🧠 WHY YOUR ART IS NOT IMPROVING -the science

Summary

In this insightful video, professional artist Mark dives into the key differences between regular practice and deliberate practice, offering viewers a scientifically-backed approach to improving their art skills. He explains how deliberate practice, which involves focused learning, using references, and receiving feedback, leads to faster growth compared to routine, unfocused practice. Mark also shares valuable tips on how to apply deliberate practice to any skill, particularly art, and outlines common mistakes to avoid. With practical steps and advice, this video is a game-changer for anyone looking to level up their art.

Takeaways

• 😀 Deliberate practice is the key to rapid skill improvement, particularly in art. It’s different from regular practice because it focuses on eliminating weaknesses and requires sustained effort and focus.
• 😀 Regular practice is simply repetition of what you already know, while deliberate practice involves focused learning, specific goals, and consistent feedback to improve skills.
• 😀 You don’t need to practice for hours each day to see significant improvement—just 2-3 hours of deliberate practice daily can help you reach your maximum potential.
• 😀 Focus is critical in deliberate practice. The human brain can only maintain focused practice for about 2-3 hours a day before it becomes ineffective.
• 😀 To practice art deliberately, follow a three-step process: 1) Learn the theory behind the skill, 2) Use multiple references to practice, and 3) Seek feedback from an expert or mentor.
• 😀 Deliberate practice requires full focus and the elimination of distractions. It’s a more demanding process than casual or recreational practice.
• 😀 Feedback is essential for deliberate practice. Without it, practice will not be effective in improving your weaknesses or expanding your skills.
• 😀 It’s important to balance deliberate practice with regular practice. After intense study sessions, it’s helpful to engage in less challenging, enjoyable art activities to maintain motivation and positivity.
• 😀 Master studies (copying other artists’ work) are useful only after you have a solid understanding of theory and technique. Without sufficient knowledge, you may not gain as much from these studies.
• 😀 While deliberate practice can be frustrating, it’s crucial to keep some art sessions fun and enjoyable. This ensures you stay motivated and maintain a healthy relationship with art.
• 😀 The script encourages viewers to check out additional resources like art education programs and tutorials for structured learning, feedback, and a supportive community to accelerate their artistic growth.

Q & A

What is the key difference between regular practice and deliberate practice?

Regular practice involves repeating what you already know, whereas deliberate practice targets your weaknesses and requires focused, effortful practice to improve specific skills. Deliberate practice is highly structured and needs constant feedback.

How can someone improve their art skills faster?

To improve faster, you need to engage in deliberate practice. This means focusing on your weaknesses, studying theory, using references, and getting feedback. Just 1-2 hours of intense, focused practice daily can lead to rapid improvement.

Why is focus important in deliberate practice?

Focus is crucial because deliberate practice requires your full attention to target and correct weaknesses. Without focus, you won't be able to identify areas that need improvement or push beyond your current level of skill.

How long should one engage in deliberate practice each day?

Deliberate practice should last no more than 2-3 hours a day. This is because after this point, mental fatigue sets in and your focus diminishes, reducing the effectiveness of the practice.

Can regular practice help you improve as an artist?

While regular practice can help maintain existing skills and keep you comfortable, it doesn’t lead to significant growth. To truly improve, deliberate practice that challenges you is essential.

What are the three steps for deliberate practice in art?

The three steps are: 1) Learn the theory behind the skill you're working on (e.g., anatomy for artists). 2) Practice with multiple references to visualize the correct outcome. 3) Seek feedback from experts or learn to give yourself feedback.

Why is feedback important in deliberate practice?

Feedback is vital because it helps you identify mistakes and areas of improvement. Without feedback, you may continue reinforcing bad habits, preventing your growth.

What mistakes should be avoided in deliberate practice?

Common mistakes include: 1) Studying advanced techniques too early without a solid foundation in theory. 2) Thinking all practice should be deliberate, when some enjoyable, less focused practice is important too. 3) Not balancing deliberate practice with regular practice that feels enjoyable.

Why is it important to study theory before practicing?

Studying theory provides the knowledge needed to understand what you’re practicing. Without this foundation, your practice will lack direction, and you won’t know what specific areas to target for improvement.

How can beginners benefit from a structured art education program?

A structured program provides a clear path from the basics to advanced topics. It offers assignments, feedback, and a community that helps maintain motivation and ensures you focus on the right skills at the right time.