Why Artists Fail

[@kittymowmow12]

This brings to mind a story... A college pottery class was split into two groups. Group one was going to be graded on how good their pottery was, while Group two was going to be graded on how much pottery they made. Their final grade rested on whether they made the best piece, or how many pieces they made. Group one spent all their time they could on one pot, building it up and fixing mistakes, where group two made pot after pot. Finally, at the end of the year when they were to be graded, the teacher compared the two groups. group one's pottery wasn't as good as group two's. but they were supposed to make the best? group two just made pottery. it didnt matter if it was good, or bad. they just needed quantity. but the more they made pots, the more they learned from their mistakes, and the better they got. This story has spoken to me for YEARS. Sometimes, it's not about the quality of your artwork, but the quantity. If you keep making art, bad or good, you will learn and you will get better.

[@WhitneyPaigeArt]

This is so good. I keep trying to keep this mindset. Just make it. Dont stress it. Learn from mistakes in the next one. Just keep going

[@ArtbyLysa]

Jabby The Hot I really needed this!! Thank you thank you thank you for posting!!!

[@nou257]

this is amazing! thank you for sharing, i thought this would be about quality over quantity cliche, but it isn't!!

[@sudharamakrishnan5766]

Jabby The Hot Thanks. You opened my eyes.

[@matfryart]

Thank you for this important reminder! It is so easy to get lost in details.

[@ginger3835]

anyone else do terrible when they actually *try* on a canvas and/or expensive paper but then in your english notebook it looks like a Picasso piece?

[@faeriesmak]

ginger The pressure of good art supplies!

[@Clyman974]

Of course, it's because you're giving too much value to your piece of paper/canvas. If painting on expensive supply makes you uncomfortable, do it on cheaper stuffs anyway, no one is going to judge the quality of your art based on the canvas/paper you used.

[@mysticnighthawk7605]

SAAAAAAME BRO the other day in history I doodled this scrappy yowling cat and was experimenting with it but it was on an assignment but tbh it's the best thing I've ever drawn

[@mitskilvr1394]

YAS

[@belquis1114]

Me too. I regretted turning the assignment in after I never got it back.

[@daptor1427]

Here's an idea for the artists who feel paralyzed by perfectionism or who experience "writer's block": Try to make the ugliest drawing/painting/whatever possible. It helps you get your hand moving, to freely experiment because you literally can't fail. The entire purpose of the exercise is to fail. You'll also probably find it's a surprisingly difficult challenge, because you may accidentally create something that still has beautiful parts or something that's new and interesting. Try to fill multiple pages with ugliness and just whatever your hands wants to doodle. At some point your hand will be warmed up and your mind will be fresh. I can't guarantee that it works, but it's worth a try and you can't really lose anything by doing it.

[@Farhan-ft5mo]

Okay I'm late, but thanks a lot for this advice. I'd call myself an intermediate artist - still have a lot to learn and practice. I think what's holding me back these days is the mindset that every piece I create must be an Instagram worthy post. Because of this, sometimes art ends up frustrating me because not every piece you create will be your masterpiece. I should worry about experimenting and learning from my mistakes at this stage instead of Instagram.

[@artistsentbackintime3027]

That’s a really good idea!!❤️

[@Shooketh__]

Needed this. Thank you

[@stephanie.kilgast]

"Just do, don't think" is my art leitmotiv. Learned it the hard way.

[@stephanie.kilgast]

Also about the notion of "high art", I think your second painting (the triple self portrait) is by far the most interesting of the bunch.

[@minty.bliss.]

Perfectionism is my Achilles heel

[@mysticnighthawk7605]

Dude I haven't made art in a while cause I look at all my art and see how trashy I think it is

[@deanna6742]

at 2:45 I was like "What are you DOING??!!!!" breaking so many art rules. But the painting turned out nice. Honestly it pained me to watch you paint because I would be like "The piece is coming along well" and that you would do something unexpected. Somehow after thinking you ruined it, it became something beautiful again. You're completely right- we need to take risks.

[@RobinSealark]

ahh i love this comment hah

[@seanbasu4255]

It's also worth mentioning that this is true of other types of art. I'm a writer, and I really struggle with perfection, too, and it's definitely holding me back. In fact, I stopped writing for a while because I felt like I could never write anything good enough and was terrified to start writing in my journals and idea books because I didn't want to waste them on bad ideas.

