Schooling

[Rae Rodriguez]

Mike,
I'm not sure if you've discussed it or not, but did you go to school for art? Did you have anything that could be considered formal training? Or did you just like to draw and know it was what you were supposed to do?

[Mike Wieringo]

Yep... I went to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and got a B.F.A. in Illustration. Of course, I always drew anyway... all the way back to Kindergarten.... but I knew that I'd never improve enough to try to become a professional artist if I didn't get some formal training.

VCU helped me a lot in that regard.

[Rae Rodriguez]

You see, when I was a baby, my father would place a pen in my hand and then guide it to draw. When I was able to hold a pen on my own, I was drawing. I never took it seriously, but now it's what I want to do.

For now, I'm taking a few classes (Portraiture & Figure Drawing, Drawing & Sketching, Calligraphy), just until I can find a school with a good art program.

Anyway, thanks for answering my question. I really appreciate it. You're the greatest. :D

[Mike Wieringo]

For now, I'm taking a few classes (Portraiture & Figure Drawing, Drawing & Sketching, Calligraphy), just until I can find a school with a good art program.


I had 4 years of figure drawing in college-- and that alone helped me more than anything else (well, that and having a fantastic FD instructor). The human body is so complex that if you can learn to see and translate what you're seeing onto the page, then it helps in every other aspect of your drawing life.

So it's great you're taking those classes.

[Shade]

Yep... I went to Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond and got a B.F.A. in Illustration. Of course, I always drew anyway... all the way back to Kindergarten.... but I knew that I'd never improve enough to try to become a professional artist if I didn't get some formal training.

VCU helped me a lot in that regard.


ALUMNI REPRESENT!! GO RAMS!!!!

[Rae Rodriguez]

I had 4 years of figure drawing in college-- and that alone helped me more than anything else (well, that and having a fantastic FD instructor). The human body is so complex that if you can learn to see and translate what you're seeing onto the page, then it helps in every other aspect of your drawing life.

So it's great you're taking those classes.
Again, I really appreciate it. Thanks a bunch Mike. :D