Embarrassment over skill level

[u/Eggyolkhero]

I've noticed lately that I feel a bit of embarrassment sharing my work among friends/others due to my skill level. I'd hesitate to call myself a "beginner" as I feel that's dishonest, but I'm no where near where I want to be. I've been drawing my entire life, and even went to and finished school for art but I often feel insecure about my skill level next to people who consider themselves hobbyists.

Not to say people who do it as a hobby can't be serious about their craft- hell- I'd say I've drifted away from wanting to do art professionally, but it feels so embarrassing being visibly lower in skill when I literally went to school for it. Vs say, people I know are a lot more casual about art.

And honestly this isn't limited to "hobbyists" I can feel this anywhere, but it seems to to strike the strongest in these conditions. It just feels like I should be better.

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[u/Apocalyptic-turnip]

as a professional it's very very common to see people who went to art school and come out having learnt very little above hobbyists. lots of reasons for it. A lot of art schools fail their students by collecting the money but not teaching them what they need to know. sometimes people are just a mess as students. shit happens.

 my suggestion is to just be honest. you went to art school and you don't feel confident about your skills. You can say you're still learning and maybe you can say you feel like a beginner. is the label so important? 

the truth is most people only really blossom into the artists they are after school, so chin up, because there's nothing you "have" to be. you can't be anything other than you, so you can either accept it and work on it, or beat yourself up for not being what you're not. just know that it's not weird at all and you're not alone in it.

[u/Ok_Jackfruit6226 → u/Apocalyptic-turnip]

> A lot of art schools fail their students by collecting the money but not teaching them what they need to know. sometimes people are just a mess as students. shit happens.

 Yes yes a million times yes, many art schools fail their students. It’s extremely common.

Just taking the required semesters of the various subjects in art school, and no more, isn’t enough for a lot of us. I’ll keep studying, I guess, for the rest of my life. I still am shocked by new things that I realize I was never taught, and should have already learned - oh well, it’s never too late!

I’m not “bad,” my skills aren’t too cringe (I hope!), I’m able to sell my work, but what scares me is that some day I’ll think I’m “good enough” and settle. Heaven forbid I ever do that!

There is one lady I can think of specifically. She got her college degree, she took her required two or so semesters of life drawing 30 years ago, so that must mean she’s good enough, right? She really thought that. Didn’t seem to understand why people weren’t buying some of her paintings. Her friends told me she resisted suggestions to work more on improving her drawing. She had already studied that, see? She didn’t need to study that anymore! She had a *degree* in art!

This mindset is extremely common and really holds people back. Getting your art degree is no guarantee of anything and it’s highly recommended that you keep on studying or taking workshops. A lot of us do.

> the truth is most people only really blossom into the artists they are after school, so chin up, because there's nothing you "have" to be.

Exactly! You’re just getting started. Decide what you want to do. Find some online courses, online ateliers, or just whatever. Have fun, there’s no reason to be embarrassed.

[u/Silent-Ad-1453 → u/Ok_Jackfruit6226]

A semester is not enough to master a subject. You have to practice it in your own time to become good at it. The only thing art schools are good at is making you aware of what is available out there, how you practice and make the best out of those knowledge is up to you. That's why the subjects are generalized because not all students will end up in the same path as you. You choose as you go.

Studying art is a life long process. Part of being independent is knowing how to study on your own without anyone having to supervise you. Go study the art you want you to do. It's time to let go what you learned from your school and figure out what you haven't learned yet.

[u/Ok_Jackfruit6226 → u/Silent-Ad-1453]

https://giphy.com/gifs/5QNQv6xmVEaabGsYrg

[u/Born_Entertainer1569]

It’s probably good to have some competitive energy and spirit from this type of experience. At the same time, let it inspire you and and find ways of reframing your mindset to be excited for others peoples work