“Should I go to art school?” Professional cartoonists and illustrators weigh in
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- The HelioscopePDX comic book creators weigh the pros and cons of going to art school. The scale tips towards “Not worth it.” Find out why it might not be worth it to students paying their own way and what the alternatives are.
Featuring:
Steve Lieber
Joelle Jones
Emi Lenox
Terry Blas
Jeff Parker
Lucas Ketner
Jon Siruno
Caitlin Like
Hopskotch Sunday
Kerstin Lacross
Cat Farris
Paul Guinan
Ron Randall
Le McClain
Dan Schkade
Leila del Duca
Support Leila making videos for HelioscopePDX: / leiladelduca
For anyone who wants to watches who can't spare the 20 mins:
Their answer is NO (unless you're going on someone else's dime (scholarships)). You can learn everything art school teaches online and network to get in to industries. Ok you may now go on with your day 🤗
There is nuance.
Thanks for the quick recap! Just to clearify... they say that everything that they would teach online is avaiable online? How do I know what I have to learn online then? Is there like a prospect or something what they teach in these classes?
THANKS SO MUCH
@@JoeMama-io5fz I will answer that
Learn
0. Lines and Shapes
1. Gesture
2. Body anatomy
3. Head anatomy (do not draw eyes nose seperate, draw them in the head, I mean skull)
4. Practice with purpose
5. Draw one thing (humans /Dogs/horse/cars/buildings)
6. Don't rush but rather work on the concepts forget drawing 1000 drawings when concepts are trash.
@@GhostLeadGaming What you listed like gesture, body anatomy, head anatomy is solely focused on drawing humans, not drawing fundamentals in general. You shouldn`t even start with drawing humans as a total beginner
a big theme i noticed here was "don't go to art school, but yeah I went to art school" I want to study illustration, and I don't see how I'm going to make connections or learn about the industry besides going to school. Money is a huge barrier for me so I'm probably going to go wherever I can get the most scholarships, but to say that you can learn everything online is just... wrong? Like I want to be surrounded by artists and get out of home, I've taken in person and online classes at schools and they're so vastly different from any youtube video I can come across. Theres a reason that people get degrees and are trained to teach art. Community college is great, but I'm not trying to take 50 general classes on math and chemistry and most public colleges don't have separate developed art departments. This is not to be negative toward the video, since its 3 years old at this point, and I liked hearing what these artists had to say, but I feel like its so impractical to just say "hey 18 year old, just throw yourself at the wall and see if you stick"
there are also a lot of international art schools that will set you up better for careers and are way cheaper than American schools, even as an international student. for example I'll be applying to emily carr, alberta university, and Glasgow and they're all 25k a year or less, which can still be pricey but that's without scholarships and such, while some US schools can be up to 80k a year.
I think I might just not go. Or I’ll do two years of community college and work on my skills and then transfer to an art school. I’m still a little lost and I’m freaking out since I’m a senior and I know my skills are still not good enough yet. But being a comic book artist/ illustrator is the only thing I can imagine myself doing.
Hey, I've been in pretty much that exact same spot so I'd like to share my thoughts if it helps. As someone going the community college route, I think it's pretty good for building up fundamental skills. Once I feel more comfortable with my skills, I plan on transferring to a state university as there are a few not too far from me that have programs in the type of work I'd like to do and cost about half the price of art school. If you're thinking of going this route, I recommend taking an art course during the summer at a community college to see if you like not just the class, but the feeling of studying art in that setting. I also recommend looking at state school programs, classes, and even professors if you want to go down that rabbit hole because I personally believe people who only look at the big name art schools don't realize how much state schools can actually offer. Some schools may even partner with companies for internships and/or offer lectures from people in the industry. Something to keep in mind though, is that you may need to study art a bit more in your free time depending on how much your classes teach or if there something specific you want to learn, and may require a bit more time management since you'll have other classes. If you have any questions about this path, I'm happy to answer :)
What did you end up deciding to do?
I'm 31 years old and I'm learning art by myself. I didn't have the discipline when I was much younger to get the most out of any school (I studied language and literature) but now I'm doing it online, but accepting that it takes years of hard work to achieve a decent level. After two years I'm starting to see progress.
What I lack is peer review and community, though. That can accelerate the process.
