...but you've got to admit, they're informative. I haven't started today's work yet, I've been kind of distracted. I'll begin after lunch. First, I wanted to get some of these thoughts out of my head, the main one being how to continue my art education.
As I mentioned a month or so back, I'm interested in the correspondence course offered by the Art Instruction Schools. My mom went through the course in her late teens/early twenties and found it interesting and informative. Unfortunately, things have increased in price since then. My initial idea was to save a portion out of each month's commission income to put towards the course cost. After going over the finances, I feel it'd be a better idea to put the amount I planned on saving into increasing my student loan payment each month instead.
I did the math recently and found I'm just slightly over six years away from having that sucker paid off. Sixteen years to pay off a twenty year loan... not bad. The idea of reaching that goal a little faster is too tempting to pass up. Paying my masters degree off will mean the $300 to $400 a month currently tied up in student loan payments can be used by Matt and myself for other things.
It's only six years away. I hadn't realized it was that close!
So while the art school instruction is still a goal, it's one that's on hold for a few more years. But since I don't want to stop learning, I thought I'd try something else. I've been having good luck with using art books so far. My main problem is my mind tends to bounce down multiple paths at the same time. Usually not a problem, but when trying to learn I need a bit of structure to keep me on a path. Then I thought, what about using an art textbook to give me the structure? They usually offer a linear path, some exercises for practice, and I can try supplementing the lessons with other sources like books, magazines, blogs, and videos. This just might work.
So, I'm going to try it. I've Drawing from Observation: An Introduction to Perceptual Drawing by Brian Curtis on order and will slowly start working my way through it a little each week.
In the meantime, I looked everywhere and I can't find the homework assignment boards for the Kubert course. They won't accept assignments on anything else and they don't sound too keen on sending out replacements. So, I'm going to forgo sending in the homework and keep moving forward on the lessons.
I'll admit, I'm a little disappointed but the truth is this is the better plan out of the two. Though I just know some of my more artsy friends will pull the superiority card for my not going for the correspondence course. Then again, these are the same people who would pull the superiority card if I did take the course. "That's a trade school. I went to an actual art college."
I like them, I truly do, but some days I can't help wondering why I talk to them.
Anyway, I've bunnies and lions to draw so, it's time to get to it. Oh, six years until my degree is paid off! I'm so excited!
Peter Venkman: "I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it. Let's do it!"
-- Ghostbusters
2 comments:
You always seem to do such a great job of planning out your path, and then following it. Why can't I be more like you?!? :-) Even when you find a bump in your planned path you sit down and plan a new path around it. Good job!
Artsy friends? LOL! I started questioning their ego-motives or attitudes right from your first sentence about them. :-) Stick to your own plans; you're doing great!
Thanks. *blush* I've wanted to go through art classes since high school, it's just never been financially possible. I'm hoping using text books will help. Though some of these are a lot pricier than I remember textbooks being. Especially for paperbacks. O.o;
Most art school trained artists I've run into have been wonderful. Like Chrispy, or Amber, or China. But there's always a few who have a chip on their shoulder. *shrug* I don't understand it.
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