[@glendalee9037]

Sameee

[@ravenwinter6984]

I can't like this post enough; the accuracy is real!

[@erikamonihen8873]

In my past, I have dabbled into every single kind of art I could find. I learned a little bit about a lot. Now I have killed my creative self and the existence is awful. I miss my brushes, I miss poetry, I miss my pastels and watercolors. I was so good at so many things but others standards but my OCD has killed it. I find boxes of supplies and half finished pieces and it's like staring into a grave. I am praying for healing and a revival of my true self.

[@Azumna]

Hey Robin, how do you feel about showing your videos in art class? I'm an art teatcher in Finland and mostly teach kids that are 12-15 years old and they are SOOOOO conservative in their way of thinking about art. You know the, "if you draw something realistic in a anatomically correct way you are good, anything else is bad" way of thinking. I'd like to teach the young ones that happy accidents happen in art and that failure is not the end of the world. This video and others from your channel would support this.. Thank you for reading if you did :) You are great!

[@eilrachi4637]

Ok I absolutely love your realism, but your experimental pieces are just so fantastic I c a n t. You're just so creative and skilled!

[@minty.bliss.]

I feel like perfectionism is also behind some artists’ hesitancy to properly critiques as well. Great video Robin!

[@vickyclark4416]

Excellent video. You're the best art teacher I've EVER had! Thank You!!!!

[@doodlejule]

I just rewatched this again after a long while and "Very often, our strengths and weaknesses are the same" suddenly hit me like a lorry to the face. That was such a throwaway line and yet it lodged itself in my brain and will probably keep me occupied for a few days as I go about my art practise, thinking about what my strengths and weaknesses have in common. These little insights are such a big part why I've been a fan of you for so long 💜💜

[@AniVan1R]

Robin lives! hahaha Literally, I've been watching a lot of your videos this week hoping that you would upload a new one. I'm so happy right now!!!!

[@RobinSealark]

hah awh! glad i'm alive too

[@sylendraws1249]

Because we thought moving out of our moms basement and selling squares with paint on them would be a good business model.

[@ninasue5948]

SylenDraws lol

[@peachyskies2480]

iM-

[@mysticnighthawk7605]

Me

[@Kk-pw6ch]

SylenDraws my brain can’t decide weather to take this as an insult to robin or a complement, or joke....

[@mysteryme6655]

Not having the imagination to see it as a good business model would decide whether you fail or not.

[@GOINGGONZO]

Where did someone so young as you gain so much insight ? I love when you talk about life and art together. To be honest I saw a Hoodie Video and I was nervous about you. Then I listened and I got hooked. I have repeated some of your comments to others in my life. What I am trying to say is you made this old guy learn a few things about art and life .... and for that I thank you .... love your quirkiness.... it’s great ! Never change, develop but never change.

[@hannagale8624]

This is my biggest problem but i can’t help to shake it. Thank you for talking about it💗

[@SweetyKimmo]

I love your work. Both the realism and your more experimental style. Whenever I feel stuck and insecure I go back to your awesome drawing and painting exercises video to remind myself to have fun and experiment.

[@ilahjarvis]

Awesome, important message. Thank you for being totally open about your experience and the encouragement. The voices never go completely away, but we can recognize them for what they are, and not let them stop us from challenging ourselves.

[@donaldhatcher8179]

Rather than some deep philosophical statement about the content of your video, I’d just like to say thank you. You obviously have wisdom and worldly perspective that is beyond your years. I wish you great success in all your endeavors.

[@nataliehewit]

You're so intelligent, Robin. So many people struggle with these things but could never go about putting them into words. You're helping so many people progress by speeding forward their own understanding of themselves with your video's. Big love xx

[@Lenardx]

the biggest hurdle for me is getting over mess, dirty hands and constantly cleaning my brush at the sink in fear of paint drying in it

[@jadelotus4941]

Highly relatable, particularly the bit about being comfortable copying from a reference image but being stunted by the opportunity to produce from the mind instead of the eye.

