How I Finally Stopped Doubting My Art - And You Can Too 💖

[@MimimooIllustration]

Have you experienced self doubt as an artist? Feel free to share your story in a comment below, or read some other artist's stories - you're definitely not alone! 💖✨😊

[@HP-mk2lw]

I’ve struggled with feeling like I started too late. I’m 39 and started at 35. I haven’t even begun to start social media for my art because I don’t use it in general and I’m at a loss at what to post. Your video came at the right time because I’ve been struggling with my confidence. I can see how I’ve improved but it’s so hard to feel like it’s good enough.

[@MimimooIllustration]

I can understand that, sometimes it takes a while for the evidence to really sink in and be believed. Keep focusing on the good things and the progress, because if you've come this far you'll only keep getting better 😊💖

[@johnronela20]

I can't believe it how much I am like you in everything you write...even the age and everything else...I hope both of us one day we will achieve the dreams we have...I know that nothing is to late,just have to start

[@stephaniejoyce6595]

I'm in my early 40's and just starting. Never too late.

[@Gusseig]

I'm 49... and yes, I'm constantly thinking that this is a waste of time, I'm too old, etc. It's hard to shake these feelings and keep marching ahead

[@hanaaewas6809]

Thank you too much I have learned a lot from your journey good work keep it up 👍 ❤

[@lvsmagic]

When I was a kid I would draw for hours and hours. I loved art, I never entered a competition, didn't show most of my work, I literally just loved doing it. When I started college I went for graphic design and I HATED it. My first nearly 2 years were all physical art (drawing, painting, etc...) where I was required to draw still lives, match the style of what the teacher liked, and get graded on it. It truly and utterly destroyed any love I had for art. I'm now 33 and I'm trying to reconnect with that young me who just did art because it was fun

[@Poo78782]

This sounds so much like my experience. I hope you find that love for art again! ♥We got this

[@lemonlemon6033]

Hi Everyone!! I just want to update you. 😅 i dont know if everyone cares but here we go... As I've been here always watching to gather courage to start my artistic journey I now bought a second computer! Yay! Another small win. After sooo many years saving for an Ipad now here we are with another one. I am currently fell in love with digital arts and illustrations and every day I am practicing. 2 hours max as I am 36 and I need to work 9 to 5. But okay I can manage! I am getting happy bit by bit. I hope i already stated all things i wanted to say and THANK YOU SO MUCH MIMI!!!! ❤❤❤

[@victoria.austin]

Not getting likes definitely makes me doubt myself, especially if it's a piece of art I've created that I really like! That drawing is lovely by the way!😍

[@MimimooIllustration]

It's so hard not to be discouraged isn't it! 💖

[@AussieFiggy]

My husband and I have a whole wall full of shelves of paint, pencils, and other art and craft we want to make things with… 😅 I’m so thankful I discovered digital art, as the back button and ability to duplicate canvases and layers have really helped me to just try things, without the fear of destroying it!

[@MimimooIllustration]

Yes! It's always a shock to go back to traditional pencils on paper and be reminded that I can't just undo my mistakes 😅

[@nekami_]

Me too. I have paints, canvases, pens, pencils but as a pegginer I'm always affraid of do things, of picking wrong colour... Digital is easier

[@AussieFiggy]

@@MimimooIllustration I can’t TELL you how many times I tap the paper with two fingers when working in a physical medium… and then burst out laughing when I realise what I’ve done!

[@NadiaAltaparro]

Hello! I'm very inspired by your videos. I identify with what you say about the fear of making art. I spent more than 30 years believing that I would never make a living from my illustrations. Until one day I started practicing daily and reading about mentality. From that moment on, I started receiving commissions and growing professionally. Today, at 43 years old, I make a living from my art, and I'm just starting to upload videos to YT, trusting that little by little I will reach more people who want to learn to paint. Thank you for motivating us to grow! (un saludo desde la Patagonia Argentina😊💖)

[@sunniesoph]

In my early 20s I definitely struggled with not feeling good enough but now in my late 20s I’m very comfortable with my art which feels great! My self doubt nowadays comes from not finding the reach and audience as I’d like but i won’t let it discourage me, i think if you can be consistent with putting yourself out there and do it because you love it good things will come!

