Yes. Yes, I can do this! I was down today. I WANT to draw and paint. I want to do it so badly! But I am a busy grandmother with responsibilities and waning energy. I love your tutorials, and have most of what I need to do nice drawings, too. So, I will try again, and soon sign up for your whole course. I know I can! I will be 73 soon, and I need this. Oh, thank you, Matt. You teach so much more than art! Thanks so much!
Go Abigail!🥰 I'm 67 and am learning watercolor and piano. I didn't have time to do this before but I'm retired now and it's the perfect time. Let's cheer each other on as we enjoy our golden years ❤️
I'm an adult learning how to draw and play a musical instrument- things I wanted to do as a child, but, as you said, somewhere along the way, stopped, probably due to feeling "untalented" in these two areas. Loved this. Thank you.
My issue was always i can draw realistic sketches that can blow peoples mind but when i draw from imagination it looks like a 5 years old draw it, now i find out that these amazing artist that drew cool things in comics and others simply jot down reference in their memory and i never really try to remember anything in my mind, so since i don't have reference in my mind there is nothing to draw when i try to imagine. No one can't simply draw with nothing in their mind, even in drawing competition where they don't use reference, hahaha should have known. And some fo the peopel i knew who were good drawers don't even have idea of their own or are they actually smarter than me, not being proud. it was all a fraud to me hehe, if people with less brain power can draw amazing things imagine what a brain with good photgraphic memory can do, so i never really don't have talent i was just misinformed.
I was gifted as a child and picked up drawing and did so really well for my age at the time. What stunted me was the continual praise that I received. It put me in a mindset that I was good and didn’t need to improve and so I stopped. 🥴
Yep. That happens too. I've seen this with a few students over the years. We believe what others tell us so much that we often drown out what we tell ourselves.
Saaaaaame. We're probably in pretty good company with that problem. In my case, I got a certain amount of praise for my art, but plenty of mockery for other things, and insecurity won out pretty completely.
Yeah, the same happened to me I came to hate praise for my artwork. And now I find it hard to start or finish a painting as I am sure it will not be perfect, and if it's not perfect I end up thinking I'm no good at art in any way.
@@ForgeMasterXXL I find that if I put my artwork aside for awhile, when I go back to it I think it's pretty good. I'm always like, "Why did I hate this? It's not that bad." We are our own worst critics!
My drawing instructor in commercial art school was horrible. He told us to look at something, see it, and draw it. That was the extent of the lessons we got with this man. I really wanted to learn how to draw, but this class left me frustrated and I grew to hate drawing. Maybe it is time to start fresh.
'I was born with a pencil in my hand'☺️ My teacher in secondary school said that I can't draw or paint and I was devastated because I loved creating so much. Although she never showed me how good drawing should looks like. No tips no tricks just negative feedback. I didn't stop drawing but lost my self confidence and happiness to share my work. Now I'm 45 and still drawing and painting. Always surprised how I'm stressed before I start new work and how proud I am after finishing it. Still struggling with this negative voice in my head. Still working to believe I can do it and deliver. I know I can draw many things and I'm good at it and maybe she was a good artist but very bad teacher. This bird from my profile picture is my painting and I'm proud of it ☺️ Thank you for this video!!! I just regret that I never met anyone at my younger age to help me build self-confidence in art. My school choices were definitely different. Thank you ❣️
The hummingbird is really good, I thought it was a photograph! Some teachers are just horrible at their job. She probably sucked at art, herself, and tore down other people to make herself feel better. Whatever her problem, you're a good artist, no matter what she said!
I’ve had the same kind of experience. My teacher always had nothing to say about my art while she would praise the art of others. I still need help getting over things like that in life.
@@elise2892 We are our own greatest enemy. Daily practice will make this voice very quiet. I am with you, I get it. I always felt like a part of me was taken away from me, I felt incomplete.
I used to draw portraits of my relatives with pencils, Looking back at them I still think they are good. I was discouraged by comparing myself to others' works on the internet. They were so good, to the point I stopped drawing at all because I believed I would never be able to draw as good as them
I thought the same but then a lot of them use digital. Yes digital is real art but it's not real art if you know what I mean. If someone on digital can put it on paper without using a printer then they're pretty good but you should knock yourself. They have probably top of the line art supplies that you don't have and I'm in the same boat as you but that don't stop me from trying. I'm not great but when I first started the people thought it was good and now they seen my progress.
I'm 35 and I started drawing seriously about 45 days ago and I'm surprised about how much I've improved! I've done an actual great job out of (coloring type comic books) I spent a lot of hours on the best drawings I've done so far but I think I actually developed that amount of patience because I didn't have it when I started! Hopefully I can speed up and get a little more accurate plus I have a really hard time trying to draw something from a (small reference) even if it isn't difficult so I need a decent size reference to work with so I might stick to this idea and hopefully be able to bang away at this night and day, speed up and learn a lot of tricks ect....
i sort of agree to this to some degree but imo it’s the work that each artist puta in that matters. Digital art is much faster to make but puts in the same amount of effort as traditional. After all you still have the draw the sketch and stuff, id say lineart and coloring are the only differences
I just love how people say that "anyone can draw." Ha. The people who say this are people who CAN draw. They can translate from their brain to their eye and their hand and to the paper. That's not "talent" -- that's an eye-brain-hand ability. My brain doesn't work that way. Couldn't do it when I was 3 or 4 or 5. Grade school teachers TRIED to teach me and I WANTED to draw . . . but my brain doesn't work that way.
