From Criticism to Confidence

The way we view ourselves often stems from how our teachers, professors, and mentors spoke to us, compared us to others, or sometimes even from excessive criticism, which can make us believe it's normal.

But it’s not.

If you’ve ever been told that you lack talent by a teacher and have come to believe it, this newsletter is for you. I’m here to shred that myth and many others we’ve been told throughout our lives that have left a discouraging mark on us.

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For concrete examples, I’m happy to share my own. I spent years drawing but didn’t share my work because I thought my skills weren’t perfect yet. I kept comparing myself to a peer from art school who always received top grades, while mine were often among the worst.

I was only 11, and it deeply affected my perception of drawing, leading me to skip lessons because I didn’t want to be labeled as one of the worst again. The worst part was actually that they didn’t explain why, and I convinced myself that I hated drawing (or that art school) at that point. This was during my watercolor classes.
In contrast, my experience with light, shadows, and hatching was entirely different. The teacher supported me enormously, guided me in the right direction, and as a result, I always enjoyed drawing with her and developed my style. Almost 20 years later, this is my signature style, showcasing light, shadows, and lines in a unique way that makes my work recognizable and memorable.

Many of my students have shared similar stories of being told their artistic (or other) skills were hopeless. This kind of criticism, coming from someone in a position of authority, can be deeply wounding and lead to self-doubt.

This is NOT how you build confidence.

It saddens and angers me that we still see this approach in practice. Support, encouraging words, and recognizing strengths are what truly inspire students and foster their growth and passion, ultimately building their confidence

Anyone can say "repeat after me" and call themselves a teacher, but teaching is a responsible role that impacts others' confidence.

That’s why my ASDB Academy doesn’t just offer “repeat after me” tutorials. It’s enriched with stories from my extensive experience, encouragement, diverse techniques for students to explore, and exceptional support.

✏️ In summary, be cautious when choosing a school or program. Creating quick tutorials requires little effort, but true teaching requires depth, empathy, positivity, at least five years of experience, passion, and the ability to see and nurture students' potential.

Cheers to empowering approaches and creativity!

Lots of love,
Anna at @andshedrawsbig