[klaivu]

I'm serving in the finnish defence forces at the moment ( compulsory in finland ), and i'm considering my options on what to do afterwards.

One option would be to study arts abroad, to see the the world a bit while studying.

I've browsed the web a little for art colleges and such with the more traditional sort of art education in english-speaking countries, and it's pretty hard to pick out the 'better ones' by the self-praise they have on their websites. I suppose the teaching quality varies, so can people clarify things a bit and tell me about the schools in their area ? What schools are good, what to avoid etc. What kind of reputation different institutes have ? ( What does beer cost there ? )

Many thanks in advance

[ November 02, 2001: Message edited by: klaivu ]

[skeletor]

I don't know about studying abroad, but if you decide to stay in Finland, for the love of god stay away from finnish art schools.

In Finland I'd recommend (of course) Lahti Polytechnic (Institute of design) or TAIK...
But this is something that you probably knew already.

[ November 02, 2001: Message edited by: skeletor ]

[klaivu]

Yeah, well, but they both kind of concentrate more on design than art..

[Svanur]

what about sheridan?

http://www.sheridanc.on.ca

I am thinking of applying there for next winter.

[skeletor]

I know... but from what I've heard, both of the schools (TAIK & LPT) have good teachers that can help you develop your style further. You can become a better artist in a design school too. The athmosphere there can be as creative as in any fine art school. And at the side you get a decent profession and a possibility to earn some money in the future (in distant future... industry downturn y'know blah blah blah).

[Frosted Flame]

Come to Sheridan Klaivu.. Canada is a wonderful place to study art (I'm being serious).

Not to mention the fact that we have the best beer in the world. I'll buy ya a few..

[Speve-o-matic]

I'm also applying to Sheridan, along with the rest of the world.

Can't afford to study in the States, can't
afford Europe . . . I would love to study at CalArts, Ringling maybe, even SCAD would be nice.

Not going to happen.

Canada here I come.

- Steve

www.icon.co.za/~shmuely

[Svanur]

So how many are going to apply for/are in Sheridan?

I will apply next winter. How about you people?

[dr . bang]

Sheridan is the best darn school out there, but its pretty darn hard to apply.

[Frosted Flame]

Haha Speve, so you're just SETTLING for Canada, huh? :P

No beer for you.

Svanur, this is my final year. I'm in the illustration program. My girlfriend goes as well, she is doing a co-op with York University's design program. Both are quite good, but Sheridan is known for their animation program(s) above all else.

[RoadMaster]

I know I'd love to get into Sheridan, but at my current pace I won't even have a portfolio ready for next year

[wigin]

Im attending sheridan right now...

What program are you thinking to take??

[kewl]

I have applied to sheridan...animation program...but don't think i will get thru this year.......hmmmmm maybe next year...

[Speve-o-matic]

I too will be applying for the animation program, and for the art fundamentals program just in case.

Frosted Flame : Yeah, guess I'll just have to settle for one of the best animation schools in the world. Life is so hard sometimes. Guess I'll just have to buy you a beer.

If anyone knows, seeing as Sheridan don't have the information on their website, what are the requirements for your application portfolio . . . what do they like to see, perspective drawings, object drawings, animal drawings, loads of figure drawings?

To those who are currently enrolled at Sheridan . . . do I even stand a chance . . . check outmy incomplete online portfolio.

- Steve

[wigin]

The thing about sheridan college is that it is NEXT to ALMOST impossible to get into other programs without taking art fundamental. That is if you are straight out of highschool. If have have tons of industry experience in animation or just as freelance illustrator than its that much easier to get in... When you apply for sheridan they will send you portfolio requirements through the mail so that you can put it together. For animation it will be something like :

-Alot of life drawing, 30 second and 1 min gestures , 2 min poses and some 5 min poses.