I totally know what you're talking about. It's so much easier to get peer review at school. I hope you're able to find an alternative through fellow creatives online or who might have meet ups locally in person (covid willing).
I started at 30. You are not alone. I read somewhere that there are places where you can get professional critics on your art online.
Dependent on where you’re at in the world, there may be a school/museum/collective that does painting classes. Go check em out and you can get real time feedback.
As an Art school alumni. Don't pay money. Go to community College and learn stuff cheap. Take business classes and philosophy. Be weird.
This is a great video! As a video suggestion, a lot of artists that say not to go to art school, or even who do go to art school, are always in big cities. I'd like to hear points of views from people who live in small cities and what their art careers are like. What kind of work involving art can you get when you're not near any major studios or major schools?
My daughter is only 13 and she is so good at her art. I’m watching this video because I can already see drawing is her passion and one day this conversation will come up. Thank you for the video. Lots to think about.
I'm graduating from RMCAD in about a week haha! My partner is also an alumni. I loved going to school, but I also kind of wish I didn't go at the same time. It definitely made me more disciplined, but it was expensive and I still had teach myself a lot outside of classes to be at the right level in order to be ready to work. Anyways, great video!
Oh wow! Happy Graduation! And my experience sounds so similar to your RMCAD experience. I don't regret going and I did learn a lot, yet at the same time I wish I had been ambitious and resourceful enough to find a cheaper route. Had I known I didn't need the diploma! Woe! Anyways, thanks for watching and best of luck with everything post-graduation! Cheers, Leila
I'm graduating high school in a few months and I actually got accepted to RMCAD and was thinking of attending because I'm a Colorado resident, I've been stressing a whole lot about the decision for quite a while now as I felt as if the only way I could improve was to go (which I know isn't true) but this video was very very insightful and helped a lot ,,l thank you so much!
I’m so glad to hear it was useful to you! Whatever decision you make, I’m sure it’ll be the right one. :)
"find out what u need to learn and peace out" for someone who is 15 broke student, that is such a good advice :] love her
i'm irish, not american, so i can't really speak to what it's like over there, but i'm doing a 1 year course in a place kinda equivalent to an american community college and i'm getting a qualification similar to a high school diploma. and it's sick!! i love it so much, you get a similar atmosphere and lots of the benefits to a proper 3rd level art college, but it's way way cheaper and less time commitment. it's also a really good way to figure out if you do still want to go to proper college, and here at least there are pathways from these short courses into degree courses. if ye have anything like that available to you where you are then consider it! i hear a lot of americans hating on community colleges but i really don't get why you'd rule them out when they give you so many more options than a university.
That’s rad! Thanks so much for sharing!
IADT graduate from 2009 with a BFA in Graphic Design, ended up with massive debt and nothing to show for it, I am now going to be a comic artist, I wanted to pursue my masters at AAU but after two semesters, the online program is just not worth the expensive money and I am dropping out, I can find many resources here on TH-cam or skill share, I’m glad this video is made available, my answer to anyone who is considering art school is don’t go to art school, you have resources that is cheaper or in some cases free and you can reach your goal sooner rather in 2-4 years. I will say my experience at IADT and their graphic design program was pretty amazing and had some amazing teachers but this was because I didn’t know the entire Adobe suite so I actually got to learn them and successfully pass those courses. Community college will have classes for any Adobe software so please either go on TH-cam, skill share or even go to community college and take the classes you want to actually learn. They’re way cheaper
This was a great video! Although I feel this conversation is seriously lacking any mention of artist residencies. You can work with other artists, get feedback, and study intently without committing 4+ years and heaps of debt towards it.
Also, for those in high school wondering if they have the discipline to practice and teach themselves without a classroom setting: if you don't have it now, you will as you age and mature. I'm only 24 but I've noticed a huge difference in my ability to motivate myself and have discipline even with no deadlines from when I was 18. And, as a college dropout, if you don't have that discipline yet you probably aren't ready to dump all that money on college yet anyway. If that's a concern it would probably be better to wait, work for a couple years and get your discipline up, then reconsider art school.
That’s so true about residencies! Not too many of our colleagues have done them in the past, so it’s good to hear you think they are invaluable. Also, seconded about the discipline getting easier the more a person practices and matures. Thanks for the comment!
