Am I too old to start my art career? - Art Department Podcast  

I started pursuing art at age 40, found my way to 3d art and now designing weapons for video games at age 48. Had I listened to all of the naysayers, today I'd be full of regret. #grit

I used to work in advertising for many years but I was tired of my work and had always wanted to work in something related to art and video games. At the age of 31 I changed my career and became Concept artist, now I´m 38 working on AAA games

I've just gone digital before my 75th birthday, but just to improve my art, and enjoyment, and it has pleased my wife too as I don't have art materials scattered all around our living room.

40 is not old. I am starting at 66. If I had started at 40, I would have 26 years experience behind me now.

An episode on how to learn would be fantastic! Especially for self taught artists!

This conversation was so great and inspiring! I'm 37 years old and pursuing art now along with my daily full time job and a 3 year old daughter. Life is full of endless possibilities!

I joined the military at 42, got injured in basic training and after 6 years medically discharged. I made the decision to pursue an art career and started watching RU-vid videos. A year later I am at University doing my Art Degree and starting to build a following in my local area. My first mini exhibition is next month. I can totally relate to the determination you had to learn the skill :D

I've been in QA for 12 years, but two years ago, at the ripe age of 42, I decided to chase my dream of becoming a 3D Character Artist. I'm excited to share that just last week, I landed an internship where I'm gaining valuable industry experience. Every day, I'm getting one step closer to my dream career, and I couldn't be happier!

At 48, I’ve committed my IT salary to charity contributions, so hard change probably not worth it for the orphans I support, but I’ve self published 2 graphic novels so far. We’ll see 😮

i feel motivated with this. Im now 30 and just left graphic design to dive into Matte Painting. Been practicing a lot last few months. its never too late

never knew u were in a wheel chair! this is very inspiring!

I got my first real job at 34. I am studying art full time now at 36 while working and doing solo dev at the side.

I'm 63 and started sketching at a young age, had art classes all thru high school and still paint a landscape once in a while. Although I don't produce as much as I used to, I still intend to pursue airbrushing, oils, digital art, Blender and Unity with C#. Piece of cake...

I started learning concept art when I was 27. Learning something in later age itself was actually easier than learning something in earlier age. Because at that point, I already had experience of graduating a college of different major. So I knew what to expect from something called "school", and what was going to happen after graduation. So it was relatively easier for me to plan out learning. So 27 year old me was not really better at doing art than 21 year old me. But 27 year old me was way better at this activity called "Learning" than 21 year old me. But of course, hardship was in managing my mental. All my peers from my previous college was getting job moving into next stage of their career and I was stuck in the class room. It was frustrating and regrets of "why haven't I started this earlier" kept taking up my mind the entire time. But hey, that was the part of the price tag for being starting late. And later I think of it, I don't really have any regrets starting learning something late. If I started learning concept art at 21, I would have stranded and go through different detour and end up learning something different again.

people dont worry :) you can start whenever you want! just remember this, if you start now, in 5 years you will have 5 years of drawing under your belt. If you dont start now in 5 year you will have no experience :) i started late now I work in game industry. lots of love folks

I listened to you guys 2 years ago and this video gave me a lot of inspiration and will power to keep going. Started learning how to draw from cero back then. 2 Years later and now a month ago I started working on a film for animation as a concept artist for production, love this job so much is way more fun than what I imagined. Thank you so much for this video, for real, its a gem and I also teach drawing classes and I always recommend this video to my students. So much knowledge on how to think not just as an artist but as a person that wants to improve and pursuing dreams

I am tad bit older than 38 or 40 (a decade or so....:D, hope it's not too late for me!), but I have always had the bug for concept work. My inspiration was ESB. You have inspired me to keep pushing. The 10,000 hours comment, plus the master copier vs. a master analyst comment was very informative, and thought-provoking. I am now an Art Dept. Podcast subscriber. Thank you!

