Is it ever too late to start with art?
I never faced this question because I was drawing when I was old enough to hold one of those big, fat Crayola crayons.
But the reader who asked today’s question brings up a good point. Here’s the question.
Ever felt like you were too old/young to start? I’m 70, for heaven’s sake!
Is It Ever Too Late to Start with Art
I have often felt like I was the wrong age to start something new! I was 61 when I decided to start publishing a magazine. Certainly not in the prime of life.
I was in my 50s when I started blogging.
When I married, I was 43.
Go to college straight out of high school? No. I went to college 4-1/2 years after graduating.
As you can see, I start things at what are not usually considered normal ages.
I don’t think I’ve ever felt too young to start something. At least I don’t remember such a time. That could be because I knew I wanted to be an artist from my teenage years, and I sold my first portrait at 17.
Too old? That’s sometimes a different story.
It’s More About Will and Courage than Age
While the original question is a good question, a better question is do you have the courage to start something new?
In other words, if you want to start learning how to use colored pencils, what you need is the desire to start and the courage to launch out. If you have those two things, it doesn’t matter how young or old you are.
I have never been a courageous person; at least not one of those who jump into a challenge enthusiastically.
Instead, I weigh the advantages and disadvantages of whatever I’m thinking about doing. I try to determine how much time it will take and whether or not I have the resources.
A lot of times, enthusiasm fades as I plan. The result? I end up not doing anything. I have probably missed some grand and glorious opportunities. I’m sure there must have been some times when I would have been much better off to implement an idea immediately, to just begin.
That’s why I think courage has more to do with starting something than being the right age.
So Is It Ever Too Late to Start with Art?
No. Not in my opinion.
If you have the desire to start, the ability to get the supplies, and the time and energy to draw, go for it! You may find it’s not for you, but you won’t know until you try it.
And you may find it’s the best thing you could have done! A lot of readers of this blog can certainly attest to that. I know. I’ve heard from them!
So step out, enjoy yourself, and make some art!
This post is part of a series in which readers ask questions about my life as an artist, and I answer them. Most of the posts this month will concern one of these questions. If you have a question you’d like to ask, please ask it. It’s never too late to get your burning questions answered!
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Hi, I can answer this based on my own experience… I started drawing (with colored pencils) in November 2025, at the age of 65. My hobbies are many and varied: pyrography, bas-relief carving, ship and railway modeling, etc. But I saw a colored pencil drawing of a little frog on YouTube and tried to reproduce it. It was a success. Since then, I’ve done a few practice drawings on A4 and A5 paper… and now I’ve started projects on A3 paper… and I’m enjoying it immensely. I’ve already had some offers for commissions, but I don’t want obligations; I want freedom!
Angel,
Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your experiences. I know from reader emails and other communications that a lot of people either pick colored pencils up again or take up art for the first time after retirement. So you’re not alone!
You’re also right about the obligations that come with accepting commissions. They can be very rewarding, but they also commit the artist to meeting client requests and that can be limiting for a lot of artists. So you’re very wise to be able to make that decision for yourself.
Thank you again!