When is it too late to begin learning?

[Deadlyhazard]

Skip to bottom if you just want to read the question.

As the title suggests. I am 18, but gave up on drawing many years ago because I was simply not that interested in it. This was long ago; before middle-school. Well, my friend is an artist. A month ago, he introduced me to some things that really interested me, stuff such as concept art. So he began helping me weekly and we have been practicing together.

Obviously, his creations are a masterpiece compared to mine. Anyway, to the point. I had been thinking of going to school to learn this, and perhaps try to learn how to become a 3D modeler/concept artist for the video game industry. I've always admired the art in certain games, and I think this may be something I may want to pursue.

But, my question is, is it too late? I mean, it seems most people with an artistic job in the game industry, movie industry, etc... have been drawing since they were kids. I just want to know if it's unreachable, or even viable(especially for a career out of university). I'm just about to start college and I don't know if I can learn enough in four years to become an artist, even with my friend's help.

What do you think? Comments appreciated!

[kev ferrara]

Since life isn't manufactured by a blueprint, you are unique. So there's only one way to find out the answer to your question, and that's to run the experiment hard core. If you don't have the willpower to get good enough to succeed, you will not be able to answer your question.

Does that answer your question? :)

kev

[Meloncov]

Are you alive? Are your hands still in reasonably working order?

If yes, it's not too late. Their are some very good artists out their who started studying art in retirement.

[Deadlyhazard]

Really? So you think if I stick with it, do a billion sketches a day, I'll eventually get good enough to turn it into a career? If so, hell yes. I'm going to be with my friend almost every other day working alongside him. Woot.

[Meloncov]

Really? So you think if I stick with it, do a billion sketches a day, I'll eventually get good enough to turn it into a career? If so, hell yes. I'm going to be with my friend almost every other day working alongside him. Woot.

Yes. You'll obviously be at something of a disadvantage at first, but it will gradually even out over the years. Just be sure to practice the fundamentals (life drawing, anatomy, still lives, and the like) as well as the actual concept drawings.

[Deadlyhazard]

Yes. You'll obviously be at something of a disadvantage at first, but it will gradually even out over the years. Just be sure to practice the fundamentals (life drawing, anatomy, still lives, and the like) as well as the actual concept drawings.

Just wondering what you by "years." I hope I am viable enough after four to get a job.

[FLenG]

when you're dead.

[Muz]

Depends on how hard you work.

Now go draw and stop questioning everythin.

[FranciscoShreds]

If this guy, Kotobuki Shirou (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=157068), can become a concept artist then you sure as hell better be able to.

[Farvus]

As far as I know, el coro started at similar age. Here's his post about it.

http://conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=476709&postcount=24


--

[phoenicorn]

when the passion has died and not just a sleep. When you no longer give a **** about your art and or when you are just in it for the money or power, then it has become too late to become an artist

[PieMonster]

To OP: Never.

[the_jos]

This isn't so much about making art in general but about security for the future.
I would like to do X but only when I know there is a fair chance the result is Y. And since there are more 'talented' people around than me, I'm not sure about me achieving that.

I do understand that kind of reasoning all too well, but it's not working.
You can't be 100% certain about things in life. You need to make a decision sometimes without knowing the outcome.

If I were you I would have a chat with people who work in the field you want to be. See what it's like, what kind of surgestions they have for you and what their initial career looked like when they just started working.
In my field of work people have to do a lot of repetitive 'boring' stuff for a couple of years before they are experienced enough to participate in large projects. And becoming an expert takes even longer.
Many people get scared by the 'boring stuff', but it's part of the learning process.
Would you still want to work in art when you have not only to invest those four years before you get your job, but you will also spend three to four years of 'boring' work before the true excitement starts?
If the answer is yes, please pursue an art career :)

[jhofferle]

If you give up because you have some preconception that you won't ever be great because you didn't pop out of the womb drawing, then years later you will be reading about an amazing artist that started drawing at 80.

