[Tinusch]

Okay, I was kind of reluctant to post this, but I guess it's something I need.

I'm getting to a point in my life where I'm deciding where I want to go, and whether art is what I should continue with. I'm only 16, so I know I still have a long way to go, but I really need to step back and take a serious look at where I'm at and where I'm heading.

I would like as many of the professional or just serious artists on this board to give me a brutally honest evaluation, both technically and creatively. I need to know exactly what people think of my pics, and whether you think I have what it takes to get somewhere with it.

Please, be totally honest. Lying or being overly kind about it isn't going to help me. I need to know how I'm doing and I need honest opinions.

Take a look at my website if you'd like, or just browse the sample pics below. Let me know what you think of them, how they compare to professional work, where I need to improve, what my strong points are, what my weak points are, and whether you honestly think I should continue with this and have what it takes to get somewhere.

Click here to see my website

...Or click the thumbnails below to see some of my recent pics.











Thanks in advance for any help you guys can offer.

[Chapel]

I think you have a great painting style Tinush. Your artwork shows great potential. I think that if you do decide to get serious then you should start doing more life study. It really depends on you. Most of your stuff is funny and very stylistic. Which is a neat way to go and pretty original, but if you want to be like spooge or Fred one day then you should try more serious subject matter. This is just my opinion. To be frank.. you are always going to feel like you have alot to learn. When you lose that feeling then there is no reason to continue. I hope to never lose that feeling.

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Chapel
My Home

[above]

I got the same problem bud. I also gotta decide what I want to and all that crap, I'm also 16. I definately think you should continue as I've seen a lot worse then you go to art school. It depends on what you wanna do, and if you feel you're good enough or wanna give it a shot go for it. I'm going to. And hey it's better then 4 more years of academic courses.

[aNoah]

Man, I have the same problem.
I was always planning to go to medschool, but lately I've been wondering if it's the best choice.

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-aNoah
My Gallery

[aNoah]

[This message has been edited by aNoah (edited October 24, 2000).]

[Flexible Elf]

Yeah Tin,

At 16 you have some great talent. Pic #4 has some great character to it and you have some great potential. If you love art then keep on going with it.. start trying out new and different things and different methods in drawing and painting. The only thing is there's just typically not boatloads of cash to make in the art field for the most part. But if you love it.. stick with it.

-Flexible Elf

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http://www.geocities.com/flexible_elf/Main.html

[Hyperi0n]

Hmm,I think you should stick with what you doing, it looks great, if you feel that this is what you want to do, there's no question about it, do it.
I'm 14 and i'm allready thinking about the same stuff too.

[Hyperi0n]

what do u think of this for my age;(
Im I doing good?

[Chapel]

I tell you what.. personally I think if you can get in to medschool go for it. That way if you do pursue art in the future you have something to fall back on. Not everyone can make money being an artist. Don't think that you are an exception. My father made me get a degree in Business Management before I was aloud to do anything else. It was a wise move because right now I couldn't hack it as an artist. But I will pursue it when I'm ready. Study and draw... best of both worlds.

[]Aratex[]

I'll admit that I'm not the best artist, not by a long shot... but I am an advice-giver by nature.. After looking at your work, I must say that you have a very cool style that I'm sure is unique to you. If you truly enjoy this art stuff, stick with it. But if you think you could have a happier life in some other line of work, perhaps you should switch. You've already got a lot of talent, especially for your age. If you keep working and practicing and building your skills, then you will be able to make money in the art business. As has been discussed in several threads already, anyone can be an artist if they love it and are willing to work at it...

[Dean Welsh]

Well admittedly I'm not a professional but you might like to hear my opinion. To be truthful I saw your Rocket Baby, and Bob Ross paintings in other threads and I thought you were an old hand. I think if you keep with it you'll do quite well.

But then, Is art ever really something that's full of monitary wealth for the artist? I couldn't tell you.

-Dean

[daz199]

i'm 15, and going through tha same thing as you...but i am probably gonna go into 3d animation..i'd stick to art if i were you, and go into an area where u can get a solid job w/high pay..

[StormVermin]

I am 17yrs old and have 1yr left of school - I have started my portfolio and hope to get into Sharidan College for Art Fundimentals. Its an easy course to get in on and once you are in the school things are a lot easier.

I want to work at Disney or PIXAR when I am older... anything with art i guess. Even if it means doing my maps for Riot the rest of my life.

Good luck to ya Tin, yea bro - you have what it takes.

