Learning to draw isn’t an innate skill.
Many people mistakenly believe that drawing ability is something you’re born with.
This misconception can create mental barriers to learning. (Trying to doodle a simple flower seems impossible for many.)
This article draws inspiration from Marc, a student in my “Sketch like the Pros” course.
Despite enrolling in the VIP feedback option,
Marc hesitated to share his drawings, waiting until he felt they were “good enough.”
His shyness and fear of disappointing me are typical reactions.
As children, we don’t experience this shyness when drawing.
However, as we grow older, we tend to develop a fear of showing our work.
Today. I show you why it’s normal and okay to face these mental blocks,
and how you can overcome that irrational feeling.
Young or old, I hope I can help you feel empowered to sketch today!
And maybe start a drawing routine?
So, let’s embrace this journey together!
Note: I myself graduated older than most of my classmates, at 27 years old in my Design School.
The best day to start was yesterday. So how about today? : )
Are You Too Old to Start Sketching?
The Beauty of Youthful Creativity
As kids and teens, we have a special superpower: the ability to create without fear!
Our youthful enthusiasm gives us the freedom to make all kinds of drawings, and guess what?
They’re all considered adorable!
When you’re young, every scribble, doodle, or sketch is a masterpiece in its own right.
There’s no such thing as a “bad drawing” – it’s all part of the magical journey of creativity.
Your imagination runs wild,
and that’s what makes your art so special and charming.
So, embrace that youthful spirit in your art, no matter your age.
Let your inner child guide your hand and remember: every drawing is a beautiful expression of you!
> Sketching Exercise
To help you unlock you fear of drawing, I develop this sketching tutorial using the Random Product technique!
Get ready to have fun and instant result! 🙂
Embracing the Adult Artist’s Journey
As we grow older, we often become hesitant to learn drawing in public.
Why?
Because we’re afraid of making mistakes.
It’s like we’ve forgotten the joy of creating without fear!
Here’s a common scenario: we might give up before we even start, using the excuse of “innate talent.”
I’ve heard friends say, “You’ve got talent, but I don’t.”
If only they could see all the crumpled paper in my bin from countless trials and errors!
Let’s bust a myth right now: Talent isn’t something you’re born with – it’s something you develop.
And guess what?
You can start developing it at any age!
We all begin as beginners, regardless of when we start.
Here’s the truth: whether you’re young or not-so-young,
we all face similar challenges when learning to draw.
The main difference?
Adults might find it a bit harder to admit they’re still learning.
But remember, being a beginner isn’t a weakness – it’s the exciting start of a creative journey!
The Power of Youthful Passion in Learning to Draw
Let me tell you about Lucas, my youngest student at just 15 years old.
The progress he made in just 3 months were absolutely amazing!
While most people see obstacles, Lucas saw opportunities to progress.
Ever wonder why young people seem to have a natural talent for drawing?
It’s not about innate ability – it’s all about passion without limits!
They dive into their art headfirst, without the inhibitions we adults often carry.
Young artists like Lucas don’t see boundaries.
They’re dreamers, and those dreams fuel their actions.
That’s why they improve so quickly – they’re not afraid to try, fail, and try again.
Here’s the secret you too can follow learning to draw is all about following your passion blindly.
Best is you find similar people sharing that same vibrant energy!
It’s about letting your love for art guide you, regardless of your age or skill level.
Remember what Henry Ford said: “
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”
Taking the First Step: Your Art & Design Journey Begins
Remember, by deciding to start, you’re already ahead of the game!
You’ve taken a step that many never dare to take.
That’s something to be proud of!
Now that you’ve made the decision to learn, embrace the challenge fully.
Make your sketches visible – don’t hide them or your mistakes.
Each imperfect line is a step towards improvement.
As you gain experience, you’ll start to see your mistakes differently.
They’ll become personal challenges, puzzles to solve.
That’s when the real fun begins!
Embrace Your Beginner’s Journey: Show Your Sketches!
Have you ever thought, “I’ll show my sketches when I’m ready”?
Well, let me tell you a secret: that day might never come if you keep waiting!
My student Marc, for example, hesitated to share his sketches, feeling not quite ready yet.
It’s a common feeling for beginners, but here’s the twist: those who show their early, ‘clumsy’ sketches often improve much faster!
So, here’s my advice: don’t hide those sketches in your drawer.
Bring them out into the light!
Share your beginner drawings proudly.
Make them visible!
Remember, what truly matters isn’t the end result, but the progress you make every single day.
Don’t worry about feeling uncomfortable or ashamed when other people see your work.
Instead, feel completely at ease with people looking at your beginner sketches.
Here’s the beautiful truth: people won’t judge you.
hey’ll appreciate seeing how you improve day by day.
And most importantly, they’ll see how it makes YOU happy.
So, let’s make a pact: show your sketches, embrace the learning process, and watch yourself grow.
Overcoming Beginner’s Perfectionism in Art
Ever wonder why starting to draw feels so challenging?
As beginners, we often set impossibly high standards for ourselves.
It’s funny, isn’t it?
We somehow convince ourselves that our very first sketches should rival Da Vinci’s masterpieces.
We think we need to create a work of art to prove we have talent and the ability to learn.
But does that make any sense? Of course not!