[@cowlufoo2]

When you said "failure is when you stop trying," it really resonated with me. I've been struggling with having motivation to make art outside of my college assignments. Since it's late right now, I want to make some art and try something new tomorrow

[@kaylacochran3666]

I gave up on art a long time ago but when I found your videos about a year ago I found my way back and now I paint and draw everyday and love doing it again. Thank you so much Robin, you reminded me of all I loved about art and you inspire me so much to be creative.

[@ellakeller8824]

My calc professor was this wonderful older gentleman who flown helicopters in the marines. He mentioned how he used to be an artists as well. He helped design the marines logo you see today. As we got to know each other more through the semester, I began to make drawings for him and when I would mention my art wasn’t good in a certain spot he would tell me “you are in control of what the viewer sees. If you see a mistake, they will see a mistake. Art isn’t about it being perfect! It’s about drawing something that looks like what you want. No one else will see those mistakes” and I still think about it to this day. He was by far one of my favorite professors

[@Vixtronic]

This is very motivational! I myself struggle with perfectionism, it's also extremely hard to deal with when I focus on realism and hyper-realistic digital paintings. I get so caught up on details that it almost always never gets finished. I've been trying to practice "letting my guard down" and showing more people work that "I" would deem unfinished, but to others they think it's great as a completed piece. I remember a college art teacher telling me "All art is never truly finished. Allow yourself the comfort of knowing you can always come back and change it, or add things, but also show people what you have created at the moment. It's your art, no one can tell you not to alter it." This teacher had several paintings that he would display at art shows, and he said each one he has been working on for years, changing small details to colors, lighting, ect. He just allows others to appreciate the paintings as they are at that moment. This has helped me to focus less about making my art perfect, and more on capturing the feeling or mood while knowing I can continue to change it at any time.

[@LenaDanya]

Love this ♥

[@RobinSealark]

Thank you Lena!!

[@ggressell4011]

This came to me at a perfect time. I just had my first awful painting failure. You are an extremely talented and intuitive young lady. Beyond your years. Bless you.

[@medicinemadisonofficial]

I have experimented out of my comfort zone from an artistic point of view - drawing or painting things I never painted before or working with new art mediums, supplies or tools I never tried before, etc. That's great advice indeed. It works.

[@Brandyrose111]

This was really nice to be reminded of, “just make something.” Because I feel I’ve been in a slump recently due to “perfection” and not wanting to make something “bad”. But I think I just needed to be reminded to just make something, just get my creativity flowing. Because it doesn’t matter what you make, it’s all a part of you and who you are. Not everything is perfect, so we shouldn’t expect ourselves to always make perfect things.Thanks for the lovely video Robin! Lots of love! - Brandy 💙💙💙

[@pay1370]

Look at you! All professional and shit 👌🏻👌🏻 Also, i want that second painting on a shirt, it's amazing

[@CallistaHooper]

*Sees "perfectionism"* *smashes like button* It's my current struggle, and so paralyzing. Thank you for being so vulnerable, and the conceptual work you show here is absolutely lovely.

[@jinyoungpark2341]

Hi Robin, I am crying to hear your experience and advice. Struggle from perfectionism is where I am standing now. Thank you.

[@laurencleaver3197]

perfectionism is really my Achille's heel. But I have to say, the mantra: "Failure is when you stop trying" definitely kicked my motivation into gear to start creating again. I'm so glad I found your channel, Robin!

[@jenniferalarza9643]

I feel SO RELATED TO THIS! this new year I 've found a way to stop failing and work not caring if it's good enough, and it's doing a challenge that consists in posting a new head everyday on instagram. It's been fun so far and it forces me to post one piece everyday no matter what. kills two birds with one stone, me afraid of creating and posting online. Great video by the way!

[@ramunediscount]

This video made me want to start crying. I’ve been dealing with some pretty heavy PTSD for over ten years, and I started getting help for it last year. Through that help I’ve been able to realize that it was affecting my art as well. Just like you said, I thought of myself as never good enough. Anyway, I’m trying to take your advice and take my ideas of “good artist” to include “brave artist”

[@shartle10]

Amen, you literally summed everything up, I don't feel so awkward about the mental challenges and thoughts I have being a creative individual. I grew up trying to make something picture perfect, I recently had realized that if I wanted an exact picture, I could just use a camera, but to do one's own impression with color and image lie in your individual interpretation . It helps to know where something lies in realism to know how much you might want to expand or exaggerate, I was always taking myself so serious and afraid to make a mistake, rather to embrace any mistakes, I could relate to your blank sketchbook example. Thank you for this, I love your videos, thoughts and examples, keep up the good work.

