Contrary to popular belief the biggest beginner's roadblock to art isn't even technical skill it's frustration tolerance, especially in the age of social media. It hurts and the frustration is endless but you must build the frustration tolerance equivalent to a roach's capacity to survive a nuclear explosion. That's how you build on the technical skill. Throw that "won't even start because I'm afraid it won't be perfect" shit out the window. Just do it. Just start. Good luck.
this post inspired me to dig up and repost to bsky an older twitter thread i made about my views on the same topic:
and here is the link to that feed in the final post of the thread, if you want to read my tips. good luck, keep going
[image description: bluesky thread by @/batshaped.bsky.social, reading:
""Just practice" is good and necessary advice, but so frustrating for beginning artists to hear. I think what's missing is the assurance that drawing WILL get more fun. It really will. And the thing that makes it more fun is the control you develop after lots of practice. (thread repost)
Art used to involve a lot of guesswork for me. Something would “come out good” and I wouldn’t know how to replicate it. I understood that being able to control the outcome of a drawing was a skill that existed, but I’m not sure I fully believed it would ever happen for me.
When I started working as a professional artist, I still didn't have this skill and it was stressful. Learning on the job out of necessity, I struggled desperately to understand form, perspective, etc. Drawing through the frustration, even as I approached understanding, was hell.
When I finally beat the learning curve & came out on the other side, I was so much happier with my work. I'm no master, but I have way more control over my drawings now, and tools to understand more advanced concepts going forward—building on what I have rather than feeling lost.
I understand why many give the advice “just practice” because I can’t think of a way around the mental hell that is practicing while struggling to learn and understand. I don’t know how else I could have arrived here, though I definitely could have been nicer to myself on the way
But I think it goes unacknowledged that “just practice” is frustrating advice because drawing isn’t always fun yet for those stuck in the mental hell of necessary practice. I think those artists should know how much more fun it gets—that fun is the light at the end of the tunnel.
So I'll try to tell you. Art isn't guesswork for me anymore. I understand why things look good when they do and off when they don't. I can create pictures I see in my head and sometimes that makes me so happy I can't stop smiling while I draw. The hell was worth it. Keep going
(OBLIGATORY CAVEATS: Art can be fun at ANY stage, practice CAN be fun, and "fun only" drawings are a lifesaver when you're going through difficult periods with your art. But this thread is specifically for those who strive for greater control and can't find the fun right now.)
btw, i struggled so hard for so long with art concepts because my brain doesn't understand the standard way things like perspective are taught. i occasionally post alternate methods i developed for my brain that work for me. they're here, i hope they help: [link]".]
