Last week, I discovered something amazing about sketching every day—it can help us overcome perfectionism, reduce anxiety, and enhance our artistic abilities. In this blog post, I want to share my personal journey with sketching and offer some advice to fellow aspiring artists and enthusiasts. No fancy words, just a heartfelt account of my experiences.
Looking Back
As I started sketching, memories of my high school years came to me. From 2001 to 2006, I used to spend a lot of time doodling and doing daily sketching because I loved it. There was no Instagram (shameless link) back then, so I shared my drawings on DeviantArt. While I hoped for some feedback, my main focus was enjoying the process. Looking back, I realize I was actually pretty good at it. And the funny thing is that I don’t think I was chasing perfectionism.
The Inner Child Reawakens
Recently, I decided to reconnect with my younger self and recapture the joy I felt while sketching. We often take ourselves too seriously as adults, chasing perfection and trying to create something completely original. But why stress over making the perfect artwork or nailing the anatomy? The truth is, most people don’t really care.
Letting Go of Perfectionism and Living in the Moment
To reignite my artistic spirit, I began to let go of expectations. I would make a cup of tea, play some music, or watch my favorite shows on Netflix or Hulu. With my mind relaxed and distracted, I let my hand guide me, creating sketches without worrying about their place in the world. Most importantly, it made me feel free, without any pressure to be perfect.
The Journey of Imperfection
Through daily sketching, I created a bunch of sketches—some turned out well, others not so much. But among those imperfect creations, there was one sketch that really stood out. It had a loose, soft quality that was simply amazing. Before I knew it I was quickly adding color and a couple of hours later, this happened:
Embracing Unfinished Work
Now, my iPad is filled with sketches, and some of them may never be completed. And you know what? That’s totally fine. I think back to the notebooks I had in the past, filled with unfinished sketches. I lost sight of the joy in the process at some point. I wonder when and why that changed for me.
Final Thoughts
Daily sketching has been an eye-opening experience in my artistic journey. It has helped me break free from the chains of perfectionism and embrace imperfection with open arms. By reconnecting with the carefree spirit of my younger self, I have rediscovered the true essence of art and the sheer joy it brings. So, my fellow aspiring artists and enthusiasts, I encourage you to let go, live in the moment, and allow your sketches to unfold naturally. Embrace imperfection, for it is on that path that you’ll find true artistic joy.
