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Original poster

Is this exceptionally talented for a 9YO?

168 replies

Fifi00 · 21/12/2022 16:58

DD has been saying she wants to be an artist for quite a while. I'm not naturally artistic myself so can't really teach her myself nor do I really know what makes good art. Everything she does has been self taught. Is this talented for a 9YO? How could I encourage her?

Is this exceptionally talented for a 9YO?
OP posts:
Zanatdy · 21/12/2022 18:17

I think it’s amazing

IsItThough · 21/12/2022 18:18

Its a great drawing!

I would suggest National Saturday Clubs for workshops and courses led by universities/art schools - saturday-club.org/

Also local museums and galleries often have artist-led workshops and events

A lot of secondary school art is a bit shit, DS's teacher is mainly a PE teacher, so getting inputs from people who are practising artists and seeing actual art is a good way to support and encourage her. Loads of creative careers available too but being able to draw is a wonderful thing

Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 21/12/2022 18:20

My husband is a secondary art teacher and he would rate that a very good drawing for a 13 year old and more in line of what he would expect from a 14 year old.

Now imagine if your child was 5 years ahead in reading years, 9 years old reading books for a 14 year old, you’d be extremely proud and so you should be for this.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

9 year olds
comical2023 · 21/12/2022 18:21

Absolutely incredible

WinnieMac · 21/12/2022 18:23

Fifi00 · 21/12/2022 17:43

Could you tell me what school if that's not too personal? Thank you.

Show quote history

I would like to, but I'm afraid I'm not happy to give out personal info. It was an extremely good day/boarding school - here are just a couple of examples of the kind of thing: www.cheltladiescollege.org/admissions/scholarships/art/ and www.uppingham.co.uk/admissions/scholarships-bursaries . They don't tend to come with a huge fee discount, but the school will often make up the rest with a bursary if the child is talented enough. It's easier if you're close to one of the 'big name' schools as their awards tend to be more generous, but the smaller schools are also worth investigating. All these schools are very keen to encourage really talented children (which your DD clearly is), and they obviously get a very good all round education as well!

BasiliskStare · 21/12/2022 18:24

Given her talent I would encourage her to draw from life as well - so not "copying." This is not at all to dismiss what she has done - for a 9 year old I think that is fabulous . A friend of mine found some drawing classes near where we live and she loved it. She did draw DS and it was lovely but she did say it was easier from a photo than real life. ( She is in her 70s not 9 ) So please take my comment as just to extend her skills NOT today what she has done is easy - that is not my point.

Diverseopinions · 21/12/2022 18:24

I feel that there is a sense of unity and cohesion about her drawing which is very true artist-like.

I don't feel that she got all of her cues from the original photo - not at all. I feel that her own interpretation gives something extra and supplies what the photo seems to want to suggest, but doesn't as effectively as the drawing does.

There is quite a sense of danger or something unsettling ( which I assume the the photograph was intended to convey, but doesn't as well as your daughter's work) and yet stillness and pristine neatness too. I like the way your daughter has flattened the image and made innocent light around the eyes which contrasts with the eyes knowing intensity. The hair escaping in fronds at the fringe is in contrast to the thick, constrained plaits, which seem almost bulging and thick and contained.

It's a very masterly drawing.

ouch44 · 21/12/2022 18:25

It's brilliant. Better than my artist MIL could do Grin

You mention sketch pads being expensive. I think The Works might be one of the cheapest places for them. I know we've got them for DD there. Sadly I have no artistic talent

Whoopsmahoot · 21/12/2022 18:27

What strikes me is that its immediately recognisable who she’s drawn - portraits are one of the hardest things to do. Very good.

Trinidading3 · 21/12/2022 18:28

That's is fantastic!! She is super talented, yes make sure she takes up art classes even you tube lessons, she can sale her art online, enter art competitions.....funny enough I have always wanted to paint and have only just taken it up....I also just recently found out my grandfather painted and taught art...my father never mentioned it but wondered why I loved art.....it's definitely a gene thing ....most likely someone in the family tree is super arty...
You must be very proud.....

CleopatrasBeautifulNose · 21/12/2022 18:29

My dd same age says similar things and considers art to be 'her talent'. She would not draw as well as that. My worry is that she is in for a fall when she finds her talent is good but not special. I encourage her, of course, and I do that by her going to art classes at local creative classes place and taking her to exhibitions etc.
I hope she builds a lifelong pleasure and source of soul food. But if she pins her hopes on making a living from it she may be disappointed, and I hope she will get through that OK.
Your daughters picture is super and the thing I like about it is that it would seem to be a style of her own rather than one she is following and that is unusual for that age I think.

Msloverlover · 21/12/2022 18:32

Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 21/12/2022 18:20

My husband is a secondary art teacher and he would rate that a very good drawing for a 13 year old and more in line of what he would expect from a 14 year old.

Now imagine if your child was 5 years ahead in reading years, 9 years old reading books for a 14 year old, you’d be extremely proud and so you should be for this.

I am surprised this was classed as a 14 year olds work. Most adults I know can’t draw to this standard. At school I remember only a handful of people in my year who could draw to this standard at GCSE and we had an excellent art department.

Sunnytwobridges · 21/12/2022 18:32

My god, that's amazing! The proportions are perfect, the shading and depth is on point - honestly I'm jealous! 😂

dollytot · 21/12/2022 18:34

FestiveAF · 21/12/2022 17:07

My 9 year old is at stick man level so I would say that is wonderful!

