The Verdict

Well, that artist that I was talking to wrote back and gave his opinion of my artwork. It was a little discouraging, but not as bad as I feared. According to him my work is not professional grade (which I can accept - I felt that I needed to improve at least a little and create some better pieces before I sent my portfolio anywhere) but I do have talent and potential. Actually, his followup message to my reply to him was more discouraging - suggesting that I should take classes like crazy. I was sort of hoping that I could develop my potential without having to take dozens of classes. Maybe a couple of classes, sure, but actually go to art school? I don't think I can do that right now. I kind of prefer to learn at my own pace, anyway. In a classroom setting I find that I'm usually either ahead of everyone else, and it's frustrating to wait, or I'm behind everyone else, and I get left behind as the class surges forward. The other big problem is that I gather most art classes don't really teach fantasy-style art, and don't take it seriously. I don't really want a classical art education, though I'm sure many of the skills would transfer over well. I'll have to give art school some thought, though. Maybe it really would be the best thing for me right now.