Does anyone wish they could draw or produce art but can't?

[CyberCubed]

Ever since I was a kid I've never been able to draw. And when I mean that, I mean draw "good art" not just stuff that resembles a 7 year olds art.

I've always been a fan of comic book art as a kid, as well as seeing fanart for cartoons/anime/videogame characters on deviantart over there, yet I have no artistic talent whatsoever. I always wish I could draw my favorite characters from stuff I grew up watching yet I simply can't do it.

I also love looking at paintings. Especially at museums.

I guess being an artist is something you have to be born with? Its like having a musical talent, you just have to be born with this stuff. Anyone else here wish they could draw but never could?

[tmnt transformer]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

Ever since I was a kid I've never been able to draw. And when I mean that, I mean draw "good art" not just stuff that resembles a 7 year olds art.

I've always been a fan of comic book art as a kid, as well as seeing fanart for cartoons/anime/videogame characters on deviantart over there, yet I have no artistic talent whatsoever. I always wish I could draw my favorite characters from stuff I grew up watching yet I simply can't do it.

I also love looking at paintings. Especially at museums.

I guess being an artist is something you have to be born with? Its like having a musical talent, you just have to be born with this stuff. Anyone else here wish they could draw but never could?

For once you actually make since... I'm with you on this boat. I can kind of draw in wind waker toon style, but being a perfectionist, I always stop after a little while. If only I could draw some of the things I can imagine...

[pandaderek]

What you're describing is more copy or modify someone else's art...fan-art, basically. The, only, originality in fan-art is how the artist networks images that have already been imagined. So, if your complaint is about your ability to reproduce images, then it does require some kind of gifted skill. But, art is not limited to drawing and many of these gifted drawing artists struggle more in other art mediums. So, it's most likely that your more skilled in some other form of art, but, have been raised to appreciate art forms that are not within your skill level.

[Zulithe]

Nothing special about most artists, they just have something in them that makes them do it until they are good at it.

http://petitpotato.tumblr.com/post/9...mind-myself-of

You can do it too if you can devote the time to do so, but most won't because other things take priority for them. I feel that way about most things, especially art. Look at how fascinated people are by music. Most people could sing quite well with very little training, we see it ALL THE TIME in movies when huge movie stars decide they are going to do a musical. You just have to decide you are going to do it.

[Zatoichi]

Everyone is their own worst critic.


I started drawing myself earlier this year.

http://i.imgur.com/kpZcpyA.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GukG5rk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zGcjjtT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FUp7y1M.jpg


I'm trying to draw more but it can be hard to get started and get motivated to draw. I can give one bit of advice though: Always use references, some of the best artists I follow on Deviant Art and FA almost always use references.

[Metalwolf]

Originally Posted by Zatoichi

Everyone is their own worst critic.


I started drawing myself earlier this year.

http://i.imgur.com/kpZcpyA.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GukG5rk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/zGcjjtT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FUp7y1M.jpg


I'm trying to draw more but it can be hard to get started and get motivated to draw. I can give one bit of advice though: Always use references, some of the best artists I follow on Deviant Art and FA almost always use references.

Very nice

And Zatoitchi is right, try to use references whenever you get stuck.

One thing I will say though as someone who has been drawing ever since they were four (so about 30 years): You WILL mess up often, and many times you WILL be erasing a lot. This goes for long time artists as well as new. There is also an 'awkward stage' that many artists go through, often it's where the art isn't up to par to personal standards yet, which tends to make many people give up before they get better. Many people have this around age 10 or so, where either inner criticism or peers deem their attempts inadequate. If the person can push through this and keep practicing, they very often get better. But it does take time. It took me awhile, and I am self taught. I am also always learning.

My favorite er, medium is colored pencils and pens, and I tend to gravitate towards a 'realistic' style (no exaggerated features.) Exaggerated is pretty hard for me to do, and I struggled (and still do) with anime style quite a bit. I draw whatever I am most intensely interested in, and mostly for myself (although I don't mind if others want to look at it.) I tend to draw things that mean the most to me or for whimsey, so that tends to be my main motivation.

