Hey pandas, I have been always struggling with drawing. Even after practicing it for a while, my drawings still suck. Recently, I watched a professional artist create illustrations and I was completely shocked at how easy and fast she was drawing. Now I feel hopeless.

So my question is - is it a talent you are born with or can you learn it with lots of practice? Post your before and after pics of your progress.

#1

13 Years Progress Of Drawing An Eye

13 Years Progress Of Drawing An Eye

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#2

1970 Vs 2015

1970 Vs 2015

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#3

Age 6 Vs Age 26

Age 6 Vs Age 26

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YaYa!
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That age 6 drawing is pretty good if you ask me!

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#5

My Little Sisters Whale When She Was 8 Compared To Her Now At 26

My Little Sisters Whale When She Was 8 Compared To Her Now At 26

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#6

From 2013-2015

From 2013-2015

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Art of Galom
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Both of them are nice, first goes more to illustration , other reality

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#7

Age 16 Vs Age 23

Age 16 Vs Age 23

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#8

2008 (3 Hours) Vs 2015 (15 Minutes)

2008 (3 Hours) Vs 2015 (15 Minutes)

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#9

2013 Vs 2014

2013 Vs 2014

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Indian Lover
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't the second drawing of the girl on NatGeo's cover?

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#11

2005 And 2016

2005 And 2016

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#12

2003 Vs 2015

2003 Vs 2015

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#15

I've Only Recently Started Using Charcoal And I Think I'm Progressing Well!

I've Only Recently Started Using Charcoal And I Think I'm Progressing Well!

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-1,000,000 Total Upvotes
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Omg I love pit bulls! When people say they are bad they are blaming the wrong end of the leash, judge the deed not the breed

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#16

2001 -2015

2001 -2015

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Tom
BoredPanda Staff
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's an improvement! But I have to say that the 2001 version wasn't bad either. How old were you then?

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#17

My Portrait In Digital Drawing

My Portrait In Digital Drawing

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#18

2010: Age 14 - 2015: Age 19

2010: Age 14 - 2015: Age 19

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#19

5 Years Between Ferrari F1 Car Drawings

5 Years Between Ferrari F1 Car Drawings

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Vanessa
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wow the first one is really good, considering you were only 11 wow the first one is really good, considering you were only 11

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#20

Fantine 2013 Vs 2014

Fantine 2013 Vs 2014

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I'm listening
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How cool to do a repeat and see for yourself! Even though you're obviously talented, it must be rewarding to see your growth. And don't we all want to know our hard work is helping us grow?

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#21

From Pencil To Acrylic In 7 Years

From Pencil To Acrylic In 7 Years

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#22

2000 Vs. 2016 Pencil Work

2000 Vs. 2016 Pencil Work

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I'm listening
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, both are great! Talented for sure! I see greater maturity in that 2nd one.

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#23

2013 Age 11 Vs 2016 Age 13

2013 Age 11 Vs 2016 Age 13

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Ronja Rövardotter
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow great progress! Keep going! We are looking forward to your "Age 15" version!! :)

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#26

Woodburning 2009 Vs 2014

Woodburning 2009 Vs 2014

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I'm listening
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The second is a woodburning, too? I've never seen such beauty teased out of wood. What type wood was used?

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#27

Change Of Clouds From 2015 To 2016

Change Of Clouds From 2015 To 2016

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Marco Andreas
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the right one is a lot like dali's work, I like it a lot!

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#29

Progress Over 13 Years.

Progress Over 13 Years.

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I'm listening
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your kitten was done at age 13? Amazing! And yet, even though that kitten is fabulous, I see maturity in the 2nd, bold darks, shadows and light. I keep noticing that. As artists grow, they seem less afraid of the darker darks, keeping paper white, more drama to the piece.

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#30

:)

:)

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#31

Three Years!

Three Years!

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Lea Lei
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You're really great with comic eyes and I love that bottom right one, I want to move there!

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#32

July 2015 Vs May 2016

July 2015 Vs May 2016

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MeepMeepImAJeep
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great progress! One massive tip from a designer, lose the lines! If you can get the definition of different elements of the face without drawing lines but by using shadows (like you are downing very nicely bytheway) you get a way more realistic portrait! Keep it up!

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#33

Horse Development

Horse Development

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I'm listening
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, if I were ever blessed with your talent! Amazing drawings!

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#34

5 Years Of Practice (12 Vs 17 Years)

5 Years Of Practice (12 Vs 17 Years)

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#35

5 Years And Now We're Here

5 Years And Now We're Here

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#36

Progress

Progress

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Stacey Wellington
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Both are insanely good but the second one... wow... and the detail in the background just makes it so mch better...

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#37

The Big Lebowski - Walter 2013 Vs. 2016

The Big Lebowski - Walter 2013 Vs. 2016

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C. Wang
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i love the comical style of the first drawing!!

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#39

Slender Grumpy Lisa

Slender Grumpy Lisa

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I'm listening
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only 5 months between the two... amazing. And beautiful.

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#40

Panda

Panda

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I'm listening
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another born with talent! What have you done to increase level of skill, though? Do you take art in school? At an arts school? Or just lots of practice?

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#41

I Hope I Didn't Reach My Full Potential.

I Hope I Didn't Reach My Full Potential.

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I'm listening
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, my! You already have talent, yet look at the growth! Beautiful shading! Hey, I'm 59 and hadn't drawn or painted in 40 years. Now, that would be a sad before and after, cuz I was better then! However, I'm doing and learning many things every time I work! You're nowhere near your potential and never will be, you see. You'll learn and grow until you're a very old man! I hope you keep at it.

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#42

2010 Vs. 2016

2010 Vs. 2016

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#43

Paleoart From 2007 And 2016

Paleoart From 2007 And 2016

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Sara Jane
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are these drawings or digital image creations? Awesome whatever :)

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#44

2014 Vs. 2016

2014 Vs. 2016

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Iulia Bianca
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Both awesome!!! Looks like you've found your style on the most recent one.

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#45

One Year's Difference

One Year's Difference

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#46

Digital Painting - 1 Year Of Difference!!

Digital Painting - 1 Year Of Difference!!

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I'm listening
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! And the first was already awesome! How long did it take you to do each of these?

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#47

From Sketch To Digital Painting

From Sketch To Digital Painting

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Megan Zayat
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love them both! Drawn wonderfully

#49

2013 To 2016

2013 To 2016

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C. Wang
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i love the graphic style of the 1(2016) one!

#50

7 Years Difference!

7 Years Difference!

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Donna Oades
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh wow both of these are amazing. The second one particularly so :)

#51

2013 Vs 2015

2013 Vs 2015

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Stacey Wellington
Community Member
6 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That second one is breathtakingly beautiful... I mean wow... Never seen anything drawn like that before...

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#52

Changed The Ship's Windows For Other Details Through The Years.

Changed The Ship's Windows For Other Details Through The Years.

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#54

2004-2015

2004-2015

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#56

At 16 And 18 Years Old

At 16 And 18 Years Old

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#57

2012 Vs 2016

2012 Vs 2016

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Sockpuppies11
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, that is a lot of improvement!! The pictures are awesome!

See Also on Bored Panda
#58

6 Years Of Practice!

6 Years Of Practice!

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#59

From Sketch To Masterpiece

From Sketch To Masterpiece

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