A high school girl is having a hard time improving her drawing skills. What should she do?

Dear Question Asker, I am Warm-Hearted Girl 1219, the individual responsible for providing responses to your inquiry regarding Yi Xinli. I am honored to be of service.

From your description, it is evident that you have been engaged in the practice of drawing since your kindergarten years. It is clear that you derive a great deal of enjoyment from this activity.

However, when one establishes one's own aesthetic standards and objectives and compares oneself to individuals who possess superior drawing abilities, one may begin to experience feelings of inadequacy.

You experience ridicule from others when you draw at school, which causes you distress. I comprehend your situation very well.

The following suggestions are offered to assist the question asker:

1. Enhance self-assurance

You indicate that you require affirmation from others and a sense of accomplishment. It is important to note, however, that while encouragement is beneficial, it is not a substitute for self-confidence.

☀️What is required at this juncture is self-affirmation. It is only when one believes in one's own capabilities that one gains the confidence to persist in the pursuit of one's artistic endeavors.

It is not the attainment of a sense of accomplishment that fosters perseverance; rather, it is perseverance itself that engenders a sense of accomplishment.

2. It is unproductive to engage in comparisons with others.

☀️If one is in a constant state of comparison with individuals who are perceived to be more proficient than oneself, it can lead to feelings of profound disappointment and a sense of being inferior and adrift.

Such comparisons may lead to a reduction in confidence and enthusiasm for painting, and even to the point of wanting to give up. It is, after all, not easy to find something one loves.

It is advisable to engage in self-comparison, pursue continual self-improvement, and make daily progress in order to achieve gradual enhancement of one's drawing abilities.

It is imperative to have self-belief.

3. It is recommended that one should abandon impetuosity in order to achieve greater success with greater serenity.

Painting requires patience, and it is essential to cultivate a tranquil mindset to achieve the necessary level of patience.

Since you are aware of your own deficiencies, it is imperative to continually refine your painting techniques. Only through perseverance and resilience can you achieve the fulfillment that comes with success.

4. It is unwise to concern oneself with the opinions of others.

If one is inclined to pursue painting as a pastime, it is advisable to refrain from concerning oneself with the opinions of one's peers.

It is recommended that you adopt a bold approach to your painting and allow your emotions to guide you. This will enable you to become a courageous individual who is unafraid of the challenges that may arise.

It is my conviction that, at some future date, when they observe your exceptional work, they will offer you their applause.

5. Cultivate resilience.

It is my hope that you will be able to muster the strength and courage to become the best version of yourself.

It is my sincere hope that you will soon regain your confidence.

One should strive to derive a sense of accomplishment from persevering with one's painting.

I am confident in your abilities and believe in your potential.

Dear question asker,

After reviewing your inquiry, it is evident that you are excessively self-critical and that you are being unduly harsh with yourself.

Painting is an excellent pastime. It is often assumed that only those with dexterous hands can enjoy painting, yet you have been engaged with this pursuit since kindergarten and have persisted for over a decade.

You have maintained this hobby for an extended period, during which time it has become a deeply ingrained aspect of your identity. You evince a profound affinity for painting, and as you have previously indicated, you derived considerable joy from the act of painting. It would be a highly desirable outcome if you could consistently experience such a sense of fulfillment.

The world is in a state of constant flux, and as we progress through our academic careers, our emotional states also evolve. It is a natural phenomenon that as we mature, our preferences and capabilities undergo subtle yet significant transformations.

Your self-imposed standards are exceedingly high, which leads you to believe that your current level of drawing is inadequate. However, given your extensive experience and evident enjoyment, I am confident that your proficiency is quite advanced. Undoubtedly, there are individuals who possess superior drawing abilities, but not every one of their creations is inherently superior to yours. It is a common phenomenon for artistic abilities to fluctuate for everyone. When you are at your peak, external factors such as mood can potentially impact the quality of your work.

Given the established link between emotions and artistic expression, it would seem prudent to attend to one's emotional state. You have also indicated that you may be experiencing a period of stagnation in your personal growth and adolescent development. This is a common phase in which individuals must navigate challenges. As you navigate this phase, it is important to maintain a sense of inner peace and resilience.

