As we grow older, we tend to think learning to draw becomes harder and harder. And this idea becomes even more enticing when we see people much younger than us already drawing like masters. So seeing those skill gaps between people made me wonder, can you learn to draw at any age?
You can learn to draw regardless of how old you are. While starting at a younger age can be easier, it’s never too late to begin. Countless artists have learned to draw in their 40s, 50s, and even 70s. To learn to draw, all you need is motivation to embark on mastering the art of drawing.
However, depending on your age, there are specific things you can apply to facilitate your drawing journey. In this blog post, I want to share with you some tips and methods to show you can learn to draw at any age!
Can You Learn To Draw At Any Age?
I found that most people wondering if they can learn to draw at any age are in their 20s or older, although I’ve seen people in their 15’s wonder it as well, and it’s understandable if you have been practicing drawing for some time and haven’t seen results yet. Some people take it further and wonder if anyone can draw at all. But I’ll tell you the truth; you can learn to draw, no matter how old you are.
In my personal opinion, I think this question is a doubt of ourselves. Unfortunately, when we want to learn to do anything new, our bodies create a natural resistance against it, and we end up wondering if we can do it or if we are good enough to do it. But if you are aware of this natural resistance, you can overcome it, start your artistic journey and learn to draw. There are no shortcuts, just constant practice, and I’m sure you can do it.
However, depending on your age, there are things you need to keep in mind. Based on hundreds of artists I’ve met and art teachers’ opinions, I created the chart below to help you identify the pros and cons of learning to draw at any age. I will give you instructions on what to do about your pros and cons right below the chart.
It is never too late to learn to draw.
The purpose of the chart below is to identify the pros and cons of learning to draw at different ages, and show you some people that have learned to draw at different ages.
Babies and Toddlers Learning to Draw
| Age | Can You Learn To Draw? | What to Expect? | Pros | Cons | Resources |
| 1-3 years old | Cannot learn to draw | Lack of motor skills and concentration | x | x | x |
| 4-6 years old | Can begin to learn to draw | Can draw simple shapes, better motor skills | Very creative | Short Attention Span | Drawings using basic shapes |
Learning to Draw As Kids and Adolescents
| Age | Can You Learn To Draw? | What To Expect? | Pros | Cons | Resources |
| 7-11 years old | Can learn to draw | Challenges to identify mistakes in their art. | Very creative. Has lots of free time. Confident of his/her art | Challenges following structured study plans. | Consider art classes to boost their artistic progress. |
| 12-14 years old | Can learn to draw | Challenges getting accurate proportions and understanding complex art concepts | Very creative. Has lots of free time. Confident of his/her art | Challenges following structured study plans. | Consider art classes to boost their artistic progress. |
| 15-17 years old | Can learn to draw | Can identify mistakes in their art more easily. Can understand complex art concepts more easily. Could be more susceptible to criticism. | Has lots of free time. More prone to study drawing with more structure. | Could be less confident of their art. | Needs to learn to see better. Try the upside down drawing exercise. (You can try this exercise at any age) |
Learning to Draw as an Adult
| Age | Can You Learn To Draw? | What To Expect? | Pros | Cons | Resources |
| 18-21 years old | Can learn to draw | Could have challenges making drawing a habit. Could be susceptible to criticism. | Has lots of free time. | Could be less confident of their art. | Try reading how to make drawing a habit if you’re not drawing as much as you want to. |
| 22-25 years old | You can learn to draw in your 20s. | Could start not to enjoy drawing as it starts to provoke feelings of frustration or stress. | More focused and disciplined. | Feelings could get in the way of drawing. | If your drawing experience is not pleasurable, try reading how to enjoy drawing. |
| 26-29 years old | You can learn to draw in your late 20s.(Vincent van Gogh started painting at 27) | Could feel it is too late to draw. (It’s not) Learning to draw well takes around 2-4 years, so if you have that time you’re good to go. | More structured and mature. | Could potentially have less time to draw. | If you’re struggling to find the time to draw, try reading how many hours should you draw every day? |
