In this Art Chat I’m having a proper heart-to-heart about something I think we’re all guilty of at times: being our own worst enemy. I talk about how easy it is to pile pressure on ourselves to be “good” at drawing and painting, and how that constant self-criticism can stop us from actually enjoying the process. For me, sketching for pleasure is one of the best ways to relax into your work and quietly build confidence without turning every page into a performance. While we chat, I sketch and paint a loose bouquet of spring flowers using a Micron fine liner and the Viviva Spring watercolour set. It’s a gentle, no-pressure session—more about learning through doing than trying to make something perfect. My big takeaway is to give yourself permission to make “messy” pages, to experiment, and to let your sketchbook be a place where you can progress without judgement. If you’ve been stuck in that loop of overthinking, I hope this video feels like a little nudge to be kinder to yourself and just enjoy making marks again.