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I'm probably the 12,508,023rd person to post on this subject...

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I'm probably the 12,508,023rd person to post on this subject...

As I was saying, I'm sorry if you're all sick of hearing this from people like me, but I could really use some advice.

I'm a seniour in high school now, and I'm absolutely positively positive that I want to do something with art. However, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do to get there...I don't even know where to start. :(

But uh...if any of you could be so kind as to at least point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated. :)

So I'm 17, and I've been drawing for quite a while, but I've never really tried to draw anything other than what I've taught myself...I only started taking art classes in school Juniour Year, so I'm only just now started to learn everything.

I'm not really sure what it is exactly that I want to do, but I think I'd like to draw comics and eventually go into animation. However, I'm afraid I don't have much knowledge about either, and my options are a little limited.

I live in Atlanta, Georgia and according to my mom and my bank account, I'd be better off in a state school as opposed to a private school which would put me in debt until the day I die. Even if I do decide on a college, though...I have no idea what I'm supposed to study....

So yeah, as you can see...I'm 100% in the dark. But I've been a visitor of this forum for a little while now, and I figured this would be a good place to start getting some guidance.

These are a few samples from what I like to do, and unfortunately it's about all I can do. If anyone can take a look at it and my situation and possibly give me a few pointers, it'd be greatly appreciated. :D

Since You Live In Atlanta

Hello.

Since you live in Atlanta- you might want to check out SCAD in Savannah (a four hour drive). We have an Animation department AND a Sequential Art department. Both are good...infact, you can major in one and minor in the other.

Anyhow, it's worth the visit.

Best.

Just because Larry is a teacher at SCAD he is not just advertising. I want to say that I was also going to suggest you look into SCAD because it seems like a logical choice for you if you live in Georgia and you are interested in sequential art. For me it came down to choosing between SCAD and Ringling. SCAD is a terriffic school and I highly reccommend you look into it. Also check out this website http://http://www.conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=15 for more information about art schools.

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that has been given to us." ---Gandalf

Damn, that sounds so perfect, but I really don't think I can afford a school like that right now. What can you suggest to someone with a lower budget? What schools/majors would be good for me which are offered at nearby schools such as Georgia State or Kennesaw State?

If you can't afford school, get some books at your local libraries.

Decide whether you want to be a comic strip writer, an illustrator, or an animator. If you want to make comic strips, it's probably more important to learn how to write comedy than it is to draw. Check out some comedy writing books, or maybe just read lots and lots of comedy.

Otherwise check out some illustration and animation books and keep drawing all the time. Carry around a tiny sketchbook. Draw everything you see. Try to draw the things that are the most difficult to draw. Draw people in the park. Draw people in motion. Make animation flipbooks in the corners of your sketchbooks. You should be able to make 4 movies per sketchbook: 2 corners times 2 sides. Use pencil.

Book

Chris Hart has a line of books....One of his cartooning books actually has a (as I understand it) pretty large section on writing for comics/gags in comic strips and similar media...

No matter what school you go to and what kind of art you want to work with, I strongly recommend you get some serious drawing classes. You already draw pretty well for a kid your age, I think you're in the right track. But I think it's very important you have observation drawing classes. It's the most important skill for any visual artist, no matter if a sculptor, moviemaker or whatever.

Trust me, I started out as a cartoonist too, and art school really blew my mind :)

Yeah, a school like SCAD (or any other private art school) can be out of reach for some of us. I was in the same situation, so I went to a public 4-year university that offered a major in animation. I had to move across the country to go there (Maryland to California), but it was worth it. So here I am with a BFA in animation....but no job in the industry yet, and it's been 4 years since college. Boo freakin' hoo.

Enough of my sob story. My point is, do some research on the internet like I did and look for a public 4-year university that offers animation as a major. It looks like University of Georgia has a program in animation. Here is the info.