[Powder]

Originally Posted by Zulithe

You can do it too if you can devote the time to do so, but most won't because other things take priority for them. I feel that way about most things, especially art. Look at how fascinated people are by music. Most people could sing quite well with very little training, we see it ALL THE TIME in movies when huge movie stars decide they are going to do a musical. You just have to decide you are going to do it.

This. If I really wanna do something, I find a way. I've taught myself how to play numerous instruments, sing, rap, draw, paint, you name it. If you're truly invested, dedicated, you'll make it happen. Try & try again, they say, but of course you can't improve without studying, using references, etc.

[Archon_Turtle]

Originally Posted by Powder

This. If I really wanna do something, I find a way. I've taught myself how to play numerous instruments, sing, rap, draw, paint, you name it. If you're truly invested, dedicated, you'll make it happen. Try & try again, they say, but of course you can't improve without studying, using references, etc.

I totally remember when Powder sucked at drawing! And now he doesn't! /backhandedcomplement <3

[Powder]

Originally Posted by Archon_Turtle

I totally remember when Powder sucked at drawing! And now he doesn't! /backhandedcomplement <3

It's true! In like 3-4 years I went from doing stuff like this-

Spoiler:

to stuff like this-

Spoiler:

& I've even gotten to do some work with various Mirage TMNT artists (some of which paid!). So I say, just keep at it, find the right tools & resources, keep your expectations realistic, & take part in a community that can give you constructive criticism. I think interest in the arts can be natural, that doesn't necessarily mean the talent is. You just need an eye for things like perspective, lighting, etc, & it's not that hard to attain if you study.

[ProactiveMan]

I had a teacher once who said he'd never met someone who couldn't draw, except a guy who had no thumbs, and even he could do it once they made him a prosthetic.

I think the daunting thing for some people is visualisation. Some can copy images that they see in their mind onto paper, others don't seem to be able to. The cool thing is that you can learn other methods of drawing that are more structural; you don't necessarily have to be good at picturing things mentally, if that makes sense.

[Prowler]

For once, I can relate to what CyberCubed says.

I've always sucked at drawing and struggled at art class. I can draw a Ninja Turtle, more or less, but they look kinda ridiculous and as id they had been drawn by an 8 year old. The only stuff that I can draw flawlessly are country flags(unless they have elaborate coat of arms, obviously), Nintendo's and Sega's logo, the Triforce and such. I can't even get my favorite sports team crest done right even though I do try it once in a while. Now that is embarrassing.

I do appreciate art, whether sculptures, paintings or just simple drawings. That's why I love animation so much. It's a great imaginative way to tell a story.

I'm sure I could improve if I practiced, but you always gotta have some talent. And besides, it's not like I need good art skills to survive, meaning it's tough to find motivation to do something about it. I find more important to improve my math, which is awful. I wish places like Khan Academy existed when I was a little kid.

Originally Posted by Powder

This. If I really wanna do something, I find a way. I've taught myself how to play numerous instruments, sing, rap, draw, paint, you name it. If you're truly invested, dedicated, you'll make it happen. Try & try again, they say, but of course you can't improve without studying, using references, etc.

I've been teaching myself German for about 2 years now. I've learnt more in a year than I did in 3 years of it in high school. Everyone is different, but I learn things better on my own than when taught by someone else.

[Netkeeper]

I used to be that person, too. Like Powder, let me demonstrate:

Spoiler:

Here's some old shame; if I had to take a guess, I'd say this was probably drawn in around 2009. Compare it to this, which I did just a few days ago:

Spoiler:

Every artist starts with ******** that looks like what a kindergartener drew. This isn't something you're born with. It's a skill that's developed through practice; the reason why it SEEMS like art is an innate talent is because they don't post every single ****up they draw. You don't see the progression.

All a drawing is, is a series of connected lines. Start with basic shapes to give you an idea of where those lines are supposed to go.


Then fill in some details, remembering things like eyes and ears being at around the same level on a human face, and the nose being just below it.


Then holy ****, Layton here's gonna need Phoenix Wright's defense skills, because he's about to get accused of witchcraft: Magic starts happening all over the ****in place when you erase the guidelines.


