Despite popular opinion that artists possess some mysterious gift for drawing things realistically, the truth is, artists are no different than anyone else. Anyone can learn to draw professionally, given the proper instruction.
If I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times: "I could never draw like that. I can't even draw stick figures."
So, in an effort to help dispel such a myth, I offer the following facts for consideration. Drawing (really drawing) is an acquired skill, just like learning to drive a car. Anyone with the desire to draw CAN draw. If you think you are the exception, think again. The only difference between artists and non artists, is artists are always training themselves to draw what they SEE, as opposed to drawing something the way they THINK it looks.
The work is not in the drawing, but in the seeing. Seeing is where we need to concentrate our real effort. It is a matter of perception. If you don't believe me, believe the multitudes who have discovered that it is not as much a matter of discovering hidden "talent" as it is acquiring the skills necessary to draw things realistically, whereby talent is then developed.
Find a picture of something you want to draw. Now turn that picture upside down, and begin drawing lines and shapes, values (or shadows), not naming parts, such as, that is an eye, that is a nose, that is a tie, etc. By naming parts, we are in danger of drawing our subject the way we THINK it should look, as opposed to drawing it the way it actually appears. Keep telling yourself that all you are really drawing is lines, shapes, and values. Spend more time looking at your subject rather than looking at a blank piece of paper or canvas.
Why? Because there is no information on that blank piece of paper for your mind to process. Allow your hand to draw what your eye actually sees, then, when you are finished, turn your paper right side up and be amazed at what you have actually achieved. With practice, you will become the artist you once thought you could never be.
