If only we could fave journals...

Why can't you go to art school? D:

A few different reasons. One of which being $. The other being there are really no art schools in my area with the exception of the art institute about an hour away. And they don't offer an illistration program and their animation is all cgi. Not to mention their graphic design program is around $80 grand in tuition.

Another being time. I'll be 23 in september. I'm so scared if it being 'too late for me'. I know that a lot of this is probably me being insecure, but I don't have much faith in myself compared to tge beautiful art I see around here. I guess graduating at 26-ish and being almost $100 grand in debt scares me when I don't know if I'd be able to find work.

I'm also scared of holding my fiance back. I know he'd probably slap me if he knew I said this. I just don't want to be the one to hold us back financially.

That and I've had my parents tell me over and over I'd never get a job drawing. I guess I've just been so discouraged all this time the thought of a possible success seems so far out of reach. My friend Pandy just talked to me about grants and scholarships...who knows, maybe I'd be eligible for something.

I guess it's my fear of these things holding me back. I'm trying to be a responsible adult about all of it, including thoughts of my future. It's just so hard to let go of lifelong dreams. I've been out of drawing for so long, maybe I'm just too afraid of failing.

And wow...thanks pouchmonster. I think you just made ne realize how much I hold myself back. ;-;

I didnt start my animation classes till I was 24, so its NEVER to late. Hate to say but most of the best artist learn not going to school. What I highly recommend is getting on these websites and and learn this way. I went to Edinboro near Eire PA for animation, so there are other places besides the AI of pit.
Online Resources
http://animationpodcast.com/
http://www.lynda.com/3D-Animation-t.....rials/1-0.html
http://www.imaginefx.com/
http://www.sketchoholic.com/

Books that are better than going to class
http://www.amazon.com/Animators-Sur.....p;sr=8-1-spell
http://www.amazon.com/Character-Ani.....405&sr=1-5
http://www.amazon.com/Timing-Animat.....405&sr=1-6
http://www.amazon.com/Your-Career-A.....405&sr=1-7

PDF Download
http://magazinesdownload.com/post/2.....Paint-Anatomy-(2010).aspx

What you need to do is do some of your own taught animations, and try to make films and post them on you tube. The biggest thing that get you a job in animation is keep drawing and networking.

I know a lot of art is self taught, but I've watched people improve over the course of their education. There's always something to learn, and I'm always willing to learn it. I have so much more motivation to learn about art than anything else, so it seems fitting to want to go to school for it.

Thank you so much for all of the helpful links! :) I'm learnin already.

I know when you reach 24 you can get grants from the state to go to school. Thats what happened to me and it was worth using!

I'll be 24 next september, is this valid for people who are already in college and 24? Or is this strictly for nonstudents?

Check with the aid office in school.

My friends chose to go the an Art Institute, which I looked into after I graduated from community college.

That shit is fucking extortionate, so I chose UB which has a fledgling Game Studies program, and I love it here. I told them they should come here, but NOPE. Whatever, move 6 hours away (THE FIRST TIME YOU'RE EVER ON YOUR OWN) and pay out your ass, see if I care.

Stupid people are stupid.

It's never too late, though! :D There's plenty of different positions. I only want to do character design/concept art for games. ;3c

Omg I know. AI is so fucking expensive it's gross. I would only consider that school if I were to get grants out the ass. Where are you going? O.o

And that's cool, I just want to be an illustrator. I don't care if it's storyboarding, concept arting, illustrating ridiculous critters for cereal boxes, I just want my degree in illustration. :U There's a school that's a good distance away that looks reputable but I'll have to look into the online school too that 2 folks here recommended.

Maybe there's hope for me after all.

University at Buffalo.

And I mean a Bachelor's only takes 4 years. :P It's not that much time!

whats the super kicker is AI isnt accredited. so if they try to transfer out, no good

I tried to tell them. They're so stupid.

its just like going to ITT Tech. yea you can get a job with only the people that are affiliated with them. but try to get a job somewhere else, all that money you spent on the degree isnt worth nothing.

Ok, first off, its not "too late" for you. secondly, you know for graphic art and traditional media art there are places that are desperate for artists like you? specially advertising, game studios (big on that one) etc

Also, you know you can do your art major at home? no seriously. I just went through 4 years of it. awesome scholarships available and student incentives. Check out UAT . edu four year accredited university.

Also theres going to be some rather big news for any type of students out there dealing with the dreaded loans.

HOLY CRAP!! That's the school I'm enrolled in! It's so ironic that I was just posting about it.

Thank you! I'm definitely gonna look into this school. Can you tell me anything about your curriculum?

I went in for a B.A. of Game Design.

Copied from the site:

Take one five-week class at a time
Take three classes per semester for a total of 15 weeks per semester
A dedicated UAT-Online Team for your support through your educational experience through graduation
Accelerated options available for timely degree completion
Asynchronous learning environment to accommodate busy schedules
A rich and rigorous learning environment


Courses are taken sequentially in order to build on what you've learned. Please keep in mind that UAT-Online staff determines in which order classes are taken.

there is tons more information on the site here: https://www.uat.edu/admissions/UAT_Online.aspx

They even have a sample course you can log onto right now to see what the class is like.

I have to say this was a HUGE turn point for me in my academic life. It allowed me to work (I worked up to two full time jobs and went to school full time doing this) that allowed me to have fun, pay bills and do well in school.

I'm an art student, but not in "art school". It's just the art program of Penn State University. Apparently our budget it crap but I've seen some good stuff come out of here. I definitely plan on making the most of my time here.

Also, as for "too late"... My mom went to college at age like 35 or so. While I was in middle school. She went for a nursing degree, but still. It's never too late :3

Thanks for the encouragement aetherbutt. :)

Actually, you can do an online art college like what I do. The school is all the way in Arizona (I live on the east coast) and it is also a heck of a lot cheaper to do it this way. It's only $5600 a year... to that's like -$15,000 for what it would have been.

And don't worry about it 'being too late' a lot of my classmates are older and have kids. The most recent one I chatted with is 33 years old. It's only too late when you've given up.

I didn't realize it was so much cheaper to do online. Thank you for the tips. :) I'll be looking into this school. Money and distance were huge factors, this pretty mich takes those things out of thrle equation.

It still takes money but there are tons of financial options to do especially FAFSA. but it is cheaper as it takes the distance and gas out of the equation.

This is so much cheaper than the art institute. And I checked their courses in various majors and their schedule seems more than reasonable. This is fantastic! I'm requesting information on their Game Art and Animation. I feel like that would suit me and prepare me for multiple jobs. Plus they have classes in the major that have a bit to do with drawing and digital medias. Just fantastic.

Thank you guys for giving me hope that I can do it too. :)

I graduated from there with a B.A. in Game design.

I KNOW you can do it. You have the drive and talent to do it. coolest part is that they have a team of people that their whole job is to get you a job. they help you every step of the way to get a job in the field your looking for and whats awesome is even a few times Disney has put job requests at UAT.

No prob, I hope you get in. Those were my same issues and FAFSA is really helpful with financial need of college students.

Thank you so much! These are all things I need to look into. I'll be looking for scholarships and grants and their website is full of resources to get me started. :)

You're welcome! Good luck! Do look up a lot of scholarships and grants! Loans are an absolute last resort.

Do you have AIM?

I do! But if I'm on at all today it won't be until after work. But please add me and gimme a hollar whenever you see me online!

Afurman29[at]gmail.com is my aim.

no prob. I added you, mines Leons863[at]aol.com

Add me when you can and give me a hollar when you get home. I'm off today so I'm ill be on for the majority