| Why does visual art stress the importance of training so much?

Why does visual art stress the importance of training so much?

kdfjj K asked:

I mean in terms of professional artists. Nearly every one of the well-known artists have been formally educated in art, and self-taught artists even today appear to be almost shunned.

The only reason this sticks out is because it’s nothing like that in similar fields…? I mean, people are acclaimed as musical geniuses without having ever stepped foot in a conservatory. People like Tolstoy and Dickens aren’t naturally expected to have studied Literature at an education institute. So why does art school almost seem like an indisputable requirement for visual artists?
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Comments

2 Responses to “Why does visual art stress the importance of training so much?”

  1. jumble on April 28th, 2009 3:38 am

    1) Musical geniuses all have teachers
    2) Many musicians do study music in college
    3) Tolstoy and Dickens lived in a different time than we do. Also, you’ll notice most authors at least took some classes in english and that most of them were native speakers of the language they wrote in (Joseph Conrad is amazing).
    4) No one really teaches art privately, unlike music, so artists naturally must learn art from teachers in schools. Also learning art in a class is a MUCH different experience than learning it on your own. It’s about the same as the difference between trying to teach yourself to play an instrument and learning from a maestro.

  2. The Queen on April 29th, 2009 3:42 pm

    Formal training in any discipline is a very good idea. A foundation in color theory, design, composition, technique and history are invaluable. If you can’t go to an art school there are many resources for teachers of all media on a small class scale or even private lessons. Community colleges and Art Guilds often have classes available. Self taught artists are all over, but I don’t think they are shunned, I graduated from art school and not once has any employer asked me for my “credentials”. Your portfolio and your experience speak volumes. Many artists are formally trained and not all that good, and many self taught artists are fabulous.
    Self taught is a misnomer. No one is really self taught, if they are reading books, the author is their teacher.
    Check out the artists on artid.com and you will see a whole spectrum of study for none to tons. Ask those artists what they think about the importance of training.