How to Overcome Perfectionism and Start Drawing Freely
/Struggling with perfectionism in your sketching practice? Learn how to let go of the pressure to make every drawing perfect so you can enjoy the process, grow your skills, and fall in love with drawing again. Especially helpful for beginner urban sketchers and creatives.
Have you ever sat down to draw and felt frozen, like your sketchbook is too precious to “ruin” with a bad drawing?
You’re not alone.
Perfectionism is something many creative people struggle with, especially when we're just starting out or coming back to drawing after a break. And as someone who teaches architectural hand drawing and urban sketching, I see it all the time: talented creatives paralysed by the fear of making a mistake.
But here’s the truth: Perfectionism kills creativity
So let’s talk about how to loosen your grip on perfection and start enjoying your sketching practice again.
1. Remember: Drawing Is a Skill, Not a Test
No one expects a runner to complete a marathon without training. Drawing is the same. Each sketch is a step toward improvement, not a judgment of your worth or talent. Try shifting your mindset from “This needs to be good” to “This is just practice.”
It’s a sketchbook, not a portfolio. Let it be messy.
2. Use Cheaper Materials or Loose Paper
One of the quickest ways to trick your brain into relaxing is to stop using your fancy supplies. Instead, try sketching on printer paper, in the back of a notebook, or even on scrap paper. When the pressure’s off, your creativity flows so much more freely.
3. Set a Time Limit
Give yourself 5 or 10 minutes to sketch something quickly - no time to erase, and no overthinking. Timed drawing helps you focus on what matters: capturing the essence, not getting lost in details.
4. Start With Warm-Ups (Yes, They Help)
Doing simple mark-making or gesture sketches before you dive in helps switch off your inner critic. It’s like stretching before a workout. It prepares your hand and your mindset.
Check out my post on warm-ups if you haven’t already.
5. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Look back at your earlier sketches now and then. Notice how far you’ve come. Each line, each page, each attempt matters more than any single perfect drawing. The goal isn’t to never make a mistake, it’s to keep showing up.
Perfectionism can hold us back from the very thing we crave: creative freedom, expression, and growth. Let go of perfect, and you’ll find more joy, more progress, and more confidence in every sketch. You’re allowed to draw badly. You’re allowed to explore. That’s where the magic happens.
