– Art is a medium to express creativity. It has been around since centuries and has been celebrated the world over. Many people prefer to hone their skills and gain knowledge through formal art schools, while many are self-taught.
Both, have their own merits and demerits. This article discusses the pros and cons of self-taught and formal artists, and whether being self-taught or going to an Art school has its advantages.
What is a Formal Artist?
A formal artist is one who studies Art, under the guidance of an experienced mentor or tutor, in an Art school or in private. These artists gain theoretical knowledge and develop practical skills in their chosen field. The Art schools and tutors help the artist to improve their creative output and push them to think beyond the obvious.
Specialised workshops, seminars and demonstrations help fine tune the skills of the formal artists and prepare them for the real-world of Art. The students are also exposed to a variety of styles and forms that may be unknown to them otherwise.
What is a Self-Taught Artist?
A self-taught artist is one who does not join a formal institute or have access to a well-experienced mentor. They learn on their own; either through books, articles, tutorials or even observing fellow artists working.
This type of artist depends on self-motivation and discipline to pick up their skills. The biggest advantage of being a self-taught artist is that they are not bound by any rules and regulations of a strict learning environment and can unleash their creativity however they like. They also get to remain true to their own creative aesthetic and stay updated of the trends and styles by research or by directly involving themselves in its production.
Pros and Cons of a Formal Artist
The advantages of becoming a formal artist are – they get quality instruction from experienced teachers, they encounter and study different kinds of art – which could help in evolving their own style, they are constantly given challenge and feedback which is essential for any artist. The disadvantages of a formal artist are – it could become monotonous as the rigid course structure could stifle creativity, spending time and money on a formal qualification does not guarantee artistic success, there is an expectation to produce work for a certain audience or genre, and this could dampen the artist’s ability to showcase their own individual style.
Pros and Cons of a Self-Taught Artist
The advantages of self-teaching are – the artist gets a chance to be true to their vision without any outside interference, they get to explore as much as they can, they can save time and money while mastering the Art, they are also constantly inspired and learning from their peers. The cons of being self-taught are – there is a feeling of isolation and few opportunities to ask specific questions or to discuss ideas, the pressure on the artist to improve their skills is tremendous, there are doubts and questions about the authenticity of the artist’s work and its value in the market.
Conclusion – Who is Better?
Ultimately, the answer to who is better – the self-taught or the formal artist – depends entirely on the individual. There are artist who flourished in formal institutes, while there are self taught artists who achieved great successes without any outside aid.
It all comes down to the determination and dedication of the individual. While the teaching institutions have a lot to offer, there are some things in life which can only be learnt on one’s own; one’s own experiences, mistakes and efforts. Both, the self-taught and formal artist have the same potential to succeed and which path the artist takes is a decision that the individual needs to make for himself/herself.