Five ways to overcome perfectionism when making art

“Let go of being ‘good.’” These are art critic Jerry Saltz’s wise words, which I return to when I’m feeling stifled by a preoccupation to produce the “perfect” piece. Let’s admit it, perfectionism is synonymous with control and fear of mistakes, neither of which make a happy marriage for creativity. As artists we’re here to try new things, let go and embrace errors. This is how we each find our distinctive voice. So, whether it’s the curse of becoming too precious over a composition, or an exhausting creative impasse, here are some tricks to freshen things up.

1.    Attempt a new medium

If you lean to oils or acrylic, watercolour will shake things up and give you new perspective.

Take a watercolour pad and paint with a new brush, or several new brushes. Don’t worry if the result is good or bad. Paint quickly. What are you feeling? Deliberate on the experience. Which brushes feel safe and which feel out of your comfort zone? Now find the brush you feel least secure with and commit to a series of quick-fire ten minute watercolours - remember, the result is irrelevant for this exercise, the aim is discovery and exploration.

2. Use the other hand

It’s a classic art school exercise but not to be forgotten. Grip a pencil or charcoal into your non-dominant hand and try sketching a series of 10-to-15-minute drawings. I find this can limber me up when I’m feeling daunted by the next move. Even better, you could swap pencils for other mark makers like fineliners, pastels or charcoal that produce more dramatic lines. The key is making sure you use the hand you’re unfamiliar with.

3. Let your imagination respond to sound

Paint to music and use colour to explore the emotions it releases in you. Notice the sensations you experience while listening, try putting them down. Consider marks, colour and lines while you observe the melody. Don’t try to be representational, let your hand move naturally. You can even intermittently shut your eyes while you do this, I find it helps increase sensory awareness. Sometimes, it unfurls a sensitivity in your work that you’ve not uncovered before.

4. Marry words with your art

Find a quote or poem you love and visualise it. Now and again, I make a note of sentences in books I’m reading that captivate me. These quotes warrant being scribbled into my sketchbook because they’re so richly evocative, so compelling, they inspire me.  Imagine the author, take yourself to the space in the quote. Consider the colours, the form, why this string of words has bewitched you. As with other suggestions here, the ambition is not to produce good artwork, but to lose inhibitions and step beyond your daily routine.

5. Carry a sketchbook with you and draw everyday, treat it like exercise

Drawing is a primal act, it’s something we’ve done since neolithic times, so it’s no wonder we’re attracted to it. Exercises to contemplate include doodling on a cup, drawing for five minutes without taking your pencil off the paper (put a timer on), or holding your pencil or charcoal at the far end so you’ve a different grasp. Especially around New Year it’s rewarding to swap a dusty daily habit with a new ritual.