| 30-39 years old | You can learn to draw in your 30s. | Could feel it is too late to draw. (It’s not) Again, if you have 4 years at your disposal, you can learn to draw very well. | Even more structured and matured. | Could have even less time than before. | You can still learn to draw even without much time. Try reading should you draw every day? |
| 40-49 years old | You can learn to draw in your 40s. (Helen Downie started to draw at 48) | Could feel it is too late to draw. Learning to draw starts to take a little longer. | Could start to have more free time. Plus the same pros above. | If you started at this age, your basic and fundamental knowledge could be very poor. | Visit the fundamentals of drawing. This blog could be a good start: line quality. |
| 50-59 years old | You can learn to draw in your 50s. | Could think learning to draw isn’t possible. Learning to draw takes longer. Drawing for prolonged times could injure you. | Could probably have much more free time. | Could have to be more careful when drawing for too long. | If you started at this age and feel like you forgot most of the basic, try reading why do my drawings look so stiff? |
| 60-69 years old | You can learn to draw in your 60s. | Could think learning to draw isn’t possible. Cannot draw as much as before. It takes longer to learn to draw. You have to be more careful when drawing for too long. | Has more free time and more patience. That’s crucial for drawing. | Could have to limit the time drawing, specially when sitting down for long periods. | If drawing is making you too tired, try reading why is drawing so exhausting. Try stretching every hour or so. |
| 70 and older | You can learn to draw in your 70s and older. (Grandma Moses started painting at 76) | Wouldn’t try to learn to draw. It could maybe take you 6 years to get to a proficient level, and that’s completely possible. Needs more time to learn to draw. Be even more careful when drawing for too long. | Hopefully you have lots of free time by now! Drawing will benefit from your patience. | You could think it’s impossible for you to learn to draw at this age. It is possible, and Grandma Moses is a great example of that. | You can try the exercise of drawing upside down I linked on ages 15-17. I will not only teach you to see better but also prove yourself you can draw. |
Best Age To Learn Drawing
As a whole, the best age range for learning to draw falls between 14 and 40 years old. Your brain completes its development by the age of 25, after which it gradually loses some neuroplasticity. However, it’s only when you reach 41 and beyond that you may encounter a slight decrease or difficulty in learning new things.
But why are those the best ages? Well, it’s because of these next factors.
- At age 14 or above, your ability to focus and understand is good enough for the mental challenges drawing will present to you. You learn faster and have lots of free time at this age, but you’re probably not as disciplined as someone older, so that’ll make you learn slower. You will have the upper hand if you become disciplined at this age.
- From age 20 to 29, most people will find the sweet spot of having enough time to practice, being dedicated, structured, and skillful. If you’re able to draw consistently and follow a structured drawing plan, you will become a great artist in no time.
- From ages 30 to 39 you will still have all the pros someone in their 20s would have plus much more experience. Believe it or not, you still have the capacity to learn at almost the same speed. So if you manage to make drawing a habit and study consistently, you will be a proficient artist very fast.
Keep in mind that although learning to draw might be 5% or 10% more challenging after the age of 40, you can easily overcome this with the dedication and discipline that often grow stronger as you gain experience compared to when you were 15.
At the end, you can learn to draw at any age, but succeeding at it hardly depends on how you approach it and your artistic goals. I have a blog about the time it takes anyone to learn to draw, in which I cover the time it takes to learn to draw from beginner to expert.
Also, not every age has only pros or only cons. Below, I wrote about how to get the best out of your pros and make your cons more manageable.
Tip #1: We all can learn to draw and be very proficient at it, but there’s only one way to do it: you have to put in the time, practice, and effort to learn it. If you never do it, you will always wish you did it, so you’ll come back to draw again, and then maybe stop and come back again. Many potential artists do this, and it is okay to feel like that, but if you can get out of that cycle and make drawing a habit, I assure you, you will be a great artist.