[Superbug]

Hey good post good post. I'm serios, i'm only 17, but I wanted to go be a CG artist or specialize in animation. Of course, things can never be reliable especially in such a flucuating market. Its a simple: The better you are, the more money u make. I'm taking a comp sci degree though as my main thing. That way, i'm set.

But, i think, especially for 16 your potential is amazing. Heck i'm only 17 but I think the safest thing is to do sometihng secure, do art on part, and then get amazingly good at art.

[waylon]

I'm 22, and the lead artist at a video game company I started with some friends. And I'd have to say you're at least as good, if not better than I am (though it's hard to compare, because we have totally different styles.) Think of it this way... how much can you improve in 6 years (which is about when most people would be graduating from college.) I'd warrant quite a bit.

[Fred Flick Stone]

Tinusch-never sure if I get your name right.
I think the question you ask truly needs to be turned inward. If you feel that you have a talent, a gift, an idea to give to all, a need to be creative, also are willing to endure the heartaches many of us creatively go through, then you really need to say to yourself that you are going to move forward with what is termed "an art education". Take with you your creativity and imagination, and do not let school take that away, as most schools make you turn that part of your brain off for a short while , while you learn the "technical" issues of art. And learn for you, not for grades...

With all that said, that is the situation you are going to be dealing with. I have many times questioned everything I do, wondering if I have anything to contribute to the whole. I don't like doing anything unless it has some sort of purpose, to someone else, and to myself. It is a safety net, so you don't take the plunge and die first time out of the chute.
What you are experiencing right now is a roadblock. In this case, school is the pressure, and the end of one part of your life. It does get crazy the moment high school is done and gone. I think you have heard this enough to know, the art world is no exception.
THe question is not something any of us can really answer, you have to do that yourself. I, and many other artists here on the forum can give you a shot of morale or something to that degree, but we cannot decide for you what will ultimately only affect you. THis is your future.
Personally, I think you have a lot to offer. I really like the strong sense of form you portray, the characture of your work, and the desire to paint, especially in color, which can be intimidating unto it's own.
DO you appreciate art enough to do it for yourself, or do you want to endure other competition, competing with yourself, art directors good and bad, clients the 9-5 which is more like 8-10, long days, no sleep, tight deadlines, art you don't want to or can't bring yourself to doing? If so then you are heading in the right direction. In all honesty, this is a big part of all that you will be involving yourself with. I do it, still do, will do till I die. I have come to understand this hell I have created for myself. BUT, everyone does this in their own path that they choose for life. The strong will perservere over all the bullshit and just deal with the desire to continue to create.
When something goes right, or hassle free, it is the biggest reward you can give yourself, and you will want more of that. Do not get me wrong, I do not intend to scare, only set right the realities of all this. I have been involved with it for so long that I can't help but dish the good, bad and ugly. YOu guys need to know it, because this is the truth of the matters. But ask anyone who does it compasionately and they will tell you that they would never have it any other way. Get em on a bad day,they will tell you they wish they were a fry cook. It happpens to all.
Again, I will say again that you need to make this big decision yourself. You are good at what you do art wise, what you have posted. I cannot say what other talents you have in other parts of your life, because I do not know you. But if you have other talents too, they are going to impede on the art dream, or blend with them. THis is also why you need to weigh this decision yourself. I have given you a lot to think about here, it might help you out a little. BUt you are your own decision maker, you have to live with your decisions, and wake up to these things you have chosen. I think you will make the right decision, you have a good head on your shoulders, at least it shows in what you write. Good luck with this choice, it is a big one, but very rewarding. And if you choose not to take the career path, it still doesn't mean you can't continue to produce great art right?

Good luck with your decision. And keep producing cool art like you have been posting. And if you choose art, make sure you choose wisely with the school you finally decide upon.

See ya, I have to head up north to visit my dad, he is having surgery tomorrow...Good luck again Tinusch...

[Francis]

Uh... I didn't see this one. I posted the stuff below in aNoah's thread, but I think it can go here too. Disregard the architecture stuff I guess.

By the way Tinusch - I thought you were a lot older, judging from your art. No freakin way should you give this up.

quote:

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I've been in your shoes, and I actually got a degree in architecture.
In general, I would definitely say do what makes you happy - if you love it enough and you are good enough at it, you can make a living at it. Doing something you only somewhat like, or don't really like at all, just for the money, is not really a good idea in the long run. In my opinion, it's worth the trade off to do something you genuinely love and make a comfortable living at it, than to spend your life doing something you don't care all that much about, just so you have a little more money in the bank.