I’m 34, closing in on my 1st year of studying purely fundamentals from courses & books, will then be taking classes & mentorships next year to accelerate things. This podcast was very informative & helpful. You guys are cool! Thank you for the podcast 👌🏻

I'm going to be 30 this year, and have been attempting to learn to draw for the last 3-4 years, mostly by doing studies and doing a couple of online courses. I'm just starting to attempt to work on original ideas, and I still go back-and-forth with this thought of "is it too late", so seeing comments from people who have made the switch to art after their 20's is suuuuper inspiring!

The banu defender! Love that ship!

Great conversation guys. I went through a change from premed to art after 25 years of age. I went back to school since I still didn't know how to draw/paint well at 28, and because of people like you who have taken the time to share your knowledge, I've been able to streamline my career path more.

Thank you very much. I Started pursuit the art career when I was 28, right now I'm 30. Still very bad at it. And Sometimes I have mental problems (doubts, anger etc) But after this podcast I feel only the shame) Now I ready to stand up and keep going. Like/subscribed/notification is turned on Why freaking RU-vid's algorithms didn't recommend me your channel a little bit earlier.

I love art and drawing so much . Never went professional . Been trying to get better for years but life keeps happening and it knocks me out of my routine and I lose focus for drawing

This was a truly amazing podcast for me; honestly may change the course of my life. 27 year old Architect who's always wanted to be a concept artist but never made the leap/commitment. I love what was said about going all in and have 'skin in the game'; I've struggled to learn while working 50 hour week on Arch and with no end goal. Time to plan my exit and commit to a future of concept art! ✨

This was amazing! Thank you two for sharing some insight! Myself, a 29 year old project manager in tech, the job pays decent and has allowed me to really invest in learning Art, but there has been this big part of me that wants to make a full transitional jump. Really appreciate hearing both your first hand experiences! BTW love your tutorials Jan!

This was a really inspiring story. Whether or not you went to the Olympics in your sport, you are clearly a champion. I'm one of those "lawyer bankers" who changed later in life. I will say, I never stopped drawing throughout my corporate career. I'd do full pen & ink sketches of board rooms & court rooms. I think that if something is a passion, you've probably kept it up over the decades even if it wasn't your career. That's different than "a midlife crisis career change" where a banker suddenly thinks it would be cool to be an artist but he's never painted. Of course, if he (or she) has sufficient motivation, then even a complete beginner can succeed at any stage of life.

I am late to the party, but I am happy I am stumbled upon this Podcast. I am an aspiring artist, 43 yrs old....I am always questioning if I am too old to pursue my passion. Its easy to get caught up in the age, with justified concerns. I figure that if I just keep at my passion while working my day job and forget about goals for a bit, just enjoy the process, eventually I will be able to make the determination to make it my means of being self sufficient or keep working and while remaining creative.

I'm glad I found this podcast, and thank you for doing it! Firstly, it took me about a year to realize that what I wanted to do was not an illustration, but a concept art. Secondly, I just realized that I don't know anything about this industry besides a couple of big film and game producing companies. Of course, I was thinking and still think that it's too late for me to make a career of a concept artist, and all I could dream about is maybe some freelancing... but now it's getting very much appealing, the idea that it's possible. Although, I still need to make a clear list of generic and specific skills I need to brush up. I'm afraid just understanding human anatomy, values, and have basic painting skill is not enough to get a Job.

thanks for this great podcast. Im currently 24 and working in IT. While Im liking, im thinking of switching careers everday. Currently I'm working and studying on my own for art. It's great to hear that it is always possible to try and change. A thing I'm curious about maybe for a future podcast would be a talk about freelancing and working in an actual studio. I live in a country where the entertainment industry is not so big, so there are not many jobs to work in an actual studio. So I always think about that I would need to become a freelancer and work from home for other studios

What a perfect timing, been asking this from my industry peers and they have all been encouraging that my age is like nothing there are people in 50s doing 3d art. Thank you!!!

Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences! I’m 46 right now, two years ago I made a commitment with my self to change my career, painting with Procreate a daily basis concept. I have worked as draftsman, 3d modeller ,interior designer, creative director for marketing , now I’m working as front end developer... and during my 20 years I’m exasperated. I need to create what I like the most, concept art. So I will install blender right NOW, and look for any fast way to reach my goal, work in the industry of Live action. Thanks again, a friend recommended your podcast and it’s so great!

very inspiring.... so much more than the usual talking blender maya or whatever... thanks guys and keep it up !

Bless this podcast. As someone aspiring to work in the industry while doing part time to pay the bills. Getting clarity of your goals, finding the people who can help you, waste no time and just getting straight into the real work. Is real valuable advice. As self taughts, there's lots of noodling and floating around. It might be high time I save up for a mentorship soon :)

Amazing podcast bros. Cant believe i didnt find this channel before. subscribed

Watching this again for some motivation... Jan's description of joining FZD School is very valuable information. One thing to remember is that when you spend your own money (especially 40K)... there's no way you could fail. I think you have no option to quit when you use your own money. And again... having a support network from your family is important (if you're not rich) :)

So, I'm 21 and I have been worried for the past 2 years about my age and if its too late for me to follow my dreams of becoming an artist, I've always wanted to be one but I was afraid that I didn't have any talent and then people kept telling me that it is unrealistic and people in my country (Jamaica) dont make money in art blah blah blah....but by watching this video I'm very encouraged to try my very hardest to reach my goals because its not impossible and negativity shouldn't be the reason why i have regrets when I'm older. So I just want to say thank you guys for this very motivating and unique topic that has been plaguing me for years.

by far this is the best channel I ever subscribed. Thank you guys for sharing your knowledge and paths

I've been self learned all my life, never enjoyed school, so it's never been a big hurdle for me to approach new areas. But I actually decided against changing careers due to how that industry is driven (VFX/Gaming) in large parts. And I enjoy making my own things more, not making someone else's game / short. Still, it takes a big leap when you have someone to support, unlike me, you don't always hear about the bad sides either.

thankyou for the podcast, i just turned to 27 and im leaving graphic design job for concept art. SOmetimes i worried alot about when is the time i am ready for the industry, but seeing podcast and comments here it such motivation again for me

Gotta say that thumbnail is pure gold!

I'm really motivated by this video you guys put out. I'm binge listening to every podcast that you have and it motivates me to push myself harder to achieve my goal. You guys made me realize that the biggest people behind the movie or gaming industry are just normal hard-working human beings. I'm 23 and I have been doubting myself that I will no longer achieve my dream of being a professional artist where I earn money for a living. I live in a place where being an artist is not considered a wise career path to take and you have to forcefully take yourself take a job that you don't like because life here is hard. I finished school and had a job in a call center I was stressed out, I'm not enjoying my job and the people I'm dealing with are so rude and it came to a point where I was on my way to my job and I was bawling my eyes off because I was soo stressed out. I quit my job, I don't want to work anymore since there's no company that will hire me because my credentials are a mess I don't have anything to put on my resume that stands out I suck at interviews I look like shit. I came back to my parents and I was kind of suicidal at that point because I'm romantically and career frustrated and I was so miserable. I feel like I don't have a purpose to live, the only thing I know how to do is make art because that's the only thing I'm good at since I was a kid. Pandemic started my parents has no reason to push me to find work because our city was on lockdown and we're put in idle mode. I realize since I'm not doing anything why not do what I love the most which are drawing stuff/making art. I go to the internet and find anything to improve my skills and I was so amazed by the vast information that I could learn and I thought there's a hope of being a professional artist. I consulted my parents about my plan about pursuing this career, I told them my story and they understand and supported me financially. I have been able to upgrade my PC and bought a drawing tablet so that I could enhance my skills in digital art. I'm currently planning to do self-study and probably be a freelance artist but I feel like there's a future ahead of me and I don't know what to expect. As of now, I'm learning anatomy and I listen to your podcast while I'm practicing sketching and it motivates me a ton every day. People might say I whine a lot or I'm just a weak-willed person or something but I'm doing my best not to. I hope I delivered my point across since I'm not a native English speaker. Anyway, I do love what you guys do and I learned a lot with the contents yall put out and I'm very thankful for that.

