Where to start?

[crumpy]

Hello everybody,

Let me start of by explaining the situation in full.

I’m 19, living in the UK and like most people my age I've had a hard time deciding what I want to do with my life. I've tried a few things, I'm a qualified motorcycle technician for example but have decided I don’t want to pursue it any further. One thing I've always been interested in (and found a natural ability for) is art, particularly concept style art of all forms. un-fortunately up until this point in my life I haven’t pursued it to any kind of standard for one reason or another, but have come to realise how much I enjoy Looking at, learning about and creating art (I hate how useless hindsight can be :teeth:).

I'm now seriously thinking about studying art and am really enthused by the idea, but to be honest, I'm not sure how to go about it.

My first thoughts are to get myself on a foundation course and then to progress to a degree, but I'm worried about the costs. I don’t live with my parents anymore and I don’t know if I could afford to rent if I go back to studying.

Are there any internships or apprenticeships in this sort of field? And even if there are I’d have to get myself up to a standard (on a foundation course or similar) before I could apply for any thing like that surely?

Are there any other options out there? Any different routes I could take?

The other thing that scares me is that I could be 25-26 before I stop studying and start making a real career in this field and making some money back.
What are your experiences of starting a career as an artist? Am I blowing things out of proportion?

Thanks for any help.

P.s. Sorry for the long winded post, just though it best to explain the situation fully.

[Kevinstarlight]

It's nice that you intrested in the ART and want to presude a caraee in Concept ART Department.


My Advice is to find the right group of people who share the same intrest with you. Going through any type of art caree you will encounter many things in life that will hindering you to become what you want to be. If you are really serious about it, you have to be able to reach up to a level and fight in the time of diffulculty.

Fight! Fight, Fight*!

good Luck!

[crumpy]

Thanks for the advice Kevinstarlight.

I realise through reading my post again that I haven’t been very clear in what I'm asking, that this sounds like something I've only just started thinking about and that it seems a bit of a spur of the moment type thing. But it really is something I’ve always loved the Idea of doing and always thought of being a dream job. I do realise of course that there is always going to be a lot to learn. It’s just that I’ve been scarred off doing it by advice from others throughout my life so I’ve never pursued it past a high school level.

I am certain that with a lot of hard work I can reach the level that I want to achieve, I’m just frightened by the financial side of things. So the question I am asking really is…

How did you professionals cope with the financial side of things once you started working as an artist? Obviously it depends on how developed your abilities are at this point but is there much work for people leaving higher education at a good level? And what sort of means of development did you pursue (more art courses ect) at this point?

[Kevinstarlight]

well, to anzwer your question about the finacial Aid stuff, I belive there a thread people who have already talked about

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=102315


I wouldn't claim myself as an Artist yet for me a true artist are thouse who can Draw still life and have master it in any level of medium . Iam a graphic Design and have pretty much learned how use the computer as my daily tool.you can make a decent living with that, but it depend. don't take my word for it.

I know going through Finacial side is Not a pleasent feeling but we all have to walk through.
Man I sound like I am trying to leature you here LOL*~
I am not a good writter and I would like to aplogize for my bad gramma here.

Iam sure all your question will be asked if you check out other people's forums here.

Kev*~

[Storyboard Dave]

The other thing that scares me is that I could be 25-26 before I stop studying and start making a real career in this field and making some money back.
What are your experiences of starting a career as an artist? Am I blowing things out of proportion?

For starters, do NOT let your age be a hindrance. The average age at where I teach is 23 years old and it's a four year accredited art school where we generally take students fresh out of high school. 25-26 is chump change! I can't even begin to tell you of how many students I've had go through that are older than me- but they've all been some of the hardest working, most driven people I know. Their experience and maturity in the classroom is an asset and not a hindrance; it even ups the bar for the younger people in class because of their work ethic and drive.

Realize that what you're going into has to be fueled by your passion. You've really got to want to do it in order to have any measure of success, but then the rewards are amazing. In essence you're getting paid to do your hobby. So if you're truly into doing this, the question remains is when are you willing to start being happy at doing something you want to do?

See? Age is relatively irrelevant in this game.

The only awkwardness is within you, not the people around you. That being said, people might look at you a little funny if you're the 45 year old intern at a company BUT that just means you've really got to step up your game that much more. You've got to develop the skills now. Getting into the profession at 25 is nothing nowadays.

I know as an artist, we all have insecurities to a certain degree but don't let age be one of them.

Good luck.

[crumpy]

once again, thanks for the replies so far guys, your advice is very helpful.

after reading around these forums I’ve read a couple of statements about how getting a degree isn’t necessarily needed, but that obviously the education and learning opportunities gained from studying the degree are. To be honest that’s just confirming what I already believe, and so I come to the question...


Can this level of education be learnt in other (perhaps less expensive) ways?

Is it even possible, with enough self motivation and drive, to be 'self thought' to this level?

Are there many professionals out there (say working as a computer game concept artist) that don't have degrees? Or even don't have any official qualifications?

[crumpy]

So if you're truly into doing this, the question remains is when are you willing to start being happy at doing something you want to do?


Nail on the head my friend, I've done some thinking and ofcourse your completely rite. This is totally what I want. No one likes to go in debt but as long as I have the rite attitude and make sure that I don't let myself down I can get past that.

On that note,

My first course of action is to finish a decent port folio (Shit! not much time) and apply for a foundation course. I'm looking for something that hopefully is localish (south east England) and that can prepare me and help build up a port folio for applying to study fine art and illustration at a higher level.

So, is this the sort of thing I should be looking at?http://www.ucreative.ac.uk/index.cfm?articleid=9181
Or are there similar courses geared more towards what I'm looking for?

And can anyone suggest any art schools in the south east (or not, If its worth it I'd travel anywere) that are geared towards fine art and illustration or concept art in general?