Question about being a crappy artist..

**Caprica12** · August 21st, 2009, 11:32 PM

I was able to draw pretty good when I was a kid. I guess it's because I did it all the time. Now I hardly draw a sketch a year. I was just wondering because I have not done anything in like a decade is it better to "practice" and basically hope to get better.. or just take what are basically poor sketches and learn 3D so I can apply the concept/sketches?

I read that you pretty much have to be hardcore to get a job as a artist and i am no where near that level. I'm like on a 5th grade art level. I suppose there is room to grow but I'm not sure what the good "Art schools" are. I want to work for special effects or a video game company, i think i also like interior design. Any suggestions? Should I try to get better or just spend time and go for 3D?

**JParrilla** · August 21st, 2009, 11:46 PM

how can we answer that?? It all depends on what you like.. We cant possibly tell you if you should draw or paint or model.. Its about what you enjoy doing

**Mock** · August 21st, 2009, 11:49 PM

1. We're all crappy artists, we just don't show all of the shitty stuff we've done to get to the point where we can paint a few good pieces.

2. There's no "hoping" to it. You draw, you study, you improve. The only time you have to hope is when you either stop drawing or stop thinking about what you're drawing. Put your brain and hands to use simultaneously and you'll get results.

3. The Art Schools and Education forum has some great advice on art schools. ImagineFX ran an article a while back about the top 10 schools for digital art: http://www.imaginefx.com/02287754332...t-schools.html
Keep in mind that art school is expensive as hell at most of those places, and that you can learn a hell of a lot right here on CA and the rest of the internet absolutely free if you apply yourself.

4. Are you passionate about 3D? There is some crazy rumor going around that 3D is somehow infinitely easier than 2D art (hint: its not). There may be a wider variety of 3D jobs, but you'll still have to bust your ass to get that position where you can design and create instead of painting rock textures for the rest of your career.

5. "I think I like..."? Find what you're passionate about, pursue it with everything you have, and you'll be fine.

**Caprica12** · August 21st, 2009, 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by JParrilla

how can we answer that?? It all depends on what you like.. We cant possibly tell you if you should draw or paint or model.. Its about what you enjoy doing

Dude, all the art here is perfect. Most of u would get a job EASILY over me.

It's like comparing a teenage kmart shopping cart pusher to a NASCAR driver when looking to hire someone with experience behind 4 wheels.

**sanakris** · August 22nd, 2009, 12:01 AM

I really don't think there is such a thing as a crappy artist....except if you do it only because you are an attention and have no immagination whatsoever and you're just a copy machine and everyone praises you for your great 'copying' abilities. But... you don't seem to fit under those guide lines

Drawing just starts with passion just like anything else.
I think you should try to go as far as you want to do don't compromise. If you want to draw and do 3d and interior design go ahead. Just do it. If you limit yourself you'll never know your potential. And like yoda says "Do or do not do there is no try"

And don't underplay your art saying it's just bad. Have confidence. Every new piece is an improvement. And you are closer than where you first started.

Sometimes I've seen some artists graduate from top art schools and don't have a core foundation. And the reason why is they don't practice or draw.
Learning and internalizing the elements of art is key. Line, shape, form, color, value and space. (I'm not making it up google it for each definition)
And if drawing is a chore for you then don't do it. One of the thing they don't teach you in art school is you really need a thick skin. Some can be harsh about the world of art. So lift up your head, wipe your doubts away and just pick your pencil and start drawing.
Perseverance is another key. Stick to it if you want it. If you want it.

And don't 'hope' to be better. Be Better.

**Arshes Nei** · August 22nd, 2009, 12:52 AM

You're only a crappy artist if you decide to quit instead of taking the hard path of getting better!

**Bentley** · August 22nd, 2009, 01:09 AM

Only the best of the best get the jobs you listed, stick to whatever you're doing now.

**FranciscoShreds** · August 22nd, 2009, 02:01 AM

Originally Posted by Bentley

Only the best of the best get the jobs you listed, stick to whatever you're doing now.

Wow... Seriously? If you aren't going to be helpful, don't reply... Also to op. Instead of not drawing for a decade, have you been modeling all that time? because if you have, then go for it. I'm sure someone will welcome that devotion and progression. If, however, you're only thinking of 3D as an option because you somehow think it's gonna be easier than drawing and are just thinking of starting then you're very miss informed. You'll still have to learn anatomy, you'll still have to learn things like perspective, you'll definitely have to learn light... Just because it's 3D doesn't make it easier. People seem to have that same mentality about digital art, as if learning to draw is no longer gonna be a prerequisite for art if you do it digitally. At the end of the day if all you do is learn photoshop tricks, you'll have nothing more than a nicely polished turd.

If it's gonna be a fresh start for it, then you might as well follow what you love. You'll also find out if you really love it or if it's just a whim.