[@hilarycooper8660]

My dream my whole life was to be an artist. My parents never encouraged me though and talked me out of art school and so for a long time i didnt have confidence in my art. Im trying to get myself in a financial posiotion to go to art school finally

[@dakshagiri]

I wish you the best!!! Go for it❤❤🎉

[@Maddy-iv7zy]

You can do itt

[@triplerpg]

This is something that I have been battling for 5 years already and I know I self sabotage myself every time! But this time around I’m making sure I keep having more days of me drawing than not. Thank you for your videos they’re amazing and always great to watch !! 😊

[@MimimooIllustration]

That's a great plan! So helpful to keep up the momentum 😊✨

[@triplerpg]

@@MimimooIllustrationyes it’s a daily battle but one I’m overcoming :) just letting go of having to be perfect definitely helps a lot !

[@mamaflipperlife1443]

I am starting at 48 although I've created my whole life. I'd love to hear what a day in the life of a full time artist in 2024 in Australia

[@onemouthymerc]

I'm a lifelong artist who had a several-year hiatus from drawing and painting, partially so I could pursue my career in graphic design. Somehow I missed the memo on illustration and chose graphic design because I didn't think that drawing would be a very lucrative career. I'm getting back into it now though and am excited to combine those skills with my design ones! Your videos are really inspiring for me! Thanks for making them. :)

[@MimimooIllustration]

That's a great combination - I also have a background in graphic design and find it really useful as a self-employed artist!

[@oramorastudio]

Yeah the metrics of instagram are disheartening. I gave up on the platform a long time ago. I know my art, and I have a lot of fun making it and improving. I'm telling myself as long as you believe in your own art that's the most important part even if I get 0 likes. I'm still an artist whether or not the likes are there. "I am an artist" is sometimes hard to believe when dealing with imposter syndrome. Like you said, it's a change of mindset. As someone who hasn't found their particular "art style" yet and was afraid of making art, I had to get over that fear. Now I just make whatever makes me happy, and the right people will find you eventually, I think. Thanks for your videos Mimi and for creating safe spaces in the comments to share! ❤

[@MimimooIllustration]

I love that! Such a great approach to making your art 💖😊

[@ChantelleArts]

I love your honesty in your videos, Its fascinating to hear everyones stories ☺☺

[@DarwinAlcazarArt]

I’ve been battling self doubt as an artist for over twenty years, I always have to remind myself that we all have our own paths and timelines. I started working professionally when I was 20, now I’m 44 but I still haven’t reached the point that I dreamed of. I’m still trying to do my best to be better than I was yesterday. My motivation now is to do the best I can while I can. I get inspiration from artists like you. Thank you.

[@MimimooIllustration]

That's a great attitude to have! You can only do your best 😊

[@DrawingwithAngie]

I also struggled with self-doubt and I still do sometimes, but I realised this is stopping me from growing and I need to be more confident in what I do to succeed. When I first came to Instagram as an artist, it was one of the hardest decisions in my life as I felt like it will be a complete failure, but step by step I saw people liking my art, which is why I went into KZbin two months ago. It's a struggle, but I think it's worth it! Good luck to all the fellow artists! Your art really matters 💖

[@hiddenwings91]

I've finally gotten to a place I'm comfortable with. I'm enjoying my journey and discovering my style-and I'm really liking it so far.🙂

[@WatercolorKari]

Funny that you mentioned the sketchbook situation. I literally just this morning bought my very first sketchbook ever! Still haven't used it yet, but I'm getting closer to letting go of that fear of "ruining it"! Thank you, as always, for continuing to encourage us!❤

[@WatercolorKari]

P.S. I'm 50 years old. FIRST sketchbook ever!! If any younger person happens to be reading this, don't wait as long as I did! 😊❤

[@MimimooIllustration]

Oh I love that for you, congrats on getting your first sketchbook! Never too late to try something new 😊💖🎉

[@mimisart]

This is such a valuable video with so many truth bombs and inspiring thoughts. I agree with it all!! If I look back at my first animal painting and what I'm creating now...an immense world of difference.

[@TheFireBlazen]

The struggle I have is, If , for example, I want to draw a fox playing in a forest, I dont know how to begin. I dont know how to draw a fox correctly, and I dont know how to imagine a forest or scene or mood etc, I just dont know how to start putting my pen on the tablet and draw.

