad for their reputation for their viewer. They need to realize that profesional who can keep posting consistent good drawing or painting doesn’t mean they don’t have bad drawings too in their work. They probably work many piece but just post their best one. But I think afraid of failure can be the factor that makes artist won’t let themselves making bad art or drawing. In reality, only failure that can make you want to learn and improve in the first place which would eventually lead to be better artist.