3. Reading. Task 2.2. Creating Art

You know the feeling when you open up an old sketchbook or find a really old piece of art you made and think, “Wow, I thought this was a masterpiece when I made it. It’s so bad!” Most of us have experienced that feeling before, and it turns out, it’s a really good thing. You might feel the need to blame yourself for having made something “bad” in the past, but it’s actually a reason to celebrate. This is a sign of growth.

I started to accept that I’d have to make a lot of bad art before I got to the good work. This idea motivated me to keep creating. I couldn’t wait to look back at the work I’m creating today and think, “Wow, my work has come a long way. I’ve really improved since I made this!”
Many people have the same childhood experience: they were trying their best and having a ton of fun drawing or painting when an adult or classmate told them that something they made was bad or far from perfect. This childhood experience trains people to think that “practice is perfect” rather than “practice makes perfect”. The problem with this logic is that nothing you make when you are practising can actually be bad because practice is a space where you are free to make mistakes. Let’s take out the “perfect” and leave it at “practice makes.” When we practice as artists, we make. Isn’t that enough? You could even go a step further and say “practice makes mistakes.” Next time someone else (or more likely your inner voice) tells you your art is bad, kindly respond, “I know it’s bad. It’s practice.”
Another way to think about this: the creative block doesn’t exist if you don’t let it. Writer Joyce Carol Oates shared that she believes that writer’s block is a myth. She fights writer’s block with discipline by sitting down to write every day, no matter what: “If you feel that you just can’t write or you’re too tired or this, that, and the other, just stop thinking about it and go and work. Life doesn’t have to be so overthought. You don’t have to wait to be inspired. Just start working.”
Set yourself up with the tools you need to say “Not today!” to your creative block. Do you need to be more disciplined to draw but struggle with self-doubt? Hang your favourite inspirational quote above your desk or favourite spot to draw, bring your notebook and drawing supplies everywhere, and stop treating your sketchbook like it’s precious. Your sketchbook is a place to make mistakes. Practice makes mistakes.

 

 

 

4. What does the author say about practice?