Art is an incredibly rewarding hobby. It provides a way to relax, create and take home a piece of art at the end of the process. For those who want to practice art as a career, studying the basics of those who have gone before them is essential. Career artists need a firm foundation of knowledge in the methods that have already been perfected and tried by other artists. They then use that information to help explore their own gifts and relate them to methods and concepts that they have learned. It provides a firm base for them to launch their own creative ideas. Artists who do not have structured learning are still able to have careers. Formal schooling simply gives them more information and the ability to stretch their creativity with the assistance of teachers. It provides a safe way to explore the world of art.