[@coffeebreak100]

This might be controversial. But I would use AI to generate some ideas and use them as references to create my own art. ❤

[@TheFireBlazen]

@@coffeebreak100 no that makes perfect sense!! Thank you! Do you have a favorite AI generator that's free?

[@PriscilaCarelli]

I am 33, 34 next month, just starting as well. I feel the same way, in add, I am terrified with social media, couple of months ago I started to feed my KZbin channel with general videos, just to get used to it, and all art content I post here and TikTok. If you start, let me know, I will love to see your work and keep you stronger during your journey.

[@PriscilaCarelli]

By the way, I am from Brazil.

[@Hudhuddee]

I'm 26, and a beginner artist who took art seriously this year. I want to draw many things that I got lost and overwhelmed looking left and right about what to learn first. I decided to focus on character drawings because it's my goal to make and design my own oc, but the amount of things I don't know how to do scares me, and makes my self confidence almost non existing. I don't know how many times did I give up, only to return to it months later. I'm learning to draw heads and it's hard, so much. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, how to draw heads in different angles properly, I don't know how to understand the topic. I almost gave up a while ago, but I'm trying so hard not to, because I'm tired of giving up every time I get overwhelmed and frustrated. I don't know what to do...

[@MimimooIllustration]

I'm glad that you haven't given up! Heads are so hard to draw, maybe you could try watching tutorials from lots of different teachers to find one that works for you because everyone has a different way of explaining things and maybe you just haven't found the right teacher yet 💖

[@wendyj_thecoddiwomplelady]

I used to draw and paint for hours when I was a child, then I went to senior school and had the stuffing knocked out of my confidence because my art didn’t fit with how or what we were being taught to pass an exam (O Levels at the time!). Then I just stopped for years. I took it up again about 10 years ago when I inherited Dad’s art materials, got a bit obsessed during Lockdown and it’s now part of my well-being. I’m 55 now and still love to learn more skills and practice.

[@kuroakikitsune]

Whenever I feel good about a piece but then get no likes comments or anything, I get discouraged. I feel like no matter how much I improve, only a few people like my art. (and they're usually close friends) I see people who never post or post art (I'm not sure how to say this- at a lower skill level?) and they get more likes and have more followers. I know I shouldn't let things like that deter me, but I feel like I am doing something wrong. I would love to be able to make (a career? ) out of my art, or just a source of some income. But if no one likes my art, then no one is going to want to buy it. Despite feeling down about it a lot, I still try to draw and create, because I like creating and being creative.

[@Allison--]

When I was younger, I used to fear that if I didn't do art in any way, that that skill would just go away or if I came back to it that, I would be terrible at it, so I'd always draw something that I love (which were usually animated characters) to tell myself that I could still draw. I CAN do it! To this day, I still do it. But I think what holds me back personally are 2 things. 1. the need for a personal style. I am constantly experimenting with art styles, ideas and niches' that I don't want to be committed to one said style, but at the same time, I also like consistency, so having my own style to fall back on feels comforting in a way. 2. I think we all have a fear of failure, but I think part of what I'm afraid of is if I keep practicing art that I want to do, but don't think I'm getting better at or feel it will take too long to learn holds me back. I need to keep telling myself to have patience and how even if one kind of art doesn't work out, you can do another art medium. That's the benefit of working in a creative field; its a endless field of creativity. I have my doubts at times, but the idea of not drawing (or making any art period) motivates me more to keep at it, no matter how long it takes.

[@ClefairyFairySnowflake]

I very much appreciate your words of encouragement for being an artist. Thank you for being so awesome! Take care! Have a great day!

[@StephiePop]

Thank you for sharing. This is so hard! Even with people saying otherwise I still always have doubts. It’s hard to combat. I have had people who are not friends or family complimenting my work and recently have had a handful of people offering to pay me for work and I’m not even set up for that yet. And I still have doubts! I know this is rooted in a subconscious belief that I am working on “reprogramming”. But, it feels frustrating to constantly be fighting doubt within myself. Often times my husband is more excited about compliments to my work than I am because there’s a part of me that doubts my work is worthy of compliments! It feels so messed up. But I do try hard to reframe when I can and lean into the positivity of my work.

