#for some people it'll be easier to pinpoint what those gifts are than for others

[nattikay]

haha a conversation on Discord reminded me of this so uh update woo

Re-reading that commentary for the first time in seven years, though, I want to amend my statement that "natural talent" doesn't exist...I don't think I agree with that anymore. I think some people do have a natural aptitude for drawing or other artistic endeavors (or for any number of other things of course but this post is about art), and those people will find learning about art stuff to be more intuitive than people who don't have that aptitude.

BUT!! This natural aptitude is not synonymous with skill, which is the point my past self was trying to make. No one starts out skilled, not even those with natural aptitude or "talent" for it, and even people who lack a natural aptitude can become skilled if they work hard enough. Everyone has to put in work to hone their craft; for some people yes this honing will come more easily than for others, but that doesn't mean there wasn't work involved. I think that's why some artists, such as 2017 me, get frustrated by people calling their skills "natural talent", even if they really do have an artistic aptitude, because while it's intended as a compliment, it can feel like undermining or not recognizing the often years' worth of work they've put in to developing their skills.

That's also why I personally still prefer to call good artists "skilled" rather than "talented". But I'm less bothered by other people calling it "talent" now. Some people do have a natural aptitude for drawing and hey that's really cool, that some people have that gift! And isn't it also cool that some people have natural aptitudes for singing or dancing or cooking or electronics or engineering or math or science or philosophy or sports or any number of other things! Isn't it so cool how we all have unique gifts and yes it takes work and practice and effort to make use of that gift and turn it into skill and yes that is worth acknowledging and respecting...but I no longer think that makes it wrong to also hold some appreciation for "talents" and how cool it is that people have them.

The idea of being just “naturally talented” at drawing is a myth. No one is born knowing how to draw. Now, some people might be more naturally predisposed to want to draw than others, and some may improve faster than others, but the skill itself is always learned.

So if you, a young and/or beginning artist (heck, or an old experienced artist) look at other people���s work and lament because you aren’t as good, pardon my bluntness, but shut up and GO DRAW. As a friend of mine would say, never not do the draw! You WILL improve in time…but only if you practice.

Happy New Year to all, and here’s hoping for some great strides in our art this year.