What does it really take to become an artist?

Is it a Fine Arts degree? A vocational certificate? Natural talent and technical mastery?

Possibly.

Perhaps it’s creative vision, discipline, practice and sheer determination. And yes, I’ll admit, those things certainly help. I’ve had bucket loads of discipline and, from a very young age, I practised constantly. Drawing was simply something I did.

But if you ask me what really ignited my passion for art and kept it burning, I’d have to say one thing:

Encouragement.

And, more specifically, encouragement from my dad.

From the very beginning, my Dad told me I was “good”. Whenever I proudly showed him my latest drawing, he didn’t just admire it — he would suggest what I could draw next. He sat for me while I practised portraits, patiently posing while I worked, and he always gave me constructive criticism which I definitely learned from.

But most importantly, he encouraged me.

He never laughed at my attempts. He never made me feel foolish when something didn’t work. He never discouraged me when a drawing went horribly wrong. Instead, he was always in my corner.

Looking back, I think that made an enormous difference.

Of course, learning matters. So does discipline, practice, workshops, lectures, exhibitions and all those countless hours spent trying, failing, learning and trying again.

But I honestly believe that encouragement from family, friends and fellow artists can be just as powerful — perhaps even more so.

Think about it. When someone is just starting out creatively and nervously asks, “What do you think?”, they’re often showing you something incredibly personal. They’re putting a little piece of themselves out there and hoping you won’t squash it.

Your response could stay with them for years.

A kind word might give them the confidence to pick up a pencil again tomorrow. A thoughtful suggestion might keep them on the ‘art’ path. And a little encouragement at the right moment might be the thing that keeps them going when they’re ready to give up.

So, my friends, if someone shows you their first painting, drawing, photograph, sculpture, poem or creative idea — encourage them!

You never know where that little spark might lead.

My dad certainly didn’t know that his simple words of encouragement would help create a lifelong passion for art for me.

But I did.

Encourage! Encourage! Encourage!

Because encouragement really is everything! 💥🎨

A sketch of my encouraging dad, Albert Hutty

A sketch I did when I was 16 years old of the 1970s 

TV character Grandpa Walton