Many people begin attending art school with unrealistic expectations. The common misunderstanding is that after a couple of classes you will become a good artist. The reality is that it takes much longer than that. Commonly between 5 to 10 years of proper training to reach a level of proficiency.
And expect to repeat courses up to 15 times to truly master the specific topic. Some classes such as perspective, composition, and color theory might take only 2-3 times to learn the necessary information, but other classes like portrait drawing, figure drawing, and plein air painting take many years of repetition to master. Just because you have completed a course doesn’t mean you know everything about the topic. The curriculum for a common college program does not apply to learning how to draw and paint – complete course A and move on to course B. Complete course B and move on to course C)
When attending an art class you will only learn information that you are ready to learn at the time. When you retake the course a year later you will learn new information that you were not ready to learn a year before.
The problem is that when people realize this, many get discouraged. “There is so much to learn. Where do I start? 10 years is such a long road!” But it’s important to realize that you will see progress from the beginning. Those baby steps will keep you going. Every inch of progress is exciting.
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
Everybody’s path is different. There is no perfect order for classes. Study the areas you are weakest in and eventually your strengths will outnumber your weaknesses.
If the length intimidates you, realize that the 10 years will pass whether you are studying or not. Everybody always wishes they had started earlier. The question is, when the 10 years do pass, where do you want to be? Do you still want to be wishing you knew how to draw? If you get discouraged and quit, odds are 10 years from now you will think “If I had stuck with it, I would have been really good by now.”
So, do yourself a favor and take that first step. Keep your chin up and stay positive. Celebrate every step no matter how small. You will not regret it. 10 years from now, you won’t look back and think “what if?”
I definitely agree with you. I think some people believe art is a “natural talent” & don’t realize it’s going to take time & practice.
This blog relates to all careers. Ten years shouldn’t be long if someone truly enjoys what they’re doing. Those are 10 years of experience & knowledge that will only benefit you in the future.
That’s true. If you have the passion then practice doesn’t seem like a chore. I look forward to drawing every time. I even miss it and have cravings when I go extended periods of time without it. It’s a great stress reliever – almost like meditation.
You’re the man, Stan. This website is really organized and helpful.
JS
Wow! coming from an engineer. Thanks Jason.
I just found this blog and it’s very helpful. I also subscribed. Thanks Stan!
Thank you. I stumbled across your site when I was looking desperately for a way to draw a damn head *sigh*. I’ve set my self a goal of becoming good at drawing, and I’ve been at it for about 5 months, with little improvement. This, (and your helpful tutorials) have strengthened my resolve to keep going, and trust me, it was crumbling fast. In 10 years, I want to be able to put my imagination on paper like I wish I could now, and because of you, I fell like I will be able to, eventually, and maybe even have some fun on the way.
This is the best head tutorial I’ve seen in a while, just randomly felt like drawing.. and I was struggling with a new perspective I’ve been trying to figure out.. Nice logical explanation and approach
Nice work!
and now I want to continue practicing again
Thank you for this article. I’ve been inspiring to draw from 2011 from watching various artists on youtube and seeing the wonder arts on Deviant Art. It’s now 2013 and because of my lack of “sticking” with it, I am still only tiny better than I was in 2011. And now I am wishing I had stuck with it before.
I am trying to seriously draw and practice everyday (it’s been about a week and a half so far) and I’ve already encountered that road block so familiar.
“My drawings suck!”
“I’ve practiced for a whole week already and my lines are still chicken scratches.”
“5-10 years are too long, I want to be better now. I want to give up. Maybe art is just not for me.”
But you’re right, I will struggle and crawl my way through these obstacles and persevere until I am 32 (10 years from now). Hopefully by then I had already put up some decent paintings on DA
Ya don’t let that evil voice in your head keep you from your dreams. Anytime you hear him, just tell him to shut up and use it as motivation to prove him wrong. 10 years is long, but you will be making progress along the way. You don’t have to wait 10 years to see improvement. The years will go by regardless. You might as well be using them to master something you love.