Here's something that might help -- I've read (somewhere, don't remember where) that the sizing of even some premium brands of watercolor paper begins to deteriorate after as little as 5 years, leading to irregular water absorption and paint lay down. Reading that finallygot me to start painting on the A4 tablets of Arches that I'd been stockpiling for when my art got "good enough". My art still isn't "good enough" but I do notice a difference in what I can do with Arches versus the budget brands I felt I deserved. (By the way, those Arches pads are at least 15 years old now, and they still paint fine as far as I can see. But why take chances in case they go to hell next year -- I'll keep painting on them now!)
@@zeldacheri This is one of the best pieces of advice I've gotten - thank you! I'm going to print it out in a large typeface and paste it to the front of the *formerly* untouchable "best paper" drawer!
@@LisbethDavies So glad it resonated with you like it did me when I read that! To be clear, the sizing deterioration has only a potential impact on the working qualities of a paper - water absorption and how the paint flows. The paper's archival quality, i.e. how long the finished work will last, is not affected by this. So paint away!
One day I decided to paint with my non dominant hand and no glasses. It has literally changed my whole approach and outlook. At first it was extremely frustrating because my hand would not respond as I wished. I finally let go and painted intuitively. It is one of my fav pieces I've done. Thank you for the reminder to let go of some perfectionism and have fun with arting!
Working with the smallest "littles" (under 3 y/o) in childcare centers, We, (as teachers) always have a motto regarding "Art time"... "Process OVER Product"! The main principle being: Allow kids to enjoy whatever they are creating, even if the final outcome doesn't look like "anything"! Did the child enjoy making art? If they did, then the outcome doesn't matter one bit.
Thank you for the “tracing is not cheating” comment. I have hand tremors and I often choose to trace over free handing. I find that it frees me up to focus on creating an art piece rather than stressing over that one part of the artistic process.
I am an absolute beginner in water colour - I have bought beautiful watercolour paper, high pigment paints , and brushes that feel fantastic to hold - yet I haven’t use them as I can’t bear the thought of messing them up. I love that you have stated that tracing is not cheating - another fear of mine stemming from school years, as I can’t draw. All of this is stopping me from exploring and experience the joy of creating my own art. I love colour and folk art - I think I have just given myself permission to simply have fun with my painting journey. Thanks for your very helpful and insightful video.
Yes! I am a Fluid Art artist. I started painting 2 years ago, at age 71! I MUST paint every day. I am good at it. I just got my first 2 month booking. However... I have painted well over 200 pieces. I am reluctant to share my art, because they aren't PERFECT. Your tips are so helpful. Your voice is perfect for teaching. Thank you! Oh... im the beginning of your video, when you straightened your brushes and pencil, I had to laugh. Great visual. They still weren't spaced identically!😂❤
Proudly display your art . The first painting I'd as a grown-up at the age 50 ish I put away for years. I now realise it is a wonderful work of art and proudly display it. Every work of art is a work of art
I am impressed by 'perfect' artwork. But I Enjoy the sheer charm of the imperfect. There is the pleasure of the artist in it. I wish I was so free from my BS. No so much charm in the 'perfect'. leave perfectionism to the engineers, etc. That is their burden. Hahaha!
I am a great grandma, much older than you!! I painted back in the 1970's and off and on over the years. However 4 years ago the painting bug bit me like a tiger and I have been painting EVERYDAY! I am in a couple of art groups on Facebook and sometimes I share my paintings as do other members. We praise each other and give advice if asked to do so. Keep on painting, no matter what you think of your work. Sometimes I think my painting is pitiful and someone praises it and points out something they love about it. Some days I only paint strokes and mix DIY colors to match something I see from a company that I love but can't buy.
When I find a picture I want to draw, the first thought that comes to mind is, ' What if I can't do it? " That perfectionist voice in my head. And I hesitate doing it. I try to ignore that voice, and just draw with no expectations, and draw it for the fun of it. The struggle is real!
Thanks for the pep talk. I am self taught and progressing, but for years I had stopped painting. I didn't think I was good enough and was only wasting my time. Now I try not to compare my work to others and just enjoy the process.
Someone once wrote me a note years ago which reads "mystery not mastery". I still have that note and I've tried to live by that when it comes to all my interests
I'm getting inspired to paint again. Thank you for these tips to remember. Yeah, I just want to have fun like I did as a child just coloring. For me trying to create realistic paintings just stressed me out. I'm going to keep it simple.
I love to sketch and use watercolors -I have just started a nature diary and on the first page I announced to all who happen to look at it that mistakes will be made🥰
Thank you. I paint with a tracing. Normally this is "bad". One needs to draw it first then paint it. But learning to draw, by itself is not learning to paint. But since what I want to do is paint, I use the tracing. Some might think that as bad. But since I'm doing that anyway and you now give me permission, I will happily continue. Also I use smaller pieces of paper, this way I get more paintings for the same money. Thank you again.
I can absolutely recommend Anthony's Masterclass. His teaching method is methodical and detailed and allows for questions to be asked in the individual units. Well worth while.
Not always and, it also happens when you plan, concentrate and work with your style. Painting is not one size fits all. This style isn't mine but it's okay, my paintings still sell.
Thank you. This is a great video for me. I don't work often enough and when I do I don't really enjoy it - yep, I don't want to waste the precious paper so don't even start!