In life you can read about other people overcoming obstacles or you can be one of those people yourself.

Jonathan Hardesty (http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=870) didn't start drawing until he was 22.

[J Wilson]

I told myself when I saw the thread title "If this guy is younger than 20 asking if it's too late I'm going to kick a puppy."

I hope you are happy, but I take no personal responsibility for the upcoming puppy kicking.

Can you SERIOUSLY think anything is "too late" when you haven't even hit twenty yet? At 18 the first 2/3 of your life has been spent learning the absolute basics about life. An 18 year old brain could learn the same basics about art in a couple of weeks that took a kid 12 years to learn on his own. Given the ability to find information in books and on the internet, you can make up the years between 12 and 16 in a few months.

If you take things seriously you are likely less than a couple of years behind.

[Deadlyhazard]

This isn't so much about making art in general but about security for the future.
I would like to do X but only when I know there is a fair chance the result is Y. And since there are more 'talented' people around than me, I'm not sure about me achieving that.

I do understand that kind of reasoning all too well, but it's not working.
You can't be 100% certain about things in life. You need to make a decision sometimes without knowing the outcome.

If I were you I would have a chat with people who work in the field you want to be. See what it's like, what kind of surgestions they have for you and what their initial career looked like when they just started working.
In my field of work people have to do a lot of repetitive 'boring' stuff for a couple of years before they are experienced enough to participate in large projects. And becoming an expert takes even longer.
Many people get scared by the 'boring stuff', but it's part of the learning process.
Would you still want to work in art when you have not only to invest those four years before you get your job, but you will also spend three to four years of 'boring' work before the true excitement starts?
If the answer is yes, please pursue an art career :)
Back. Yes, you see my point. Thank you for the inspiration, I'll get right on it.

[Deadlyhazard]

I told myself when I saw the thread title "If this guy is younger than 20 asking if it's too late I'm going to kick a puppy."

I hope you are happy, but I take no personal responsibility for the upcoming puppy kicking.

Can you SERIOUSLY think anything is "too late" when you haven't even hit twenty yet? At 18 the first 2/3 of your life has been spent learning the absolute basics about life. An 18 year old brain could learn the same basics about art in a couple of weeks that took a kid 12 years to learn on his own. Given the ability to find information in books and on the internet, you can make up the years between 12 and 16 in a few months.

If you take things seriously you are likely less than a couple of years behind.

Well, I was just not sure about it. I just had to know if it was possible; as I am just about to enter college and will be needing to know if I need to take classes for it even if most of it is self-taught. I see what you are saying.

If you give up because you have some preconception that you won't ever be great because you didn't pop out of the womb drawing, then years later you will be reading about an amazing artist that started drawing at 80.

In life you can read about other people overcoming obstacles or you can be one of those people yourself.

Jonathan Hardesty (http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=870) didn't start drawing until he was 22.
Well then....I'm impressed. I thought to be any good at art it would take many years of practice, but I guess you can get the basics pretty quick if you try hard enough.

[Wasker]

DirtyC didnt start 'seriously' till he was 27 and now he's totally bananas!

On the topic 'when is it too late to begin learning'; When you've suffered irreversible braindamage, I think.


But in all seriousness, you'd probably want to get out there and start making art for cash as soon as possible if you want to make a career out of it.

[Zazerzs]

Way back when 13 was the appropriate age to start serious instruction, now a days people go though college and still don't know what they are doing. 18 is fine to start, so is any other age. Are you ever to old to learn a musical instrument ?, probably not, so why should art be any different. If you believe its something you want to do go and learn young padawan.

[corel]

I told myself when I saw the thread title "If this guy is younger than 20 asking if it's too late I'm going to kick a puppy."

I hope you are happy, but I take no personal responsibility for the upcoming puppy kicking.

