Don't Compare

Welcome to Draw Tip Tuesday!
In today's video, I share some drawings from my archive, and I talk about the creative process of learning. About how to get better at drawing, and about expanding your comfort zone. One of the "traps" for artists (whether aspiring, beginning, or even well established), is that we tend to compare our art to the art we admire. But you can't compare your beginning to someone else's middle.
And talent is often confused with hard work. Great portrait artists may accomplish portraits with amazing likeness, but they weren't born this way. There goes a lot of practice into it - trial and error. And the experimenting, explorations and discoveries you make along the way, make it so much fun!
My book "life is better when you draw it" is now available for you to purchase online.
It's an illustrated book for people who love drawing and need inspiration. It's about how drawing can make you happy and mindful. In the book, I share ways to embrace the daily sketchbook habit, tips, and lots of drawings from my sketchbooks.
If you want a copy - and I know you do - go here: www.koosjekoene.com/book
If you'd like to learn from me in person: check out my workshop schedule here: www.koosjekoene.com/workshops
If you like my free weekly videos, then please consider backing me on Patreon. You'll will be helping me to keep consistently making Draw Tip Tuesday videos, and making them available for everyone for free:
/ koosjekoene
Thank you for considering to support me, it means a lot!
Or, if you don't want to commit, you can also simply buy me a coffee: www.buymeacoffee.com/phkUNCsJY
Copyrights Koosje Koene
www.koosjekoene.com
/ koosjekoene

[@peev180]

This one is worth rewatching because it’s loaded with wisdom…

[@talktokfir]

You are kind and compassionate. Amd i like to watch your paintings. Wish you best of luck. Thank you.

[@GrandmaMuggy]

This is wonderful to hear! We are all unique and at different levels and places in our creative,journey! Than you!!

[@ave_smirnova]

thank you very much, Koosje ! your tips and your videos in general help me during the war in my country Ukraine! thanks again! you are good person!

[@t2terri]

Nice reality check for us beginners! Thanks😉

[@lorrainesaliba5469]

Hi Koosje ! This is one of the most inspiring and motivational videos ! You just hit the nail on the head more than once with what you said and advised us to do!! 😁👍! We all want to be better but get restless and impatient all the time ! Thanks to You and this video we can play this over and over again until we accept the fact that we only get better with practice as you always stress ! I truly appreciate your kindness and your happy self 😁🤗🥰! Thank you so much ! Warmest regards...Lorraine 🥰🤗🎨🎨

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you, Lorraine!

[@markdonovan1540]

I've often been told that much of the art that eventually gets shared with others, either on social media platforms or in galleries, comes as a result of several versions rejected by the artist themselves. There are huge piles of paintings and drawings that don't get to be seen by the public eye, because they are part of the process to get to a final result that the artist is happy with. I've shown some of my paintings and sketches to more experienced artists and I'm often surprised by how positively they view the work and how supportive they are in suggesting ways to improve certain aspects of the composition and techniques. As the artist who created the paintings, I tend to notice what I consider to be "my mistakes", yet others who look at them might not even notice the mistake or they don't even consider it as a mistake at all. A recent tip from a street artist, who liked some of my urban sketch paintings, suggested framing them and putting them on the wall at home. She said that as artists we often look too much into the detail, but when a painting is framed and we step back to look at it from a distance, suddenly the experience changes into one of imaginative interpretation, appreciation or contemplation even; instead of one of analysis and nit-picking 🙃 I will definitely buy your book Koosje, because you are one of my most inspirational artists here on KZbin.

[@KoosjeKoene]

I think these are really great insights, Mark. Thanks for sharing them here. And thank you for the huge compliment at the end!

[@sylviastoler6598]

❤😊

[@stevehammondaia428]

Thanks Koosje! I needed that pep talk.

[@hennybrunner8939]

This is a short video that I will watch, and watch, and watch, and watch again. Thank you.

[@Janartable]

Too true!!!

[@chiarasola826]

Beautiful words, thank you!

