The Real Truth Behind the “Just a Pencil and Paper” Myth

Have you ever been told:

"All you need to become an artist is an A4 sheet and a pencil."

Just grab a sketchbook, place an apple on a plate, or even take a picture of Taylor Swift — and boom, you’re ready to start!
Sounds simple. But let’s talk about what it’s really like to work in the art industry today.

In this post, I’ll break down 6 popular art myths — some of which turned out to be painfully true. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned creator, this might change the way you see your art journey.

1. Drawing on paper makes it hard to switch to digital art.

This one? Very true.
I’ve rarely met traditional artists who feel just as confident when they start drawing digitally.

Why? Because the techniques are completely different:

• There’s no Ctrl+Z in real life.
  
  

• No layers to hide your mistakes.
  
  

• No transforming parts of the canvas.
  
  

• And let’s not forget: digital brushes don’t smell like real paints.
  
  

If your hand is trained for pencils and brushes, it takes time to adapt to a stylus and screen.
The average adjustment period? About 6 months.

2. AI art is already dominating — and it's shaking up the market.

This is one of the most uncomfortable truths in the creative industry today.
AI-generated art is being sold across platforms, and it's quickly replacing adoptables, game concept art, and merchandise designs.

In the next 10–20 years, many game artists might lose their roles to AI.
Only the top professionals will remain.
This shift isn’t regulated by any laws yet — and the competition is growing daily.

So, what can you do?
Level up. Draw faster. Learn more. Stay ahead.
Even top-tier artists on LinkedIn are already searching for work. This isn’t the time to be passive.

3. The drawing software you use doesn’t matter — mostly.

Most professionals stick to just a few programs:

• Adobe Photoshop
  
  

• Clip Studio Paint
  
  

• Procreate
  
  

• Krita (yes, it’s free!)
  
  

• Paint Tool SAI (an oldie but a goodie)
  
  

The tool doesn’t make the artist — your skills do.
Still, it’s worth learning one or two of these industry-standard programs.

👉 What do you use? Comment and let’s compare tools!

4. A better tablet won’t improve your skill, but it will save your back.

You don’t need a $1,000 tablet to be a great artist.
But if you want to draw for hours every day, a comfortable, large tablet makes a difference.
Larger surface = less hand strain and more natural strokes.

Your health and comfort matter.
Trust me, your future self will thank you.

5. Becoming an artist is a long-term journey.

Want to go pro? Then prepare for the long haul.
You’ll need to study:
✔ Anatomy
✔ Perspective and spatial design
✔ Color theory
✔ The physics of movement
✔ 3D sculpting
✔ Architecture
✔ Branding and marketing

Most successful artists study for 8+ years before they find stability — and even then, the learning never stops.

6. Art is subjective — always.

What’s “beautiful” or “worthy” is up to the audience.
Some pieces sell for thousands, while others — just as detailed — are ignored.
It’s not always about technical skill. Sometimes it’s about the feeling, the story, or simply timing.

You don’t have to please everyone.
Just find your people.

🔥 So... When Do People Subscribe?

They subscribe when you show the real side of art.
When you share value. Honesty. Insight. Emotion.
And yes, when your work makes them feel something.

✨ Commissions are now open.
Punny is here to bring your characters and ideas to life (no violent content, though!).
Check out the [Shop] section and let’s create something magical together.
Subscribe to stay inspired — I share art truths that others don’t dare say out loud.