In the world of art, the term ‘talent’ comes up frequently, as if it were a prerequisite for becoming a good artist. Many beginners believe they lack talent, and that without it, they will never reach the level of the artists they admire.
We naturally believe that being gifted is essential to achieve a high level in drawing.
But is this really the case? Do we necessarily need that ‘extra something’ to succeed in our drawing journey? Let’s take a closer look.
In this article, we will approach talent as simply a remarkable and spectacular aptitude, an innate and rare ability. This is often how the word ‘talent’ is understood, and unfortunately, it can intimidate beginner artists in drawing.
Discover our free guide to learn drawing for beginners. You’ll get practical methods and exercises you can apply right away.
1 - The Problem Posed by Talent
It’s easy to believe that we must possess an innate gift to be good artists. It’s even very gratifying when someone says, “Wow, you’re so talented, you were clearly meant for this!”
This flatters our ego, and we feel more legitimate to draw. Suddenly, we draw with more assurance and confidence.
But let’s ask ourselves: can we really draw anatomy purely by instinct, without ever studying it? Not really.
It is true that some individuals learn drawing skills more quickly. They may also be less discouraged or more motivated.
Differences in personality and approach often make us think that certain people possess “talent.” However, most of the time, we fail to realize how hard they have worked to learn to draw at that level.
2 - Why Drawing Is a Learnable Skill
Most people who start drawing do not realize that it is a skill that can be learned. It develops through practice, training, and understanding—just like sports.
An athlete learns to understand how their muscles work. They train consistently to achieve results. Drawing follows the same path: it’s not about a natural gift, but perseverance.
With simple methods, good organization, and regular practice, anyone can learn to draw and improve their drawing skills.
It’s not a special gift that allows us to learn how to draw. It’s rather perseverance and a positive mindset that make the difference.
By adopting simple methods, organizing our work well, and practicing regularly, we can achieve significant results. Since drawing is just a skill like any other, it can be developed and is accessible to everyone.
3 - Talent is an Excuse
The question of whether someone “without talent” can equal someone “with talent” through practice hides fear and frustration.
Faced with the idea of lacking talent, we may ask ourselves: why put in the effort if we can never reach the level of great artists?
This is the biggest mistake and the most limiting belief. Drawing for beginners doesn’t require talent: it requires effort and mindset.
The beginner often hesitates to take the plunge into drawing because of the fear of failure. They imagine in advance that they will never learn to draw well, that they will not succeed in developing real drawing skills.
This fear is entirely human, and every artist has felt it at least once—even the best. We compare ourselves to others, underestimate our abilities, and convince ourselves we are not capable before even starting.
That’s why so many beginner artists hesitate to begin. They keep putting it off and end up never starting their drawing journey. Years later, they look back with regret and the bitter feeling that they “missed their chance.”
But what if, instead of automatically expecting failure, we anticipated success? What if, instead of underestimating ourselves, we imagined that anyone can learn to draw and even excel? With such a mindset, who knows what artistic wonders we could achieve?
⚠️ We all start somewhere, often without in-depth drawing knowledge or specific artistic skills. Every beginner artist must go through this somewhat embarrassing phase where they struggle to draw. It’s entirely normal in the learning process.
Despite the fear, it is practice and action that determine our ability to improve and succeed in drawing. What matters most is the courage to keep going and to move forward. Talent alone is not what makes artists successful.
In reality, it’s their perseverance, their consistent drawing practice, and their daily commitment that have brought them to the artistic level they have today. They learned, experimented, and trained tirelessly until reaching their current skills!
If they succeeded, why not you? With the same determination and the will to progress, you can achieve just as much in your art journey, if not more.
4 - Nothing is Innate, Everything is Learned
Once we understand that drawing is primarily a learnable skill, everything becomes achievable.
We often forget how much of a beginner we once were in any field. Once a skill is acquired, it feels “natural.” But it wasn’t innate, it was learned.
A handy person can easily hang a frame on the wall. But a few years earlier, they first had to learn the basics of how to properly fix something to the wall.
Just like in drawing, every skill starts with confusion and mistakes. With practice, learning, and the right tools, what once felt impossible becomes second nature.
A skill, no matter how simple, is never innate. You first learned it, either on your own or with guidance from someone who already had that skill. Through regular practice and deliberate effort, it becomes automatic.
Just like learning to draw, any skill develops over time with consistent practice and focused learning.
5 - The 10,000-Hour Rule
Psychologist K. Anders Ericsson developed the 10,000-hour theory in the 1990s. According to him, mastering any discipline and reaching a high level of excellence: whether in music, sports, or drawing skills, depends primarily on consistent practice, not innate talent.
