Drawing: A Lifelong Skill     

Here are some of my rambling thoughts about teaching art…   

I used to teach drawing & painting classes to children. I have taught many, many classes, workshops & camps. I used to own & run my own small business teaching art to children and eventually had 10+ employees helping me teach the art classes & camps. But, although I feel that my business was successful because I had 100’s of children participating in my classes & camps, I didn’t really make much money. You see, as I expanded the business I had to pay more & more for employees, insurance and rent for the classroom spaces. But- hey! I was teaching art, and having a blast doing it!    

I was mostly inspired to teach art because of all the fond memories I had of the art classes, art teachers I had when I was growing up. I began to realize more and more that not everyone gets to experience what I did. And, so teaching art became my mission in life, my purpose. And it wasn’t just teaching art- it was providing fun experiences that they might not ever get anywhere else. Playing with art, teaching them while they played with fun stuff.   

And now, here I am a few years after my family moved and I quit my teaching business. Sure, I have taught a few art classes here and there in the past few years- but nothing like when I had my small business. I’m still finding a desire to teach art to children, or rather to introduce art to children.      

One of my observations about ‘teaching’ art…   

Observing my students over the years, and also my own children, has given me very good reason to believe that drawing can’t really be taught. WHAT?! Did I just say that, after having taught art to children for years? Yes. I believe that learning to draw, like many skills in life, only comes by way of practice. That’s right – the ol’ “Practice Makes Perfect” thing. But, it’s so true. I believe that if someone is extremely passionate and interested in something, like drawing, they will be ‘drawn’ to it and will be compelled, or have a strong desire – to do that activity OFTEN. And when someone does anything often, they will undoubtedly improve. And, the more they practice, the quicker they will improve, obviously.   

When most people think about the idea of “learning to draw” they imagine the ability to re-create a scene or image that resembles the likeness of it in reality or in a photo. Making it look “real” or recognizable. This is perhaps one of the biggest stumbling blocks for just about every new or young artist. Since it takes (usually) years to develop your skills such that you can realistically re-create from a photo or real life, people usually tend to judge their early work to harshly, or other people like parents, teachers, and peers will judge it for you! This alone usually weeds out the people who are not already inspired and passionate about drawing and/or art from those who are. And, those who ARE and have been already inspired and passionate about drawing & art are the ones who have already been drawing and practicing on their own – at home as young children – obsessed with crayons, coloring books, and whatever they can get their hands on- if the can. This is where having parents who are also interested in art in advantageous as art materials are likely to be readily available to the young budding artists.   

Now- there ARE some things in regards to art/drawing that CAN be taught, or demonstrated – like how to use or manipulate different types of art materials, and how to mix colors, tips & tricks, etc. But, learning to draw is a personal skill that is perfected by the individual through practice. It requires a certain level of maturity and awareness. Learning to draw (realistically) is basically learning how to see/observe things and details and being able to transfer those details through your arm & hand and re-creating it on paper/canvass. I don’t believe someone can learn to draw by being told or shown by someone else – rather they will learn by doing it, and practicing it, themself. Most of the time, when I teach drawing to children, I am merely demonstrating how to utilize the art materials and also pointing out details, shadows, etc… that they may not have observed.    

Therefore, when I hear people say that they “can’t draw” or that they “don’t know how to draw”, I always want to interject something like –“You just haven’t drawn much – yet” or “you just need to practice.” I really feel that most of the time when people say things like that, it is a way for them to put themselves down. Maybe they are looking for attention or just being envious. But, really – if they wanted to draw, or wanted to get better at drawing – they probably would be drawing already, on their own.    

Now, drawing on your own is not always easy to do – even for somewhat experienced artists like myself! It helps to have proper art materials, and a nice place to create art. Once you have your area set up and stuff out – it is a lot harder to find excuses on why you don’t have the time or place to draw. And, once you start, it becomes easier. But, getting out of the habit, or getting out of the practice is easy to fall into. And, that’s where outside inspiration often helps. Seeing other artists at work can do wonders for inspiring your own creativity. Many times this is why joining a class is helpful. It adds a fun social aspect, and it is also scheduled and usually paid for- so you sort of HAVE to go and practice you skill. All of the wine & painting parties & workshops that have become so popular lately, in my opinion, are doing wonders for people by giving them a casual, fun space to practice their skill.  The wine probably helps make it a fun experience, too, which helps reinforce it as something people can be inspired and passionate about and WANT to do.   

It’s a new year! It’s still fresh! There is LOTS of amazing & inspiring artwork & artists out there creating – even right here on Steemit! So – if you have an interest in drawing – JUST DO IT!! (As Nike would say) You just need to start. And, if you have any young artists running around – make sure you keep them supplied with lots of paper & crayons, pencils, markers!!! Keep the juices flowing.