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Creativeprose: Tippy the Turtle and Pirates Too
Do you remember the ads on matchbooks and in comic books that invited you to draw pirates, fawns, turtles, and other pen-and-ink characters?
Written by Terri Stone on November 7, 2005
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Do you remember the ads on matchbooks and in comic books that invited you to draw pirates, fawns, turtles, and other pen-and-ink characters? You sent your sketch to the experts at the Art Instruction Schools, who decided whether you had the chops to be a "serious art student." I assumed this charmingly low-pressure pitch had long since faded away. Then last weekend, I almost fell over when I saw a TV commercial hawking those same characters and that same pitch. Art Instruction Schools is alive -- it's even online!
Tippy's stylin' in his turtleneck. (Get it?? Oh, those jokesters at the Art Instructions Schools!) And Mr. Blunderbuss there is a fine-lookin' pirate indeed.
I suppose I shouldn't judge what I haven't tried for myself, but I doubt Art Instruction Schools is worthwhile, despite its catchy motto ("Creating Better Artists Since 1914"), high-profile graduates (Charles Schultz is the best-known name), and sheer longevity.
That doesn't mean all education outside of traditional brick-and-mortar universities and colleges is suspect. There are oodles of ways to bolster your abilities. There's the long-distance learning route, which encompasses creativepro.com, of course, as well as companies that specialize in training videos you download or view online, such as Total Training, Lynda.com, and eVolve Computer Graphics.
When I have the time and the money, I prefer to leave my desk to learn. Professional associations such as the AIGA are a great place to hear about thought-provoking lectures, studio tours, and short courses. For a long list of creative associations, see this link. One of them may offer just the creative stretch you're looking for.
And now I'm going to open up the topic to you. How do you like to learn? What's the most effective seminar/book/conference/talk over coffee you've experienced? Share your successes with us all by going to the Vox Box area, in the left-hand portion of this page, to respond.
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Learning readiness
Any of the listed methods can be THE best, depending on one's readiness for the level of instruction being offered and one's need to know that stuff. Too advanced is confusing, too elementary is boring. I like a seminar best, IF it's a good fit. A magazine, computer or book article that tells you how to do something you currently want to do, but are clueless, is gold! Same with chats with peers. The best learning comes from need to complete a REAL project.
A long history
Art Instruction Schools has been around for years helping artists get instruction and feedback from other artists.
I have a soft spot for the program because Charles M. Schulz got his training through this organization before going on to create Peanuts, and was an instructor there for a time as well.
As a cartoonist, that is the ultimate person to have on your alumni and faculty list.
Never too old to learn!
Get out and learn! Art Institute of Seattle Alumni of 15 years, I chose to enroll as a full-time student at my local technical college. I have worked in many places and to be quite frank, you don't have "time" to self teach new software and techniques.
I suppose I shouldn't judge what I haven't tried for myself, but
Years ago I replied to one of those ads and received the admission test for the Art Instruction School. It not only included drawing Tippy or the pirate (a bambi-like deer comes to mind) but other exercises such as perspective and fashion design. Well, I passed with flying colors based on the feedback I received but when they found out I was 13, they weren't interested in my pursuing further education with them. Guess they figured they couldn't get any money out of a kid.
Some internet resources...
I'm always looking for new ways to do things and new things to do. I'm also more of a learn by doing kind of person. I find the web to be a great resource.
I've found some great photoshop tutorials on good-tutorials.com. If you're looking for that really cool special effect or wondering "how'd they do that?", chances are that someone on good-tutorials has found a way.
Also, if you're just getting into Flash, I recommend cartoonsmart.com. There are some free tutorials to try out and several pay tutorials that are worth it...especially if you are lost like I was in the beginning.
DVDs are the way to go!
