Overcoming Self-Criticism in Art: 5 Tips to Paint More Freely 🎨

Have you ever sat in front of the canvas and heard that little voice whisper: “This isn’t good enough”? Or felt the performance anxiety that almost keeps you from starting at all? You’re not alone. Many painters – both beginners and experienced – meet this inner critic again and again. I like to call it “the gremlin on your back” – that nagging presence that tells you you’re not enough.

But here’s the truth: the gremlin on your back doesn’t help you paint better. It steals your joy, blocks your playfulness, and holds you back from growing.

Here are some tips and exercises to help you quiet self-criticism and paint with more freedom and joy.

1. Shift focus from results to process

Self-criticism often appears when we obsess over the end result. Instead, ask yourself: “What can I discover while painting today?” When you shift your attention to the process, curiosity and play take over – and the gremlin loses its grip.

2. Practice “bad painting”

Challenge yourself: create a painting that is not meant to be pretty. Paint with your non-dominant hand, use odd colors, or set a 10-minute timer. When the pressure to perform disappears, you discover new sides of your expression – and often end up with surprising results.

3. Talk back to the gremlin

When the inner voice says, “This isn’t good enough,” try replying: “It’s good enough for now.” Or: “I’m practicing – and practice is always valuable.” Meeting the gremlin with kindness takes away its power.

4. Celebrate small wins

Set simple, achievable goals: “Today I’ll just cover the canvas with color.” Or: “I’ll try three different brushstrokes.” Each small win builds confidence and gives you courage to keep going.

5. Return to play

Remember why you started painting: because it brings joy, freedom, and a way to express yourself. Put on music, dance a little before the canvas, or paint without lifting your brush from the surface. The more room you give to play, the less space the gremlin has.

In Closing

Self-criticism – the gremlin on your back – is a trap many fall into, but you can train yourself to step out of it. When you dare to paint with more freedom and joy, your paintings will reflect that. And most importantly: the process becomes a source of energy, growth, and true creative expression.

So next time the gremlin on your back tries to hold you back, remember: you don’t paint to be perfect – you paint to be free.