I realise this may not apply to the younger members here (yes, I am old).
When I was in my first year of high school, where every subject was mandatory, there was only one art teacher in the entire school.
He would turn up to class with a hangover for around half the time. It did not help that he did not seem real keen to teach us any art basics. The only thing I remembered learning in that year for art was drawing thin and thick lines for "abstract art". I found the art class really boring, and would instead draw Transformers when he was not watching. I also came to the belief that he would never teach me anything as "cool" as drawing giant robots.
But over the years, my decision to study other subjects in high school is one of the things I've come to regret. When I look back on my university years, I also regret having spent so much time playing Street Fighter. Yes, it made me very good at the game, but it now feels like such a waste.
Eventually my dad taught me something about perspective and depth in drawings, but I never learned to draw manga like the way my sister did (sadly, she gave up this hobby years ago). But as for other basics such as composition, form and values, I am only starting to read up on and learn now.
I know it's not too late, just wish I had the wisdom to do this sooner!