[@MimimooIllustration]

Oh that's such wonderful evidence that people really value your art! I know that it's hard to truly believe it sometimes, but try to focus on that lovely feedback 😊💖

[@spellcastart]

Your videos have really helped me through my self doubt and I've been making an effort to draw every weekday (and not beat myself up if I miss a day or two)! I feel like I've grown and developed my style a lot just by doing that.

[@vilvin2893]

Thank you for this video, it came in the right moment. I'm 32 and trying to start an art career but sometimes it feels like the time when I can take commissions are so far away. And when someone will eventually ask me to make art for them, it will turn out bad and they will understand that I don't draw good enough. You video helped to restore some confidence

[@mahmudulkabir4131]

Yeah, I am feeling this right now

[@AnggiSahamCantik]

Ah, catch my comment when you give the scrolling video 😂 yey! ❤ I'm not even an artist (I'm a writer/blogger) but I really enjoy your story. And ugh! Self doubt is real 😅 I struggle with that every time I write 🤪 the secret is push publish and try another one. Keep publishing new writing. No matter how much work you put on your work, you always cringe when you see your old work. So yeah, take it as a good sign that we grow as an individual 🎉

[@MimimooIllustration]

Yes, I imagine that writing has a lot of similarities to art! I cannot watch my old videos without cringing, but they were so important for testing out what I was doing and getting me here 🎉

[@endahayu1407]

Mimi, thank you for all your videos that have inspired me. One of your videos, where you said we don’t have to create a masterpiece every day, really lightened my steps and allowed me to enjoy this continuous learning process more. I’ve also started to gather the courage to be active on Instagram again, uploading drawings daily, even if they’re just simple ones. I’ve become more aware of my goals and abilities. Because I want to make this work fun and sustainable, I’ll take it slow and focus on being consistent. All of your videos have helped me be more realistic and kinder to myself. Thank you so much! ❤

[@pebblescarpetcat]

Started my youtube uploads again and definitely, the self-doubt has hit full force again. Really easy to get zoomed in on how many views/likes/comments, which I have to consciously try not to do. Instead, I'm putting into practice the 'focus on what you can control' tip and aiming to post consistentlyish for a year to just see what happens : ) (Thanks for the chill video, lots of very good points to digest)

[@alagossiel]

Hi, I've been watching your videos for a while now, and they've helped me to ask myself the right questions to start dealing with my self doubt, so thank you so much for sharing all these experiences and tips with us! 😊 Been dealing with self doubt for a while now, I've started drawing seriously a few years ago but I've been dealing mostly with the fear of failure, that my drawings are not good enough to meet my own expectations. On one side I try to tell myself that failing or having bad drawings are part of the learning experience and I try to be more compassionate with myself, but in the other hand I just don't believe it and I just want everything to be perfect or something. So each time that I try to start a new illustration or keep working on a wip, my body just freezes and I end up doing nothing the whole day. But I really hope that one day I'm able to overcome that fear, at least little by little 💕

[@MimimooIllustration]

I think little by little is the perfect approach so that you can slowly prove to yourself that you're capable 💖 Thanks so much for sharing!

[@stinesalomonssonvandijk9925]

Fairly new to the illustration game, I have mostly worked with photos and graphic design. But recently I bought an Ipad to try my hand at Procreate, since the drawing pad and my other drawing programmes did not seem to agree with me. Happy I found Procreate. For now I am only focusing on doing tutorials and trying to copy some other art pieces, really trying to "guarantee" some nice outcomes, so to not feel discouraged - I am quick to give up on a drawing if it does not look great straight away:) Later I will allow myself to be more creative and come up with pieces myself, but for now it is all about learning the tools, and perhaps some patience for myself:)

[@moonsternine5286]

