Is Formal Art Education Necessary for Becoming a Famous Artist?

Over the decades, I have observed a consistent trend: a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree plays a significant role in an artist's success. Works from those without formal art training are often labeled as 'Outsider Art,' which includes other designations like Primitive Folk Art, Art Brut, Naive Art, or Self-Taught/Autodidactic art. An interesting example is a female artist who obtained an MFA but chose to work in an Outsider Art style, aiming to be accepted as a true Outsider artist for exhibition purposes.

While it is not strictly necessary to have a formal art education to become a famous artist, the number of successful self-taught artists is indeed smaller compared to those who received formal training. Many accomplished artists have benefited from the structure and guidance provided by traditional art education.

However, let's not say it is impossible. The internet now offers ample resources, such as good art classes on YouTube, which allow anyone to develop their skills and gain knowledge. Nevertheless, I do believe that some form of instruction, especially if one aims for a high level of skill, is both extremely valuable and almost necessary. Art principles like composition and color theory, as well as the various applications of different paints, are much easier to grasp through structured classes rather than self-study. Furthermore, nothing can substitute for critique—the feedback from another person who has art knowledge can greatly improve your artwork.

In the past, aspiring artists could work their way up from simple tasks like sweeping floors to more complex tasks like grinding pigments, eventually leading to painting. However, today's process is more individual and often rushed and limited. This has led many people to seek recognition quickly, which is a misplaced goal in the art world. While it's theoretically possible, achieving fame or success in art requires a significant amount of time and effort. Even when instances of quick success do occur, closer examination often reveals the complexity involved.

The qualities that truly contribute to success in art are focus and determination. While talent and education are important, they are not the sole determinants. With these essential qualities and proper guidance, an individual can make meaningful strides in their artistic career.

So, I encourage you to take classes in some form or another if you wish to create art. Good luck on your journey!

Key Takeaways:

Formal art education is beneficial but not entirely necessary to become a famous artist. Many successful artists have formal training, which provides valuable structure and guidance. Online resources like YouTube can be helpful, but structured classes offer invaluable critique and deeper knowledge. True success in art requires focus, determination, and often takes a significant amount of time and effort.

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