CGTalk - What Should I Do?

DiMENSiON

12-09-2004, 05:15 AM

I'm not sure if this is the right place to be posting.
I'm looking for some opinions right now, because I feel kinda lost. Anyway, I'll try to keep this short. I'm in a two year fine arts diploma program, and I just finished my first semester. I'm not enjoying it really, because I seem to be learning next to nothing. I'm also ahead everyone one else in terms of ability (which isn't to say I'm amazing, but rather that, almost everyone else in the program kinda needs some serious improvement). I've done lots of work, but too much of it is non relavent to the goals I'd like to accomplish. Ie. Ceramics, art history (I don't need to learn about people who wrap buildings in fabric), english, some of sculpture (plaster casting, metal working), and drawing, which is the biggest bs class I have ever had. We're not allowed to shade until next semester, and can only draw in contour line, and aren't allowed to sketch (as in go over lines again). I DON'T UNDERSTAND! Anyway, I'm calm now. I'm seriously thinking of dropping the program, and working hard on my own for a year or so, and spending my tuition money on books and supplies, life drawing classes, maybe some workshops. Maybe after that I could find an internship or something, I don't know... I'm not sure my parents will be pleased, but oh well... :p
I'd like to end up as something like an illustrator, conceptual artist, cg artist etc. Not exactly sure, but most importantly I'd like to be an accomplished 2D artist. I also enjoy 3d art, but that's not my focus right now.
I'm 20 years old, and unfortunately didn't even begin to take art seriously until I was 18. I feel behind, but I can't just give up. I have a lot of natural ability, I didn't have to learn to draw, although I improved, and still am. I still can't draw from imagination/memory very well, but I'm getting better. Does anyone have any suggestions, I'd reeeeeaaaaally appreciate it.
I'm posting some of my stuff so you have an idea of where I'm at.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/the_burger_king@hotmail.com/me.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/the_burger_king@hotmail.com/brother.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/the_burger_king@hotmail.com/painting.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/the_burger_king@hotmail.com/sketch1.jpg
(I didn't use reference for the following, so the anatomy is really screwy, and the lighting is messed up.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/the_burger_king@hotmail.com/dsgeviltwin2copy.jpg

erilaz

12-09-2004, 05:21 AM

I'm kinda hazy on the whole diploma concept, but if you have a decent portfolio (and from your pencil sketches and DSG entries you do), why not apply for a subject exemption and use the time for your own personal practice?

Either that, or ask in all seriousness the reasoning behind the methods the teacher is employing in your class. You're paying them to learn, so get the most out of it.

Matty2Phatty

12-09-2004, 06:14 AM

Hey man, i was doing IT for a year before i realised it wasn't at all what i wanted. I had been good at art in school, but only took it seriously last year... i quit my course and started looking into a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Anyhow, i found a 3d place here in Brisbane and i phoned them about their courses, and they suggested that a course completely tailored to the 3d industry would be benificial, over a fine arts course which teaches all the crap you mentioned...

Having finished the course now, i can say it was a fantastic idea. I mean, you don't get taught anything that wouldn't come in handy in the industry.

But, having said that, there are people who teach themselves, and i reckon that's cool... but i just don't have that kind of dicipline...

dudders

12-09-2004, 02:19 PM

and drawing, which is the biggest bs class I have ever had. We're not allowed to shade until next semester
I think you should cool your head about giving up a course. This sounds like my diploma in art, they made us concentrate on line-work and space before even attempting light and shade. Imo this is the correct way and my drawing improved a great deal because of it.

It sounds like you dont like the drawing tutor or his methods or whatever but if I were you I would get as much as I can from this course and the people teaching--as there is a good chance they have more experience and will impart some valuable knowledge.

Studying on your own is tough and also your time is limited because you have to work for a living, I wouldnt go this route.

At the moment you are surrounded by the largest amount of creative people you will ever be-take advantage of that!

Also-you may not see the advantages of history and ceramics etc etc but its all about being creative with the materials you're given and gaining ideas and inspirations for the future!

Im sorry if it sounds like im lecturing, I was on the verge of justing deleting all this but I hope it can help.

leigh

12-09-2004, 03:15 PM

a course completely tailored to the 3d industry would be benificial, over a fine arts course which teaches all the crap you mentioned...

You're suggesting that fine arts is "crap" and wouldn't be in any way beneficial to a CG artist? I disagree. I studied fine arts myself and have found it to have been an excellent grounding for my later studies in CG. Especially considering the fact that DiMENSiON here says that he wants to become an accomplished 2D artist, I'd say that it is even more relevant.

However, DiMENSiON, if you're not enjoying the course then perhaps you should consider another course of action. But before doing so, perhaps you should investigate what the next semester holds for you in your current course - the first semester of most courses usually covers ground basics and is often slow-moving and a bit boring. However I really believe that traditional painting skills and drawing skills are very important for artists who wish to go into conceptualisation and illustration.

Just my 2c :)

Matty2Phatty

12-10-2004, 01:23 AM

You're suggesting that fine arts is "crap" and wouldn't be in any way beneficial to a CG artist? I disagree. I studied fine arts myself and have found it to have been an excellent grounding for my later studies in CG. Especially considering the fact that DiMENSiON here says that he wants to become an accomplished 2D artist, I'd say that it is even more relevant.
Yeah, good call... i didn't mean to come across like the fine arts course as a whole was crap... my thinking was just that if you took a fine arts course, and then removed everything he wouldn't need, you're left with an animation degree somewhere else.

But then if you've actually taken a fine arts course (i haven't) then you'd be far more qualified to comment... so i'll shut up now ;)

rendermania

12-10-2004, 01:28 AM

haw haw... real men study mechanical engineering, then switch to character animation... (alright, kidding obviously). I regret not doing a fine arts course... you get to pose naked chicks and draw them and stuff... :D

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