Alternatives for those with physical limitations?

[jcsketch]

For a while now I've known that I need to get some instruction in order to improve... I've taken things about as far as I can on my own.

There is a problem however, as physical limitations prevent me from being able to attend a school. The majority of my high school had to be completed through a Home Hospital program.

I've worked through a lot of art books and DVD's which certainly helped, but now I need to get some real instruction. I need to get some real feedback. I've tried the online portfolio stuff but I didn't feel like I got much out of the feedback. Either people were too nice or overly critical, but rarely did I get actual feedback I could take and use to improve.

Does anyone know of any place where I may be able to get that instruction?
I'd like to try that Schoolism website, but before I do that I want to polish up on my foundation skills. Having done most of my high school art through home hospital I didn't receive any real art instruction (mostly correspondence art), and as a result I never really learned those foundation skills.

I want to get those skills down, and schoolism seems like they will assume you already have them. Anyone have any suggestions on where/how to get that "back to the basics" instruction? Thanks :)

[Arish]

Why not check out the Mentoring thread in this forum, and find yourself a mentor? From what you wrote, I'm not sure if you have a sketchbook up here already... that might be another good place to start.

Besides that, I'm not really sure where you could get good instruction from the home. Just keep drawing from life, post what you have wherever you can, and your foundation skills will build up over time...

[Storyboard Dave]

I've tried the online portfolio stuff but I didn't feel like I got much out of the feedback. Either people were too nice or overly critical, but rarely did I get actual feedback I could take and use to improve.

Could you get a little more specific as to what sort of critique or advice you're seeking here? As an instructor, it's always a fine line that we have to toe in regards to being a drill sargent or being a nurturer. Please elaborate and maybe we can help with what it is you're looking for.

[jcsketch]

Could you get a little more specific as to what sort of critique or advice you're seeking here? As an instructor, it's always a fine line that we have to toe in regards to being a drill sargent or being a nurturer. Please elaborate and maybe we can help with what it is you're looking for.Well... the comments usually consist of a compliment accompanied by a "Keep practicing" kind of response. That's good, but practice what? Life drawings are helpful, but draw what specifically? A bunch of arms/hands? Fabrics? Textures?

Really what I'm after is to have my weak areas identified, then receive instruction on how to improve those areas, along with feedback on my progress and points to more closely focus on. Some sort of teacher, rather than just critiques. I'm looking for more than what I'd expect someone to offer for free, but as I mentioned with being unable to attend a school that leaves very little options. Without that instruction it feels like I'm just banging my head against a wall since I just keep repeating the same mistakes.

Arish, I had forgotten about the mentoring forums, thanks. I'll give them another look.

[Seedling]

In addition to looking for a mentor, you can try the Concept Art 101 link in my sig for self-directed studies, and also I may be starting up a class in the mentoring area soon, which you could join.

[Storyboard Dave]

I know I should've asked this sooner but do you have anything up here in the Sketchbook section we can look at? Where did you get the critiques from?

[jcsketch]

I know I should've asked this sooner but do you have anything up here in the Sketchbook section we can look at? Where did you get the critiques from?Not currently. I used to have a small sketchbook up but I did away with it after a short while.

I actually found the daily sketch group to be more helpful - not in the critique side but on giving a direction to take with that day's practice. Unfortunately being a perfectionist, my doodles tended spanned across several hours for that, hehe :)

[Storyboard Dave]

I actually found the daily sketch group to be more helpful - not in the critique side but on giving a direction to take with that day's practice. Unfortunately being a perfectionist, my doodles tended spanned across several hours for that, hehe :)

AGH! Quit being a perfectionist with the sketchbook! It's called a sketchbook for a reason- and that's why it's not called a finished art book. It's perfectly okay to demand the very best of yourself but it's also very very valid to have a place to doodle & come up with various explorations as well.