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how long does it take to be good at making art?
i feel like ive started too late in learning a new skill. there are many artist who can make amazing drawing or animations that are 5 years younger than me i feel like i started to late. so how long will it take me to get better?
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8 answers
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer
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Paul’s Answer
Grandma Moses was in her 80's when she started serious painting and created some of the most beautiful examples of folk art in history.
So age is really not an issue. I would keep at it, keep developing your skills. Possibly begin to develop your abilities in other areas of art and become a generalist. Take courses in ceramics, painting, watercolors. Skills can be unusual sometimes. If we flex our skills into other areas it can benefit our skills in another. Sort of like an art version of decathlon. Decathletes train in throwing, jumping and are good at all of them. They can even run middle distances well, because they are cross trained in other areas. Cross training in art might be helpful. Your art skills could benefit in the long term due to the increased development of artistic potential.
So age is really not an issue. I would keep at it, keep developing your skills. Possibly begin to develop your abilities in other areas of art and become a generalist. Take courses in ceramics, painting, watercolors. Skills can be unusual sometimes. If we flex our skills into other areas it can benefit our skills in another. Sort of like an art version of decathlon. Decathletes train in throwing, jumping and are good at all of them. They can even run middle distances well, because they are cross trained in other areas. Cross training in art might be helpful. Your art skills could benefit in the long term due to the increased development of artistic potential.
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hi Sebastian! First, it is never, ever too late. Second, engaging in any kind of art, including drawing, is about so much more than how "good" you are at it, or even if the finished piece is commercially viable. There are so very many benefits that we can receive from practicing art. It is a process that opens our minds to learning, adventure, and developing new ways of seeing and understanding. You can choose to make your art journey about what ever you want it to be, and it will always be worth your time and attention.
As far as becoming a commercial success, I hope the following stories about very successful artists who started late in life will inspire you. The awesome thing about art is that no one sees the world exactly as you do!
https://theabundantartist.com/5-late-bloomers-that-changed-the-art-world/
https://blog.redbubble.com/2014/05/6-artists-who-started-very-late-in-life/
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/23/judith-kerr-obituary
As far as becoming a commercial success, I hope the following stories about very successful artists who started late in life will inspire you. The awesome thing about art is that no one sees the world exactly as you do!
https://theabundantartist.com/5-late-bloomers-that-changed-the-art-world/
https://blog.redbubble.com/2014/05/6-artists-who-started-very-late-in-life/
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/may/23/judith-kerr-obituary
Updated
Samuel’s Answer
It is never too late until you give your last breath. It is also time to realize that there will always be a better artist. I recall being so frustrated with myself because I could only "Copy" things. However, that is how I got better. The only way you will not get better is if you don't do it. Become obsessed! Try to get feed back & take a compliment even if you know they are just trying to be nice. Realize, also that often we are our own worst critic so take it easy on yourself; try to find the parts of your work that you like & know you have approved on. Study the masters; they were once novices. Recognize the little successes. Get a sketch book & fill it up... there's nothing more rewarding than a sketch book without a blank page despite the quality of work. Lastly, have fun!
Get a sketch book.
Get the most generic bic pen... forget about erasing.
Draw something you see.
Turn the page
Samuel recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Cornelia’s Answer
Hey Paul :)
As a current student in art school I can say that I’ve been where you are and what I’ve found is that skill isn’t based on age or even talent in some cases but instead, time spent actually doing art. People that are really passionate about art will be working at it all the time, just because they want to! Practice never makes perfect but it always makes you better. If you enjoy something enough you will inevitably get good at it. The first step to being good at art is to enjoy making art!
As a current student in art school I can say that I’ve been where you are and what I’ve found is that skill isn’t based on age or even talent in some cases but instead, time spent actually doing art. People that are really passionate about art will be working at it all the time, just because they want to! Practice never makes perfect but it always makes you better. If you enjoy something enough you will inevitably get good at it. The first step to being good at art is to enjoy making art!
Updated
Reyna’s Answer
Hi, Sebastian! Don't let yourself get done. You are never too young or old to learn a new skill. Nothing wrong with feeling like you aren't where you should be. We are still learning and growing.
I personally am still learning. I have roughly about 9 years as an art major (including high school). There are still techniques that I'm still mastering. I have personally felt like I had fallen behind. Something I can recommend; take an art class (whether for fun or to learn), don't pressure yourself to "create", just start drawing/doodling, and watch videos! Something else I have personally been trying to do is; use other objects to paint. Something else that I have learned. Find YOUR technique. Don't pressure yourself to be like everyone else. Do and create art that you love! Be unapologetically you! Once you let go of that stress and pressure. You'd be surprised what you can make. Another thing I have learned currently; think outside the box! Let EVERYONE see YOUR style.
