Your success as an artist depends on how you think. I’m convinced you cannot succeed at any creative path without a growth mindset. Here are 5 growth mindset tips for artists.

It doesn’t matter how experienced you are, creating art and staying with it can feel like riding a rollercoaster. Many artists wonder if they should give up. A growth mindset makes the difference and empowers artists to handle the highs and lows of the journey.

Fixed Mindset Vs Growth Mindset

Fixed Mindset

Have you ever heard of a fixed mindset? As an educator, I hear this term a lot. If you have a fixed mindset, you put a limit on yourself. People with fixed mindsets believe they cannot succeed in certain areas. They believe they don’t have the talent or skill to succeed, and they never will. Sounds pretty depressing right? You would be surprised how many times I encounter this as a high school art teacher. Many students approach art from a fixed mindset. It locks them in place and keeps them from improving.

Growth Mindset

Growth mindset is the belief that you can get better and learn new things. Failure is temporary and part of growing. Instead of placing limits on your potential, you PRACTICE to learn and get better at something. Growth mindset is viewing the process as a journey where you will eventually get to the goal. Failure is part of the beauty.

5 Growth Mindset Tips for Artists

Growth mindset doesn’t happen over night, and there’s many obstacles along the way. These five tips help me get through the highs and lows that come with being an artist.

1. Keep a journal.

   Write down successes, goals, anything that is happening in your artistic career/ production of art. Make sure to date your entries. Look back and see how far you have come with your art by rereading past entries. You can read more about my journaling here . I have found journaling to be a wonderful way to keep a record of your growth.

2. Do before and after artworks.

   At the beginning of the school year I have my Intro to Art students do two pre-instruction drawings. They have to draw a face from a photo and their hand as best as they know how without any instruction. I have them date their drawings and then I hold on to them the whole year. During the school year I will show students step- by- step how to draw and shade a portrait and their hand. Students receive their pre-instruction drawings at the end of the year and they compare to what they are now able to do. The results are incredible and the confidence the students receive by visually seeing their growth in drawing is amazing.

3. Keep a sketchbook.

   This kind of goes with the previous tip. A sketchbook becomes a visual diary of what you are creating and allows you to visually see how you are improving. One thing that has helped me has been doing a daily painting challenge. This by far was a game changer for me to evolve as an artist and it allowed me to track my progress. I date all of my daily paintings and it is amazing to see the improvements.

4. Commit to Practice

   Growth mindset is all about focused practice on what you want to accomplish on a regular basis. Practice as much as you can and you will start to see results. I recommend that you carve out at least 15-20 minutes or more a day to do focused practice on whatever artistic skill you want to work on.

5. Listen to or read uplifting podcasts or books

   I love to listen to Art Juice and the Laura Horn Art podcast on Spotify because both podcasts talk about how they have changed and grown as artists. Listening to stories is a great way to stay motivated and on the right path. It lets you know you are not alone and that others are also facing the same challenges.

I hope these tips help you develop a growth mindset for your artwork.

Creating art requires perserverance with the right attitude.

Practicing, being consistent, and looking at how far you have come will motivate you on your artistic journey.