Have you ever caught yourself thinking…

I need to practise more.
I need to understand colour better.
I need to be more confident.

Then I’ll feel like a proper artist.

I’ve been thinking about the word “enough” lately, particularly when it comes to creativity.

Because so many of us seem to be waiting for that imaginary moment when we’ll finally feel good enough at art.

The problem is… the finish line keeps moving!

Why Is It So Hard to Feel Confident as an Artist?

You learn one coloured pencil technique and suddenly discover three more you’d like to master. You finish a drawing you’re proud of, then see somebody else’s and start comparing.

Sound familiar?

I’ve been drawing professionally for years, and I’m still learning and experimenting all the time. That’s one of the things I love about art.

There will always be something new to discover.

But there’s a difference between wanting to improve because you’re excited to learn and believing you need to improve before you can call yourself an artist.

You’re Already an Artist

You don’t need to finish a certain number of drawings, sell your artwork, stop making mistakes or be able to draw without a tutorial.

If you pick up your pencils and create, experiment, learn, make mistakes and come back for another go – you’re an artist.

And you can be proud of what you can do today while still wanting to learn something new tomorrow.

How to Build Confidence in Your Drawing

One of the best ways to build confidence as an artist is to notice the progress you’re already making.

Think back six months or a year.

Maybe pencil pressure baffled you. Perhaps you struggled with values, realistic fur or adding those really deep darks.

What feels easier now?

Creative confidence doesn’t usually arrive in one enormous TA-DA! moment. It grows through lots of tiny things that gradually start to feel more natural.

And sometimes we’re so busy looking at what we want to learn next that we completely miss how far we’ve already come.

Try This Simple Artist Confidence Exercise

Finish this sentence:

“I’ll feel like a good enough artist when…”

What comes next?

When my drawings look more realistic? When I stop making mistakes? When I can draw without a tutorial?

Now ask yourself: Why do I have to wait?

Instead, write down three things that are already true about you as an artist today.

Perhaps your pencil pressure has improved. Maybe you understand values better. Or perhaps you’re simply making more time for something you love.

Whatever yours are, take a moment to recognise them.

Enjoy Being the Artist You Are Today

There will always be another technique to learn, subject to draw or surface to experiment with – and that’s part of the joy of being creative.

So keep learning. Keep experimenting. Keep having a go.

But remember to look back occasionally and recognise your progress too.

You’re an artist now. Enjoy being one.