Who should paint?

The one thing that people keep saying to me is that the reason they don't draw or paint is because they are no good at it. Now these same people if they were to go to your average exhibition of art students would be hard pushed to find anything 'recognisable'. If this is art - some would say - then you can keep it. Now I'm not saying that everything unrecognisable should be criticised, but people should take heart - if this is art then they are not barred from making some 'art' of their own. The only qualification needed to paint and draw is enthusiasm and a desire to enjoy it. You may never be recognised by the art world but if you can take pleasure in the 'doing' of it, it doesn't matter too much what the finished result is. And the results will get better with experience and practice.

I've only done a few 'abstract' works in my life but those I have done have been liked for the colours employed. That's good enough for me. I don't care if the thinking behind it goes unnoticed so long as it strikes people on some level which they can appreciate, then I'm happy. The same goes for you. If your picture of a boat in harbour looks nothing like a boat in harbour BUT does have lovely colour or interesting shapes then you've succeeded in making a picture.

So if you're young or old, able to work outdoors or just happy working from photos, get stuck in. Try your library for books on the essentials you'll need to get started. Mind just the essentials - some of these books can be glorified adverts for a company's products. Take what you can from the instruction given and launch out. As long as you don't get bogged down in making things look real you should have a great time.