For many young artists, creativity begins as something instinctive – doodling in sketchbooks, experimenting with colours, or spending hours making things simply for the joy of it. But as we grow up, confidence, comparison, and expectations can sometimes shape the way we see our own artistic abilities.
In this guest post, Cygnets Glasgow Southside Headteacher, Nathalie, reflects on her own creative journey and shares five things she wishes she had known as a young artist. From learning that artistic skills can be developed through practice to embracing experimentation and individuality, her advice is an encouraging reminder that art is for everyone, and that every creative journey is unique:
It’s safe to say that from a young age, I have always loved creating art. It has been my happy space, creative outlet, and eventually my career path. I used to spend hours and hours learning how to draw, paint, embroider, and design.
Looking back, there are so many things I wish I could tell my younger self. In this article, I’ll be sharing five things I wish I knew as a young artist.
1. Creative Skills can be Learned Through Practice and Techniques
When I was younger, I thought being ‘good’ at art was just something you were born with. You either had the talent for it, or you didn’t. What I didn’t realise is that creative skills grow when they’re nurtured.
Just like learning any other skill, you don’t ‘just know’ how to do it, you figure it out step by step. It’s about learning proper techniques and putting in a lot of practice hours. It’s a skill that can be honed, and the journey there is incredibly rewarding.
2. Art is worth taking seriously
In my experience, art was often the first thing to be pushed aside in favour of homework, sports, or other activities.
Over time, I stopped creating as much, and eventually, I didn’t make art for years outside of school lessons. Looking back, I wish I had kept it as a regular habit and treated it as a non-negotiable. It took me a while to find my way back to it, and I wish I’d realised sooner how much I’d missed it.
Art deserves time and attention, just like any other subject. It can grow into so much more than a hobby.
3. There are so many different types of art!
When I was younger, I thought art just meant drawing or painting. It wasn’t until I went to art school that I realised how many different types of art there are. The possibilities are endless – from printmaking to sculpture, illustration, textiles or animation.
There are so many different directions you can grow into from a strong passion for art, and just realising this alone can be incredibly inspiring. It completely changes how you see creativity and what you think is possible.
4. Experimenting is more important than being perfect each time
As a bit of a perfectionist, I was always hesitant to go out of my comfort zone. I was so focused on creating flawless pieces that it felt scary to try new techniques or materials – I didn’t like the feeling of having no control over the outcome.
I now realise that creative exploration is so important. Finding what type of art really resonates with you is a process of trial and error. You never really know what you’ll connect with until you experiment a bit.
5. Everyone’s art is unique
In this day and age, it’s so easy to compare your work to others. It used to affect me a lot when I was younger, and I would get frustrated if something I created didn’t look exactly how I imagined it. But I’ve learned that everyone has their own style, and that’s what makes your work unique. One isn’t better than the other. Your art doesn’t need to be compared – it stands on its own, and that individuality is what makes it yours.
These are just a few of the things I wish I had understood when I was a young artist. If you enjoy making art, keep practising, keep exploring different ideas, and most of all – enjoy the process.
Because every piece you create is helping you grow.