[@yazmen103]

Thank you. Any time I heard artists talk about perfectionism, they would always talk solely about how artists worry about what their work looks like to *others.* I always disregarded everything because I don't care about how other people think my art looks. My problem with art was that I lost motivation for it. I did it so much that I felt like it was just too hard anymore, and I never realized why. Hearing this video though? It finally clicked for me why I lost motivation, why it got so hard for me. Even though my style is very cartoony, I've always strived to have a more realistic feel. The world of warcraft promo art? That kind of fantasy stuff is what I've always tried to achieve. I want all of my pieces, again *all*, of my pieces to be very action packed, and have insane lighting, and weird perspectives, and if I can't make it impressive enough, I don't see a point in finishing it now. Even if I could finish, do I even want to? I'm to a point now that I no longer want my art to look that way; I *need* it to. I never realized how damaging that need was. Art is no longer fun for me anymore, and I never knew why until now. Thank you for helping me realize it. Now maybe I can finally do something about it. lol (Also heavily relate to not wanting to ruin a perfectly good sketch, I always use up my lower quality ones first, always thinking the others aren't worth wasting.)

[@peggypfenninger1680]

YAY! I needed my Robin fix. Because of you I have started creating more. Making marks on paper. Not trying to make a finished piece of art. This video really backs up a lot of my struggle and new found freedom. THANK YOU! You are my ultimate all time favorite artist on KZbin.

[@tomwellingishott]

I love your realistic work, but there's just something so special about your "experimental" work to me. I always find them so inspiring and just...interesting in the best way possible

[@threeinthemorning7995]

Honestly I've had a rough couple of weeks in terms of just creating something and when you talked about how it doesn't matter if what you're making isn't a meaningful masterpiece it just matters that you're actually creating it really just kinda made me start crying thank you lol

[@damoodaiki]

Thank you for always being there for me with your videos. As an artist you are a big important part of my life

[@seabreezebarker47]

Girl, you are such an inspiration! Thank you so much for all your content. There’s not enough space in the comment box to tell you how much it means. I just watched “Art Style” video. My Dad died about 6 months ago and he was also a sailor. Water has been the only thing on my mind to paint (also the hardest thing for me to paint), so between that video and this one, you blew my mind. Keep it up!!

[@neriahelysium]

I paint when I watch/listen to your videos and honestly I loved the voice over for this video. It really makes me feel so much better about the work that I'm doing and it makes me feel a little better too knowing that I'm not the only one going through these emotions.

[@addalang7164]

"Be a brave artist" i love this advice

[@joycekennewcomb5273]

So thankful you decided to break out of your box. I am really drawn to your quirky pieces. It is easy to see why they made you happy to make them. This was also a great pep talk and think it is one my students will hear this week. Thanks for the continued excellent content.

[@tinomendoza7045]

Everything you said in this video, word for word, is exactly what i currently feel. Instead of learning about ourselves through art we only want to learn to copy others.

[@freashleakage1365]

This channel changed how I do my art and helped me change as well. Keep going Robin!

[@zelihagunes6861]

Thank you Robin. Sometimes us young artists forget that succesful artists are humans as well, and that they probrably all started by making pretty bad art. You truly are a real rolemodel. Bye now imma go paint.

[@rloach067]

i needed this... last year i stopped drawing more and more, i would do some pieces here and there, but mostly i would be too afraid to do anything. I was terrified of making mistakes, so i instead did nothing. I feel so sad and guilty because of that. I feel like nothing more than a coward. But i have the power to change that, and i will try to do that little by little! just create. Anything. Doesn't matter the result, is the act that's important.

[@kathyreyes7225]

Thank you so much for this video! Perfectionism affects me as an artist but also in my daily life. It can be very paralyzing. Your videos always keep me grounded. I’m able to apply your advice to help me in my daily life. Thank you!