This was me for over 20+ years! I started out with watercolors and basic washes of sunsets. Just recently I broke free by starting acrylic abstract painting! This did it! Next I added painting abstracts with the palette knife! Now I have a long cake knife!😮
You nailed it on the head. Stopped painting altogether. Have way too many colors and became fixated on making color charts etc thinking I would learn something. Funny thing was I was more confused than when I started. Then can not decide which primaries to use. So I'm still stumped. Go out art space and look at the materials sigh and leave. Your 2 videos have been an encouragement to me. 😊 will make time tomorrow to start.
a trick my art teacher taught me was to use sketchbook paper(smooth 120-140gsm) instead of watercolor paper. Yes, it is slightly different, I dont get the same blends as I would do on WC paper. But it makes me freer to practice to my heart's content.....practice practice practice till i feel confident enough to use WC paper. Ever since I've started do this....I've gone through 2 sketchbooks of 50 sheets each, picked my brushes up everyday....and just felt so happy and free to play with water and paint
I think drawing and painting from life is very important. It’s fun and definitely loosened me up. Last week I was lucky to have a chance to quickly paint an approaching thunderstorm. I was on a bench on the coast overlooking cliffs (not the wisest idea 😂) My palette was filling up with rain before I retreated 😂 but the clouds and lightning were beautiful to watch 😊
Thank you Anthony, I keep setting myself up , buying brushes , sketch books etc and then being very critical & disappointed with myself when it’s not good …. so today I’m going to get lost in filling pages with practice. 😂 you have inspired me 🎨🖌️
A former art teacher told a story of an art class. The teacher divided the class in two, half the class would be graded on perfection. She only wanted them to paint perfect paintings. The other half of the class was graded on quantity. At the end of the semester they held contest to see whose paintings were the best. Guess whose paintings were the best… (quantity, of course)!
Great video tyfs. I have just found a little trick that has worked for me with a brand new sketchbook I just got (100% cotton beautiful book) I used a stencil to trace out a pattern i like and then painted that. First page done 👍 then i did a few neurographic pieces and I'm completely over the "fear" of using it. Hope this helps someone 😊
Great video, thank you :) i struggle with this all.the.time. a couple of other ideas that are working for me to just get me started creating: 1. do something to that pristine paper to "ruin" it before you start: splash it with paint, tear it, mark it. 2. work on disposable paper: cheap printer paper paper for drawing sketches and studies, back sides of other paintings. 3. find random prompts that are unrelated to what you really want to work on.
I’ve painted a loooong time, I’m 82, but I never got rid of the perfectionism. I’m so critical. My teacher for the last few years, said there are no mistakes, only learning opportunities. She was right, and I really do ok, but I’m so hard on me. I prefer realism too, and it’s not the ideal. Maybe I’ll try watercolor, since I’ve tried oils and acrylics . Thanks for the advice. A old painting perfectionist!
This positive advice has been a revelation 😊 being Swiss we have to be so perfect at everything. Now I am changing my attitude. Thank you so very much 👍🤩
He's a perfectionist but I just want to make sure everything's right Haha A large part of the problem comes from how we talk to ourselves. If we tell ourselves that we are going to 'do a painting', then that can put undue pressure on ourselves to produce something 'finished', whereas if we tell ourselves that we are just going to' play around a bit' or 'try this and just see what happens', wording it these ways reduces the pressure we can put on ourselves to produce something wonderful. I find that I do a lot of my better work simply by not having any particular plan in mind, but simply going with the flow of it & seeing what happens. You have a lot of good tips there Anthony - thank you for sharing them
i love what you said here! i am so into words & what our thoughts & words do to us. it's so true, it's said that we should always talk positive which seems hard to do if you've been a pessimist all your life. so i started out lying to myself, knowing it was a lie, until one day i realised it was no longer a lie. that day changed my whole outlook on things.
@@crystalinedreams6039'Acting as if' it's called. Sometimes we just need to reframe the things we say to ourselves as I did in my first comment or an example would be 'He's indecisive,, he can't make up his mind & I've just reconsidered it' they all mean basically the same thing but they all have different effects on our neurology. By changing the language we use, we can take a lot of the pressure off ourselves to produce something truly exceptional & often by doing so, we'll amaze ourselves at what we do produce
This is great. I actually did this tonight even without realizing it. I wasn't on a particular project, I just started trying some different techniques and giving myself a break if it didn't come out right because I was just "experimenting". I ended up pleased with the results.
Nailed it! I can draw, and color in between the lines and feature little details well enough, but fast and loose and a hint of realism without looking like a Warner Bros. cartoon is my goal.
I’d be on your band wave until I say to myself that the Warner Bros. cartoons are superb and, wait for it, that’s why they are worldwide loved. Then I’m back squinting and dotting the “i”s.
You describe everything that I am not😂...sometimes when everything goes wrong I put the sheet under running water and wash off the paint. Then I try again...and sometimes it works...I once wanted to paint a branch of flowers. It was a desaster...so I sprayed the paper with lots of water and sprinkled different brusho cristall colors on it. Then I went away..when I come back it turned out as a very impressive abstract painting: burning branch in a wild fire. My motto: don't give up, but it doesn't matter if it doesn't work. For example I made cards out of some pictures
Such true words that many can resonate with. I think the best advise was painting the same subject quite a few times and see your progress thank you so much 🙌
You are fantastic! Like a pep talk to go do the art work. So motivating this video! I thought it was just me feeling this way. You absolutely nailed it! All the things we overthink about for fear of failure. Thank you over and over again. I am now a subscriber. ❤😊
I’m a strong perfectionist and it helps me in many ways but ruins my desire for painting, when the result is not what I expect I get very frustrated bc I know I can do better, but slowly I’m working on it. Thanks for your video, I’m sure your tips will be helpful🥰
All of the artist that paint fast and loose recommend larger and longer paint brushes. My problem is my inner ctitic wants to stop and fix ever stroke that isn't perfect so I've been trying mixed media and abstract art trying to break my need to have every stroke perfected with tons of details
I had an art teacher who used a really good method for overcoming perfectionism. She placed a simple chair in front of us, gave us only two colours to use + white. She then gave us only a few minutes to fill our paper with a painting of the chair. After the initial panic, I just got on with the task quickly and was so pleased with the result. I had to throw my perfectionism out of the window and it felt like wonderful freedom.
