Artistic Growth

As artists, we often struggle to see the changes in our work. We may look at our art and think that we’re not evolving, or in some cases it’s not as good as it used to be. How often have you looked at one of your paintings and felt disheartened? Seeing the array of work on social media, it is all too easy to think that everybody else is progressing at a lightning pace, whereas I often feel like I’m stuck in a bit of a rut.

Redrawing old pieces may help to alleviate this nagging doubt. For the past four years (2019 - 2022) I have redrawn this picture of a couple hugging, and the difference over this period is striking. The biggest jump was between 2019 - 2020, when I drastically changed my style. The subsequent years were less abrupt, but show more of a refinement of where I am today.

I would recommend any artist to give this a go. It is fascinating to see the evolution of your work, and a great way to see your growth, especially if it’s not evident on a day to day basis.