Can you SERIOUSLY think anything is "too late" when you haven't even hit twenty yet? At 18 the first 2/3 of your life has been spent learning the absolute basics about life. An 18 year old brain could learn the same basics about art in a couple of weeks that took a kid 12 years to learn on his own. Given the ability to find information in books and on the internet, you can make up the years between 12 and 16 in a few months.

If you take things seriously you are likely less than a couple of years behind.

HAHA! Exactly what i was thinking too.
For the original poster:
Man all i can tell you is that i'm 23 and started out like 4-5 months ago, you'll be suprised how much can you achieve in this tiny period!
It is NEVER too late - think that way all the time in any situation you'll run into in your life and i guarantee you good results, all relative off course :)

You, for example, have a much better starting postion than lets say - me :)
You are 18 but most importantly you are a resident of USA which is a home to a lot of great and excellent art schools. In my country, only a small bunch of people actually knows what concept art is!

In art, very much like in music career - you have to take a risk, you'll never know what could have turned out otherwise.

[Meloncov]

Just wondering what you by "years." I hope I am viable enough after four to get a job.

Generally speaking, it takes ten thousand hours to achieve mastery of something (and concept art is a competitive enough field that nothing less than mastery is adequate). That works out to about seven hours a day, every day, for four years, or thirteen hours per class day for four school years. So yes, it's possible.

[JParrilla]

Just wondering what you by "years." I hope I am viable enough after four to get a job.

Its not a race. If your going to think that you need to be good enough in 4 years so you can get a job, your approaching it the wrong way. Once you begin doing this you will realize that there is so much to learn.. and the learning and improving is the fun part. Ive been told this a million times.. and Im finally realizing it now. There is no end.. Theres nothing wrong with setting goals.. but you cant think that you need to be "good enough" in 4 years so you can get a job.

[Nothraiya]

Well if it makes you feel any better im 26 years old and im going for the same things, Dont let those negative what if's get to you, No matter if you start young or late, its all about how much effort you put into it, I think you just need to ignore that little voice inside your head spewing the negativity.

And if im the only one hearing the voices, then just keep drawing, yeah!

~N~

[Deadlyhazard]

HAHA! Exactly what i was thinking too.
For the original poster:
Man all i can tell you is that i'm 23 and started out like 4-5 months ago, you'll be suprised how much can you achieve in this tiny period!
It is NEVER too late - think that way all the time in any situation you'll run into in your life and i guarantee you good results, all relative off course :)

You, for example, have a much better starting postion than lets say - me :)
You are 18 but most importantly you are a resident of USA which is a home to a lot of great and excellent art schools. In my country, only a small bunch of people actually knows what concept art is!

In art, very much like in music career - you have to take a risk, you'll never know what could have turned out otherwise.

Hey, thanks for the inspiration. Also noticed the Arthas avatar. I would totally love working for Blizzard, but they have very high standards. Also, the risk thing you mentioned....that's my only fear about this decision.

http://www.starcraft2.com/artwork.xml

Some of this stuff looks hard as hell, along with a lot of other things on this website! I guess it's all learned with a lot of time and experience. It looks really fun to make.

[Deadlyhazard]

Its not a race. If your going to think that you need to be good enough in 4 years so you can get a job, your approaching it the wrong way. Once you begin doing this you will realize that there is so much to learn.. and the learning and improving is the fun part. Ive been told this a million times.. and Im finally realizing it now. There is no end.. Theres nothing wrong with setting goals.. but you cant think that you need to be "good enough" in 4 years so you can get a job.
Well, I mean there is a deadline. I just want to meet a company's standard so I can make a career out of it.......but as the poster said, it takes "Ten thousand hours" to master something, even if there is always room for improvement. Of course, that just means practicing a lot and learning. Have you guys ever seen someone with a game artist or perhaps movie concept art job within a few years of starting?

See what I'm saying? Maybe I'm just confused on what you guys are trying to say. I actually want to go beyond the limits of being good enough, and just getting better and better with each day.