Wanted to get a degree in fine arts but my parents would only let me do graphic design, because they’d figured I could at least get a job. I dropped out after 3 years (and never tired to get a graphic design job.) But now that I’m in my 30’s, I feel like I’m at a point where I’d know how to be a good student. So I’ve been looking at going back to school.
But I’ve also really surprised myself at my self motivation this past year to get back into drawing. Between course learning sites like skillshare and TH-cam I can piece together my own curriculum.
This video really was everything I needed to hear! Thanks
You don't go to art school to learn how to draw, although there are some exceptions. You go to discover other talents within yourself, compete daily with other artists that may be better than you at a demanding semi professional level, improve your skills to make you more competitive and get a better education so you are not just "an artist".
exactly, to get a degree that lets companies and people who would hire you to know that you've studied specifically to be professional, and make ties through professors and such in the industry.
I really wanted to pursue this career I feel like it's the only thing I'm good at but my family don't see art as a job. Also because in my country (Philippines) we have these toxic culture where the only acceptable jobs are Doctors, Lawyers, Engineer, Nurses, IT and Teacher.
I'm in my senior yr and last yr of High school and I don't know how I'm gonna tell them that I won't go to college and study art instead. I can already imagine them freaking out.
Oh dear, that does sound rough. We hope it goes as well as possible and that you're able to pursue your dreams and passions!
:( That must suck I hope it works out but make sure you’re doing something your passionate for and love! I hope you can make that decision that you want and not what other people want
I can definitely relate to you! I’m starting senior year this year as well and it’s really stressful.As another fellow filipino, I can tell you that pressures of becoming a lawyer, doctor, judge come a LOT. Art is also my passion, but I don’t want to disappoint my parents…
I hope you pursue your passion with or without a second major/job to make up for it! You got this and I believe in you 💕
Yeah me and to.
😢
But I change my mind to continue my drawing make as hobby
Two years later and this video is still so helpful! I'm astounded this doesn't have more views. Thank you so much for sharing this, it has brought about more clarity in my life.
Such a good video, wonder why it isn't one of the first when you search up this topic. Only makes me believe what I want even more!
That's awesome to hear! Thanks for watching. :)
I wasted 6 years of my life in college degree because my mother didn't want me to pursue degree on art but when she allowed me to do it I wasted another 4 years in a multimedia institute where I couldn't learn anything also my mind was in mess all this years and I couldn't decide what should I do and where should I start but my mind is clear now and I know what I have to do now, I have just started learning art from the beginning as I never had any art teacher or anyone who could guide me. I will be 30 next year I hope I am not late.
as far as i understand, late 20's/early 30's is quite the norm for most people starting out in the art industry. you'll be fine as long as you obviously stay committed to your daily practices.
Damn this video is very underrated. I'm not going to any college at this time I'm not even half way through my high school years but my parents brought it up and now it kinda got me stressed lol. Thank youuu
You're so, so welcome. We hope it helps you make your choice!
As an aspiring cartoonist with talents in writing, musical composition, and acting, this video is much appreciated.
Thanks guys ;w;
Well, I do believe nowadays we all agree on this: "go to art school is unnecessary"; let's say never was a must, but was useful before the boom of the internet era, and are some essential parts of what means to be an artist that art school can't give to you, the first and more important is passion, passion for what you do, that's is probably the most important element to become an artist, the path of art is not the more profitable and in the other hand drawing and painting are skills and skills needs to be practiced to be mastered, in this digital era you also need enough technical knowledge is 3d modeling and art software, but having enough discipline can get you ready in let say 8 to 12 months, then you do not spend as much money like going to art school and do not forget we are not immortals what means time is your biggest treasure then you can not WATE your time in something you don't need
this was insanely helpful, thank you!
I felt so bad for not signing up for Art-School because i wasn´t sure if that was the right thing for me. You helped me out a lot and i feel much better about my decision now.
Something that you haven't considered, probably because you're all American based is art school in different countries. In Europe there are many affordable uni art programs, sometimes even free if you are an EU citizen. Personally I'd look at the Netherlands, Denmark (VIA Animation workshop) and Sweden. While Uni in the UK is still quite pricey it's still waaayyy cheaper then America even as a foreign student.