Can You Learn To Draw As A Child? – 3 to 10 Years Old
I will start with the youngest artists on our list. You will think it is obvious any child between 3 to 10 years can learn to draw, and you are right. Any child can do it. However, there is a reason why I considered it very important to add them here, and it is something we all had when we were that age: we didn’t question if we could learn to draw or not; we just drew. We drew because we wanted to have fun doing it, and you will inevitably become a great artist if you have that mentality and draw for enough time.
Pros
- A person in this age range is full of confidence. There’s little to no doubt in your heart that you will become the next Leonardo da Vinci.
- Most people will encourage you to draw, giving you positive reinforcement and making you feel more confident about your skills.
Cons
- In most cases, someone this young won’t follow any artistic direction or drawing plan. Not following a drawing plan is much better than not drawing, but progress won’t be as notorious as it could be without it. If you have friends, siblings, or relatives in this age range who are exceptionally talented, encourage them to follow a drawing plan or their parents to connect them to a drawing tutor.
Let’s move onto the following age range.
Can Teenagers Learn To Draw? – 11 To 17 Years Old
Every teenager can learn to draw. If you’re between 11 to 17 years old, you are very young, and you could learn anything you want much faster and easier. However, some things keep many potential artists from drawing at this age range. To identify them, you can see the pros and cons of learning to draw as a teenager.
Pros
- You have unimaginable amounts of time you can use to learn to draw. You don’t have to worry about many things at this age, so you can focus on improving your drawing skill for many hours a day.
- If you’re in this age range, you have probably looked for drawing tutorials on the Internet. Having a drawing plan is crucial to enhance your drawing skills, so if you haven’t looked for any, give it a try!
Cons
- The confidence you had when you were younger starts to fade away. Usually, this is due to your more developed objective and analytical thinking. All of a sudden, the drawings you once believed were spectacular aren’t that anymore. Nothing really changed, just that you are harder with yourself. If this is your case, accept that drawing is a very long journey and that you have to practice a lot to deserve to be the great artist you envision.
- Although teenagers are more mature, they may still lack discipline and direction. This is not wrong at all; when I was this age, I wanted to be an astronaut, then a doctor, then an architect, and now look at me. So if you’re sure about being a professional artist, be extra serious about it!
Let’s now cover the next age ranges, starting at 18 and finishing at 39. I have some great tips about learning to draw as an adult.
Can Adults Learn To Draw?
As we grow older, we become much more analytical and thoughtful about our decisions. Unfortunately, although this is great for many things, it can also halt our progress in many ways. So, based on that, can adults learn to draw?
With enough time and practice, any adult can learn to draw. Although learning to draw at a young age is easier, it doesn’t mean any adult person can’t learn to draw. As a matter of fact, in many cases, learning to draw as an adult may be easier than learning to draw at a young age.
Nevertheless, depending on the age range you are in, there are some things you should know if you want to learn to draw.
Can You Learn To Draw At 18?
I decided to talk about learning to draw when you are 18 because I think this is one of the moments you start to think about one of the most important decisions for your life. At this age, you may be considering options of what to study in the future. And if you want to be a full-time artist, there are some things you need to keep into account.
Pros
- Unlike any other age, you could decide to make a living out of drawing at this point in your life. The most important thing to learn to draw is to have lots of time and draw as much as possible. If you’d like to enter an art school, consider as many options as you can! I suggest attending an atelier for a couple of months, learn to draw, and see if it is something you’d like to continue doing.
- At this age, you still have lots of time available. But the other good thing is that you can still develop new habits more quickly than an older person. So try to draw every day and make it a habit now that you can!
Cons
- Many things will distract you from learning to draw or learning to do anything. When I was this age, I started to go out more, entered college, and had some side hustles. I used to draw a lot when I was 14-17, but I stopped drawing for years as soon as I turned 18. Getting into the habit of drawing every day was complicated.