Thanks for this video, Matt. I'll add a few comments here from my personal experience. I was never an artist as a child. I was forced at an early age to to switch from my dominant left hand to my right hand. I was clumsy, awkward, and very messy. (I still am.) Any attempt I made at drawing was ridiculed. I truly never had a single positive art experience until I decided to learn to draw 7 years ago (at retirement age). I was lucky to find you and your website soon after I started learning. You made such a huge difference for me, Matt. I can't thank you enough. Now, after 7 years, I'm finally developing some sense of "competency" and a bit of confidence. I'm recognizing my uniqueness as an artist, too. I think I'm really ready now to start learning and growing! I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I couldn't have done it without your encouragement. Judith
fab, at 68 i want to learn to draw and play a musical instrument, today is the first day of the rest of my life and now i believe i will carry out my goal.i had 3 goals but i will drop singing.thank you matt exciting days ahead.
This is such an important video, I want to blast it on loudspeakers to the whole world! I also wish someone had told me this when I was a kid, it would have spared me so much heartache thinking that I don’t have “talent” as an artist or that “talent” in writing for example and in drawing are mutually exclusive when in reality it’s all about loving what you do enough to put in hours of practice to get better at it. It was only in my 30s when I read Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and did the exercises in the book that I had a pleasant surprise that I can actually draw! I’ve been drawing consistently for a couple of years now (I’m 41) and I’m so happy to see constant improvement. Your channel and website have been a gold mine for me in learning how to draw, paint, use different media.
The word "talent" implies that you can just magically do something, and leads to people thinking that if they're not "talented" they can't do the thing. I hate when people use "you're so talented" as praise. It belittles all the hard work and effort that was put into learning the skill. You hit the nail on the head.
no talent implies different ceilings. You can spend all your life in the gym on a treadmill and will never run a 4 flat in the 40, yet someone else will. this is a fact of life lmao
I just signed up for the yearly membership..I just began today, wow, it is the most detailed, easy to follow, instructions I’ve ever received in any subject. Thank you. You rock !
@@audrey3042 i took it for one year..self paced in whatever medium you want to study. I never knew I could draw!! I tried all they had to offer . I think they are great teachers. I did not renew because I am in other programs at this time..
My drawing improved significantly after reading the book Drawing on the right side of the Brain. I worked through the exercises.....actually still have part of the book to finish. Every one should get a copy. I love art and at age 66 I've been exploring painting, drawing, charcoal, pastels, etc. Loved art in grade school and did year of art classes in college, then took a detour to a different career for 40 years. I'm BACK to art.....so happy!
I’m finding that I don’t “see” as an artist. I’ll try the drawing exercises you suggested. I’ve already begun to draw using shapes instead of trying to draw that red umbrella blowing the the wind or the exotic sports car. See the shapes!
I'm an artist but I can attest that fear and concentration issues have held me back from being as great at it as I would like to be. It's very frustrating.
when I was younger I drew all the time, I wouldn't consider them good drawing but I wanted to be good, and constantly compared myself to my"talented" peers. It Discouraged me and eventually I stopped drawing. I will be 30 next month, and I just started drawing again last year. And I can actually draw very good, to the point people are calling me talented, and I inspire them to start drawing. I had all this potential inside of me, I kept stifled for years, and im still learning. I honestly do believe everyone can create art. It's only 5% talent the rest is hard work, determination, and mindset. 💕
Here is another angle I’ve observed in my 67 years on this amazing globe God gave us. Parents and teachers have a responsibility to not only offer encouragement, praise, honest yet gentle critique, but to instruct us as human beings to accept criticism, use it as a tool for improvement. And not as a final judgement of what talents we are capable of working toward. If a child isn’t taught how to suffer then overcome the slings and arrows of either well-meaning critics or mean ones, how will they mentally be able to mush on and keep practicing in spite of them? In my opinion, it is a huge mistake for parents and teachers to say to a kid or student (of any age) “Apparently they’re right, you have no talent so just find something else.” Or “See? I told you you couldn’t do it. You’ll never amount to anything. I guess you just don’t have the chops.”
Absolutely brilliantly explained. I keep telling everyone I meet who have seen my drawings that they too can draw. It just takes practice and patience. The way you explained it in this video is spot on! Thank you for a very informative and well put together video on the subject.
❤️ your channel! As a former educator I would like to add that teaching is also an important skill that has to be practiced for many years! And you guys are excellent teachers!
After watching this video, it described me right to the letter. This is exactly what I needed. I "started" drawing about a year ago, got frustrated and just gave it up. But this video really gave me the encouragement to start it back up. Thank you
I was the opposite. My senior year my art teacher wanted to submit a drawing I did of a shoe into the eastern nc district art contest. I did not understand what was so great about it. I told her no. My art teacher did it anyway and it won 3rd place. I was surprised but still did not understand why it won. I didn’t think I was an artist… my dad always gave me praises for my art… but then I still didn’t think I was that good… I didn’t do any art after high school until I was in my 30s… my ex-husband and I had a tattoo shop and we both did tattoos, but we closed it… I continued to do art and my daddy was my biggest fan. He was always my biggest fan… he loved my art. He got killed in a motorcycle accident Aug 14, 2020 (a 18 wheeler tire blew while passing my Dad on Hwy 10). I am REALLY struggling picking up a pencil to draw or a paintbrush to paint since I lost my dad… I know he would never want me to stop painting… but I have no motivation to do it anymore. So I watch your art videos, and other tutorials to help to motivate me…. I have put my art supplies and unfinished art work in the living room so I have to look at it everyday to help motivate me… I feel the twinkle of desire to paint… so hopefully I will make time to do so soon.. hopefully sooner than later.
