Can Anyone Learn to Draw?

Are you wondering whether it is possible to learn how to draw with zero talent? The answer is yes. While to some, drawing is an inborn talent, scientists have ascertained that this skill can be developed to proficiency level through learning, training, and practice.

Besides, even talented artists attend school to improve on their skills to perfection.

Drawing is more of a mental thing, and with a positive attitude and determination, you can develop to become a professional artist. It is essential to understand that what talent does is just making learning easier.

Also Read: Drawing Ideas for Your Sketch Book

What are the requirements for learning how to draw? This article has examined five basic requirements that can facilitate the development of this skill.

Can Anyone Learn to Draw?

1. Motivation/Passion

While anyone can learn how to draw, it is essential to have the right mind and be passionate about learning. How much are you willing to sacrifice to learn drawing?

The amount of driving force that you have is what is going to determine whether you are teachable or not. It is your passion that is going to make all things possible.

What makes people think that drawing is a talent is that when faced with an issue, one quits instead of being persistent.

Through practice, you are bound to make numerous mistakes, and it is through persistence, you gain a better understanding of where you went wrong and make necessary adjustments next time.

While determination and persistence are necessary for developing these skills, passion makes everything easier. Thus, if you are passionate about drawing, you will find it enjoyable and fun, and it will not feel like tedious work.

If you are reading this article, it means you are eager to understand all the necessities of becoming a great artist.

Before joining the art school, do a personal assessment and determine whether you are passionate and the driving force you got to take up the challenge.

If you are always filled with these great imaginations of things you can draw, but when it comes to putting them down, it becomes challenging, then enrolls in that class. You will get excellent tutors willing to journey with you every step of the way till you become a professional artist.

2. Learning to See

Practicing with experts can help make your passion a reality. You will observe how other talented students and tutors are curving their image and doing the same. Drawing is more of seeing than drawing, and therefore learning to see is essential if you want to sharpen your drawing skills.

A great artist is interested in seeing pictures and being able to experience the mood and feeling of the artist. Like a novelist who expresses their inner feelings and life encounters through writing, an artist does the same through drawing.

Thus, learning to see is essential not only in interpreting others artists’ work, but also you can express yourself through drawing.

By interacting with the artist, you will learn that a great artist should be able to express his/ her feelings through the artwork. Thus, learning to see beyond the drawing and understand what the artist is trying to communicate.

A picture can convey a lot of information that most people cannot understand. However, as an aspiring artist, learning to see and interpret drawing is one step towards becoming a great artist.

Are you able to interpret the pictures of other artists? Then, it’s a good sign that you can become a professional with proper training and practice. If not, this is a skill that can be learned as long as you are passionate about drawing.

3. Practice

Through practice, anyone can learn to draw. It is just like in other fields; if you want to become better in particular aspects, practice is necessary. The more you practice, the higher chances of making numerous errors.

However, as a motivated and passionate artist, you will learn from those mistakes and understand where you went wrong and how you can rectify them to perfect your work.

During practice, it is essential to remain focused, determined, and set smart goals. Being hungry for success is a great thing, but do not be too harsh on yourself; set reasonably achievable goals and put in extra hard work by practicing often. Always aim at making some improvement from the previous drawing.

How many times should one practice drawing? There is no specific number of times that one should practice becoming a professional artist. It is a continuous learning process marked by unending improvements. It entirely depends on how quick you are at grasping things.

Thus, let not the amount of practice deter you from practicing. If you want to perfect your artwork, pick up that pencil and get down to business. Practice often as much as you can, and sooner than expected, you will reap your hard work.

You might join the best art school, but without extra effort, you might end up blaming yourself for the lack of talent while the reality is that you failed to take the initiative.

Learning new skills requires personal initiative for the desire to know things. If you are wondering why you are yet to sharpen your drawing skills, it might be because you have not been putting extra hard work into it.

Do not be afraid to make mistakes as you always have talented fellow students around and tutors to help you every step of the way.

4. Tuition

Are you doing self-study, and you feel that there is no progress you are making towards becoming a great artist? Do not give up before giving yourself to meet with professionals. Join a school of art and meet with excellent tutors willing and ready to sharpen your skills to perfection.

As a person without inborn talent in drawing, self-practice all through is not enough to make you an excellent artist. You need qualified tutors to correct you where you go wrong.

Also, by interacting with other students, you can develop more ideas, and with the help of tutors, you can put them down into a remarkable drawing.

Also Read: Sketching vs Drawing

However, be ready to embrace all the criticism positively if you want to become a successful artist one day. In learning institutions, you are likely to encounter hostile tutors and students always laughing at your drawings.

But suppose you take such criticism positively and develop ways of improving on your artwork. You are likely to conquer and emerge as a professional artist with the same capabilities as those with inborn talent.

Just the way you aim to pull you down, you will also encounter others willing to uplift and nurture your skills to perfection. Use the criticisms as a stepping stone towards bettering yourself and surround yourself with those who are willing to uplift you.

5. Feedback

How often do you listen to what others comment about your drawing? If you are the type of person whose ego is too high to listen, that has to change. While being praised for good work always feels nice, it is essential to listen to negative critics to improve your artwork.

How do you take and act on feedback? Listening is good, but it is not enough to make necessary changes to perfection.

After listening to criticism and still unable to find any problem with your drawing, consult a professional and hear what they have to say, then proceed to make necessary adjustments.

Listening and acting on other people’s feedback is essential towards promoting professionalism in the artwork.


Drawing is a skill that can be developed and nurtured towards perfection. You do not need to have the talent to start drawing.

If you are passionate, ready for intensive practice, going for tuition, appreciating feedback, and acting on and learning to see, then go ahead become that artist you greatly admire to become.