What did you have to go through?

[nikhil p]

Hey there.
Just recently found/joined this site and it's very helpful.
Am 15 and a couple of years ago I really took in interest in art, particularly in concept art.
My dad is always telling me to do art as a "hobby" and not a career because I'm not good enough and that I have to be gifted.
Plainly, he wants me to do something where I won't end up failing myself.
My mom is also telling me that I'll probably end up picking something else once I reach college (which is for most people, is true).
Plainly, she wants me to be a pharmacist.

I've always had this dream of working for a game company and enjoying what I do as my job. So um, what did you have to go through to become a concept artist? Was it tiresome? Hard? Waste of time?

Thank you for responses..this is my first post.

[JonZ_]

you should listen to your parents.

[nikhil p]

you should listen to your parents.

..simple enough.

but what was it like to become a concept artist?

[Seedling]

Hello black hawk.

Your parents mean well, but if you want to be an artist professionally, or *anything* professionally, ultimately that will be your choice alone to make. What you’ll need to do between now and college time is to get serious enough about whatever you want to do to A. convince them that you are dedicated enough to make it work, and B. start getting good at it. You will also need to learn enough about what you are getting into to educate your parents.

Now to help you and your parents shed a few misconceptions. First: there are many jobs for artists in the games industry aside from just concept artists. For more information, check out the games industry link in my sig. Another thing: there is almost no such thing as being gifted. There are those who are passionate enough to put hours and hours into learning something, and they are mistakenly called “talented”. If you have the drive, you can be one of these people. And about taking a “safe” career – there are some careers out there so clogged by people who took the safe route that competition is steep, and the result is a lot of people who are stuck in a now-competitive field but lack the passion for it. Examples include architecture, graphic design, and law. In fields like these, the passionate ones rise to the top, while those who took it as a guaranteed money-maker grub along at the bottom with mediocre work-ethics while being miserable.

So are you ready to start building your skills in order to convince your dad that you can make it as an artist? Follow the Concept Art 101 link in my sig and try the exercises. Start a sketchbook here. Take every art class you can get your paws on, convince your parents to send you to an illustration degree program, and fight your way into a career you’ll love.

Cheers! ;)

[Favila]

Dude, I was in a similar situation when I was 16, I ended up doing what my parents wanted (2 years of science in highschool) and then I tried to do computer science but it wasn't my thing, they I tried with physics and it wasn't my thing, and ultimately I started doing illustration.

The worst part of it is when I decided to follow my parent's advice I also put aside the idea of drawing and stopped drawing for 4 years, which was probably the worst decision in my life. So I lost 4 years, think about it, with 4 years of training I would be a decent artist right now. I was in a big depression because of that, among other problems. Now I went back to drawing and studying and I still suck, but life is much happier now, and it 'makes more sense'.

I recommend you to watch the movie 'the pursuit of happyness' (starring Will Smith).

edited: oh my god, sorry about that LOL!? first time it happens to me in any kind of internet forums. Don't know how this happened

[Seedling]

I recommend you to watch the movie 'the pursuit of hapyness' (starring Will Smith).

I need to see that myself.

(psst, you can delete duplicate posts by editing them and using the advanced features.)

[Dizon]

Chase your dreams! Don't let anybody tell you otherwise. Where's the freedom in that???

[Ellingsworth]

I recommend you to watch the movie 'the pursuit of happyness' (starring Will Smith).

Amazing movie. I might just go rent that again tonight. I agree with patdzon. :)

[JL.Alfaro]

Do it.
I stumbled and did nothing but avoid my true career goal for almost 12 years, why? cause I thought it would be a waste of time. I thought that following ones "dream" job or career was for the other people who could "afford" to dream such things. Artists are starving after all right ? Well bud let me tell you, life is gonna kick your ass no matter what you do, you might as well do something you enjoy doing while getting your ass handed to you by the rest of the world.
took me almost 12 years to realize that, take it from me- you will be happier doing what you want, what you like, rather than doing what seems the right thing to do in the eyes of the audience. fuck the audience.
Do it.

[FactorZero]

If you want it bad enough you won't let anyone tell you what you can't do.

[S!R]

I mirror alot of the above sentiments. If you truly want to do it, DO IT. Life is too short to be miserable at your job.