[So-naa]

I believe it's never too late. o.o

[JParrilla]

Well, I mean there is a deadline. I just want to meet a company's standard so I can make a career out of it.......but as the poster said, it takes "Ten thousand hours" to master something, even if there is always room for improvement. Of course, that just means practicing a lot and learning. Have you guys ever seen someone with a game artist or perhaps movie concept art job within a few years of starting?

See what I'm saying? Maybe I'm just confused on what you guys are trying to say. I actually want to go beyond the limits of being good enough, and just getting better and better with each day.

I do understand what your saying and that you want to make a career out of it. But you cant rush. And you have to realise that there are people that have been doing this for 10, 20, 30 years! Take it slow and enjoy it. Im not saying not to keep your sights high and aim for a cool job, but just make sure you have fun and dont think about it as a means to an end. Its kinda hard to understand what im trying to say.. but once you begin to study and learn I think youll understand what Im saying. Basically.. noone can tell you whether or not YOU can do something in X amount of time. you can spend the next 4 years drawing and hardly get any better unless your consciously trying to improve. Its all about YOU.. what YOU do, how YOU study, how much time YOU devote, and how much YOU are willing to sacrafice. So dont worry about making some deadline of 4 years.. just worry about getting better. Good luck buddy

[the_jos]

I have an assignment for you, Deadlyhazard.

Find at least 10 companies nearby that are either involved in gaming or in concept art. Or other company you like to work Try to arrange a meeting with someone who has a position you'd like to have at at least 3 of them.

Explain your situation, your uncertainty, that you don't really know about the future. Ask about their job, what's it like, what's done in a typical week, what are things besides art they need to know/do. How do they interact with other departments/functions (the 3D guys/girls for example). How much influence do they have on the product, how does the complete design work.
Should take about an hour and perhaps you can even get a quick tour through the company.
When you leave ask if you may contact them again in a while if you have further questions. And if you may send them some art for professional crits once in a while when you are in college (don't overdo that, they have a job.....) .

The reason?
First of all to get a clear image of what the potential future is about.
It's easier to decide when you know more about it.
Second it's good to know people and to have people who know you.
You won't be on the market for 4 years so you ain't competition. But you are a possible future employee. And it's always easier to hire someone you know.

It really works this way.
In my department one colleague joined after finishing university. I was recruited by a head hunter. All the other 6 guys knew people in our company or already worked there before they joined my department.
When I was considering moving to another country a couple of years ago I asked the account manager of a suppier of my company if they knew some companies who might want to hire me. So he kept his eyes and ears open for me.
Recently I visited a meeting and learned that two other companies are looking for people in my field of work.
At the moment I'm not interested and I know no-one who is. But if I knew someone I would not have any problem bringing them together.

Many people who enter the 'market' for the first time do that fairly late.
They finish their education and start looking for jobs after that.
It's easier to make some loose contacts with companies you might consider earlier. You ain't in a hurry to find a job yet and they might not be looking for you as you are today, but in 4 years they might be looking for the person you became in those 4 years. And smart companies know that.

[Deadlyhazard]

I do understand what your saying and that you want to make a career out of it. But you cant rush. And you have to realise that there are people that have been doing this for 10, 20, 30 years! Take it slow and enjoy it. Im not saying not to keep your sights high and aim for a cool job, but just make sure you have fun and dont think about it as a means to an end. Its kinda hard to understand what im trying to say.. but once you begin to study and learn I think youll understand what Im saying. Basically.. noone can tell you whether or not YOU can do something in X amount of time. you can spend the next 4 years drawing and hardly get any better unless your consciously trying to improve. Its all about YOU.. what YOU do, how YOU study, how much time YOU devote, and how much YOU are willing to sacrafice. So dont worry about making some deadline of 4 years.. just worry about getting better. Good luck buddy

Great advice. I see what you are saying now, pal. I'll try to keep my mind off that deadline, and have fun with it and making myself improve. I really can't think you enough for this response.

