What does art develop?

How long does it take to develop art professionally?

• Well, to explain my story the shortest I can, I was introduced to art really about half a year ago by my aunt who is a professional illustrator/painter at Disney (the actual making of it, I haven't ever drawn seriously and I last drew when I was maybe ten). I'm currently twenty. It gave me a change of heart, I realized I really love this and would love to work in animation (or even illustration/concept art/modeling) after I researched (and realizing all my favorite films are animated ones, and the fact I really love good animation and art in video games and other mediums). I'm already in my second year of college, with no particular major yet (General AA). I've significantly improved on my sketches and landscape paintings since the last six months, but its still incredibly amateurish and looks more like a middle school student's work. Do you think, if I miraculously was accepted to some decent art school and worked hard, I could come out with skills good enough to make it into either the film or game industry (and yes, I realize production times in the entertainment industry are cruel). It just seems like 2-4 years wouldn't be enough time to come out with marketable enough skills in a professional industry. So I'm curious if I started this hobby (which I'd like to further than that) too late for me to develop workably within a few years -- as I'm soon being kicked out of the house to live on my own, and I realize if I don't have a job within a few years, I won't make it. Can anyone, hopefully experienced, help me with my dilemma? (I realize that the length of progression is entirely determined by the individual, so say I'm average to below average in terms of talent if there is such a thing).

• Answer:

  Well, I honestly don't know about the illustration, but for any other kind of art it's a formula: 10% talent and 90% of WORK. Work hard, practice and the results should be better. For an art school: also work, maybe contact some professors to give you an advice, that really helped me. It's never too late, you know ^^ You can try, who knows? :D (sucked in painting, worked like a donkey and look where I'm now :St.Martins: :D