Artistic Ability Talent or Skill?

**The Iconoclast** · December 14th, 2004, 06:25 PM

Speaking of binary and creativity in weird "unusual" places. This is a great read. It's about hackers and painters and why they are so alike. Paul Graham always has something to say...

I think that you can apply creativity to every subject. It's not as direct, but if there are 5 different ways to prove a theorum or verify a trigonometric identity, then your creativity comes into play. However, how would you define creativity? It's always been a vague word for me-- one of those words you can use, but you can't define.

**Relfrome** · December 15th, 2004, 03:54 PM

hm...
I don't think everyone has a talent for it, but this is how I see it;
Some people are born with an artistic talent, its something you can't earn or get half way your life. Skill, is what you can and have achieved with practising.
Because no matter how hard you practise in a year when you have totally no talent, you'll never achieve the level of a talented one that he/she might have achieved in a year, or something... hope you understand my point ^^;;

**otis** · December 15th, 2004, 05:27 PM

Talent is somthing you are born with. Now whether you use it or not..that's another matter.

You can learn a skill. You could also get so good at that skill, people could confuse it with a talent. But in reality, it's just a skill.

Personally, I believe we all are born with our own talents. Its just up to us to discover what they are. And if we are lucky enough to discover our talent, we have to be even more lucky to learn to use it for it's intended purpose.

Ironicaly, after we spend (or don't spend) our whole lives trying to understand what our purpose or talent in Life is.....we usually find out it was right in front of us all along.

**flex mathews** · December 15th, 2004, 05:42 PM

my grandfather is an artist, so are some of my uncles and great uncles. my sister and brothers can draw, fairly decent without any training or practice. my dad is the same way. i think there is something genetic passed down from generation to generation that helps out with the most basic aspects of drawing like hand eye coordination. stuff like that make people more adept to learning things faster. i guess you can call that talent, but hard work and dedication go along way. alot farther than talent alone.

**jester** · December 15th, 2004, 05:51 PM

My grandfather (Mom's dad) was an artist. She's a photographer and an artist. I made the mistake not to follow art after some rejections after school and only re-discovered it after 15 years. Also, my grandfather (Dad's father) was a natural talent with the harmonica. My father sings very well and is member of two choirs. I learned to play the guitar (classical and rock and folk) to a certain level...

My point is very similar to flex' in that way. But talent isn't everything and I hate it when people look at my drawings and paintings and say "yeah, that's your talent, look at your Mum... no wonder..." and they have absolutely no idea how much struggling and training this still means for me. Anyhow, I gave up telling them, they don't understand.

Ok, stop ranting!

Jester

**fukifino** · December 15th, 2004, 06:20 PM

I strongly believe there is a thing called talent, and it is different and distinct from that which we call skill. Talent is inborn, and it often allows you to make connections quicker when attempting some sort of task.

In my own case, to be immodest, I think I have certain talents for art and music. Not great talents, but probably slightly more than the average person. In my case, this has been a hindrance, and I'll tell you why.

I'm sure a lot of you are familiar with the ideas of plateaus when it comes to skills. You study/practice something and you make lots of leaps and bounds and then your skills seem to level off for a while. No matter how much you study, you just don't seem to improve much. Then one day, something clicks and you're off and running again until you hit another plateau and the cycle repeats.

In my own case, my innate talent at things like music and art meant that, with very little effort, I was able to reach the first plateau or so. However, I never had reason to push myself. I didn't have any internal or external pressure to excell, early in life, at either field. My talent was easily recognized, as I was able to surpass other students who studied hard at the basics, while I barely tried.

In the end though, this was a serious detriment. At one point I attempted to get serious about music, was in a band, and started practicing. But since all of my previous attempts at music seemed to show results very easily, I struggled much, much more when I hit the higher plateaus. It was something I hadn't encountered before, and I eventually came to realize that the lack of challenging myself earlier on in my life made me very lazy. (I am lazy, and I admit it. Trying to change it, honestly!)

The same thing has happened now that I want to create art. I have an intuitive grasp on some of the basic ideas, but when it comes to pushing myself to the next level, I have a hard time because I don't practice enough. While, at the same time, I see other people, probably less innately talented than myself, but with much more drive and dedication, practicing their asses off and jumping in leaps and bounds ahead of me.