But I really like your style, comic wise. You could also save your money and just do web comics, like John Kovalic does. He does 'Dork Tower' comics online and gets them put in Dungeons & Dragons magazines as well. Also, check out the website ComicsSherpa. If you are serious about making comics, this website allows you to post your comics on the Internet, and everyone can see them. ComicsSherpa comes from the same distributor as Garfield, Ziggy, and Doonesbury...so who knows what high-end exec could be looking at your comic.

I think once you decide which direction you want to take Bob, if it's in the direction of college, then why not try for one of the scholarships?

Great cartoons by the way. :)

Don't give up on SCAD too easily, at least apply...I sent in a portfolio just for the heck of it and my combined academic + portfolio landed me a scholarship to cover half my tuition. And I didn't think much at all of my portfolio, just a few life drawings that I thought were mediocre.

Rallying and Animation?in Heaven

Hello Jeremy

I checked your homepage out and see you race rally, awesome sport.I was into it way back in a Datsun 1600.Gee did it fly,and you(I assume) love animation as well.Gee what else is there to you could ask for...

Very jealous

Rob from Oz

Cheers

Bob&Friends, You're certainly a talented comic strip artist! i have a suggestion for your portfolio presentation. When I first applied to an art school, I thought grades and act/sat scores were enough for entrance. I was given two weeks to present a portfolio, I too thought nothing I did in high school was good enough. I ended up including, along with the hs work, some master drawings. Try looking through some art history books for life drawings by painters from the past and copy them, I don't mean trace but draw as close to their styles as you can. If you can include actual model drawings (anyone or anything can be the subject) along with the compiliation than what school wouldn't want you! My portfolio didn't get me a scholarship, but than I didn't possess half the promise you seem to show. Regarding paying for college(beside scholarship), try your state's grant-in-aid program, the federal government also should have a similar program, and the school itself should have funds based on need-ask your high school guidance couselor or contact the college's financial aid office. Try that because there are always sources for funding if you look hard enough! Good Luck! :) Bird

Hello Jeremy

I checked your homepage out and see you race rally, awesome sport.I was into it way back in a Datsun 1600.Gee did it fly,and you(I assume) love animation as well.Gee what else is there to you could ask for...

Very jealous

Rob from Oz

Cheers

I have too many hobbies, and on top of that they're all expensive :) Right now I'm "retiring" from rally navigating because I keep getting carsick. Now I'm just biding my time until I get my own race car and start driving. Which will probably be a while, since like I mentioned I'm going back to school in a month for animation. Well, at least a rally car could work as a second family car, right? :)

what's important

Hi Bob,
I lived in Atlanta for 6 years and am now an Artist living in New York City. Yes, college is important but the most important thing about college, (in my humble opinion) as an artist, is what you do in that time. Yeah, yeah grades...important...blah blah but for example: I got a degree in Journalism but all thru college I did theatre...guess what I do now? Theatre. The previous replies are all important as well, especially the scholarship info. My nephew (who's your age) is an artist as well and he's getting an art degree and a minor in business. You clearly have talent and an ear for your characters, Bob, keep drawing and good luck. P.S. Get yourself published as soon as possible. And don't ever give up. :)

Thank you for all your advice, but I'm still so lost on what I'm supposed to do. I'm sorry, but I still have more questions. XD

I've never actually focused on any form of art other than cartooning, so I really don't think I'd have a strong enough portfolio to get a scholarship at a school like SCAD. Stupid question, but is there any way I could, say, show what I can do to a school like SCAD, and somehow find scholarship options from that?

I've also been wondering...is it possible to major in something totally different...English, for example, and minor in art, and still be able to do what I want to do, which is have my comics published and someday possibly work for a comic or animation studio?

Thanks again for everything.

hi Bob:

I was in the same boat myself -- drawing cartoons throughout high school. I ended up getting into engineering for a while in college, then worked in the industry for a few years. In the evenings, I'd take life-drawing classes, in addition to practicing my cartooning. So, when I applied to SCAD, I had both life drawings as well as cartoons to present as part of my portfolio.

If you can't afford a school like SCAD (it IS expensive - but it's a great school), I'd recommend getting various books on the subject. Books are great teachers. For critiques, you are free to post your work here. :)

Good Luck!

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