I have an assignment for you, Deadlyhazard.

Find at least 10 companies nearby that are either involved in gaming or in concept art. Or other company you like to work Try to arrange a meeting with someone who has a position you'd like to have at at least 3 of them.

Explain your situation, your uncertainty, that you don't really know about the future. Ask about their job, what's it like, what's done in a typical week, what are things besides art they need to know/do. How do they interact with other departments/functions (the 3D guys/girls for example). How much influence do they have on the product, how does the complete design work.
Should take about an hour and perhaps you can even get a quick tour through the company.
When you leave ask if you may contact them again in a while if you have further questions. And if you may send them some art for professional crits once in a while when you are in college (don't overdo that, they have a job.....) .

The reason?
First of all to get a clear image of what the potential future is about.
It's easier to decide when you know more about it.
Second it's good to know people and to have people who know you.
You won't be on the market for 4 years so you ain't competition. But you are a possible future employee. And it's always easier to hire someone you know.

It really works this way.
In my department one colleague joined after finishing university. I was recruited by a head hunter. All the other 6 guys knew people in our company or already worked there before they joined my department.
When I was considering moving to another country a couple of years ago I asked the account manager of a suppier of my company if they knew some companies who might want to hire me. So he kept his eyes and ears open for me.
Recently I visited a meeting and learned that two other companies are looking for people in my field of work.
At the moment I'm not interested and I know no-one who is. But if I knew someone I would not have any problem bringing them together.

Many people who enter the 'market' for the first time do that fairly late.
They finish their education and start looking for jobs after that.
It's easier to make some loose contacts with companies you might consider earlier. You ain't in a hurry to find a job yet and they might not be looking for you as you are today, but in 4 years they might be looking for the person you became in those 4 years. And smart companies know that.

This was really excellent advice. I'll try that. I'm also going to Blizzcon this year, I can ask questions to some of the art team at Blizzard. Also, I live in FL...so I think there's only one gaming company around here. I'll have to check it out :)

[JParrilla]

Great advice. I see what you are saying now, pal. I'll try to keep my mind off that deadline, and have fun with it and making myself improve. I really can't think you enough for this response

no problem. When I started out.. I had more questions than I knew what to do with. I was worried about EVERYTHING. Many people around here can tell you that I asked WAYY to many questions and worried way too much. The most important advice I ever received.. the one that really mattered in the end.. was to JUST DRAW. It may seem broad and you may feel lost. But If you make sure you are learning all of the basics and constantly trying to get better.. all of your questions and doubts will be answered on their own. At the beginning you might feel that you need someone to plan everything out for you and tell what what, how, and when to do it.. but thats impossible. Still today I have times when I feel lost.. or I feel like I dont know what to study. The best way to get over it is to just do it. Having trouble decided what to study? Well try to draw something from your imagination.. do your arms completely suck? go study arms. Are your values terrible? Do some still lifes, draw some eggs, etc. You have to target your weaknesses and attack them. Be your own critic.. look at your work and learn to realise whats good and whats bad. You say you have a friend who is good.. thats awesome.. thats another artistic eye to help point out your problems.. post your work here.. there are tons of super talented people who can help you. The bottom line is DRAW.. but not mindlessly,, you have to draw with an open mind,... constantly thinking and looking. I am no expert by any means.. Im actually a beginner.. but Ive picked up enough advice on this website to write a book for people beginning in art. Good luck buddy and keep at it.

[tandy1000]

I'll answer in terms of years.

Age not being a factor, you can get decent in just 2 years time if you study HARD. You can't just study either you need to attend figure drawing workshops at least 5 times a week for 2 years straight and then you might get "ok". Then you'll move onto traditional oils starting with value paintings, and then color. That will probably take you another 2 years while still attending figure drawing workshops. It takes a lot of work and you have to stick to it. Don't just draw either get mentoring from anybody that's better than you, you can also save yourself a lot of time if you just sat down and did some thinking for 15 minutes or so before each study session. So 4 years time at the age of 18 you can get into the industry at 22. That's if you bust your ass.

