Know Your Limitations
“Knowing your limitations” means that, as beginners to intermediate painters, we have to know what our limitations are at this particular time we are reading this. We usually know what we can paint well and what we can’t paint well. This does not mean we should avoid painting what we aren’t good at, it is actually the opposite. We should be painting what we want to get better at. But, I would recommend not putting anything out publicly if it is not up to par. This is what I really mean by knowing your limitations.
“In a way, our limitations are a way of telling us we need to work harder on those things”
I know I have put things out in the past that I regret when my skills were not up to par. I have seen a lot of images on social media and websites that may not be this artist’s best work. It does not mean they aren’t talented, but they just haven’t worked hard enough to get that subject matter down. The figure is a classic example. You can see right away if the proportions are off. It is one of the biggest mistakes I see with figures, and it mostly has to do with missing proportion while drawing.
In a way, our limitations are a way of telling us we need to work harder on those things. The only way you will get better at anything is by working at it. This way, when you put it out, you won’t regret it later on down the road when you have improved. Let it be practice for you in the studio without putting it on social media. Also, be sure to ask for opinions from other trusted artists or mentors who will give you honest, but constructive, feedback.
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