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„Are you still drawing all these pictures? It’s childish!“
„Stop drawing, it’s for kids! When will you finally grow up?“
If you’re a hobby artist, you might have heard something like this before.
For whatever reason, some people do have the extreme view that drawing is childish.
And maybe you’ve had moments where you considered quitting drawing because you wondered, if it isn’t just a childish activity.
But is it?
No, of course not! Here’s why.
Table of Contents
Why Some People Think Drawing Is Childish
There are several reasons why people think drawing is childish.
These are the most common ones that I know (and have sometimes heard myself):
1. Most Kids Draw – Most Adults Don’t
This must be the most common reason people bring up:
Percentage-wise, most of the people who draw are kids.
Therefore, many people say drawing is for kids.
To them, it’s simple:
Almost every young kid draws at some point, but most adults don’t. That means it’s for kids. End of discussion.
But is it really that simple?
Why It’s Wrong: There Are Many (Professional) Adult Artists
Of course, it’s true that most people who draw are kids.
What people using this argument don’t understand is that there are many adult artists, too!
Yes, most people stop drawing when they grow up. But there are those who are good at it and keep going. And those who don’t stop even though they aren’t that good at it – because they like it anyway. And that’s great!
These people often keep drawing into their adulthood – either as a hobby or as professional artists.
Check out more of my early drawings, if you’re interested.
While it’s a very competitive field, there are actually many people drawing and painting for a living. (How cool is that, by the way?)
So, tell me, if there are people who draw or paint as a full-time job, how can it be that „drawing is just for kids“?
Exactly.
And if you ask me, I think it’s perfectly fine to have drawing as a hobby. Even as an adult.
Just do what you like doing.
Hobbies are meant to be fun. They shouldn’t be something to show the world how grown-up and neat you are.
2. It’s A Waste Of Time
„Stop drawing and do something reasonable! It’s a waste of time!“
„It won’t get you anywhere!“
That’s also something a lot of people say. Especially parents.
It’s easy to see where they’re coming from:
Parents just want the best for their kids – they want them to have a good career and earn enough money to live a comfortable life.
Many parents don’t know that you can actually become quite successful as a professional artist.
Some maybe do know, but they are also aware that it’s not easy at all to get to that place.
Therefore, to them, it’s all a wasted effort and their kids should rather make some „safe“ choices when it comes to their education and future job.
On the other hand, some people tend to say this to adult artists, too.
As an adult, you already have enough responsibilities, so spending your time drawing pictures is, well, a waste.
Why It’s Wrong: Everyone Decides For Themselves What It Means To Spend Time Well
In the end, it all comes down to what you define as time well spent.
And that’s something everyone has to decide for themselves.
If an adult wants to spend his free time doodling – so be it.
The only caveat:
Parents are responsible for their kids and they need to help them find their way in life.
But I do think there’s a way to do that without telling them that drawing is a waste of their time.
A way where they are allowed to draw and paint, if they like it, at least as a side hustle or a hobby.
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3. It Doesn’t Earn Any Money
I’ve already somewhat touched on the third reason.
Many people think drawing is a waste of time because it doesn’t earn any money.
That’s what they think, at least.
For them, all that counts is earning enough money to live a prosperous life.
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Why It’s Wrong: It Can Earn Money! But It’s Not Always About Money…
Why are people so sure that it doesn’t earn any money?
Like I already said, there are many professional artists in this world. Some even make a lot of money.
It’s hard to get there, yes, and many people have tried and failed.
But it is possible. And there are a lot of ways to make money with art:
- selling your art (check out my art)
- doing art commissions
- become an art teacher
- open an art school
- creating drawing courses
- run a YouTube channel (check out my channel)
- …
But art doesn’t even have to be your main job:
What about the thousands, if not millions, of people who have an art side hustle?
These people do make real money. Maybe it’s not enough for the naysayers using this argument, but it’s real.
Actually, the thing is this:
It’s not always about money!
The whole money aspect is so capitalistic…
Yes, money rules the world. We all need money to live. We all have a job of some kind to earn it.
But it’s not always about money and you can actually do (and enjoy) things without the goal to make money.
Just because you like it. Just to have some fun and relax. Just to unwind and escape everyday life for an hour.
It’s not a waste of time.
It’s not childish.
It’s something everyone can do without remorse.
Is Drawing Childish? – Conclusion
Drawing isn’t childish. Many people think drawing is childish because they believe themselves to be more adult than people who draw. But that doesn’t make it childish by itself. There are many adults who are professional artists and many who draw as a hobby.
And that’s exactly how it’s absolutely perfect.
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10 False Beliefs About Art – How To Improve Your Artist Mindset