You Can Be an Artist, Even If You Didn't Go to School

If you can't afford to go to college or take art classes, you can still become an artist anyway. You don't need a diploma to learn how to create art. Maybe you just don't like school, and would prefer to learn what you need to know on your own. Whatever your circumstances are, you can still be an artist, even if you didn't go to school.

Most artists begin their art career long before they even realize the benefits an education can have on their resume or portfolio. You can seem more "professional" to potential clients or galleries. But a four year old doesn't care about making money or reputation, all they care about is the fun of creating things, or painting a pretty picture for mom. An artist is born, not made. If you have talent, and more importantly, desire, then that is all you really need to start your career as an artist.

Most of what you learn as an artist is by trial and error during the process of creating a piece of art. You learn intuitively about design and color theory when your getting your hands dirty. If you have innate talent, you don't need someone to tell you what works and what doesn't. You figure it out by trying new things while you are in the process of painting a watercolor picture, or sculpting a piece of clay.

Learning in a classroom can be a great bonus, of course. I wouldn't try to pretend it isn't. It just isn't for everyone, and not absolutely necessary. You might learn things quicker when you don't have to figure everything out for yourself. School can save you time in that way, but it can also waste your time by burdening you with unnecessary things you don't want or need to learn.

You can always check out books or videos from the library if you are interested in learning certain techniques that you can't figure out for yourself. In some arts, education is more necessary than in others. You might need more personal training to learn how to throw a pot on a wheel correctly than to learn the basics of watercolors.

And having a degree in the fine arts isn't necessary when you want to start selling to galleries and having art shows. Simply stress the fact that you are a "self taught artist" and people will think you are cool. Just remember to wear black, and be moody, like you are "contemplating" . And make lots of artist friends, and you will go a long way, without ever having had a "formal education".

Artists are actually quite lucky in this respect. It's one of the few means of employment where being self-taught is acceptable. Have you ever heard of a self-taught doctor, or a self-taught beautician? I hope not.