Have you ever stopped drawing for fear of failure?

Being an artist myself, I understand what you mean, Ive heard of artists that dont create because its fun but because they want to get it done, its an excruciating process for me and in the end I dont even think my piece is all that great even though people say its terrific. I havent painted in over two years now, mainly because I dont have any ideas , I tend to only sketch now. So as far as feeling like ill fail maybe for the drawing but not as a whole, I still try my best to keep my talent up to par. But dont forget that its a gift from God, and we must honor it and never doubt you abilities, because if your an artist, losing faith in your talent can prove disastrous.

Yes, I've only started drawing again, outside of class. My art teacher says I'm good, but I've never really taken it to heart. Doubts always come of 'what if he's just saying that' and the like.

I did

All the time.

God gave you your talents. Don't be afraid to use them or fail using them. I was reading up on this last night. The point is God gave you your talent to draw so you're urged to use it.

Have you ever stopped drawing for fear of failure?

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Yes, all the time. Sometimes for months, sometimes years.

There's one thing that motivates me - love.
Isn't that interesting? Only perfect love drives out fear, and that's what I see with my drawing/painting.

I cannot bring myself to do it, I almost never produce anything unless I am prompted in my heart to give something to a friend. That drives me past the anguish and self-judgement and through to completion. It doesn't stop me weeping over it, begging God to help me, losing my temper and screwing it up etc. But I get through it.

What I'd really like to do now is to love myself enough to begin really using this gift.
I have even had a business offer recently, but fear has prevented me from even attempting the first hurdle. Only love will break through this - God's perfect love.

I must have had a glimmer of light a few days ago - His love was reaching through to me enough that I did a drawing just to please myself.

Love, the love of Him who first loved us - that's where the gift comes from, it's the end purpose of working out our gifts, it's the completion of ourselves in Him - love.

God bless all us wavering artists - may we grow in His love and flow in joy as we create for the glory of the Creator.

yes I have..

I have experienced this many times. My art instructor told me that if you just draw/paint/sketch from your heart your true talent will shine through. He told me the best cure for your fear. I use it all the time.

The best cure is to grab a clean sheet of paper or whatever you use, then your pencil (I'm a sketcher) or whatever other medium, close your eyes and draw, draw what you feel or what you see, then when you are done, flip the page over and then open your eyes. Leave the page for a few days, pick it up when you aren't thinking about art, and then look at it. It really works! You'll see your drawing through the eyes of one who has never seen it before.

The deal is: As long as you look at what you are drawing you'll always be over critical of your line spacing or context and ignore the true beauty of your work.

I love to draw. We are trying to start an art club here in town. Just tonight I started to draw a cute little puppy, got discouraged, turned the paper over and started again...and even though it was better than the first...i crumpled it up and quit. So along comes someone else and they can't believe I stopped and wrecked it

Sometimes it really does help to go back and look at it objectively later. Sometimes it helps to not crumple up the paper!

Wanting something we create to be perfect is one thing, but it's a whole other thing altogether when we are overcome by an invasive, dangerous form of perfectionism that keeps us from drawing, or writing, or playing that piano.

When the desire to create perfect art is hurtful and counterproductive, I try to remember that failure is merely part of the process necessary for success. There are plenty of Old and New Testament examples of this at work. I know you can name a few-- so fail and praise God for it, and keep creating!

StoneDeaf said:

Wanting something we create to be perfect is one thing, but it's a whole other thing altogether when we are overcome by an invasive, dangerous form of perfectionism that keeps us from drawing, or writing, or playing that piano.

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You are so right. perfectionism isn't good or healthy, and look how many of us fall down that hole!

I guess really it's fear and pride you know - being so concerned about my self-worth coming from my own ability and acheivement and what others think.

I can call it low self-esteem and sound like I'm not so bad really, bit honestly, if I am refusing to use a talent God gave me that could bless someone, then why do I hold back? Fear and pride. Yuck!

God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of love, power, soundness of mind. And Jesus says I am worth so much that He died to bring me into the peace and abundant life of His kingdom.

Lord, forgive me for seeing my value in what I do instead of who You have made me, and release me once more into the joyful creativity You desire for me, so that I can enjoy Your blessings and extend them to others.

God bless you fellow-artists, love Sue

Wow. I thought it was just me. This feeling must be in all artistic people. I never feel like my work is good enough. I judge myself worse when it is something I want to give to my Mom. Most of the time I never give it to her for fear of rejection. I like the suggestion to draw with eyes closed. I think I will do that to get myself started again. I havent painted anything in months. I have done a little woodburning and carving, but mostly I'm idle with my gift.

I am doing some of the teaching for art in our local Christian elementary school to help out. It is great fun. But the kids all show signs of this, especially when drawing around others.

I think it centers around the idea that the work they are doing AT THAT MOMENT is a judgment on their ability. It helps for them to realize that any particular work is not the judge of your skill but the BUILDING of your skill. In this respect pieces that work cause us more problems than those that don't. We feel we have to meet that standard. We don't .

Of course, to the OP working in charcoal would be a bit more scary! It is hard to correct mistakes I would think.

I like working on the computer just because it is hard (if you back up!) to make mistakes you can't fix. And if you do mess up a piece, you just clear and start over. No wasted materials, etc. and your right back into trying again.

The other cool thing about working on the computer that just doesn't work as well with most traditional mediums is the ability to try out totally different options...ie...save the file under a new version name and try to put a river...if you don't like it, just go back to the other file.

You can add me to this list. I hid my sketch books so know one will see how "bad" they are. I haven't drawn much in a long time. I usually squash they need to through doodling on post-its at work. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

ps- Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain makes a cool workbook.
I just thought I'd throw that in there.

The Lord is my banner said:

Yes, all the time. Sometimes for months, sometimes years.

There's one thing that motivates me - love.
Isn't that interesting? Only perfect love drives out fear, and that's what I see with my drawing/painting.

I cannot bring myself to do it, I almost never produce anything unless I am prompted in my heart to give something to a friend. That drives me past the anguish and self-judgement and through to completion. It doesn't stop me weeping over it, begging God to help me, losing my temper and screwing it up etc. But I get through it.

What I'd really like to do now is to love myself enough to begin really using this gift.
I have even had a business offer recently, but fear has prevented me from even attempting the first hurdle. Only love will break through this - God's perfect love.

I must have had a glimmer of light a few days ago - His love was reaching through to me enough that I did a drawing just to please myself.

Love, the love of Him who first loved us - that's where the gift comes from, it's the end purpose of working out our gifts, it's the completion of ourselves in Him - love.

God bless all us wavering artists - may we grow in His love and flow in joy as we create for the glory of the Creator.

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Your painting in your Avatar is lovely TheLordIsMybanner.

PlumTea said:

You can add me to this list. I hid my sketch books so know one will see how "bad" they are. I haven't drawn much in a long time. I usually squash they need to through doodling on post-its at work. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

ps- Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain makes a cool workbook.
I just thought I'd throw that in there.

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Hi PlumTea,
Doodling is drawing imho, sometimes doodles can be quite beautiful and inspiring! I'd recommend Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain too, for anyone who thinks they can't draw "well enough".