Basically, the harder you work the faster you'll get better.

[Deadlyhazard]

I'll answer in terms of years.

Age not being a factor, you can get decent in just 2 years time if you study HARD. You can't just study either you need to attend figure drawing workshops at least 5 times a week for 2 years straight and then you might get "ok". Then you'll move onto traditional oils starting with value paintings, and then color. That will probably take you another 2 years while still attending figure drawing workshops. It takes a lot of work and you have to stick to it. Don't just draw either get mentoring from anybody that's better than you, you can also save yourself a lot of time if you just sat down and did some thinking for 15 minutes or so before each study session. So 4 years time at the age of 18 you can get into the industry at 22. That's if you bust your ass.

Basically, the harder you work the faster you'll get better.
Yeah. That's what I've been thinking.

no problem. When I started out.. I had more questions than I knew what to do with. I was worried about EVERYTHING. Many people around here can tell you that I asked WAYY to many questions and worried way too much. The most important advice I ever received.. the one that really mattered in the end.. was to JUST DRAW. It may seem broad and you may feel lost. But If you make sure you are learning all of the basics and constantly trying to get better.. all of your questions and doubts will be answered on their own. At the beginning you might feel that you need someone to plan everything out for you and tell what what, how, and when to do it.. but thats impossible. Still today I have times when I feel lost.. or I feel like I dont know what to study. The best way to get over it is to just do it. Having trouble decided what to study? Well try to draw something from your imagination.. do your arms completely suck? go study arms. Are your values terrible? Do some still lifes, draw some eggs, etc. You have to target your weaknesses and attack them. Be your own critic.. look at your work and learn to realise whats good and whats bad. You say you have a friend who is good.. thats awesome.. thats another artistic eye to help point out your problems.. post your work here.. there are tons of super talented people who can help you. The bottom line is DRAW.. but not mindlessly,, you have to draw with an open mind,... constantly thinking and looking. I am no expert by any means.. Im actually a beginner.. but Ive picked up enough advice on this website to write a book for people beginning in art. Good luck buddy and keep at it.
Yet more great advice from you. Maybe I'll post some works when I get a little better. But yeah, I have too many questions and am worried just like you were. I guess I need to take a chill pill :).

[JParrilla]

Yeah. That's what I've been thinking.


Yet more great advice from you. Maybe I'll post some works when I get a little better. But yeah, I have too many questions and am worried just like you were. I guess I need to take a chill pill :).

Dont hesitate to post.. dont be like me! haha but ya post as soon as you can.. the sooner you do.. the sooner you can get critiques. and yes.. a chill pill is exactly what you need.. toss a few over my way if you have extras.. I could use em.

[Grief]

a few years ago one of my painting instructors left in the middle of the term for a month to be at her father's bedside. the man was in his nineties and worked as a police sketch artist and had been retired for over three decades.

while on his deathbed she taught him how to paint with watercolors, which he had never done. over the course of a few weeks he used painting as an orderly means to keep a grasp on reality. the paintings were small landscapes of fields and streams. the strokes were excited and filled with uncertainty but a desire to explore. they were nothing jaw dropping, but they were honest. he painted images for everyone he met in the hospital, other patients, family that visited, nurses and doctors.

in the end his ability to communicate had began to dwindle and he stopped recognizing his own family. even after not recognizing his own daughter he still painted, using the skills he learned from her.

after he died the hospital had a small exhibition of the paintings he left behind and made over $1700, purchased by a curious community which had heard of his work. (which i think went to cover funeral costs, but it wasn't my place to ask what the money was used for). his entire career as a painter was from a bed he could not leave, inventing landscapes of places only he could see.

make the most of the time you have.