Creativity & Drawing

I’m always surprised when people tell me that they “don’t have a creative bone” in their body. When I shake my head to disagree, they insist using the follow up line, “I’m terrible at drawing” as if that puts the matter to rest.

Many adults have an unspoken tendency to equate creativity with drawing ability, and this misconception likely stems from early childhood experiences.
In school, children are encouraged to express themselves through art—whether it's drawing, painting, or crafting—and those who are particularly skilled at these activities are often praised for their creativity. This early association between artistic ability and creativity tends to stick.

This mindset may also be reinforced by societal norms that place a high value on tangible, measurable outputs. Drawing produces something that can be easily judged, graded, or compared, so it becomes a convenient marker for creativity, especially in early education. Those who can draw accurately are often labelled "creative," while others might believe that because they struggle with drawing, they lack creativity.

This is misleading, as it equates one specific skill—accurate visual representation—with the entire concept of creativity, which is much broader and includes curiosity, openness, and a willingness to step outside of one’s comfort zone. It is not about how perfectly someone can replicate what they see in front of them.

There are many artists who are technically skilled—able to draw or paint with remarkable accuracy—but who may primarily stick to a formula that sells or repeat familiar themes without pushing the boundaries of their creativity.
Just like in any profession, an artist can become very good at their craft through consistent practice and mastery of techniques. This is similar to how a lawyer or an accountant can become highly skilled in their respective fields. They learn the rules, the processes, and the tools required to succeed and apply them effectively. In art, this might mean reproducing the same style or subject matter in a way that resonates commercially or is aesthetically pleasing. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean the artist is engaging in creative exploration—it simply means they are skilled at their job.

This unspoken equating of creativity with drawing ability limits how many people view their own creative potential, when in fact, creativity is a mindset and process that can be applied to any area of life.

By focusing on how we pay attention to the world around us, and recognizing that creativity is about how we think and interact with ideas, we can break free from this limiting belief and start to develop a more expansive and inclusive understanding of what it means to be creative.