- You can start to feel like learning to draw won’t represent any monetary value and stop drawing. But that’s not entirely true. There are thousands of ways to make drawing profitable, and it is a skill many design companies need!
Let’s now see what to expect when learning to draw in your 20s.
Can You Learn To Draw In Your 20s?
An interesting fact about this is that most people asking if you can learn to draw at any age are in their 20s. If you’re one of them, you’ll be surprised! So going to the point, can you learn to draw in your 20s?
By following a proper drawing routine, you can learn to draw in your 20s. In fact, a person in their 20s can learn to draw much easier than a younger or older person due to being mature enough and having time availability. Therefore, being in your 20s is a perfect time to learn to draw.
And to prove my point here, there’s another interesting fact about this question: Van Gogh started to learn to draw at the age of 27. He became one of the most renowned artists of all time, and he began when he was in his 20s. Of course, everyone is unique and learns to draw at their own pace, but if Van Gogh could become one of the greatest artists of all time in his 20s, why couldn’t you learn to draw? To make sure, I’m not saying anyone can be like Van Gogh; I’m saying that anyone can learn to draw. The blog I just linked goes through all the things that may keep you from learning to draw and a plan you can follow to start your artistic journey with the right foot!
Pros
- People in their 20s are more mature and tend to be much more committed to their goals than younger people. Based on that, if you genuinely want to draw and you decide to learn to do it, you have more chances to succeed at this age.
- You are more open to listening to advice. And the more open you are, the faster you will learn to do anything because you will avoid other people’s mistakes.
Cons
- You are much more objective, and if you don’t feel your drawings are at a certain level, you can easily feel you can’t draw and that learning to do it is not worth the effort and time. I have a blog about teaching yourself to draw, in which I show you how to use your objectiveness the right way and set realistic goals when learning to draw.
- You start to have less time than when you were younger, so you will have to be much more disciplined to learn to draw. Try to have a drawing routine that works for you!
Now, let’s go for people in their 30s.
Can You Learn To Draw In Your 30s?
Interestingly enough, the older we are, our confidence grows in many aspects of our lives, but we also lose confidence in many other aspects. For many people, this occurs when learning to do something new. So, can you learn to draw in your 30s?
Any person in their 30s can learn to draw by following a proper drawing plan. Learning to draw is a matter of time and practice, and regardless if you’re in your 30s or older, you can learn to draw if you put in enough time in it. Many people successfully learn to draw in their 30s.
For people in their 30s, there are some crucial things I would keep in mind if you want to learn to draw.
Pros
- You’re now a very mature person. You have probably gone through a lot, and the experience you now have helps you make better decisions.
- Your life is probably much more organized than when you were younger, so it will be easier for you to set up a drawing routine and follow it thoroughly.
Cons
- Depending on your lifestyle, your spare time may be very little. Maybe you have children, a job, a wife, and other responsibilities. However, regardless of the situation, you will always be able to find the time to draw. But if you have little time, prioritize working smart, not hard!
Is It Ever Too Late To Learn To Draw?
I’ve seen so many people learn to draw at any age that I’m sure you can do it as well. But if you’re still unsure, I have a good reason I’m sure you can do it. So, is it ever too late to learn to draw?
It is never too late to learn to draw. If you have a pencil, a sheet of paper, the capacity to see and use your hands, you can learn to draw at any age. Learning to draw takes a long time, but not a lifetime, meaning that you can learn to do it regardless of your age.
I just want to emphasize that if drawing inspires you and you want to learn to do it, go for it! Drawing will bring you lots of peace and joy.
Can You Learn To Draw In Your 40s?
Although people in their 40s may think it is too late to learn to draw, many great artists master drawing at this age. So can you learn to draw in your 40s?
Any person can learn to draw in their 40s. Learning to draw well requires time, but not as much as many people think it takes. If any person in their 40s draws for 2 to 3 years, they will learn most of the basics required for drawing and get to a remarkable drawing level.
