[bitz]

alright, first question - schools. i've been looking into the following -

art center ( pasadena, ca )
associates in art ( sherman oaks, ca )
henry cogswell ( washington )
digipen ( washington )
( also willing to look into any other art based school around the los angeles, ca area )

I'm not exactly sure on the quality of portfolio needed to get into these and was hoping for current attendees or graduates to offer any advice.

secondly, the question on lighting. more specifically, reflective lighting. How? What? When? Where? Does anyone have any good resources on the subject?

thanks guys,

bitz

[Frost]

reflections discussion

[bitz]

thanks frost.

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bitz

[MeatyCheesyBoy]

What field are you looking to go into? I am a graduate of Henry Cogswell College and can obviously only tell you about it with any degree of certainty. Cogswell has a very broad range of subjects that they teach. If you don't know what field you want then it could be a good place. They teach everything from 3d modeling, to web design, to 2d animation, to film editing, to figure drawing. Unfortunately about Cogswell, is that if you don't pick a field fairly early on and stick with it, then you will likely learn very little because of this broad approach. Also, once you pick what you want to do, you must be very adament about it and really concentrate on it. Because of their broad approach, you tend to get little more than an overview of each topic. That's not to say that more advanced learning isn't available, you just can't rely on it coming to you. Cogswell has great teachers and advisors but unfortunately, they aren't all quite used to teaching yet as they are straight from the industry. If you need help from the teachers, it is there and they know what they're talking about but you have to take the initiative and ask for the required help. The college is pretty good in it's current incarnation, and it seems like it's definately getting better so you should keep it in consideration, just take note of what I've said. The main thing is this, when you go to an art school, you can't expect to come out looking like a master unless you've put in the time and effort of the masters. For more information about Cogswell, ask Skeezer or Blitz, both of them currently attend.

The other thing to realize is this, if you do have the drive and the willingness to put in the time and effort to get really good, then you may want to go to a school to study something besides art. Broadening your education and scope will only make you better, and art is one of the few things that you can learn on your own if you have the will to do so.

I hope all of this made some sense. If you have any more questions about Cogswell, feel free to email me. (My address is in my profile)

[bitz]

I'd be looking to concentrate more on figure drawing/character design with a background in 3d animation and storyboarding.

Currently I'm a unix sys admin for a large 'smart cache' system and really, it's just boring. I probably make better money now than I will ever in the art industry, but art is what I enjoy and always have. I'm more concerned about the facilities and teachers, as I've found recruiters seem to tell only the good sides, while the students have more of a well rounded opinion.

I've got an associates degree in CAD and architecture at the moment, but I've always held a techincal type job ( NOC technician to a unix sys admin and database programmer ), but I'd like to go back to school for art and just increase my background of knowledge in the interests that I mentioned above.

Anyways, thanks for the opinions and I might take you up on that offer.

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bitz