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going through hell

Started by EagleClaw4 Oct 9, 2006 at 10:18 PM 6 replies 1.4k views
Original Post
EagleClaw4
EagleClaw4
This thread is kind of a vent so don't read it if you dont feel like hearing one. I just felt like telling you guys about the certain circumstances going on in my life right now. First of all I want to be a video game concept artist but dont have any training under my belt (like knowing how to draw people, enviorments, apply light and shade to my drawings etc.). One of the reasons for this is the art school I didn't know that existed in my city started registration long before I knew about them. So I guess I'm gonna have to wait until next semester which is quite a ways off. I'm trying to learn to draw from old books my father has but they just aren't helping enough and I feel like I need the help of a teacher to help guide me step by step which the books I have read just dont seem to do. Like one book "How to Draw What You See" by Rudy de Reyna, just kind of jumps in out of nowhere into showing you how to draw people and doesnt give to many examples. I really dont want to get a job with someplace like Blockbuster as I feel I should be on my way to a career even if I'm not working on a project of my own. Though I guess I will have to, that is of course if they take me in to work for them which can be a real pain as I have to see if a place will hire me. Right now I'm stuck in the house all day with nothing to do and I dont know how to drive (yeah I started out late although I'm starting to learn how). I wanted to order a book my friend reccomended me that teaches you to draw people but when your locked up all day, trying to learn something from a book can even be a hassle as it takes a toll on the mind from not having the escape of getting out. My parents can drive me somewhere to get out but I really dont like to depend on them as they are already quite old and its hard for them to take me places as they get tired easily from doing everyday stuff. Do you guys have any other reccomendations with what I could be doing with my time? thanks for reading
Funkymunky
Funkymunky
yes. don't stress yourself out. this desire to be a concept artist sounds like a rushed idea of what would be fun to do for money. art is a personal expression, and I'm confident that the best artists are self-taught. I'd suggest you try to find happiness in life regardless of monetary gain.

in any case, have fun! don't worry so much!
AnonymousPosterChild
AnonymousPosterChild
Post some of your stuff on sites like ConceptArt or Flight in order to get some realistic feedback on your work, and work on building up a fully featured portfolio. I talk to two people who do concept and texture art in games who were employed without formal training.
With love, AnonymousPosterChild
lethalhamster
lethalhamster
Woah man! Calm down, take a few breaths! How old are you? From the sound of it you just got out of high school or something? For right now it isn't that big of a deal if you work at a video store or whereever. The most important thing for you to do right now is concentrate on your school work. It's not oging to harm you for missing one semester. This first semester is probably all prerequisits anyway. If you want to do this as a career it is bad to get stressed out by it now. Make it a hobby. Do it in your free time and build up a portfolio. If it's really something you enjoy and you know your going to have fun with it as a career then don't burn yourself out now. It will make the rest of your life hell.

Good luck, and don't stress out about it.
............Could Jesus microwave a burrito so hot that he himself could not eat it?
Sandbar
Sandbar
Becoming an artist will only come with time and a lot of perseverance and patience. But as long as you have the willingness to succeed then it will happen. I certainly understand the mental obstacle and frustration of knowing what you want, but not knowing quite how to get there.
As for working at a place that isn't quite on your career path, that may be a neccessary evil, but it may provide you opportunities that you may not even have thought of. Whatever the case, during this time you should be using it to study your goal with a passion, and then you will suddenly find new avenues opening up for you.

Good luck in your endeavours.

Quote:
Post some of your stuff on sites like ConceptArt or Flight in order to get some realistic feedback on your work, and work on building up a fully featured portfolio. I talk to two people who do concept and texture art in games who were employed without formal training.

Hey APC, I've been to ConceptArt before (great site), but what is this Flight site you speak of?

Cheers,
Sandbar
EagleClaw4
EagleClaw4
thankyou guys for your support

I'm 23 and actually have an anxiety disorder and this is what has kept me from pursuing my dream in making games for the past 5 or 6 years which is about the time I have been locked up too.

Its so hard dealing with it especially being in the house all day. I'm gonna try and get a job somewhere and keep going forward no matter how much I have to suffer.

Rain 7
Rain 7
Well I am a pretty anxious guy myself. :D I oftentimes get to this point because I have not prepared myself well for whatever it is I am jumping into...You want to become an artist, though you admit you don't have the training necessary to start making an impact, yet. Becoming an artist of any kind takes a VERY VERY large amount of time, but you are certainly not going to get anything done freaking out 'un-necessarily' about it. The sooner you start refining yourself, the better. You shouldn't require drawing books to tell you how to draw. Instead, start sketching everything around you! Everything starts and ends with passion. If its good, its good. If its bad, its bad...but you WILL be growing, instead of freaking out. :) Try to take everything in stride. Artistry takes time to develop.
Try to keep one foot in front of the other. Don't look towards the horizon when the answer is right in front of you.

Funkymunky
Funkymunky
Quote:
Original post by EagleClaw4
I'm 23 and actually have an anxiety disorder and this is what has kept me from pursuing my dream...


Wow dude that is an anxious thing to say. I don't know how many times i've suggested this on these forums, but... try meditation! It really will help you relax, when you learn to just let go...

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