At first, it might sound strange: how can a bad drawing possibly help you become a good artist? Aren’t great artists supposed to create impressive, polished work? Actually, the path to becoming a skilled artist is paved with mistakes, messy sketches, and lots of “bad” drawings. In fact, those so-called failures are some of the most valuable tools for growth.
Every artist starts somewhere. No one picks up a pencil for the first time and produces a masterpiece. What separates successful artists from those who give up isn’t natural talent—it’s their willingness to keep going, even when the drawing doesn’t turn out right. Bad drawings are not a sign of failure; they are a necessary part of learning. Each one teaches you something, whether it’s about proportions, shading, perspective, or simply how your hand moves on the page.
One of the most powerful lessons a bad drawing teaches is what not to do. When you make a mistake, you get the chance to examine it. Maybe you drew the eyes too far apart or shaded too heavily. Noticing those errors means you’re becoming more observant, more critical—in a good way—and more capable of making better choices in your next piece.
Bad drawings also build resilience. It’s easy to feel discouraged when your art doesn’t look the way you imagined it. But pushing through that frustration strengthens your determination. Every artist, no matter how famous, has stacks of sketches they’d never show anyone. They’ve all had moments where they wanted to give up. The difference is—they didn’t. They kept drawing, and so can you.
Another surprising benefit of bad drawings is freedom. When you stop worrying about being perfect, you give yourself permission to experiment. You start trying new styles, tools, and techniques. You loosen up, take risks, and discover what you like. That kind of creative play is essential for finding your unique artistic voice.
In many ways, a bad drawing is more honest than a polished one. It reflects where you are in your journey right now. It might be rough, but it’s real. And every drawing—good or bad—is a step forward. Over time, you’ll start to notice progress. Maybe your lines are cleaner, your characters more expressive, or your scenes more dynamic. That progress is only possible because you were brave enough to make mistakes.
Finally, bad drawings remind us to enjoy the process. Art isn’t just about the finished product—it’s about expression, exploration, and growth. The more you draw, the more you learn, and the closer you get to becoming the artist you want to be.
So don’t be afraid of drawing badly. Be afraid of not drawing at all. Because every awkward sketch, every wobbly figure, every strange face you put on the page is helping you improve. A bad drawing doesn’t mean you’re not a good artist—it means you’re becoming one.