love these podcasts, please keep them coming, you guys are really inspiring:)

That thumbnail! Excellent show guys. Thanks

Super inspirational guys

I'm 22 and just started studying 3D Art and already feel old. Whenever I hear someone who started doing art at 16 and at 20 have a AAA game job it's honestly kind of devastating. I know I'm relatively young, but it's always hard to compare yourself to someone younger. Loved the podcast and the advices. I feel much better already 😊

I'm in early 60's, been doing digital concept and 3D art for 20 yrs after illustrating my entire life since childhood. I have thousands of artworks, have done book covers for famous sci fi authors and music cover art. I did my first digital animation 11 yrs ago and now I am almost retired and doing art fulltime. Every day I produce one to three new artworks or designs. Is it too late for me to do concept art for studios. Working on graphic novels, book covers, etc.. is 2nd nature to me. I work 10-12 hrs a day now and workout 5 days a week. I was doing cyber sci fi art by hand in the 70's.

This is so inspiring! What an amazing person! Thank you for sharing your story!

This was so awesome you guys! Loved all the honest discussion in this episode!

Jan sounds like me... and I'm way older than he is. Good advice here.... having support from a loved one(s) is so important.

amazing story Emmanuel, thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the inspiration, I'm 40 year old, i did Martial arts all my lífe, the last year i sufered a accident, I'm still in rehabilitation. But after meditate alot, i get the same conclusión, even if i can recover totaly, it's so hard AND takes a Lot from my bad economy keep in competitions and seminaries. I did all my lífe just for love, AND also try to monetice but was not enought. Them i just wan to get another dirección , i wan yo become a DMP and environment artist. Just have 4 mounts now learning fundamentals and DMP Courses also basic Nuke for projections and i did a donut in blender lol. But like you, i dont have much Time to try Any posible direction. Them I'm not sure if for environment the best choice it's Start with ue4 or whats the best combinación softwares for acomplish this goal.

Can't wait for you guys to teach us how to learn good design. :-)

Thanks, I enjoyed listening to this. So far from my experience good mentorship is hard to find, but I agree it is definately a bad idea for beginners to start without some kind of personal guidance. I was kind of shocked to hear from Jan, one of hour of RU-vid tutorial can take months to actually grasp and adapt into one's workflow. This is probably true if you are trying to learn all alone by yourself.

I actually started pursuing art pretty early even though I studied and worked very shortly in architecture. Eventually I reached position of 2d artist for mobile games and it has been 10 years in my art career (I'm 37 now). I want to eventually move into being more specialized and I love cinematic environment concept art. I feel like I reached plateau though. You might have convinced me to pay for some mentorship as I got tired to figure out everything on my own.

This channel is great. I'm glad if found this

This is great stuff. A follow up to this about mentorship and learning please. Subscribed.

Wow... I am quite shocked that Jan Urschel did do Japanese studies,too. xD And SO German in his ways of thinking I guess (I'm the same) He reminds me of myself a little bit. I did study Japanology at university until 25 and then did not know what to do with my life. I had a bad semester abroad there and it took me a while to love Japan again. I lost two years after that looking for a "normal" job/apprenticeship and just learned that I HATE "normal jobs" (like as a secretary or vendor). Then in 2018 I talked with my husband - who is also a non-artist, sometimes not understanding my struggles but nonetheless supporting me with all he can person - about what I should do and in the end I still loved drawing which I always had and decided to pursue concept art. And work in Japan as a concept artist some day. But I am struggling since 2,5 years by now at almost 29 and fear that I will never make it. Because if I don't I can just throw myself under a bridge. I am very mediocre imo though I practise intelligently (=rersearching as Emmanuel Shiu described his table tennis time) everyday and it doesn't seem to pay off.

