difficult in pink ribbon

via meghann stephenson on ig

oil on canvas

While anyone can learn arts and practice, it's false that anyone can become really skilled in the arts if they just practice enough. You do need to have some natural talent to become really successful and good in art. Otherwise we all would be next Picasso, da Vincis or Yoshitaka Amanos. Just by practicing.

There was a rugby player who said that swimmers don't have that kind of a body because they swim. They swim because they have that kind of a body. He said that he has not obtained his own frame because of rugby but he is a rugby player because his natural body type is fitted for rugby.

We need to understand this also in art. You're not skilled in art because you are only practicing enough. You do art because you are, in a way or another, suited for making art. Perhaps you can see and understand colors better than others. Perhaps your geometric understanding is good. Perhaps you really understand anatomy easily.

Same with singing. Not anyone can become the next Big Star just by practicing singing a lot. You need to have some natural talent to it, same way as with the rugby player and the swimmer.

It doesn't mean you haven't practiced and put lots of work in your art. Sure you have! The same way as an Olympic swimmer has put effort on their development. Still, not everyone is ever going to reach the level of a professional swimmer no matter what they do or how much they practice. The same way not everyone can learn, for example, realistic painting. Or painting itself!

This narrative also forgets other art forms than realistic and semi-realistic styles. Or really gorgeous children book illustrations. Perhaps your aim shouldn't be in becoming a realistic painter but Miroco Machiko. Perhaps your skills lay in an abstract art or conceptual art. Perhaps you are a really talented storyboard artist.

So, just little something if you feel like you need to practice your ass of and you're not talented enough. Perhaps you aren't. I'm not myself either. I could never learn how to paint realistic stuff. Or sculpt, I'm horrible in sculpting. But it's OK. I can do other stuff, art in other ways and forms. I've drawn over 35 years and studied art and I'm not even near of many skilled people. But it's OK because I have fun with my own art. That is important.

Also, you don't need to aim for a professional level unless you wish to work with companies. Those who don't understand art, like big corporations, see art only as "How much of a photo this art looks like" as an only talent.

Not everyone needs to be professional or can. We all have a certain level in ANYTHING we do which we can reach, only. No matter what. Otherwise anyone could become professionals in anything ever with just practice

All skill levels are OK! All art styles are OK!

Don’t disunite yourself.

“i don’t know what to draw”

“i always mess up”

“BUT I SUCK”