How long does it take to learn drawing? (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to learn drawing? ›

That all depends on your natural abilities, how well you adapt to drawing techniques, and much more. Learning to draw is complex, and while you might pick up on basic skills fairly quickly, it could take several years or longer before you're a fully capable artist.

Drawing well can be challenging for beginners because, besides requiring knowledge of fundamental art concepts and techniques, it involves fluid coordination of hands and eyes that results from the muscle memory that is cultivated naturally over time through repetition, practice, and patience.

Let me explain: it takes a person hours of practice to become a master of anything. Assuming you have little or no prior drawing experience, mastering drawing in three months would be like mastering a sport like soccer or basketball in three months.

Through daily, concentrated practice and with an eye on what you can accomplish in a month, there's no doubt your drawings will get better. And that's an achievement worth celebrating!

There are plenty of excellent artists that have been drawing properly for less than 5 years. And you can also see how far people have been able to progress even in 3 years.

You will probably learn a ton in the first 6 months and that will change what you want to do in the second 6 months. I would also suggest you keep your goals really reasonable because things don't change in a matter of weeks.

It's easy to get discouraged when that's all you're pumping out. But drawing isn't purely mechanical. It's as much about process and approach. This means you can learn – you can teach yourself – to get better.

An essential skill to learn as a beginning artist, whether drawing or painting, is perspective. If you want to achieve three-dimensional art, knowing perspective is key, including how to find the horizon line, determine the vanishing point and an overview of linear perspective.

Or, maybe you tried it when you were younger but didn't stick with it. Whatever the case may be, it's never too late to start drawing. And even if you think that you'll never turn pro or become a good artist, read this article to the end.

What is the average age to draw? ›

By 2½ years, your child will start to draw people that resemble a tadpole/amoeba - with arms and/or legs attached directly to the face. The face may not have any features. By 3 years, your child will add features e.g. eyes and mouth. It is not until after the age of 4 that your child may start to draw a separate body.

For some, it's a matter of interest, but often that dropoff is fueled by a belief that an ability to draw is an innate talent. It's something you have or you don't. In truth, it's a learned skill, one built over years of consistent practice.

If practice is necessary, then what kind of practice do you need and how much? In his book Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell popularized the idea that, in order to master anything, you'll need to invest in 10,000 hours of practice. This equates to approximately five years' worth of full-time effort.

Art students who would like to become fine artists, start their art education in art schools from the age of 9 or 10. By the end of this school, which takes 4 to 5 years, they have very good drawing, painting, decorative arts, composition, and sculpting skills as well a firm knowledge of the history of arts.

Perhaps you have always wanted to learn how to draw, but never had the time or opportunity to do so. Or, maybe you tried it when you were younger but didn't stick with it. Whatever the case may be, it's never too late to start drawing.

You don't have to be 70 or 80 and you don't have to be 14 or 15. You can be 30 years old or 55 years old and start learning animation or start learning something new. There's no time limit on any of these skills or passions. As long as you have a passion for it and the willingness to learn it and put energy into it.

Absolutely, it's never too late to start art classes, especially at 17. This is a wonderful time to begin exploring and honing your artistic abilities. Age should never be a barrier to pursuing your passions.