Need career advice: Am I good enough? (CONCEPT ARTIST)

So now that school's over, I have to get into some college. About six months ago, I'd decided I'd mix my love for art and gaming, and pursue my dream of getting into the game industry as a concept artist. 

Im pretty good, (At least I think so) but I've hardly had any time in which to practice drawing. I have always worked with pencil paper, and am just getting started on photoshop. I plan to get a drawing tablet and test out my skills and practice, and see whether I am good enough. 

So my plan is to go for a fine arts degree, and to practice my own concept art for these 4 years and improve my skills. I'm sure 4 years of good daily practice would bring out the best in my drawing abilities. After college, I can take a PG in some advanced game art course or something, and with my practice and talent, Im sure I'll be able to cut it.
 
What do you think? Is 4-5 years of practice not good enough? Do I need better raw talent? Am I making a mistake? (Hope not)
 
Either ways, how the hell do you draw like THIS?? 
 

Gallery

Go into engineering.

I think you should not treat college as something where your major is set in stone. I like the work you have up. But speaking as a college student who decided to switch his major during my senior year I think go for it, if you don't like it then look for something else.
 
Basically I had an idea about what my career should be, going to college taking classes in the subject made me realize that I wasn't good at it. Then I found something else I liked.

The eye is quite cool, but I gotta be honest the rest look....ok. Stick to the Photoshop stuff.

If you enjoy drawing and that's what you want to do than go for it. But be warned, in art school you'll be in class with people who can draw so good you'll wonder why they're even in school instead of living in Paris, spending equal amounts of time creating timeless masterpieces and fucking their supermodel girlfriend.

Going to artschool is a start. Concept artist usually works in grey scale, for lighting and stuff and put color as the last stage over it with photoshop. It's easier than actually painting the artwork, however I think you need practice structuring things more like all of those how to draw books.

You better work your ass off practicing stuff. That's really the only way to improve your skills. 
 
Of course, if you don't know what you are doing, you're just gonna create a lot of bad habits so hit the books.
 
Anyways, school teaches you from the ground up on things so just be diligent and well, don't fuck around because you have free time. 
 
Problem with the art major is that there's a lot of opportunity to just fuck around.

" The eye is quite cool, but I gotta be honest the rest look....ok. Stick to the Photoshop stuff. "

@Briguile

" I think you should not treat college as something where your major is set in stone. I like the work you have up. But speaking as a college student who decided to switch his major during my senior year I think go for it, if you don't like it then look for something else.  Basically I had an idea about what my career should be, going to college taking classes in the subject made me realize that I wasn't good at it. Then I found something else I liked. "

If you want to be an artist, then absolutely go for it. Based on your work posted here, I'd recommend taking some more basic classes before starting at a legit art school. Maybe something at the local community college. It's obvious that you're aware of some techniques, but really lacking in some other areas. For instance: the proportions in the David Beckham picture are all wrong. His calves and left arm are tiny. I had some issues with proportions when I was in high school myself. I was always so focused on what I was doing at any given time that I rarely took the time to look at the full picture.
 
Art classes can be the most fun you've ever had, or the biggest headache. If you're behind the rest of the class or you don't know what you're doing, it's easy to get frustrated and lose motivation. Good luck.

The problem that I see in most of this is the oddness of what's drawn. I might not be clear on what I am saying but try out art classes because they can help improve your skill.

Well the thing is I need to be sure about it, cause switching around lines will get me in trouble with my parents. They want me to do something "safe", like engineering. And since they know I like art, they're pushing me towards architecture. But that's totally not what I want.  So my point is, is the risk that I am taking worth it? Will I be able to improve and get into the industry, or am I doing something stupid? "

" @armaan8014 said:

Well the thing is I need to be sure about it, cause switching around lines will get me in trouble with my parents. They want me to do something "safe", like engineering. And since they know I like art, they're pushing me towards architecture. But that's totally not what I want.  So my point is, is the risk that I am taking worth it? Will I be able to improve and get into the industry, or am I doing something stupid? "

Dude, do what YOU want to do. Don't let your parents push you into something you don't really want to do with your life. "

I think you're fine if you feel you have the dedication and passion to get better and learn more about it.

just keep doing it. That's the only way you ever become good at something.

