How manditory is a formal art education?

[donkeyslayer]

after talking with coro down at the workshop about a lot of things, i began to wonder.... how manitory is it that a person goes to an art college? why would i care what one person (who was probably a failed artist gone teacher...) thinks of my art.... when i can get feedback from professionals on this site? of course, there is no substitute for a good figure drawing session. and it definitely can't hurt to have some basic gen ed. classes. i dunno... just something that i was tossing around in my head... anyone have any insight to this topic?

[SeraphSword]

As most of the folks here can tell you, it's not mandatory in the least. Art jobs rely on your ability, not your degree. Some of the folks here are 100% self taught (like Marko, although I'm convinced he's not actually a human, but part of some artistically talented super-species). However, self-teaching, even with a couple classes to supplement, takes a tremendous amount of discipline and hard work. Not to mention that lack of intructors will mean that often times you'll be reinventing the wheel, trying to figure things out on your own, where a teacher could provide quick answers.

But, basically, the answer to your question is no, you don't need a degree, work hard and you can still make it. I'm going to be headed to Watts Atelier soon, and I won't get a degree from them, but I still feel confident that with hard work, I'll be able to get an art job a few years down the road.

[JoshuaTheJames]

Go to an art college. You will love it and never regret it.

-Joshua

[Gr8t100]

the degree, is just a piece of paper.

However, the expeirence and poeple you'll meet (aka your connections) is priceless.

[Sammy]

Art School - Go

It's not about learning art... it's about working in communities, dealing with creative conflict, questioning what is tastefull, etc.

You don't need an education to make a pretty picture... but design is a dicipline best beaten into you with forced projects, working with teams, and an eye from those who've been in the biz.

[benzo]

go if you can, if you want to

i am going to be paying off the loans for years, but it was worth it

you cannot predict how things will turn out, you just got to believe in yourself, work hard, be serious, dedicated- draw, draw, draw

the key to improving is drawing a million bad drawings

art school helped me because it allowed me to draw everyday; i drew from life almost everyday for four years for 3-6 hours- thousands and thousands of newsprint drawings

just put yourself in a a situation where you can do that- just put your head down and draw or paint- produce work

it is very strange how things work out, how by random chance you meet people and how they end up affecting the path of your life

i have met some of my best life long friends in art school, it is so great to be surrounded by people who are the same way as you- normal people are cool too though

ultimately it is up to you to determine your fate, art school or not

just do it! don't be a watcher or a follower

hope that helps!

[Gory]

Just to reitterate (and maybe ellaborate) on what people have already said...


Art school will give you ivaluable connections, and you will meet some very talented and motivated individuals. They say you learn more from your peers than you do from your teachers. The reason for this is because your friends are always around when you're working outside of class. You won't have a teacher breathing down your neck telling you what to do.

It also helps having a small kick in the ass to get you working.

When people around you are doing such good work it really motivates you to do the same.

I don't know about an internet community giving the same response. Although I don't participate enough in this community to know for myself. So I'll shut up here.

[Groover McNab]

I think a lot of pros made the point that you don't need a degree, but also most of them pointed out that the experience of going to school was very valuable. So yeah, go.

Benzo - It was cool talking to you about that a little bit, and I actually remember some parts! I was fucked up.