[Hezza]

hj

[quaternius]

UK education system is very different from U.S.A. Regardless, it appears you might look into another school. Yours sounds pretty bad. Most of us who are primarily illustrators are not very happy with most of the "touchy-feely" art courses taught in today's schools anyway. Most seem to have forgotten that a sound foundation in realist art should be taught BEFORE going abstract. The purpose of any school should be to bring out your own talent and your own style. Three things are important at school: good teachers who take a personal interest in you, fellow students (look for ones that are better than you) you can form a kind of "draw-club" with, and good "classic" courses to begin with. Sounds like you will need to set up your own school curriculum and take an active part in what you study - don't depend on a school to necessarily know what they are doing.

To start thinking about building your own curriculum do a web-search on these schools. California College of Arts and Crafts. Academy of Art College (San Francisco). Art Center College of Design. There's many others all over the world, but since I'm from California I mention the ones I know. Look at the programs they offer and read about the courses they offer. Then figure out where you think you might want to end up. Then, look around closer to you to see what kinds of schools and course you can find.

Here's some separate advice, (since I've been there), take it or leave it; use whatever make sense. Take all the figure-drawing you can. In the U.S. there are many colleges and universities that offer what is termed "adult education" or "extended education" programs evenings and weekends - where you can take additional life-drawing courses. Over here many of these classes are on a "drop-in session" basis, where they charge $7.00 to $10.00 per session. Hopefully, there are similar things in the U.K.

Also, there are free Sunday Watercolor and Oil Painting groups and clubs that you could become part of and learn a great deal from. Believe me, there are plenty of good artists out there who would be glad to take you under their wing. One of the little-known facts. Someone I would very much like to come over to the U.K. to study with is David Curtis. He has two books out and a couple of video tapes about his painting. Once you get some basics down I would encourage you to take some workshops with artists like David Curtis. I try to take one a year myself. You can learn more in a week than you can in a year of typical school with some of these workshops.

Oh, if you haven't done it already, do a "search" in the archives of this forum under "Fred Flickstone" or "Fred Flicks Stones". Also search under "books". You will find a true wealth of information on exactly the kinds of things you're looking for.

Good Luck
Now it's back to work for me, faxes to be sent, emails to send, and maybe some work on some of the illustrations I have due.

Q

[quaternius]

Oops,
Didn't answer your basic question about a certificate. My experience is that a degree or a certificate can help you when you're just starting out and want work for a company. It gives you an edge over someone who doesn't have those qualifications. It also shows you're someone who started something and finished it, rather than someone who dropped out. That's about it.

In art, probably more than almost any other profession it's your talent that counts most, and that is demonstrated by your portfolio. I have friends that got so angry with their schools by the last year - because they weren't teaching the applied arts they needed to go out and get a job - they basically ignored their courses that year and spent all their time developing their portfolios. They got very good jobs after graduation.

Q

[Hezza]

asd