Ahh, the great ponderables. Art, craft, craft, art. There's something a little wrong with the mouth, his grain is showing, the focus is off, and great gobs of that paint is going to fall off soon. Regardless of craft, technique or insufficient exposure, and the shadows are all blocked up, every so often, the forces of man and nature conspire to produce an object that after much study and contemplation, can still elicit a "wow", or even a quiet smile. 6 monthes is my golden rule; if I still look at it, it's OK, ART or whatever.
I'm very accepting of "randomness", art with out craft, but I also respect craft, but my emotional and aesthetic response is mine, and sometimes I value the craft, but am willing to discard craft that gets in my way. So, in answer to the original question, if the young artiste needs craft, she will find it; it is available. As to craft leading to art (ART), I don't know; I think of Pavarotti, who wasn't noted for his work ethic, but whose voice was, for me, just glorious, high art indeed.
I blather, I must be an artist.