[@carmenzaldivar4393]

Thanks for your videos ,drawing ones, and specially this pet talking. It help me so much. When I start getting frustraeted with my drawings Yo reminded me the reason I started was because It was Fun ! Then I let go on my search for perfection and drawing is fun again

[@Charlie_Duz]

This is such an important message. It's the talk I wish I'd heard myself years ago. What a great channel!

[@KoosjeKoene]

I’m glad it’s helpful!

[@margaretpolly3381]

Ordered two of your books. One to hoard, one to share. Thanks for being "real."

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you so much for "spreading the word!"

[@studiodoinette8205]

I love the idea of expanding our comfort zone, instead if the usual stepping out of it. It feels more reassuring, more doable

[@mols556]

You always say exactly what I need to hear. Thank you.

[@KoosjeKoene]

So glad!

[@maryhazlett]

A few comments that I need to be reminded of because I'm a lousy artist and don't practice enough. So, 1) don't compare my insides with another's outsides. It's what you say about IG - people show the polished results rather than the steps they took to get there. When my artist dad was asked how long it took him to paint a specific painting, he'd say "50 years" or "43 years" - - Basically he used his age because all of his experiences and art education went into it. 2) I have kept a journal since I was 8. People have said I'm a good writer. I reply that I learned to write by writing, and that leads into # 3) my great niece who's learning piano. She played piano scales. Musicians start at the very beginning and need to practice to increase their ability. All things require practice - programming computers, cooking, plumbing, driving a car. 4) even in art, someone might be fantastic drawing people or animals, and we can be jealous. But they might be unskilled at landscapes - - with which we might excel. So I needed to be reminded of this. I'm a good writer. I'm a good caregiver. Maybe someday I'll say I'm a good artist. But, I need to remind myself that I'm great at other things - all of which have taken practice whether I saw my efforts as practice or not.

[@taifal-naimi127]

Thank you for highlighting this topic. Much needed!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@caro1591]

You are always so encouraging. This video came just at the right time after I battled with some portraits last night. I’ve bought your fantastic book and it has really inspired me to just draw: I now have a sketchbook with some pictures in it!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Yay!

[@annemaale346]

So good to hear, even if I already know it deep inside. It helps get “visible” in my mind to hear you say it 😊

[@KoosjeKoene]

We all need to be reminded of these things, right?

[@deeanncross7674]

You're such a good cheerleader for artists everywhere at all levels. Video is much appreciated.

[@misterg.c.9912]

If I am going to be honest with myself, I really needed to hear this! Thank you so much for opening my eyes and also my mind 🙏

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@pencilsubwayart]

Hi Koosje! Great message about honoring where we are personally as artists. I agree to not compare your Work to others - because each of us are unique and have different styles and talents that we share with the world. Also glad you mentioned how you draw people now - less stiff - with whatever happens to the line work approach- is more organic. And you are right: keep going and practice! Thank you for a great video!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Well said!

[@n-kn1343]

I was so happy when I first found you at Instagram -being such a positive and insoirational with your scetches from daily life-it makes me so happy seeing them! -then Heard all podcasts of Art for all - where also you participate.. great! Ive been painting just a few years but also trying to get better at drawing -and yes it is the amount of scetching that gives result with help from s8me theory and challenging the comfort zone as you say! I put whatever I do on instagram -those Im reasonable content with at the moment- which does not mean they are particularly good- but hopefully will be a developement....what you say about comparing is so important one should only compare onesekf to oneself even it is difficult...verh nice to see your developement!!!! I might get your book!

[@georgehostim5942]

Amazing! Congrats…

[@aangela7328]

Thanks Koosje! And I love your book.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thanks!!

[@n-kn1343]

Thank you for this great video very much about the most essencial when beeing in the process !!!! Good luck with moving preoarations! Nova

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thanks so much!

[@natalietarrant6268]

"You can still grow", Love this simple truth. Very encouraging. Thank you!

[@Blick_Art]

We agree! When we are in training, looking at the highly polished work of an accomplished artist, it's hard not to compare ourselves to our role models. It's easy to be in awe of a great painting when we aren't sure how that creation came to be, but study and training will provide that understanding. Then, eventually we begin to appreciate the actual accomplishment a masterpiece represents, instead of as an unattainable, mysterious goal.