You have the benefit of your youth. Do not discount that in any way.
Trust me, I have toiled away at many a non-art related job and have been miserable for the better part of my adult life (jobwise). I am just now pursuing the same dream of becoming a concept artist, and I have a long way to go till I feel i am ready to shop myself around.

DO what your heart tells you....before its 10-15 years later and that much harder to do......

my humble 50th of a dollar.

[Rad Sechrist]

I got a mechanical engineering degree because my parents wanted me too. After I graduated, I found out about visual developement and storyboarding. I decided I wanted to do that instead, so I started taking art jobs based on what would make me better instead of what makes the most money. I worked my way through crap jobs untill I got some cool ones. I did character designes for Disney television and now I'm a full time story artist at Dreamworks. It took me about 3 years after graduating from engineering school to "make it". 3 years of drawing all day long. Looking back now, I would have gone to art school and saved myself a lot of trouble. the problem is, most art schools are a waste of time and money. One of the best things I found was instructional dvds. If I were you, I would get as many of those as you can before you graduate high school and then you'll have a head start.

[nikhil p]

Thank for the advice guys. sometimes I feel like i'm not helping the world in any way by wanting to become an "artist". Like..being a psychologist, or doctor - they help people.

[Brendan N]

Thank for the advice guys. sometimes I feel like i'm not helping the world in any way by wanting to become an "artist". Like..being a psychologist, or doctor - they help people.

Total BS my friend. Art and design helps shape culture, and culture helps shape identity. Jeff Keedy (I think) made a good argument a few years ago as to how Graphic Designer could and should 'save the world.' The field of visual communication is very influential, do not for a single second think that you're not helping people.

[BANNED_For_POOPY_PANTS]

Hey blackhawk,welcome to CA dude.

+1 what Rad said about instructional DVD's. Here's a link to some great ones:

http://www.thegnomonworkshop.com/dvds/groups/traditional_draw_g.html

For starters, you should definately check out the 'Concept art 101' link in Seedling's sig. There's a TON of information in these forums regarding almost every aspect of concept art (including tutorials) if you search hard enough.

And by the way, art can potentially help, maybe even change the world you live in.

[Dile_]

Hey there.
Just recently found/joined this site and it's very helpful.
Am 15 and a couple of years ago I really took in interest in art, particularly in concept art.
My dad is always telling me to do art as a "hobby" and not a career because I'm not good enough and that I have to be gifted.
Plainly, he wants me to do something where I won't end up failing myself.
My mom is also telling me that I'll probably end up picking something else once I reach college (which is for most people, is true).
Plainly, she wants me to be a pharmacist.

I've always had this dream of working for a game company and enjoying what I do as my job. So um, what did you have to go through to become a concept artist? Was it tiresome? Hard? Waste of time?

Thank you for responses..this is my first post.

You probably already got this answered... But hey, don't get discouraged... My mother is acting that way too, and have always been since I decided to start to try becoming a good artist and enjoy something... Don't listen to them...Whatever they want you well or not.. Listen to your own dreams :) You can go how far you want, you decide!

[Jasonwclark]

Don't listen to your parents
(sorry... just had too) :)

And when you get to college be carefull with Philosophy classes, (especially the 'Philosophy of Art' classes.) Try to avoid forensics/debate in your first year, and beware of the teachers who ask too many questions. Absorb as much information as possible, and be deliberate about everything you do. Don't let other people know what your thinking, until you've thought about it yourself. Observe the world around you, and above all, don't forget to draw it...

Draw constantly. Draw on tests and term papers. Draw after you finish reading, aften eating that Easy Mac and drinking that coffee. Don't let anyone tell you its a poor use of time. Worrying about the future, or your career path, is something you'll have plenty of time time to do when you get older (believe me.) In the meantime, just try to do what you enjoy and continue improving yourself.

Here are 8 pronouncements from the Greek oracle at Delphi to help guide you into adulthood (the first three are the most important.)

a. E: "You are."
b. Gnothi Seauton: "Know yourself."
c. Meden Agan: "Nothing in excess."

d. Curb your spirit.
e. Observe the limit.
f. Hate hubris.
g. Fear authority.
h. Glory not in strength.

Keep drawing man, and don't bother about the money. The muses will find you eventually.

