I often get the notion that some people think about drawing skills as something you were (or not) lucky enough to inherit through some gene, and then this gene makes you make beautiful drawings your friends like and envy you for (or it is the other way around).

So, good for you if you have this gene. And too bad if you don’t – no drawing for you, and more importantly, no making art, no self-expression, no joy, no fun, and no soul nurturing. Right?

No.

Drawing is a skill everybody can learn. And you absolutely can make art even if you think you don’t know how to draw. Cause what looks like a big obstacle often needs just a change of perspective to dissipate.

Don’t get me wrong. Drawing skills are the foundations of any visual art, I agree. BUT. Let me explain this “but”.

Most of the artists I mentor come to my courses without drawing experience. I’d even say most don’t show any interest in drawing (at first). They are motivated to make art, meaning to learn to paint, express, and discover themselves through their art. They want to relax and feel the joy of art-making. (Maybe you can relate to that.)

If you are like most of them, you don’t need to learn to draw first. I’d even say that pushing you to learn drawing if you are not ready may be bad for you. You may experience drawing as frustrative and stressful and may give up art-making entirely.

Instead, I suggest you first concentrate on liberating your inner artist and discovering the world of colors, structures, rhythm, composition, depth… through painting freely and playfully. (I’ve gathered these free tips to help you. Download them and use them right away;)

When you enjoy painting for some time, depending on how deep you go, you will become more confident and ready to learn to draw.

And btw, I believe in introducing drawing as smoothly and unexpectedly as possible. I sometimes refer to this approach as  “tricking into drawing” (actually, tricking inner critics) cause its goal is to avoid frustration.

It works wonderfully!