Episode Details

Many people wonder, is it too late? Or, am I too old to start?

Will, Lee, and Jake talk about this age old question and discuss how it isn’t too late. There are many successful creatives that didn’t start until they were older. Lee shares his story and how he didn’t start art until later on in life.

We talk about ways you can amp up and make the most of your early years if you are starting for the first time, or looking to accelerate your growth later in life. We discuss some of the benefits of age and the need for sacrifice and prioritizing to create a thriving career in art.

Links:

Svslearn.com, schoolism, CGMA

Sang Jun, https://www.sangjunart.com/

Lee White, https://www.leewhiteillustration.com/

Zombies video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngZ0K3lWKRc

Jon Klassen, http://jonklassen.tumblr.com/

Craig Mullins, http://www.goodbrush.com/

Design 100 Somethings, Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxa01j9Ns7o

Uncovering Your Style, SVS, https://courses.svslearn.com/courses/uncovering-your-style

Yuko Shimizu, http://yukoart.com/

Jake Parker, http://mrjakeparker.com. Instagram: @jakeparker, Youtube: JakeParker44

Will Terry, http://willterry.com. Instagram: @willterryart, Youtube: WillTerryArt

Lee White, http://leewhiteillustration.com. Instagram: @leewhiteillo

http://forum.svslearn.com

Podcast production and editing by Aaron Dowd.

Show notes by Tanner Garlick.

Am I Too Old to Get Started?

Am I too old to shift careers? Am I too old to start as an artist? Am I too old to start this big project I’ve always wanted to start working on?

What’s the average age to start working? If you grew up with an interest in art, drew all the time, and went to art school then most people start their art career maybe in their mid-twenties. Often people who get to art a little later in the game wonder, “Am I too old to do this?” Young people think, “When am I going to get that job?”

Regardless of your age, you are probably comparing yourself to people older and younger than you, and wishing you had done something different when you were younger or feeling like you are so far behind.

Examples of Successful Late Starters

Sang Jun. https://www.sangjunart.com/

Didn’t start drawing until he was well into his twenties. Realized he loved drawing, and started practicing, went to art school, ended up getting a job at Lucas Film doing character design for Episode 3, and then became a lead character designer at Blue Sky. You don’t have to start in your late teens to make it.

Lee White. https://www.leewhiteillustration.com/

Didn’t draw in twenties, or teens. Wasn’t interested until he was in his thirties and started drawing. Applied to Art Center of Design and got accepted with a scholarship, moved to LA, and graduated when he was 33. Then started getting his first books when he was in his mid-thirties, and that’s not the end, it’s just an on going thing.

Miyazaki, the Walt Disney of Japan, in animation all throughout career until 40. That’s when he decided to start his own animation studio. He did a graphic novel at age 40 for Nausica that he wanted to make into a feature film, all of his great movies were done in his post 40’s.

At age 40, you still have 25 years till most people retire, that’s a long time!

You really don’t ever have to retire.

Art isn’t like playing football, it’s not hard on your bones.

Zombies video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngZ0K3lWKRc

As You Mature, Your Art Matures

Greg Manchess was winning awa