/lit/ - Literature

>>16625735
The exceptional skill we label as talent is not a single capability. It is a complex micture of motive, curiousity, receptivity, intelligence, perception, sensitivity, expert teaching, perseverance, problem solving skills, timing, sheer luck, and countless other things. If any part of it is genetic, divinely endowed, the result of astrological fiddle-faddle, fate or destiny, that part is not the sole determining factor. All the other ingredients must be present in the right combination - and no one knows the exact recipe

artistic skill - the ability to draw well and make paint behave - is not a natural endowment like big blue eyes or great legs. Nor is it a special knack you simply have or do not have, like a "green thumb," a "natural sense of rhythm," or "surgeon's hands." (those things are nonsense too.) neither does it matter whether your parents, grandparents, or any of your ancestors were artist, except insofar as they may have motivated you, taught you, or served as role models.

you can learn the skills required for painting in the same way that you can learn anything else you are strongly drawn to. I dont mean to understate the difficulties, however. The great painters devoted their lives to their art, often to the point of total obession. Serious painting is not something that can be learned casually. You must be willing to sacrifice many other things. So don't waste your time worrying if you are talented, and dont blame any failures on the lack of it- THAT is the ultimate cop-out.