We expect to improve our art every time we pick up a pencil, but sometimes we don’t feel like we’re improving at all. That’s not something felt by just you, we all feel like that from time to time. It can be frustrating and demotivating, but don’t worry because Sarah, Ping, and Dorien are here to give you some handy tips on how to get over this feeling. 
 
KEY TAKEAWAYS

Ping had a student at one of her classes who came week after week and wasn’t improving. Ping worked with her to find out why and it turns out she needed the right materials, time, and patience to improve. Ping asked her to just focus on one petal and that helped her focus on the details. 
Don’t forget to have fun, it’s your job because you enjoy doing it. Think about the journey not the result. Take your time and have fun, give yourself space to grow. 
Good courses will give you the tools and perspective you need to improve your skills. 
You’ll learn more by making seven bad paintings and reflecting on them, rather than forcing yourself to do one piece you don’t want to do. 
You can take a break from working on something when you’re feeling frustrated by it. 
Remember that the most meaningful accomplishments in our lives happen slowly. 


BEST MOMENTS
‘Practice, experiment, take your time’
‘Don’t get fixated on improving too much, just embrace the process and have fun’ 
‘If you don’t enjoy what you do you’ll be less productive’ 
‘Dare to make ugly work’
 
ABOUT THE PODCAST 
A serious and fun podcast for female creatives hosted by Ping, Dorien and Sarah, three happy artists from Amsterdam.  This podcast will inspire you to make a living out of your art. We welcome you to be part of this community of like-minded people.
www.thrivingwomenartists.com
www.instagram.com/twapodcast
 
ABOUT THE HOSTS
Ping He 
Ping is a watercolor artist. Her work is inspired by nature and her motherhood experience. She develops her greeting cards brand and teaches Botanical Illustration courses online and offline. 
www.pinghe.art
info@pinghe.art
www.instagram.com/pinghe.art
 
Sarah van Dongen 
Sarah is a children’s book illustrator and visual artist. She takes her sketchbooks and art supplies everywhere, which results in illustrations based on observation and daily life.
www.sarahvandongen.com
sarahvandongenillustration@gmail.com
www.instagram.com/sarahvandongenillustrations
 
Dorien Bellaar:
Dorien is an illustration artist. Her work is mainly focused on illustration for children, editorial/food illustration, hand lettering, and she likes to combine those into both traditional and digital art. 
www.dorienbellaar.nl
hello@dorienbellaar.nl 
www.instagram.com/dorienbellaarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.