Between a rock and a hard place

[DocRotten]

I've been lurking around here for a while and I apologize for adding to an already hefty pile of "help me!" type threads but I really have no where else to turn so please bear with me.

I'm 26 and from Chula Vista,California (just below San Diego), unemployed, no car, currently living with my father and two older brothers in a house that we may lose because of extremely severe financial problems. My credit has been run into the ground recently, and I'm trying to find a way to get my life going again.

I've thought about getting a crap job to just make ends meet but my family is pushing me to use my artistic "talent" or whatever you want to call it instead. To be honest while I've dabbled in a lot of different mediums since I was in pre-school I still lack many of core skills I'm sure many here already have. The little I've learned came from watching cartoons,reading comics,and being exposed to art in many different forms.

I have a GED and the only college history I have is a couple film and music courses I took at a local community college 5 years ago (which I never finished). I won't b.s. you, I've dragged my arse for the majority of my life because I had a cozy umbrella to discourage me to ever take a bigger step. I'd like to think I'm a perfect example for younger folks of what NOT to do with your life.

Obviously the big question is "well what the hell do you want to do Doc?" my answer is I would love to go back and learn the fundamentals and hope to polish not just my art skills but my mind in the process. I have a deep respect for the world of art and I've wanted for years to be able to do something with what I have, be it in video games,comics,toys,animation,or even working in the film industry which I have a lot of interest in because I feel that film is a nice mish mash of everything I love (art,music,writing).

I understand it's difficult to really get an idea of where I'am skill wise with no work to show, let's just say what I have is more or less just abstract doodles I've done on photoshop or by hand that I only spent a few hours on. I'd love to learn how to do digital painting and just painting in general, for a while I've really been inspired by Ashley Wood and the recent designer action figures being made.

I'm real interested in going to Watts Atelier but it's about an hour drive away (not terrible but bad for someone like me) from me and without wheels or a ride (with how far it is and how much gas costs I can't ask that of people) that sort of kills any hope of going there at the moment. About 6 or so years ago I knew a guy who was going to the Art Institute of San Diego and he tried to talk me into going (at the time I had the money to) but this guy was never really into art, any homework he did he'd rip off from album covers and use it as his own, and when I took a tour there the students all seemed like they were there for the hell of it or because they liked to doodle Sailor Moon characters or wanted to be the next Shepard Fairy (Obey). I just wasn't impressed at all and it seemed like such a waste of money. I felt the same way about other local "schools" like Platt. Watts really impressed me with their attitude and their students plus you don't have to sell your organs to pay for courses.

I see so many threads about folks who just need to get to California to get started, well I live here and I still can't find anything. At the moment all I can come up with is to start taking art courses at a community college this Fall or go get a crap job and forget it about it all and just exist. nothing more.

The dream would be to be able to just move someplace else and go to school but with my lack of required skills,a GED,and barely any money I think it's safe to say thats not gonna happen.

This post is already pretty lengthy and I know how folks are with reading walls of text so I'll wrap this up now. Thanks for reading this far.

[panchosimpson]

i really think you should go to watts, ya know the coaster passes arent that expensive, and it can take you pretty close to where the schools is....plus, there's also studio2ndstreet, which is even closer to the coaster station in encinitas...

[Ellingsworth]

It really at this point matters how determined you are. I know not having money is very difficult but if you have the spirit and determination I believe you could push yourself to your maximum potential.

1: I would suggest getting a job for now that gives a decent pay and is not that hard to do every week, that way you can give some money to your family every week and the rest you can save for art supplies and school.

2: With that money buy many art books and self training art books, try every day your hardest to get better, after work hone your skills and I know most artists say don't blow your self out with practice but in your case I would suggest pushing your self even harder. Try drawing everyday and honing your craft for up to four hours a day even more, maybe. Try to build your knowledge and skill level, as well as saving up a little cash every week.

3: After doing this for a while use your saved up cash to attend life drawing classes and hone your skill/craft even more.

4: Keep practicing, PERFECT your line work, anatomy, shading, figure drawing, and anything else you are interested in doing. This will be frustrating and very tough but you must push your self, use your current situation for motivation.

5: Build up a solid portfolio and try sending it off to schools and colleges. You can start looking for scholarships and loans for help with the tuition, don't give up you still have a long way to go at this point!

6: You do not need a college degree in art to get somewhere in this field, just practice and determination. If you can't attend an art college keep doing studies on your own, also maintaining your side job. Be a professional about it, if you have to work don't be going out with your friends the night before and partying. Try waking up early and drawing an hour before work. Take a small sketch book into your job and sketch during your work.

8: More and more practice! :)

When you're not drawing spend your time reading about art and how to improve, go to these following sites and read through everything twenty times if you must, UNTIL it is nailed into your brain!

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=76955

http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=79065

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=47859

http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=98621

http://www.worqx.com/color/index.htm

http://www.geocities.com/~jlhagan/lessons/mainmenu.htm

http://www.3dbuzz.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=105003

Check out anatomy/figure drawing books at your local library study them, and absorb the knowledge into your mind, take it step by step don't try to learn everything at once.

Good luck and best of wishes, the information is out there, it's is now up to you and what you do with it! :teeth:
-Diasin

[Maxine Schacker]

Diasin, this is great advice.Pancho, any chance he could get a scholarship to study at Watts (assuming Watts is a good school)? DocRotten, check out PanchoSimpsons work. He's taught himself an amazing amount. You have to make a schedule for yourself and stick to it even if you're "not in the mood."

[panchosimpson]

any chance he could get a scholarship to study at Watts (assuming Watts is a good school)?

Watts is a very good school, one of the best we have down here in southern california for life drawing+painting+sculpting, however the school doesn't offer scholarships since it is a private atelier....however, a lot of people work by day and study by night or on weekends and the tuition is fairly accessible. Also, studio 2nd street (http://www.studio2ndstreet.com) is just as good from what i can tell (considering that a lot of the people teaching at Watts studied with Ron Lemen). also, thanks for the compliment :)

oh, i almost forgot! check out Ron Lemen's free training videos at xtrain.com, they basically run through the fundamental drawing concepts they would teach you at watts or studio 2nd street

[DocRotten]

Thank you all for your inspiring words and advice. I think I have a better idea on what steps to take now.

[Sharon Knettell]

Mr. Rotten,

I am essentially self taught. I dropped out of the Boston Museum School because of the lack of instruction at all. The teachers were absent. The schools awere in the throes at that time of letting the students express themselves. Most art schools are still that way. An atelier is a great way to go and the Watts loks like a good one. Jeremy Lipking is awsome. Here is a list of more ateliers. http://www.artrenewal.org/asp/database/atelier_list.asp

I tried to copy my work off of this site but it timed out twice even with a reboot. I am presently on page 5 of the finished works thread under "I am new from RI".

Here is my former agents site www.rappart.com and a portrait site http://www.prtraits.com/knettell/knettell.htm

I will try to post the stuff I have here later.

I have been where you are.

[Sharon Knettell]

Senor Rotten, here is that thread I referred to http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=85936or

[E.M.GIST]

Hey DocRotten, My name is Erik Gist and I teach at Watts Atelier. I know at least one of our students lives down in your area, he is a really nice guy and I am sure he would not mind carpooling. Send me a PM if you would like me to put you in touch with him. Perhaps you can catch a ride with him up to one of our Sunday sketch nights and check the place out, that way you can see what we are all about and it won't cost you anything.

Peace,
E-

[Wierdokid182]

Wow good luck *hugs*