_______________________________________________


PS. Here are two cliche sayings that usually get butched, but which can be very insightful for the youth when rendered in full:

-"From lifes school of war: All that does not kill me, makes me stronger."
-"All that glitters is not gold; a soft sheen characterizes the most precious of metals."
F.W. Nietzsche 1878 (after Milton)

All the best, and welcome to CA

[Jabo]

I'm no pro, but I have parents, so I guess I'm qualified.

My dad is a self-employed graphic designer, my mom does the book keeping. I didn't know what to do after school. But when I dropped out, my dad said I could be his apprentice (big mistake, but that's another story). So, 3 years later I'm a graphic designer, too. But I wasn't happy with the apprenticeship, so I'm planning to go to uni to study. If I get accepted, I'll be there in March, still he always puts an "if" in front of my uni-plan. "So if you're attending uni, you'll have to take care of your finances" and stuff like that.

He just can't accept it. I don't know why, I'll stay at home due to financial reasons and will still work for him after all, he won't have to miss me. He didn't go to uni and is mostly self-taught, so maybe it's him not wanting me to study. Or he thinks I should take over the company.

However, I'll go to uni. There's no way to talk me out of it. It's what I want to do and those kind of decisions always are the most important decisions in life. That's why you should take care of your dreams, not your parent's dreams. Full stop.

[nikhil p]

Follow the Concept Art 101 link in my sig and try the exercises.

Dude, i'm already starting to see massive improvement.

As for everyone's advice. Thank you. Its inspiring and im hooked to a dream. :)

[Seedling]

Dude, i'm already starting to see massive improvement.

Fantastic! :) Kick some booty.

[Thorvald]

Well, i didn`t pay attention to what i really liked when i was your age. The result was half a college degree in Maths/Computer, abandoned. Half a degree in Biological Engineering, abandoned. And now i think of what i could have made if i went staight to what i`ve allways wanted....

Now i`m studying Industrial Design and i found that i don`t have hobbys any more. They all became serious buisness. And that, just can`t be priced.

Check this 3min vid from TedTalks "Secrets of success in 8 words"
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/70

(my first post btw)

[Farvus]

About four years ago I went to atelier where they prepared young people for art school entry exams. I was regular student there and still had lots of problems with life drawing. Then there was longer break from that and during that time I discovered Ca.org. I filled tons of sketchbooks, tried different techniques, browsed through many online art books and did many other things to improve.
One day I decided to go to the same atelier for single lesson with model drawing and what teacher tells me? He tells me I'm talented. Why didn't he tell me that earlier? Was I suddenly reborn with new gift or what? :teeth: No. What he saw is my actual level of skill which can be raised every day.

And about taking a “safe” career – there are some careers out there so clogged by people who took the safe route that competition is steep, and the result is a lot of people who are stuck in a now-competitive field but lack the passion for it. Examples include architecture, graphic design, and law. In fields like these, the passionate ones rise to the top, while those who took it as a guaranteed money-maker grub along at the bottom with mediocre work-ethics while being miserable.

That's what I see as an architecture student. After two years I realised that I don't have enough passion for this job. To be good and competitive I would have to sacrifice my every single minute for it and I don't see myself doing it. Forcing passion won't lead anywhere beacause it should be almost my nautral way of life. So now I could choose between being mediocre architect or great artist/other :).

[Ilaekae]

Black Hawk, put yer parents on for a sec...okay? I'll wait right here...




Hi, there...

I'm old enough to be YOUR parent, so how about we talk about yer kid here for a minute? Here's some advice on the matter of his future choices... Basically...SHADDUP!

Do you realize how many people his age have no ambition? Do you realize how few kids his age have no idea of what they might wanna do with their life? Consider yourself lucky and shut the hell up. He could have decided to be a lawyer, a politician, a serial killer, or something else equally lousey that could embarrass you in your declining years, but he's thinking of entering the arts instead. Let him at least try it. So what if he blows it maybe a few years down the line? Do you really REALLY think that just because when he's 20± and he's discovered maybe he should change his mind, that he's a total friggin' (I don't use "fuckin' " when talking to parents...) waste of protoplasm? Oh, Ye of Little Faith...bite thineselves where the orb never shines... Be supportive, give advice, but let the little bastard mess up things (if, by some slim chance he does...) on his own.

