I'm a bit lost at what to do...

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>Okay, so, here's the deal. </p>

<p>I've been doodling with art all of my life, but I never became serious about it until last year. Unfortunately, I haven't made much progress since then.</p>

<p>I have so few art resources, a lack of supplies, and not a teacher in sight. </p>

<p>The internet is useful in some respects, but it's not enough to replace a good teacher. </p>

<p>What about school, you ask? My school's art classes are a joke. The work they produce (they have shows) doesn't seem to include anything I'd be remotely interested in participating in (there's no figure or gesture drawing, no painting, no digital work, no realism, no charcoal).</p>

<p>So...take art classes offered locally, right?</p>

<p>Yeah...there are none.</p>

<p>I've looked all over. All the adult beginner classes are during the week (when I have school) and the only ones with classes I'd take are over an hour away...</p>

<p>The only option I even see is possibly community college, but the only class they offer for someone like me is Drawing I...and it'd be right after regular school at the campus that's not in my town...also an hour away.</p>

<hr>

<p>So...what should I do to learn the basic techniques vital to advanced art courses? </p>

<p>I want art to be a part of my college experience...a big part. But so far I have very little I've been able to find in order to help me.</p>

<p>Are there any great online communities for art? Online Art schools that are good? Books? </p>

<p>Other options? </p>

<p>Help? ;-;</p>

2

<p>It would be a lot easier if folks knew where you were.</p>

<p>Also, do you have a community college within driving distance? They might have are courses. In addition, there are LOTs of schools such as Atliers and internet offierings. Just do a search online for art training or “online art schools” or “online art programs.”</p>

<p>Do you have an art teacher in school? Maybe she knows of folks who tutor on the side and can help you with a portfolio? I promise you that, in todays world, there are resources everywhere. You just need to look for them.</p>

3

<p>Yeah, my CC has two campuses, but the art classes are only available at the one that’s an hour away…</p>

<p>I don’t take my high school art classes. I checked them out, but they’re not the kind of thing I need. </p>

<p>I’ll search online programs and see if I can find a good one.</p>

<p>I’m in eastern Virginia, by the way.</p>

4

<p>I will tell you what my daughter had to do in much the same situation. She attended schools without any art program, without classes or facilities. We also have very little money for supplies, and are limited in where she can go to work on her art, because we use public transit. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Draw. Everywhere, everyday. If you can’t afford sketchbooks, carry around blank 3x5 cards, or copy paper, or ruled notebooks. My daughter swears by cheap black ballpoint pens (store brand, by the box at office supply stores) because you can do a lot of fine detail and it’s okay if they get lost. </p></li>
<li><p>Use what materials you can afford, or scrounge. Some of the work that schools have liked best at portfolio days are things she’s done with markers and pens on cardboard scraps. These days she hoards unusual surfaces that she finds – boards, cardboard, even a big piece of damaged leather someone gave us. </p></li>
<li><p>To get practice, draw the same thing over and over again. The same shoes, hands, etc. If you can show improvement over time, that’s helpful. It’s also good for developing your confidence and technique. </p></li>
<li><p>Look for community classes, even ones that aren’t advanced. Trust me, my daughter did her time in community intro courses. Even when she wasn’t being challenged, she was networking with teachers. Additionally, many times community classes include materials of some sort – so even if the class is tedious, getting access to supplies and space she didn’t have was worth it. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>And honestly, focus on what you can do, not what you don’t have access to. My daughter has gotten really positive reception from several schools, not in spite of her limited situation, but because of it. She is up front with schools that she doesn’t have the background that some applicants have; they seem to value the talent she brings to the table, as well as her creativity in overcoming the limits of supplies and resources.</p>

5

<p>yup, carry a sketchbook with you everywhere you go.</p>

<p>But before people give any more suggestions, it might also help to let us know what exactly you’re interested in doing. Because obviously what you wan to do plays a big part on what you should probably do in the meantime.</p>

<p>but since you mentioned figure drawing a couple times I’ll stick with that. Depending on your abilities, you can always find your own way of learning. For example, I always carry a sketchbook so I can draw people and environments directly. </p>

<p>You can also ask for friends to pose for you for a short period of time. </p>

<p>There are a ton of things you can do on your own. As long as you keep studying outside of class, you’ll learn these things by yourself a lot of the times.</p>

<p>And to be totally honest, art classes just might not be what you expect. For example, figure drawing classes will teach very traditional styles. Measure and everything. If you do that a lot, you may learn how to draw textbook portrait style pieces. If that’s what you want than class is where you should go. If you want more freedom to experiment, doing work by yourself I find helps a lot more</p>

6

<p>^I want to learn traditionally first, then develop my own modern style from the skills I acquire through it. </p>

<p>But I really haven’t had a chance to do that yet…</p>

7

<p>Follow the very good advice everyone else offers, but per your question about online art education…</p>

<p>I helped develop the eLearning BFA, MA, and MFA Graphic Design programs at the Savannah College of Art and Design, and am very familiar with the quality of content development overall. The online degree programs - and foundations level courses - are as good as you will find online. They are rock solid.</p>

<p>Here: [Savannah</a> College of Art and Design > eLearning > SCAD-eLearning](<a href=“http://www.scad.edu/elearning/]Savannah”>http://www.scad.edu/elearning/)</p>

8

<p>Drop everything, immediately, and go to the BIGGEST library near your house.</p>

<p>Go find the OVERSIZE book section, take a gander at Edward Hopper, Picasso, Van Gogh, etc.</p>

<p>Read about their lives and look at their drawings, paintings, sculptures. Study them for hours. Think about WHY you want to be an artist. Why you want to draw. What you want to express. How naked are you willing to be in your art? How truthful? How completely ugly and free?</p>

<p>You’re taking on a huge responsibility (mainly to yourself) to tell the truth, and it’s a really long, difficult road that may have no pay day at the end (again, it’s cliche, but read about Van Gogh).</p>

<p>And yeah, also draw a lot.</p>

9

<p>Everyone is different. What if OP is the kind of artist like grandma Moses or Basquiat, How ‘bout Jeff Coon or Mark Costabi? Hirst, Prince? Van Gogh’d twist in his grave.
Use “good” library or go to snobby bookstore and biased department store’s book section if you want to learn the other side.</p>

10

<p>Didn’t see that geography is the issue.
Subscribe magazine, maybe? artforum or Artnews or in between whatever that fit your taste.
I found Artnews immensely entertaining, easy read, good for HS kid, lots of pictures and cheap!
Then if anything catches your interest dig that far on Internet or order book through your local library system.</p>

11

<p>Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.</p>

<p>I actually just found out our renter’s uncle is an artist/art teacher. She’s seeing if she can get him to tutor me. =) </p>

<p>I’m really hoping for it. Even once a week is enough for me. Just to have any instruction would be wonderful.</p>

12

<p>I went to the art library and got this one book,
“ American Self - Taught” 1993 Alfred A Knopf Inc.
Every works in it are sooo good I think you shouldn’t be taught if you got something already.
Aw the bacon and eggs diner sign from 40s killed me!!
Of course, everyone is different. you are free to do what please you.</p>