I'm 37 and still at stick man level 😂

RegularNameChangerVersion21 · 21/12/2022 18:37

There's a girl in my DC's primary school (Year 4) who does a similiar level of art and she's definitely thought of as being exceptionally talented - the best in the school by far so yes I'd say it's definitely at least top 1% of talent.

SunflowerSmith · 21/12/2022 18:38

What a fantastic drawing, I thought my 9yr old dd was pretty good at drawing until I saw this!
What a talent.

GirlInTheDryShirt · 21/12/2022 18:41

CinnamonJellyBeans · 21/12/2022 18:05

Very talented. I agree with PP who you should foster a love of art and encourage her to try different media.

PS I hope she has not been watching Wednesday, as she is too young.

What? My child is the same age and we watched Wednesday together - there was nothing content-wise that I found to be inappropriate at all, and I'm not some cool permissive parent. Honestly, why do people come on these threads and make snidey comments like this?

MysteryBelle · 21/12/2022 18:43

Yes I’d say she is exceptionally talented. My son is an artist and I can tell your daughter is a natural artist too. Beautiful drawing!

WiddlinDiddlin · 21/12/2022 18:43

Yep, and to qualify my opinion, I get paid for what I do across several styles and media.

I disagree with PP that the proportions are accurate and so on, theres niggly things that aren't quite right but anyone who is 9 simply hasn't yet had the time to gain the experience/practice, they just haven't lived long enough to do that yet and that is fine. Shes a long way ahead of most of her age group!

She clearly has talent, my top tips would be to keep supplying her with quality art materials (yes, they're expensive) and encouraging her to try out different techniques, materials, styles - nothing more stifling than being worried about 'wasting' materials, because of the cost of them.

And - don't let her get stuck in just one style or subject, it is very easily done and then kids get great at drawing just one thing (me, horses!) and everything else suffers.

If she will (but don't labour the point or it gets boring and offputting), get her to look at anatomy and how stuff works under the flesh, where are the bones, where are the muscles, how can they move etc.

I'd also see if she'd be interested in digital, I work with both traditional materials and digital, there are advantages to both, but particularly in digital work, you can play around with ideas and styles without any risk of wasting materials! SO you can fiddle around, find out what you like, then have a crack at it the traditional way (I did this with pastels as they are too expensive to buy if I don't like the effect!)

BustopherPonsonbyJones · 21/12/2022 18:43

WinnieMac · 21/12/2022 18:23

I would like to, but I'm afraid I'm not happy to give out personal info. It was an extremely good day/boarding school - here are just a couple of examples of the kind of thing: www.cheltladiescollege.org/admissions/scholarships/art/ and www.uppingham.co.uk/admissions/scholarships-bursaries . They don't tend to come with a huge fee discount, but the school will often make up the rest with a bursary if the child is talented enough. It's easier if you're close to one of the 'big name' schools as their awards tend to be more generous, but the smaller schools are also worth investigating. All these schools are very keen to encourage really talented children (which your DD clearly is), and they obviously get a very good all round education as well!

Show quote history

If you intend to go down this route, it wouldn’t hurt to start collating a portfolio! It is an excellent drawing.

Wam90 · 21/12/2022 18:43

That’s incredible, and even more so if she loves doing it too!

MysteryBelle · 21/12/2022 18:45

WiddlinDiddlin · 21/12/2022 18:43

Yep, and to qualify my opinion, I get paid for what I do across several styles and media.

I disagree with PP that the proportions are accurate and so on, theres niggly things that aren't quite right but anyone who is 9 simply hasn't yet had the time to gain the experience/practice, they just haven't lived long enough to do that yet and that is fine. Shes a long way ahead of most of her age group!

She clearly has talent, my top tips would be to keep supplying her with quality art materials (yes, they're expensive) and encouraging her to try out different techniques, materials, styles - nothing more stifling than being worried about 'wasting' materials, because of the cost of them.

And - don't let her get stuck in just one style or subject, it is very easily done and then kids get great at drawing just one thing (me, horses!) and everything else suffers.

If she will (but don't labour the point or it gets boring and offputting), get her to look at anatomy and how stuff works under the flesh, where are the bones, where are the muscles, how can they move etc.

I'd also see if she'd be interested in digital, I work with both traditional materials and digital, there are advantages to both, but particularly in digital work, you can play around with ideas and styles without any risk of wasting materials! SO you can fiddle around, find out what you like, then have a crack at it the traditional way (I did this with pastels as they are too expensive to buy if I don't like the effect!)

Great advice.

CompletelyConfusedMummy · 21/12/2022 18:45

She’s hugely talented…wow! Unbelievably gifted at just 9yrs old. My daughter is 8 and everyone comments on how great her art is, but she’s nowhere near as talented as this. Well done to your daughter!

Iwannabeacrocodilehunter · 21/12/2022 18:46

Msloverlover · 21/12/2022 18:32

I am surprised this was classed as a 14 year olds work. Most adults I know can’t draw to this standard. At school I remember only a handful of people in my year who could draw to this standard at GCSE and we had an excellent art department.

Show quote history

GCSE apparently starts in year 9, so he tends to see the more talented end of students who have opted for art.

He said the hair is the giveaway and the skin shading standard. That’s not to say this is not an absolutely fantastic drawing for a 9 year old. The child is obviously very talented.

I have seen the GCSE and A level work from the school and it really is above and beyond what 90% of adults could do.

With the right guidance, op’s daughter could become a seriously good artist. DH said if a 13 year old handed that in, he’d be happy.

Diva66 · 21/12/2022 18:47

What is available at her school? There are some good online learning resources too.