Question: I always feel like the art I create is worse than my friends, they’re super talented and I feel embarrassed when I see what they can do compared to me. I wish I didn’t feel this way but it’s easy to get discouraged when they sit next to me in art class.

catandmouse

Dear catandmouse,

It’s hard to recognize your own potential, but you have to remember that your judgment isn’t always universal truth.

We suggest asking your friends for their opinions! 9/10… they are way more impressed with you than you think!

Another thing that you could do is ask older or more experienced artists about their styles so you can have an idea on how to develop yours.

Overall, feeling insecure about your personal work is completely normal—especially if they have more experience or formal training. You should celebrate your friends’ strengths, but try not to pay too much attention to their work, so that you can focus on your own.

The best way to combat this feeling is to put effort into making art that is meaningful to you, and picking skills to work on so that you can feel like you are making progress.

It’s not a competition between you and your friends; it really is just you vs you, trying to be a little more refined than your past self.

Happy creating!