Grief will do that to you. You may want to pick up a different creative hobby in the meantime, something to keep your hands busy. There is nothing more dangerous than idle hands while grieving. I had to switch to just coloring in coloring books after I lost my first child, I couldn't draw anything, but coloring gave me an outlet I desperately needed. Now I make free coloring pages because I was inspired by that time of horrible pain. It's okay if you can't paint right now. Maybe you can write, maybe you can knit, etc. Go on walks too, it really does help. That pain will ALWAYS be there. We move forward with grief, not past it. It's because you loved him so much that it hurts so bad that he's gone, so in some messed up way it's beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story here, because of that I was able to reflect on the last few years while writing this reply.
Dear Matt, thank you so much for all the encouragement you are spreading. After two years of membership, I can tell the improvements I neuer would have been able to achieve without your great talent as a teacher as well. Never give up! Buddy
This actually brings tears to my eyes. I've been so much in love with nearly every creative area of life, but my co-dependency have "stolen" my energy and life force. Its only as a *very* old man (hehe) I've started to let go and gently trying my feet in painting, photography, writing and so much more. Nearly every try has been a "failure" as I've felt stressed out, wanted to get ahead, felt as if I've missed too much and in the end finishing my "try". You have really inspired me in many of your videos, and with this one in particular. Thank you. I need to calm down and take it step by step and I need to realize that it takes time..and that its worth it. :-)
Thank you so much for these videos. I think some may be obvious but perhaps not for newcomers. I am so appreciative for the more intermediate tips though, which will be applied to me pushing my art forward. 🧑🏻🎨🎨🥰
i got emotional watching this. After my head injury I have been having lots of difficulties with my art as i did before. This video sparked something in me that I thought was dead. Thank you for the motivation :)
Great video, I totally agree. I even drew my first comic a few months ago on instagram about this topic since I've been pondering this topic for a while since I to was an artist as a child and fell out of it. When we are children we have less pressure to be perfect but as you grow I've learned that people's expectations become higher, even asking a question in class can result in being laughed at which makes seeking knowledge embarrassing, at least for me. I also during high school felt like I had to hide that I drew because I got mocked a lot by my father's friends and schoolmates and growing up I had awful advice from students and teachers that affected my ability to improve. I was actually given the advice to "not use basic shapes". A hurdle I realized when I got back into drawing a few years back is comparing your artwork with someone else's. Since our skills improve slower than our appreciation it's easy to see someone else's work and think "I can never be that good" and give up. But great job, keep up the excellent work.
A very valuable video, Matt. We draw with our heads more than with our hands. I think true "talent" is about resilience and perseverance in pushing through discouragement. Techniques can be taught and practiced, but it is hard work and desire to improve that keeps us going no matter our craft. Thank you for posting this video. It was exactly what I needed right now.
I'm a pianist. I know what it takes to become a concert pianist. But I firmly believe there is an artist in me dying to break out. Only, I can only draw stick people. I miss the step by step training that is the essence of piano playing. Nobody ever starts at Middle C in arts.
Before i watch this vid, i would say that the reason i cant drawnis because i lack the patience. I can go on hours sculpting in 3d or modelling but when i face a single inconvenience when drawing i give up.
Great info & inspiration I enjoyed & loved art class in school. Haven't messed with it much until recently. Saying to myself "why did I let go of something I truly loved and enjoyed?" I'm super excited to learn and put into practice daily now of drawing, painting, sketching, etc... Thank you 😊
Thanks for motivation. I think i have to start learning. Honestly, i think i have no other option. Just to keep the ruins of my mind from further crumbling. Not much have left from the person i used to be, and it have started to get way worse all of a sudden. Maybe it will help me to keep sanity and life for a little longer. Again - thank you!
I always say that my drawing hand has its own brain... and that it's all in the wrist practice makes perfect if you enjoy it continue to do so my daughter asked me how I got so good at drawing I told her practice makes perfect if you enjoy it continue to do it thanks for sharing your video
Thank you for popping out in my recommendation. You reignited the fun and love I always had for drawing. But I gave up because I got demotivated and gradually stopped whenever I thought "I can never be the best at it so why bother?"
I think all people are predisposed to some skills, what we call "talent" really just means we catch on a little bit faster/easier but what it doesn't mean is we don't have to work just as hard. Let's face it most people with the ability to speak *can* sing, but not everyone sounds *good* singing. LOL But, a voice trainer can help someone who isn't predisposed to sing well to sound better - maybe not on a Whitney Houston level but they can carry a tune and make people smile and enjoy the experience. I've always been very observative by nature, this helps me to "see" better and thus draw better - not perfectly, not without practice, or understanding the foundations. Does this mean I'm talented? That's semantics. ANYONE (who has sight) can learn to build observational skills and thus improve their drawing skills. I agree, most can learn to draw well if they're willing to put in the time and effort to learn AND change their mindset to can instead of can't.
When I was young, they told me that anyone could learn any skill with enough practice, but talent influences how quickly you learn it. I think that's a healthy and realistic way to look at it! It helps you believe you can do anything while still being realistic. I was considered talented at drawing as a kid, but as a teen I lost interest in it. Now at 25, I'm trying to pick it up again. I'm still good for a 14 year old but compared to professional artists, I'm a noob. Meanwhile I do NOT have a talent for learning languages. I learned English better than most of my peers though, because I loved to read and spent hours upon hours passively practicing.
