Beating perfectionism as an artist

Your Perfectionism is Holding You Back

That sketch gathering dust, the blog post sitting in drafts, the video you shelved because it wasn't "just right" – they're all victims of your pursuit of perfection.

Sounds familiar?

If the mere thought of someone critiquing your work sends shivers down your spine, or if you find yourself adding 'just one more line' to an already finished piece...

You just might be a perfectionist.

Before you start panicking, it's okay.

Perfectionism is completely normal and very common in artists. And luckily for you, I'm a recovering perfectionist and I have some tips for you to break free.

Exploring Perfectionism

So, what fuels this relentless pursuit of perfection?

At its core, it's fear – fear of failure, fear of rejection, and a gnawing anxiety from social comparison. It's the dread of not living up to some unattainable standard.

Think about it, how do you feel when you open Instagram on your phone? If you're anything like me, you probably fall into the comparison trap. I still struggle with this to this day, and I have to remind myself to chill.

It's very easy to think your work sucks when you're only seeing everyone's highlights. It makes you want to give up.

But here's the thing, giving up isn’t the answer.

You have to take a step back and see those highlights for what they are.... Highlights.

You never see the sketchbooks that are filled with scribbles and trash. You only see the ones that are so polished they seem impossible.

When we put our work out there, we are very vulnerable.

Let's forget the social media trolls for a second. In the traditional art world, fears of rejection are even worse. This is where elitism shines. Your work is only as good as a critic says it is. It's only worth as much as a collector or gallery values it as.

The Cost of Perfectionism

Let's talk about what perfectionism costs.

Remember that sketch that's not ready for anyone to see? Or the video you never uploaded because something was off?

That's what perfectionism costs you... It stops you from progressing. It robs you from learning. All because it does not let you get your art out there.

I started this blog 2 years after I should have, and because of that, I lost 2 years of progress. And I'm not talking about the amount of extra content I could've made or sketches I could've done.

If I started 2 years ago, I'd be a better writer. I'd be better at speaker and video editor.

I'd be further along the business aspect of this site.

That's not to say I'm not happy with where I ended up. This site has exceeded all of my expectations.

But I want to ask you something, what opportunities did you lose because you didn't think you were ready?

Confronting Perfectionism: 4 Strategies

Now let's talk about ways to break free of perfectionism. These 4 strategies are my tried and true. I use these to reframe myself as an artist and person.

1. Just Do It

The first is to just do it.

Stop this reading right now and upload the photos in your drafts tab on Instagram.

If you don't have drafts, take a photo of your latest sketch (the one that's not ready yet) and send it to someone.

This will do a few things.

First, it will help you build your tolerance for uncertainty. Once you see the sky hasn't fallen or you haven't lost all your friends, you'll begin to embrace not knowing.

The second thing this will do is make you more compassionate towards yourself.

So much of perfectionism is self-inflicted. Once you see you are the only one holding yourself back, it becomes easier to break through.

And finally, sharing that work you don't think is ready will build your confidence.

As you become more comfortable with imperfection and uncertainty, you'll start taking more creative risks.

2. Be Inspired, Don't Compare

The second of the four strategies is to be inspired by other artists, but don't compare yourself to them.

Social media is a never-ending highlight reel. It makes it seem like everyone has it all figured out while you're struggling to keep up. I've been there.

I remember scrolling through feeds and feeling completely inadequate.

Not only were the artists I was looking at much better than me, the production value of their videos was next level!

It made me question why I even bother trying.

Everything changed when I made this one switch to my mindset.

Instead of looking at these artists as competition, I started to look at them as inspiration.

Those artists you're admiring have been doing this for years. They have a huge head start on you.

So, flipping the script and viewing them as inspiration rather than roadblocks will open up a whole new world of growth. Instead of asking why you aren't as good, start asking how you can get to that level.

Look at their techniques, their approaches, their creative choices. Reverse-engineer what makes their content so compelling and adapt them to your own unique style and vision.

Those Instagram feeds aren't obstacles holding you back - they're a masterclass in art and production.

