Hook
I never went to art school.
I never had a teacher telling me what to draw.
Yet today, art is a big part of who I am as a self taught artist.
How did it all begin?
Let me share my real journey with you.
Table of Contents
What Is a Self Taught Artist?
A self taught artist is someone who learns art on their own.
No art college. No formal classes.
Learning comes from practice, online videos, mistakes and patience.
For me, being a self taught artist started with a pencil, paper and curiosity. I learned by trying, failing and trying again.
Lesson 1: Every Self Taught Artist Starts Small
My journey did not start with paintings or portraits.
It started with simple pencil sketches.
I drew random shapes.
Sometimes flowers.
Sometimes faces that didn’t look right.
Many drawings went into the trash.
But every bad drawing taught me something new.
This is the truth of a self taught artist:
👉 You don’t start perfect.
👉 You start brave.
Lesson 2: Learning Alone Builds a Strong Creative Voice
As a self taught artist, I had full freedom.
No rules.
No pressure.
I explored styles that felt calm and emotional.
That’s how I discovered faceless portraits.
People often ask,
“How can a face without features show emotion?”
But I learned that posture, colors and mood speak louder than eyes or lips.
Being self taught helped me build a style that feels personal and peaceful.
Lesson 3: Online Platforms Became My Teachers
I didn’t have books or classes.
I had my phone.
I learned from:
- TikTok art videos
- YouTube tutorials
- Artist blogs
- Trial and error
Sometimes I paused videos again and again just to understand one brush stroke.
This is a big part of being a self taught artist today — learning from the world, not a classroom.
Lesson 4: Practice Matters More Than Talent
Many people think artists are “born talented.”
I don’t believe that.
What I believe in is practice.
Some days I practiced for 10 minutes.
Some days for hours.
Even on busy days with home duties, I tried to draw something small.
Slowly, my hands improved.
My confidence grew.
That’s the real secret of every self taught artist — consistency over perfection.
Why Being a Self Taught Artist Is Emotional
Art is personal when you learn it alone.
Every piece I create carries:
- My mood
- My struggles
- My growth
Faceless portraits especially feel emotional because viewers imagine themselves in the art.
That emotional connection is what makes self taught art special.
Why People Love Art Made by a Self Taught Artist
People connect deeply with self taught artists because the work feels real.
Reasons people love it:
- It feels honest
- It tells a story
- It’s not copied
- It shows effort and heart
Many people choose my faceless portraits as gifts because they feel personal and meaningful.
Challenges I Faced as a Self Taught Artist
Being a self taught artist is beautiful, but not easy.
I faced:
- Self-doubt
- Comparison with trained artists
- Fear of not being “good enough”
There were days I wanted to quit.
But each time someone appreciated my art, it reminded me why I started.
How Sharing My Art Changed Everything
Posting my work online was scary at first.
What if people didn’t like it?
But sharing helped me:
- Gain confidence
- Improve my skills
- Connect with people
TikTok especially helped me show my process and reach people who love calm art.
For a self taught artist, sharing is growth.
Not sure what kind of art style suits you? I also created a simple quiz to help you discover it. You can try my “What Is Your Art Style?” quiz and find the style that matches your personality.
Self Taught Artist vs Trained Artist
- Self taught artist learns freely
- Trained artist follows structure
- Self taught artist experiments more
- Trained artist learns rules first
Both are valid.
Both are artists.
Success depends on passion, not certificates.
I also share my art process, faceless portraits, and calm creative videos on TikTok, where I post behind-the-scenes moments from my self-taught artist journey.
FAQs
Is being a self taught artist good?
Yes. Many successful artists are self taught. What matters is practice and passion.
Can a self taught artist earn money?
Yes. Through commissions, online sales, content creation, and custom art.
Is art school necessary?
No. Art school helps, but it’s not required to become an artist.
How long does it take to improve?
Improvement comes slowly. Months and years of practice make a big difference.
Can self taught artists be professional?
Absolutely. Skill, consistency, and confidence matter most.
What is a self-taught artist called?
A self-taught artist is someone who learns art on their own without going to art school.
They may also be called an independent artist or autodidact artist.
Being self-taught means learning through practice, online resources, and experience.
How do I introduce myself as an artist?
You can introduce yourself in a simple and honest way.
For example:
“I am a self-taught artist who loves creating calm, meaningful art. I focus on styles that feel personal and emotional.”
Always share what you create and what inspires you. You don’t need big words to sound professional.
How to write an artist’s bio?
An artist bio should be short, clear, and personal.
You can include:
- Who you are
- What type of art you make
- How you learned art
- What inspires you
Example:
“I am a self-taught artist who enjoys creating faceless portraits and peaceful art. I learned through practice and online learning and my goal is to spread calm and emotion through my work.”
Which famous artists are self-taught?
Many famous artists were self-taught, including:
- Vincent van Gogh – learned mostly on his own
- Frida Kahlo – started painting without formal training
- Henri Rousseau – a well-known self-taught painter
Their success shows that art school is not the only path to becoming a great artist.
Final Thoughts
Being a self taught artist is not about what you lack.
It’s about what you build.
I didn’t have classes.
I didn’t have guidance.
But I had passion.
If you are someone who loves art, start today.
One pencil stroke can change everything.
I also plan to share longer art videos and full processes on YouTube, where I explain techniques in a calm and beginner-friendly way.
If you’d like to own a calm, meaningful artwork, you can explore my custom art and faceless portraits on my shop page, where each piece is created with care and emotion.
