5 Art Myths That Could Be Holding You Back

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The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.

-Michelangelo


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Over the years, I’ve received my fair share of art advice.

Some of it helped me grow faster.

Some of it kept me spinning my wheels and feeling frustrated.
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Today, I want to share five of the worst pieces of art advice I’ve ever been given, along with what I wish someone had told me instead.

​My hope is that this will help you avoid the same pitfalls, and give you practical steps to keep moving forward with more clarity and confidence.

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5 Myths That Keep Artists Stuck

1. “You don’t need to learn to draw to learn how to paint.”

The truth?
Drawing is the foundation of painting.
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Certain fundamentals — like form, proportion, and perspective — are best learned through drawing. Plus, when you can sketch your own subject from scratch, you’re no longer dependent on pre-made outlines or grids.

Your personal touch will be in your art from the very first lines.

Try this instead:
Spend just 15–20 minutes a day doing quick sketches from life or photo references.
Focus on capturing shapes rather than details.

Stay consistent, and you’ll see improvement much faster than you think.


Don't know where to start? 
Check out my Drawing Mini-Course for the Total Beginner. It's free!
In it, I provide a series of lessons (exercises included!) that will help you build a solid foundation to jump off from. 
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2. “There are no rules in art, so just do whatever you want.”

Yes, creativity thrives on freedom.
Yes, breaking the rules can lead to exciting work.

But here’s the thing- without knowing the basics first, you’re building on shaky ground.

Skipping over the fundamentals can lead to frustrating roadblocks later.

Try this instead:
Make time for the “boring” exercises you’ve been avoiding.

Learn your medium. Study fundamentals such as Composition, Perspective, Color Theory, and then apply them intentionally in your work. 

Once you understand the rules, you can break them with purpose and confidence.


Want a step-by-step path through all the art fundamentals?

I've got you covered! 

On my Patreon, you’ll find my step-by-step lessons and workshops covering every essential topic, starting with the basics and building toward more advanced skills.

Join the Rising Star tier for just $15 to unlock this powerful library, along with direct feedback from me on your work. 

Learn more about everything I make available in my membership here. 



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3. “If you’re not born with talent, you’ll never be good at art.”

This one breaks my heart every time I hear it.

Yes, some people grow up in creatively supportive environments or have rare natural abilities. But talent alone doesn’t carry anyone very far without work.

What actually matters?
Consistency, curiosity, and the willingness to learn.

Try this instead:
Adopt a growth mindset. Accept that all skills take time to build.
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See mistakes as stepping stones- proof that you’re learning and progressing.

If you enjoyed this video and found it helpful, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I share a brand new video every week with art tips, drawing and painting tutorials and mindset/productivity tips for artists. *Subscribe HERE*

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​4. “Just keep practicing and you’ll get better.”

Consistent practice is key, but unfocused practice can reinforce bad habits.

If you repeat the same mistakes over and over, you’ll get stuck in the same place and probably feel discouraged in the process.

Try this instead:
Practice with intention. Focus on one skill at a time. 

For example:

• Want better trees in your landscapes? Do a series of isolated tree studies.
• Struggling with composition? Study it, then create pieces to apply what you’ve learned.
• Want stronger color harmony? Explore limited palettes and color schemes.

Strategic practice speeds up improvement and builds confidence.



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5. “You have to find your style before you can call yourself an artist.”

Your style isn’t something you magically “find” one day. It’s something you develop through consistent creation and self-discovery.

The more you make, the more your creative voice will naturally emerge.

Try this instead:
Create lots of small, imperfect pieces.

Experiment with different subjects, techniques, and tools.

Notice what excites you and follow that curiosity.

Your style is already inside you. You just need to give it the space and time to surface.


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Bad advice can keep you stuck for years.
Focus on building a solid foundation, developing your basic skills and understanding the fundamentals, and you’ll progress much faster.

​Along the way, your unique artistic voice will begin to shine through naturally.

If you’d like a more structured way to build your sketching and watercolor painting skills, you can explore my Patreon membership here or my individual courses here.


Keep going, keep learning, and most importantly, keep creating!

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