As artists, one of the biggest challenges we face is overcoming self-doubt and finding that elusive sense of confidence. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when comparing your work to others or struggling with perfectionism. But creating art with confidence doesn’t have to be out of reach. With a few simple strategies, you can learn to trust your instincts, relax into your process, and let the creative energy flow.
1. Start with Warm-Up Exercises
Just like athletes, artists need to warm up, too. These warm-up exercises should be low-pressure and help loosen your hand and clear your mind. I recommend trying gesture drawing, scribbling, or even doodling. The goal isn’t to make something perfect but to simply get your brain and hand working together. When you do this regularly, you’ll start feeling more comfortable with your tools and materials.
2. Embrace Imperfection
One of the biggest creativity killers is the fear of making mistakes. Perfectionism can paralyze you, keeping you from taking risks or trying new things. But, as I've mentioned before: mistakes are part of the process. Instead of striving for flawlessness, focus on progress! Each brushstroke or sketch brings you closer to refining your skills. Don't forget... Every "mistake" is a learning opportunity.
Try setting aside time for experimental projects where the end result doesn’t matter as much as the process. For instance, create a messy texture using brushes in Procreate, or explore color combinations without aiming for a final piece. This allows you to focus on play, which naturally builds confidence over time.
3. Find Your Flow
Flow is the state where time seems to disappear, and you’re fully immersed in the process. But how do you get there? Start by creating an environment that supports uninterrupted work. Turn off distractions, set a timer, and commit to working within that time frame. I find that having a consistent routine helps me. Just this morning I got lost in this owl painting for about 2 hours just experimenting with some different outcomes.
Another key to finding flow is to choose projects that are challenging enough to keep you engaged, but not so difficult that they frustrate you. This balance between skill and challenge is crucial. When you can sink into a task that stretches your abilities just slightly, you’ll naturally enter a good state of flow. For the owl I used pastel brushes which I don't use as often. That put this one just slightly outside my comfort zone.
4. Trust Your Process
Confidence will grow with experience, but you don’t have to wait years to feel self-assured in your work. Trusting your process means knowing that even when your art doesn’t look exactly how you imagined, it’s still valuable. I've said many times before that every piece goes through an "ugly stage", and you have to trust that your skills will grow as long as you keep pressing on, and have patients with your developing process.
5. Use the Right Tools
Having the right tools can make a world of difference in your confidence and flow. If you’re using digital platforms like Procreate or Photoshop, make sure you’re comfortable with your brushes and settings. You don’t need to know everything—just enough to get started without feeling bogged down by technicalities.
That’s why I always recommend having a go-to set of brushes and textures that you’re familiar with. It speeds up your process and allows you to focus on creating rather than getting lost in the technical side of things. As you become more confident with your tools, and your ability, you can begin to swap out brushes to create variety in your work.
Conclusion
Creating art with confidence is something you build over time, with practice and the right mindset. Start small, give yourself permission to make mistakes, and enjoy the process. Trust in the journey, and the more you create, the more confident you’ll feel.
It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress and finding joy in your work. So, keep pushing yourself, trust your instincts, and watch your confidence grow along the way!
