Good drawing - is it just talent or can it be learned?

[caudor]

One thing I can't do well is draw (or paint). Yet, I see advertising from different art schools and how-to books that say that anyone that can tie their shoes can draw. I've even tried some of the books, but whatever the right stuff is---I obviously don't have it. I would love to be able to draw, but I don't see this as attainable in my case.

It is assumed that just about any child can learn to read (and most do); however, not just anyone can draw well. Is drawing an talent one is born with, or can people like me learn with hard work and training? Or does it require both talent and training?

Perhaps there are parts of the brain that develop in some people and does not in others. What do you think?

 

[Bront]

Both.

I'll never be a great drawer, but mostly because I have trouble with a steady hand while writing, and my penmanship is nearly unledgable (even to me)(strangely, I can paint miniatures fairly well)

 

[Del]

It took 24 years or so but my illustration is starting to come around. Like anything visual art can be bettered with practice, practice, practice.

 

[Aeric]

I've been drawing since I was a little kid, I even went to art school for a couple of years, and all too often I see websites of artists online who are a hundred times better than me at half my age. So I'm inclined to think that it is a matter of natural talent. However, if you don't develop that talent, it will never improve (which is part of my problem--I'm a lazy artist).

 

[Aus_Snow]

Is drawing an talent one is born with, or can people like me learn with hard work and training? Or does it require both talent and training?

Perhaps there are parts of the brain that develop in some people and does not in others. What do you think?

It's dedication and training. Or fascination and practice - that might be closer to what I'm trying to say.

If it's a persistent fascination, a lasting passion, there is very little that can stop you (or anyone else) becoming skilled at it.

Much as it's heavily loaded, I'd say 'faith' is another word that might be applicable here. Faith in oneself, that is. It works wonders, miracles even, daily.

 

[MonsterMash]

Artists are born then made - you can always improve by practice, but everyone has certain things that they find easier than others.

 

[UniversalMonster]

I think you can learn it.

The only thing you really get born with is the creativity which might inspire a person to draw. A person born with that creativity- which is a drive- spends a lot of time drawing, and becomes a skilled artist over time.

But drawing itelf is a mechanical ability to control a pencil and you just have to practice it.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

It is more a passion, a drive a constant yearning for wanting to do it. If you don't have fuel the fire it isn't easy to get it off the ground. But you can try. Take a course in art at your local college for a semester - if you find that you enjoy it and that you feel you have a desire to continue, then do so. Finding a passion is the single hardest thing we as human beings have a hard time doing, but it is never too late to try.

 

[devilbat]

I agree that artisists are born not made. I've tried going the class route, on trying to learn to draw, and it did not go well.

 

[GlassJaw]

I have to agree with the born not made crowd. That's not to say you can't be trained though, you just won't go as far as someone with natural talent. Same goes for someone with natural talent but never has any training. Talent gives you a great head start and higher "cap" but you still need to develop that talent.

Same goes for music as well. I've always picked up music and understood how it all works pretty easily. Some people just "get it".

The whole Neo being the One from the Matrix is a pretty good analogy. Eventually, he didn't need to think about it anymore - it becomes natural. Some people just have the sight for drawing or the ear for music. Chess is a good example too. Some people can just see "beyond" the board. Others have to think through one move at a time.