So, while I do believe that talent exists, I don't think it's the be all, end all. Art is a skill, and it can be mastered. Even creativity is a skill that can, in general, be learned. Not by everyone, mind you. You'd be a fool to really think that everyone was created equally. Some people just won't be able to grasp certain concepts. But in general, I think even the things that make a good artist can be learned. Talent often just makes the initial steps a little easier.

Also, I think if harnessed properly (ie. with a good work ethic, and drive and dedication), talent actually can make you a better artist in the end. If you instinctively and effortlessly can make certain connections, or travel along new paths of creativity, it can only enhance the skills you have learned.

Anyways, that's my 2 cents. Take it for what it's worth.

**the_allejo05** · June 21st, 2005, 01:17 PM

yeah talent is something you are born with..but i hate it when people say "yeah you are talented" they just dont know how much one works to feed this inner drive..
Im sort of glad that i rediscovered my true vocation and I decided to pursue it..I could always draw but I did not think myself as an artist...sometimes i wish i decided to become an artist 20 years ago!! but anyways ..circumstances in life...but is more fun this way..cause im older and take things more seriously now..
skill is just getting better at doing things..the more you draw or paint the better you become..but creativity when it applies to me..is thinking without thinking..just random ideas..and again..the more you use it..the easier and faster it becomes..just like anything in life....

**Summer Pudding** · June 21st, 2005, 01:35 PM

Sorry to be the cold voice of reason, but I think it boils down to basic neurology. I've been drawing since I could hold a pencil, and my mum told me that when I was a tot, the only way she could get the housework done, without me pestering her, was to give me paper and crayons.

I'd sit, absorbed for hours on end drawing. Perhaps the parts of the brain that govern ability were compelling me to make them grow.

Natural aptitude exists, but can easily wither on the vine, unless it is excercised. How many people do we know from school, who showed some ability with a pencil, but stopped to persue a respectable job? I'll hazard a guess, they'd have trouble picking up where they left off.

Pud'

**NoSeRider** · June 21st, 2005, 01:47 PM

I think it's more fundamental then talent.

I think most people can't draw because they have the patience of a gadfly.

It takes alot of discipline and patience to just sit down and practise.

Most people want instant gratification. I've noted most artists seem to have a high level of patience and tolerance.......and I guess you have to be optimistic to believe you'll create something that you and others might enjoy

**REEF** · June 21st, 2005, 02:26 PM

I really do not believe that people are born with skills and talents

People are either encouraged to follow it or not, some try harder some dont, some are discouraged and obviously fail.

Its that concept Nature vs Nurture, which breeds what. Personally I think Nature does shit, its all nurture. I think you can make your kid a genius given the proper incentives and encouragment.

**Proposterus** · June 22nd, 2005, 12:18 PM

They say cats don't breed dogs .. Maybe some people's brain can somehow manipulate spatial or visual stuff better, for other people it could be sounds (speaking of wich, musical inspiration is a total mystery to me) etc, I tend to believe there's something vague when you're born that can possibly direct you

**jmascho** · June 22nd, 2005, 12:32 PM

I think it's a little bit of both...

plus some ppl are literally obsessed with it from a young age. I think theres something to be said about the talent of dedication rather than the ability to make cool drawings. Unless you've got crazy wizard skills or something.

**JERI** · June 23rd, 2005, 12:53 AM

Originally Posted by REEF

I really do not believe that people are born with skills and talents

People are either encouraged to follow it or not, some try harder some dont, some are discouraged and obviously fail.

Its that concept Nature vs Nurture, which breeds what. Personally I think Nature does shit, its all nurture. I think you can make your kid a genius given the proper incentives and encouragment.

Sounds great, but there's just too many people around us that's less motivated, less serious, less hardworking, and yet they just cruise through chemistry and biology like it's a joke.

You can certainly outcompete geniuses, the real winners are the last ones standing - but no, you don't become geniuses. Shit, I'd gladly trade my vocal cord for his memory, I don't particularly like singing anyway.