patron-saint-of-smart-asses:

moderndayoutsider:

spillybun:

I have a serious question. Do y’all think an artist can ever really be good without learning directly from a teacher or mentor of some sort?

Right now I only have access to books and online resources. I could ask my dad or my grandpa who are both professional artists for lessons but they’re usually pretty busy. Can I still reach my full potential this way? There’s so much I can learn on my own like this, but I can’t really ask questions and have a demonstration irl by taking online lessons.

as someone who’s self-taught and knows other phenomenal artists who are self-taught, yes you absolutely can become really good without learning directly from a teacher

albeit, it takes more time (I learned how to do what I can do now in 5 years and I’m still learning via references), but it is possible
schooling is beneficial and it’s not bad to take up, but it’s not a necessity at all

The thing about art is that you can utilize all sorts of teachers or teaching aids outside of college/university. Books are an obvious one, but I personally learn a lot by watching speedpaints on youtube (I am a very visual person so it works for me)

I haven’t tested it out yet, but there’s a new website called Skillshare where you can learn all sorts of skills including art. You can start for free but idk if anything is something you pay for.