Wishing you the best of luck! I hope my small bite of advice helps.
I personally am still learning. I have roughly about 9 years as an art major (including high school). There are still techniques that I'm still mastering. I have personally felt like I had fallen behind. Something I can recommend; take an art class (whether for fun or to learn), don't pressure yourself to "create", just start drawing/doodling, and watch videos! Something else I have personally been trying to do is; use other objects to paint. Something else that I have learned. Find YOUR technique. Don't pressure yourself to be like everyone else. Do and create art that you love! Be unapologetically you! Once you let go of that stress and pressure. You'd be surprised what you can make. Another thing I have learned currently; think outside the box! Let EVERYONE see YOUR style.
Wishing you the best of luck! I hope my small bite of advice helps.
Updated
Mona’s Answer
Hello Sebastian,
It is wonderful that you want to get into the art field. First, let me tell you that learning art is like an unending course; really, it's a journey, and the sky is the limit. So, it is never soon and never late :) It all comes back to how much you are passionate about it and how making art can make you feel or affect your well-being and life.
If you want to improve your skills, you need to practice on a daily basis. And as everyone mentioned, you should consider learning different techniques and working with other mediums and tools. This will help you understand your artistic language, develop your style, and, more importantly, find your niche while gaining good skill sets.
The artwork is successful when it can be relatable, communicative, and evoke intended emotions in the audience. The execution, techniques, and expertise come in second.
I don't think anybody can say they have gotten to a point where they don't need to practice, for example, drawing anymore because they are excellent at it. Even if that's true to some extent, if they don't keep practicing, they will lose their finery and agility, just like an athlete who might lose their flexibility by not keeping themselves in good physical condition.
Do not compare yourself to anyone but yourself. If you are creating better art this week than last, that's skill improvement, and you are getting good at it. We all learn at different paces and with various methods, so if you like making art, keep making it.
Studying and watching other artists' works helps a lot in learning different approaches. And learning how to analyze an artwork, including yours, can help you develop better skills and advance.
I hope this was helpful to you. Below, I added some links on how to get better at art. Check them out if you have time; they are useful.
I wish you the best of luck and lots of joy and success with your art.
https://mirandabalogh.com/improve-your-art/
https://emptyeasel.com/2011/06/13/9-ways-to-boost-your-artistic-creativity/
https://medium.com/@noahbradley/21-days-to-be-a-better-artist-48087576f0dd
It is wonderful that you want to get into the art field. First, let me tell you that learning art is like an unending course; really, it's a journey, and the sky is the limit. So, it is never soon and never late :) It all comes back to how much you are passionate about it and how making art can make you feel or affect your well-being and life.
If you want to improve your skills, you need to practice on a daily basis. And as everyone mentioned, you should consider learning different techniques and working with other mediums and tools. This will help you understand your artistic language, develop your style, and, more importantly, find your niche while gaining good skill sets.
The artwork is successful when it can be relatable, communicative, and evoke intended emotions in the audience. The execution, techniques, and expertise come in second.
I don't think anybody can say they have gotten to a point where they don't need to practice, for example, drawing anymore because they are excellent at it. Even if that's true to some extent, if they don't keep practicing, they will lose their finery and agility, just like an athlete who might lose their flexibility by not keeping themselves in good physical condition.
Do not compare yourself to anyone but yourself. If you are creating better art this week than last, that's skill improvement, and you are getting good at it. We all learn at different paces and with various methods, so if you like making art, keep making it.
Studying and watching other artists' works helps a lot in learning different approaches. And learning how to analyze an artwork, including yours, can help you develop better skills and advance.
I hope this was helpful to you. Below, I added some links on how to get better at art. Check them out if you have time; they are useful.
I wish you the best of luck and lots of joy and success with your art.
https://mirandabalogh.com/improve-your-art/
https://emptyeasel.com/2011/06/13/9-ways-to-boost-your-artistic-creativity/
https://medium.com/@noahbradley/21-days-to-be-a-better-artist-48087576f0dd
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
sebastian
You're more than welcome.
Mona Ahmadi
Updated
Laura’s Answer
It's never too late! There are many people in the workforce who got what might be considered a late start--but that's just a social convention. Go for it! Ask your friends for help learning the ropes, take online courses, read about the latest technology and trends.
Creativity is innate. It's a gift, and it's yours. Don't be afraid to dive in.
Hope this helps a little.
Creativity is innate. It's a gift, and it's yours. Don't be afraid to dive in.
Hope this helps a little.
Updated
Warren’s Answer
All these other contributors are absolutely correct. It is never too late to create. Don't worry about the outcome as the process of creating is what counts. If you keep creating, something will eventually hit even if not in the way you expected it to. Appreciate your success, learn from your failures and keep practicing.