Ron Randall has a Charisma score of 18! Thanks for the sweet vid. Love the swanky tobacco pipe!🤙
My art teacher often tries to check in with me and recommend art schools, but I don't think I'll be going. I think it's very kind of her to try to encourage me to get more opportunities and art school was probably valuable to her, but like many people in the video, she probably got her education sometime in the '90s or early 2000s. I'm an autistic academically struggling dumb fuck with the most unstable motivation, I have sensory issues with a ridiculous number of traditional art tools and am incapable of forcing myself into doing what I don't enjoy. I'm just not made for college. The tuition price is not nearly as life-altering here where I live so finances aren't the issue, but I know I'd struggle with art school physically and mentally. I still would love to pursue art in some way, but I'm worried that making it full-time is just not realistic. I just hope it works out for me somehow
To sum up this video, at the end of the day, TH-cam and friends will cover 100% of what you need to get where you want to be!
This was so helpful thank you!
You don't know until you do it. Not everyone have a good experience in or after art school. On the other hand some with a little guidance, without the school makes a career....it very depends on ones personality, passion, circumstances and so on.
Really good video, thank you so much.😅
Damn Anatomy! This artist is real!
I was contemplating going to CalArts but I don't come from a wealthy background and no matter what my mom says, I can't justify the tuition there or at any of the top art schools in the US as an international student. but, luckily for me, my local art uni is still decent and only 21K for the full 4-year tuition, of which will the majority will get covered by scholarships and government grants anyways.
I was the first to go to school/college. I had friends that went to Art Center and Cal Arts. I was blown away how much they were paying. I went to Long Beach State and turned out to be a good fit. I even got offered to do grad work at Art Center. Beautiful campus. I have a love/hate with Art Center.
Art is just a hobby to me, but i take it far too seriously. I see many great artists who HAVE gone to art school so it makes me wonder if i should go, but truthfully i do not want to spend so much money to be able to go when theres ample resources online. However i do wish i had peers who were skilled in art to give me constructive criticism.
I think this is great advice but for people who are either naturally talented or can self teach. Me for example I need structure and a teacher to help guide me in what I need to learn and how to apply certain techniques and learn to conceptualize. I can draw but I’m limited to looking at something and copying it and not being able to visualize it myself and know shadows , light source etc. I think while not going to a school where it’ll break your bank for life, a comprehensive structured curriculum would work for someone who’s black and white in learning and better hands on rather than trying to get things from online videos that doesn’t have much structure in a point a to point b way of learning each learning curve
This video helps me a lot
I'm sense get internet I learn all think from internet
Also, I do freelance by learning skills from the internet
The Internet is a really good medium to learn think when you aren't able to Afford College
Back in the day when I thought I would be a professional artist and even went to accreted art school. Two things told me the stop art school and find another way to make a living. Number 1, Those that graduated from the art school. What was the percentage that went on after graduation to work in the art field at any level from teaching art, selling art or making art and the reality was maybe 5% unless you considered painting houses. Number 2. How many advertisements or recruitment organization in print or the internet are looking to give an artist a job? Before the internet you would like in the classified section of the major cities to find a job opening. And in my 5 years of looking for an art job I only saw 2 and both were large department store looking for someone to decorate their windows.
If you want to be an better artist today by far the best place to learn is on the internet and free too.
I am now 77 and I still like making art with my drawings and my sculptures but nothing is for sale I do it for my own pleasure. However I am a millionaire today and retired in Thailand and I made my money working all over the world for oil companies as a construction manager.
Bring us more.
NO! Do not go to art school. I graduated from SVA. I learned a lot, had a great time, and networked. But it's so expensive and today you can do all that online. There's so much free info there's no need to pay $100k for a degree.
Can I get an art job without art school? That’s the only reason I’d want to go, is for the opportunity to get hired
@@snehaaggarwal8872 Certainly. You don't need a degree, just a strong portfolio. Certain art professions do require a degree: Architecture, Art teacher...
That was good, thank you !!
Should I go for the connections? 🤔
Unless you make friends it's pointless, and more artists these days don't have IRL freinds
I wanna get into an art career as well as tech career but college didn't work out for me because how expensive it is. I did took some art classes but it did help me yet I learned more on TH-cam and myself. I wouldn't recommend going to a college especially an art school because how expensive it is. I am planning on doing more self-taught stuff because although I don't have a teacher or someone to check on me, I can network online.