And the last part: draw over your sketch so it doesn't look like your arm spasmed all over the page.


Congratulations, you can now draw something badly. Now draw it again. Then draw it again. And for some variation, draw it again. Eventually it won't look like ass.

[BubblyShell22]

I took a basic drawing class in college and I was amazed at what I could do while looking at things. That's how it starts until you get so good that you don't need to look at pictures anymore and can just do it from memory. I'm not to that skill level myself, but I loved that class and really loved how I drew things and did well at it.

I felt the same way about writing stories. I never really thought about it until high school when I just started making my own original stories. Sure, they were crappy, but I still liked what I had. Then I discovered the world of fan fiction in 2004, and I haven't looked back since then. You just have to keep practicing and you'll be good at it.

Believe me though, I feel you, Cubed. I feel that way about sports, but I'll never be good because of my visual impairment, and that's okay. It doesn't have to be about being good but just having fun.

[Netkeeper]

Yes, exactly. It isn't about skill level -- it's about fun. And drawing really is a lot of fun.

If you're concerned about a lack of skill taking away from your enjoyment, my advice is to just keep going with it because after a while, you will learn to enjoy the art regardless of your own perceived skill level; I used to be SO self-conscious of my artwork and it kept me from having fun. I'm not sure when things changed, but I stuck with it and eventually I stopped caring because damn, ****'s fun.

Another tip: look at an artist's sketches. Looking at just the finished product can make trying to draw something very daunting and it can be difficult to mentally break it down into simple shapes for sketching. Don't fall into that trap. Go look for sketches, they make the whole process look much less intimidating.

I have a friend that I used to watch draw. I learned how to draw human faces by watching her do it. And if you want an artist to watch, a lot of them hold livestreams for their art nowadays. You just gotta find them.

[Jephael]

I love drawing the Ninja Turtles, but that's about the only thing I'm good at. I've done a couple drawings of human characters like Superman and Captain America though, so I may try drawing more DC and Marvel stuff down the road.

http://jephael.deviantart.com/art/Su...hael-417432431
http://jephael.deviantart.com/art/Ca...hael-461519720

For all my TMNT art, here's my fan site: http://www.thegreenlanterncorps.com/jephael/art.htm

[Slade]

I used to make my grandmother draw my superman and turtle toys. Then I would copy them over and over. That's what got me started.

[DarkFell]

Anyone can draw but not everyone has fun with drawing up stuff simply because they can get too judgmental over their progression.

Try your hand at different art mediums: if drawing up artwork isn't your thing, then practice sculpting, painting, Photoshop, photography, ect. Art isn't limited to just a pencil, eraser, and paper.

[Gunpowder]

Originally Posted by CyberCubed

I guess being an artist is something you have to be born with? Its like having a musical talent, you just have to be born with this stuff.

That's very much the truth. I can draw decently - some say "amazingly", but I don't like to overdo it like that - and that's because I practically came out of the womb holding a pencil. I've been drawing my entire life and I'm constantly trying to better myself.

The thing is, as most people on here have said, it takes time and dedication. And lots of it. Which is why it's easier to maintain any talent that's been with you since you were young. Otherwise, you take a crack at it, compare your work to other people's work, and immediately assume your work is trash. So you stop trying. That's the unfortunate reality of it, but it doesn't mean you can't become good at it; it only means you're starting late.

[Davetello]

I have no art skills, I'm pretty sh it at it in all truth. But I wouldn't particularly like to be better, no. I really enjoy looking at art made by talented people, but I have no desire to be good at drawing, painting etc myself. It's just not something I've ever had any interest in taking part in.

My talents lie more in academia than creativity or artistry. The singular exception to this is when I am playing soccer, I'm very creative there. But in all other places I'm more analytical and evaluative than creative.

[Whatswiththeheadbands?]

Cubed, all you need to do if you wished you could draw, is practise. It may be a bit cliche for me to say this, but practise makes you better. Find something you want to draw, and draw it as best as you can. Then step back, look at what needs to improve, and then try to work on improving it.