A question about Drawing and Art - please read.?

Question

I am a 20 year old lad, and I used to be pretty good at drawing. Did it till I was about 14-15 then I stopped, and have not picked up the pencil since. People used to say I was talented- I was really good at drawing cartoons and copiying, but i didn't believe in myself since I knew people who were much better than me at art. Another reason why I stopped was because I didn't see any worth in it, didn't see how I would make any money or make a good living out of it.
Now I am doing a business course at Uni, and it isn't what I thought it would be..
Perhaps I did make a mistake, and should have explored my talent a bit further...Is there anything I can do about it? too late?
What could I get into if I do decide to do something? any advice would be welcome.

Answer 1

It is never too late, especially for you!! You're only 20... get back into drawing and pursue your dreams !! =)

Answer 2

If you only think it's worthwhile if you use it to make money you're going to be burning out fast and all the fun will be gone.

Do art because you want to, because you have the drive to DO it, not because it's an income source. Without the push inside you to do it this way you can't take it to any level past square one. It just becomes another job and that's all.

To be creative is to keep a lot of the 'expected' out of the equation.

Do art for the sake of doing it, not because it'll pay the bills. If you have talent there's nothing to worry about other people's skills--just do it for you. There'll ALWAYS be someone better at it than you are. That's not the point. You'll be better than others are, and that won't mean anything either.

You can make money, yes, but you'll be starting out slow. Don't quit a day job. Use the business courses as a starting point and brainstorm how you can combine the two. Magazines are always looking for work to publish, use as filler, etc. Artist Market 2008 is a good book to buy for $25, it'll give you an idea of a fraction of the things that are being needed.

Answer 3

Might still be worth the effort to continue the business classes. Biggest mistake many freelance artists make, in starting their own busines is that they know NOTHING about running a business.

All the artistic talent in the world will not help someone keep good records, accounts, tax forms, managing money, etc. I am on my third attempt to make a full time go of running my own design studio, and am only, just, making it. Rarely does a year go by where I don't have to get a job to make ends meet.

Stay in school and begin practicing your drawing skills as you have time. If you, once, had the innate talent, then it will quickly come back to you. During breaks, think about taking a few classes in art and graphic design at some adult education or community college school. Pick up on the latest production tools like computer applicatios, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Painter and such.

By the time you graduate Uni, you will be much better placed to compete with those who don't have the business background you will have gained.

Answer 4

It is never too late to begin drawing again. In fact, getting away from it for a while can be a good thing. I stopped doing art when I was 18, like you, I did not see how I could support myself. After about 10 years I started doodling and got interested in illustration and cartooning, but I was majoring in Computer Science and business at the time. I used art as a way to reduce stress and found I enjoyed it more than I did when I was younger. I started working with different programs for fun and found a talent for doing CGI and photo retouching by accident. Now Photoshop is my friend and scripting is a hobby that is becoming a second business.

Now I do Web Development work primarily but I also do Illustration and publishing in my own business, and my artistic talents are put to use daily...I took art classes in college for electives which later became a minor towards my degree. I also practiced what I saw others doing...finding better or faster ways to do it. I also tok the time to learn new programs such as Flash, Illustrator, Streamline, Photoshop, Manga Studio, Anime Studio, Toon Boom, Maya, Bryce, Poser (and many others) to the point of being able to teach others how to do things quickly and efficiently.

The key thing is to just start....don't wait, because it is never too late, and remember that you can use your art in any endeavor you apply yourself too...whether you work for someone else or go out on your own...and always be willing to learn...

Answer 5

Simply put, sign up for a Design course. Notice I said Design, not drawing. Art courses vary slightly between schools, but seem to be one of the more consistent subjects between the UK and the US. A basic course which introduces concepts like composition, hue, value and relationships. Most of them are "Okay make abstract shapes". If you aren't used to thinking in those terms they can be really tough. So can be trying to make your living in the arts.

If you can bring yourself to do the work you need to succeed in that class (even with a C) you can probably do the work you need to bring yourself (at least) back to the place where people look at your work and look at you in awe. It's very important that you find out now whether you can do it, so all I can say is, take a basic Design course before you leave school, and if possible, before the year is up.

People will tell you you can't draw. People tell almost everyone they can't draw. The truth is, nobody really knows what drawing is so just sluff it off and give it a shot, where you are now.

Answer 6

From one who has a degree in fine arts and is working on a masters, all I can tell you is this. It's not to late.

If you really enjoy art and want to dedicate yourself to it, you'll find many opportunities along the way. If I were you, I'd start by taking some adult education classes at a local community college. The price of these classes is usually pretty reasonable and you'll get to talk to other people who are interested in a career in the field of art. Also you can chat with your proffessor who likely followed their dream of making a living with their art right into a college classroom.

Don't compare yourself or your art with others around you. There will always be someone out there that is more advanced in their drafting skills. Instead ask yourself, Do I enjoy drawing? Is this something I'm willing to dedicate my life to learning. Drawing, like chess, can be taught to a bright student in a very short time. However, that student must spend the rest of their life mastering it. If you like what you're doing, and willing to work hard to improve, you'll eventually distance yourself from your peers.

Good luck

Answer 7

Explore it firther in your own time first, but it is a big leap from copying Cartoons & other peoples work to actually become creativly successful yourself.
The noce thing about Art is there is no rules, nip to your local Gallery and incorporate what you see into something that you like, create your own style then post it on a Art Forum see what response's you get!
You never know you could be the next Kandinsky!!!!

Answer 8

I started a degree in Leisure management, but have a degree now in Architecture. Don't stay unhappy in a course, change now look for courses such as a 'foundation in art and design', these are normally 1 year courses that give you the basics to go on and do something else, it gives you the grounding but allows you to explore many different art fields from illustration, paint, still life, graphics, model making, you name it. Change now you will be happier shortly.

Answer 9

Put together 10 pieces - drawings paintings etc that you are proud of. Show them to friends , family etc. then look to exhibit. Go on from there. there is always space in the world for more artists - more businessman i dont know. So may people say there is no more space for artists and musicians or photographers - BS. No - one draws like you - we are all unique. you may not make millions. guess what - neither do accountants or business graduates or actors or restuaranteers or musicians yet there are many who make a decent living.

Answer 10

It never too late to change career choice, remember it'll be what you'll be doing for 40hrs a week until you retire. It helps if you like it.

Careers available after you study art: (not an exhaustive list)
Graphic Design
Logo Designer for businesses, brand names, etc.
Layout design for magazines, etc
Comic Artist
There are loads of options in this field - it's really worth investigating further.

Answer 11

There is nothing like enjoying your job; it is not too late to change if that is what you want to do. I had a job I really loved (now retired) and looked forward to work every day - it was not well paid, but to me that did not really matter. Sometimes it is scary to go for something different but only you can decide whether you will take the risk. Good luck!