I am NOT from America and I don't agree with the "anti school" mentality many Americans have. I understand culturally why that is, but I don't agree with the privatisation of school and universities to the point that they become "elite" and only for the rich. For someone with so little resources, it's incredibly hard to self cultivate an education that will be able to unlock their full potential - potential that they don't even know it's there. For starters, you must have excellent ability to judge what's valuable information and what's not. Going into a field without any knowledge of it, one don't know enough to be able to judge "this is what I need". Dunning Kruger effect kicks in and people make judgement they think are good for them, but are limited by their own ability to judge. A high school graduate just don't have enough life experience or know enough to make a sound judgement that will ultimately be the best choice for them. Yes perhaps they don't need to get a degree but prefer to learn from life's experiences first, but that doesn't mean they wouldn't benefit going to school and learn later in life when they're ready. University opened my eyes and minds, introduced me to many things I never thought I'd enjoyed, and by doing so elevated my understanding of the knowledge I already had too. It helps people to NOT live in their own bubble, understanding their potential and limitation, which is something I feel our society really needs. If you've only ever just gone for whatever you thought you'd want to know, from the little knowledge you have, you end up living in your own echo chamber, and that's not a good place for artists to be.
such a good vid.
What will work better?
AMB animation academy vs cal state san bernardino
I say both
i’ve been thinking about going for graphic design or game art at full sail but im really not sure
I'm applying to big colleges for senior high school but they offer tracks (like ur STEM, ABM, GAS, HUMSS,) instead of ur courses in college. I was thinking of taking up Arts and Design, and then when I go to college either take up Interior Design or Multimedia Arts. I feel that I can get a job in both industries but after watching this video, with the main answer being no, I'm rethinking my decision. Should I still apply for arts and design or should I take up something safer like STEM? (generally here in my country stem is safer because a lot of jobs are stem-biased :,DD)
The pipe makes it legit... you have to hold a pipe when you do wisdom.
Haha! Yes!
So I went to art school because I love art and my artwork is really good and I thought I had to do that for success. But if you have the talent I don't think you have to go to art school/college. It's way too expensive
I was stuck between a public university that offers graphic design and art school. After looking at the financial aid that they gave me, I decided to commit to a public university since it's cheaper.
noice
The easiest and cheapest way is to find a good artist and work as his/her apprentice. You will learn a lot of tips and hacks about doing art that they will never teach in art school.
I would not encourage any student out of high school to go to art school. If you’re good, you’ll be good without it. You’ll need math, writing, and other skills before and after you get to be an artist. Go to a small school where you can minor in art, and major in something you’ll be getting a job in.
Would you get payed the same if you go to school or not?
Yes! I haven't encountered or heard of any artist getting paid less purely because they didn't go to art school. If any employer threatens that, I suggest advocating for yourself and saying you have the professionalism and skills of any art school graduate. It seems to be the common practice that your skills and professionalism are what matters to art employers, not a diploma.
Art school gives you the opportunity to learn your craft. Are you going to hire nude models three days a week? Even if you could afford that, could you figure out the process on your own? You could find a private class somewhere and study part time, but they don't provide instruction.
If you have to ask your art teacher what perspective is and he answers "Don`t learn it, it will ruin you" then pack your stuff immediately and leave for good. Perspective is literally the most fundamental knowledge any good artist needs, perspective is how we see our 3 dimensional world and because a drawing is a reflection of this 3 dimensional world, if you don`t know your perspective your art is going to stink. If I had to teach someone art, perspective would be the first thing I would teach them after they had learned to draw a straight line. I can only say " If you want to be good at art learn your 3 fundamentals" perspective, form, construction"
Why does everyone go along with putting she/her or he/him, It, they etc lol so stupid
Hello. I went to art school both at the SF Academy of Art, and the Kubert School. I would not recommend going to art school unless money is no object to you.
You WILL NOT learn anything you can't learn on TH-cam. If you're very amateur at art, then a couple semesters at a community college will help.
Im 16y/o attending highschool and confusing abt my future. My country has no art school or college or living chances for artists. So im planning to go abroad and be game illustrator. But idk where to start and what to do. My parents want me to take IGCSE exam but i don't feel like it doesn't necessary my art ambition so if u don't mind plz give me some advice to be a game illustrator 😭(sry for my bad eng)