Comments on: Stick Figure to Mona Lisa: 15 Tips for Becoming Artistic

By: lazaroth

lazaroth — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:50:25 +0000

You are an artist. Everyone is. Any act of creation is art. Software, articles and cooking are as much artistic acts as painting a landscape or composing a symphony

ok, i stoped reading after that. stop smoking that pal.

By: s

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:07:58 +0000

I disagree; having an artistic ability is something cognitive, and therefore (mostly) something which I believe requires a natural affinity (aka, “natural talent”).

Surely, drawing can be improved upon with skill, but there’s really a lot of people out there who try to draw, but really aren’t that good.

By: max night

max night — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:58:45 +0000

Ive always believed that you didnt need to know how to draw well to paint. To me, Paint is paint. as long as you know proportion, shading, style, and most of the basics you dont need to learn to draw. Not every painter paints a portrait of someone down to the last detail. Quite a few modern painters only do abstract.

By: D

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 03:03:10 +0000

I strongly agree that a great majority of people do feel that they are not “artistic” and generally many out there feel that art is related to drawing or painting. Haha I used to think like that too.

Thanks for tip number 15. Never did focus much on visualizing on the end product just wanted to start things and hope it would turn out like what I pictured.

By: Scott Young

Scott Young — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:46:41 +0000

Thanks for the insights, Jeff!

By: Jeff Seely

Jeff Seely — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 04:07:26 +0000

“I think anyone can become artistic…”

For sure, Scott. You may be familiar with how Richard Feynman took up drawing as a hobby. The story can be found in “Surely you’re joking Mr Feynman.” It is an excellent example of how even one of the greatest analytical minds in history can develop impressive artistic skills (starting from a base artistic ability of nil).

I think it’s unfortunate how many people assume you have to be an artist to make art. I cannot think of anything more intrinsincly satisfying than working on an artistic creation in your private time.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 18:34:18 +0000

Excellent post, Scott!

To those who are too “left-brained” in their drawings, I can really recommend the book “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards: http://www.drawright.com/

It contains background information (that, unfortunately, is repeated over and over again), but also very practical advice, and the exercises are truly excellent. The difference between self-portraits, drawn by students both before and after following the accompanying course, is almost shocking.

The book won’t teach you to be creative per se, but it will stimulate you and improve your skill.