" @cinemandrew: Oh yes, the Bekham one is pretty messed up. It's the oldest drawing here (made it in 2006, you can see the year in the bottom right corner) I was 14 yr old then :)
 
So do you think 4-5 years of dedicated practice could improve my skills to the level posted in that video?
 
@Trilogy said:

" @armaan8014 said:

Well the thing is I need to be sure about it, cause switching around lines will get me in trouble with my parents. They want me to do something "safe", like engineering. And since they know I like art, they're pushing me towards architecture. But that's totally not what I want.  So my point is, is the risk that I am taking worth it? Will I be able to improve and get into the industry, or am I doing something stupid? "

Dude, do what YOU want to do. Don't let your parents push you into something you don't really want to do with your life. "

I know... My parents are pretty understanding actually. But I don't wanna end up making a mistake. What if I finish my degree and end up nowhere? I just need to be sure whether I have the ability that I need to get into the industry... "

" @torus:  Hmmm.. Thanks that helped. I can pretty much do it then.  Other than that, what career line in the game art industry do you think is better then? "

I like you drawings and think the eye's a the war picture are great but TBH I don't think you would really get too far with what you are doing (not to crush dreams). Looking at what you did on the Sheppard drawing it's not the best and maybe not even close to your best. My brother is on his last year and is going into graphic design and media, and IDK how he is going to be. Draw something really great and post it, take a couple of days. If you really enjoy what you are doing though DO IT! and think about the possibilities especially the worst ones but don't let them turn you away.

You ever heard of Anders Ericsson? He basically explored the whole issue of expert performance and mastery - the bulk of his individual and collaborated work being presented in a 
 tome called 'The Cambridge Handbook of Expertise and Expert Performance' - discovering that there is a correlation between time spent on working on a skill and level of proficiency at it.  
Which sounds like the most obvious thing possibly ever, however he managed to quantify and further define it -  
- Firstly, the average amount of hours spent by virtuoso pianists, violinists, programmers, graphic designers, artists, chess grandmasters etc etc appears to be around 10,000 hours. Gladwell goes into  
quite a bit of depth and has plenty of examples in the vastly more accessible (and more interesting) 'Outliers'  
- Second of all, this practice falls is very deliberate and usually guided or under an expert's supervision - which brings forth the suggestion that perhaps there's only so much you can do on your own.  
 
Based on all this, which I can corroborate to a degree based on my 12+ year experience as a classical guitarist, if this is something you want to do, you have to invest a lot of time and effort into it (there were times I would practise  
5-8 hours a day).  Also, don't dwell on other people's performances in the particular field, and by that I don't mean ignore all output out there, but instead give yourself the opportunity to discover your own style and voice - something which , in my  
opinion at least should be a focus regardless of current skill level.  
 
Also, I'm guessing you're fairly young, so I would suggest to avoid typecasting yourself in a particular career at this point - Focus instead on honing your base skills, and if you end up attaining a level of advanced proficiency, in all likelihood you'll go through  
a lot of different positions, in a lot of different fields - something which would further aid in the diversification of your skill set.  
Hope that could help, and best of luck :) 

" You ever heard of Anders Ericsson? He basically explored the whole issue of expert performance and mastery - the bulk of his individual and collaborated work being presented in a  tome called 'The Cambridge Handbook of Expertise and Expert Performance' - discovering that there is a correlation between time spent on working on a skill and level of proficiency at it.  Which sounds like the most obvious thing possibly ever, however he managed to quantify and further define it -   - Firstly, the average amount of hours spent by virtuoso pianists, violinists, programmers, graphic designers, artists, chess grandmasters etc etc appears to be around 10,000 hours. Gladwell goes into   quite a bit of depth and has plenty of examples in the vastly more accessible (and more interesting) 'Outliers'   - Second of all, this practice falls is very deliberate and usually guided or under an expert's supervision - which brings forth the suggestion that perhaps there's only so much you can do on your own.   Based on all this, which I can corroborate to a degree based on my 12+ year experience as a classical guitarist, if this is something you want to do, you have to invest a lot of time and effort into it (there were times I would practise  5-8 hours a day).  Also, don't dwell on other people's performances in the particular field, and by that I don't mean ignore all output out there, but instead give yourself the opportunity to discover your own style and voice - something which , in my  opinion at least should be a focus regardless of current skill level.   Also, I'm guessing you're fairly young, so I would suggest to avoid typecasting yourself in a particular career at this point - Focus instead on honing your base skills, and if you end up attaining a level of advanced proficiency, in all likelihood you'll go through  a lot of different positions, in a lot of different fields - something which would further aid in the diversification of your skill set.  Hope that could help, and best of luck :)  "