It is evident that you have the hope that you can overcome this challenge successfully. Your decision to inquire about this matter demonstrates your awareness of your own situation. In psychology, the awareness of oneself is regarded as the initial step towards change.

Let us examine the issues that are currently troubling you. You have indicated that you are unable to find a sense of accomplishment in reality and that you lack affirmation. Given that I am unaware of the specific circumstances of your life at this time, I believe that your concerns may be related to the impending entrance examination. Alternatively, it is possible that you have not yet considered your ideal high school or that you are still adjusting to your new high school. In this regard, I would like to request that you take a moment to calm down and reflect on the underlying reasons. If there is a reason, then we can work to address it.

It is possible that the cause of this mood disturbance is a real-world situation. When an individual is in a low and unstable mood, it becomes challenging to create a harmonious and beautiful painting. Even a highly skilled artist may find it difficult to do so in such circumstances. Therefore, if one is unable to achieve this at the present moment, it is important not to be overly critical of oneself or to compare oneself with others. Instead, it is beneficial to acknowledge the progress made in the past few years. If one can observe a gradual improvement, it is important to be content and to give oneself a positive affirmation.

If there are specific issues in reality, it is advisable to confront them directly rather than avoiding them. While painting can offer a form of catharsis, it is not a long-term solution. If pursued excessively, it can also have adverse effects. Given your current circumstances, it would be beneficial to differentiate between your emotional state and your passion for painting.

Should this prove ineffective, it would be advisable to seek the assistance of a qualified counselor. This course of action would facilitate a swift resolution to the current situation. It is my sincere hope that you will be able to extricate yourself from this predicament in the near future.

I extend my affection to the world and to you.

One may suddenly become fearful of making mistakes.

The apprehension associated with making mistakes can be attributed to an underlying aspiration for improvement.

If one aspires to enhance their drawing abilities, it is essential to cultivate a more receptive attitude towards the lines they perceive as imperfections.

One may begin by posing the following question: When one perceives that one is not performing to the best of one's abilities, who or what do you believe is observing you? Who is monitoring the movements of your hand as it traces the surface of the paper?

One might inquire whether the observer is external or internal.

Given the difficulty of achieving the desired outcome and the discrepancy between the desired result and the actual result, it is plausible that the method employed to achieve the desired result may not yield the desired result.

One might consider the potential benefits of embracing mistakes. Allowing oneself to make mistakes, even those that are significant and challenging to accept, can be a valuable learning experience.

Subsequently, one should direct their attention to this "wrongness" and allow themselves to experience the sensations associated with it. If the experience is unpleasant, it is important not to avoid or suppress these feelings, but rather to fully engage with them and allow them to permeate one's being. By doing so, the discomfort will gradually dissipate.

One may attempt to achieve this by painting a picture and setting a goal such as, "I want to make an error today." Making an error is beneficial because it provides an opportunity to learn and improve. The objective is to embrace the process of making mistakes.

One final recommendation is to consider that all forms are composed of lines and shapes. It is important to perceive the curvature of these lines. If the shadows appear to be a chaotic and incomprehensible form, then it is acceptable to depict them as such. It is essential to remain faithful to their chaotic nature and to illustrate them in a manner that reflects this quality.

One must refrain from regarding flowers as mere flowers, bottles as mere bottles, and from attempting to study light and shade from a physical perspective. Instead, it is essential to recognize that these are merely shapes.

P.S. I graduated from a well-known college of art and design. Should you be interested, I would encourage you to conduct further research, which will reveal that I am a professional artist.

I empathize with your situation. You may wish to attempt the aforementioned suggestions, make an error, and, if the initial attempt is unsuccessful, repeat the process.

Correctness is not a prerequisite for progress; perhaps incorrectness is.

First, I would like to extend my utmost support and encouragement to the questioner.

I have been engaged in the practice of drawing since my primary school days, spanning over a decade. However, in recent times, I have observed a stagnation in my artistic development, which has been a source of considerable frustration.

From my perspective, it is evident that you are experiencing a range of emotions, including anxiety, impatience, competitiveness, and disappointment in yourself.

The objective of this investigation is to ascertain the underlying causes of these emotional states.