An interesting fact about learning to draw at this age is that Monet created his most successful artists in this 40s. So maybe not everyone is destined to be like Monet, but I’m sure anyone can learn to draw at any age.
Pros
- People at this age are much more patient, disciplined and organized. Those three aspects are crucial if you want to learn to draw because drawing is not something you will master in a week or two.
Cons
- Depending on your life, you probably don’t have too much time to spare every day. However, if you manage to practice drawing for at least one to two hours a day, you’ll see improvements over time.
- You have to be careful with the amount of time you practice drawing a day. Drawing looks like it wouldn’t make you tired, but it is pretty demanding for your brain, eyes, arm, and hand muscles.
Tip #2: For people in their 40s or above, I recommend reading this blog about why drawing can be so exhausting and how to solve it. It will help you draw better and be able to draw for more extended periods. It is worth reading for people of any age.
We’re almost finished! Let’s continue to learn the things we need to keep in mind if you’re learning to draw in your 50s or 60s.
Can You Learn To Draw In Your 50s?
Just as you probably have already expected, nothing changes when you are in your 50s. Drawing is a complex skill to learn, but not an impossible one, regardless of your age. So can you learn to draw in your 50s?
If you dedicate enough time to practice drawing, you can learn to draw in your 50s. Drawing is a skill that can be learned, developed, and mastered in your 50s or any other age. As a matter of fact, many people start learning to draw in their 50s, achieving very proficient drawing levels.
However, what can we expect to be our pros and cons when learning to draw in your 50s?
Pros
- Apart from your patience and discipline, you are also much more open to receiving advice and following it thoroughly.
- If you decide you want to learn to draw at this age, you’re most probably very committed, so your chances of succeeding are much higher.
Cons
- Unless you have already retired, you may or may not have much time available. It’s crucial you find a drawing routine you can follow to practice drawing every day.
- When learning to draw, consistency is vital. However, if you are in your 50s, this will be even more essential due to the speed at which you learn new skills.
- You have to be more careful with your drawing positions, how much you force your eyes, and drawing without warm-up exercises first. If you haven’t read the blog about why drawing can be exhausting, I recommend you do it.
And now, let’s talk about the last age group we haven’t covered yet!
Can You Learn To Draw In Your 60s, 70s, or older?
I want to start by saying that age doesn’t dictate if a person can learn to draw or not. Everyone can learn to draw, and although some of us learn faster than others, drawing is a human expression everyone is capable of learning. So, can you learn to draw in your 60s?
If you practice drawing every day, you can learn to draw in your 60s. Although learning to draw in your 60s could be more challenging than at a younger age, many people master drawing and painting at this age. Learning to draw requires time, and that’s something you have regardless of your age.
To prove my point, I want to mention a very renowned artist that started to draw at age 67. Her name is Grandma Moses, and her art is incredible. She is proof you can learn to draw at any age and that if you want to, you can do it.
Pros
- Now, you have tons of time. If you are in your 60s or older, you have probably already retired, and you have lots of time to spare. Drawing is a fantastic hobby; it boosts memory, cognitive function and gives you many other benefits.
- Same pros people in their 40s and 50s have.
Cons
- You need to take good care of your hands, eyes, and posture when drawing. Even if you’re 20, not taking care of yourself when drawing can create serious damage to your body and prevent you from drawing.
- It may take you longer to learn to draw than a younger person, but you will learn to draw with enough time. To give you an example, you can learn to draw in 2 years what a person in their 30s could learn to draw in a bit more than a year.
I know I’ve been repeating almost the same answer repeatedly, but I do it because I want you to be sure you can learn to draw at any age, and the only thing that stops you from doing it is that you doubt you can do it.
If you don’t know where to start, try this blog about drawing upside down or this other one about line quality! Both blogs contain valuable information that will get you started in your artistic journey.
I hope this blog helped you in any way, and I wish you the best in achieving your artistic goals.
Happy drawing!