Am I too late?

[Julligan]

I used to draw when I was a kid. I loved illustration. I used to get really excited about all sorts of different anime and cartoons, and I would draw to express myself.

Pretty early on, however, I quit drawing. I somehow got it in my head that drawing wasn't cool. As I grew up, I was given the impression that being an artist isn't a reliable career path.

I'm 21 now, and I haven't actually drawn anything for years now. But I've got that urge to pick up the pencil and start doodling again. I have a dream of becoming a concept artist for video games and movies. Ultimately, I fantasize about being involved in all aspects of the creative side of movies and video games, from writing the storyline to drawing the characters.

But is it too late for me to develop the kind of talent it requires to make it in the industry today? Where should I start?

[yochanan]

I'm 20 myself and even if it's too late, it can't hurt giving it a shot. I'd love to be a concept artist one day too and I'm doing my best to get better. It's definitely competitive and not everyone can make it, but then again, some of us have to and odds are that we only stand a chance by working our butts off!

You will save yourself a lot of wasted time (that wasn't spent drawing) by questioning your age and whether or not it's too late for you. Nobody cares if you reach a professional level when you're 19, 25 or 40. They care about your work. If you're willing to put in the effort necessary to reach a level where people will pay you, go for it man!

[battlebattle]

its not too late it all just depends on your realistic age goal of "making it" to your goal.

your biggest pro is that you are old enough to really look at an anatomy book, for example.. and really understand what youre seeing the way the average kid (or even teen) could not.

i say go to the book store and pick up a book or 2 on anatomy, figure drawing, drawing heads.. somewhere to start. get a folder full of bookmarks of online tuturials (mostly youtube) and just practice every free chance you get. if thats 2 hours a day or 16 just keep drawing.

after a few months look at your work and youll be surprised how good you got. then ask yourself this question again.

[seasonstheyconspire]

I'm in exactly the same boat. When I was younger I wanted to be in the military or be an artist, being an artist didn't seem like it was really a career, and the military fell through, so I'm doing a business degree simply to get into a job for the money, but it doesn't hurt to get back into drawing and painting, and maybe one day I'll be in the position where I can make it a career, but I'm not really thinking much like that right now, I'm just focusing on on improving as a hobby.

[rem92]

Not too late, some of my classmates at university are just starting to draw and they are 26, you r fine

[Julligan]

Thanks for the great feedback guys!

I suppose the question now is what kind of site do you guys use as an online portfolio? And any good tutorial suggestions to start myself off with?

[JSG1138]

dude the "too late" crap revolving around art is just rediculous. its all about your portfolio and the quality of your work. if you work hard for the next 5 years you can be as good as anyone. im 25 and im still learning, I already have a career that has nothing to do with art but when im ready, im gonna put myself out there even if im pushing 50 and you should too. DO WORK FTW!!!

[Bharat Chauhan]

a lot of film directors make their first film when they are in their late 30s... sometimes even later...

keep at it... if you want it and work hard enough its not too late... 20-24 is a good age to start...

trent reznor started nine inch nails when he was 24, maynard james keenan of tool started singing when he was 25...

keep at it. tell the world to fuck off with their electricity bills and expensive jewellery. work and live like a madman. its the only way.

[Bharat Chauhan]

get inspired from people who started late in their lives instead of the ones who were "born geniuses".

you'll be surprised to see how many people actually started really late in life.

[Bharat Chauhan]

look at feng zhu's tutorials on youtube. great help.

[Leonor]

get inspired from people who started late in their lives instead of the ones who were "born geniuses".

He'd probably would if he could find them.

[SmallPoly]

It's really never to late to start. MindCandyMan's sketchbook thread should pretty much answer the question of what it takes to go from a beginner to a master:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=870

These are all from the same artist:
2002


2003


2004


2005


2007


2009 -


If you want to know more about the guy, check out this video:

[Psychotime]

Good lord, I'm a nerd.