Narrowing down your artistic interests.

[punctur3s]

I wasn't sure where to put this, but...

Lately I have been struggling in school. I recently declared my concentration as digital art... but I finally realized not too long ago that it's not for me. Now, my artistic interests cover a wide range, and I really like Photoshop/Illustrator, etc... but as far as something I could see myself doing for a lifetime... I couldn't figure out what it really was until now - concept art. Drawing was my first love since I could hold a pencil.

But I've spent so much time in the digital area because of school that I've neglected good ol' pencil and paper. Now it's time to go back and work on those skills... now that I finally feel passionate about it.

I want to get to the point where there isn't anything I see in my head that I can't put down on paper. That's my goal for before I start my concentration fall of next year.


I don't know if anyone else has had trouble playing the artistic field and finding where they fit in career-wise, but if so I'd like to hear about your experiences. This was troubling me a lot until I recently found my calling.

[Mirana]

I want to get to the point where there isn't anything I see in my head that I can't put down on paper. That's my goal for before I start my concentration fall of next year.

You're talking generally...maybe? Since...no one is able to do that. We aren't photocopiers.

As far as the title, you shouldn't narrow things. The great thing about being an artist is having the ability to pursue lots of markets and mediums (and having them all influence each other). You'll also find that artists rarely stick to one artistic field over their lifetime.

[Blue]

Try not to get down about school. Believe me, you aren't alone. I know very few people who finished in 4 years, and even more who did graduate and still have no idea what they want from life. College is a learning process, and not just of curriculum, but of your goals in life.

[RyerOrdStar]

Restricting yourself this early is not constructive. An artist's job is to take in many diverse influences and combine them into images. The only way you'll be able to do that is to try many different styles, media, and yes, even do things you dislike. You might think you're being 'dedicated' by doing only one thing, but you're just hampering your future development.

[punctur3s]

Well I'm not trying to restrict myself, but I can't exactly major in every concentration offered by my school - that's what I mean. The only reason I'm down about school is because I don't have all the time in the world. Education is costly and I don't have a lot of money. I wish I had known sooner. x__x

Miranda; I meant like, things that I already draw but I'm not that great at, I want to be able to draw what I imagine and make it look good, look real, not like an amateur's art. Guess I should've put it that way.

[Mirana]

Okay, so picking a major. That makes more sense. Although, a lot of kids in up choosing a different major, choosing a minor and/or changing what they do as a career when they get out, so...don't rely too heavily on it. ;)

Practice to get better at drawing, for sure...but don't expect it to look exactly like what you saw in your mind. I don't want you to be frustrated when that doesn't happen.

(Why does the subtitle on my name never work...?)

[Jazz]

Hey, punctur3s!

It can get hard, especially where money is concerned. :( I know how ya feel there! Time and money are the big costs, and if you can't even do a little of what you love, both might bring you way down.

Sometimes it's good to major in something you KNOW you're good at, and that you hear good (and factual) info about--like where such a major could take you with employment. Around that time, what things you're unsure about, you could work/play with them on the side and see what sticks more over time and what doesn't. Sometimes that's the best you can do. :)

There are so many options, but the number of decisions you make should probably be narrowed down. That would make things more manageable for you.