It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg.
C. S. Lewis
As an artist, we often look at the works of others with a great sense of awe. By comparing ourselves and our work to that of other artists we often feel less satisfied with our own creations. Maybe another artist uses a technique that we have never been able to master, has access to tools or creative spaces that we don’t, or has an innate talent that we don’t. Sometimes it is okay to look to others’ work to help inspire us, but often it is more important to follow our own journey.
Looking to others for inspiration
There are so many great artists. As a pyrography artist I will often look at others in the community to learn new techniques, get ideas on tools and mediums that may work better for different projects, or to simply get inspired. I don’t limit it to just my particular craft, either. Every art style inspires me in some way. Being that I paint my pieces learning about different paint mediums and techniques can take me beyond my current abilities. Even looking at the work of artists who work in completely different styles and genres can help shape my approach to my own works.
Taking the time to learn
Learning new techniques is great but actually getting good at it and working it into my flow can be a challenge. As a bit of a perfectionist, I do not like to do something unless it meets my standards. So, when I want to try burning a particular texture or style of shading I may have to work at it over and over again until I am happy with the end result. This could mean it may be days, weeks, or even months before I would be comfortable selling a piece that incorporates this technique. Unfortunately, this can be a bit disheartening at times because it feels that I am not making the progress that I am happy with. Instead, it feels like treading water. The most important thing is to reflect on your progress.
Reflecting on your growth
As time goes on you are going to improve. By learning from others and practicing you are, inevitably, going to get better at your craft. It may not seem like it when you are struggling to learn something new or you are comparing your work to that of others. That is why it is so important to look at your previous works and compare them to your current work. Take a piece that you did months or years ago and do it again using the new techniques that you have developed. See how far you’ve come and appreciate your own growth instead of comparing it to the works of others.
Do you have an example of a piece that you re-made recently that shows how much you’ve improved? Share it and tag us @bz_furfur and show us your progress. And, as always, stay unique.