- like 3 different perspective views of your room

- And some character posings.. they should send you a picture of a cartooney lion or something and you have to draw facial expressions,,,

Well that was what i had to do for the portfolio. But unfortunatly i didnt get in because i was too young ( under 18 ). Soo they offered me a spot in art fundies instead. And thats where im at right now...

Taking animation for sure next year... If i dont get in i already know i can get in illustration soo ill take that for a year and then go into animation...

[wigin]

speed o matic... I dont want to be rude But i have seen people who have a much better portfolio than yours ( especially their life drawing skills were MUCH better) and they didnt get in simply because competition is SOOO BIG... if i were you i would either take a art fundamental class at a community college or just come here to sheridan and take art fundamentals ( you can get direct entry into an other program if you have a b+ average in all your courses, but they only choose 25 of the best students out of 600 hahah =( )

But in my opinion if you do want to get into animation you need alot of work on your life drawing.. Structure wise , anotomy wise , line quality wise... There is always room for improve ment...

Im just lucky that im living with 2 animators one in first year and the other in third year sooo they both help me with my needs...

[dr . bang]

i have to agree with wigin, i dont think speve's portfolio is strong enough to get in Sheridan.

I suggest you take a fine art degree first.

[ November 05, 2001: Message edited by: dr . bang ]

[Frosted Flame]

Well, it depends what program you are planning to apply to..

Wigin is quite right in saying that you would probably be accepted in to fundamentals. It is pretty difficult to get into any of the specialized, more specific programs. Especially if you're coming straight outta high school, also like Wigin mentioned.

Your figure drawing needs quite a bit of work. You're doing the "outline" thing. Concentrate a lot more on the shapes and forms of the figure as opposed to getting the point across the quickest way possible. It'll get easier and quicker with practice and time.

Some of your digital art is quite impressive. Especially the "Wooden Budha", the values are really accurate, and I like the composition.

I had to attend a portfolio interview in person, I didn't get anything mailed to me like Wigin was talking about. The interview last nearly an hour, and you should expect them to be really hard on you. The poke at your work, and criticize it to pieces. I think they do that to test your resolve and to see if you can justify why you did what you did in any random piece you exhibit. You really gotta have a thick skin to walk away without being offended. THey really are trying to make youa better artist though, you just gotta keep that in mind.

So, brush up on your anatomy and I think you'd have a pretty good chance of at least making it in to fundamentals.

I hope I've helped.

Oh, and Speve, I can always use a beer.

Take it easy guys,
-Chris.

[wigin]

hey frosted flame... Are you in Sheridan now??
if so you in the animation program?? or what?? and what year???

[Speve-o-matic]

Thanks for the comments and taking the time to look at my site gents.

Wigin : No offense taken, your honesty is appreciated. I have only been drawing for a year and these things take time.

Dr Bang : Fine arts degree . . hell no (not in South Africa anway). Art fundamentals should hopefully be fine.

Luckily I have 40 + accurately rendered and finished pieces to choose from (The 4 traditional pieces on the site are old and crappy . . I know. ) but unfortunately they're probably more suited for the illustration program than the animation program. Hopefully they'll be enough to get me into the Art Fundamentals program though.

Figure drawing wise, the examples on my webpage are pretty much indicative of where I'm at. It would be easier improve in this area if it was easier to find a figure drawing class that didn't discontinue after a week. No excuses though, I shall endevour to improve in this area.

Should I include any digital work as part of my portfolio, or would the folks at Sheridan frown upon it?

As far as I know though, to get into Art Fundamentals you don't need to send in a portfolio . . is this true?

Anyway, I don't want to consume the thread anymore, but I hope it has been helpful to Klaivu and any others who were thinking of applying.

- Steve

[wigin]

you are right no portfolio for Art Fundies...

Again when you apply for animation they will send you a letter telling you want they want you to do for the portfolio. And then if you pass the portfolio stage they will probably ask you to do an interview or a 3 hour test at the college which is 1 hour life drawing session 1 hour perspective and 1 hour character expression... But im not too sure about this year because last year they didnt have to do an interview OR a test... soo if this is the case we might be lucky and only hand in a portfolio...

