*pssst* your paranoid is showing! */pssst*

If you have trouble drawing spontaniously... find pictures of fantastic creatures, and amalgamate them somehow. When I took new media, I was the only one in the class who didn't have a BFA. I was also the only one who didn't spend three hours a night doing homework. We all have our strengths, and they're not going to belittle you for your weaknesses.

I'm the only one not spending 3 hours a night, too. I do about 6. =\

Yeah, my paranoid is showing, but in this case, since I have no experience, I think it's justified 0_o

We're suggested to draw in "our own style". I haven't got one!

All I can suggest then, is to run with the 5th grader thing. It doesn't have to be sophisticated to be a good illustration. Look at Where The Wild Things Are.

I needed to hear that. I've been up for hours this morning wondering if I should drop it until I get more drawing under my belt.

Yes you do; I've seen it in your pix...

(And you could always draw something from somebody else's imagination, as long as you're not copying a pic...)

(..hem hem...)

The only thing I know how to do is copy.

Do you think I'll be marked down if my "style" is "crappy and childish"?

Waitasec... they already have higher college art degrees, and they're back in Pierce? Um... Why?

I have no idea. But in everyone's introductions yesterday, lots of people mentioned degrees.

Shouldn't the teacher grade in such a way that evaluates you independently of other students? It's about your progress in class, not how you compare to your classmates, right??

I have no idea.

If you're allowed to take the class without too many other courses first, they surely can't expect perfection. Just do the best you can. And know that I feel your pain... I remember once I sat myself down because I had this awesome picture of a dragon in my head.. and it came out looking more like a child's imitation of Puff the Magic Dragon. ;)

I may need a lot of moral support this semester...

He also suggested anyone who doesn't like drawing should leave, but it's required for my degree.

What is your degree that it requires drawring and fainting in coils?

Graphic design. So apparently to make decent web sites I need to be an artiste. Sigh. Like I need to draw fairy tale scenes by hand to be able to make a web site look good.

Well, I had to learn to write counterpoint like that of Orlando di Lassus, and harmonize chorale tunes like J.S. Bach, in order to get my bachelor's degree in music.

Are those applicable?

Out of curiosity, have you considered just talking to the teacher about it? Honestly telling him how you feel, and asking for his advice?

Just a thought.

I have, but most are hard to contact. And I'm afeared to some, too.

It doesn't have to be a polished work. It's a particular skill that NOT a lot of even professional artists have to be able to sketch something with speed that doesn't look at least a little like a 5th grader. I've also noticed that art doesn't have to be awesome in the mechanics. And you do good work. :)

I think everyone's convinced me to at least not drop it yet. I suppose I'll see if after the instructor sees my stuff he says go home or not.

really it's about learning something, ie a new skill, ability, etc...not the gpa... if you keep focusing on the gpa, the learning takes a backseat, and you keep losing your perspective.

if you already know how to do something, it is a bit of a waste of time to take a class for it...i understand it is 'required' for the degree, but thinking you should know 'how' to do something before taking a class for it is pretty strange to me, not that it doesn't happen, but I certainly wouldn't 'expect' that every time...

also, there are those books that teach kids the basics of drawing a character, fairy, horse, etc...there are basic steps to get from point a to b to c to finished product, you might look at the library for one of those...(I happen to know this is how many of the animators from the Simpsons work...there is a basic character set to work from, and there is just the 'new' characters to work out...

I might look in the kids section, that's a good idea. The adult books, even the dummies ones sometimes, make my eyes glaze over.

And yeah, I shouldn't focus on the GPA. I wasn't planning on it at all until I suddenly found myself with a 4.0. I'll just be sad to see it go.

and I didn't mean that you shouldn't be proud of that so far, but focusing on it too much is distracting you from the point, IMHO...

I know 'disney' has some cute ones that I have almost purchased for a kid or two...

I have a question. What's with the algebra? For a graphic design curriculum? What's that about?

For my AA. You have to get so many generel ed. credits in certain areas.

Dragsville. Not cool, baby.

Your portfolio is what will get you the job. That's what counts, not your ability to solve for x. Sheesh.

School. It's been the ruin of many. I have a BA, never did me a lick of good.

Go talk to the professor. I know how scary and intimidating that can be but usually does a world of good. It lets the prof know you actually care. Don't stress too much or it will becme a hindrance. Take a deep breath and break the problem down. If it all seems too much, focus on a small part, get it done, focus on another small part, get that done, rinse and repeat. You have a TON of artistic ability, you can dooo ittttt.

As for the Algebra, if it starts taking too long, we can get together to work on it. Might be able to show you some time saving tricks or at least give you a bit of help and support to make it go faster. Won't do it for ya though. *teases*

*hugs* cheer up, I know you can do it. =)

The silly part is you COULD do it for me, it's an internet course mostly. Only 4 tests in class. But I may take you up on that at some point. Right now my biggest problem is the vocabulary (real, rational, irrational, whole...) and finding the multiplier thingies for really big odd numbers. The book is teaching me ways that are completely different from how I know to do things, so it's confusing me some.

I've been thinking of talking to the professor, but have been a bit scared to. I may on Tuesday (I only have illustration once a week, thank God.)

If you'd like i can help with the vocabulary too. Something I found that made it all easier si to think what the word means in regular english, that usually gives you a pretty good idea what it means in math too.

Sometimes I think math majors should learn greek for a second language. we use it often enough.... =P