Adolescents are in the midst of puberty, a period of significant physical and psychological changes. According to Erikson's eight-stage theory of human development, individuals in this phase experience internal conflicts between self-identity and role confusion. These conflicts, which can be conceptualized as a search for identity and a formation of a sense of self, are essential for the gradual development of a coherent perception of oneself, encompassing one's sense of identity, the meaning and value of one's existence, and other aspects of self-awareness.

The resolution of inner conflicts can facilitate the development of a more positive self-image and a sense of identity. Conversely, the lack of resolution can result in a sense of aimlessness and a lack of direction, leading to a lack of clarity regarding one's purpose in life.

From this perspective, it can be surmised that you define yourself as a highly proficient painter. Consequently, when confronted with a situation that does not align with your personal standards, you experience an internal conflict, prompting the question: "I should obviously be a very good painter, so how can I paint so badly?"

Subsequently, the individual may engage in self-blame.

Secondly, it is unclear whether the concept of the "plateau phenomenon" in educational psychology is familiar to you. This phenomenon refers to a temporary pause or decline in the process of learning or skill formation. In the context of growth curves, it manifests as a period of maintaining a certain level without rising or declining, followed by a subsequent period of continued growth. This explanation is sourced from Baidu.

It is my assessment that you have not made any discernible improvement in your drawing abilities. It is also possible that you have encountered the "plateau phenomenon," which can occur when an individual's skill level reaches a point of stagnation. To advance, you may need to make significant breakthroughs, which could entail gaining new insights or modifying your mindset.

We will now proceed to discuss the act of painting itself.

As I am not a professional painter, I will limit my discussion to my own feelings on the matter.

It is my conviction that painting is akin to music in that a work may reflect the mood of the artist. With varying moods, even with a single theme, the resulting work may exhibit significant divergence.

In other words, a work of quality requires a state of optimal functioning. When an individual is in a state of optimal functioning, they are able to engage in the activity of painting with great efficiency and enter a state of flow while doing so. This state of flow is associated with a sense of positive affect upon completion of the activity.

All works that have been imbued with the author's emotions are works of merit and are thus worthy of collection.

In the event that one is unable to attain the requisite state of mind, it would be prudent to take a brief period of rest, during which one can engage in activities that facilitate the restoration of one's mental equilibrium.

It is my sincere hope that you will be able to achieve a state of reconciliation with yourself in the near future.

Your words can brighten many hearts. This is our shared energy.

Hello, sweetheart. I'm Coach Fly. I understand you like to draw and have been trying to improve.

You feel like you can't do well at painting.

You think this is because you're young and going through a tough time. You're very perceptive, so I admire you. Let's look at the problem you're facing.

Everyone wants to be recognized, praised, and approved of.

You said drawing isn't about praise and you shouldn't rush it. But you want recognition from others. This is a strong need for every adolescent: "Who am I?", "What can I do?", "What makes me different/special from others?"

Children at this age care about how they are seen by others. It's normal to want approval and feel disappointed when you don't get it.

Let's learn about self-worth.

Self-worth is how you see yourself. It's not about what others think. But when we were young, our parents' views shaped how we saw ourselves.

If parents praise and agree with their children, children feel good about themselves and are confident. If parents criticize, deny, or blame their children, children learn to think this way about themselves.

He loses confidence and becomes sensitive, with a fragile ego. He may even become self-critical, like you are now. You think you're a failure and incompetent.

As you grow older, you understand these truths and realize your own value. If you like to paint and have put in the effort for more than ten years, you are excellent.

True self-confidence is not dependent on others. It is a feeling of confidence in oneself.

Start with simple things: give yourself positive feedback, appreciate yourself, and recognize your achievements.

2. Find the motivation to do something, so you can enjoy it.

If you like to paint, you have been doing it since kindergarten. Kids just like it for its own sake. Do you still like painting?

Creators express their emotions in their work. This is why their work touches people's hearts.

If you please others, you please yourself. You can see the results in your work and in praise from others. You can feel that you have improved and achieved something.

If you are content with yourself, you will enjoy simple things like persistence, dedication, and devotion to painting.

Stop worrying about results. Focus on creating and enjoy painting again. This will help you connect with yourself and see yourself in a new way.

I hope this helps. I love you.

