We’ve all been there—sitting down with a cup of tea, a blank page of watercolor paper in front of us, paintbrush ready… and suddenly, that little voice sneaks in. “You’re not good enough.” “This is going to look awful.” “Who are you to call yourself an artist?”

That voice? That’s the inner critic. And if it’s been holding you back lately, you’re not alone. As artists (whether we’re seasoned watercolorists or just dabbling), we all wrestle with this internal chatter. But here’s the thing: the inner critic doesn’t have to be the loudest voice in the room.

Let’s take a closer look at what is an inner critic, why it shows up, and most importantly how to silence your inner critic so you can get back to creating with joy and confidence.

What Is the Inner Critic?

The inner critic is that internal voice that questions, judges, and sometimes flat-out bullies us. It’s the one that says, “This isn’t good enough,” or “You should be better by now.” It loves comparison and often points out everything we haven’t done, instead of celebrating what we have.

Sound familiar? Yeah, me too.

But here’s something important: the inner critic isn’t the truth. It’s just a thought. A recurring one, sure—but still just a thought. And the more we understand it, the more we can learn to quiet it down (or even turn it into something helpful).

Why the Inner Critic Exists (Spoiler: It’s Trying to Protect You)

Believe it or not, our inner critic isn’t trying to ruin our day. In fact, it developed to keep us safe.

When we were younger, we may have been told to “be realistic,” “play it safe,” or “stop wasting time.” Maybe we were criticized for coloring outside the lines (literally or figuratively). Over time, our brains internalized those messages, and now they pop up whenever we try something that feels risky. Like sharing our art, trying a new technique, or showing up consistently in our creativity.

In other words, the critic is a defense mechanism. It thinks it’s protecting us from embarrassment or failure (and honestly, it has good intentions, just poor delivery).

But the problem is…

The Cost of Letting the Critic Run the Show

When we let our inner critic take the wheel, we stop ourselves before we even start. We put down the brush. We quit halfway through a painting. Avoid new projects, or feel stuck in a loop of “not good enough.”

The result? We lose touch with the joy of creating. We become spectators instead of participants in our own creative lives. And over time, we start to believe those negative thoughts are facts.

That’s why learning how to silence your inner critic is so important. Not because we’ll never hear that voice again, but because we can learn to lower the volume and respond with something kinder, more helpful, and more creative.

So… how do we do that?

Let’s pause here and dive deeper. In this video, I share honest reflections on struggling with perfectionism and self‑doubt in my creative work—and how I've been learning to move forward anyway. Whether you're painting, writing, or navigating everyday life, releasing control has been a huge theme for me recently. (Plus, I weave in a little life update as we go.) Here’s a gentle reminder that it’s okay to create imperfectly, express fully, and trust the process:

How to Quiet the Inner Critic

Here are five simple (but powerful) tools we use to keep the critic in check and create more freely. You don’t need to master all of them at once, just pick one to try this week and notice what shifts.

1. Name the Voice

When that familiar critical voice pops up, give it a name. (We like to keep it playful. Maybe “Negative Nancy” or “Doubtful Doug.”) By naming the voice, we create distance from it. We’re not the critic, we’re just hearing it.

This trick helps us separate fact from fear. It also reminds us that not every thought deserves our attention (especially the ones that sound like a broken record).

2. Invite Curiosity Instead of Judgment

Instead of thinking, “This painting is a mess,” what if we asked, “What could I try differently next time?” Shifting from judgment to curiosity changes everything.

Curiosity invites learning and exploration. It makes room for mistakes (because that’s how we grow). And best of all, it’s way more fun. Next time the inner critic pipes up, try responding with curiosity and see what happens.

3. Make “Bad Art” on Purpose

Yes, really.

I actually wrote a whole blog post about this idea, read it here. Making bad art on purpose takes the pressure off. It teaches us to play, experiment, and laugh at our perfectionism.

The more we give ourselves permission to mess up, the quieter that inner critic becomes. Why? Because we’re no longer tying our worth to the outcome.

If making “bad art” on purpose feels freeing (or even a little scary in a good way), you’re going to love The Creativity Playbook. It’s a self-paced guide filled with playful prompts, mindset shifts, and creative exercises that help you loosen up, let go of perfectionism, and actually enjoy the process again. Whether you’re in a rut or just need a fresh dose of inspiration, this playbook is your go-to. Let’s make space for curiosity, connection, and a whole lot more fun.

4. Replace the Inner Critic with an Inner Encourager

Let’s flip the script. If the inner critic is always ready to critique, can we create an inner voice that cheers us on?

Think about what you’d say to a friend who’s struggling with a painting. Would you call their work “terrible”? Of course not. You’d probably say something like, “You’re doing great, just keep going.”

So say that to yourself. Write it down. Put it on a sticky note. Make it your mantra. The more we practice self-encouragement, the stronger that voice becomes.

5. Keep a “Tiny Wins” Journal

Big progress is great, but it’s the small steps that really build momentum. Start keeping a simple journal where you jot down tiny wins: “Tried a new brushstroke today.” “Painted even though I didn’t feel like it.” “Posted my artwork.”

This builds evidence that we’re growing, even when it doesn’t feel like it. And when the inner critic shows up again, we’ve got proof that it’s wrong.

Final Thoughts: The Inner Critic Doesn’t Get the Final Say

Here’s what I want you to remember: the inner critic might never disappear completely, but it doesn’t get to decide what kind of artist you are.

You do.

Every brushstroke, every messy attempt, every small act of showing up is a reminder that your creativity matters. And when you learn how to silence your inner critic, you don’t just make better art, you enjoy the process so much more.

If this blog resonated with you, I think you will enjoy The Art Within, my creative mindset course for artists. It’s full of tools, exercises, and guidance to help you grow with more confidence and joy (because you deserve that).

Keep painting, keep exploring, and remember: your art belongs here, just as it is.