[@KoosjeKoene]

Yes!

[@reemadilkhush1225]

Hi Koose! Thanks a ton for this video. It is really inspiring. I really need this at this point. Bcz everytime I see insta post I feel inferior and not feeling like drawing even though Somewhere I know that people only post good things on social media... Thanks for the beautiful insights..

[@KoosjeKoene]

I'm happy that it was helpful for you!

[@The_artistic_yogi]

I absolutely love this video and I ordered your book a few days ago! Just hope it doesn't take too long to cross the ocean to make its way to Canada!!!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@WorldWideWebObserver]

Hello from Texas Koosje! I enjoyed seeing the progress comparison of your older art and your more recent art in this video. Thanks for sharing.🌻

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you too!

[@periwinkletree]

I love your "then" as much as "now"! Both have an immediacy, that I'm still hoping to learn.

[@katsmith8263]

I'm so glad that you exist.... 😊 i mean thank you for answering my questions on Instagram

[@KoosjeKoene]

Aw, thanks Kat!

[@kimberlydragone6015]

I actually liked some of your “thens” better than the “nows” but it’s all in the process, and you have to be happy with it. I get that 😊

[@watercolorpaintingintheaft9142]

How long have you been drawing. Did you already tell us? Just curious. I've really enjoyed your tutorials!

[@KoosjeKoene]

I've enjoyed drawing ever since I was a kid. In 2012 or so I started keeping sketchbooks, like visual journals. From then on, my drawing skills have improved immensely, and still do

[@nadiam926]

Thank you. This was very encouraging ❤

[@karolinatarka3839]

Thank you so much for this video Koosje!

[@aliciagroth9406]

Just received your book in the mail! Really enjoying it so far. ☺️

[@karenking999]

Hoping your book will soon be available on e-books.

[@KoosjeKoene]

The book was designed for print - I'm sorry if that's a disappointment.

[@karenking999]

@@KoosjeKoene Thank you. Oh, I still will buy the book, but I like to keep my favorites on my Kindle when I can.

[@graham3377]

My suggestion would be to join your nearest Urban Sketchers group so you are amongst lots of people drawing the same locations and you will find you fit in at some level and by examining others works in a non judgemental way you learn so much. It's such a good feeling knowing your art is maybe better than you think.

[@KoosjeKoene]

I agree. In fact, I recommend drawing with an Urban Sketchers group in my book.

[@3660Maro]

I just got your book and it's fantastic, so much good information! Really helps my process and glad it supports you! This particular video has really reminded me not to be so hard on myself and to have fun with the journey!

[@KoosjeKoene]

Thank you for buying my book!

[@LaurelProw]

Hi Koosje! I’m on day #54 of my 100 days of drawing/painting in my sketchbook. I want to thank you for inspiring and motivating me to keep going! ❤

[@KoosjeKoene]

That's awesome, Laurel! You got this.

[@kellyro77]

If you're doing art for your own joy then I absolutely agree that comparing yourself to others leads nowhere except to convincing yourself you're not any good. I think it's okay to compare your work to others only in the light of studying the other person's work and learning something from it, not as a means to put yourself down. That said, I share probably 98% of my work, whether it meets my own standards or not. The funny thing I find is those pieces that are "off" and less polished usually tend to get the most positive response. It's pretty interesting. I think people like seeing that other people aren't perfect, too. It takes the pressure off of everyone.

[@KoosjeKoene]

That is interesting, and so true.

[@MarkMcCluney]

Ah! It's your husband who's the banjo player. And it looks like he's a clawhammer player. Cool! (Does he have a channel too?)

[@KoosjeKoene]

He’s going to publish a bunch of songs with his band soon, which they just finished writing and recording but not yet

[@albertine2169]

My goodness, so much sense in what you say here. I never thought about comparing oneself to work from ones past ... what a brilliant idea⭐ This was such a topper video❤

[@KoosjeKoene]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fuzzydragons]

comparing yourself to another artist is pointless because everyone is at different stages of creativity, but i think imposter syndrome make a lot of us always comparing ourselves to other artists

[@KoosjeKoene]

So true!