It's a subtle but powerful mindset shift that can truly transform the way you approach your art.

3. Progress, Not Perfection

The third way you're going to beat perfectionism is to aim for progress, not perfection.

You know, when it comes to improving as an artist, the key is to shift your mindset from perfection to progress.

Instead of aiming for a masterful sketch right away, try to aim at getting just 10% better with each new piece you create.

When I first started my YouTube channel, I was so hung up on perfection. The videos had to be perfect, the angles had to be perfect, the audio had to be perfect.

And you know what that did? It stopped me from putting out content altogether.

I had a bunch of half-edited videos and a bunch of terrible sketches that no one ever saw because they didn't meet my unrealistic standards.

But once I gave myself a break and started to focus on slowly improving my camera skills, and slowly improving my recording skills, my videos became so much better.

They were more authentic, more engaging - and people actually saw and got some great advice from them.

The truth is, perfect is impossible.

And the more you chase it, the more you risk burning yourself out. I learned that the hard way. My perfectionism led me straight to burnout, and I had to stop creating for a while.

When I started to create again, I shifted my focus to progress instead of perfection. And let me tell you, that 10% compounds over time, and before you know it, you're putting out some quality art. It's a sustainable, healthy approach that keeps you motivated and inspired, rather than frustrated and depleted.

So, don't worry about flawless masterpieces. Just focus on steady, consistent progress. I promise that 10% will add up faster than you think, and you'll be amazed at how far you've come.

4. The Bigger Picture

Finally, it's so important to zoom out and look at the bigger picture.

Being an artist isn't about any one sketch, one post, or one video - it's about your experiences, your growth, and becoming better over time.

That was a lesson I had to learn myself.

Early on, I would get so caught up in every tiny detail of a piece. I'd scrutinize each pen stroke, second-guess every creative decision, and end up feeling frustrated. This led to creative blocks and me not creating anything.

But then I had this realization that really shifted my perspective. I realized that no one was looking or had the time to judge what I was doing - they were all just trying to live their own lives.

I realized that how I saw my work and how others saw it were completely different. In fact, it was the opposite of the Instagram effect: I saw all the imperfections of my work, and they saw how great it looked.

You're always your harshest critic, and others simply cannot see what you see.

When I started to zoom out, I saw every piece of work for what it was - sometimes a quick 5-minute sketch was better than a 2-hour unfinished drawing, because they all served different purposes. The quick sketches were for practice, the longer drawings were for tightening my craft.

And let me tell you, stepping back and looking at the bigger picture gave me a renewed sense of purpose and motivation.

So my advice to you is don't get caught up in small stuff. Zoom out and look at the bigger picture. Focus on the experiences, the lessons, the evolution. Because that's what's truly going to make you a better artist, day by day, piece by piece.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is perfectionism in art?

Perfectionism in art refers to the relentless pursuit of flawlessness and an unwillingness to share work unless it meets unrealistic, unattainable standards. It's often driven by fears of failure, rejection, and the inability to live up to idealized expectations.

Why is perfectionism harmful for artists?

Perfectionism can be incredibly detrimental for artists. It prevents you from taking creative risks, stops you from progressing and learning, and can even lead to burnout. Perfectionists often get caught up in tiny details rather than focusing on the bigger picture of growth over time.

How can I overcome perfectionism?

Some tips to overcome perfectionism include: just doing it (sharing imperfect work), being inspired by others rather than comparing yourself, aiming for progress over perfection, and zooming out to see the bigger picture of your artistic journey. Building self-compassion is key.

Is a little perfectionism okay for artists?

A healthy amount of perfectionism that drives you to improve your skills can be okay. However, it becomes a problem when it paralyzes you, prevents you from taking risks, and causes you to fixate endlessly on flaws rather than embracing the learning process.

What's the best mindset for an artist?

The best mindset is one of curiosity, constant learning, and celebrating progress over time rather than striving for an impossible vision of perfection. Focus on the journey of growth, experiences, and evolution as an artist.