Can you learn to be creative?

It depends on the type of creativity. I believe that everyone just has to find their 'type'. I teach creative writing and there are some people who just don't have the type of mind to write novels but can produce excellent poetry and vice versa. I can't draw even as well as a four year old but I can write novels. My daughter can't draw but she can produce the most fabulous embroidery. My DIL can't write original material but she can paint incredible pictures.

Everyone has their niche. If you try one thing and can't get on with it, there will be something else.

I'm not creative in the artsy way, can barely draw a stick man kinda thing. I have an artist friend with amazing skills and a fine art degree who's given up how of teaching me!

But I CAN do stuff that produces arty stuff, for example I play in a band (but can't compose), I can sew by hand and machine (but only if I have idiot-proof instructions and a pattern), I can bake (as long as I have a recipe and a pic of what it's supposed to look like). I learned to knit but got bored; I tried crochet and love it but need written instructions and a pattern.

So for me it's not about becoming creative because I've not got that vision. But give me some hard instructions and I'm away!

Nobody can draw or knit or do anything that involves a bit of skill naturally and without training/ practice.

It takes effort to learn a skill, but there is nothing stopping anyone from doing so.

I hope so! I've decided to see if I can teach myself how to sketch and do watercolour painting. I can't normally even do a decent stick man 🤣 I've raided the works for some cheap supplies and watched a few videos online and got a book from the library. My lovely husband didn't laugh at my first attempts. I just want to see if I can teach myself a new skill and maybe make a couple of postcards to send my mum to make her smile. Fingers crossed. And, if it turns out I am crap at it at least I tried.

As pp said there are great tutorials on YouTube to get you started.

In my experience creativity comes from not being afraid to get it wrong...or even seeing it as there is no right or wrong.

I am hopeless at art because I try and have too much control over a pencil and not as you see an artist glide or brush across the paper.

I am much more creative in cooking and I suppose experience of success has allowed me to be less prescribed with ingredients and to go with what feels right.

Be confident in what you try, take great tips or advice from online resources and have lots of fun

I believe everyone is creative, it's not about being a professional artist or whatever - if you've been able to make something, anything, you are creative. Just go with what you enjoy and start with small projects. Same with music.

I think so...

If you've never had the chance to explore that sort of thing, then how do you know you don't have any natural ability?

I honestly think the only people who really really can't do something creative/crafty/arty... are those with absolutely zero interest in doing so in the first place!

What would you like to try - what do you see others doing that you think 'thats pretty' or 'I'd love to be able to do that'. I bet theres someone on MN who can give you pointers on what to try/where to start!

Youtube has a ton of resources for the more common stuff and some fairly obscure stuff (want to make your own fibre from plants, then weave it into a bag or hairnet, and dye it with pigments you found in the ground?)...

Lots of people now make very reasonably priced courses in how to draw/paint/knit/weave etc, online (in person stuff is still pretty pricey!).

Have a think about what you like to look at/have in your house, start there!

Of course. There's loads on YouTube teaching you to draw, knit and craft things.

Yes I don’t know how though