Funny you posted this. I'm on week 2 of the start of my art journey, because I want to get back into a hobby. My main concern right about now isn't even about art, it's about sitting down to 'do something for more than 5 minutes before my focus hamster decide it's time to doom scroll'. So I just sit down and draw "practice things", things that might come in handy once 'art' starts. So I draw "c", reverse "c", horizontal-vertical-diagonal lines and circles. A full Photoshop layer for each. It's not as boring as it sounds, day 1 was terrible, lines were wobbly and crooked, circles were overlapping, c's were dancing a drunk conga... nothing good, absolute wreck actually, but I was "doing something". Come day 9 of near daily practice, today, lines are much more confident and straight, c's look much less like a drunk conga line or a sideway 'V', circles are much more... circly. Self-doubt about "am I able to do better than this" is slowly being chipped at, as I see the progress in my many layers of practice, as I slowly feel like I am looking forward to sitting down, as the focus hamster decides to stop wandering and start obsessing ever so slightly about the brush strokes. Am I ever going to draw a masterpiece... probably not (partly because that's not where I want to go). But I'm starting to feel like a piece I'm proud of might be achievable in the future.

[@sleepingsiren]

Hiiii I’m starting my journey as an artist now and your vids helped me a lot🥺🥺

[@MimimooIllustration]

Oh I love to hear that! 🥰

[@sleepingsiren]

I always love art ever since I was a child. I started drawing when I was 8 but then I couldn’t pursue it becuase my family think that being an artist is not a career. I focused in my academic hoping I would land a better job in the city. I graduated last year got a job in the city then come back in my hometown when my father passed away last March. I’m in grief until now and going back to my first love help the pain bearable. Now I’m here trying to keep my head above the water and start something new. Tbh I’m scared but watching your vids and other creators in this platform made me feel good about the path I’m taking right now. Thank you so much

[@dakshagiri]

Your video is the first thing i watched this morning! What peace your words brought in my mind❤ Thank you for reassuring my art brain❤

[@RefugioyBocetos]

Thank you so much. I really needed this video ❤

[@raz5344]

I think my art skills are actually at a really good level but I have never been successful in marketing them and getting jobs/published or even on social media, I just feel like no one cares and it has made me kind of burnt out because when something doesn't have much impact on your or others' life, at some point, you'd be like what am I even doing this for...

[@sitirohmahy3366]

Hey, it's the same situation for me too.

[@theteapote]

This video is so precious, eye-opening and and comforting, thank you ❤

[@habanero6332]

Yeah I also feel that way.

[@backup2917]

Great video! More videos like this are needed on KZbin. For a period of my life I couldn't draw at all without feeling like crap. It was in 2017 when I happened to watch Mattias Pilshede's video Hating your Art is not "criticism" that I realized I needed to change my perspective. Otherwise, I would never feel confident when I drew. I have slowly built up my selfconfidence since then. Videos like this one helps me to be reminded why I shouldn't doubt myself.

[@MimimooIllustration]

Love to hear that you've been able to build your self confidence 💖

[@HannahMorenDraws]

I've been watching your channel for years and I think my answer has changed - i used to feel like i couldn't finish anything. I liked to start but couldn't quite complete a piece. I think it was perfectionism in a way, if it's always midway done then I can't be disappointed with the finished result. These days I make a fair amount of finished pieces, I have a nice portfolio (imo), and I pitch my work to companies. BUT I generally hear crickets - so I have a different doubt these days, yes I can draw nice things (maybe) but where do they fit? What market? Who wants them? Who cares?

[@MimimooIllustration]

I just jumped over to your KZbin channel and it's SO GOOD! So much great insight and your art is stunning. You're definitely at a professional level so I'm sure it's just a case of finding the right client for your work, I think it's common to not hear anything back 99% of the time in the beginning until you build up your network - so definitely keep at it 💖

[@HannahMorenDraws]

@@MimimooIllustrationthank you so much for checking out my channel, it means so much to me. And also thanks for the kind words about my art, I’ve had a particularly rough day and I know outside validation “shouldn’t” matter and your motivation should come from a magical “within” but your opinion means a lot to me. I’ve been watching you develop your art and career for years and it’s been an inspiration to me. I really feel like you just put your nose to it and have made an incredible business and a lovely community. So thank you and it made my day :)

[@woookpingg]

this video came at a perfect time in my life, tysm

[@ChrisAbramsArt]

Given the opportunity I think we would self doubt ourselves no matter what we do. As its a creative output, its magnified due to it being part of us... Rather than, say, another self employed career.

[@MimimooIllustration]

Yes, so true!