Black Hawk, it's your life. Listen to advice...ADVICE (look up the meaning--I'll wait here--A...D...V... --in the dictionary. Shit... D...I...C...T...). It's meant to guide you, so don't accept it as a direct order to DO or NOT DO something. Advice is useful when it comes from older people, but you have to filter it through your own WhadaIgonnadoooooowithmylifetobehappy? view of YOUR future...unnerstand? Work hard and prosper, you wee pathetic dweeb...:)

[brianhamner]

Hope for the best but plan for the worst.
Give it a shot but always have a backup plan. Learn how to be a pharmacist and then you can make lots of cash until your career takes off.

Quoted from Todd Lockwood:
Q: Should I become an artist?
A:That’s not a question I ever asked myself. I always knew I was going to be an artist. But Michael Whelan studied medicine before realizing his true calling.
Art is a passion, or it will kill you. Your love of art will have to sustain you during the lean times. That said, once you have paid your dues and built a following, it can be very rewarding personally, and possibly financially.
Does the phrase “starving artist” ring a bell?
A career in art is, I suspect, much like a career in any of the other arts. A certain tiny number will achieve fame and fortune, another few will achieve fame, but little fortune, others will find good jobs, if only somewhat satisfying, and very many will toil in obscurity until they give up or find something better.
I don’t mean that to be discouraging, but if you’re lazy, don’t be an artist. If you want to spend your weekends lounging around the pool, doing nothing, don’t be an artist. if you expect to graduate from college, land a terrific job and start kicking asses, don’t be an artist.
However, if you love to create things, if your primary means of entertainment for yourself was drawing pictures and/or story telling (D&D, making your own comics, writing short stories… anything that fired your imagination) then you may have what it takes. In fact, if you have all those qualities and don’t pursue art, you may spend the rest of your life wondering whether you had the chops, if you had missed your calling.
Talent is only part of the equation. There are many artists more talented than I who have failed and disappeared. I work my ass off. I go to conventions, I network with other artists and enjoy the company of people around the industry. I spend a lot of time in research (which I find enjoyable), put a lot of thought into every painting, and am always seeking to improve my craft. It’s a matter of desire. After 15 years in advertising, I HAD TO DO THIS. I started attending conventions in hopes of landing more enjoyable work, or I was going to hang up my brushes and get a real estate license. Art was and is my lifeblood. Creating is what I do. If you are the same way, then challenge yourself and study art. If you are just a guy who draws occasionally and thinks that art might be a good way to make some money, you’re on the wrong track.
Joseph Campbell once said, “Follow your bliss, and doors will open where you did not know there were doors”. It’s true, it worked for me. You need to ask yourself what you enjoy most. What gives you the greatest pleasure? What do you do when you have leisure time and want to entertain yourself? That’s where your greatest level of satisfaction in a career will be found. You will excel when you love your work. If art fires your imagination and inspires you, then follow that bliss.

[nikhil p]

Black Hawk, put yer parents on for a sec...okay? I'll wait right here...




Hi, there...

I'm old enough to be YOUR parent, so how about we talk about yer kid here for a minute? Here's some advice on the matter of his future choices... Basically...SHADDUP!

Do you realize how many people his age have no ambition? Do you realize how few kids his age have no idea of what they might wanna do with their life? Consider yourself lucky and shut the hell up. He could have decided to be a lawyer, a politician, a serial killer, or something else equally lousey that could embarrass you in your declining years, but he's thinking of entering the arts instead. Let him at least try it. So what if he blows it maybe a few years down the line? Do you really REALLY think that just because when he's 20± and he's discovered maybe he should change his mind, that he's a total friggin' (I don't use "fuckin' " when talking to parents...) waste of protoplasm? Oh, Ye of Little Faith...bite thineselves where the orb never shines... Be supportive, give advice, but let the little bastard mess up things (if, by some slim chance he does...) on his own.



Don't get me wrong, my parents are supportive in what I want to do.
I think my mom already gave up in convincing me to do something in the medical field. Now she only jokes about it.

But... they still discourage me from wanting to become an artist tho =/. Like, for example, when i went to the head of art at my school to see if he could get me in an art class (recently moved to new zealand and i was new to everything and this school so i didn't get a chance to pick art as an elective cuz of some prerequisite problem) my parents were like "Why are you doing art? Thats not academic. Pick something else."

My dad has the thing about picking the "right" job cuz before we moved out, we lived in a third world country and so he never finished college...so yeah i can understand that from him...But what annoys me the most is that they bring up the fact that "It's a sin to rebel to your parents" i regularly
attend my youth bible study, my youth minister telling us that we should follow our heart. God doesn't give you gifts, he lays them out for us to find.
so that gets confusing and pisses me off..

