Gnomon

[Monsterboy]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the forums here at CA. I have been searching and searching lately trying to decide on a solution to my education to become a concept artist. I have looked at alot of the art schools and and video game schools, like The Guildhall in Dallas and UAT in Tempe Arizona, and I have read just about all of the posts on these forums about other schols around the US. But an alternate solution caught my eye above all, Gnomon. How realistic is it to recieve proper training to become a concept artist in the entertainment/design industry from DVD's. I hear alot of great things about the Gnomon series, and it is much cheaper than specialized art schools and institutes, and it seems like it is more geared toward exactly what I want to learn. Has anyone used these tutorial DVD's and does anyone have any comments on their effectiveness vs an art school?

[Monsterboy]

Well, I am about a year away from getting a degree in art at any university I decide to finish at. But it doesn't take much to get a degree in art at a university that doesnt have a good art program. Is it really worth the money and time to finish a degree that might not really help me, when I can instead start studying to become a concept artist, which is what I want to work as?

[poly_cube]

Gnomon is a great school for 3D animation/modeling and spfx. Its not a concept art school, however, they do have a handful of classes that work directly with concept art but its not truly a “traditional concept art school”. Gnomon is also basically geared for the film industry.

The gnomon dvd’s are great, can it make you a better concept artist? Absolutely. However, can you ask a dvd a question? About the industry? Work experience? Specialized techniques? Nope. I watched all of Feng’s dvd and its still different from the method he teaches in class. And there’s nothing more exciting than watching them draw….when ever I watch those dvds its so ungodly boring. (but that might just be me haha)

A degree is worthless in any art school; you’ll have to make it worth wild. The art school you go to (should at the very most) discipline you for the art world (meaning if someone tells you to finish the job in 3 hours your not going to panic) and give you all the technical abilities you’ll need to survive. But you can learn that on your own, you just have to keep up with the professionals. (Easier said than done naturally) But if you love the school atmosphere and everything that goes with it, just do it. You’ll most likely regret it later in life for not doing it.

You might as well finish since you only have a year to go. Although I don’t see why you can’t start on your concept art skills right now.

As for a good school- art center- ringling just do a search on this forum and I’m sure you’ll see a lot of schools with reviews.

[MAKS-23]

Hey man ive got a couple of the gnomon DVD and i use it from time to time just to remind myself of certain things , like I got the Scott Robertson one and from there I say have improved alot but also true what poly cube says that it it be nice to have feedback but if i had a chance id go to Gnomon School of Visual the DVD's help no doubt

[pipboy]

I have not studied at any art school. I may also be considered a beginner if you compare me to real artists. But I benefited from gnomon DVD s a lot. I am aware that some people can not learn much from a DVD. Altough I havent attended to any art school I think that a DVD can not be a substitude for a real teacher and a real classroom environment. However, if you do not have the chance to take any kinds of lesson, then internet, books and DVDs are our best bet. And I think almost all the Gnomon DVDs are helpful if you pay enough attention when watching them and practice them. You may even learn a lot from them even if you are attending to art school. Wow I sounded like I am working for Gnomon . Anyway this is my opinion but I recommend giving one of their DVDs a try.