How to overcome Harsh Self-Criticism

I had an email this week asking me for a bit of advice about self criticism. This is really hard to deal with and the harder you are on yourself, the harder you get. Its a vicious circle that gets worse and worse. Harsh del-criticism is a really bad habit, just like crack cocaine or smoking. the more you do it the more the habit gets ingrained into your daily routine.

Snapping out it is hard. Its a 24 hour a day battle against something that doesn't want to go away. Don't be hard on yourself. look always for the positive and ask that critical voice if it has anything constructive to say. If it hasn't ignore it and then look for the positive in your work or the situation you are in. Criticism is a waste of time unless it adds something. if it doesn't add, don't do it and ignore the little voices in your head - and the voices of others who don't understand or maybe don't have tour best interests at heart.

I use a Rotring Tikky Graphic 0.3 pen and copic ciao marker pens. The paper is fairly cheap drawing cartridge or bristol paper.

Look me up on Amazon or in your local bookstore. I've illustrated over 200 books in my time! Enjoy!

[NinaMazeo]

I developed my own defense to harsh self-criticism. I began to tell myself "The difference between a 'real' professional artist and an amateur who fails to make a living off his or hers art is the fact that the first doesn't let the bad voice inside his or her head get in the way of making art. The drive to create something, the drive to be creative and express his or herself is so strong, it speaks louder than the self-criticism".
And analyzing this affirmation inside my head actually helped me realize so much about art, about personal style, about how each person is unique and should aim to express themselves in a unique way. Sometimes we get lost in comparing our work to other people's work and thinking that we are "worse" because we are not "like them", when we should be doing the opposite and focusing on what's unique and special about us and learning to see beauty in it, to see ourselves in it.

[GreenChickenCartoon]

I thought about this for a long time. I think how you help people is amazing. I have been fighting this my-self. Sometimes the money some place offers for your work can cloud your mind. I like to regenerate my-self by watching your videos. I can only imagine how better my life could have been with a father like you! Way Cool Mr. Rayner, Way Cool...

[lucillatinto]

I love everything you do.
Not only you are an "artist" in the common sense of the word, as in good at drawing or painting, but you are an artist in many other ways.
You are an amazing storyteller, have a great sense of humor, you're a gifted teacher and most of all you're brilliant at communicating.
I struggle with self-esteem a lot, and of course, as usual, everything is easier said than done, but it's nice to hear you say these things in any case. Thank you.

[Annabells]

I love this. I listen to it often. Visualizing your good & negative voices, hearing and telling them who's boss- it's golden. That's a real psychiatric technique & great for everyone. Bravo, Shoo, for sharing this. Please make more vids like it.

[MsGoldenheart]

I first just want to to say a HUGE thank you to you. Your advice has encourage me to continue to work on faces and to relook at some of the "not good enough" pictures that I have done in a new and improved light. You truly have a way to inspire people to keep going and for that I thank you again. Have a great day

[katara]

Thank you for this. I am self critical, infact my art teacher even pointed out to me that I was self-critical. True, there are certain aspects of my artwork that I wish to still improve and aspects that I feel make my art horrible compared to others, but lately I've felt that out of all the style I've seen so far, my style feels the most welcoming to me, probably because it is my style and I've come to appreciate that warm feeling and it makes me want to continue drawing :)

[ZachBlackforest]

First and foremost to the person who sent the Email, thank you for having the stones enough to ask this question. And second thank you Shoo for answering that question, this has been one of the things that has plagued me for years.

[ShanikaJourney]

Hi! I just wanted to say "Thank You" for making this video. I'm illustrating a children's book and I am really frustrated over my drawings. They're not bad. It's just I know I can do better plus the drawings were not coming out the way I quite envisioned them. So I just wanted to let you know you've helped me get my A-HA moment and I'm about to continue work now. Thanks for helping me remove my drawing block

[lansingstlady]

Very insightful and timely (for me). I cannot tell you how much gesso has gone over my "horrid" paintings lately. Thank you for the reminder.

[Qapital_J]

Glad to see you've made a video on this. You gave me some advice on this in a comment some time ago. Keep up the good work!

[YoungBloodz]

So impressed with this video Shoo. Can't explain how much it helped with real life situations, many thanks.

[shawnthemom]

I could not agree more about comparing yourself to your self for anything you are trying to learn. I'm not an expert artist, but I am very experienced at knitting and crochet. And one of the most frustrating things for me is for people I'm trying to teach to compare themselves to me. I have been crocheting since I was 4 for heavens sake! They are beginners. All experts were at one time beginners. I wish people would remember that and just enjoy the process of learning. On that note I would like

[MaximillianCallender]

I used to be very very self-critical when it comes to drawing but I came across "Keys to drawing" by Bert Dodson and after reading the first 2 chapters I understood the whole process of self-criticism in drawing and got rid of it completely! As Shoo said, actually self-criticism is very important. It should just be changed into a practical dialogue and then it works really really well! Suddenly your drawings will get better.

[victoriawakefield]

I love watching your videos.

I have just had my book accepted at first stage but can't seem to get my Illustrations to a high standard definition.

Publisher's have really made me think that my drawings are rubbish. Plus makes me give up more on the drawings. It's very frustrating ... Wish I had your skill X

[MrJkca]

I'm not a big fan of cartoony art like the genre(?) you draw. But i'm subscribed because of videos like these. Great video not just for when drawing but for anything you might do in life really.

[ryanbright]

Thank you Shoo. I love to watch your videos and then go draw.

[CyberValeth]

I think for many the hardest part is having a vision in the head and getting it onto paper. The first step and then the details are the hardest. I myself have been fighting this for a long time and trying to become a concept or environmental artist for the game industry, it's even harder to do. As you know what sells you know it's in your head and yet, it's not coming.

[TheCherrinelle]

Thank you very much Shoo, I don't draw, but this speech is really really helpful right now in my life.

[ripstikmadster]

Thank you so much Shoo! I just watched your crown video... I've been working on it all day :)

[armandstephennatekirkland]

Brilliant advice, sir! I'm very grateful to your advice videos! Anyways, could you please somehow make a video on how to improve your imaginations? It's one of the factors I could barely draw: lack of imaginations. I'm having a hard time doing it. I would really appreciate it if you do. :)