salter 17 Sep 2008

I suppose you would say i was self taught, except for my grandfather passed down his landscapes to me. I learned from watching him paint in the 70's. His work looked alot like the things Bob Ross paints. He also used oil , but my medium is acrylic. Reason why is he died at such an early age. Possibly the spirits he used, not sure. 62 is pretty young though so rather than risk my health i choose the lesser of two evils. I credit my family genes for my love of creating my art. I also payed close attention to my art teacher in high school. Other than that i just plain love to paint. J.A.Salter

sharon simmons 18 Sep 2008

hi, yep,selftaught so far-school didn't help me much because I could draw already-she left me to it... must admit though- I'm secretly on year 2 of a degree course because I'm fed up of my local art groups/council looking down on me because I'm not a post-grad luvvie. Once I get that bit of paper I can stuff it up their noses! Is that mean??

(mind you, I don't much think my lecturer likes my art too much either...not messy and contemporary enough for her- far too illustration based) What does she know? sites like this prove there is an abundance of talent out there without the need for pompous, self-opinionated artistes forcing you down one road to luvvidom. Keep on learning!! (your way!)

Jenna Anderson 23 Sep 2008

yup self-taught ..I think some art schools can force you to make art a certain way (the way the teacher likes it) and you wind up losing your original thoughts...a little guidance on a tecnique here or there is another thing. but dont get me wrong I know some really great artists and very original ones who have gone and graduated from art schools, but im happy with learning myself !!! :)

Maya Trimner 25 Sep 2008

I can't give all the credit to myself, although I'm self-taught. My dad told me to 'draw what I see' and I've done so ever since.

Jodi Whalen 30 Sep 2008

Completely self-taught. One thing I love about art is that it's ok to be self-taught. Kinda hard in the business world!

I have a blog entry that talks in detail about my experience with it:

http://www.glisteningblue.blogspot.com

Robert Heath 30 Sep 2008

My First Toy growing up so to speak, Was a Charcoal drawing set, Given to me by my parents at the age of 5. Im self taught Also

d Mac'Carthy 01 Oct 2008

Include me.Basic high school art.No official training.Been painting in acrylic for years,but took up colored pencil painting last year August and now consider myself a CP artist.It's just the case because CP is so obsessive that I have not used any other midium since I started CP painting.

andrew green 03 Oct 2008

oil on canvas i

Katerina Koukiotis 04 Oct 2008

I'm self taught and proud of it :) i believe God gives us all a special gift,for me it was art and i thank him everyday :)

David Corneail 06 Oct 2008

self taught as well, i don't want someone telling me how to draw my lines, love my colors, and express my views

Lorinda Renteria 06 Oct 2008

I'm also self taught. I have always loved art since before I even started school. I loved to color, then draw... took classes in jr. high and highschool but that's it. I bought alot of books on the subject of oil painting and started from there. I absolutely love to paint. :D

Ilsa Brittain 07 Oct 2008

I don't think it's possible to be an artist unless you can 'teach yourself' - it's what it's all about!

Cara Bevan 10 Oct 2008

I'm self taught, and though only 20 with a lot to learn I believe I've come a long way. I have my own business and I'm a full time artist, painting and creating art for the love of animals and the other subjects that move me.

ARPAN BANERJEE 11 Oct 2008

Dear Ravi,

Please count me in , completely self taught with no formal degree, just visualisation. I am still learning therefore would like sharing my artworks.

Arpan

trudy drake 30 Oct 2008

i am self taught as well. i did take a course at the art institute but ive been drawing painting you name it for as long as i can remember. hope to get to check out some of all of your profiles here soon. i just got started on this site so im still finding my way around here!

Kwaku 31 Oct 2008

self taught... by way of third culture from observing the 2 cultures that grew me.... Africa and America

Rebecca Heaton 07 Nov 2008

Hello. I am also a self taught artist. I have been drawing as early as 5 years old. I have been painting for 10 years. I love it. There is nothing else I'd rather do than work with my talents. All of them. My first critic was my Grandpa. My art ability came from both sides of my family. I have only had regular art class in elementary and high school. I hope to help spread art through out the entire world.

Brandi Wilson 07 Nov 2008

Great Thread!!!!

Totally self taught and am finally feeling ok about it, lol. I always felt like a fake until fairly recently.

Carole Boyd 07 Nov 2008

Self-taught too. Do you think that artists who have had formal training hold self-taught artists in a, well, lower regard? After all, they paid for training and we sort of just do it. What do you think?

Brandi Wilson 07 Nov 2008

I think some do and some don't :)

As for paying for training -I pay for training too...it's just "self training" rather than training from other people, theories, concepts etc.

Every time I create something I learn from it. When I am trying to create a specific look or feel, I often have to do A LOT of trial and error before figuring out the best approach. That all costs moolah :)