Myth Busters: Why you can Paint too

Jul 12

In this article, we will debunk some of the most common myths about creativity that might be holding you back from picking up a brush or pen and being creative yourself.

There are many people who believe they are not creative or cannot paint – but that’s simply not true!

Strangely, we don’t have any trouble trying something new when it comes to cooking, gardening, or decorating.

We let our creative side run free.

However, when it comes to art, we often get blocked.

So today, we’ll look at three of the most common myths about learning to paint.

Myth No. 1: Art has no practical value

The truth is, we don’t just want our lives to be practical and useful; it’s equally important for us to find joy in them.

Creative activities foster exactly that:

well-being,
stress relief, and
personal fulfillment.

Botanical art goes even further, connecting us with the plant world. It allows us to see things that amaze us and sparks curiosity for further discoveries.

It opens up new perspectives and teaches us humility and appreciation.

Suddenly, you notice the tiniest plants that you would have otherwise overlooked and get excited about the flower spike of a plantain, which you used to just pull out.

The beauty of this art form lies not only in the finished picture, although that’s certainly great, but especially in the process of creation.

The relaxed yet curious and focused observation of a plant, getting to know and understand it.

You might even do some in-depth research to learn (and teach) more about it.

And then you bring your insights and observations to paper with focused concentration.

"Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it."
- Salvador Dalí

Myth No. 2: I have no talent

This is perhaps the most stubborn myth. It seems like an unassailable argument.

It’s hopeless and final.

Unfortunately, this pseudo-argument is widely accepted and passed on without reflection, as if it were an undeniable reality.

The breeding ground for this myth is the idea that creativity is a fixed, unchangeable trait that you either have or don’t have.

It suggests that creative abilities are something you are born with and cannot be developed or learned.

However, passion, perseverance, and the willingness to learn new techniques and make mistakes are far more important.

Botanical art is a good example of this. These are skills that need to be developed to accurately depict plants.

If you haven’t created any satisfying drawings so far, whether of plants or anything else, it’s simply because you haven’t learned how to do it.

Have you consciously

trained your finger, hand, and arm muscles?
practiced hand-eye coordination?
found your favorite medium?
learned the basics of painting and drawing?

Most likely, the answer to all these questions is no.

So my question is: How are you supposed to know how to do it?

"Talent is cheaper than table salt.
What separates the talented individual from the successful one
is a lot of hard work."
- Stephen King

What you can do:

Start with simple drawing and painting exercises to get a feel for materials and techniques.
You can find inspiration here.
Set small, achievable goals and commit to regular painting sessions, even if they are short.
Keep a sketchbook to track your progress.

You’ll see, it works faster than you think.

Myth No.3: I am too old for this

How often have you heard someone say, "I’m too old for that"?

Not just once, right?

But scientific studies show that learning is only partially a matter of age and that you can indeed acquire new skills. This is called neuroplasticity.

The more important something is to you, the easier and better you will learn it.

It’s never too late to start something new, especially if you have been held back by the first two myths.

Many people discover their creative side later in life and find great joy and fulfillment in it.

Of course, it doesn’t happen overnight and yes, it requires some effort.

But it’s not rocket science and can certainly be learned later in life.

In fact, I’ve observed that many women only get back into painting when they have more time in life, i.e. when their kids are older or when they have retired.

They didn’t let their supposed age hold them back. They set a goal, invested the time, and steadily worked on their skills.

My conclusion: Learning to paint is mainly a matter of mindset.

"The beginning is the most important part of the work."
- Platon

Conclusion

Don’t let these myths stop you from discovering your creative side. Anyone can learn to paint, regardless of talent, age, or any other myth.

It’s about taking the first step and finding joy in the process. So, grab your pencils, brushes, and paints, and make a start!

"The most regretful people on earth are those
who felt the call to creative work,
who felt their own creative power restive and uprising,
and gave to it neither power nor time."
— Mary Oliver