Can art be learned?

United States
July 3, 2008 1:06pm CST
Can the ability to create art be learned/taught or is it a natural ability given at birth? There are debates on this subject all the time. I am curious to hear opinions.
1 person likes this
5 responses
@wpark2419 (265)
• United States
3 Jul 08
I think that art is a natural ability that you're born with. I think taking lessons helps you to become better at it, but I don't think that anyone can become an artist (or a good one anyways). I took lessons for years because I wanted to be able to draw and paint, but got nowhere. As hard as I tried, I just don't have that gift. That's just my opinion though.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Jul 08
I would say it can be taught but its not guaranteed that the student will learn. Most people are born with this ability to create art but sometimes they just have to tap into the ability by learning.
• India
4 Jul 08
hi i feel Art is something related to inborn talent...something that is God gifted. Ya i agree people can learn it a bit when taught properly...bt u need to have that inborn passion for it...otherwise it wudnt turn the way u r expecting it 2 b...evryone cant become an artist...right?
• United States
4 Jul 08
First, one must get there, to the doing of it, and training is vital: so motivation prevails, where theres a will theres a way. Traditionnally as in during the renaisance the artist was apprenticed to the master at an early age say 5. Dutys where to sweep the floors go-for & fetch and clean-up. Training began with menial labor in the studio. As the years progessed they learned to mix paints, later they where allowed to practice by painting the outer edges of the masters current piece. The older and more experienced the apprentice was; the closer to the main subject, or figure, he allowed to paint. The master himself was the only one allowed to paint with the expensive pigments such as gold leaf .and lapis lazuli Although the master alone signed, the whole shop produced art;as ordered by patrons.
• United States
6 Jul 08
I believe it is a talent you are born with but if you can tap into your right side of your brain - it can be found too. There is a book called Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and it shows that if you learn to use that - you can draw. There have been many who have had strokes who suddenly take up art and are good at it. They become right-brained after their left side is affected by stroke.
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
3 Jul 08
I think it is mostly natural ability. We can all learn things we don't know, but to be a truly great artist, that is something that comes from within us.
@keepklose (127)
• United States
4 Aug 08
you can teach talent but you can teach technique. you can take that natural talent and make it alot better. trust me you never stop learning.
• Philippines
17 Aug 08
yes, it can be learned. BUt someone who wants to learn will want it because he or she has a passion for it. So you can't learn if you do not have the passion for learning. If you have the passion, you'll just keep on learning. :)