First real gig and shaky shaky hands!

I finally had my first real, paid gig yesterday. It was for a friend's sister, so I kinda knew a few people, but I was sooooooo nervous. I was sweating, and shaking and my hand was quivering so badly I thought I was going to stab the poor kids in the eye!! I was really unhappy with how I painted, kept having mental blocks and freaking out about what people would think, and I didn't want to look in my 'inspiration' folder as I thought that might look unprofessional! Anyway, the parents and kids seemed happy, but I was miserable afterwards and felt bad taking money!! AHHHHH! On a happier note, I did another party today (for a friend) and I didn't shake at all and was much more relaxed. I'm guessing the more often I paint the less stressful it will be?? We are all our own worst critic, I suppose??

Good on you for getting back on your horse and giving it another go..I look in my book quite often,, esp if I'm havn a mental block, would want to mix up a couple of designs,, Congratulations on your paid birthday's you'll be a pro in no time.

You are right - we are our own worst critic. I agree with freedspirit...I look at my book, esp. if it is a new design. The kids are usually more than happy to point to it again and sometimes even ask me if I need to look at the picture again. They don't think it unprofessional or ANYTHING!
I think my hands were still shaky on my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gig - so BRAVO to you for being settled on your 2nd.
Keep going and you'll be an "old pro" in no time!

I think you have already realised that the main trick to avoid shaky hands is to stay clam but I also avoid caffeine beforehand. The other thing is to remember to breathe. I know this sounds a bit obvious but nest time you are painting take note... When I get to my line work I can sometimes hold my breath and it just makes them look awful. The last thing I do is to stop now and again and just shake out my arms and relax my shoulders. The closer they get to my ears the worse my hands tend to shake.

I shake more if I know the people! LOL After the first face or two, I'm usually in the zone and relax I see nothing wrong with opening your inspiration book

It will get easier the more comfortable you get with the designs over time.

Just keep painting, and practicing, and painting

wtg!

Yay for you. I use to get butterflies in my tummy on the way to gigs. I don't anymore. The more you do the better it feels.

I always think the first person I paint looks awful, but after that it is smooth sailing. The kids and parents never seem to notice if something isn't perfect, and they find it amazing that you don't have to look at the picture while you paint them. I'm sure they would not have an issue with you looking in your folder

Oh my I was SOOOO shaky on my first semi paid gig...I was working with my trainer and even the kids commented that I was shaky, so embarrassing and yes I thought I was awful too, even when a little girl who's hand I did brought her sister back to get the same thing (when i thought I did such a horrible job they loved it)

I just completed my FIRST gig bymyself without any other painters, and I am no longer shaky, nervous or anything.....it is true, the more you do, the more confident you get and even when you think somethings not quite right, the kids still send their friends back for the same designs!!! LOL

Thanks guys. You will note that I still don't have the guts to post photos up as I find you all waaaaaaay too talented (slightly intimidated! ) But I promise I will soon as I would love your feedback. Hope you're all having a lovely day xo

Oh darling, me too, plus I don't know how to approach the subject in order to get permission to take photos either....

Gravenkiss....so far any photos I've taken have been of kids who I know and their parents are friends, so I haven't really asked anyone to take their photo and use it for promotional things either. Do they have to sign a form or anything? Or is verbal agreement enough do you think??

I was super nervous and shakey on my first gig, I had to keep taking deep breaths to try to sucumb my nervousness. No one could tell i was nervous though so thats a good thing and all my designs came out good.

If it's someone you don't personally know, a photo release is a good idea. Do a search here on the forum, and I'm sure you'll find several of them Rose, you shouldn't be worried about posting your photos. The people on the site are super helpful, and will even give you tips on what you might be doing wrong, or what you could do to improve