I became a PRO ARTIST with NO art school and NO talent

My art journey - How I took my art skill from a beginner with ZERO talent, to professional, working artist. My clients now include: Disney, Marvel, MtG, Hasbro, Lego, Lucasfilm, and more.

-- LINKS --

[miwiarts]

"I had to use 17 years of experience to get the pose just right."

This. This was an eye-opener to me.

[samdoesarts]

Passion for drawing & desire to learn >>> school & talent

[-_Ash_]

The book "Anatomy for sculptors" (don't remember authors) is a legend. No long muscle descriptions, no stories about artists in the past. Just forms, points where it starts and ends on bones and mistakes many artists do and the way you should do it correctly. I wish I could have this book at the beginning of my art journey.

[celerispaghetti]

Its really encouraging to see an artist that wasn't already an art genius at 12 yo. We see so many of them on social media and it can feel like starting in your 20s is already too late. Your journey is inspiring for all of us

[kingpen]

You and Sinix gave us a sense of relief that starting at around 19 or 20 in art, there is still a lot of time to improve, maybe it's because of the social media or internet in general that some of us thought feel bad with our drawing skills in proportion to our older age. Anyways, thanks again for your amazing videos, not just with technical approach in art but also boosting our morale in it.

[khart]

I did go to art school…and I wish I had had a teacher like you. So many eye openers here - thank you.

[reinsroom]

"Just because you learn something one day, doesn't mean you can apply it the next day."

Thank you, this really hit home for me, Marco :]

[PasCorrect]

It's crucial to emphasize that "no art school" does not (have to) mean "no formal art instruction". Taking classes taught by experienced artists -- ideally in person -- can really open your eyes to your own mistakes, habits, strengths and weaknesses in a way that solo study can't replicate.

[EntityOhare]

This is why I tell EVERYONE if you can make a dot, a line, a stick figure, etc., You can draw! You need the dedication and practice. There is no such thing as “I can’t draw.”

[phuong]

Wow! He took the rejection from his art school wayy better than a certain Austrian-Born German kid.

[CozyTressi]

As someone who started with nothing art-wise at 25, with no skill whatsoever, it is so important to share this idea. So many people just assume they can't do something because they weren't born with it. Anyone can learn anything with the right resources and hard work. It is ok if it takes time.

[no_one]

Just wanted to say that I feel like watching this saved my life. Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm currenly studying (and about to graduate) science, after feeling like I was too poor and untalented to do art for a living, I now feel depressed cause I feel a burning desire to go back to drawing and painting but I was feeling like I couldn't do it anymore before watching this. My last piece one was done with pastels in 2021, last week I saw it in my old sketchbook and I've been feeling sad since then but now I feel excited about what lives has to offer for me and want to start drawing and painting again

[TheWheatless]

I wish more adult learners could tell us about their journey like this. It’s easy to find great artists who were drawing since youth, but it’s hard to learn much from their journey. They often don’t even know it themselves. They were just drawing for hours a day, every day. But the adult learner needs more direction and efficiency, and seeing the journey of other adult learners really helps.

[eston]

I've been incredibly hesitant in my attempts to start learning how to draw because I've always had this feeling of "It's too late for me" and the regret that stems from " I should never have stopped drawing as a kid." This video basically snapped me out of it. Thank you.

[maggiecatherine]

this is incredibly encouraging! i’ve always loved art, but i was never really good at drawing, painting, etc. i always compared myself to others my age who were amazing at it, and it’s kinda caused me to give up and stop practicing because i don’t “have the talent” for it. i’m 21 now and have had a very strong and sudden urge to get into digital art, which is something i’ve wanted to do for a LONG time. but the longer i waited, the more i felt it would be too late for me to really learn and get anything out of it. but i’ve finally decided to put my fears aside and just go for it. seeing where you started out when you were around my age, and seeing where you are now, just further confirms that my fears are irrational. i don’t need talent, and it’s not too late for me to learn this skill. thank you so much for sharing you story and giving me the encouragement i needed to follow through with this ❤️

[GoSuLeGioN]

I messaged you 2 years ago, I said thank you for the amazing guides that started my art career. 2 years later I quitted my old job and I'm doing freelance work in the industry. You are the best Marco, literally changed my life. ♥

[quantumfoam]

Moral of the day: a true Artist is someone who loves painting and tries to improve himself for the sake of this love. All else is just secondary.

Edit: First thanks to all for the likes!
You are right to point this out, I should rather have write his "work" instead of "painting" but what I actually had in mind is artistic expression in general.

[camilatte]

Im 15, when i was 12 i use to absolutely love drawing so much, and my improvement was crazy rapid, after i had seen that improvement i would always start worrying if i wouldent improve that quick anymore. I fell into a huge art block where I would only study study study and never draw for fun. I started to lose the love of art, I didnt know why at the time tho, i couldent draw for 5 minutes without looking at the clock wondering when i would be done, I couldent even tell wich artists i liked or not, i would get lots of heart palpitations when i even thought about art. When i finally realized why it was i took a long time to get back to my normal mindset ( 6 months, i never completed a peice in 6 months, becuase i also learned i was being a perfectionist instead of just allowing myself to draw and that mistakes are part of the process), even now i still worry about studying too much and that ill fall down in the same pithole and can still sometimes not differentiate if i like certain things or not, but its improved a lot, but along with that improvement i did lose a lot of skill and i have to relearn. I have to keep the new healthy mindset things i learned and have to start getting into learning all that i lost. It feels endless, it feels like i have a ton to catch up with, but i also have to remind myself that i have to takes things slow. Im 15 so i have time, but even now i have to start taking advantage of my time.

[sofsofsofsof]

you're an inspiration, art school doesn't even exist in my country so knowing that i dont really need to go to make it is reassuring

[MaxBenin]

Amazing! I'm a software developer who has always flirted with music and art, but, never felt confident to actually do something or even make a complete career transition. Your video inspired me a lot. Thanks !