I believe in hard work and in practice, because it doesn’t always come like magic. And that you can learn pretty much anything if you put your mind to it.
I think the progress and process is magical itself, bringing to life something from an idea to finished creation. But the process is often ugly and frustrating too, and I just want artists (especially younger ones) to know there's so much behind all the pretty pictures that a lot of artists post. Those artworks are cream of the cream.
I think about 20% of my art makes in to social media, the ones polished to "perfection". A lot of exercises, sketches, abandoned and messed up drawings are never even seen by anyone. I believe drawing and painting is a skill that anyone can learn. And although some people might have a better eye for colour and shape than others, even that can be learned. Some people learn certain things quicker, and some people need more time to learn and practice. We're all unique and shouldn't compare our day 1 to someone's day 500.
All professional artists and those amazing illustrators started somewhere as well. They progressed over time and probably also gave up at times and thought “ I could never be great at this”. You'll be really bad at something before you become really good at it. You don't see their struggles, you don't see everything they've been though.
So draw, practice every day, watch tutorials, and if art school is something you really really want to do and can afford, then go for it. And if not, there's nothing wrong with being self taught either! I’m self taught! Take breaks if you feel burnt out. Do something else for a bit or just draw for yourself to simply love it instead of trying to please everyone else. Trust the process and the progress. It will come if you stick with it.
You've come this far, so keep going!🤍
Ps. This drawing is from last year but still one of my absolute favourites 🤍 (it’s okay to repost and recycle your art 😁)
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