[@chiefschubert757]

These videos are so incredibly motivating and inspiring, thank you so much As someone who's agonised and laboured over pointless 'first page masterpieces' in my sketchbooks without enjoying it, your videos have really helped me to loosen up and just go for it. Whether it's weird or not, and to enjoy that for what it is! 💛

[@rublue42]

Thanks Robin! You know what I should follow that attitude of just painting or linoblock print for me. Make something up and not focus how real it is. I think my art is beautiful. I had a coworker commend me when she saw my instagram post, she said I had a humble attitude rather than an arrogant one because I admitted it was not like Jack Kirby's but I expressed how happy I was.

[@roraraptor]

You're my art idol! I've seen lots of good videos with technical tips for drawing or painting, but nothing I've seen rivals your insight and wisdom. And your mom is awesome.

[@Es_Tay]

Oh my gosh, you said this so perfectly, so eloquently! I have had all these exactly feelings so many times. As a child, I had copious amounts of art supplies and did everything: sketching, writing, photography, painting, collages, etc., I even majored in art in high school. Now (eight years later) I do nothing. I have some paints and pencils, I still have a bunch of my old art diaries. Somewhere along the lines I just... stopped. Now, I spend most of my time (when I'm not working) reading or on KZbin, Pinterest or Netflix looking at/listening to/watching all this amazing art all around me and making nothing of my own. I have that same fear that I can never get images/stories/concepts from my brain to my chosen form of expression. That nothing will ever be as good as I want it to be, so I just don't try. I think I honestly make so many excuses; my skills have faded, I don't have the necessary equipment, I don't have the right ideas, etc. I start to sketch something for a drawing or a painting and the first line on the page already feels wrong. I want to write a story and I fear I don't have the skills necessary to make it any good. I've fallen into this trap a million times, I just hope one day I might drag myself out of it. Also, your paintings are amazing. I've never seen your channel or any of your work until today and I'm glad I did.

[@superfly2449]

Lots of good points here. It’s like you’re reading my mind. I don’t because I can’t, and I can’t because I don’t.

[@egeoeris]

Even though i dont like my own art, perfectionism just gives that "one more last touch" i need, my granpa' once told me no work's finished untill the artist ruins it, which is why i love last touches.

[@roselin_estephania]

I feel like perfectionism held me back many times, it was when I started letting it go that I felt more at peace with myself and my art. I'm still working on it, but I no longer let it control me or my art, I longer stop creating because of it ♡

[@nicholasgrover1823]

"I feel like our strengths and our weaknesses are the same." That was very astute! I love it.

[@lurkerofthenight]

Thank you Robin, you're an inspiration. Perfectionism kills my motivation to create any art. I myself is the worst critic in my own art and amidst making anything I am already taking it apart. I always get so frustrated that I can't make anything the way I wanted them to look and I get envious on how other artists can make it so effortless. I'd end up throwing away most of my works. But thanks to you, I'll try to be a bit gentler to myself and move on to try and create art again. Thank you.

[@jeseniaissomething]

When in the time of an art crisis these videos help me get through the rough patches

[@UnderlandAlice]

Robin! This video is so inspiring and honestly perfectly timed for me personally, as I'm sure it is for many others. I'm writing my senior thesis this semester at university and I've been so stressed out about really starting it, but I think what's been holding me back is feeling like it needed to be perfect right off the bat. Your words and advice though have made me recognize that I just need to TRY! So thank you Robin

[@alpester]

Thank you for making this video Robin it really helped change my mindset before going into a new project. I found myself in a musical rut where I was putting loads of pressure on myself to make a new album better than my last one. My outlook changed dramatically after hearing you talk about the acceptance of imperfection and being brave with your artistic endeavours. My new goal is to simply make this next one different without feeling it has to be 'better'.

[@teddybear5788]

Awesome tips in this video!! I would like to add one thing though. Just making mistakes will in most cases not be enough. What I started with my horses is starting some sort of diary in which I write down the mistakes I made in a competition, and then add what I did well. Psychologists have proven that this helps to improve and I’m pretty sure it will work with artworks too!

[@catatacc]

at this point, I just expect to be inspired every time I get that notif, because your videos never fail! fear of failure and messing up is my biggest weakness, not only in art but in life. Maybe if I can face the fear on paper, it'll eventually bleed over into life choices haha

[@kinzaahmed3857]

So true! Totally fall into the trap of perfectionism. Ive recently been ignoring a painting just because i made a mistake and then i didnt make anything after, yikes. Thanks for the great advice! I'd also add to that by saying that always keep a pen or pencil handy, that way youre bound to doodle on something and thatll help you break those chains.

