From Blank Canvas to Breakthrough

The Start of My Art Journey

When I decided to start making art, I had no idea where to begin. I just knew I needed to create something—anything. But the world of art is massive. Oil, acrylic, watercolour, charcoal, clay, digital... It felt like being dropped in the middle of a giant art supply shop with no map and no clue.

At first, I froze. I told myself I wasn’t “an artist.” I didn’t have formal training, a degree, or even a sketchbook. I was intimidated by the idea of picking the wrong medium, as if the choice might lock me into something I wasn’t good at. I scrolled through tutorials, watched process videos, and admired other people’s work online—only to feel more paralysed.

Then I realised I didn’t need to know it all. I just needed to start.

So, I looked for a local art class. Something casual. Something that did not expect me to show up already knowing what I was doing. I signed up for a beginner workshop that covered several mediums over a few weeks: drawing, watercolour, acrylic painting, and charcoal. My journey began with www.seasonsartclass-napier.com.

A vibrant pink question mark on a white background represents the beginning of a journey filled with curiosity and new possibilities.

Walking into that first class, my nerves nearly talked me out of it. I almost didn’t go. I felt out of place, like a fraud in front of people who might know what they were doing. But once we sat down and started sketching simple objects with a pencil, I realised everyone was there to learn. No one was judging.

Week by week, we tried different materials. I smudged charcoal everywhere, made a watery mess with my first watercolour attempt, and struggled to keep acrylics from turning into mud. But I also saw little glimpses of what I could do. A line that landed just right. A colour that surprised me. A moment where the piece looked better than I expected.

• You don’t need to know your medium to start – exploration is part of the journey.

• Fear is normal – showing up scared is better than not showing up at all.

• Progress comes from doing, not planning – let go of perfection and just begin.

  
  

The turning point came when I stopped trying to get everything right. I let go of perfection. I let the process lead instead of trying to control the outcome. That’s when I started to enjoy it—not just the results, but the act of making something from nothing.

I left class that night elated.

Since then, I’ve kept exploring. I still don’t have one “signature” medium. But I’ve stopped worrying about choosing the right one. I’m learning that art is a process of discovery—not just of technique, but of yourself. The fear hasn’t completely vanished, but it’s no longer in charge.

If you’re thinking about starting your own art journey, here’s what I wish someone had told me: You don’t need to have it figured out. You just need to show up, mess up, and keep going. The rest will unfold.

And trust me—there’s magic in that first mark.