[@wencastillo1555]

Hi, Mimi! 😊 I have been a silent subscriber for a while, enjoying the videos you post and seeing your growth and success. Thank you for sharing your experiences and talking about these topics too. I have called myself a hobbyist or an amateur artist for 6 years now, and I guess that's a problem too? All these insecurities and fear of failing have staggered my growth as a professional artist. I have the same issues you talked about, fear of ruining my cute sketchbooks, fear of exposing myself and my drawings, and as someone who grew using DeviantArt as a teenager, social media has been a blessing and a curse at the same time. In DeviantArt days I felt like I was never going to be good enough as all the amazing artists there, and now with Instagram and TikTok, I feel the same but older. 😂 Anyways, thank you again for your advice and the lovely videos and art. ☺️ I'll do my best to keep it up! 💖

[@MimimooIllustration]

So lovely to hear your story, thanks so much for sharing with us! Social media is such a double edged sword, sometimes other artists are inspiring and sometimes they just set the bar a little too high haha 💖

[@sibelpatricia]

Te quedo bellisimoooo!

[@libfuzzy4629]

Your art is beautiful

[@prishas5362]

Right now im in art uni i kinda feel like the kind of work that i would like to do (like illustration) isnt really looked up upon as im in the fine arts department where my peers do more of gallery-worthy artworks, whereas i feel like im more into making illustrative style which for some reason is not that appreciated. Hence, for school, I try to add more details and try to make my work more realistic because I feel that is what is appreciated (tbh, I have to pass the exams anyways, TT). But now that I'm nearing my final year, I'm thinking of doing a masters related to illustration (although I know its not necessary for my art journey, but personally, I feel it's the right thing for me). I'm trying to ask myself what I want to really want to put in my portfolio. That's when I'm scared and start thinking I don't have good character drawing skills or that I'm lacking in understanding colours (since I'm in printmaking and I haven't painted in a while), so all of these things seem to be bothering me... Sorry for the long rant, but I would love any feedback or suggestions from all of you to see what I can do for my situation. Thanks!

[@Chaireaters]

This is my first video i saw on your channel and its really good!Keep up the good work girl

[@MimimooIllustration]

Lovely to have you here! 💖

[@aperson9847]

My Art Fear™ is that I don't feel like my art is unique enough for anyone to pay attention to it. In terms of technical ability I know I'm pretty good, but stylistically it feels directionless and uninspired. I know theoretically that style is something that can be worked on and improved just like any other art skill but I find it so intimidating for some reason. Like I have to know exactly what I want my style to be before I start.

[@mehrnazmoussavi]

Yeah, social media sucks!

[@20tessyluv]

I can so relate. What app is that you are using? Thanks for the great video!

[@MimimooIllustration]

I'm using Adobe Photoshop on a Surface Pro 9 😊

[@CharuCharita5792]

very motivating.. love your video 😍

[@YoutubeAnimators]

I am at the almost age of 29, manga has been a lifelong dream of mine. I keep practicing and struggle with thinking I’m ready to post or submit my first comic to publishers due to lacking in a couple fundamentals. I want to keep on improving before going to social media and my own website, though with a trip to lightbox expo at the end of October, I’m thinking how’s the time even if my skills aren’t the best yet. Any advice would help, as I met Kristen McGuire (famous voice actress) and she recommended I practice by doing comic pages as well so I can improve at manga itself.

[@Allesea159]

How did you get photoshop on that iPad? or isn't that an IPad?

[@sr_sara]

She uses Microsoft Surface Pro

[@tetedelacoursecafe520]

I am improving my art skills with tutorials and classes. I make art and enjoy it, but it is so sad how no one see my posts or videos online, and I wonder what I should do to make my art more visible, or to be known offline. Any tips, please? ❤❤❤

[@srishtibanik3747]

Which color pencil you generally use ?

[@chelseadigby773]

I would love to be a children’s book illustrator but I fear I will never be good enough in such a competitive industry. I’m starting late in life and I have no idea at what level I’ll be good enough to share what I do.

[@sipetamour1491]

I honestly dunno feeling like I'm going through the same thing I'm struggling for two years after not drawing fr 20years..im getting better daily ..I post on Social media as often as I can but nothing ever comes from it and people trying to scam me often if I get any replies.😢.😢I dunno how to get seen...not one client it's very demotivating

[@NicolaHartman-e6p]

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