I do have this to say about architecture: it is possible to make a good living at it, but you will probably not become extremely rich doing it, unless you are one of the lucky 0.05% - to do well in that field, you have to really love it a lot, probably even more than you love art; you also have to be very people oriented, and it definitely helps to have a lot of rich friends and acquaintances. It can be a tremendously rewarding career, but there is a lot to that field that is boring and not very glamorous.

Let me know if I can provide any more info on this subject.

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Francis Tsai
TeamGT Studios

[Transcendence]

Like you, and others on this board, I'm at the same crossroads as you. I'm 16 too. I understand what's racing through your mind. Your stuff is clearly your own style..which is very good. And as someone said earlier...this is what you have now.
Think about 6 years down the road - you'll be wonderful if you are as active with art as you are now. I think you should persue the art path....

[Sumaleth]

One of my biggest regrets is that I didn't do an art course of some description at uni. I had always enjoyed art and did it a lot in my spare time, but for some reason I never saw it as a career.

I went on to do Engineering at uni but ultimately ended up with a career in art. In retrospect I think that was -always- going to happen but because I don't have any good, solid training behind me, and because I didn't start doing it seriously early enough, I'm forever frustrated at not being able to draw exactly what I want to draw.

I can't really say whether I think you should pursue art as a career. I would say that, reguardless of whether you are good at it now or not, if you were to start aiming -seriously- at that sort of career then by the time you're 20 you'll be an excellent artist.

But, as Freddy says, it all comes down to whether YOU want to do it. If the idea of spending your adult life making images sounds attractive then I'd say go for it.

Row.

[Visigoth]

Some very good thoughts, Fred -- I've gone through many of the same thoughts and debates regarding a career in the art industry, and I keep coming to the same conclusion;

When you do something you love for a living, often times you grow to hate it and you no longer love it anymore.

I've found a happy balance doing tech work with computers, and then doing my art on the side; It seems to work pretty well...I don't get sick of art, yet I can still make some cash off of it...hee hee

~{V}~


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Your car is a fiberglass penis extension.

[spooge demon]

How consistent has your interest and motivation and distraction level been? What are your other options?

Persistence is required in the face of a lot of obstacles. But this is true in any demanding profession.

I don�t think money is a problem. A marginal artist/illustrator is just as unemployed as a marginal anything else.

The most important point I can make is don�t make your decision now. You are very young.

My advice would be what a dude at USC film school told me when I was 18. I was just into college and wanted to get into either USC/UCLA film school. Thank God that did not happen. Now I know myself better, I would have been really miserable there and in the biz.

I asked him excitedly, �What should I be doing now to insure that I get into your film school?� He said, �Don�t study film, whatever you do. We are hip-deep in film geeks who make films about other films. They make their films about the only reality they know. Go do something in life that is interesting and will rub your brain with many people and ideas. Then come back.�

I was underwhelmed. Just give me a guarantee you bastard...

Later I knew he was right.

So my advice, along the same line, is don�t worry about it. Go to a REAL school first. Become educated. You will have a richer life, and your art will be much better and deeper for it.

There is the added option of doing other things if art turns out to be not It. You are not cutting yourself off from anything. Take a few art classes if you like.

Don�t worry about technique. You don�t want to become the atelier queen like me.

But in the spirit of �keeping the options open,� DO NOT stop drawing. Just keep your sketchbook going. You will be in great shape at 21 or 22 to get more specific instruction.

Hope this helps

[AliasMoze]

Hmm. I think Spooge hit it on the head. Art is much like any other profession. Many people get in for the right reasons, many for the wrong.

I also agree with the film school example. I rememeber lots of people saying/asking me about film school and whether or not they should do it. I would just ask "Why?" If you have no desire or nothing to say, then why do you want to do it. There are many legit reasons, but I used to suspect that the real reason for too many people was the coolness factor. Don't become an artist because it's cool. The cool of working for any company or with any client will go away, and what's left will be you and your work. Likewise, don't be a doctor or lawyer because of the money. The joy of lots of money goes away as well.

Having said all that, I did follow a path in film and animation (against the will of my family), since I was eight-years-old. Today I laugh, because I am fulfilling my childhood dreams and getting paid well for it. But there was a lot of work along the way.

My advice would be to ask yourself what reasons you might choose a particular path.

