Learning to draw is like mastering any skill: it takes time and dedication to fully master. But will it take 10,000 hours of practice to become a skilled artist, as suggested by Malcom Gladwell? 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.
Naturally, your results may vary heavily based on multiple factors. It’s important to understand these different elements before starting your drawing journey. In this guide, we’ll take an in-depth look at what things impact your learning experience, as well as drawing resources that you can tap into if you struggle with your journey at any time.
What is Drawing?
Have you ever seen pictures of cave drawings or been lucky enough to visit them in-person? The fact that they still exist is a miracle, as is their implication that humanity has been drawing since the dawn of time itself. Though this crude art may seem simplistic by today’s standards, they highlight the fact that drawing is an innate skill in humanity. Even the act of drawing a simple stick figure is part of our long evolutionary path.
But what exactly is drawing on a fundamental level? Drawing is the art of creating objects on paper using various utensils, like pencils and pens. Mastering it includes learning how to draw lines and shapes, integrating these designs into complex artwork, shading drawings to produce depth, and coloring everything to produce more vivacity. These many techniques work together to make drawing one of the most diverse and engaging arts to learn.
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Benefits of Learning Drawing?
If you become a skilled artist, you might be able to change your careers into a more creative path. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics highlights multiple professions that may include drawing such as fine artists, graphic designers, architects, web designers, floral artists, cartoonists, special effects designers, and animators. This diverse range of potential jobs highlights just how useful learning to draw might be for you.
Even better, you can join art groups to meet like-minded artists and practice your skills together! For example, Meetup provides over 1,700 drawing-oriented groups with nearly 1.2 million members. There are so many groups on this site alone, that you’re likely to find one near you with ease. That said, you can also use other platforms to meet fellow artists, including checking out local galleries near you and talking with the manager.
More importantly, drawing has been proven to be an effective way of coping with mental health concerns. For example, an article by the Washington University stated that drawing and creating artwork can minimize anxiety and depression symptoms and give you an outlet for your emotional expression. In fact, trauma therapy often uses art as a way for people to explore their mental health problems and vent their pain in a safe and controlled environment.
Average Time It Takes to Learn Drawing
The average time it takes for people to learn how to draw will vary heavily based on multiple factors. In fact, it’s very hard to predict an average learning time: most experts state that natural ability, as well as available time, impacts a person’s development more than anything else. However, Enhanced Drawing, a blog that helps budding artists develop their skills, states that it takes an average of two years for most people to master drawing fully.
Another site, Concept Art Empire, strongly suggests practicing for at least five hours a day when learning how to draw. That heavy time investment is suggested for serious artists who want to transition into a more professional career. Even 30 minutes a day will improve your skills, though the more time you put into your daily art practice, the faster you’ll master drawing. As a result, it’s important to take the time to schedule regular drawing sessions.
Other Factors
If you have already tried learning drawing and were disappointed by the results, it’s important to remember that many factors can influence your success. Simply put, not everybody learns at the same pace: what might take seconds for some people may take you days, weeks, or even months. That doesn’t mean that you can’t master drawing! If you take these factors into consideration and understand your potential, you’re more likely to be satisfied with your results.
Natural Talent
It’s an idea that’s been studied many times: the fact that people are born with innate talents that are sometimes a genetic miracle. For example, a skilled artist may be born into a family with no drawing skills otherwise. If you’re one of those lucky people, you’re probably not reading this guide: as a result, you need to take your natural talent into consideration when learning drawing. Don’t get frustrated if you’re lagging behind your expectations: you just need more time.
Personal Learning Speed
Over the years, educational experts have realized that people learn at different speeds. Some people naturally pick up on new skills without difficulty, while others require more practice. It’s okay if it takes you longer to learn how to draw! That doesn’t mean you’re a bad artist or that drawing is beyond you. It just means you need more practice and that it may take you more time to become a skilled artist. Be compassionate with yourself during this process.
Drawing Interests
The kind of drawing you want to learn will heavily impact how quickly you progress in your education. For example, photorealistic artwork may require far more time to master because it includes complex and challenging techniques. Abstract artwork is a little easier to learn but still requires specific methods. Understanding which art style you prefer can help you better plan your learning and ensure that you progress through this journey more effectively.
Prior Experience
Have you always enjoyed sketching or doodling but could never really bring it together into fully realized artwork? Well, even a little bit of experience will help you master drawing more effectively! That’s because you probably already know a few basic techniques and skills and can learn how to use them effectively to produce better artwork. This experience may vary depending on how in-depth your previous experience was with drawing.
Motivation
There will come a time (or several) when your motivation is lagging and you simply don’t feel like practicing your drawing. That’s normal: it’s hard to stay constantly focused when you run into difficulties in your practice. However, you can break through this lack of motivation by thinking about your end goals. Why exactly do you want to learn how to draw? How important is it to you? You may also find a drawing buddy with whom you can practice to stay focused.
What to Know Before Learning Drawing:
Now that you know what can affect your learning experience, you’re probably ready to dive right into drawing. You’re just about ready to go, but you need to consider a few important facts before beginning. These simple factors can affect how well you learn to draw:
- Level of Difficulty: The difficulty of learning to draw will vary based on several factors. For most people, it’s probably an intermediate skill: others may find it far more challenging. Some may master it right away. Just know that, unless you’re blessed with natural artistic talent, you’re going to require some time and dedication to master this skill.
- Prerequisites: There aren’t many prerequisites you need to study before learning drawing. A working knowledge of geometry can help because you’ll better understand shapes and angles when creating complex artwork. That said, many of the abilities you’ll learn are based more on experience that you’ll get with regular drawing exercises.
- Cost: Learning to draw is inexpensive, depending on how serious you are practicing. For example, you can learn cheaply if you buy inexpensive paper and pencils. However, you may also find yourself investing in materials like drawing desks, expensive paper and pencils, and other items. All told, expect to spend a few hundred dollars at most.
Can I Learn Drawing for Free / on My Own?
Are you on a tighter budget and want to learn how to draw for free? There are many options available for you! For example, there are free video-based YouTube drawing classes that include guided lessons on various artistic techniques. This method works well for visually oriented learners who need to “see” their lessons as they occur. There are also free self-directed online courses that may help you practice at a pace that feels comfortable. Note that these options have limited support compared to CourseHorse classes. Simply put, you don’t get a live professor who can help correct your mistakes. You also miss out on the social aspects that make learning with in-person or online classes at CourseHorse so rewarding. We suggest free lessons as a supplement to guided, professional-level programs.
Key Takeaways
- Learning to draw will take various times, depending on your natural skill and practice
- Learning drawing can be financially and emotionally rewarding
- It might take you a few years or longer to master drawing fully
- Many factors can influence your learning speed, including motivation
- Free learning might help with some basic skills but isn’t your best option
- You can practice drawing with in-person, online, and private classes on CourseHorse