is drawing a useless talent

Is Drawing a Useless Talent – Honest Advice From an Artist

Let me clear the air, drawing is not a talent.

It’s a skill that gets better with practice.

Nobody is born an artist.

But there are people who have an easier time with it because they are born with a passion to create drawings or sketches or paintings and they probably have very good observational skills.

I’ve been drawing since I was 3.

And I’ve often gotten weird looks when I tell people that I draw and write for a living.

Most people don’t even know that drawing is a serious and legitimate career and you can make a full-time income doing it.

If you’re discouraged because someone told you drawing is a useless talent – then this post will help you see things differently.

So, in this post, I am going to talk about if drawing is a useless talent.

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A little backstory

I’ve been drawing since I was 3 years old.

I never went to any drawing classes or had any formal education – I just had a passion for pencil sketching, coloring, and creating random art projects.

My favorite show was Art Attack and I honestly enjoyed making paper mache projects.

Sometimes, I’d make doll houses out of paper.

Most of it got thrown in the trash because my mum was a neat freak and couldn’t stand that much paper in the house.

I never, ever knew it could be a career, so I pursued engineering.

But after I graduated, I didn’t want to be an engineer.

I wanted to draw and write for a living.

I started working from home – making websites for companies and freelancing.

After a few months, I started a blog as a hobby.

I created a pen sketch and colored it with photoshop using my mouse and laptop – I didn’t have a drawing tablet.

A woman saw my logo and commissioned me to make 20 such pieces for her. She paid me $700 for the project.

That’s when it struck me that I could make a living off this!

I started saving up for a drawing tablet.

And I continued to promote my services.

I did everything to earn money during those days:

  • Create blogs
  • Draw and design logos, pamphlets, flyers, business cards, couple portraits, pet portraits

I started a comic page on Instagram to get better at art.

The account took off and I gained about 180,000 followers in 6 months.

I started selling merchandise with my art on it.

I was able to work with huge companies like Dove, Himalaya, Jockey, DevaCurl, and so on to make comics for them.

I started getting paid for my art.

I eventually went on to start several blogs and teach women how to make money online.

This blog for instance focuses only on teaching drawing to kids and beginners.

If you want to learn how to draw and illustrate, check out my beginner articles here.

Drawing is honestly not useless.

There are so many benefits to drawing.

And it’s not a waste of time.

So here are some wonderful reasons why drawing is not a useless talent.

1. You can recreate an image in your mind

you can recreate anything

Imagine being able to draw absolutely anything.

Every single fantasy character you see on a book cover or in a movie started out as a concept first. It was then turned into a sketch and finally a beautiful piece of art.

It’s not easy to replicate what you see in your head and very few people are able to do that.

2. You can make money with this skill

you can make money with your art

You can make money by drawing and you don’t even have to leave the house.

You can get clients online.

You can become a:

Honestly, the options are endless. I’ve written a post here on how to make money as an artist.

You can also read this post on how to make money on Instagram as an artist.

You just have to have an interest in it and be consistent.

3. It provides peace and comfort

it helps you relax

If you find drawing a comforting hobby that eases your anxiety and stress as I do, then just do it.

You don’t even need to worry about making money at this point – it’s already a pro if it’s making you relax.

It is a form of self-expression and self-care.

When I was in college and stressed, I’d draw.

I’d just use ball-point pens and I found it so soothing.

It’s one of the best things you can do if you are stressed.

4. It improves your observational skills

it improves your observational skills

Drawing requires you to observe the world around you in a very unique, careful, and detailed way.

Drawing will help you develop a deeper understanding of objects, people, colors, shapes and so much more and this skill can also be applied to other areas of life such as science and engineering.

I hope this post makes you feel better about drawing.

And here are some frequently asked questions I get.

5. It gives your life purpose

it gives your life purpose

As someone who has very fulfilling relationships and is financially secure – drawing gives my life meaning.

It doesn’t matter how many people you’re surrounded by or how much money you have – those things bring temporary happiness.

But if you have a hobby or a passion that keeps you going, it gives you lasting happiness.

I love drawing and writing.

It gives me so much joy that I look forward to each day that I can experiment with a new project.

I’m not kidding when I say that drawing makes you happy.

If it’s something you enjoy, draw every day – even if it’s just for 15 minutes.

Is drawing a rare talent?

Drawing well is rare but I wouldn’t call it a talent.

Because talent means a person is born with a skill.

And drawing is something that is only achieved via practice.

You can’t get better at it without practice. It’s like piano playing – sure, some people pick it up faster than others, but that doesn’t mean they don’t put in the work.

Is drawing a useful skill?

If these benefits still haven’t changed your mind about whether drawing is a useless talent, then read this post on 13 benefits of drawing or why people like to draw.

And here are a few posts on drawing that you may love: