Comparing Yourself to Artists You Admire

The One Time It Could Benefit You

Comparing yourself to artists you admire is always a bad idea, right? In fact, I’ve always said so. But what if I told you that there is one, and only one time when comparing yourself to other artists could be beneficial.

What? Really??

Yes, really. Let me explain. But before I do, know that there are two very important rules. Are you ready? Okay, here goes…

Don’t even think about breaking Rule #1!  (Photo Credit: 123RF.com Copyright: Scott Griessel)

Rule number one…if you compare yourself to other artists, you absolutely must not beat yourself up about how great they are and how much you suck. No good can ever come of this, so don’t even start. Seriously.

If you compare yourself to other artists, be prepared to study and analyze them carefully. (Photo Credit: 123RF.com Copyright: luckybusiness)

Rule number two…IF you compare yourself to other artists, you must do so with the intent to learn. You must REALLY study their work. Identify what it is about their work that you admire. Is it the way they use contrast or values? Is it the way they capture dynamic poses? Or maybe it’s how they draw or paint realistic hair and fur. Or perhaps how they compose a drawing. Whatever it is, you must really analyze how they do what they do. Take it apart bit by bit and then apply those things to your own work.

For this to be effective, you may have to really analyze WHY you admire their work. Like most people, you may be admiring their work with a general overall sense of how great it is. But there must be a specific reason why. Once you narrow it down and identify what it is, you can begin to study it. Once you study it carefully, you can then begin to apply what you learn to your own work.

There you have it. The one and only time when I will condone comparing yourself to artists you admire. Only one condition with two simple rules.