most academic art degree?

[JimJim]

Im 17 and have just finished my first year at 6th form in England.
I got an A btw which is fantastic and about 3 months ago i started taking art seriously.

Ive begun preparing my portfolio as well as doing as much study as i can, putting thought into all of my work, thinking like an artist and expressing myself. Its not easy but i dont get this much satisfaction out of anything else.

What i am really interested in though is the academic side of art, i love expression but i feel that unless i learn the academics of art and hopefully master them then i will never be able to express myself in a way that i am happy with.

so my question is what is the most academic art degree out there in the Uk, where is the most academic place to study, where will they push us to think and learn and really try and master every aspect of good draftsmanship as well as painting. where can i learn perspective, construction, planes, painting, drawing, colour theory and everything that is essential to the academic side of art. Illustration or Fine arts which will teach me more?... i really want to learn and i want the best chance i can to learn the most..

I hope this makes sense haha or ive just made a huge fool of myself

Thanks in advance, I would never have come to realise the commitment needed to persue what i want to do in my life without this community and im being genuine and honest here.


Also if i have got my terms confused then sorry by Academic i mean the actual science and learning of creating a 3d illusion of form on a 2d plane (sculpture aswell where can i learn that? :) ).

[Hennaha]

I think that's a great question.

If an aspiring artist wishes to work in a representational style, he should go to an atelier where they will learn to how to translate what they see in nature. The traditional art school or university does not offer rigorous training in drawing, the foundation of visual art.

The term "academic" can indeed be a little misleading as not all academies subscibe to atelier tradition. Europe is full of academies that once prospered, yet today only few of those can offer you the education you need to become a master draftsman and painter. ARC provides a list (http://www.artrenewal.org/ateliermap.asp) of modern ateliers, academies, schools and private instructors dedicated to the teaching of art in the traditional manner. There are some pretty nifty looking ones located at London area too.

If it's something you really want, you'll find a way to do it. These schools are not hard to get into at all. As for affording it, personally I'm happy to skip the college/university and use the money for my atelier studies instead. In university I might receive a prestigious degree, but the world needs fewer art degrees and many, many more accomplished painters, I believe. But then, that is a big decision only you can make.

You say you only just started taking art seriously. You are so young and are in place of no hurry. My advice would be to look around a bit, and think carefully where you see yourself in ten years. Also think who you trust your development to.

Meanwhile, you could try subscribing to Rational Painting (http://rationalpainting.org/index.php) as reader. Art forums can be an invaluable source of information. Run by great thinkers (and great artists), Graydon Parrish, Dave Corcoran and Richard Murdock (http://www.richardmurdock.com/), I personally regard Rational Painting as one of the best places on web for learning about traditional technique. It might feel overwhelming at first, but take the time to browse through a post every now then, and eventually you start getting a grasp of the big picture. I'd like to suggest this place for you especially if you are toying with the idea of applying into an atelier.

Wishing you much luck!

Henna