Perfectionism has held me back at every aspect of my life...I'm now 51 and have all kinds of talents but won't let the world see anything I've accomplished..Perfection leads to anger,frustration and a self defeated way of thinking.My brain cant comprehend "just do it and walk away"..i overwork writig songs,drawing,painting..Not sure if perfectionism stems from OCD..Lol..Here i am trying to write the perfect comment.
Oh, this was perfect. Wish I saw this years ago. I began my art "career" doing graphite and pen and ink. I LOVED the detail. The more complicated the better. I never figured in the time...because time flew by with every stipple dot! However, I had a yearning to do watercolor. I admit, my minute detail got in the way and things looked awful. Oh, yes, I am impatient! I took some classes that I describe as "traditional." You layered color. That meant drying in between! I got frustrated. Without knowing the term, I kept saying I wanted "watery watercolor!" The watercolor teachers I had (many) all gave the same instruction. UGH! I, by accident, during COVID found UA-cam. I saw a person use pen and ink (WAIT....what? Pen and ink....MY FAVORITE!) and add swirls of watercolor. I was hooked. Now I am getting looser and looser. And, on occasion, I prove to myself that I CAN sit for hours and draw a bird wing with a million strokes. Both styles satisfy me. However, I cannot do both in the same art piece! Gotta run....I have 15 minutes before I have to meet someone. I'm hoping to splat out a watercolor before I leave! Thank you!
Lovely, thank you Anthony, so many people would be so much happier if they spent regular time painting and not minding too much about the outcome, warmest regards, Karen
Almost all of this resonated with me, including the introvert bit. Because good paper is key for watercolour, I worked out early on to get large sheets/pads of good quality paper and cut it down to manageable sizes - not so daunting, and way more cost effective. Recently I had a friend come to my studio for the first time and she wanted to look through my stash of ‘rejects’. Even I had to admit I couldn’t see what was wrong with most of them. My inner critic frequently gets it wrong it seems! ☺️
Thankyou so much for this video. Not all of it is applicable to my situation but much of it is and it has awakened me to my "weaknesses". Thanks very much.
Thank you for such a helpful presentation. It was intended for watercolor art but applies to so many other endeavors. Modelers who never build a quality kit because it may not come out perfect. Woodworkers not using the more expensive or special piece of wood. Think of all the most special materials in our collections that never get used because of such procrastination. Thank you
Yes, like the China and fancy stemware only used for special occasions. Or a beautiful dress I never wore because it had to the 'perfect' special occasion.
Yes this is me not actually using ceramic or glass in my favorite art form, mosaics. I always use heavy cardstock and dress it up to LOOK like real tessare. The techniques for doing that are really enjoyable but I still want to one day use real tiles and glass. I am afraid of wasting a lot of money and making a huge mess.
Struggling with it now..when I was in business, my work being realistic, or deliberately stylised gave me a slight edge over competition, & a steady paycheck. But retired now, I find it hard to break old habits of everything being in focus. Now older, needing eyeglasses, im painting without them. When I put them on, I dont like the work. Without them its fine. So standing back from the work, it looks all right to me. I think it was monet who had bad eyesight. It turned out to be a gift to him, to see the colors & tones without sharp details. Monet, manet?? One of them, not sure?
Were the misspelled words a trick meant to show your perfectionist viewers a point? 😂. I paint in acrylics, grossly overthink my approach, and spend ridiculous amounts of time thinking, planning, and researching. I feel like you were speaking to me. I’ve started a loose painting so many times, only to revert back to details. I wrote down your words about the viewer’s eye filling in the details. I will be hanging it in my studio as I continue to strive to overcome come my perfectionism. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.
You describe me with my writing! I have a wish to try illustrating some of my stories but perfectionism leads to procrastination. Thanks for the tips 😁
Wow, that's me also, not wanting to spoil new pads, paint brushes and even paint ( which becomes unusable), ive always wanted to paint looser, I've only just painting again as I lost my confidence. I inow I'm not alone now , many thanks Anthony 😊
This sounds nuts to me. But I do a form of it because I buy a lot of beautiful materials to start on a mosaic - and till now I have not graduated from cardstock. Because I'm worried that I'll be terrible using ceramic or glass. I'm also worried that I'll make a terrible mess.
Tell me your thoughts and comments below 👇🏻 Don't miss my Fast Track to Watercolor course *The WATERCOLOR MASTERCLASS* ⭐ If you’re struggling and frustrated with watercolors and tired of not making progress, my “Masterclass” is the quickest and easiest way to master watercolor painting! Check it out here: www.watercoloraffair.com/watercolor-masterclass-for-beginners/
I recognise that what you say . I felt you were describing my ways . Strangely enough I`ve never seen myself as a perfectionist though . Maybe I`m in denial.But I do enjoy detail if only for well, my view of reality.
Anthony, Good Morning, Thank you for this very positive and inspiring video...I have worked in "The exactness" world my whole life and have tried letting go, but your video has given me a whole new perspective and I absolutely "LOVE" it. I look forward to more videos from the positive side of Can Do! This has put me on a whole new path. Thank you...and Best Wishes for a lovely day. Sincerely Kassandra.
