You expect to be taught when you do a degree, correct?! Well, in my experience at Art College you got taught art history, yes, but not how to be an artist! How to use oil paint? How to paint a landscape? How to wash your brushes correctly? No – that was for you to discover yourself! We were given a project title, a studio space and random 5 minute sessions with a different tutor each time (who would confuse you even more by giving different opinions on your work!)
To survive and thrive at Art College and complete your art degree you have to:
Be prepared to experiment with different media yourself. Let your sketchbooks show your development and let them be your guide. Which combinations of paint look good to you or make you want to explore further?
Be prepared to create your own studio schedule. You’ll have art history lectures to attend and times when the studio doors are open but it is ultimately up to YOU to take the initiative and use the resources they provide. Unless it is a tutor you really connect with or believe in, take their ideas with a pinch of salt. Listen to their direction but ask yourself – does this sound like something that would lead my art work to progress? If not, let their ideas slip through your mind and continue with your own original plans.
Explore different subjects, experiment with different and unusual materials. You don’t need to buy expensive paints or brushes at art college. I never did! I used coffee grains, sand and random bits of paper to give colour and texture to my work. Your sketchbooks (and tutors) will applaud you for this!
I can understand now the reasoning behind making students explore materials and subjects themselves but a little precise tuition at the start wouldn’t have gone amiss!
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