Do you lack talent OR permission?

Whatever style you choose - how you work, how you design, how you draw, and ultimately how you live - it is all valid and correct. And it took me a decade to make peace with that.

Today’s newsletter is inspired by an experience at an art school I decided to return to at the end of last year. Very quickly, I realized that the traditional educational approach often works against uniqueness, innovation, and standing out. So I didn’t go back. The freedom of opinion I never had when I was younger was missing... again.

What often starts as a creative limitation turns into a much bigger, global problem that very few people talk about.

In drawing, we’ve all heard the same things a dozen times:
...talent, realism, is it serious enough, is it rational...

Since when did it become acceptable to drag others down with their own limitations?

And this happens at every age and every stage of professionalism, which brings me to that art school story.

I showed one of the teachers the kind of human figure style I wanted to learn. It was the work of a contemporary fashion illustrator who integrates figures into locations and interiors. One of the very few artists I genuinely follow and feel inspired by.

I didn’t ask for an opinion on whether it was “good” or “bad.”
I asked HOW to move in that direction with MY style.

The immediate response?

“But here the proportions are slightly off.”
“This isn’t really realistic.”

Don’t get me wrong, everyone is entitled to an opinion.
But what is NOT okay is influencing people who are just beginning, who are learning, and who are incredibly sensitive to feedback.

That’s how so many creatives, including me, were deeply affected by comments from professors, teachers, or bosses telling us we lacked some magical talent, or that our work wasn’t realistic enough.

Realism? Seriously?!

Sitting at a desk FOR DAYS trying to recreate the exact same shade of brown as in real life WITHOUT opinion, without expression?

HARD NO!! I have better things to do with my life.

That was the moment it became clear to me: this version of art school wasn’t for me.

Why is it so difficult to simply support a student’s vision? A beginner’s curiosity?

I know one thing for sure: when I’m supported, when someone sees value in my work, even if it looks a little messy, experimental, or unconventional, I keep going. I keep drawing. I keep exploring. I grow!

When it’s the opposite...
That’s exactly why I stopped drawing for five years after art school.

Why?

1. My work wasn’t “realistic enough.”

2. Most of the time, teachers left the room and we were expected to draw alone for 4-5 hours straight.

Like art and creativity but don’t connect with realism and hyper-detailed drawings?
Then... don’t force yourself into it.

Let your expressive soul create.
Move through the world with your art glasses on.
Capture the moments that matter to YOU!

If I were to open an art school, this would be the philosophy I’d start every single class with.

Actually… why if?

I already have THAT art school!

And right now, I’m filming a brand-new program focused on bringing ANY idea or concept to life - in OUR style, fast, and without pressure.

If this resonated with you, you are VERY invited of course!
The waitlist is open HERE, and here’s a little behind the scenes:

As I write this, my blood still boils knowing how normalized this kind of criticism is in institutions.

I personally lost almost a decade to self-doubt before fully accepting that:

• I’m an iPad girl, I don’t like mess and I love creating on the go.

• I don’t like realism AT ALL.

• I mix styles and tools, and that makes me genuinely happy!

Freedom of expression, whether in art or in life, is true fulfillment and alignment.
So that when we look back one day, we know we lived OUR life, not someone else’s expectations.

With big drawing energy,
Anna at @andshedrawsbig