OMG! This is so me. Everything you said resonates. I hate being such a perfectionist as it does my head in. I’m going to use your tip of using a larger brush - in fact, I’m going to use all of your tips! Thank you.
Thank you! Very practical ideas to get past the taste-talent gap! We see such beautiful art and (of course) when we are beginners, we do not have the skills or experience to replicate what we see. Unfortunately, the only way to produce to that high level of art we desire, is to practice. This means making some really ugly art art the start!! 😁 I have decided that I’m not letting anyone see my art for at least year. I’ll fling paint like mad and learn all I can. It takes away the “embarrassment” and gives me room to breathe. ❤
Well, you described me to a T!! I asked another artist one time how to avoid seeing all the details of the subject photo and being overwhelmed by it. He said to squint your eyes, and it does help to look through my eyelashes at the subject photo!
I changed my perspective. If I screw up a page, it gives me carte blanche to try anything on it, do anything to it. And I throw away my old sketchbooks. I didn't paint any works of art. I was learning & I don't need to review how bad I was when I started, so I don't need to hold on to them. Maybe I will this next set. (I have lots of active sketchbooks.) They're not quite so terrible anymore.
Thankyou so much for this. This video popped up when I needed it. I've been art blocked and burnt out lately, aswell as constantly doing designs I don't like. Its frustrating and exhausting. But this has really helped me to learn to be gentle with myself. Art is a process and should be enjoyed. We forget that's why we do it. So this has really given me comfort. Thankyou Anthony! This really helped! Also your voice is really relaxing! Subscribed!
A runner doesn’t look at training sessions as having to be perfect each time. It’s training. Each time you do art, it’s training, it’s strengthening those “muscles”. If a runner stumbles, they don’t say “I suck, I’ll give up.” It’s taken a long time for me to understand that art is about the joy, the flow of creating, NOT the idea of it being perfect and what other people will see. Artists, get a sketchbook that no one will see. Write on the front “Happy Mistakes”, and just allow yourself to be human, not “perfect”.
Everything you said sounds like me! My clouds look ridiculous, can’t draw why try & from a very young age was very good at many things but parents did expect perfection from me. Have torn up paintings I did (others liked) but all I saw were places messed up 🙁. Just today used all paints used for a painting left on plate & just did any color, shapes, wet blooms and was fun. Tyvm!!
I wanted to do watercolors but I got too impatient and discouraged. I wasn't happy with my results. My husband liked them but I threw them out. I figured I'd work on something else and go back to it.I really felt compelled to work on something so I started trying other art forms that I felt more in control with. Like mosaics and epoxy resin pieces. I never did go back to watercolors yet.
Thank you for the great tips! You described me perfectly. An introvert and a perfectionist. I always procrastinate in just starting a painting. I’ll have the paint colors out, the line drawing on the paper and everything ready to go but that’s when I feel paralyzed to even begin, for weeks. Once I force myself to start, I’m ok unless I make a mistake. I give up after that. I realize that I can’t improve by giving up like this and I’m not making any progress. 😢
Thank you for what might help me, I just need to paint on the first page of the sketch book at the top of the pile of empty books lol Yes you descibed me perfectly :) So want to go back to collage and resit my art course I do miss having a model, sighs
You have described me at every turn. I have pads that are 20 years old and untouched.
Me too!
Me too, let’s change that!
Here's something that might help -- I've read (somewhere, don't remember where) that the sizing of even some premium brands of watercolor paper begins to deteriorate after as little as 5 years, leading to irregular water absorption and paint lay down. Reading that finallygot me to start painting on the A4 tablets of Arches that I'd been stockpiling for when my art got "good enough". My art still isn't "good enough" but I do notice a difference in what I can do with Arches versus the budget brands I felt I deserved. (By the way, those Arches pads are at least 15 years old now, and they still paint fine as far as I can see. But why take chances in case they go to hell next year -- I'll keep painting on them now!)
@@zeldacheri This is one of the best pieces of advice I've gotten - thank you! I'm going to print it out in a large typeface and paste it to the front of the *formerly* untouchable "best paper" drawer!
@@LisbethDavies So glad it resonated with you like it did me when I read that! To be clear, the sizing deterioration has only a potential impact on the working qualities of a paper - water absorption and how the paint flows. The paper's archival quality, i.e. how long the finished work will last, is not affected by this. So paint away!
A quote from Ben Franklin: Steady improvement is much preferred to delayed perfectionism. Thanks for the videos!
I needed to hear "Done is better than perfect." That sums up the scattered undone projects in my home.
One day I decided to paint with my non dominant hand and no glasses. It has literally changed my whole approach and outlook. At first it was extremely frustrating because my hand would not respond as I wished. I finally let go and painted intuitively. It is one of my fav pieces I've done. Thank you for the reminder to let go of some perfectionism and have fun with arting!
That sounds like a really interesting thing to do.
I will try that. Sounds like it would be freeing.
My new mantra is “Choose Progress over Perfection”. Great tips to get us perfectionist creating instead of hesitating.
Working with the smallest "littles" (under 3 y/o) in childcare centers, We, (as teachers) always have a motto regarding "Art time"...
"Process OVER Product"!
The main principle being: Allow kids to enjoy whatever they are creating, even if the final outcome doesn't look like "anything"! Did the child enjoy making art? If they did, then the outcome doesn't matter one bit.