I have always been told i could draw but i have never really put the time into it to be able to keep up with the belief of it, I think if i pursued it since i was younger i could accomplish what i want, but instead i want to make logos and pictures etc and get really annoyed at not accomplishing that. I recently got myself a Surface Pro 8 to help with my course but to allow me to do digital art but still i havent put effort in and i only blame myself for my terrible drawings
EXCELLENT video! Just EXCELLENT! ...And Important info for everyone interested in becoming an artist...keyword here is "becoming"...it truly is a process.
In my case... I have Aphantasia. All my life "Draw something" meant "Draw something from your own imagery". I just recently, at 26, tried drawing with a reference because all that time I introyected the "I can't draw something from memory" therefore I can't draw mentality. Turns out I draw better than everyone I know, I just need damn reference. Lol.
I used to be afraid to draw after a bad critic at school. 2 years ago, I met an art teacher who took the time to really teach me and stop being afraid. Been drawing and improving since then.
This is relieving! It reminds me that my "friend" was quite awful in that I would compliment her for her specialization in realistic renderings for interior design and in tern she would tell me that I suck at drawing so eventually I started having panic attacks in trying to do art homework with her in the room. I have only been drawing since I was 18 while she has been drawing since she was 5. She just has more practice because her parents had the money to invest in her interests and not that I have no talent like she said. Also I know I could have practiced with RUclips before age 18 but I was on track to becoming an opera singer my whole life. Sue me! So I changed my mind on what I wanted to do as a career when I became age 21. Better late then never!
I growing up years was to be outside. It was just easier to be out then near my family. According to them I was ' good for nothing '. I played sports and started painting after I was married. I do these things but have always thought that I do these things but I'm not good at anything. Thank you for the encouragement.
I agree with this sentiment up to a point. I do think that people can, all things being equal learn to draw or play musical instruments... That said, an individual's creative abilities in certain areas will alter how easily they can understand and then incorporate more abstract elements. An inability to generate even simple mental images of things I have seen thousands of times, like an apple for example, never mind attempting to understand it in different ways to determine how light would alter it, makes it really really difficult for me to draw something that I'm not using a clear reference picture of. I can achieve a good level of realism doing this. Try as I might I can not properly use the technical skill and knowledge of texture, tone or contrast I have if I try to draw anything, and I mean anything, that I'm not looking at the complete picture of. I am unable to understand and evaluate how those elements should be in relation to one another in a completed drawing of something that I know well, but can only see partially, from the work in progress itself. It's a bummer. In contrast music is something I can easily abstractly manipulate. I am able to 'hear' all the elements I want to and I know how they will interact and contrast and what I need to do to create the music I want to. I truly do believe that for some people the way that they process information means they might not be able to move beyond a certain level of skill.
Yes, but what about those of us who couldn't draw even as children? I remember very vividly being frustrated because I could even draw a simple flower, I was useless in drawing anything that wasn't structured.
@@thevirtualinstructor Not really... I mean I just remember myself being five or six and not knowing what to do with my marker or pencil; even though I would had love to draw, say a flower or a tree, I couldn't find the way to do it. I still struggle very much but I try to improve. I was the kid who was colouring never the one who was drawing. Perspective drawing on the other hand, I understood the basics instinctively, anything with straight lines was always easy. Even my doodles were always geometric.
Yes. Yes, I can do this! I was down today. I WANT to draw and paint. I want to do it so badly! But I am a busy grandmother with responsibilities and waning energy. I love your tutorials, and have most of what I need to do nice drawings, too. So, I will try again, and soon sign up for your whole course. I know I can! I will be 73 soon, and I need this. Oh, thank you, Matt. You teach so much more than art! Thanks so much!
Wonderful! Go for it.
you can do it!
I'm with you Abigail! Just starting at 61.
Please post updates so we can see how you're doing! ❤️
Go Abigail!🥰 I'm 67 and am learning watercolor and piano. I didn't have time to do this before but I'm retired now and it's the perfect time. Let's cheer each other on as we enjoy our golden years ❤️
I'm an adult learning how to draw and play a musical instrument- things I wanted to do as a child, but, as you said, somewhere along the way, stopped, probably due to feeling "untalented" in these two areas. Loved this. Thank you.
My issue was always i can draw realistic sketches that can blow peoples mind but when i draw from imagination it looks like a 5 years old draw it, now i find out that these amazing artist that drew cool things in comics and others simply jot down reference in their memory and i never really try to remember anything in my mind, so since i don't have reference in my mind there is nothing to draw when i try to imagine. No one can't simply draw with nothing in their mind, even in drawing competition where they don't use reference, hahaha should have known. And some fo the peopel i knew who were good drawers don't even have idea of their own or are they actually smarter than me, not being proud. it was all a fraud to me hehe, if people with less brain power can draw amazing things imagine what a brain with good photgraphic memory can do, so i never really don't have talent i was just misinformed.
I was gifted as a child and picked up drawing and did so really well for my age at the time. What stunted me was the continual praise that I received. It put me in a mindset that I was good and didn’t need to improve and so I stopped. 🥴
Yep. That happens too. I've seen this with a few students over the years. We believe what others tell us so much that we often drown out what we tell ourselves.
Saaaaaame. We're probably in pretty good company with that problem. In my case, I got a certain amount of praise for my art, but plenty of mockery for other things, and insecurity won out pretty completely.
