“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced”

Vincent Van Gogh

Your inner critic is nasty. It cares nothing for your feelings, passions, goals, or well-being. It has one purpose only and that is to make you question everything, especially your value. The longer you either deny its existence or fail to kill it, the longer you go without seeing your full potential as an artist. 

But there’s a trick. The most efficient way to kill your inner critic is to follow its lead, just as Vincent Van Gogh suggests. Paint when your inner critic is saying, “You cannot paint.” You don’t have to muster the strength of heroes to silence that nagging jerk inside you. You simply have to take action. Paint. Write. Draw. Sculpt. Sing. Play. Create without concern. Your inner critic will hate this productivity and soon be under your full control.

Action, Not Inspiration

Many people wait to get inspired before creating art. This is bad. Inspiration comes and goes so if we only make art when we’re inspired, we unfortunately won’t make much art. Some might argue that the goal is quality not quantity, and inspiration is what produces masterpieces. That’s exactly what your inner critic wants you to think. Kill that thought.

There’s nothing your inner critic hates more than being ignored. Forget about inspiration. It will continue to come and go. There will be periods where things are magical and you’re in the zone, but there will certainly be periods of struggle as well. During times of struggle it is most important to carry on. Keep making art. Don’t give your inner critic a chance to weigh in. 

Andy Warhol provided sound advice for all artists when he said, “Don’t think about making art. Just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.” That sounds like someone skilled at ignoring their inner critic. “Just get it done.” Take action and make art.

All Art is Wonderful Art

Another thing your inner critic will do is attempt to convince you that your art is not good enough. When I suggest killing your inner critic and making wonderful art, I want to be very clear that all art is wonderful art. As Charles Cooley said, “An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one.” The only art that is not wonderful is the art that isn’t made. To create art is to create wonderful art. If there is a part of you that disagrees with this, take note. That is your inner critic speaking. 

I guarantee your inner critic will get louder and louder the more you appreciate all art. The more you say, “That’s wonderful art! That’s wonderful art! That’s wonderful art!,” the more you’ll be asked, “Are you sure?” Your inner critic will get very sneaky and bastardly. It doesn’t want you to create anything, let alone something that you think is wonderful. So, make wonderful art and let your inner critic scream. Remember, it’s a helpful guide in telling you the opposite of what you should do. The louder it speaks, the more clear your direction. 

Avoid Being Comfortable

Your inner critic works hard to keep you right where you are. It doesn’t like you experimenting or traveling into new territory. In fact, when you step outside of your comfort zone your inner critic is awoken. That terrible voice will immediately let you know you are not where you’re supposed to be. But you are. 

Art is all about experimentation. It’s knowing that you cannot fail in whatever you’re doing, just as long as you are doing. If you constantly challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone and learn to appreciate it by embracing a growth mindset, your inner critic will be silenced. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s not easy, I know, but it will certainly work in your favor to kill your inner critic.