'I can't draw' and other Art Myths debunked

Have you ever said ‘I can’t draw?’ or ‘I’m no good at Art?’

I hear these phrases all the time when I’m teaching and find it is often is rooted in what someone said in the past. Some discouraging words or remarks from past teachers and/or loved ones become ingrained and turn into ‘truths’ we feel are immovable and finite.

But these stories we tell ourselves can be rewritten, and if we delve a little deeper, we may find out they’re untrue in the first place.

Here are 5 art myths you may tell yourself and how to debunk them.

‘I can’t Draw to Save Myself.’

During my classes, I often hear ‘I can’t draw’ or ‘I can’t do this’ when we’re new to making art.

But when we add one extra word to the end of that statement, we completely change the tone and context from one of finality to a journey. We’ve put the emphasis on progress.

‘I can’t draw this or [insert your chosen phrase]…yet.’

When you seek progress over perfection, you’re on the right track in learning how to draw.

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‘I’m not good enough’

I often wonder if the 'good enough' we hold ourselves to is even our own standards or whether it's been schooled or imposed on us from the outside.

Surely good enough should only be defined by asking the question: is this the best I can do, right now, at this moment?

After that, the standard we should be measuring is our fulfilment, development and curiosity, Not in terms of some arbitrary scale of outside success, grades, qualifications or even financial gain.

Logically, it's easy to think this, but that doesn't deny the feeling of not good enough which accompanies developing, growing and learning - of getting better.

It's not that we don't want the outcome from learning, but we know that on the journey to get better, we're going to have to give that uncomfortable feeling a piggy-back and that is tiring - it weighs us down.

But the reality is that the terrain or distance of 'getting better' doesn't change. 'Not good enough' merely makes the journey feel more difficult

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Get ready to feel enthusiastic again, less stressed and buzzing to make and share more of the Art you love.

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‘I have to be in the mood to be Creative’

Yes, there are times when you feel supercharged and creativity seems to flow from you, and there are times when it can feel like a real struggle. You can’t always control how you feel, but you can control how you react.

Do you push through and work on your skills, or do you use how you feel like an excuse to not show up?

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When is the ‘Right Time’ to be Creative?

‘But I don’t have the time.’

Correction, you don’t MAKE the time.

We’ve been schooled to think that art is a superfluous, unnecessary and even a selfish act because we should always be acting in the service of others or be ‘sensible’. But giving yourself permission to work on your art to make yourself happier, less stressed and more fulfilled can only help you serve others better. Better yet, you enrich the world when you share your art.

Even if you don’t feel you can dedicate much time for your art, can you give yourself permission for 1%?

For example, if we sleep 8 hours a night (we all wish!) we’re left with 112 waking hours per week. 1% of that is just 1 hour and 12 minutes. All other tasks and responsibilities can surely be completed within the remaining 99%.

If you find that works, up it to 3 or 5% and so on!

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‘You have to be born with Talent’

Nope, but you do need to have the patience and willingness to learn.

There are so many components with learning how to create art. For example, with painting – there’s how to draw, mix up colours, shade, use the material, develop a style and most importantly, how to see. You want to be on step 42 when you’re physically on step 2.

It’s like expecting and or worrying about the harvesting schedule before you’ve even planted the first seed. You don’t need to schedule the harvest yet, but you do need to plant a seed.

Start small, nurture over time and see your talent grow.

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Do you ever tell yourselves any of the above? Or is there a different narrative you repeat? Tell me below in the comments and lets see if I can debunk it!