Same thing happened to me with school, hobbies, and achievements... now i suck at everything lmao
Yeah, the same happened to me I came to hate praise for my artwork. And now I find it hard to start or finish a painting as I am sure it will not be perfect, and if it's not perfect I end up thinking I'm no good at art in any way.
@@ForgeMasterXXL I find that if I put my artwork aside for awhile, when I go back to it I think it's pretty good. I'm always like, "Why did I hate this? It's not that bad." We are our own worst critics!
My drawing instructor in commercial art school was horrible. He told us to look at something, see it, and draw it. That was the extent of the lessons we got with this man. I really wanted to learn how to draw, but this class left me frustrated and I grew to hate drawing. Maybe it is time to start fresh.
'I was born with a pencil in my hand'☺️
My teacher in secondary school said that I can't draw or paint and I was devastated because I loved creating so much. Although she never showed me how good drawing should looks like. No tips no tricks just negative feedback.
I didn't stop drawing but lost my self confidence and happiness to share my work.
Now I'm 45 and still drawing and painting. Always surprised how I'm stressed before I start new work and how proud I am after finishing it. Still struggling with this negative voice in my head. Still working to believe I can do it and deliver.
I know I can draw many things and I'm good at it and maybe she was a good artist but very bad teacher.
This bird from my profile picture is my painting and I'm proud of it ☺️
Thank you for this video!!!
I just regret that I never met anyone at my younger age to help me build self-confidence in art. My school choices were definitely different.
Thank you ❣️
The hummingbird is really good, I thought it was a photograph! Some teachers are just horrible at their job. She probably sucked at art, herself, and tore down other people to make herself feel better. Whatever her problem, you're a good artist, no matter what she said!
That's sad. She never should have told you that. Especially since it was only an opinion. Not the truth 😊
Wow! You should be really proud, your bird is amazing! Keep doing what you love, you are clearly quite talented. ❤
I’ve had the same kind of experience. My teacher always had nothing to say about my art while she would praise the art of others. I still need help getting over things like that in life.
@@elise2892 We are our own greatest enemy. Daily practice will make this voice very quiet. I am with you, I get it. I always felt like a part of me was taken away from me, I felt incomplete.
I used to draw portraits of my relatives with pencils, Looking back at them I still think they are good. I was discouraged by comparing myself to others' works on the internet. They were so good, to the point I stopped drawing at all because I believed I would never be able to draw as good as them
i relate to this
Me toooooo!
I thought the same but then a lot of them use digital. Yes digital is real art but it's not real art if you know what I mean. If someone on digital can put it on paper without using a printer then they're pretty good but you should knock yourself. They have probably top of the line art supplies that you don't have and I'm in the same boat as you but that don't stop me from trying. I'm not great but when I first started the people thought it was good and now they seen my progress.
I'm 35 and I started drawing seriously about 45 days ago and I'm surprised about how much I've improved! I've done an actual great job out of (coloring type comic books) I spent a lot of hours on the best drawings I've done so far but I think I actually developed that amount of patience because I didn't have it when I started! Hopefully I can speed up and get a little more accurate plus I have a really hard time trying to draw something from a (small reference) even if it isn't difficult so I need a decent size reference to work with so I might stick to this idea and hopefully be able to bang away at this night and day, speed up and learn a lot of tricks ect....
i sort of agree to this to some degree but imo it’s the work that each artist puta in that matters. Digital art is much faster to make but puts in the same amount of effort as traditional. After all you still have the draw the sketch and stuff, id say lineart and coloring are the only differences
I think talent only means that you can learn a certain skill faster than others because you are more willing to put time into learning it
I just love how people say that "anyone can draw." Ha. The people who say this are people who CAN draw. They can translate from their brain to their eye and their hand and to the paper. That's not "talent" -- that's an eye-brain-hand ability. My brain doesn't work that way. Couldn't do it when I was 3 or 4 or 5. Grade school teachers TRIED to teach me and I WANTED to draw . . . but my brain doesn't work that way.
Thank you for a very supportive and positive message. The world needs more positive messages.
Absolutely!
Thanks for this video, Matt. I'll add a few comments here from my personal experience. I was never an artist as a child. I was forced at an early age to to switch from my dominant left hand to my right hand. I was clumsy, awkward, and very messy. (I still am.) Any attempt I made at drawing was ridiculed. I truly never had a single positive art experience until I decided to learn to draw 7 years ago (at retirement age). I was lucky to find you and your website soon after I started learning. You made such a huge difference for me, Matt. I can't thank you enough. Now, after 7 years, I'm finally developing some sense of "competency" and a bit of confidence. I'm recognizing my uniqueness as an artist, too. I think I'm really ready now to start learning and growing! I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I couldn't have done it without your encouragement. Judith
You are such a wonderful person Matt. Thank you for being a support for everyone.
Thanks Marina!
fab, at 68 i want to learn to draw and play a musical instrument, today is the first day of the rest of my life and now i believe i will carry out my goal.i had 3 goals but i will drop singing.thank you matt exciting days ahead.
Good luck
This is such an important video, I want to blast it on loudspeakers to the whole world! I also wish someone had told me this when I was a kid, it would have spared me so much heartache thinking that I don’t have “talent” as an artist or that “talent” in writing for example and in drawing are mutually exclusive when in reality it’s all about loving what you do enough to put in hours of practice to get better at it. It was only in my 30s when I read Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and did the exercises in the book that I had a pleasant surprise that I can actually draw! I’ve been drawing consistently for a couple of years now (I’m 41) and I’m so happy to see constant improvement. Your channel and website have been a gold mine for me in learning how to draw, paint, use different media.
