One notion that would seem odd to the Victorian woman is that one must have an inborn talent, gift or "muse" in order to draw or paint. In Victorian days, the ability to draw, sketch, and/or paint was considered a normal part of a lady's suite of accomplishments. Being able to draw or paint was not, in itself, sufficient to qualify a person as an "artist," but these were considered basic skills that any well-bred young woman should be capable of acquiring.

Art in Sport, by H.J. Vernon (Peterson's, 1856)

Some interesting tips on drawing.

Sketching from Nature, by Alice Oldcastle (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1879)

Drawing and Painting (Girl's Own Paper, 1880)

A Few Hints on the Art of Pastel-Painting (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1880)

How to Paint Christmas and Birthday Cards, by Baroness Helga von Cramm (Girl's Own Paper, 1880)

On Illuminating an Album (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1880)

How to Copy a Flower (Girl's Own Paper, 1881)

Miniature Painting for Amateurs (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1881)

On Sketching From Nature, by John C. Staples (Girl's Own Paper, 1881)

A multi-part article with many beautiful illustrations, and information on colors and paints as well as drawing techniques.

More Hints About Oil Painting, by Crona Temple (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

The Art of Watercolour: Landscape Painting (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1882)

A Few Remarks on Pen-and-Ink Drawing (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1882)

How I Taught Myself Painting, by Crona Temple (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

On Colours (Girl's Own Paper, 1883)

A primer on paint colours.

Crayonium, by Blanche C. Saward (Girl's Own Paper, 1883)

The mechanical drawing device described in this article sounds very much like what became known as a "Pantograph" -- a mechanism for enlarging a drawing.

On Painting in Oil Colours, by John C. Staples (Girl's Own Paper, 1883, 1884, 1885)

From Pencil to Brush (Demorest, 1885)

Several segments of a series on pencil drawing and brush painting.

Pigments and Colors: How to Mix Them, by Nellie S. Stowell (Demorest, 1888)

The Art of Illumination, by Lida and M.J. Clarkson (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1889)

Autumn-Leaf Design for Embroidery or Painting (Needle & Brush, 1889)

A full-size pattern.

Crayon Work in Black and White (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Decoration of Daisies [and Azaleas] in Oils (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Two full-size patterns suitable for painting or embroidery.

Design in Kensington Painting: Owls on a Branch (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Designs for Decorative Painting (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Two full-size patterns: roses and morning-glories.

Luster Painting (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Sketching in Watercolors (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Spatter-Work (Needle & Brush, 1889)

Painter-Engraving, by W.B. Closson (Century Magazine, 1889B)

Landscape Sketching (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

Charcoal Drawing (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

Painting in Oil for Beginners, by Ina I. Allen (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

The Painting of Chrysanthemums, by Maude Haywood (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

Practical Hints on Designing, by Constance Jacobs (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

Silver Point Drawing, by Ernest Jessup (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

Painting Wild Flowers in the Fields, by Fred Miller (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

A Simple Tint-Gauge, by Somerville Gibney (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

Sketching and Painting Birds from Life, by Fred Miller (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

Flower Painting from Nature: A Talk with Mrs. Sophia Miller (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)