[@paigehensley5226]

I needed to hear this. I am crippled by perfectionism myself, to the point of not trying. Thank you for making this video. You have spoken straight to my heart. Thank you. I will take your advice and push myself to just make something, even if it sucks.

[@Ilsezwarts]

Robin, this is exactly what I needed. (I know this is super long,, but I still hope you read it) I have the exact opposite problem as you. As a kid I was highly discouraged to do art by my teachers who were big lovers of realism, to which I reacted by never ever drawing from real life. (They always said that I was lazy) as a result; I suck. Art and being creative has always been a part of me despite all of this, so I want to pursue it as a career . I never saw myself as a perfectionist, mostly because I didn't draw from real life. But your videos made me realise how much of a perfectionist I actually am! I expect so much from myself, so it just becomes hard for me to actually practice the stuff i find terrifying (in other words: realism) Today I finished applying for the last college I planned on applying to. My friend recommended it to me and I had never heard of it, but I applied because I wanted enough back up plans. To my shock did they not only have an unusual early interview date (its in 1month), but they also require me to do 10 portfolio pieces of which I am really proud of. And I have nothing. All that I do is in sketchbooks, because that's where I feel safe, because that's my comfort zone. Because it's convenient, Because I can close the book and then I don't have to look at it any longer. (The other colleges are process based and don't necessarily require finished work) In a mad panic I started pulling all the ideas out of my sketchbook and picked 10 of them to work into completed pieces. I am still convinced that I'm not going to make it and that it's all going to turn out terrible, but I still want to try. But after I had chosen 10 things and I had started to collect materials for the projects, though I was really stressed, I realized that this is what I want to do. I don't just want to be stuck in my sketchbooks forever, i really want to make art. Then you uploaded this and I was reminded that it just wasn't laziness that held me back, it's the perfectionist in me that doesn't want to see my mistakes. It stopped me from even trying. When I had a mental breakdown I couldn't even talk to people for about a year, and here I am 3 years later and I'm still telling myself that I'm not good enough because I'm lazy! And I am tired of letting that pressure control me! And for this college admission, I'm going to try, I'm going to fail; but that's ok. Thank you for giving me courage.

[@sofidicehola5853]

you will try and you will succeed! even when you feel like you've failed, you can learn from every experience, and that experience will push you exactly where you need to be. I never really answer to any comments, but really wanted you to read this :) good luck!

[@Ilsezwarts]

Sofi dicehola thank you so much! I called the college this morning and they said that they could move the date, to which i am eternally grateful. I still think that this was an important lesson for me and that I need to realise from time to time that I'm asking to much of myself, while doing too little. I still intend to work hard and break out of the sketchbook zone! Thank you for replying, I didn't think anybody would read this, really haha

[@annagyorgyi1963]

Hi! I think it's a good thing to have an own style which is not realism, but if you just drawing cartoons, or abstractism, or anime art, it can be a problem. Because what you see in the world is realistic. And if you make art, you couldn't do anything that is not inspired from the real world. So if you don't know how anatomy looks like, or color theory, etc. that cartoony style can be just a masking of your "mistakes". These are not real mistakes, just the little black holes on your cloth that you can't draw in the way that it looks. So I don't say that anyone need to draw perfectly in realism, and I don't say, that any person need to know things about them, but here is a Picasso quote: "Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist" And Picasso's stylelized paintings are more famous than his realistic ones, but you know, he did those too. So keep trying, and good luck for the collage, I hope that they will enroll you! :)

[@mazkraut9776]