“Don’t worry about perfection. You will never reach it “ Salvador Dahli
Thank you for the “tracing is not cheating” comment. I have hand tremors and I often choose to trace over free handing. I find that it frees me up to focus on creating an art piece rather than stressing over that one part of the artistic process.
Thank you for giving me permission to not strive for perfection 😊 Your advice is spot on!
I am an absolute beginner in water colour - I have bought beautiful watercolour paper, high pigment paints , and brushes that feel fantastic to hold - yet I haven’t use them as I can’t bear the thought of messing them up. I love that you have stated that tracing is not cheating - another fear of mine stemming from school years, as I can’t draw. All of this is stopping me from exploring and experience the joy of creating my own art. I love colour and folk art - I think I have just given myself permission to simply have fun with my painting journey. Thanks for your very helpful and insightful video.
Yes! I am a Fluid Art artist. I started painting 2 years ago, at age 71! I MUST paint every day. I am good at it. I just got my first 2 month booking. However... I have painted well over 200 pieces. I am reluctant to share my art, because they aren't PERFECT. Your tips are so helpful. Your voice is perfect for teaching. Thank you! Oh... im the beginning of your video, when you straightened your brushes and pencil, I had to laugh. Great visual. They still weren't spaced identically!😂❤
You're awesome! Can I adopt you as my grandparent??? You're so cute 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Proudly display your art . The first painting I'd as a grown-up at the age 50 ish I put away for years. I now realise it is a wonderful work of art and proudly display it.
Every work of art is a work of art
I am impressed by 'perfect' artwork. But I Enjoy the sheer charm of the imperfect. There is the pleasure of the artist in it. I wish I was so free from my BS. No so much charm in the 'perfect'. leave perfectionism to the engineers, etc. That is their burden. Hahaha!
I am a great grandma, much older than you!! I painted back in the 1970's and off and on over the years. However 4 years ago the painting bug bit me like a tiger and I have been painting EVERYDAY! I am in a couple of art groups on Facebook and sometimes I share my paintings as do other members. We praise each other and give advice if asked to do so. Keep on painting, no matter what you think of your work. Sometimes I think my painting is pitiful and someone praises it and points out something they love about it. Some days I only paint strokes and mix DIY colors to match something I see from a company that I love but can't buy.
Good grief, you have no idea how much I needed this “therapy art session”. I feel so much better!
When I find a picture I want to draw, the first thought that comes to mind is, ' What if I can't do it? " That perfectionist voice in my head. And I hesitate doing it. I try to ignore that voice, and just draw with no expectations, and draw it for the fun of it. The struggle is real!
Thanks for the pep talk. I am self taught and progressing, but for years I had stopped painting. I didn't think I was good enough and was only wasting my time. Now I try not to compare my work to others and just enjoy the process.
Someone once wrote me a note years ago which reads "mystery not mastery". I still have that note and I've tried to live by that when it comes to all my interests
I'm getting inspired to paint again. Thank you for these tips to remember. Yeah, I just want to have fun like I did as a child just coloring. For me trying to create realistic paintings just stressed me out. I'm going to keep it simple.
I love to sketch and use watercolors -I have just started a nature diary and on the first page I announced to all who happen to look at it that mistakes will be made🥰
Thank you. I paint with a tracing. Normally this is "bad". One needs to draw it first then paint it. But learning to draw, by itself is not learning to paint. But since what I want to do is paint, I use the tracing. Some might think that as bad. But since I'm doing that anyway and you now give me permission, I will happily continue. Also I use smaller pieces of paper, this way I get more paintings for the same money. Thank you again.
I can absolutely recommend Anthony's Masterclass. His teaching method is methodical and detailed and allows for questions to be asked in the individual units. Well worth while.
Thanks Alison :-)
@WatercolorAffair good to know, I'm going to sign up soon
My favourite: Magic happens when you let go... 🥰
Not always and, it also happens when you plan, concentrate and work with your style. Painting is not one size fits all. This style isn't mine but it's okay, my paintings still sell.
Thank you. This is a great video for me. I don't work often enough and when I do I don't really enjoy it - yep, I don't want to waste the precious paper so don't even start!
This was me for over 20+ years! I started out with watercolors and basic washes of sunsets. Just recently I broke free by starting acrylic abstract painting! This did it! Next I added painting abstracts with the palette knife! Now I have a long cake knife!😮
You nailed it on the head. Stopped painting altogether. Have way too many colors and became fixated on making color charts etc thinking I would learn something. Funny thing was I was more confused than when I started. Then can not decide which primaries to use. So I'm still stumped.
Go out art space and look at the materials sigh and leave.
Your 2 videos have been an encouragement to me.
😊 will make time tomorrow to start.
My shoulders just relaxes, and I sighed out relief. Thank you. ❤️
a trick my art teacher taught me was to use sketchbook paper(smooth 120-140gsm) instead of watercolor paper. Yes, it is slightly different, I dont get the same blends as I would do on WC paper. But it makes me freer to practice to my heart's content.....practice practice practice till i feel confident enough to use WC paper.
Ever since I've started do this....I've gone through 2 sketchbooks of 50 sheets each, picked my brushes up everyday....and just felt so happy and free to play with water and paint
Oh my!! ...and I thought I was the ONLY ONE that did those things! I am so grateful to have stumbled on your channel!!
