Learning environment

[applecheeks]

Hi All,
I'm relatively new to this forum but for the last few days I've been trying to go through all the different sections to familiarise myself with this board. I've read a lot of interesting comments on topics regarding art education and self learning.
I'm self-taught but I've never studied proper art theory or anatomy since my focus has been on manga. Now hold it for a sec, I know what kind of reputation manga has got, let's not delve into that. I've learnt drawing in a kind of backwards fashion, focusing on style before substance as I always treated it as a hobby but I think I've picked up some useful things along the way. Only within the last year or two have I gradually started taking it more seriously and now finally decided that I will go for it 100% and in order to do that I need to broaden and deepen my skills.

I realise I need to go back and learn the basics. I've managed to drag myself through to the final year of my engineering degree so I don't think I would like to go into formal art education, seeing from some threads on this forum that bad teachers and useless subjects might be an issue. Also don't think I can afford to pay another 3 year's worth of tuition fees.

I am considering moving back home to my family after graduation and spend a year on hardcore self learning. I was inspired that Gez Fry spent 2 years just learning on his own (http://pingmag.jp/2006/06/02/how-japanese-style-illustration-works/), although his mother is an illustrator so he might have got some input there.
The problem with going home is that my family has moved to a new town since I entered uni and I don't know a soul there.

How important is your learning environment when you're teaching yourself? Is that kind of hardcore isolation a realistic way to learn efficiently?

[daveneale]

Depends on your motivation. I've just come out of a year where I have been isolated, had no money, and done nothing but draw, draw and draw...it can be lonely at times, and if you stagnate, you have nothing to drag you out of the rut-but yourself. It's definitely doable...I had the motivating factor of getting a few jobs along the way, and making slow in-roads towards where I am now (freelancing full-time). I was in a sligtly different position as I'd already done a degree in illustration, but in essence, I just needed time to improve/network with potential clients etc etc. If you go for it CA is the perfect tool for you to get help, learn, and ask questions of people who know what theyre talking about. Go find seedlings threads (concept art 101 etc), do the environments/industrial designs and chows/cows of the week, learn anatomy, and get a mentor in the mentoring section (or just do the tasks in someone elses mentoring thread). If you can just sit down and draw for 12-16 hours a day, every day, then you'll make huge improvements...just make sure you push yourself (its easy to stay in your comfort zone). It helps to have some kind of social life....maybe get a part time job for a night a week in a bar, or go to life drawing classes, but it can be done:)

[applecheeks]

I'm glad to hear someone has tried it and had it work for them. The problems you point out about stagnation and loneliness is what I'm worried about but CA seems like a huge goldmine in terms of inspiration and useful exercises which push you out of your comfort zone. I have already decided to try and find a mentor once I get the time after graduation, CA is the main reason I think I can get by without going to uni. The main benefit I see in doing art in uni is the critique you can get from teachers and peers, everything else seems to depend mostly on your own motivation and goals.
I have some contacts in the comic field so I will try to find jobs while learning. As you say, that can be an essential motivator to keep you going.
Thanks a bunch for the advice! :)