I really wish you fun in the process of making those 10 pieces - that's success in itself! And I hope you get into that college, too, but even if you didn't, you'd have made 10 pieces or art, and you've showed yourself that you can! I was smiling to myself reading about what they told you about drawing from life: I was told the exact opposite! When I was little, I was told that drawing from life was just copying and not worth much, but if I could do realism +without+ copying, that would be worth something! So I spent some time trying to draw animals that looked like animals, but only looking at them once in the beginning. They were "alright-ish-I-suppose-perhaps", and I learned not much. Whereas I could have learned much more, had I not had this very peculiar value judgment in my head. I've since had people say to me that my art is wonderful and other people say my art is not, but I think these days that neither of those are so important. Sure, if you hear someone say that something you've made is not good in their opinion, that's painful and discouraging. But it may be even worse when someone says "this is wonderful", because it's really, really hard to then do something different! I think the most important thing - for yourself as an artist - is being honest and free to do what interests you in the moment you're making it. If in the back of your head you're listening out for the repeat of the praise you got for your last piece, breaking that mold becomes so much more difficult! My own traces of perfectionism have a lot to do with second-guessing people's response to my art work. But I'm working on it to learn to see these responses as an expression of the other person's individuality, not as a judgement on my work. Whether it's praise or criticism, it's just that person's reaction, nothing more. I hope you're going to create many more pieces, inside and outside of your sketchbook, and that you'll most of all enjoy the process!

[@Ilsezwarts]

Anna Györgyi ohhh, no I know that! I've since been greatly using references for a while now and I really enjoy doing that, but what I dread is doing more exaxt studies. I do them like every other week, while I should be doing them every other day, imo

[@nadiasnyman4970]

Hey robin. So I tried it. I made a watercolour painting of lavender. But I stopped caring about how good it looked and just painted. It was extremely relaxing and in the end I'm actually quite proud of it. Thankyou for this advice I'm going to stop being so scared of messing up and just create what makes me happy. Thank you.

[@abbyknight9231]

I used to love painting but I stopped because I thought I wasn't good enough. Your videos have inspired me to try again

[@jessicaa84]

Another awesome video and perfectly timed too 😭😭👩‍🎨👩‍🎨👩‍🎨😍😍😍✨✨✨✨✨

[@craftydirt1008]

You are so wise beyond your young years! Thank you for being real about how so many of us feel. ❤️

[@zoe-bj5dd]

i love u robinnn

[@RobinSealark]

[@angharad.9743]

Thank you the hardest part of being a young and inexperienced artist is that nothing turns out how you want and your art isn’t good and it’s really sad to make something that isn’t visually pleasing

[@Ziksua]

I love you Robin!! Every peace of art you made make me feel so many things

[@gummie_wormz_962]

Every time I watch one of your videos, it makes me want to write down everything you say because it is all so helpful, so inspiring, and so true.

[@aaauuuuooogh8029]

Honestly youre the best artist youtuber ive ever seen, your amazing and inspiring advices, your amazing artworks, am so happy someone like you exist, am so thanksful for everything, I LOVE YOU!

[@MK-nw8yk]

Thank you for this video. This is literally everything I've been feeling for so long. Slipped off drawing and was too scared to start again at a weaker drawing point

[@rowanomilano5130]

Ah this is such a good topic! I'm terrible for perfectionism, but I've given myself a rule that I can NEVER delete a painting once I've posted it, I can NEVER rip out a sketchbook page, and ALWAYS finish my drawing, even if I start to hate it! It's helped me a lot :D

[@altgene8372]

On a subconscious level could not help feeling those lines and circles in your first painting where striving to find meaning, i felt they came together in your second painting in the form of plant life then Voila! If by magic in your third painting you produced a beautiful landscape as if to complete the missing link. Love your work keep it up and I will always listen to your advice.

[@mckennatwitchell4230]

its a testament to your skill that you are able to paint in all these different styles!! keep being great!!

[@leilanieckenfels122]

thank you for this I have been needing something like this because, i am a huge perfectionist. I get it from my mom and dad. They put a lot of pressure on me to become a responsible, and perfect human. Although they encourage my creativity, it is hard for me to feel inspired when so much other pressure is on my shoulders. So thank you so much for this. Also side note: Those paintings were so cool and beautiful. You have a lot of talent. :)

[@faeriesmak]

I just wanted to share this. I live near the John Michael Kohler Art Center and in the not so distant past there was an exhibit of paintings by a guy who didn’t start painting until he was pretty old. Technically it was bad art. The perspective was all off, the colors were weird, everything was wrong. It was the BEST art exhibit that I have ever seen. The BEST. I went back and saw it a few more times before they changed the exhibit out. The artist just went for it..he didn’t care that he hadn’t painted for most of his life. He just went for it and ended up in an art museum!

