As an artist, you hear a lot of advice—some of it inspiring, some of it completely unhelpful.
Over the years, I’ve been given advice that truly transformed the way I create. But I’ve also heard things that, looking back, I’m so glad I didn’t listen to.
Here’s a look at the best and worst art advice I’ve ever received—and what I actually learned from it.
The Best Art Advice I Ever Got 🎨
Not all advice is bad! Some of it has stuck with me for years and helped shape the way I approach my art.
1. If you’re feeling stuck, try limiting your choices.
At first, this didn’t make sense to me—shouldn’t more choices mean more creativity? But I quickly realized that having too many options can actually feel overwhelming.
When I’m stuck, I simplify:
🎨 I limit myself to three colors.
🎨 I use just one brush.
🎨 I set a timer and force myself to work quickly.
And suddenly, creativity flows again. Some of my best paintings have come from working within constraints instead of feeling paralyzed by endless possibilities.
2. Trust your instincts—if it feels right, it probably is.
Overthinking is a creativity killer. I used to second-guess myself constantly:
❓ Is this composition strong enough?
❓ Should I add more layers?
❓ Will people like this?
But I’ve learned that the moments when I trust my gut—instead of questioning every little decision—are when my best work happens. If something feels right, it usually is.
Now, instead of nitpicking every detail, I ask myself:
✅ Does this piece make me feel something?
✅ Am I excited about it?
✅ Does it flow naturally?
If the answer is yes, I stop overthinking and go with it.
3. Create what excites you, not what you think will sell.
When I first started selling my art, I felt pressure to create pieces that I thought people would want. But I quickly realized something—the paintings that sell the fastest are the ones I was most excited to create.
When I paint what genuinely excites me, it shows in the work. And collectors feel that energy, too.
Trying to predict what will sell? That’s exhausting. Painting what feels natural and fulfilling? That’s where the magic happens.
4. You don’t have to share everything you make.
Not every painting needs to be posted online, turned into a print, or even shown to another person. Some pieces are just for me—to experiment, to practice, or to process thoughts.
This realization took so much pressure off. Now, I allow myself to create without always thinking about an audience. Some of my most freeing, intuitive paintings have come from knowing I didn’t have to share them at all.
If you ever feel like every piece has to be worthy of posting or selling, remind yourself—it doesn’t. Some paintings are just part of the process, and that’s more than enough.
5. Your art journey is yours—don’t compare it to others.
Comparison can be so damaging. It’s easy to look at other artists and feel like you’re falling behind. Every artist is on their own path, and no two journeys look the same. Some people find success early, others take years to develop their voice. Some artists thrive in one style, while others evolve constantly.
Whenever I catch myself comparing, I remind myself:
💡 The only artist I should compete with is past me.
And that mindset shift changed everything.
The Worst Art Advice I Ever Got ❌
Not all advice is helpful! Here are some things I’ve been told that, luckily, I ignored.
1. You have to find your style and stick with it.
This one stressed me out for so long. I thought I had to lock in my style and never change it. But the truth? My best creative breakthroughs have come from evolving.
Your art should grow with you. If I had forced myself to stay in one style years ago, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Change is not inconsistency—it’s progress.
2. If you’re not selling your art, it’s not good enough.
This one really got to me when I first started. I questioned my work, wondering if its worth was tied to whether someone was willing to pay for it.
But I’ve learned that selling art is about so much more than just “quality.” Timing, audience, visibility—so many factors come into play. Some of my favorite paintings sat unsold for months before finding the right collector.
Selling does not equal success. And just because a piece hasn’t sold doesn’t mean it’s not valuable.
3. You need an art degree to be a real artist.
Nope. Absolutely not.
While art school can be an amazing experience, it’s not the only way to become an artist. Some of the best artists I know are self-taught, and I’ve learned more from practice, experimentation, and studying other artists than I ever could from a degree.
Creativity isn’t something you get from a diploma—it’s something you develop by showing up and making art.
4. More detail = better art.
Early on, I thought that adding more details, more precision, more refinement would automatically make a painting better. But some of the most powerful art is actually simple, expressive, and bold.
Now, I focus on:
✨ Capturing a feeling rather than perfection.
✨ Letting negative space work for me.
✨ Allowing areas of a painting to breathe instead of overworking them.
Sometimes, less is more.
5. Your art should all be the same style to be successful.
For a long time, I felt pressure to make my work look consistent—like it belonged in one neat little category. But the reality? Exploration fuels creativity.
Some of my favorite artists have distinct phases—they’ve explored different palettes, subjects, and techniques throughout their careers. And that inspires me to allow my work to evolve naturally instead of forcing consistency.
A “cohesive body of work” will happen on its own over time. But forcing it? That can kill creativity fast.
Final Thoughts
Not all advice is worth taking. Some of it can transform your approach to art, while other advice is best ignored.
If you’re looking for more tips and inspiration, don’t forget to grab my free Composition Cheat Sheet below🎨
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A Rare Peek into My Sketchbook – Free Composition Cheat Sheet!
Mastering composition takes practice, but these tips will help you create more balanced, impactful artwork. Ready to elevate your skills further? My free Composition Cheat Sheet offers a peek into my sketchbook with ready-to-use ideas and layouts.
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