The Inner Critic

Removing The Inner Critic

After this recent episode with the (so-called) inner critic, it made me wonder how often in the past I had actually listened to it!

However, NOW I will say goodbye to those messages that previously managed to suck away the little bit of confidence I had.

I always knew that I'd never finish learning all there is to know about drawing but I never suspected this artform would also teach me how to control my manner of thinking.

I'm always discovering more positives for this wonderful drawing hobby and each time it has a real impact on me. I hope you can experience similar revelations because it all leads to your growth as a confident artist.

Honestly, can you think of any benefit in telling yourself you can't do something? Exactly who does that thought hurt? It's YOU and only you! How offended would you be if a friend said the same thing to you? You'd react, right? So when you have the same thoughts from within, don't tolerate them.

Can you see how this insidious fear stops you from achieving what you want?

So, why do you even allow it? You have the choice to allow or deny destructive thoughts so use that power wisely.

I know it's easy for me to say but with a little bit of determination, you can do it, too. Get mad if you have to, but just make sure you never doubt yourself again.

When I start drawing on a beautifully textured blank card, I just do it, I can't worry about whether I ruin it or not. This attitude completely removes any further interruptions from my inner critic.

I enjoy the whole process and so far I haven't botched up a drawing so badly that I can't use the card. Besides, I don't care if I do because I know I'll learn more lessons and grow from there.

Gosh, paper isn't that expensive that you have to be scared of using it.

Drawing on birthday cards is a fantastic idea because you find yourself making the time to create them for someone special. Otherwise, it's too easy to think you can't fit drawing into your busy life. Any practice is good practice!

How To Stop Doubting

Now, here's the biggee...

The best way to excel at anything is to feed yourself with plenty of encouragement and praise. This food/fuel is important to your well-being and any over-indulgence is healthy, too. There you go, that's one instance where too much is a good thing!

This is just one method to remove the doubt demon but really there are many options available. As mentioned above, I used determination so you can, too.

Program your inner critic to help you solve problems or to be complimentary when appropriate but it must be ignored or made silent when it can't say anything good.

Have you heard about people who have Plan A, B, C, etc? They are successful because they never give up! Keep persisting until you find a solution for removing uncertainty because you really do possess all the talent you require and once you realize this, it changes your life.

If you want to be good at drawing, go ahead and draw - it doesn't matter what - just draw. If the resulting image is a flop, big deal, throw it away and move on to the next one.

You learn and improve from all mistakes. Even if it's binned, be delighted with yourself for having a go because that's much better than living in fear of making mistakes.

I like this quote that I once put on the All About Drawings Facebook page...

"Don't carry your mistakes around with you. Instead, lay them on the ground and use them as stepping stones so you can rise above them."

A Great Resource

If you'd like to know how I taught myself to draw, it's all documented in my latest paperback book called Drawing Lessons for Hobby Artists.

This is the exact same, interesting track I took to learn everything so you might just click with the same process, who knows?

I always get something good out of every drawing book I select to buy and I never feel like the investment was a waste of money. You're worth every penny, aren't you?

This book starts with how to draw a straight line and then takes you all the way through to making competent images. Best of all, it's detailed in very simple terms with numerous corresponding illustrations.

The whole book is actually a combination of my 4 popular Kindle books (with some extra drawings and other stuff) so I'm sure you'll enjoy it.