I think drawing and painting from life is very important. It’s fun and definitely loosened me up. Last week I was lucky to have a chance to quickly paint an approaching thunderstorm. I was on a bench on the coast overlooking cliffs (not the wisest idea 😂) My palette was filling up with rain before I retreated 😂 but the clouds and lightning were beautiful to watch 😊
Quick plein aire painting is an excellent antidote for perfectionism , so is any moving animal subject 🎉
Thank you Anthony, I keep setting myself up , buying brushes , sketch books etc and then being very critical & disappointed with myself when it’s not good …. so today I’m going to get lost in filling pages with practice. 😂 you have inspired me 🎨🖌️
… does any of this sounds familiar? Yes, yes and yes!!!!!!!! 😂❤
And a big ves to the impatience thing as well
A former art teacher told a story of an art class. The teacher divided the class in two, half the class would be graded on perfection. She only wanted them to paint perfect paintings. The other half of the class was graded on quantity. At the end of the semester they held contest to see whose paintings were the best. Guess whose paintings were the best… (quantity, of course)!
Great video tyfs. I have just found a little trick that has worked for me with a brand new sketchbook I just got (100% cotton beautiful book)
I used a stencil to trace out a pattern i like and then painted that. First page done 👍 then i did a few neurographic pieces and I'm completely over the "fear" of using it. Hope this helps someone 😊
That's a good idea. Makes perfect sense & I can't believe I haven't done the same thing
I would call this strategy, "christening" your work. After this the journey begins. Very helpful idea.
Great video, thank you :) i struggle with this all.the.time. a couple of other ideas that are working for me to just get me started creating: 1. do something to that pristine paper to "ruin" it before you start: splash it with paint, tear it, mark it. 2. work on disposable paper: cheap printer paper paper for drawing sketches and studies, back sides of other paintings. 3. find random prompts that are unrelated to what you really want to work on.
I’ve painted a loooong time, I’m 82, but I never got rid of the perfectionism. I’m so critical. My teacher for the last few years, said there are no mistakes, only learning opportunities. She was right, and I really do ok, but I’m so hard on me. I prefer realism too, and it’s not the ideal. Maybe I’ll try watercolor, since I’ve tried oils and acrylics . Thanks for the advice. A old painting perfectionist!
This positive advice has been a revelation 😊 being Swiss we have to be so perfect at everything. Now I am changing my attitude. Thank you so very much 👍🤩
Yes! This is me and makes me freeze and doubt my ability at every turn.
He's a perfectionist but I just want to make sure everything's right Haha A large part of the problem comes from how we talk to ourselves. If we tell ourselves that we are going to 'do a painting', then that can put undue pressure on ourselves to produce something 'finished', whereas if we tell ourselves that we are just going to' play around a bit' or 'try this and just see what happens', wording it these ways reduces the pressure we can put on ourselves to produce something wonderful. I find that I do a lot of my better work simply by not having any particular plan in mind, but simply going with the flow of it & seeing what happens. You have a lot of good tips there Anthony - thank you for sharing them
i love what you said here! i am so into words & what our thoughts & words do to us. it's so true, it's said that we should always talk positive which seems hard to do if you've been a pessimist all your life. so i started out lying to myself, knowing it was a lie, until one day i realised it was no longer a lie. that day changed my whole outlook on things.
@@crystalinedreams6039'Acting as if' it's called. Sometimes we just need to reframe the things we say to ourselves as I did in my first comment or an example would be 'He's indecisive,, he can't make up his mind & I've just reconsidered it' they all mean basically the same thing but they all have different effects on our neurology. By changing the language we use, we can take a lot of the pressure off ourselves to produce something truly
exceptional & often by doing so, we'll amaze ourselves at what we do produce
This is great. I actually did this tonight even without realizing it. I wasn't on a particular project, I just started trying some different techniques and giving myself a break if it didn't come out right because I was just "experimenting". I ended up pleased with the results.
@@donnagelina8548 Good.I often do the same thing. It's really nice to surprise yourself with what you can do when you're not trying
Nailed it! I can draw, and color in between the lines and feature little details well enough, but fast and loose and a hint of realism without looking like a Warner Bros. cartoon is my goal.
I’d be on your band wave until I say to myself that the Warner Bros. cartoons are superb and, wait for it, that’s why they are worldwide loved. Then I’m back squinting and dotting the “i”s.
I am guilty of “ classic perfectionist artist dilemma”!!
I never knew other artists felt this way.
👍👍👍“Done is better than perfect” Thanks a lot.
I really like the idea of painting every day to break through stagnation. Thanks for the tips.😊😊
At 7:14. Approach with kindness
(All of life)
You describe everything that I am not😂...sometimes when everything goes wrong I put the sheet under running water and wash off the paint. Then I try again...and sometimes it works...I once wanted to paint a branch of flowers. It was a desaster...so I sprayed the paper with lots of water and sprinkled different brusho cristall colors on it. Then I went away..when I come back it turned out as a very impressive abstract painting: burning branch in a wild fire. My motto: don't give up, but it doesn't matter if it doesn't work. For example I made cards out of some pictures
So he perfectly lines up his brushes and paint tubes like a fancy table setting. LOL
...and the painting isn't exactly "loosely" done 😁
It’s awesome, getting over perfectionism is challenging
Such true words that many can resonate with. I think the best advise was painting the same subject quite a few times and see your progress thank you so much 🙌
You are fantastic! Like a pep talk to go do the art work. So motivating this video! I thought it was just me feeling this way. You absolutely nailed it! All the things we overthink about for fear of failure. Thank you over and over again. I am now a subscriber. ❤😊
I’m a strong perfectionist and it helps me in many ways but ruins my desire for painting, when the result is not what I expect I get very frustrated bc I know I can do better, but slowly I’m working on it. Thanks for your video, I’m sure your tips will be helpful🥰
All of the artist that paint fast and loose recommend larger and longer paint brushes. My problem is my inner ctitic wants to stop and fix ever stroke that isn't perfect so I've been trying mixed media and abstract art trying to break my need to have every stroke perfected with tons of details
Those were golden nuggets of wisdom and observation...thank you so much
This is about the best instruction I have ever seen or heard. Perfectionism is one of my biggest problems with watercolor❤ thank-you so much
I had an art teacher who used a really good method for overcoming perfectionism. She placed a simple chair in front of us, gave us only two colours to use + white. She then gave us only a few minutes to fill our paper with a painting of the chair. After the initial panic, I just got on with the task quickly and was so pleased with the result. I had to throw my perfectionism out of the window and it felt like wonderful freedom.
