Why Self-Taught Artists Have the Upper Hand (You Won’t Believe It!)

Did you know some of the greatest artists in history never went to art school? So why do we sometimes feel like we need permission to create?

If you’re a self-taught artist, you might have found yourself thinking: Am I really an artist? Do I need formal training to make a career out of this?

I used to believe that too. I thought I needed a degree, technical training, or some kind of validation before I could truly call myself an artist. But the truth? That was a complete lie.

Today, I want to break down why being self-taught isn’t a disadvantage—it’s your superpower. By the end of this post, I hope you see your creative journey in a whole new light!

Breaking the "Rules" of Art

One of the biggest struggles self-taught artists face is overthinking. We compare ourselves to formally trained artists and worry that we’re missing something.

• Am I using the right technique?

• Does my shading make sense?

• Is this even 'good' art?

Sound familiar? The truth is, many of the "rules" of art can actually hold us back. We hesitate, second-guess ourselves, and sometimes stop before we even start.

But some of the greatest artists—like Van Gogh, Frida Kahlo, and Jean-Michel Basquiat—never had formal training. They created from emotion, experience, and instinct. And that is what made their work so powerful.

So here’s my advice: Give yourself permission to break free from the mental roadblocks. Stop worrying about whether you’re doing it "right." The best art comes from intuition and experimentation!

Henri Matisse once said, "Don’t wait for inspiration. It comes while working."

You don’t need to have the perfect plan or any plan even... Just start.

Painting is Like Dancing

Think about dancing at a party. You don’t memorize dance moves before going out—you feel the music and go with it!

Sure, sometimes you trip over your own feet, but other times? You surprise yourself with moves you didn’t even know you had.

Art is the same way. You don’t have to plan every brushstroke. Let the colors guide you. Trust the rhythm of your creativity!

How I Start My Paintings

Most of my paintings start with color. I don’t always have a clear image in mind—instead, I pick around five or six colors that I’m drawn to and mix them until something clicks.

Then, I lay down a base layer and let my intuition take over. Some of my best paintings have come from this spontaneous process!

So if you ever feel stuck, try this: Focus on colors first, not the final result. You might be surprised at what unfolds.

Painting and Emotion: Why I Created 'The Happy Artist'

For me, painting isn’t just a skill—it’s an emotional experience. I can only paint when I feel happy or excited. If I’m stressed or overwhelmed, I can’t bring myself to pick up a brush.

That’s actually how I came up with the name for my website—'The Happy Artist.'

Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not always in a good mood! But when I do paint, I want that energy and joy to come through in my work. My hope is that when you see my art, you feel a little of that happiness too.

Fun Creative Challenges for You

If you want to loosen up and break free from creative blocks, try these fun challenges:

🎨 Blindfold Painting Challenge: Paint without looking for the first few strokes. Let your intuition take over!⏳ No-Plan Painting: Set a 5-minute timer and just go for it. No thinking, no erasing—just feeling.🖌️ Texture Experiment: Forget traditional brushes. Try sponges, palette knives, even leaves—see what textures you create!

Quick Tip: Acrylics dry fast, which makes layering easy. If something doesn’t look right? Let it dry and go again. Layers add depth!

Final Thoughts: Your Art, Your Rules

Whether you’re self-taught or you’ve spent years in art school, remember this:

🎨 Your art is valid.💡 Your process is unique.🚀 And your creativity is limitless.

Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not a "real" artist. The next time you start doubting yourself, remind yourself: Some of the world’s greatest artists were self-taught.

So go create. Have fun. Let the world see what only you can do!

Let’s Chat!

Have you ever struggled with imposter syndrome as a self-taught artist? What’s helped you gain confidence? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!

And if you try any of the creative challenges, tag me on Instagram (@yourhandle) so I can see your work! Let’s celebrate self-taught artists together.

Until next time, Love Lisa xx😊