Concept Art Training To Get You Job-Ready

Concept art training at CG Spectrum is a great way to strengthen your artistic skills and become a well-rounded, sought-after Concept Artist!

In less than a year, this online concept art course will have you breathing life into extraordinary creatures and characters, visualizing unique fantasy worlds, and designing unreal props and weapons.

Becoming a successful concept artist takes a lot of practice, dedication and hard work. But if you took the Introduction to Concept Art course, you’ll know how much easier it is to overcome technical and creative roadblocks with the guidance of an industry mentor.

Start your concept art training today and build the confidence and skills to turn your passion into a rewarding career.

Advanced Concept Art Course Overview

In just 10 months, you’ll learn how to turn a design brief into inspiring concept art that tells a powerful story. Get hands-on experience using advanced workflows and Adobe Photoshop tools to build matte paintings from scratch using hand painting and photo-bashing techniques as well as the paint-over method.

In the environment design course component you’ll master perspective drawing; essential to creating believable environment concept art.

Next in the character design course component, you’ll imagine backstories for your heroes and villains, bringing them to life with color and posing.

The last semester of your concept art training covers creature design. This is where you let loose conceptualizing magnificent beasts, fantastical creatures and their environments!

Finish the concept art course with a professional, job-ready portfolio pieces.

 

Start Date

September 7th, 2020

Duration

10 Months

Delivery Method

Weekly online classes via Zoom along with recorded feedback, e-mail support and a student community

Software

A student educational license of Adobe Photoshop is provided to all students for free

Course Load

20hrs/week

Skill Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Prerequisites

Course Curriculum

SEMESTER 01

Materials Design & Workflow Techniques

Materials Design & Workflow Techniques

The concept art course begins by exploring shot composition, dynamic posing, how colors affect mood, and special techniques to produce stylized materials and textures. Find out how to create and present appealing prop designs, apply digital paint-over techniques, and use your newly aquired knowledge to begin building your portfolio.

Learn how to:

  • Map out personal goals & objectives
  • Create stylized digital materials
  • Add depth and range to your artwork
  • Increase speed using paint-over techniques

Weekly Breakdown

  1. Introduction, history & goals
  2. Professional Practice
  3. Prop Design
  4. Composition Techniques
  5. Introduction to Materials
  6. Advanced Materials
  7. Basic Dynamic Posing
  8. Advanced Dynamic Posing
  9. Basic Iterative Design
  10. Advanced Iterative Design
  11. Color Mood
  12. ZBrush Paint Over Techniques

*Curriculum subject to change based on industry input

TERM 02

Environment Design for Film & Games

Environment Design for Film & Games

The environment design course module starts with perspective drawing: the key to creating solid environment concept art. Discover how to visualize environments by building matte paintings from scratch using photo-bashing techniques plus the paint-over method to acquire lighting and perspective information from pre-rendered assets.

Learn how to:

  • Turn your ideas into compelling concept art
  • Design environments for movies & games
  • Speed up your workflow with matte painting
  • Frame and stage your shots to tell a story

Weekly Breakdown

  1. Basic Set Design
  2. Advanced Set Design
  3. Environment Paint Over 01
  4. Basic Matte Painting
  5. Advanced Matte Painting
  6. Environment Paint Over 02
  7. Framing: Shots
  8. Framing: Staging
  9. Game Level Callout 01
  10. Game Level Callout 02
  11. Portfolio Development 01
  12. Portfolio Development 02

*Curriculum subject to change based on industry input

TERM 03

Character & Creature Design + Portfolio

Character & Creature Design + Portfolio

In the creature and character design term you’ll use anatomy, posing skills, personality and character traits, plus the environment to inform your designs. Create backstories for your characters and experiment with color, posing and lighting to engage your audience in the story. Finish your concept art training with a portfolio sure to impress!

Learn how to:

  • Design incredible creatures and characters
  • Use story and posing to drive action
  • Build professional model sheets
  • Professionally present your portfolio work

Weekly Breakdown

  1. Villain Character Design 01
  2. Villain Character Design 02
  3. Hero Character Design 01
  4. Hero Character Design 02
  5. Creature Design 01
  6. Creature Design 02
  7. Portfolio 01
  8. Portfolio 02
  9. Portfolio 03
  10. Portfolio 04
  11. Portfolio 05
  12. Portfolio 06

*Curriculum subject to change based on industry input

LOOK INSIDE

HOW IT WORKS?

Meet Your Mentors

Eric Wilkerson

Eric Wilkerson

Dept. Head of Illustration

Known for

Upper Deck: Ultra Spider-Man

Brian Huang

Brian Huang

Mentor of Concept Art

Known for

Star Craft II

Brandon Reimchen

Brandon Reimchen

Dept. Head of Concept Art

Known for

Resident Evil

Bernie Kang

Bernie Kang

Mentor of Concept Art

Known for

World of Warcraft

Alumni Testimonials

CG Spectrum has a way of mentoring students that I haven't experienced before. My mentor is always pushing me in order to become industry-ready. CG Spectrum mentors are always available for feedback and take a proactive approach to teaching their students.

Lauren Wakley Concept Artist - Games Lab

The most important quality of CG Spectrum is that they concentrate on training their students in a specific discipline. They know that the industry is full of experienced and trained people and their goal is to find jobs for their students.

Tom Garden Concept Artist - Freelance

Through CG Spectrum I was able to raise my skills onto a professional level. My incredible tutor gave me valuable insights into the industry and guided me throughout the year. I would like to thank CG Spectrum for giving me exactly what I needed to get started in this competitive industry.

Victoria Pascual Concept Artist - Pixomondo

I have nothing but great memories of CG Spectrum! I was a bit unsure when I signed up for the concept art course because I had no prior experience, but it changed my life. I had a great mentor, Brandon, who would always push me to do better and I learned valuable things each class.

Erika Hornakova Concept Artist - Brain Zoo Studios

Studios Who Hire Our Alumni

Studio
Studio
Studio

The CG Spectrum Advantage

Flexible Scheduling

Whether studying full-time or working around a busy schedule, CG Spectrum’s virtual learning model allows you to study when you want, where you want.

Industry Mentors

Learn from highly experienced and passionate mentors who are actively working in the industry on major feature films and AAA video games.

Job Ready Skills

Our specialized concept art course and hands-on teaching method ensure the skills you gain are exactly those that studios are looking for.

Payment Plans

Your education is an investment. We offer various payment options to help you pursue your passion, hone your craft, and start working sooner.

Ready to Start Something Great?

Tuition & Study Options

Small Class Option

If you enjoy learning with others and sharing ideas, small group classes are for you! Fun, engaging and capped at 5 students max, group classes get you the most attention possible at an affordable price. Ideal if you thrive in a collaborative environment and would like to start building your peer network while you learn. While there is some flexibility with class times, if your schedule is rather busy, consider 1-on-1 mentorship.

MONTHLY

$1075 USD

10 x payments

 
PER TERM

$3325 USD

3 x payments

(Save 10%)
UPFRONT

$7995 USD

1 x payments

(Save 25%)

1-On-1 Private Option

Progress faster as an artist with 1-on-1 mentorship! Private tuition offers a higher level of individual attention and more flexibility to schedule classes around work and family commitments. Your mentor can also customize the course based on your particular strengths and interests. This option is perfect for those looking to change careers to get into the industry, or established artists looking to add skills or change specialties.

MONTHLY

$1350 USD

10 x payments

 
PER TERM

$4050 USD

3 x payments

(Save 10%)
UPFRONT

$9995 USD

1 x payments

(Save 25%)

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