I definitely needed this today. Thank you! Sometimes we just need to be reminded to get out of our own way.
Ohy goodness, have you hit the nail on the head for me!! Many thanks for these very precious helpful tips!!! ❤
Perfectionism has held me back at every aspect of my life...I'm now 51 and have all kinds of talents but won't let the world see anything I've accomplished..Perfection leads to anger,frustration and a self defeated way of thinking.My brain cant comprehend "just do it and walk away"..i overwork writig songs,drawing,painting..Not sure if perfectionism stems from OCD..Lol..Here i am trying to write the perfect comment.
Oh, this was perfect. Wish I saw this years ago. I began my art "career" doing graphite and pen and ink. I LOVED the detail. The more complicated the better. I never figured in the time...because time flew by with every stipple dot! However, I had a yearning to do watercolor. I admit, my minute detail got in the way and things looked awful. Oh, yes, I am impatient! I took some classes that I describe as "traditional." You layered color. That meant drying in between! I got frustrated. Without knowing the term, I kept saying I wanted "watery watercolor!" The watercolor teachers I had (many) all gave the same instruction. UGH! I, by accident, during COVID found UA-cam. I saw a person use pen and ink (WAIT....what? Pen and ink....MY FAVORITE!) and add swirls of watercolor. I was hooked. Now I am getting looser and looser. And, on occasion, I prove to myself that I CAN sit for hours and draw a bird wing with a million strokes. Both styles satisfy me. However, I cannot do both in the same art piece! Gotta run....I have 15 minutes before I have to meet someone. I'm hoping to splat out a watercolor before I leave! Thank you!
Lovely, thank you Anthony, so many people would be so much happier if they spent regular time painting and not minding too much about the outcome,
warmest regards,
Karen
Almost all of this resonated with me, including the introvert bit. Because good paper is key for watercolour, I worked out early on to get large sheets/pads of good quality paper and cut it down to manageable sizes - not so daunting, and way more cost effective. Recently I had a friend come to my studio for the first time and she wanted to look through my stash of ‘rejects’. Even I had to admit I couldn’t see what was wrong with most of them. My inner critic frequently gets it wrong it seems! ☺️
Thankyou so much for this video. Not all of it is applicable to my situation but much of it is and it has awakened me to my "weaknesses". Thanks very much.
You hit my nail right on the head! Great comontary too!
Great video! I appreciate all of the tips and your humor is well.
Thank you for this video. I had the impression you were talking directly to me... 😅
Thank you for such a helpful presentation. It was intended for watercolor art but applies to so many other endeavors. Modelers who never build a quality kit because it may not come out perfect. Woodworkers not using the more expensive or special piece of wood. Think of all the most special materials in our collections that never get used because of such procrastination. Thank you
Yes, like the China and fancy stemware only used for special occasions. Or a beautiful dress I never wore because it had to the 'perfect' special occasion.
Yes this is me not actually using ceramic or glass in my favorite art form, mosaics. I always use heavy cardstock and dress it up to LOOK like real tessare. The techniques for doing that are really enjoyable but I still want to one day use real tiles and glass. I am afraid of wasting a lot of money and making a huge mess.
I find your videos very helpful in my watercolor journey .
Struggling with it now..when I was in business, my work being realistic, or deliberately stylised gave me a slight edge over competition, & a steady paycheck. But retired now, I find it hard to break old habits of everything being in focus. Now older, needing eyeglasses, im painting without them. When I put them on, I dont like the work. Without them its fine. So standing back from the work, it looks all right to me. I think it was monet who had bad eyesight. It turned out to be a gift to him, to see the colors & tones without sharp details. Monet, manet?? One of them, not sure?
Were the misspelled words a trick meant to show your perfectionist viewers a point? 😂. I paint in acrylics, grossly overthink my approach, and spend ridiculous amounts of time thinking, planning, and researching. I feel like you were speaking to me. I’ve started a loose painting so many times, only to revert back to details. I wrote down your words about the viewer’s eye filling in the details. I will be hanging it in my studio as I continue to strive to overcome come my perfectionism. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences with us.
This video was made for me!
Thank you so much for all your ideas, advice. and tips.❤
You describe me with my writing! I have a wish to try illustrating some of my stories but perfectionism leads to procrastination. Thanks for the tips 😁
Reading through all the comments im not alone, Thankyou…..it puts things in more perspective
Wow, that's me also, not wanting to spoil new pads, paint brushes and even paint ( which becomes unusable), ive always wanted to paint looser, I've only just painting again as I lost my confidence. I inow I'm not alone now , many thanks Anthony 😊
This sounds nuts to me. But I do a form of it because I buy a lot of beautiful materials to start on a mosaic - and till now I have not graduated from cardstock. Because I'm worried that I'll be terrible using ceramic or glass. I'm also worried that I'll make a terrible mess.