[kewl]

I have a feeling people here are talking about the traditional animation prpgram
What about the computer animation program? Is it equally tough to get into?

[wigin]

not sure about computer animation BUt i know that you need a 3 year program/degree before you can get in OR about 3+ years of 3d work experience... YOu will need to submit life drawing and perspective drawings in traditional media for this program. But if you come straight out of the 3d industry then i think you show what you have done in those 3 years.. kinda like a demo maybe....

but you need good drawing skills even though its for 3d computer stuff ..

[klaivu]

Well - i'll give sheridan a though - though it'd be a bigger step than to study in europe which i considered originally.

I think the illustration program interests me the most - what do you learn there ? ( the text on their website is pretty noninformative ) Aaaaand do i any have chances ? I have some stuff at my homepage : http://www.stopsalvation.com Hope to hear your opinion, flame and wigin ..

Hoping to hear about other institutes too !

[ November 05, 2001: Message edited by: klaivu ]

[wigin]

For sure, you have a chance to get in Klaivu. You have a very similar style to what people at sheridan do in illustration. But what concerns me more is that fact that i dont see any traditional art work on your webpage. Sheridan is really into traditional media when it comes to illustration. But once your in illustration im am SURE you can use photoshop to do some of your paintings..

Hmmm do you have any life drawings?? If you dont one step would be to GO TO SOME LIFE DRAWING SESSIONS....

Other than that im pretty sure you have a good chance in getting in.. Its just a matter of dicipline and get the right portfolio together. Also taking art fundies could be a possibility before doing illustration. It lets you work on your lifedrawing once a week. And if you are like me Go to extra life drawing sessions EVERY night... for 3 hours extra...

which reminds me.. im late for life drawing...

Again you definetly have a chance to get in. But lets see some traditional work.

[dr . bang]

klaivu, i guarantee that you will get in! Remmeber to limit the amount of digital in your portfolio, head for more traditional stuff.

[WICKED]

What do you guys think about Ringling? I went to check out the campus over a break and thought it was ok. Its location kind of sucks and theres only 25 slots for computer animation, which kind of discuraged me a little bit. I can say they do have some talented people, I was lucky enought to see one of their senior thesis and was very impressed. Also have any of you guys heard of the International Fine Art College? Are they any good?

[klaivu]

yeah, well. There's only a little info on the economical side of studying there - have to figure that out before i start considering anything ..

edit : oh, on the issue of life drawings .. i've taken a few courses - and i'm thinking of going to an animal museum to draw stuff today - i'll see if i have the energy to scan whatever i get done.

edit2 : approx. 60000 canadian dollars plus flights for the illustration program ( including food, housing, etc.) .. That's a lot.

All the bursaries for international students page says is : " There is a limited amount of bursaries available for international students " .. hmm.

[ November 06, 2001: Message edited by: klaivu ]

[jeffery]

just a note, if animation is something you *really* want to do, don't get too discouraged. i got into sheridan animation from high school, so its not impossible. but make sure animation is really what you want to do, cuz its totally different than illustration or design.

if that's the program you're interested in, they specify an exact number & type of drawings for you to complete for your application, so don't go crazy rendering out all sorts of things for your application without know what they want to see. if you submit things they didn't ask for, they'll ignore you.

that said, DO go crazy drawing all sorts of things for general practise. especially life-drawing. public places like malls, train stations, and busy streets are perfect. there's much more emphasis on life-drawing skills than cartooning skills in the application process.

[ November 07, 2001: Message edited by: jeffery ]

[MadSamoan]

You might want to consider attending some of the unaccredited art schools in the southern california area. Schools like Art Associates in L.A., California Art Institute, and Watts Atelier have excellent pedigrees. Although they're not accredited, the talent pool that comes out is excellent and they don't seem to have that cut throat (Dood, I can draw circles around you!) mentality that some illustration schools have.