Is it TOO LATE to learn to draw & be a good artist?

How old is too old to become an artist? Am I too late to learn to draw? These are questions people ask whether they are in their 20s or 80s. Somehow there's a perception that you'll never be great at drawing unless you were practising from the time you were in nappies.

Often people quit drawing and want to come back to it, or just always wanted to try but never started, and now think the opportunity is gone forever.

In this video, we are going to examine these ideas and figure out when is too late and how long you'll need to become a 'good artist'. I use some funky graphs, examples from my favourite artists, and do some life drawing at the same time. Plus I draw some little fox characters, because there have been a lot around here recently.

I think I got the age of Van Gogh wrong on those two images where I say 'by 30-31, his skills were developing'. I think he did those around 33-34 years old.

The free account you make will also give you access to our new reference library for your general figure drawing practice. The lighting is designed to create clear and interesting shadow shapes and the poses are fun and dynamic!

Music: Birds in Flight by Dan Lebowitz, The Opening by Dan Lebowitz, Waterfall by Aakash Gandhi, Lazy Afternoon Sun by Dan Lebowitz

[drrrrzz]

great video ken! this channel is fricking awesome.
it’s true what you say.. habit status is all important. one thing i find helps with that is to set up my equipment so it’s extremely convenient to start drawing - i.e. everything is always permanently set up, the paper and pencils are laid out at all times... so there’s no obstacles like rummaging around for pencils etc. minimise the obstacles to make doing a bit of drawing a ‘drop in’ operation.

[artemisshaffer]

"Too late?" Nope, I'm 63, just retired as an engineer, and having a blast!

[vinniquagliato]

I started when I was 24. I used to think it was too late for me all the time, but I’m almost 27 now and I’m drawing like I never thought I ever would

[AKB-]

“This isn’t a real question, it’s more of a doubt.” Love this. Be a doubt killer and get started no matter your age. If your soul is pulling you to do something, then that is your purpose. Get it done.

[Queen_Zatanna]

I’m 18 and I have been procrastinating because I thought I was too late. I’ve seen people aged 15 or so do amazingly.

[elyceus]

25 and I’m drawing like a mad man in my room. Who cares what age, just do it with passion. Someone out there will appreciate your artwork in whatever age.
Climb those milestones now.

[tomeetomee]

im 75 and started drawing about a year ago . when i see Maykos work on instagram or the work of other artists im inspired to work a little longer that day or watch another video . i may never publish a book but im better today then i was last week. im amazed at what ive accomplished . i have a few new hobbies besides drawing and wish i had more hours in the day. Its NOT too late to discover who you really are. o.k. its 8:35 pm here and there is still time to check out that line and wash course ive been wanting to try.
tom

[wretched]

a buddy of mine once told me: "the only difference between a natural fighter, and an expert. is 10 extra minutes a day." let that sink in. great vid btw ty

[otakupower]

I’m 19 and I get feelings on it being too late, well more of I wasted so much time. I’ve been drawing since I was 11 but now I’m really serious about it and just started learning true anatomy.

[TenshinhanIsKing]

Vincent Van Gogh didn’t start painting until he was 27

[SecksyMan]

I'm 40 and just started. Im having lots of fun and improving every week. I find having fun and passion will overcome all obstacles.

[En]

It's never too late to take up drawing. Before I got in art school, I had only a couple of months to get preapred compared to all the people drawing since age 7. I sat on my azz and drew every day (sometimes for 6 hours straight) I got in and after a year I got better than everybody there since I wasent lazy and actually wanted to draw. So there you have it from first hand expiriance. Go chase your passions

[Astralfenrir]

This video made me shed a tear. I started drawing young, but was always discouraged and told it was a waste of time. If my parents saw me drawing, the drawings would be destroyed. I had to do it in secret. I was never an art prodigy, so my work was ignored at school. In the end I got a "real" job in IT, which while it pays the bills crushes my soul. I picked up a pencil again to draw when I was in university dealing with serious illness, and I was terrible, not having drawn for years. But I was determined to push through and keep going, even with no encouragement, and while I improved somewhat, I'm definitely nowhere near where I want to be.

I've just turned 30, and I've finally realised that art is the one thing that makes me happiest in life. Drawing and animating gives me the greatest joy, and I feel alive when I do it, even if my creations are not very good. But lately this feeling has hit me that I'm too old to ever even attempt to be a professional illustrator like I want to be. It's soul-destroying and I have a huge empty feeling in my stomach, a great pain in my chest when I think about it.

I needed this video today. Your fox characters are wonderfully designed and rendered. My main character is also a fox and I wish I could draw him as superbly as you've done here. They're my favourite animals and I'd love to be able to do them justice.

Thank you for the video, you've made a great positive impact to someone who really needed it. I'll be sure to show my progress in future.

[MindfulAttraction.]

Beautiful. I began drawing again because I have a lifetime to learn. I can just imagine in 10 years how amazing my art will be 😁😁😁

[Curmudgeonhero]

I’m 62. Thank you for this. Really, thank you. ✏️❤️✏️

[paulrob]

I stated drawing at 52, Three years later and I am getting somewhere near where I want to be. I’m completely self taught, and I try and draw every day even if it’s just 20 minutes doing some patterns as exercises. 18 months after I started drawing I had my first commission and haven’t looked back since.

[Cbug]

As a person who has barely been able to draw stick figures, but suddenly got bitten by the art bug at 40's door, I needed to hear this. Thank you!

[Samirxkhan]

The video is 100%! I started drawing a year ago. Practiced 4 hours a day but then it got to a point where I only drew things I was good at. Never really improved a lot because of that. Decided to draw things I hated drawing like hands and constantly drawing in different perspectives... Fast forward a month and hands are probably my favourite things to draw now lol!
Challenging yourself is key!
I just showed this to a friend who wants to get into animation and thought I magically good at drawing when really it was hard work behind the scenes. This video is a blessing!

[billykranberry]

You have no idea how perfectly timed this video is. My buddy just asked about this topic. This video saves lives

[coolnobodycares]

It's never too late.

Just ask my great grandmother who went skydiving at the age of 85.