[2100]

I agreed with everything my parents say and then ignored them. Just draw as a hobby for now. There's no need to fight with them and bring that trauma into your life right now. When you turn 18 and still love drawing, you may decide to pursue it as a career path; Or you might find something else that's more important for you. Besides, high-school art classes suck. If you want to meet other concept artists, start a drawing club after school.

[Volchiha]

Hey Black Hawk. I was in the same situation with my parents. My interest in arts started when I was about 14 and decided I want to do that. The rest of my highschool life was a mess of me changing my mind constantly, between psychology, journalism, languages, etc. Even then, my parents wanted me to go into economics, but I still kept drawing as a hobby.
I wasnt even sure back then if I'd be any good as an artist or designer, I felt like I couldn't do it just because my parents said so.

But then last year I took a leap of faith and applied myself to only one course, in one university, with no backup plan and a tough selection program. I got in, and I feel that despite the grief and hard work, its totally worth it. So if you're sure it's what you want to do, you can MAKE it work, and your parents will grow to accept it.

Personally, I don't see myself doing anything else. But give yourself some time and make sure it's the same way for you, and if it is, I'm sure you'll get there =)

[FlameDragon]

Tons of great advice in here, must tag!

[Magic Man]

I was in a similar position as you when I was that age, in fact I pretty much took my parent's advice and stopped doing art almost altogether until about 3 years ago.

In 2003 I graduated with dual degrees in computer science and a managerial degree, worked in non-art related field for a about a year and a bit before finding out about concept art, bought some dvds and studied my ass off for 6 months before I was given a chance break and took it.

My salary dropped to about $300 a week for 60hrs a week, my salary increased pretty quickly, became a lead concept artist, learnt a bunch by shutting up and listening when experienced heads decided to graciously shower me with advice, became art director, then joined another company as creative director/producer became bored, quit to go back to freelancing, and recently joined up a new company as a senior concept artist getting paid a very nice salary.

This is three years after I found out about concept art, and without going to art school, same as Rad.

Wasn't an easy road to take, but its been rewarding.

m

[nikhil p]

This is three years after I found out about concept art, and without going to art school, same as Rad.

Wasn't an easy road to take, but its been rewarding.



Jeez dude.
And to think if I start now, how far will I be able to make it?

i'm working at the moment so i can save up for those drawing DVDs
practicing on my art whenever i get the chance.
This forum has been so useful.

[Alzorath]

There's things in the art field that don't involve the creation Spartiate - in particular look at gallery work (Museum/Gallery), could also look into education (Art History maybe?), or even publishing (Art books...hell - work for Watson-Guptill may be in your future?).

There's many things related to art that aren't the manual creation - but personally I do love the creation :D.

-----------

As for the situation of this post - you really do have to do what you love... too bad I've learned that fairly late (at least imo - at 24...almost 25 now). I've been pushed many different directions because I'm very much a "Jack of All Trades" - because I can generally perform "well above average" in almost anything I try yet am never the best.

Only things that ever gave me joy were creative pursuits - such as drawing/painting/writing/programming where I could create my imagination - and I enjoy the visual nature of drawing painting much more than anything so I go there now.

Follow your dreams now, don't wait until you're in your mid 20s-early 30s to do it :).

[Favila]

If you love looking at art, reading about it, learning things, etc, but you dont like drawing, I think it's because you haven't practised it enough so you cant create this good thing you'd like, and you have a bad time with it. If you really push yourself out of that situation you'll start to get obssesed with drawing and love it.

[nikhil p]

i keep thinking about the future and what it'll hold. i know its something i really shouldn't be worrying about atm but its bothering me.
so
if i do happen to make it as a concept artist..wanting to work in a game company, will i have to make a move to a different country?
i mean, new zealand is colorful and all, but there's like hardly anything to do with designing games here.

im also a little worried about the art and design courses available here too.
i emailed, asking colleges about what their courses are like and they keep telling me to design jewelery or open up a business or whatever.
no help there.

[Seedling]

iif i do happen to make it as a concept artist..wanting to work in a game company, will i have to make a move to a different country?

It's a distinct possibility, I'm afraid, unless you start by becoming a freelance illustrator and move from there to freelance concept art.