Ericsson questioned the idea of natural talent and conducted a study with three groups of violinists, all starting practice at age 5 but with different levels of training intensity:
- The first group reached 10,000 hours of practice.
- The second group accumulated 8,000 hours of practice.
- The third group plateaued at 4,000 hours of practice.
🔎 The first group became internationally recognized solo musicians. The second group reached a good level of proficiency. The last group remained amateurs.
The point here is not to suggest you should spend 10,000 hours nonstop practicing. The key takeaway is that hard work and deliberate practice are what truly lead to success and mastery in any field, including learning to draw.
Malcolm Gladwell, journalist at The New Yorker, examines this theory in his book: ‘Outliers’.
He analyzes the factors that contributed to the success of individuals like Bill Gates and highlights that consistent practice, rather than innate talent, is the primary factor in achieving expertise.
6 - We Don't See Our Own Progress
One evening, while sorting through some things, I came across old drawings. I thought I had been stagnant for months, but seeing them made me realize the progress I had made in my drawing skills.
The brain often struggles to recognize the full journey taken to reach our current level, no matter the skill, whether it’s drawing, music, or sports.
It may feel easier to draw today, as if it had always been that way. The shortcut is tempting, and that’s likely why the idea of talent appears, making it seem like certain skills are innate.
It’s crucial to understand that we are responsible for our current level. Our past choices and the time we invested explain the drawing skills we have today. Through consistent practice and perseverance, we achieve our artistic goals.
If a child shows interest in drawing from an early age, they spend more time practicing than others, which naturally gives them a more advanced level. Someone who discovers drawing in adulthood will have a lower starting point. That’s perfectly logical.
There is no magic, and there is no inherent talent here! The development of any skill—especially learning to draw—is purely a matter of choice, deliberate practice, and time invested.
7 - Learning Intelligently
We often think we understand something just by looking at it. The brain assumes it fully comprehends the object and can therefore represent it visually. Unfortunately, learning to draw is not that straightforward.
Drawing is not innate; it is learned through strategies, structured methodologies, and practical techniques. It’s essential to remember that practicing blindly will never lead to significant improvement in your drawing skills.
Practicing without a logical approach risks stagnation and reinforces the common myth that drawing requires talent.
On the other hand, adopting a methodical and structured learning approach allows you to progress steadily. Your results will demonstrate that anyone can learn to draw, regardless of initial skill level.
8 - No Need for Talent, Only Commitment
It is not necessary to have talent to learn to draw. What truly matters is having the right mindset and commitment.
Realize that you already have all the tools in your hands to reach your ideal drawing skills. It simply requires action and consistent practice.
Commit to becoming the artist you aspire to be, to progress despite difficulties, and to immerse yourself fully in drawing. Surround yourself with the best possible resources to accelerate your learning.
With determination and a willingness to learn, you can undoubtedly achieve your artistic goals. Every day is a good day to practice and improve your skills!
But most importantly, have fun and maintain that sense of wonder that comes with discovering the world. Among all successful artists, the common thread is not talent, it’s their ability to see the world differently, to keep learning every day, and to take joy in exploring, observing, and practicing.
To conclude
Drawing is absolutely not a matter of talent. Some people may have more “extraordinary” abilities than others, but that doesn’t mean you cannot succeed!
What truly matters is learning to draw with the right methods and strategies, approaches that most beginners haven’t been taught.
Success in drawing comes down to perseverance, consistent practice, and deliberate application. It’s not the difficulty itself that will hold you back, but how you approach challenges, overcome obstacles, and continue learning.
With dedication, anyone can learn to draw and develop their drawing skills to a high level. ✍️
8 comments
Until now, I was discouraged, and I didn’t even want to hear about drawing. After reading this text, I feel more motivated to get back into drawing. Thank you for these words of encouragement! 🥰
With great pleasure, so happy it can give you the desire and confidence to get back into it! ☀️
Wow… Bullseye! Thank you so much for this reminder! Now I feel more ready than ever to take up this activity again!! Thank you a thousand times!!! 🙂
Oh, I’m so glad it could help! Have a great restart and happy drawing 🥰
For sure, it’s decided. Today, I’m going to start drawing humbly, just like when I was a child and loved doing it without ever talking about it to anyone. You’ve touched my heart, and I thank you for that
I’m so happy that the content could inspire you to pick up a pencil again. ✏️ I wish you lots of joy in this pursuit, and above all, have fun!
I had already drawn faces with pencils when I was 15 years old, and they turned out quite well…. Life goes on…. work, family…. Now that I am retired, I will take it up again…. Thank you a thousand times
With great pleasure! I hope the little tips on the blog will help you get back into it smoothly ✏️