To continue the conversation, click "Find a coach" in the top right or bottom. I will communicate and grow with you one-on-one.

Hello, my child. I am certain my answer will be of some help to you.

From what you've told me, I can see that you are a very self-reflective child. You know what you want, but it might be the influence of puberty, the conflict between reality and ideals, or perhaps we just don't know how to set reasonable goals for ourselves. We may feel that things are bad now and that we are helpless, but in fact, there must be a way out of our predicament. I also feel that you are looking for this way out, right?

I have some suggestions for you to consider:

Find your initial heart and enjoy painting.

You said you've always liked to draw since you were a child. You never felt anything before, so you were very happy while drawing. I believe your initial intention was to feel the joy and happiness of drawing through drawing. At that time, you didn't have any standards. You wouldn't judge whether your drawing was good or not because you felt that drawing itself was enjoyable and would bring a sense of pleasure. You were also happy in it.

But then you develop your own aesthetic and goals, and you feel that what you're drawing is nothing. You've been drawing for a long time, but you haven't improved. You don't understand drawing, and you don't know what to use to judge it. Is it like many other things? You need deliberate practice to make progress.

Leonardo da Vinci practiced drawing eggs for many years, and I think that's the case.

Da Vinci undoubtedly had doubts and setbacks, but what sustained him was his initial intention and love for painting. You must never forget your initial intention to paint and continue to enjoy the process.

2. Don't compare yourself to others. Compare yourself to yourself. Make a little progress every day. Perseverance will lead to big changes.

Let's use Leonardo da Vinci's example again. You like painting as much as he did, so you will be able to relate to it more. You may have seen this story before, but maybe you've already forgotten it. This story will give you the strength to persevere.

When Leonardo da Vinci was fourteen, he went to Florence to study under the famous artist Verrocchio. Verrocchio was a very strict teacher. He gave Leonardo da Vinci his first lesson: to draw an egg.

Leonardo da Vinci was initially enthusiastic about painting, but his teacher persisted in asking him to paint eggs in subsequent lessons. This was frustrating for Leonardo da Vinci, who saw no artistic merit in a tiny egg.

Leonardo da Vinci once asked his teacher, "Why do you always ask me to draw eggs?"

The teacher told him, "Eggs are ordinary, but no two are alike. Even for the same egg, if the angle is different and the light is different, the drawing will be different. Therefore, drawing an egg is a basic skill. You must practice the basic skills until the brush can skillfully follow the commands of the brain, and you can draw with ease. Only then can you say you have mastered the skill."

Da Vinci was inspired by his teacher's words. Every day, he took an egg and followed the teacher's instructions meticulously.

One year, two years, three years... Leonardo da Vinci's pile of eggplant paper used for drawing grew taller and taller. His artistic level soon surpassed that of his teacher, and he became a great artist.

Next time you feel like you've reached your limit, remember that you can be just like Leonardo da Vinci. Believe in yourself and your abilities. With daily effort and dedication, you will make progress and reach your goals.

Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone's experiences are different, and everyone has their own pace of growth. Stay calm, follow your own rhythm, and believe in yourself. You will improve.

3. If you lack affirmation and a sense of accomplishment, create them for yourself.

I know exactly what you're going through. I was in your shoes, feeling like I wasn't good enough, even when I was doing something I was good at. But I learned to accept myself, and that's when I gained the strength to change.

Start by accepting yourself. Don't attack or deny yourself. Accept your current situation. It's okay. This is who I am now. I admit it. I accept it. When you can accept this real, imperfect self, you can easily make changes and see what you should do next.

Once you've accepted yourself, stop focusing on the parts you don't like. Instead, focus on your strengths and what you've achieved. For example, today I painted two more pictures, or today I've grown in this area. These are all positive things you can say to yourself. Don't wait for others to praise and affirm you. Learn to praise and affirm yourself.

You must create a sense of achievement for yourself. Set yourself small, appropriate goals every day and work hard to achieve them.

Set goals that are just challenging enough. If you can only draw three pictures a day, set a goal of drawing four. When you can persevere in accomplishing these small goals every day, you will have a sense of achievement every day, and slowly, you will be able to build up your inner self-confidence.

I am confident that the above will be of help to you. Best of luck!