53:11 I've also thought about this, not only because of Jan's story but other really great artists that had the opportunity/risk to enter a really good design institute.

You can be 80 years old and become a brilliant games artist if you wanted to. It's all about mindset and avoiding the trap that society thinks to "slow down" at that age. I am 31 Although I love the music industry, I too love the video game concept art industry equally both. Two passions can work its just splitting time for the two and you dont have to make a career out of it if you have a family to take care of, it can be a great side project to work on.

This is so inspiring!

...and ... again... 😎

I am too old to go to art school. I sketch every day trying to Improve , watching others and participate in some patreon offerings, post in Instagram and I make RU-vid videos etc. I guess I should be happy I can do these things🤣

Great story

Can you keep your background images on longer, have a longer fade and use new images in each new video. Discovering you guys has been very interesting, useful and inspirational. Thanks! ;)

I'm only 31 but I am at the point where I need a certain income level, job stability to take care of my family. I have discovered, since having kids that I don't want to move around and stability is a priority for me in regards to my family. If I was my own boss, doing my own thing then that would be different. If my youtube channel brought in decent money and I could build up a business and create a product that was selling with it, then I would quit this stable but unsatisfying job.

What's wrong with me to stress out about this at 25 years old.

Subscribed

It's great to hear this discussion. I'm 40 this year & am practicing drawing. My concern is the possible ageism in the industry. Illustration scene seem to value younger talents more for their youth while looks down on older rookies & veterans. What's your advice on this matter? How should I deal with ageism?

I love you guys.

1:46 looks familiar? yeah lost control

man..iam self learning for 5 years ,now iam 38 years old..

A book that changed my life is war of art from steven presfield

Fzd story 38:00:00

I am 35 now and last year I quit my job to start another part time job. Just to finallymstart my art education. Tomlisten to this story is SO encouraging! (Especially because I feel like drawing like a 5 yo too 😂) And now with AI lurking behind the corner... often ask myself why I even bother.

Come on. I am 43 and for a year or so I learn character modelling. I am completely sure that no one will ever hire me in studio in this age. But, I can make characters for stocks or just make them as a hobby, why not. Don't be so silly optimistic. The game art market is full of life-long aspiring artists who get to nowhere, just learn and learn and learn

I graduated from school in 2013 and have never been able to get a job in the field since now I am turning forty and I am stuck on the out side looking in. I just wanted to make concept art and do character design, but I can't get my foot in the door to do the career i am trained for. Can anyone help?

im 31 and i have my first paid commission designing a t shirt design for my friends brothers drag racing team

You mentioned a reading list of books on how to learn, do you have some titles that you recommend?

and.... again.... :D

Looking forward to this since i'm old as fuck lol

Remembered a relevant article to this topic - it's a good read: www.thecut.com/2015/09/ask-polly-should-i-just-give-up-on-my-writing.html?mid=full-rss-nymag

Wait, are we still talking art? :D

I was at a Schoolism lecture with Pixar artists and others like Artgerm, and this question came up. Their consensus was that, although possible, it is unlikely, namely if you have to support a family, simply from lack of time/energy and history of reliable industry contacts.

When you see a bald guy. You knew it he is badass.

Old? Pfft please....ya'll don't look a day over 90!

hi i am from 2024 , ai is taking our job soon ,wow this video was 4 years back every one so hope full , now we are having strikes to save are world

The most boring video on the Internet

Fundamentals are boring, but is worth to see your progress with months passing by

What's wrong with me to stress out about this at 25 years old.

I'm glad I found this podcast. I am also switching to concept art (I'm an interior designer by education). I tried a bit of coding and UX design but my heart beats faster when I think about coming back to drawing. I'm 34 and I do hope it's not too late. May the force be with us! :D

The last 15 minutes have some rich insights that in my opinion beginners like myself should pay close attention too.

Great episode. Really hits home!