[@kennaarts828]

Sat at my desk and just stared at the blank paper, only to walk away and give up. I needed this motivation, thank you. ☺️

[@marknalewaiski921]

I can relate allot. I get so caught up in realism that I struggle with inspiration and creative imagination, that I don't even work on anything. I usually end up just "copying "a photo or object. I hear people say "I wish I was creative like you. I chuckle to myself and say I'm only duplicating what I see. You have good advance, in saying just do SOMETHING because I have found that just starting something will cause me to go into an almost hypnotic creative state and bypass the analytical perfectionist state. I was once working on something that was just "fun fantasy " and I had made a unicorn in it. I had a horse book someone gave me for reference and was gonna use it when I got home but I just kept pushing on. I had never drew a horse before, not as an adult any. I certainly hadn't done so strictly out of memory! Something magical seemed to happen then. It was as if my hand was being guided and I made a great horse without any reference. I just simply let my mind go. Thanks for this video because I've been struggling with this latey since I've just started getting back to art and have become more of analytical minded lately. I think that it has made me a better artist for details lately but if I can learn to let my mind go in between both mind sets I will be a much better and happier artist.

[@raahimas2776]

You Know it’s literally been five days but your advice already has me painting again and I’m going for it and I’m enjoying it and art is happening. It’s really great so thank you.

[@checkersjunior8396]

Total hugs for this adorable, smart girl.

[@juditthoma7438]

Hi Robin. I am guilty of wanting to achieve perfection too. Just the other day I was so inspired to paint in a particular style, though painting is not my strong suit, and I don't really know acrylics either. Tthe base started out fine but when I started to add details it just ruined everything, so I put the painting aside and did something that is much more up my alley to feel confident again. Although I realized that I learned a lot even from that failed project, so I was much less upset about it than I would have been a few months ago. Art teaches you to accept yourself which I desperately need, and your advices about trying not to be anxcious about what you create make it so much easier, so thanks.

[@FAITH2x4x7]

Just found this. True, Perfectionism can really get in the way and I suspect many an aspiring Artist has a problem with it. I know I have. Your advice is so very wise...you have to just do it...and do it for yourself and like you said - have fun doing it and don't stress out about perceived mistakes just keep pushing through and pushing forward! Cheers!

[@lucinda2329]

Loved this! Great advice, and...your first two pieces reminded me of my mom's work. She was self taught, and did incredible realistic landscapes, and she always added some cartoon-ish or non realistic element in, to shake the perfection of the scene. It remains my favorite type of work outside of abstracts.

[@Creativjess]

What a profound description of an artists endeavour of perfection! Thank you so much for this ❤️

[@MariaRevArt]

I needed to hear this tonight. Not necessarily towards art, but towards my life itself. I just need to keep trying. ☺

[@KTdesign1]

Thank you for this video. I needed it. I really havent made any art for a year or so because my perfectionism just frustrates me to heck and back. I really need to learn to cope with it! Thank you so much ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@KTdesign1]

I'm defintiely going to do your challenge. Thank you for encouraging me again. You are so inspiring!

[@matfryart]

I feel just like this. Good luck!

[@ummyes2541]

Wow you uploaded this at the perfect time last night I was literally crying because I felt like my art was shit and I wasn't gonna get any better. Too the point where I deleted my posts on amino. Thank ye really needed this vid

[@TheKakdeg]

I love the piece with the girl! The contrast in detail really speaks to me.

[@Anderson-lp6hm]

This exactly describes what stops me always with everything that I passionately set forward to do

[@jinkstacks4830]

Liked and subbed! I'm only a teenager and thought that I was the only one who used to use copying as a crutch and froze when trying to draw something out of my head. Thank you for the vid 👍

[@Pkbucket]

I have noticed that when i try to make something perfect it takes me weeks and sometimes months to even finish and then when I want to try doing little or big projects i find Im to scared to do them and then just feel exhausted from the idea i never really realized that maybe its my need to feel perfect that is keeping me from doing the thing I love most. Probably why its just been a huge struggle to draw this year too. Thank you for this its a really helpful open minded video.

[@bfranklin69]

0:33 "The place where progress goes to die..." Me: The internet. "Perfectionism!" Uh, yeah, that too.

[@Sian0410]

thank you honey! I needed this so badly! here I am drawing as I listen to what you had to say and now I'm going to finish this with a lot less worry and a lot more pride x)