My Sister Draws Better: Handling Sibling Comparison

"My sister draws better than me!" Sibling comparison can crush a kid's love of art. Here's how to handle it and help every child feel like an artist.

By Kevin Coulston, author and illustrator of 88 children’s art books · November 11, 2026 · 2 min read

When one child feels a sibling draws better, help them focus on their own progress, give each child their own style or method, and avoid comparisons yourself. Different drawing methods, like grid drawing for one child and step-by-step for another, can help each feel like the expert in something.

Sibling comparison is one of the fastest ways to make a child quit drawing. An older sibling's drawings will usually look more polished because of age and practice, and younger children notice. Sometimes it is the other way around, and an older child feels outshone.

What not to do

Do not say "Why can't you draw like your brother?"
Do not hang one child's art and not the other's.
Do not rank drawings, even jokingly.
Do not ask siblings to judge each other's work.

Focus on each child's progress

Compare a child only with their own past work. Keep a separate folder for each child and look back with them individually. "Look how your people have changed since summer!"

Give each child their own lane

Different methods can help kids feel unique. One child might love step-by-step cartoons while another enjoys careful grid drawing. Draw by Grid: Cartoon People lets kids draw whole cartoon people square by square, which can produce really impressive results for a careful, patient child who feels outshone by a faster-drawing sibling.

Turn competition into collaboration

Draw together. One draws a character, the other draws its friend.
Comic teams. One writes, the other draws.
Swap and add. Each adds one thing to the other's drawing.

Acknowledge feelings

If your child says "My sister draws better," try: "It can feel frustrating when someone seems better. She's had more practice. You're getting better every time you draw too." Validate, then redirect to their own growth.

Questions parents ask

How do I stop siblings comparing their drawings?

Avoid comparisons yourself, focus each child on their own progress, give them different drawing styles or projects, and encourage collaboration.

Why does my child give up drawing when their sibling draws better?

Comparison can make children feel they will never measure up. Helping them see their own improvement and giving them their own niche can restore confidence.

Should siblings use the same drawing book?

They can, but some families find it helps to give each child a different subject or method so each feels like the expert.

More in confidence and character, or browse all 217 posts on the blog.