Even though I author this website about airbrushing I want to remind you guys that I too am somewhat of a beginner.  I may know a bit more than you do at this point (or maybe not) and I may be able to show you how to paint some pretty nice stuff … but I want you to know that that is not always the case.

For every GOOD painting, there are at LEAST THREE DUDS.

Yup.  That’s right folks.  I suck at painting somedays too.

For instance today.  I sat down with the intent of making a tutorial about how to paint clouds.  I’ve never painted big fluffy white clouds before, but I figured it would be a good, easy, “beginner-friendly” thing to paint.

It was an absolute disaster!  I’d post a picture of it but I took my frustration out on it and scribbled all over it.

Crappy Paintings Are a Good Thing

I get extremely frustrated when I am taking the time to try and make a tutorial and it goes horribly wrong, but I appreciate when it does happen because it reminds me of how very much alike we are.  I am a beginner at everything I have never painted before … just like you.

One good painting does not make you a good airbrush artist.  Neither does 20.

I know it’s incredibly cliche to say but learning to airbrush is a journey.  Maybe someday far down the road there will be a time when I am confident that I can paint anything that is put it front of me – but today?  Today I am having an off day – and that my friends is OK.  I know the deal.

It’s two steps forward, then one step back.

The Knowledge/Skill Gap

When I have an off day and paint a horrible painting, the first thing that pops into my mind is:

“Why on earth do I operate Airbrush-Guidance!  Who in their right mind would want to learn from a horrible artist like me!?”

While this lamenting is a little overly-dramatic, it is true.

Really, why DO people want to learn from me? There are plenty of other more qualified people out there to learn from, but, everyday people e-mail me questions, read my website and watch my videos.  And, they seem to like them … so what’s the deal?

As I see it, I think that I am filling a gap in the airbrush market. Everyone who makes airbrush videos or puts on formal airbrush training are pros – like REAL pros.

Pros are as intimidating as hell to the absolute beginner! These people, many whom I’ve met in person, don’t have off days like me.  They can whip out stunning paintings consistently.  They make it look SO EASY, and then you (or me) sit down to try it ourselves and fail miserably!  I don’t know about you, but it leaves me with that icky, gross feeling of “I’ll never be as good as them, so why bother”.

Here’s where I come in.  My niche, so to speak.  I am not a pro.  I am not an amazing airbrush artist. That means you don’t need to be intimidated by me. Nope, not at all.

And you know what else?  Being better a better airbrush artist than me is actually achievable.  In fact, I’ve made a number of friends who have totally exceeded my abilities through this website … and that makes me SO happy.

Simply reminding myself of that the intent of Airbrush-Guidance is to be a midway point between teaching yourself and learning from the pros gives me the confidence to sit down again tomorrow and try to make another tutorial that will help someone get just a little bit closer to their artistic goals.

How do you cope with a bad airbrush day?

Do you get mad?  Do you beat yourself up?  Do you take it all in stride?  Let me know in the comments – especially if you have any great coping strategies cause lord knows I need them!