Lastly, let me leave this and say, if he can do it, you have no reason not to. http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=157068

**Anid Maro** · August 22nd, 2009, 04:26 AM

He may have been gruff, but I wouldn't say he was unhelpful.

This is a rough business, period. People don't make a career out of art because it's a great living, people make a career out of art because they love art. If you aren't sure you love art, if you aren't sure you can bring the dedication needed to become the "best of the best" then this isn't for you.

And there's no shame in that, by the way. I like to draw and paint, but I'm not pursuing art as a career. I'm pursuing another career and I do art in my spare time, not because I'm a crappy artist but because I can imagine myself doing another job for a living. The artists you'd be competing against are people who eat, drink, and breathe art. They can't imagine themselves pursuing another career.

Now with that said and done, being a "crappy artist" doesn't necessarily mean you can't hack it. Every artist was a "crappy artist" once, even the best. They just didn't give up, even if their work couldn't compare to the greats of their time. As the saying goes, "art is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration". If you're passionate enough to sweat for it, then you can have it.

**Caprica12** · August 22nd, 2009, 01:54 PM

yeah i do but it totally gets lost in translation when i try to draw

**Baron Impossible** · August 22nd, 2009, 03:25 PM

3D isn't the easy option. It takes a different skillset but you still need a good grasp of basics - light, composition, colour. It's certainly not a good idea to try for 3D just because you feel you're not getting anywhere with 2D.

What you need to do is decide what you want to do, then do it. Everyone was was "crappy" when they started out. I know I was, and I'll bet a wad I was a lot older than you before I began painting. I just practiced, almost every day for five years, and now I'm not crappy any more. That's the way it goes. There's no quick fixes, you just need to get down to it and if that seems extreme then you may want to keep it as a hobby and look to something else as a career.

**Anid Maro** · August 22nd, 2009, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Caprica12

yeah i do but it totally gets lost in translation when i try to draw

If you've got the drive then just keep working at it. Your ideas will keep getting lost in translation for a while, but over time if you keep at it more and more will make it through translation. It isn't a big deal if your art sucks so long as it sucks less than the piece before it.

Look up some "testimonial" or "before/after" threads in CA.org. If you're dedicated then you'll become one of the people saying "man, I sucked so bad back then but look how much I've improved in only a year!"

**Bentley** · August 22nd, 2009, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by FranciscoShreds

Wow... Seriously? If you aren't going to be helpful, don't reply... Also to op. Instead of not drawing for a decade, have you been modeling all that time? because if you have, then go for it. I'm sure someone will welcome that devotion and progression. If, however, you're only thinking of 3D as an option because you somehow think it's gonna be easier than drawing and are just thinking of starting then you're very miss informed. You'll still have to learn anatomy, you'll still have to learn things like perspective, you'll definitely have to learn light... Just because it's 3D doesn't make it easier. People seem to have that same mentality about digital art, as if learning to draw is no longer gonna be a prerequisite for art if you do it digitally. At the end of the day if all you do is learn photoshop tricks, you'll have nothing more than a nicely polished turd.

If it's gonna be a fresh start for it, then you might as well follow what you love. You'll also find out if you really love it or if it's just a whim.

Lastly, let me leave this and say, if he can do it, you have no reason not to. http://conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=157068

Thanks internet crusader, white knight. The kinds of jobs you're looking for take extreme dedication and skill to attain, if you could some how tommorow quit your job and just draw for the next 5 years then I would definitley tell you YES, you can make it! If not then maybe just have art as a hobby and find a more practical way to make money. Also there are lots of threads that answer some of your questions and the fact you were too lazy to even look for them leads me to the assumption that you don't have that pep in your step, prove me wrong though and reach for the stars.

**Arshes Nei** · August 22nd, 2009, 07:22 PM

Ok, let's tone down the hostilities please.

**alesoun** · August 22nd, 2009, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by Caprica12

I was able to draw pretty good when I was a kid. I guess it's because I did it all the time. Now I hardly draw a sketch a year. I was just wondering because I have not done anything in like a decade is it better to "practice" and basically hope to get better.. or just take what are basically poor sketches and learn 3D so I can apply the concept/sketches?

I read that you pretty much have to be hardcore to get a job as a artist and i am no where near that level. I'm like on a 5th grade art level. I suppose there is room to grow but I'm not sure what the good "Art schools" are. I want to work for special effects or a video game company, i think i also like interior design. Any suggestions? Should I try to get better or just spend time and go for 3D?

I would suggest that you spend time and get better and see where that takes you. Start a sketchbook on here and see where your interests really lie. Spend a year or so of spare time seeing what you enjoy and what you want to do most.

I doubt if there's any such thing as "perfect", but practice definitely makes better.