I go to seminars, conferences and do the tutorials online. I find that buying training DVD is the most cost effective and the most efficient way of learning for me. I say that because at a seminar or conference you can miss something (written or vocally). By having the DVD you will miss nothing and can view it repeatedly at no extra cost. I've gotten DVDs from NAPP, Software Cinema and some from Photographers I'm interested in. This way I can have a seminar anytime I want at no extra charge.
Sometimes a correspondence course is all that is available to fi
Just a short rant, if it wasn't for FAS - Famous Artist School and it's home study course, a 12 year old wouldn't have had the opportunity to recieve the invaluable instruction and encouragement needed to eventually become a successful illustrator/graphic designer. Now days I prefer to get out of the office, out of town, away from email, cell phones and customers. My best experience was 5-days at the Scottsdale Artist School in Scottsdale, Arizona. A great school, fantastic instructor, talented fellow students, and no interruptions. By the way, FAS is on-line also at http://www.famous-artists-school.com/index.php
Art Instruction Schools is a scam
I've always been excellent at drawing. I responded as have thousands to the stupid 'Draw Me' ads when I was 13 years old. At that time I was living in poverty, but teaching myself cartooning, artistic anatomy and virtually every other aspect of commercial illustration. At that time I drew constantly; even designing my own superhero. Even I wasn't up to their 'standards' of worthiness for the 'free' art training, but they were willing to sign me up for their paid courses. It might have really helped me at that time.
Unfortunately, less than a year later I had a nervous breakdown because I was being sent to a foster home. I drew rarely after that. When I was 16, still in poverty, I entered a large drawing contest (for adults), entering a No.2 pencil sketch on cheap paper of a girl from a magazine cover. It won 'Honorable Mention'. That has always given me some solace. Now I work exclusively in the digital domain where my emotional turmoil associated with drawing is less inhibiting.
I think it would be a good idea to have an in-depth overview of the extent educational tutorials, both print and video (multimedia) that have become popular in recent years. Obviously a multi-part series, it would cover the general aspects of the advantages of print vs. e-books vs. multimedia formats as this relates to the various subject matter being explored (intro vs. essential training vs. advanced concepts). The video tutorials, for example, are becoming very expensive. And some, like the Total Training series for Photoshop CS2, are filled with fancy fluff and witty quips that offer no tutorial value at the expense of the software. In fact, many of these new tutorials cover the same material that the older tutorials of previous versions of Photoshop cover, so that it might be better to recommend that the marginally expensive route is to buy the older multimedia tutorials for their superior clarity and the textual tutorials for their overview of the major new features.
Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Rambrandt
A place for everyone ...
I too must confess that as a 15 year-old I drew "The Pirate". To my amazement an Art Instruction Schools representative contacted my parents. That was all it took to get them to finally realize that I was serious about pursuing a career in art. They gladly sent me to a "traditional brick-and-mortar" art school.
I do know one graduate of AIS. He drew Tippy back in the 50s and was an AIS graduate. He then went on to get a BA in Fine Arts and ran a successful sign shop for decades.
in person is best for art school
I too at 18 did the drawing and even bought the course even though I couldn't afford it as a young teenage parent in Ohio. It made me realize that I valued the face to face time you get in "real art school." I went on to get my BFA from a "bricks and mortar" and loved every minute of it. It wasn't so much the drawing (that you have to do on your own anyway), but the feedback and seeing other artists' techniques, weaknesses and strengths.
I am self taught on the computer programs that I use in my graphic design business and have had video training.
Recently my daughter tried an online degree course and she ran into technical problems as well as felt the lack of human contact. As she said, even having other students around her looking at the work and just making a small suggestion made her work better.