I was in the same position as you a few years ago, (my parents wanted me to do architecture too) and I ended up doing Fine Art. In my opinion after three years in the course it was a big waste of time. The thing about a modern fine art course is that it's all about concept (not conceptual as in  concept art for games but conceptual as in  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conceptual_art ) not that theres anything wrong with that I really like conceptual art but when I was painting and trying to improve my skills I had to constantly justify what I was doing with a deep concept behind it but that can be really cool if thats what you want to be doing. However in the three years I've been studying I don't feel like I've learned any useful skills. When ever I talk to my tutors it's always about my concept. If I were to do it over again and I was in your position I would probably do some kind of illustration course. But if your heart is set on fine art definitely talk to some of the students in the course you're going for first and see what kind of work they're doing.  As for me, when I finish out this year I'm going to do a course in 3D modeling.            

Do NOT go to an art school. Especially fine arts..it costs a ton of money and does not guarantee you a job.  
 
I'd recommend finding good tutorials online and just practice to the best of your ability. You'd be surprised at how much good FREE information you could find online. You seem pretty good at photoshop so thats a start.

             Nope.

" Do NOT go to an art school. Especially fine arts..it costs a ton of money and does not guarantee you a job.    I'd recommend finding good tutorials online and just practice to the best of your ability. You seem pretty good at photoshop so thats a start. "

" @luce said:

" Do NOT go to an art school. Especially fine arts..it costs a ton of money and does not guarantee you a job.    I'd recommend finding good tutorials online and just practice to the best of your ability. You seem pretty good at photoshop so thats a start. "

Derp. Nothing guarantees you a job. And any college costs money. Unless you are prodigal, you are not going to become a professional by reading tutorials online. Quoted poster is unaware of the immense value of theory, instruction, and guided exposure in art education. "

Some tips: 
Life drawing- learn anatomy. One stumbling block I've noticed in a lot of people is a lack of understanding of proportion. Even if you intend to pursue an overtly stylised... erm, style, learning the basics is essential. Learning how cloth works, how it falls and clings, is what separates a shirt and an amorphous white blob.
Don't aim to do complete images everytime you set out to draw something- studies, sketches and little tests are always useful. if you draw something, and it doesn't work, keep it. Of course try again, but if something is giving you trouble then work on it seperatly, experiment, then when you're confident apply it to the final piece. 
Don't use photoshop as a crutch- Photoshop is great but too often I've heard people say 'I wanted to do this but I didn't know how to in PS'. It's a tool, don't let it limit you. Again, get your basic mark making, pen-and-paper skill up to scratch first.

Don't gun it straight into art school. It'll put you in an unnecessary financial hole. I took 3 semesters of art classes at a community college and it was a great experience. You can both improve your art and also make social connections, enter contests, get your work shown in galleries, etc...In the end it's all up to you to push your skills, no matter how much you paid to be in a class. So I'd recommend you check out the art programs of affordable institutions first of all.
 
As for drawing, the best advice I can give is that above all, making the art you want to takes time. Time time time time time. Time and the ability to dedicate yourself and not waste it. For more practical advice, you have to understand reality before you can stylize. You're at a stage where you shouldn't be thinking about style yet. A personal style comes naturally, and the ability to conjure a particular style will come to, as you get a better grasp on reality which is the root of any style. Study the form and 3-dimensionality of things and understand how to draw with light and shadow, not just lines. It's a big leap but with time and study your brain will just set itself in that mode. When I draw, a lot of what I'm doing is just blotting out shadows, this is a method used by a lot of trained artists.
 
Also look at art that you like. Absorb it. Broaden your tastes to all centuries. Make a folder and just save all the pictures that inspire you. It's something I started doing and I think when you admire a good painting or drawing its lessons just seep into you.

how often do you draw? The more you do the better you get, it is as simple as that. The difference between the good people at college and the rest is that the good people drew in their spare time as well. I have improved ten fold since i started taking art seriously and went and took a foundation in art and design, because i was drawing 4 times a week for 6 hours. Just looking at the stuff i did under a year a go is embarassing. 
 
