When I first started teaching writing at an art college, I would see the sketches of incoming freshmen and think, "Ooh, what a waste of time." Four years laters I would see their senior portfolio projects and think, "Ooh, thinking this was a waste of time was wildly shortsighted." A lot of the curriculum was about copying the masters. It definitely works. It's better to think of talent as an acquired skill, and if someone has a natural inclination, great. It's a head start, but mastery--or even competence--requires consistency. It's not much more complicated than that.
When I first started teaching writing at an art college, I would see the sketches of incoming freshmen and think, "Ooh, what a waste of time." Four years laters I would see their senior portfolio projects and think, "Ooh, thinking this was a waste of time was wildly shortsighted." A lot of the curriculum was about copying the masters. It definitely works. It's better to think of talent as an acquired skill, and if someone has a natural inclination, great. It's a head start, but mastery--or even competence--requires consistency. It's not much more complicated than that.
TROMBONE TWIN!!!! Mine also lasted one whole year-- 6th grade to be exact. Picture of popularity--hehe.