[chalker]

First let me say that you have a great style, and more important your own style. I think you have to go to artschool if that is what you like. Like Isric said : It is important to do something you like.

- My question to you is, why shouldn't you do something in Art.
and
- If you are not going the 'art' way, what else would you choose.

I posted a new post myself in the forum, that finally I want to progress my drawing skills any further. Bu I don't know how to at this point. If I were you I would go for the thing you like and the thing you are good at. -Drawing-

grz -Chalker-

[sfr]

Extremely interesting points here.

Myself, I went to film school because I wanted to study something new that I know very little about. One reason was that I wanted some kind of higher education - I'm 20 years old, but didn't feel exactly comfortable to be thrown into the world with just the practical skills I have.

But a more important reason is that I wanted to get away from painting. Or to be more precise, I wanted to escape from doing graphics professionally - I had only been doing it for a while but it was already getting me down.

I love painting but I realised that I hate doing it for someone else, for commercial projects with all sorts of compromises and worse: nobody working on them really has any personal connection to them, everybody just does it because they get paid and it's lighter than working at McDonalds. (Or maybe even worse, in some circles they do it because it's good for their superficial social life and street credibility, never mind the quality of the work itself as long as it pretends to be stylish...)

So, I was depressed because I had to paint images I didn't care about. Now, I'm depressed because I don't have time to paint at all. But somehow that feels better...

(I do realize that at the roots of my problem is a bad attitude. The best commercial artists like Micke and Fred can really give spirit to their work; it never looks like they weren't enjoying it, got detached from it. But I just couldn't find that same kind of motivation in me.)

Saffron / Sunflower

[bloodsugar]

I'm 17, in an art school because of pure passion. I could have gone anywhere I wanted to...It's a choice, though art is not much appreciated in Singapore (and sadly everyone thinks art school is a dumping ground.) No one in my family is really supportive either.

Be completing my course in 1.5 years. I urge all to go for what you truly love. No one's born an artist anyway -- goodwork is driven by hard work; hardwork by passion.

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On carpeted lace of emerald jags; skin to skin a tangle of blacks.

[Danny]

Wow... what is there to add after Fred's passionate speech. Perhaps my own view of you Tinusch. I consider you to be one of the more serious artists here on the forum. You strike me as someone with that urge to be creative. How this urge will manifest itself, only time will tell. Where do your interests really lie. Painting, sculpting, photography. You are probably just too young to realise this. (I too thought you were older judging by your work). My advice would be not to be in a hurry to get some where. Take it easy, get some more education, ride the wave.. but keep drawing, expressing yourself. Learn as much as you can about art and the new medium. Create options for yourself in the future. As you'll grow older the answers will come. Don't worry so much.



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[email protected]

Trust in Trance

[Superbug]

Very inspirational Fred and Spooge and all

[AKIRA_x]

quote:

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Originally posted by Hyperi0n:
what do u think of this for my age;(
Im I doing good?

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To be honest...no. If your 4 years old..yes..if your over 16..mmmh...no

The text cant be read, its there to short time and the font isnt very good to read. If the font was ARIAL, or TIMES or any other easy reading font, the time is long enough, but with such a font the mind has to decode the cryptic alphabet, and the lens flare..GOD THE LENSFLARE.

go to a design school or something..but do stay in the buisness..its cool here.

AKIRA

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Whos ya dady!!

[Frost]

Hmm, pretty much what Danny said -- and I have nothing phylosophical to add to all this.

I had the same idea that Danny had about you being older judging from your talent, which shows that you are doing very well. Don't sweat it and enjoy learning and experimenting. You'll always find help here if you have any questions anyway. =)

cheers,
frost.

[time_101]

Keep in mind that plans change, and they change rapidly.

Three years ago I was going to graduate college on schedule if four years in computer engineering. Now I'm looking at graduating in six -- three from now -- in Computer Science and Graphic Design and make computer games, or web pages, or whatever. I wouldn't have believed anyone 3 years ago who told me I'd be an Resident Advisor and stick with it for two years, or that I'd completely add a second major, or that I'd seriously pursue my hobby of 3D graphics professionally, or have half the wild and crazy experiences that I've had.

Like what Spooge said above, a broad education is far better than a narrow one. There is not substitute for life experience. In the course of things, your plans will undoubtedly change a few times, but remember what you love to do and keep doing it. Goals are a good thing to have, but keep in mind that goals will change as you learn and see new things.

Anyways, I think the horse was dead a few posts ago.