Do you know what I hear more often from people who say they want to draw but don’t?
“I’m afraid.”
Afraid of failure. Afraid of the white page. Afraid of criticism. Afraid of not being understood.
Let’s talk about these fears. And maybe, by the end of this article, I can help ease them—at least a little.
Why Do You Want to Draw?
I have a question for you—why do you want to draw? What draws you to it? Is it a hobby? A deep inner need? A career goal?
This is an important question. Take a moment to think about it. Maybe you’ll realize that drawing isn’t something you truly need—and that fear is just an excuse.
For example, I’d love to play the piano. But the idea of practicing for hours every day doesn’t inspire me. I could say I’m afraid, I could say I’m lazy, or that I don’t have time. But the truth? It’s just not a priority for me. I’m perfectly happy without it.
But without drawing? I’d feel lost. It’s like air to me—an essential part of my life. I don’t draw because I’m good at it. I’m good at it because I never stop drawing.
If you feel a deep desire to create, then you have a talent for it—even if it’s hidden beneath self-doubt. If you weren’t meant to draw, you wouldn’t even feel the urge to.
― Elina Ellis
Perfectionism Is Your Biggest Enemy
Many of us were growing up thinking that everything we create must be perfect—beautiful, precise, just like the image in our head. And, of course, everyone should love it.
But if we don’t meet those impossible standards, we hesitate to start at all.
That mindset is the real problem, not your drawing skills.
Forget perfection. No one starts as a master. Even the greatest artists faced criticism and doubt. Imagine if they had let fear stop them—how much beauty the world would have lost.
And yes, people will judge your work. But you’re not drawing a $100 note —your art doesn’t have to please everyone. Some will love it, some won’t. That’s normal. Even the most famous artists had critics.
I get more criticism than praise. And I actually love that. Criticism teaches you more than compliments ever will. And if I don’t agree with it? I ignore it. Everyone has the right to their opinion, and I have the right to keep creating the way I want.
“Others Are Better Than Me”—So What?
Are you avoiding drawing because someone else is “better”?
Guess what? There will always be someone better. But that’s never a reason to quit.
Even the most talented artists look up to others and feel like they’re not good enough. The difference? They keep going anyway.
Your progress is your own. Comparing yourself to others is a waste of energy.
What If Your Drawings Don’t Turn Out the Way You Imagine?
That’s not fear—it’s just a lack of practice. If you wanted to draw a butterfly but ended up with a dinosaur, the solution is simple: draw butterflies every day for a week. By the end, they’ll look like butterflies.Nothing comes out perfect on the first try. What looks effortless is often the result of years of practice. And if you’re unhappy with your work, that’s good. It means you see room to grow.
The White Page Fear
Worried about staring at an empty page? Here are some tips:
- Don’t start with a white sheet. Put a dot, draw a line—just something to break the emptiness.
- Use cheap sketchbooks, so you’re not afraid to “waste” pages.
- Start small—quick sketches instead of big, detailed drawings.
- Always carry a tiny sketchbook and pencil with you. Draw what you see when you’re out and about. When you focus on observation, fear disappears.
- Draw with friends or join art challenges. Being part of a creative community is motivating and inspiring.
The Only Question That Truly Matters: Why do you want to draw?
If you love it—draw. If you want to get better—practice.
I still learn every day. I still compare myself to others. But so what? That’s part of the journey.
Instead of fearing failure, fear this: What if you have an incredible talent hidden inside you? What if drawing could bring you endless joy and fulfillment—but you never give it a chance because of fear?
Let’s talk about it. Share your thoughts in the comments!
P.S. I’ve been through all these struggles myself—self-doubt, searching for guidance, teaching myself, and battling frustration.
I overcame it all and became a successful illustrator in a short time. That’s why I understand exactly how you feel.
To help others navigate this path more easily, I created this platform—a place to gather everything you need to know about illustration and building a creative career.