I have no excuses for myself for not being able to draw but after 6years and still not being able to draw a stick man am starting to lose hope
The word "talent" implies that you can just magically do something, and leads to people thinking that if they're not "talented" they can't do the thing. I hate when people use "you're so talented" as praise. It belittles all the hard work and effort that was put into learning the skill. You hit the nail on the head.
no talent implies different ceilings. You can spend all your life in the gym on a treadmill and will never run a 4 flat in the 40, yet someone else will. this is a fact of life lmao
I just signed up for the yearly membership..I just began today, wow, it is the most detailed, easy to follow, instructions I’ve ever received in any subject. Thank you. You rock !
Thanks Christine! So awesome to hear and welcome aboard!
Hello Christine! I am new to this channel and drawing all together really. Can you give a brief update on how the course went or is going?
@@audrey3042 i took it for one year..self paced in whatever medium you want to study. I never knew I could draw!! I tried all they had to offer . I think they are great teachers. I did not renew because I am in other programs at this time..
My drawing improved significantly after reading the book Drawing on the right side of the Brain. I worked through the exercises.....actually still have part of the book to finish. Every one should get a copy. I love art and at age 66 I've been exploring painting, drawing, charcoal, pastels, etc. Loved art in grade school and did year of art classes in college, then took a detour to a different career for 40 years. I'm BACK to art.....so happy!
This man is an artist a therapist and a scientist all in one
Life changing message! Applies to every part of our life. Thank you creating such professional and well structured video
I’m finding that I don’t “see” as an artist. I’ll try the drawing exercises you suggested. I’ve already begun to draw using shapes instead of trying to draw that red umbrella blowing the the wind or the exotic sports car. See the shapes!
I'm an artist but I can attest that fear and concentration issues have held me back from being as great at it as I would like to be. It's very frustrating.
I’m in the same boat. It is very frustrating when you know what you need to do to get better but you can’t focus.
@@wanderlustaesthete4117 yes I definitely understand!
when I was younger I drew all the time, I wouldn't consider them good drawing but I wanted to be good, and constantly compared myself to my"talented" peers. It Discouraged me and eventually I stopped drawing.
I will be 30 next month, and I just started drawing again last year. And I can actually draw very good, to the point people are calling me talented, and I inspire them to start drawing. I had all this potential inside of me, I kept stifled for years, and im still learning. I honestly do believe everyone can create art. It's only 5% talent the rest is hard work, determination, and mindset. 💕
Helped me more than any other video out there today. Thank you.
Here is another angle I’ve observed in my 67 years on this amazing globe God gave us. Parents and teachers have a responsibility to not only offer encouragement, praise, honest yet gentle critique, but to instruct us as human beings to accept criticism, use it as a tool for improvement. And not as a final judgement of what talents we are capable of working toward. If a child isn’t taught how to suffer then overcome the slings and arrows of either well-meaning critics or mean ones, how will they mentally be able to mush on and keep practicing in spite of them? In my opinion, it is a huge mistake for parents and teachers to say to a kid or student (of any age) “Apparently they’re right, you have no talent so just find something else.” Or “See? I told you you couldn’t do it. You’ll never amount to anything. I guess you just don’t have the chops.”
Absolutely brilliantly explained. I keep telling everyone I meet who have seen my drawings that they too can draw. It just takes practice and patience. The way you explained it in this video is spot on! Thank you for a very informative and well put together video on the subject.
❤️ your channel! As a former educator I would like to add that teaching is also an important skill that has to be practiced for many years! And you guys are excellent teachers!
I am starting to believe I can draw thanks to you! Love your courses. Working my way thru pastels currently. Not sure what I shall tackle next.
Thanks and so awesome to hear June!!!!!!!
After watching this video, it described me right to the letter. This is exactly what I needed. I "started" drawing about a year ago, got frustrated and just gave it up. But this video really gave me the encouragement to start it back up. Thank you
I was the opposite. My senior year my art teacher wanted to submit a drawing I did of a shoe into the eastern nc district art contest. I did not understand what was so great about it. I told her no. My art teacher did it anyway and it won 3rd place. I was surprised but still did not understand why it won. I didn’t think I was an artist… my dad always gave me praises for my art… but then I still didn’t think I was that good… I didn’t do any art after high school until I was in my 30s… my ex-husband and I had a tattoo shop and we both did tattoos, but we closed it… I continued to do art and my daddy was my biggest fan. He was always my biggest fan… he loved my art. He got killed in a motorcycle accident Aug 14, 2020 (a 18 wheeler tire blew while passing my Dad on Hwy 10). I am REALLY struggling picking up a pencil to draw or a paintbrush to paint since I lost my dad… I know he would never want me to stop painting… but I have no motivation to do it anymore. So I watch your art videos, and other tutorials to help to motivate me…. I have put my art supplies and unfinished art work in the living room so I have to look at it everyday to help motivate me… I feel the twinkle of desire to paint… so hopefully I will make time to do so soon.. hopefully sooner than later.
Grief will do that to you. You may want to pick up a different creative hobby in the meantime, something to keep your hands busy. There is nothing more dangerous than idle hands while grieving. I had to switch to just coloring in coloring books after I lost my first child, I couldn't draw anything, but coloring gave me an outlet I desperately needed. Now I make free coloring pages because I was inspired by that time of horrible pain. It's okay if you can't paint right now. Maybe you can write, maybe you can knit, etc. Go on walks too, it really does help. That pain will ALWAYS be there. We move forward with grief, not past it. It's because you loved him so much that it hurts so bad that he's gone, so in some messed up way it's beautiful. Thank you for sharing your story here, because of that I was able to reflect on the last few years while writing this reply.
