Discipline of Art

December 3, 2024


When you first embark on the journey of becoming an artist, you may assume that the hardest part is mastering technique. Whether it's learning how to handle a brush, sculpting with clay, or understanding the intricacies of digital tools, the prevailing belief is that perfecting manual skills is the biggest obstacle to creative success. However, while technique is undeniably important, it's not the primary challenge that artists face. The true struggle lies elsewhere: in developing the right mindset, building a consistent routine, and cultivating the discipline to turn creativity into a habit.

Technique & Discipline

One of the most empowering aspects of being an artist is the realization that technique is a skill that can be acquired with practice. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, consistent effort will improve your manual abilities. Every artist starts as a novice, but with time and dedication, proficiency follows. Whether it’s learning to draw a perfect circle or mastering complex color theory, technique can be broken down into steps and refined.

But here's the catch: the real challenge lies in developing the habits and discipline necessary to make consistent progress.

Continuously Consistant

Think about it—how many times have we heard stories of artists who were "born with a gift"? While some individuals might have a natural aptitude, that innate ability alone won't take someone to the highest levels of artistic mastery. What truly distinguishes accomplished artists is their ability to show up every day, even when the inspiration isn't flowing. This is where the challenge lies: it’s easy to think that an artist’s life is filled with continuous bursts of creativity, but the truth is much less glamorous.

To become an artist, one has to commit to the process. You’ll often face days where your work feels uninspired or frustrating, yet it’s on those days that developing a consistent routine becomes crucial. Making art isn’t just about waiting for the muse to strike; it’s about creating the conditions where inspiration can flow, often when you least expect it. The artist's most difficult challenge is not improving technique but committing to the practice—day in, day out—despite setbacks or moments of doubt.

Power of Habit

The habits we form shape our ability to succeed, and in the case of artists, the right habits make all the difference. Waking up early to sketch, setting aside time every day to experiment, and persevering through periods of self-doubt are all examples of habits that elevate an artist. Technique might allow you to execute a flawless piece, but habit sustains you over the long haul.

Once these habits are in place, everything changes. Just like a runner builds stamina with each practice, an artist accelerates at an incredible speed once their discipline is locked in. The more time you spend creating, the quicker you’ll start to see results, often far faster than you expect. The more you immerse yourself in your craft, the less you rely on willpower and more on muscle memory and instinct. It becomes second nature.

Unseen Struggle

At this point, you might be wondering: why do so many people overlook this part of the process? Why is the emphasis on technique, rather than routine and mindset?

Part of it has to do with the way we culturally frame "talent" and "success." It's easier to imagine that an artist’s prowess is rooted in innate skill, because that’s something tangible. But the less visible elements—the long hours of practice, the failures, the mental and emotional endurance required to keep going—are harder to quantify. They’re not as easily seen or celebrated, but they are arguably more important than any technique you could learn.

The struggle to stay disciplined, to show up day after day, is a silent one. It’s not as glamorous as painting a masterpiece or performing an incredible feat of technique, but it is the backbone of every artist’s growth.

Speeding Up the Process

Once the foundation of daily practice and discipline is laid, the results come more quickly than most expect. There’s a sort of artistic momentum that takes over. Creativity flows more freely, and your understanding of your medium deepens. What once felt like painstaking, slow progress becomes exhilarating as you start to see the acceleration. New techniques, new styles, and fresh ideas come more easily because you’ve built the mental and emotional framework to support them.

By committing to this practice, the artist reaches a point where their skills evolve almost effortlessly. Technique stops feeling like a struggle and becomes an intuitive process. At that point, you’re no longer fighting to make art; you’re living in it.

Key to Artistic Mastery

Becoming an artist isn’t just about learning how to wield a brush or manipulate a pencil. The real challenge is in developing the discipline to make art a daily practice, to build the habit of showing up even when motivation fades, and to push through the inevitable challenges that come with any creative pursuit.

Once those habits are solidified, that’s when the magic happens. Artists grow at an exponential rate, as their consistent effort leads to rapid improvement. So, if you're just starting out or feeling stuck in your creative journey, remember: the technique will come. What matters most is your ability to persist, to commit to the process, and to show up every day—because once that’s in place, the rest will follow.