Also the teachers may not be able to teach you how to draw better, but they can teach you how to go about doing things and try to help you unlearn all the stupid things school taught you to pass exams. 
 
I say go for it, if you work your arse off one day it should just click.

If you get into even a half way decent fine arts program they will teach you how to draw, so don't worry about that. When i went to college for my "3D Graphics and Game Design" course i had a few people in my class who took the fine arts course as well. They showed me some of their art before they did the class and after, and lets just say they got better.  

I'm not saying you will be as good as some of the best out there, but as long as you improve enough to be half way decent at drawing you should be able to get an entry level job some where based on your drawing talent alone. However, it's not just about being able to draw good, so don't go into this thinking that that's all you need to work on to be a good concept artist. You need to be creative and able to come up with designs on your own and not just copy what other people do. If you really want a job as a concept artist you need to spend just as much time, if not more, work on improving your imagination, and not just focus on you're drawing skills. At the end of the day there are thousands of people out there who can draw really well, but the ones who get the good jobs are the ones who can draw well and have the imagination to go with it.
 
There are thousands of fine art programs all over the world churning out people who can draw every day, so if you want to get picked for a job you need to be more creative then they are. When you hand over your work portfolio to someone at a job meeting you need to show them stuff that sticks out over what could possible be hundreds of other peoples work he saw that day. If you just shiow him work that consists of space marines and robots, he will probably just say that's nice we will call you back, and you will never hear about the job again. They were probably the hundredth ones he saw that day so why should he pick you're robots and space marines over the other twenty or thirty he already saw? You need to make art that stands out so that when he sits at his desk later that night and thinks about the work he saw that day yours is what comes to mind first. 
 
That's how you're gonna get a job as a concept artist, not spending hundreds of thousands of dollars and six to eight years of your life in schooling.

I don't want to be an asshole, but since you're asking for honest advice then you're pictures really aren't that great.  I'm going to point one out and it's the picture of David Beckham.  HIs face is completely off and I believe his hairstyle is too.  Those are the old 06 England kits and he didn't have that hair.  His left leg is way off as well.  The kit for the most part is good aside from his left hand as well where the captain's band is.  Shirts don't fold that way.  Honestly, I think you need a lot more practice because I know a few people who don't even practice drawing and draw way better.  They have natural talent though.  If drawing is something you're really into then additional practice shouldn't be anything and remember go for something you like and always strive to be the best.

Go on the degree. 
I'm going on a game art degree.  I don't care what my parents think. They're not the ones who are gonna have to do it for the rest of their lives.
Fuck the people! Do what you wanna do! 
YEAH!

OK, let me start by saying, I have an art degree. BFA. So I know exactly what you are going to get yourself into if you follow this path. If you really want to get into concept/entertainment design, there are a couple things you need to become really good at. 1. Figure drawing. 2. composition 3. lighting and rendering. 4. Perspective drawing.  The tools you use are up to you, but most concept work is done in corel draw or photoshop. see Craig Mullins
 
I would recommend majoring in industrial design, and minor in fine art or illustration. All the big name concept artists I've met all got their degrees in ID, with some illustration on the side. Let me just warn you though, its not an easy field to get into. You need to be at the top of your game, even then there isn't a whole lot of guarantee you will get they kind of job you want. But at least with an industrial design degree you could make a good living designing products instead of entertainment. 
 
Art is not an easy career path to follow but I suppose if you have the talent, skill and ambition you can make anything possible.

Not sure if they have been mentioned, but if you don't already know about them, you may be interested in ConceptArt.org and Massive Black 
 
These are good showcases of what would be expected from you.

There is no such thing as talent, there is only the ability to learn (talent is a word used by lazy people), some will pick up something in a month, while it may take another person a year. So at the moment it doesn't matter how good you are, BUT you have to be prepared to work you ass off to get to the skill level you want, this does not mean wishy washy drawings every week, it means practice EVERY day for a couple years, you cannot make excuses. Also doing a fine art course will do nothing unless you are prepared to work outside assignments in your own time. Concept art is super competitive, you wont get a job unless you excel at what you do, the only way that will ever happen is if you PRACTICE.   

I'm sure you just ran out of paper, but Beckham's legs are hilarious.