Your first sketches will be ugly and clumsy! And that’s fine. 🙂
This crazy expectation stems from a common misconception: the belief in innate talent.
We think artists are born, not made.
But here’s the truth: every skill, including drawing,
can be learned and improved with both practice and quality feedback.
Remember what Ralph Waldo Emerson said:
“Every artist was first an amateur.”
Even the greatest masters started as beginners, just like you and me.
Conquering Your Drawing Fears: “It’s Just Ink on Paper!“
“No crocodile is going to eat you.”
Sounds silly, right?
But as adults, we often have fears just as irrational when it comes to drawing.
Instead of monsters under the bed, we’re afraid of shame and judgment.
How many times have you heard someone say (or maybe you’ve said it yourself),
“No, no, I can’t draw! I don’t want to draw!”
Even when it’s just about doodling a simple mushroom or apple.
But here’s the thing – there’s absolutely no harm in trying!
My friend artist Renata has a great perspective.
She always says, *”It’s just a drawing on paper.”
And you know what?
She’s absolutely right!
Nobody’s going to laugh at you or scold you. It’s just ink on paper.
All those fears? They’re just in your head.
So here’s my challenge to you: let go of those inhibitions.
Embrace a safe, positive environment for learning.
Once you do that, you’ll find the courage to start sketching.
Breaking Free from Binary Thinking in Art
With our adult brain:
We surprisingly often fall into the trap of binary thinking in art: 1 = Masterpiece, 0 = Disaster.
But is it really that simple?
Picture this: “1” represents those jaw-dropping sketches you see online, while “0” is our beginner doodles.
That’s quite a gap, isn’t it?
With this mindset, many beginners feel stuck at “0”, feeling hopeless!
No wonder so many give up.
We’re happy if we draw like a “1”, but miserable if we’re at “0”.
Here’s the catch: as a beginner, you’re naturally closer to “0”.
So why set such unrealistic expectations?
Instead, let’s shift our focus to daily progress.
There’s a whole world between 0 and 1 – countless shades of improvement!
Start noticing your journey from 0.1 to 0.2 and beyond.
These small steps might seem insignificant to others, but they’re huge victories for you!
Each improvement is a reason to be proud and excited about sketching.
Your enthusiasm will be contagious.
People around you will admire your dedication.
As your motivation grows, you’ll improve even faster.
It’s a beautiful cycle: progress fuels motivation, which fuels more progress.
Before you know it, you’ll be riding the wave of success.
Your journey is just beginning – enjoy every step!
Motivation: Your Secret Weapon in Learning to Draw
As you build your motivation and confidence,
you’ll find yourself inching closer to your artistic goals every single day.
Unlike many beginners who throw in the towel after their first not-so-perfect doodle, you’ll have the strength to keep pushing forward. You know being beginner is temporary, and you can already visualize yourself acquiring new skills day after day.
Think of motivation as your trusty sidekick – always there to give you a boost when you face challenges.
It’s the force that keeps your pencil moving, even when the path gets tough.
The more you learn, the faster progress you will make.
Remember, every “bad” doodle is just a stepping stone to greatness.
With motivation as your ally, you’ll see each sketch as an opportunity to learn and grow.
So, keep that motivation burning bright, it will lead to discipline and drawing routine.
Meanwhile, watch your artistic skills soar!
Your Artistic Journey Begins Here: Join Us for More!
Congratulations on taking the first step in your artistic journey!
Remember, every sketch, every imperfect line is a step towards improvement.
As you gain experience, you’ll start to see your mistakes as exciting challenges to overcome.
No matter your age, realise you’re already ahead of the game, by deciding to start.
And that’s something to celebrate.
That’s when the real fun begins!
But why stop here?
Your artistic adventure is just beginning,
and I’m here to guide you every step of the way!
Continue Your Learning Journey
Visit our blog at The Design Sketchbook for more tips, tutorials, and inspiration.
I regularly update with new content to fuel your artistic growth.
Take Your Skills to the Next Level
Ready to supercharge your progress?
Join the waiting list for my design course, “Sketch Like the Pros”!
This comprehensive program will take your sketching skills
from beginner to advanced, with my personalized feedback.
To join the waiting list, visit: Sketch Like the Pros Waiting List
Don’t miss this opportunity to transform your artistic and design journey.
Join me and other members, and let’s create something amazing together!
Your journey starts with a single line, and I’m here to help you draw it.
Ready to begin?
Let’s sketch the future together!
Cheers,
Chou-Tac
PS: Anyone can sketch if he has the right guidance.
Here are some testimonials from my students of different age.
“I even got an internship in one of the largest sports companies in the world!” (PUMA)
– Alberto, Portugal, Student Designer (Alberto was hired as a permanent footwear designer after his internship)
“Chou-Tac simplifies all processes very well.”
– Joao Tomaz
“Chou-Tac’s personal feedback is great, focusing on small details that would make a big difference on your sketching skills.”
– Roger, Portugal, 36, Freelance Product Designer
“I found the motivation through Chou-Tac’s comments.”
– Pedro Luis Carretero, Spain, Freelance Product and Graphic Designer
“Chou-Tac doesn’t only explain how to draw things. But also, how to observe products in real life.”
– Jun, China, Designer
“You won’t get that from just reading books or even online from other websites.”
– Zaid Siddiqui, India, Mechanical Engineer
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