The first sign of a scam
I've heard before that the first sign of a scam is when they ask for money. Now when I started the process of giving my information and taking the drawing test I thought that it was almost too good to be true,and there was no mention of money whatsoever. When I recieved feedback saying that they thought I was an excellent artist and wanted to meet to discuss and see more of my art, I was ecstatic. (One of the art directors called and told me this). But during our conversation on the phone, he said "you do know we don't give full scholarships, right?". He then went on to say that it would cost around 3,500 a year for supplies,etc. I actually seriously considered this because any other art school would most likely cost more and I really wanted this to be legitimate. Upon researching the school and going to the website,it seemed to be legitimate but there were certain people saying that it was a scam and also red flags experts say to look out for. In the end, I made the decision not to go through with it because the art school I do go to should be one that I know is real a hundred percent and have no doubt about it. Who knows, I could be wrong; but for those making the decision to go through with it,please consider the fact that it's not a free ride and the clues that it is a scam like the asking for money first thing and the mention of Schultz,a famous artist to promote the school could be red flags.
(Just my opinion)
My 2 cents For Art Instruction School
Like so many, I, too, drew Blinky (I believe that was the name of the baby deer) when I was in 8th grade, but left it in the magazine. My sister-in-law sent it in to the school and I received the standard letter that I was a promising artist, but was too young for their program. At that point I dismissed it (I was 14).
A couple of weeks before my 16th birthday, a sales rep called to set up an appointment, but my parents told me to tell him "thanks, but no thanks". A few hours later, after they had a chance to talk, they had me call the sales rep back. Within a couple of days of the call we had set up an appointment to learn more about the program.
In 1973, the cost of the course was $800. My parents agreed to put down $50 for a down payment, but since I had a job, I was to be responsible for paying for the course. At the cost of $25 a month, it was expensive considering that I was making 95 cents an hour at the job I had. I made every payment and I did complete the course my senior year in high school.
The course gave me some valuable skills even though I didn't get a job in commercial art/graphic design (the program that they were promoting at the time) after graduating college. Every job I've had has had a graphic arts component to it, but hasn't been in a design agency. I've used what I've learned.
The school is accredited by ACE (American Council on Education) that accredits higher education programs (college level programs). It's also accredited by DETC (Distance Education & Training Council). It is a legitimate organization. Just because an organization asks for money for the services it provides, doesn't make it a scam -- otherwise, every business has to be considered a scam.
I can't speak for the way sales reps represent themselves today, but in 1973, we knew the school's rep was a sales rep which is why we initially declined setting an appointment.
However, I do agree with woswald. There are many ways to learn and the best method is that which gets your current project completed.
Art Instruction Schools
I am a current student at AIS. Personally, I don't think the school is a scam at all. A scam is when a company Does NOT give you anything it says it is going to! So far AIS has taught me eveything it says it was going to. Yes the tuition fees seem expensive, but they are far less expensive than the cost of tuition fees at eg. The Art Institutes Courses.
Art Instruction Schools
I always thought I was able to draw. While I spent some time in Austin, TX, I signed up for drawing classes at the University of Texas (1998). That was my "end" as the artist I thought that I was. I never touched a pencil again until I heard from Art Instruction Schools. I went through the same process described by other posts.
Today, after graduating from the basic training and doing art only as a hobby, I could say I NEVER have had any regrets whatsoever for having spent time and money on Art Instruction Schools.
Thank you for allowing me to share my personal opinion on this regard.
Jairo Vargas
Sitekreator.com/jairo
Just starting
I just recently agreed to go though the art courses offered through Art Instruction school, and believe me, I thoroughly research everything I could get my hands on,before agreeing to the interview. I,like many, requested for the "Draw Me" test when I was 18, but I never mailed the test in. Now at 29, I've always been serious about my art,even as a young girl, and I feel this intructional school is perfect for a woman like me who works a full time job and can not squeeze actual class time in at the moment. I knew it was an instructional school going in, so I KNEW money was involved across the top...but then again, higher or "additional" education cost. I don't feel scammed,and like a few comments above have mentioned, they have supplied everything so far that they said that they would. I am happy, it is a reasonable cost (MUCH less than my B.S. degree that I persued in Psychology/Sociology,lol) and the flexabilty is working great for me. I'm very happy with the cost and happy that it truly is an accredited instructional school.
