My Art Sucks—What Do I Do? A Guide to Overcoming Artist Self‑Doubt

By a fellow artist who’s been there

Have you ever looked at your sketchbook or screen like:

“Wow... my art sucks.”

Maybe you’ve even googled “my art sucks what do I do” in a moment of frustration. Guess what? You're not alone—and more importantly, you’re not wrong for feeling this way.

We’ve all been there. Every artist—yes, even the professionals you admire—has doubted their own work, sometimes even their talent or worth as a creator. I’ve been through it myself more times than I can count. But what matters is how you respond to those feelings.

This guide isn’t just another pep talk. It’s a real, honest conversation between artists. We'll dig into why you might feel like your art sucks, how to reframe that belief, and what steps you can take right now to start improving your art and your confidence.

🔹 Why You Might Feel Like Your Art Sucks

(And why that’s more normal than you think)

Let’s get something straight right away: feeling like your art sucks is a universal artist experience. It’s not just a sign of low confidence—it's often a sign that you care about your work and want to grow.

Here are some of the most common reasons artists hit this wall of self-doubt:

1. You’re comparing yourself too much

Instagram, Pinterest, ArtStation... while these platforms are great for inspiration, they’re also breeding grounds for comparison. You’re seeing someone’s finished product—probably after years of practice, editing, and filtering—next to your own in-progress piece.

2. You have a strong creative vision but limited technical skill

This is known as the “Taste Gap.” You know what looks good—but your hands can’t yet deliver it. It’s deeply frustrating, but also a sign that your eye for art is sharp.

3. You're too close to your work

When we work on something for hours (or days), we start noticing every tiny flaw. This “zoomed-in” view makes it easy to overlook the strengths in your art.

🔹 How to Stop Thinking Your Art Sucks

(Because thinking it doesn't help and isn't true anyway.)

Let’s shift the mindset. It’s time to replace self-doubt with something more useful—self-awareness and self-kindness.

1. Your “bad” art is just a snapshot

Think of your art as a journal entry. You wouldn’t judge your entire personality based on one page of your diary, right? Same with your art.

2. Perfection is a myth—progress is the goal

Perfection is the fastest way to kill joy. The goal isn’t to be perfect; it’s to see improvement over time.

3. Talk to your inner critic like a friend

If a friend said, “my art sucks,” how would you respond? Probably with kindness. Try offering that same grace to yourself. Your inner critic doesn't get to be a jerk.

Tip: Keep a folder on your phone or desktop of “art wins”—even just a cool hand you drew, or a doodle you liked. Look at it when doubt creeps in.

🔹 What to Do If You Think Your Art Sucks

(Let’s take action—not just overthink it.)

You’re here because you want to grow. That’s powerful. Let’s walk through practical, pressure-free steps to move forward.

1. Revisit your older work

Pull out your sketchbooks from last year (or even a few months ago). Compare them to your recent pieces. You’ll probably be surprised at how much you’ve improved.

If you haven’t improved? No shame. That just means you’ve been in a plateau—which is fixable.

2. Do a 30-minute “bad art” session

Set a timer and draw badly. Deliberately. Messy lines, off proportions, weird poses—go wild. You’ll laugh, loosen up, and realize that your self-worth doesn’t hinge on every piece being a masterpiece.

3. Get constructive feedback

Seek critique from safe spaces—supportive art communities, mentors, or trusted friends. Avoid unsolicited social media comments unless you’re ready for them.

Tip: Searching for “online artist communities” or “constructive art critique groups” will help you find the right kind of environment.

🔹 How to Improve When You’re Feeling Discouraged

(Growth is still possible—even when you feel stuck.)

If you're thinking, “What if I’ve been drawing for years and still feel like I suck?”—you’re not alone. Here’s how to build momentum again:

1. Focus on one fundamental at a time

Don’t try to “get better at everything.” Start small:

• Just draw hands for a week.

• Only study light and shadow for the next five drawings.

• Try redrawing the same face five times, with different expressions.

2. Use targeted tutorials or challenges

Pick content that’s direct and specific:

• “How to blend colors in Procreate”

• “How to draw realistic eyes step by step”

• “How to fix muddy colors in watercolor painting”

3. Track your practice—not your perfection

Make a calendar or use an app to track how often you draw or study. Focus on consistency, not quality. Art confidence builds with repetition.

🔹 How to Build Confidence in Your Art Again

(Yes, confidence is learnable.)

Confidence isn't something you’re born with—it’s something you build.

1. Celebrate the small wins

Maybe your anatomy is off—but your linework improved. Maybe the pose is stiff—but you nailed the expression. These are wins. Own them.

2. Keep an “art growth” timeline

Take a photo or scan of your favorite piece from each month. In six months, line them up. You’ll visually see your growth—and that’s the kind of feedback algorithms can’t give you.

3. Connect with other artists

Community is everything. Whether it’s Discord, Reddit, or a local sketch group, surrounding yourself with fellow creatives helps normalize the struggle—and the growth.

🔹 FAQ: Real Artist Questions, Real Answers

Q: Why do I feel my art sucks even when people say it’s good? A: Because your inner critic is louder than their praise. Learn to trust the objective parts of your art journey—your improvement, your consistency, your curiosity.

Q: Is it normal to hate everything I draw? A: Yes—and it’s often temporary. That feeling usually means you’re too close to your work or going through a leap in skill.

Q: What if I really don’t improve no matter how much I practice? A: You are improving—you’re just measuring it wrong. Improvement doesn’t always look like prettier art. It can look like cleaner strokes, faster decisions, or more confidence in your choices.

🔹 Final Thoughts: You’re Better Than You Think

You might think your art sucks now. But guess what? The fact that you care, that you’re seeking answers, that you want to improve—that means you’re an artist already growing.

Every time you feel like quitting but keep creating anyway, you’re building artistic resilience. And that’s more powerful than any brushstroke.

So, the next time your brain says, “My art sucks—what do I do?" You tell it:

“I keep going. I keep learning. And I make more art.” 💪