Draw and paint. You can learn it! It is as simple as that. The question is …. How much time are you willing to spend?
Draw and paint every day.
I teach many oil painting and pastel painting workshops and have taught studio art classes for many years and the one thing I hear over and over again from my beginning students is “My drawing looks childish”. “I have no ability” or better still, “I have not talent!” “Talent!”… I love that word.. Yes, there are a few prodigies in every category in life but most successful artists are not “born” that way. They are encouraged!
A child is taught the basic skills of learning to journey through this world, We teach them everything from learning to read and write, knowing right from wrong, and all other sorts of necessary information. Does a child sit down and write their name perfectly the first time? No… there are three factors involved here.
1) They have to have instruction how to write their name.
2) They have to WANT to write their name.
3) They have to practice writing their name.
Those are the key factors in the success of anything! I ask my adult students “How many of you expect to sit at a piano and play like Mozart?” No one raises their hands. Yet when it comes to being an artist, they expect to be able to paint like the old masters! Usually the artwork in museums that we adore is not the artist’s first attempt at painting. It was years of practice with the highs and lows of trying, achieving and failing. Then getting back on track and trying again.
People who draw well (or do anything well actually) are encouraged. A child who is told he is a good artist at an early age will love to draw and paint. They will do it more (practice) because they are praised for it and they like to do it. The parents will get them art lessons so they excel faster. And there is the cycle of success.
If you dream of being an artist or just becoming better at art, the key is to get instruction and practice!!
How many of you will become good artists? All of you who persevere! Do you have the will to follow your dream?
Sharon Morley, December 13, 2015