Thanks so much for these tips. Every single one resonated with me. I'm going to bookmark this one because these tips will be valuable reminders!!
Tell me your thoughts and comments below 👇🏻
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Just do it, people! ☺️
Thank you so much! Thats exactly the point, why i don’t be creative since Years 😢 In future i will try to do it again ❤
30 seconds in and I am already laughing at myself, that’s me😂
I love your artichokes! I’m going to try this sometime soon 👏😊
I recognise that what you say . I felt you were describing my ways . Strangely enough I`ve never seen myself as a perfectionist though . Maybe I`m in denial.But I do enjoy detail if only for well, my view of reality.
You are my Hero…..it’s as if you here with me and explaining everything. Thank you so very much.
Mine was poverty...my parents didn't have the money, as soon I could buy my own.... but I still struggle with messing up. You have explained so much.
Thank you, Anthony! For making this video ESPECIALLY FOR ME! How did you know?!? Brilliant! ♥️🙏♥️
Anthony, Good Morning, Thank you for this very positive and inspiring video...I have worked in "The exactness" world my whole life and have tried letting go, but your video has given me a whole new perspective and I absolutely "LOVE" it. I look forward to more videos from the positive side of Can Do! This has put me on a whole new path. Thank you...and Best Wishes for a lovely day. Sincerely Kassandra.
OMG! This is so me. Everything you said resonates. I hate being such a perfectionist as it does my head in. I’m going to use your tip of using a larger brush - in fact, I’m going to use all of your tips! Thank you.
I am 100% perfectionnist, ...and witdrawn. Tks fort the tips
Thank you! Very practical ideas to get past the taste-talent gap! We see such beautiful art and (of course) when we are beginners, we do not have the skills or experience to replicate what we see. Unfortunately, the only way to produce to that high level of art we desire, is to practice. This means making some really ugly art art the start!! 😁 I have decided that I’m not letting anyone see my art for at least year. I’ll fling paint like mad and learn all I can. It takes away the “embarrassment” and gives me room to breathe. ❤
Well, you described me to a T!! I asked another artist one time how to avoid seeing all the details of the subject photo and being overwhelmed by it. He said to squint your eyes, and it does help to look through my eyelashes at the subject photo!
Thank you! Your masterclass helped me tremendously
Gosh, you must be peaking over my shoulder. Thank you so much, you are so insightful.
I changed my perspective. If I screw up a page, it gives me carte blanche to try anything on it, do anything to it. And I throw away my old sketchbooks. I didn't paint any works of art. I was learning & I don't need to review how bad I was when I started, so I don't need to hold on to them. Maybe I will this next set. (I have lots of active sketchbooks.) They're not quite so terrible anymore.
Thankyou so much for this. This video popped up when I needed it. I've been art blocked and burnt out lately, aswell as constantly doing designs I don't like. Its frustrating and exhausting.
But this has really helped me to learn to be gentle with myself. Art is a process and should be enjoyed. We forget that's why we do it. So this has really given me comfort.
Thankyou Anthony! This really helped! Also your voice is really relaxing! Subscribed!
That was incredibly helpful! For the algorithm.
This is so helpful. Thank you so much!
Appreciate your advice. Really helps.
A runner doesn’t look at training sessions as having to be perfect each time. It’s training. Each time you do art, it’s training, it’s strengthening those “muscles”. If a runner stumbles, they don’t say “I suck, I’ll give up.”
It’s taken a long time for me to understand that art is about the joy, the flow of creating, NOT the idea of it being perfect and what other people will see.
Artists, get a sketchbook that no one will see. Write on the front “Happy Mistakes”, and just allow yourself to be human, not “perfect”.
I recently bought a blank journal from Red Bubble with a sketch I liked. I had it printed on the front with, "No regrets".
@@dessyedeeclark1144
Yes! So cool. ❤️❤️
Thank you for this UA-cam. I am a perfectionist too. That alone has me get a slow start and it is probably due to the fear of failure.
Great reminders! Thank you 🙏
in a single word...Liberating!
Everything you said sounds like me! My clouds look ridiculous, can’t draw why try & from a very young age was very good at many things but parents did expect perfection from me.
Have torn up paintings I did (others liked) but all I saw were places messed up 🙁.
Just today used all paints used for a painting left on plate & just did any color, shapes, wet blooms and was fun. Tyvm!!
I wanted to do watercolors but I got too impatient and discouraged. I wasn't happy with my results. My husband liked them but I threw them out. I figured I'd work on something else and go back to it.I really felt compelled to work on something so I started trying other art forms that I felt more in control with. Like mosaics and epoxy resin pieces. I never did go back to watercolors yet.
Thank you for the great tips! You described me perfectly. An introvert and a perfectionist. I always procrastinate in just starting a painting. I’ll have the paint colors out, the line drawing on the paper and everything ready to go but that’s when I feel paralyzed to even begin, for weeks. Once I force myself to start, I’m ok unless I make a mistake. I give up after that. I realize that I can’t improve by giving up like this and I’m not making any progress. 😢
This was about me😊. Thank you very much for your great and smart advices❤❤❤
Such good advice that I've saved it. Defo true for me.
Thank you Thank you, as you for this enlightenment, being a Realist has slowed down my progress. I’m trying to slow down and let what happens happen…
You're correct , all your tips hit home...Thank-you 😊
Thank you for what might help me, I just need to paint on the first page of the sketch book at the top of the pile of empty books lol Yes you descibed me perfectly :) So want to go back to collage and resit my art course I do miss having a model, sighs
I soooo needed this - thank you, a million times over ❤
You have described me perfectly!