One of the questions I hear quite often (in various forms) runs something like this: "How do I get past the fear of trying to paint?"

I had to put some real thought into my answer because I understand the "fear of failure" can be a real struggle. It can keep you from making progress, from taking a chance, from doing something you might really love.

It's a kind of prison that can keep you from all kinds of things.

If this is something you struggle with, let me help you put it in perspective, and offer a way through.

Yes, I often say (perhaps a bit too glibly), "It ain't brain surgery. A bad painting won't catch on fire." If you hear me say that, it's just because I prefer to keep humor in my artistic pursuits. There's enough serious stuff in the world already.

But all kidding aside, let me share some helpful advice.

1. When you paint, do it for the process. Forget the pressure of trying to create the perfect painting. Do it for the sheer joy of painting, whatever the outcome. If you want something even more practical, think about what you might be learning from the experience. Whether that's from painting well or painting mistakes.
2. Focus on painting. Not on THE PAINTING. I know it's sometimes hard to be patient while you're painting. However, it's not a race; it's not about how fast you can get to the end. Instead, enjoy all the many wonderful moments. I want you to enjoy the journey, not just the destination. After all, the journey is where we live most of our lives.
3. You don't have to be perfect. Please take this off your shoulders. That's not what painting is all about. The reality is sometimes you'll paint great but other times… not so much. That's normal and okay – and it's true for everyone! Celebrate when you nail something, and give yourself a break when you don't. It's not about perfection, it's about progress.
4. Remember it's YOUR house and your rules. Find your safe, quiet place and enjoy your time in front of your canvas. And remove the things that bother you or you don't enjoy. If you don't enjoy painting in front of others, then don't. If you're worried about what people will say if you post a pic on social media, then don't post. If you enjoy landscapes and not portraits, then paint landscapes. If you enjoy one approach better than another, then do that. Get the idea? YOU get to choose.
5. Follow a process you enjoy and can handle. That's one of the reasons I began teaching. I saw people who were struggling and often the biggest problem was they weren't following a good process that worked FOR them. Battling your process is never fun. (And often they weren't aware there actually is more than one way to approach painting. If what you're doing now isn't working for you, find a process that does.)

For example, too often I hear those who began painting by watching Bob Ross bemoan how their colors go to mud.

Unfortunately, that's way too common when you paint wet-into-wet. It takes a lot of experience, practice, and skill to do that well.

Or there's the other end of the spectrum: trying to follow a process where Every. Single. Brushstroke. Counts.

That may have been a great approach for John Singer Sargent, but for the rest of us, that isn't easy (or fun!).

It takes a lot of brush miles to get to that level. (And guess what? Sargent was known to have scraped a day's worth of painting off the canvas more than once because it wasn't working for him that day.)

Trust the Process

That's why I use (and teach) a process and an approach that is both flexible AND forgiving. It's also why you'll hear me say "trust the process" (over and over, as my students will tell you!).

For instance, I started my current painting with an unusual split imprimatura-bistre. At the end of the session, I was NOT thrilled with the result.

But I'd done it this way for a reason. So I literally told myself, "It'll be fine. Trust the process!"

And you know what? It was.

Yes, painting is supposed to be FUN! That doesn't mean it won't be challenging, though.

But when you can find joy simply in the act of painting – before too long your fear will dissolve and your skills will improve.

#trusttheprocess so you can enjoy the journey!

p.s. As of this morning, we're just about to reach 20,000 subscribers on my YouTube channel. 🙌 Which is an awesome milestone!

If you haven't subscribed yet, can you help me out and click the subscribe button, too? While you're there, be sure to check out my latest videos, including Episode 4 of In my Studio (just published). And leave me your feedback (or your questions) in the comments below the video. Thanks!

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​You can now watch all 4 episodes from this series, which chronicles, Crescendo, my newest painting.​

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