Is Artistic Ability A Gift Or A Learned Skill?

How many times has someone complimented you on how talented you were? How did it make you feel? I know for me personally, I feel a little uncomfortable when someone says that to me. If only they knew how many years it took me to get where I am. 

I normally will crack a joke and tell them that I had a really lonely childhood. This is mostly true. While other kids were outside playing, I was in my room drawing. Not because I didn’t have friends. I just liked to be alone with my pencils and paper. 

So my big question is, are you born with artistic ability or is it a skill that is learned?

A sketch of a kitten in charcoal. Circa 1996.

I think some people have a genuine god given talent from the very day they are born, (ex. Picasso, Monet, etc.) and others like myself have spent most of our lives honing our skills as artists. I do believe I was born with a little bit of talent, but without a true passion for art and lots of practice, that talent or gift as some would call it would be meaningless. 

Growing up my father drew editorial cartoons for our local newspaper. I would stand over his shoulder and watch in awe as he creating these amazing cartoons. I believe that’s where my first true desire to create art came from. I wanted to be like my dad. 

As I got older I discovered other artists work, most notably Picasso. I would copy him just like I copied my fathers work.

A copy of a Picasso drawing. Circa 1990.

““Every day you don’t practice is a day you’re getting worse.” ~Amy Chua”

A copy of a Picasso drawing. Notice the notes in the corner. Circa 1990.

I notice now when I don’t draw daily, I have a hard time getting my hand to coordinate with my brain. If talent was all it took, I would never have to practice. I could just pick a pencil and draw a masterpiece. Some people probably can. I unfortunately can’t. Practice is key, at least for me.

My early ventures into abstraction. Circa 1997

Abstract sketch in charcoal. Circa 1997.

In my opinion, I think talent only plays a very small role in becoming a really great artist. I think first and foremost you have to have that passion to want to be a great artist. You can’t be lazy. You have to practice often and daily. Think of it like great musicians. They had to practice until they mastered their instrument. The same goes for us. We have to master the pencil or whatever your desired medium is. Stay the course and practice, practice, practice.