Let’s talk talent.

Welcome Traveler! A new blog post has arrived.

“You’re so talented.” “I wish I was as talented as you.” “I wish I could draw.” “It’s so easy for you.”

Have you heard that before? And while most people mean it as a complement, (I hope) it comes off a bit….insulting. Boiling down years of dedication, and practice into “talent” cheapens the artwork being admired. While people can definitely be born with an affinity towards something, talent doesn’t really exist. Learning to paint, or draw comes down to one’s willingness to push past all the points where the art looks bad. Downright terrible. All paintings start out ugly.

Ugly stage #1. Blocking phase.

The beauty comes from refining it, little by little, adding contrast, and lighting. Adding texture, or removing it. These are things you only learn through experience. No one comes out of the womb painting like Monet, or Dali, or Caravaggio. They too had ugly beginnings, muddy middles, and beautiful endings.

With each layer added, the clearer the images will become. With every value shift, shapes sharpen.

Patience is the real key to art. Patience and perseverance. You must hold firm in your vision, when the ugly phases come, when the waters muddy up. You must persevere when the artwork fights you. It will fight you. The paint will not always want to bend to your will, there will be times when you must force it to comply. Your mind will play tricks on you, telling lies, and making you want to quit. Do not listen.

Learn to take a deep breath, and even walk away from the piece if you must. Give it time. But you must return to it. Finish it. That is the only way to become good at art. Any art.

You do not get better by quitting. You do not get to be “talented” by accident.

Thank you for stopping by today! I hoped you enjoyed your stay, and getting a peek at some progress shots. Safe travels!