Dear Matt, thank you so much for all the encouragement you are spreading. After two years of membership, I can tell the improvements I neuer would have been able to achieve without your great talent as a teacher as well. Never give up! Buddy
I need to see as an artist, glad we can practice that.
I really need to stop looking at other people drawings on social media…
This actually brings tears to my eyes. I've been so much in love with nearly every creative area of life, but my co-dependency have "stolen" my energy and life force. Its only as a *very* old man (hehe) I've started to let go and gently trying my feet in painting, photography, writing and so much more. Nearly every try has been a "failure" as I've felt stressed out, wanted to get ahead, felt as if I've missed too much and in the end finishing my "try". You have really inspired me in many of your videos, and with this one in particular. Thank you. I need to calm down and take it step by step and I need to realize that it takes time..and that its worth it. :-)
Thank you for this wonderful video, you didn't just teach us lessons in art, but also we can apply it in our daily lives. Thank you again!
Thank you so much for these videos. I think some may be obvious but perhaps not for newcomers. I am so appreciative for the more intermediate tips though, which will be applied to me pushing my art forward. 🧑🏻🎨🎨🥰
i got emotional watching this. After my head injury I have been having lots of difficulties with my art as i did before. This video sparked something in me that I thought was dead. Thank you for the motivation :)
Your are so encouraging and speaking the truth …. Education and practice are the key !
This was what I needed to hear. Sincerely, thank you.
Great video, I totally agree.
I even drew my first comic a few months ago on instagram about this topic since I've been pondering this topic for a while since I to was an artist as a child and fell out of it.
When we are children we have less pressure to be perfect but as you grow I've learned that people's expectations become higher, even asking a question in class can result in being laughed at which makes seeking knowledge embarrassing, at least for me.
I also during high school felt like I had to hide that I drew because I got mocked a lot by my father's friends and schoolmates and growing up I had awful advice from students and teachers that affected my ability to improve. I was actually given the advice to "not use basic shapes".
A hurdle I realized when I got back into drawing a few years back is comparing your artwork with someone else's.
Since our skills improve slower than our appreciation it's easy to see someone else's work and think "I can never be that good" and give up.
But great job, keep up the excellent work.
A very valuable video, Matt. We draw with our heads more than with our hands. I think true "talent" is about resilience and perseverance in pushing through discouragement. Techniques can be taught and practiced, but it is hard work and desire to improve that keeps us going no matter our craft. Thank you for posting this video. It was exactly what I needed right now.
I'm a pianist. I know what it takes to become a concert pianist. But I firmly believe there is an artist in me dying to break out. Only, I can only draw stick people. I miss the step by step training that is the essence of piano playing. Nobody ever starts at Middle C in arts.
Before i watch this vid, i would say that the reason i cant drawnis because i lack the patience. I can go on hours sculpting in 3d or modelling but when i face a single inconvenience when drawing i give up.
This was inspirational, gonna apply this to digital art
This video has far more depth than drawing. Highly inspiring 💗
Thank you...ur positive words..sir...definitely..I believe myself...I achieve my goal....
This really made me reflect this makes so much sense
Wow, That really struck a nerve. I feel inspired. THANKS!
Thank God your video came up, I ll start!
I love that you made this video! Thank you
Im stuck to this cycle man here i am again watching your video
What wonderful advice. Thank you for sharing this video!!
Great info & inspiration
I enjoyed & loved art class in school.
Haven't messed with it much until recently.
Saying to myself "why did I let go of something I truly loved and enjoyed?"
I'm super excited to learn and put into practice daily now of drawing, painting, sketching, etc...
Thank you 😊
Thanks for motivation. I think i have to start learning. Honestly, i think i have no other option. Just to keep the ruins of my mind from further crumbling. Not much have left from the person i used to be, and it have started to get way worse all of a sudden. Maybe it will help me to keep sanity and life for a little longer. Again - thank you!
Thank you so much for your time,I try to draw every day,I have really improved,thank you😁
Thank you for your advice..I will keep on going to learn
I always say that my drawing hand has its own brain... and that it's all in the wrist practice makes perfect if you enjoy it continue to do so my daughter asked me how I got so good at drawing I told her practice makes perfect if you enjoy it continue to do it thanks for sharing your video
Thank you ...love the quotes you added to your clip.....very true...thank you !!
Thank you for popping out in my recommendation. You reignited the fun and love I always had for drawing. But I gave up because I got demotivated and gradually stopped whenever I thought "I can never be the best at it so why bother?"
Wonderful and inspiring . Big virtual hugs and thanks 😊
Thankyou for this encouragement
So,so, inspirational," yes I can, yes I can and I will". Thanks for sharing
I think all people are predisposed to some skills, what we call "talent" really just means we catch on a little bit faster/easier but what it doesn't mean is we don't have to work just as hard. Let's face it most people with the ability to speak *can* sing, but not everyone sounds *good* singing. LOL But, a voice trainer can help someone who isn't predisposed to sing well to sound better - maybe not on a Whitney Houston level but they can carry a tune and make people smile and enjoy the experience. I've always been very observative by nature, this helps me to "see" better and thus draw better - not perfectly, not without practice, or understanding the foundations. Does this mean I'm talented? That's semantics. ANYONE (who has sight) can learn to build observational skills and thus improve their drawing skills. I agree, most can learn to draw well if they're willing to put in the time and effort to learn AND change their mindset to can instead of can't.
