The Quest for Art: Starting at 43

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but two years ago, at the age of 43, I ignored these type of thinking or remarks to do what my heart desires – I picked up a paintbrush without a single day of formal art education. Now, I am starting on the most disciplined stage of my quest yet —but I’m doing it on my own terms.

The book – The Natural Way to Draw

I spent months lost in a jungle of unorganized online tutorials and modern shortcuts. I was searching for a path, but I only found confusion. After some book research of art instruction, I finally discovered my North Star: Betty Edwards’ Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and, most importantly, Kimon Nicolaides’ legendary 1941 manual, The Natural Way to Draw.

The Innovation: “One Hour of The Natural Way to Draw”

Nicolaides’ book is not a “work at your own pace because you have lifetime access” online course guide; it is a rigorous regimen. It demands three hours a day, five days a week— it’s like taking up a part-time job. It’s too much for a hobby but if it’s for someone who really wants to improve her drawings…..it’s still a lot!!! I imagine if I were his student back in 1941, sitting in a studio for fifteen hours a week drawing the same exercise over and over again—honestly, I think I’d be bored to death.

The weight of a three-hour daily commitment is a huge obstacle that leads most artists straight to burnout. To survive this journey, I’ve decided to modernize the legend.

I know the journey of acquiring a skill is rarely a straight line. I learned that from mastering portrait photography. To win this battle in the long run, I must be realistic. I am officially launching my own variation: The One-Hour Nicolaides Challenge.

I am committing to 60 minutes of focused, daily practice. By condensing the 25 schedules and 64 exercises into a manageable, modern format, I am ensuring that this journey is sustainable for the long haul. This isn’t about cutting corners; it’s about tactical endurance.

The Mission

My goal is to prove that mastery is possible after 40, even with a busy schedule.

• The Goal: Complete all 64 exercises at a “one-hour-a-day” pace. (Condensed Version)
• The Vision: Once I have cleared this path and finished the book (if I survive), I plan to lead a community for fellow adventurers who want to master these exercises without sacrificing their entire lives to do it.

Join the Expedition

I will be sharing my drawings, my progress, and my refined “One-Hour” schedules right here. If you’ve ever felt it was “too late” to start, or if you’ve been intimidated by the rigid demands of the classics, follow along.

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The quest for the mark begins—one hour at a time. 🙂