Studying art in college

[Kuroyue]

Okay, I have a dilemma. I want to continue art in college. I don't want to give it up, I genuinely want to learn about all the small technical and theoretical stuff, and I really enjoy it (not to mention it is a good opportunity to develop a style other than anime). The cons of that: ...money. It's kind of hard to make money with art as a profession, so my plan is to become some kind of doctor or medic if I don't major in art. But I really can't give it up, so I might consider minoring in art instead. Or double major, if it doesn't kill me. But here's where I need your help, for those of you who have (or are currently) taking art in college.

What are some main differences or pros and cons between minoring and majoring? Do you feel that majoring in art is important to reach a professional skill level, or does a minor provide enough of the basics to develop everything from there on? Or maybe no art lessons are needed as long as you find the stuff on the internet and keep practicing? I really want to major it because obviously it's more intense and more in-depth, but...

Not to mention the fact that my current level of skill is nowhere near enough to make an appealing portfolio, and perhaps my biggest problem yet (if I were to major in art) is that I am adept at nothing but pencil.

So for those of you who have been through this stuff (or are going through this now), what would you say?

[Elwell]

The cons of that: ...money. It's kind of hard to make money with art as a profession, so my plan is to become some kind of doctor or medic if I don't major in art. But I really can't give it up, so I might consider minoring in art instead. Or double major, if it doesn't kill me.
Have you considered a career in medical illustration?

[Kuroyue]

Have you considered a career in medical illustration?

Medical illustration? I've never heard of it. ...Do you design the packages for medicine or something? That's the impression I'm getting, at least. Either way, it sounds boring; science was never something I liked, though I am proficient at at it, I guess (vice versa with art; you can see my sketchbook for proof, haha).

[Elwell]

The Association of Medical Ilustrators (http://www.ami.org/ECOMAMI/timssnet/common/tnt_frontpage.cfm)
Medical Illustrator (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_illustration) entry on Wikipedia

[enrigo]

Have you considered a career in medical illustration?

I thought people stop doing these since the renaissance, silly me.

[Kuroyue]

It's a good idea, but ultimately I have no interest in drawing body parts in a non-aesthetic sense.

I really wanna be up to par with the people here, but that seems so far away, so I'm wondering, how many people here actually had art education, and how many people NEEDED the education to get where they are now? I guess that's a big reason why I'm so concerned about art in college.

[HunterKiller_]

Do you feel that majoring in art is important to reach a professional skill level, or does a minor provide enough of the basics to develop everything from there on?

No qualification is guaranteed to give you skills or a job.

Or maybe no art lessons are needed as long as you find the stuff on the internet and keep practicing?

Correct. Everything you need to know about drawing can be found on the internet. It's just a matter of putting your blood and sweat into it.

If it's money you want, you'd probably be better off studying your medicine, and just do as much art as you can in your spare time. Mind you, to become a really successful artist, 'spare time' simply won't be enough.

[Kuroyue]

No qualification is guaranteed to give you skills or a job.



Correct. Everything you need to know about drawing can be found on the internet. It's just a matter of putting your blood and sweat into it.

If it's money you want, you'd probably be better off studying your medicine, and just do as much art as you can in your spare time. Mind you, to become a really successful artist, 'spare time' simply won't be enough.

Well, that's a relief. I was afraid that there was important information exclusive to college courses or something. Whew. But I still wonder what exactly I'm missing out on...Although I suppose if I were to go into dentistry or pharmacy, I shouldn't need to rely on my skills as an artist to make money , so the spare time would (have to) be enough, I guess...

[MyOrangeHat]

Well, that's a relief. I was afraid that there was important information exclusive to college courses or something. Whew. But I still wonder what exactly I'm missing out on...


A lot of what art school buys you is the time to work on bettering yourself as an artist. Well I mean they're are classes too to broaden your experience and stuff. But really what I feel like I'm buying with my tuition is the time to focus on my art for four years to see if I can really make it as a career. I'm sure that without this focused time I couldn't get my art up to par. Some people could I'm sure. But back home with two jobs and working crazy hours I never would have had a chance to sit down and paint for a 14 hour stretch.

That's not to say I haven't learned a lot from my professors but most of that is the stuff you can find on the internet if you look long and hard enough. Still it is nice to have someone there when you're laying out the drawing helping you understand why the composition works or how it could work better.