When I was young, they told me that anyone could learn any skill with enough practice, but talent influences how quickly you learn it. I think that's a healthy and realistic way to look at it! It helps you believe you can do anything while still being realistic.
I was considered talented at drawing as a kid, but as a teen I lost interest in it. Now at 25, I'm trying to pick it up again. I'm still good for a 14 year old but compared to professional artists, I'm a noob.
Meanwhile I do NOT have a talent for learning languages. I learned English better than most of my peers though, because I loved to read and spent hours upon hours passively practicing.
Thanks for encouragement. I want to set aside time every week to doodle/draw now…more practice…🙂
Thanx for this encouraging episode! I’m gonna spend more time drawing with my colour pencils 😊
I have always been told i could draw but i have never really put the time into it to be able to keep up with the belief of it, I think if i pursued it since i was younger i could accomplish what i want, but instead i want to make logos and pictures etc and get really annoyed at not accomplishing that. I recently got myself a Surface Pro 8 to help with my course but to allow me to do digital art but still i havent put effort in and i only blame myself for my terrible drawings
To me it happened as an adult. I joined art groups on facebook & saw how my work were ignored while others received so much praise comments & likes.
EXCELLENT video! Just EXCELLENT! ...And Important info for everyone interested in becoming an artist...keyword here is "becoming"...it truly is a process.
Thank you, I’ll try again ❤️
This message is awesome. Thank you
What an exceptional video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Aside from my previous comment. Thank you for a very encouraging and uplifting video.
I needed to hear that, thank you
Watching this episode was just what I needed! I feel pressure to get a project done by may. I need to work, work,work. Thank you 😂
Great, honest, and straightforward advice.
Thank you for this
Totally agree, there isn't talent . practice makes perfect. Do what you love and learn as long as you live
In my case... I have Aphantasia. All my life "Draw something" meant "Draw something from your own imagery". I just recently, at 26, tried drawing with a reference because all that time I introyected the "I can't draw something from memory" therefore I can't draw mentality. Turns out I draw better than everyone I know, I just need damn reference. Lol.
I used to be afraid to draw after a bad critic at school. 2 years ago, I met an art teacher who took the time to really teach me and stop being afraid. Been drawing and improving since then.
Thank you sir your every word was really touched my inner child 😊
Glad I renewed my membership and enjoyed the video. Having fun with the color pencil course. Next will be watercolor. 😃
Thanks Cyndee! Wonderful!
Thank you so much for your supporting words 🤗🌹
This is relieving! It reminds me that my "friend" was quite awful in that I would compliment her for her specialization in realistic renderings for interior design and in tern she would tell me that I suck at drawing so eventually I started having panic attacks in trying to do art homework with her in the room. I have only been drawing since I was 18 while she has been drawing since she was 5. She just has more practice because her parents had the money to invest in her interests and not that I have no talent like she said. Also I know I could have practiced with RUclips before age 18 but I was on track to becoming an opera singer my whole life. Sue me! So I changed my mind on what I wanted to do as a career when I became age 21. Better late then never!
Awesome video and energy! Thank you
I growing up years was to be outside. It was just easier to be out then near my family. According to them I was ' good for nothing '. I played sports and started painting after I was married. I do these things but have always thought that I do these things but I'm not good at anything. Thank you for the encouragement.
I agree with this sentiment up to a point. I do think that people can, all things being equal learn to draw or play musical instruments...
That said, an individual's creative abilities in certain areas will alter how easily they can understand and then incorporate more abstract elements.
An inability to generate even simple mental images of things I have seen thousands of times, like an apple for example, never mind attempting to understand it in different ways to determine how light would alter it, makes it really really difficult for me to draw something that I'm not using a clear reference picture of. I can achieve a good level of realism doing this.
Try as I might I can not properly use the technical skill and knowledge of texture, tone or contrast I have if I try to draw anything, and I mean anything, that I'm not looking at the complete picture of. I am unable to understand and evaluate how those elements should be in relation to one another in a completed drawing of something that I know well, but can only see partially, from the work in progress itself. It's a bummer.
In contrast music is something I can easily abstractly manipulate. I am able to 'hear' all the elements I want to and I know how they will interact and contrast and what I need to do to create the music I want to.
I truly do believe that for some people the way that they process information means they might not be able to move beyond a certain level of skill.
This vid is fantastic. Down to earth and at the same time, encouraging. 👍 Thanks Matt.
This is not about drawing...it's about LIFE.
Thank you!!
Thank you for such an inspiring video!
Great video; great inspiration. Always love your tutorials.
Yes, but what about those of us who couldn't draw even as children? I remember very vividly being frustrated because I could even draw a simple flower, I was useless in drawing anything that wasn't structured.
You likely experienced this frustration after you began to judge yourself and compare yourself to others. Children usually aren't that self critical.
@@thevirtualinstructor Not really... I mean I just remember myself being five or six and not knowing what to do with my marker or pencil; even though I would had love to draw, say a flower or a tree, I couldn't find the way to do it. I still struggle very much but I try to improve. I was the kid who was colouring never the one who was drawing. Perspective drawing on the other hand, I understood the basics instinctively, anything with straight lines was always easy. Even my doodles were always geometric.
Perfect lesson, thanks
You're so spot on.
thank you so much
Thanks for this video, I hope that if I try more often, I will succeed)
Thanks, I need this.
Great video. Thanks for the encouragement.
Beautiful video!
Love this!
Love this!!! Sorely needed to hear this today!!🤗