🎨📚 A Guide to Art School (for the Slightly Older, Slightly Geeky Student)
(Late 2018)
Art school isn’t just for fresh-out-of-high-school prodigies. I’ve seen plenty of students in their late 20s, 30s, and beyond, bringing a lifetime of experience, fandom obsessions, and sketchbooks full of weird ideas. If you’re considering taking the plunge—or just want a reality check—here’s what I’ve learned about surviving and thriving in art school later in life.
1. Own your perspective
Your years outside of school are an asset. Maybe you’ve been working, gaming, traveling, or obsessively sketching JoJo poses in your spare time — all of that experience informs your voice as an artist. Don’t shy away from it; embrace it. Your perspective is unique, and professors notice originality.
2. Time management is everything
Balancing life and art school is a juggling act. Assignments, deadlines, and studio time pile up fast. Create a system that works for you — whether that’s scheduled sketching sessions, block time for projects, or a simple calendar on your phone. Treat your creative practice like a job; it’ll pay off.
3. Be fearless with experimentation
Art school is the perfect time to take risks. Try media you’ve never touched, draw subjects you wouldn’t normally attempt, and embrace mistakes. Those “failed” sketches often teach more than the ones you labor over for hours. Think of it as Inktober every day, but with a slightly higher budget for materials.
4. Network, but be authentic
Connect with peers, professors, and visiting artists, but don’t force it. Genuine relationships come from shared interests and curiosity, not just trying to impress. Talk about what you love — comics, anime, games, JoJo, whatever — and you’ll naturally find people who get it.
5. Balance skill-building with passion projects
Assignments teach fundamentals, but don’t neglect personal work. Whether it’s a side comic, fanart, or experimental doodle project, your personal work keeps your style alive and your motivation strong. It’s also a great portfolio booster.
6. Don’t compare yourself to the 18-year-olds
It’s easy to feel out of place among younger students, but experience often trumps raw talent. Your discipline, focus, and life perspective give you an edge. Use that maturity to your advantage — and enjoy the occasional “I’ve seen this all before” chuckle in critique sessions.
Bottom line: Art school later in life isn’t a disadvantage; it’s an opportunity. You’ve already accumulated inspiration, skills, and fandom obsessions that can fuel your creativity. Treat assignments like training, side projects like playgrounds, and remember to let your weirdness shine — whether that’s JoJo pose studies or bold color experiments inspired by Spider-Verse.
— 🖊️ The Doodlecape Keeper