Patrice
Birmingham,AL
Art Instruction Schools
I am almost finished the AIS program. I am 21 years old and literally just licked the envelope for lesson 25. I personally have loved the experience. I sometimes work 3:30-11 at my job, and when it's a dead night, I basically get paid to do my school work. AIS has improved my drawing capabilites greatly. I was initially planning on going to an art based college after taking a year off after highschool to earn some tuition money. However, my skills just weren't quite good enough. I know that they are now and I am applying for school for September, thanks to AIS. I finished paying off AIS so long ago, I can't not be greatful for the school! I do not think AIS is a scam, but I do think you have to choose the path thats right for you.
-AJM
You can learn on your own
There is nothing that they are teaching that you can't learn on your own; however, anyone who takes their course and does the work will get a great deal of practice, and practice is what makes you a competant artist/illustrator. If you need to pay 3K to motivate you to practice, then it is money well spent. Otherwise, just ask the sales rep to provide you with a complete course discription (all the classes you will be taking). Then go to amazon.com and/or textbooks.com and buy all the instructional materials and DVD's needed to learn the material offered at Art Instruction Schools. This should cost you only a few hundred dollars. If you want to motivate yourself to learn to become a better artist, then it would be cheaper to just get rid of everything you own except what is needed for you to become a better artist. Then you would have nothing to do except practice. Don't you remember how some of your best work was done during a high-school class that really sucked (which was all of them for me)? You were so bored that all you would do is sit there and draw on a piece of paper, the book or even the desk! I have known several totally talent-less people who have gone to prison and then came out as accomplished illustrators--it was the total bordom that inspired and motivated them to draw, but you don't need to commit a felony, just get some books/DVD's and then get yourself really bored.
Legit according to PA state government
I'm looking at taking a course through them and before i do a representative from the PA state board or accreditation has to come and meet with me since the school is accredited by PA.
Blast from the Past.
I will be 60 this May, and when I was about 9 - my sister, the favored child, was doing very badly in school (had already failed twice) but she liked to draw. So my mom allowed her to send in her drawing. Then I remember the rep coming to see my parents. We were so poor, we often shared one 14 oz can of beans thinned with water, then thickened with flour between the 6 of us. When the rep came, I being very jealous of my sister, showed the rep my attempt to draw the dog.
I was 3 years younger than my sister and the rep said considering my age, I had even more talent. My sister was only 13 and too young, but as soon as she turned 14 the rep came again. Then yearly, my parents would go through the same guilt motivating sales pitch....and when I turned 14 they got it double duty.
The upside was that, it kept both my sister and I interested in art. Each year we would be invited to try for their scholarship. My sister became so good at drawing brides that when she was 15 she had a pencil sketch of a bride "Disqualified - Done by Professional" in the Edmonton Exibition. She always drew people.
I drew everything but people. Landscapes, still life, animals, animals and more animals...designed what I though would be a great pattern for fabric (paisleys, plaids, animal prints, and you name it. Every year our teachers would take the best pieces of art in every category and enter them in our town's local fair (population 10000) and then the winning pieces would go to the Edmonton Exhibition. Every year after I was 9 I won several first prizes and a second or third prize in the Edmonton exhibition....while my sister took prizes for portraits.
Unfortunately, adulthood hasn't left much room for art, and although I spent 20 years single parenting, I did have businesses that involved artistic pursuits. Sadly a serious accident cost me everything that I spent a life time earning and saving....including losing my house.
Recently, I say the ad on TV and immediately recognized it. But, I do NOT have the money to take the course and am reluctant to get involved with the repetitive visits from the rep. I would love to take the course. But, my memories of my parents frequenty crying, are etched in my memory and I am unsure that I could handle the emotions of wanting it and not being able to afford it.....and payments are NOT a good choice.
Just my experience.