Are artists born or made? Can you learn to be an artist? (2024)

Are artists born or made? Can you learn to be an artist?

As the years go by, many people develop skills related to art and creativity. Some at a very early age. Others may discover it after retirement. And there will also be people who never dare to try it.

One of the most frequently asked questions is whether it is possible to learn to be an artist. Many people say that to enter the world you have to be born with talent, while others believe that it is possible to learn to be an artist after a long period of continuous training. In the following lines we will discuss this question.

Is it necessary to have a skill or talent to be an artist?

Has this question ever crossed your mind? If you are already involved in the artistic world, it is possible that you have, and that the impostor syndrome appears from time to time to make you doubt your skills. But what if you’ve never had any contact with art: is it possible to acquire good artistic skills from scratch, or are those who are born with an innate talent for developing their artistic talents destined to succeed? Some people seem to be born with a gift, but the reality is that no matter what your approach to art is, no matter how talented you are, there are artists who are forgotten over the years because they lack the perseverance and consistency to leave room for inspiration.

Nowadays, there is enough evidence to believe that it is possible to learn to be an artist, it is enough to have perseverance and dedication in the training and branch chosen. In this way, the artist can master the technique and incorporate his or her personal style to create works that are unique in the world.

Learning to be an artist: artistic training and art school

In recent times, hundreds of art schools have been springing up to convince and demonstrate to people that talent and imagination are worthless if people are not trained by professionals in the artistic field. Although, it is true that in everything there will be exceptions.

Many people tend to criticise the training given in art schools, because the practical and theoretical content sometimes tends to “cage” artists, not allowing them to develop their imagination. This is why many claim that a non-academic artist will always be a better artist.

However, art schools and academic opportunities are becoming more evident by the day. The idea is that attending these training and art schools will stimulate you to awaken your creativity and imagination, so if you decide to attend them, our advice is to soak up theoretical knowledge, but look for spaces to let yourself go and create. In this way, you can develop your talent and learn to be an artist with your own potential.

Learning to be an artist: born or made?

Whether artistic skills are innate or acquired over time, with practice and experimentation you will realise the importance of your role in creating, deconstructing and transforming materials or elements into authentic works of art. Perseverance and experience are on your side to transform and shape the world according to your eyes.

And for this, we assure you that training can help you a lot. It will help you lay the foundations of your talent and experiment with techniques that, little by little, will give way to your own artistic style (regardless of whether your ability is innate or acquired over time).

Always remember that creativity and imagination are not an inherited talent of a few, but a human ability that some simply seek to develop more than others. To do so, you just need to take your time and learn from your artistic training, according to your abilities and skills, and put aside all the fears that paralyse the artist.

Would you like to dedicate yourself to art? Go for it!

Thanks to the many technological tools and resources we have at our disposal, anyone can learn to be an artist (painter, photographer, sculptor, ceramist…) and develop those skills that for so long were thought to belong only to a select few.

Once you are clear about your tastes and preferences in the art world, keep yourself updated to continue to innovate and expand and update the techniques you have been learning. Never be afraid to show your work to others, as this will help you a lot to receive constructive criticism and even learn from others.

Are artists born or made? Can you learn to be an artist? (2024)

FAQs

Are artists born or made? ›

These forces include environment, personal belief systems, contact or absorption of foreign cultures and ideas. Art educators believe artists are born and made. Artists born with artistic capabilities must be developed through training, teaching and development of interest in the arts.

Can you learn to be an artist or is it natural? ›

Well, you'll be happy to know that anyone can learn to be a great artist! While some people may be more naturally gifted than others, there are many famous artists who have overcome any lack of natural talent through sheer determination and practice.

Can you learn to become an artist? ›

Unlike professions such as teaching and nursing, there is no set path to becoming an artist. Some people are self-taught and forgo formal education while others choose to earn a bachelor's degree in art. “I think you have to do a lot more legwork if you don't have a degree,” Shipp says.

What makes a person become an artist? ›

An artist is anyone capable of conceptualizing an emotion, idea, or moment, or of more value, someone who can express themselves using their imagination. Art is considered any creative work whether it is a painting, a sign, a poem, a sculpture, or even a tattoo.

Are some people born artistic? ›

It is clear that creativity can be both born and made. While some people may have a natural ability or inclination towards creative thinking, others may need to develop their skills over time with practice and dedication. Ultimately, creativity is a skill that can be learned and honed regardless of age or background.

Is artistic talent learned or inherited? ›

There is a myth that artists are born being able to draw and paint, that art is somehow an inherited skill. The truth is that every artist struggles to learn their craft and that every artist copes with failure and doubt. Every term at the Little Art School we look at the lives of great artists.

Can you be a self-taught artist? ›

If you're like me and have asked yourself if it's possible to become a professional concept artist without attending any school that could teach you all the techniques and what you need to do in that job, the answer is: Yes.

How do I train myself to be an artist? ›

Think of becoming an artist as a journey, not a destination.
  1. Recognize your artistic skills and talent.
  2. Practice: work on your skills to boost your talents.
  3. Keep a journal: create a space for your ideas.
  4. Prepare your art tools and get ready to use them.
  5. Network: engage with a community of fellow artists.
Mar 21, 2023

Can I become an artist without talent? ›

As an aspiring artist, an individual doesn't necessarily depend on natural talent to achieve success. Experimentation is critical in acquiring the relevant artistic skills and expertise. Indeed, you need to explore multiple avenues, styles, and mediums to discover what resonates with your passion and artistic strength.

How to start out as an artist? ›

How to Become a Professional Artist
  1. Hone Your Skills.
  2. Test Your Work.
  3. Discover What You're Good At.
  4. Develop a Body of Work.
  5. Learn How to Photograph Artwork.
  6. Create a Basic Website.
  7. Start an Artwork Database.
  8. Build Your Resume.

What qualifies you as an artist? ›

You need creativity and imagination to be a visual artist, but you also need patience, persistence, determination, independence, sensitivity, and confidence in your abilities.

What does it take to be a true artist? ›

Real artists also have routines and schedules to get work done. They take their work seriously and know that time and focus is necessary to get things accomplished. They respect the time they have to make art and don't allow it to be put on the back-burner.

Is being an artist a gene? ›

Creativity is a trait with heavy genetic influences, which are also associated with mental disorders and altruism. Associated genes include dopaminergic, serotoninergic and other genes (a1-antitrypsin, neuregulin, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor). Music is another complex phenotype with important genetic background.

Is art created or invented? ›

That being said, artists discover new ways of expressing their concept, in the process of doing the work. Art is created.

Is art natural or man-made? ›

Art is not Nature Art is not nature because art is man-made. It is a creation of man that may reflect a profound skillfulness and craftmanship. It undergoes process and planning: a result of study and research.

Is art an imitation or creation? ›

Art, like life, starts with imitation but what makes art is its originality. By imitating the nature, it is creative just like Mother Nature. Although every new state produced seems imitated, it includes the new and different in it. Art includes both dimensions but creation is more valuable.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Golda Nolan II

Last Updated:

Views: 6329

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Golda Nolan II

Birthday: 1998-05-14

Address: Suite 369 9754 Roberts Pines, West Benitaburgh, NM 69180-7958

Phone: +522993866487

Job: Sales Executive

Hobby: Worldbuilding, Shopping, Quilting, Cooking, Homebrewing, Leather crafting, Pet

Introduction: My name is Golda Nolan II, I am a thoughtful, clever, cute, jolly, brave, powerful, splendid person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.