You need to waste paint in order to learn how to paint
Art materials are meant to be used, not kept inside a box
I see a lot of artists, both new and established, proudly showcasing their brand new set of expensive artist grade color pencils, watercolors, oil paints or what have you. I do the same, as buying new art materials is always exciting. Collecting them is sort of a hobby for me, not gonna lie.
But then, I often witness artists saying, right next to their new art material babies, that they are “so afraid of using them and wasting them on bad art”. I understand where this feeling comes from, after all, artist grade materials often cost you a kidney to purchase, so we all want to put them to good use. And using them to create “bad art” feels like a waste to some.
Good art, bad art… Art is subjective, and I believe it is a mistake to try and objectively classify it. It does both us, and the artwork, a disservice. The way I see things, creating “bad” art is not a waste, at all. If anything, it is a necessary step in order to be able to create “good” art. I understand that you may feel as if your brand new set of expensive color pencils is worth much more than what you are able to create at the moment. However, let me ask you something: how are you supposed to learn something and hone your skills, if you don’t practice? It’s just like learning to get up, you’ll only be able to do so if you fall down first.
Art materials are meant to be used. Leaving them inside their box, collecting dust, is more of a waste than “bad” art will ever be. So put that set of watercolors you bought for your own birthday to use, and create art. Without fear. Don’t be afraid of bad art. Don’t fear failure. Be afraid of not having a chance to create.
Let paint run free. Waste it on a canvas and create something you think it’s bad. And be proud of it. Every brushstroke is a step further in your artistic journey. Every splash of paint is knowledge you didn’t previously possess. Every work of art you create will teach you how to make more and better art in the future.