Course Curriculum
TERM 01
History, Composition & Painting
Discover how to use your human or creature figure to convey the story of your artwork. Explore advanced painting techniques to mimic traditional media, and practice fine art portraiture and digital painting. Examine how famous artists approached paint handling and gesture. Then experiment with composition to guide viewers to the action, and see how light, color and shape enhance your story.
Learn how to:
- Manipulate light, value and atmosphere
- Gather quality reference material
- Receive constructive critiques
- Speed up workflows with 3D software
Weekly Breakdown
- Course Introduction / History Lesson
- Advanced Staging / Composition 01
- Gather Reference 01 – Models and Maquettes
- Light and Value Control
- Advanced Digital Painting Techniques
- Cinematic Storytelling
- Gathering Reference 02 – Using 3D
- Advanced Staging / Composition 02
- Advanced Color Theory and Application 01
- Advanced Color Theory and Application 02
- Advanced Traditional Painting Techniques 01
- Advanced Traditional Painting Techniques 02
*Curriculum subject to change based on industry input
TERM 02
Entertainment Industry Application
The end goal of a successful illustration is to accurately tell a story and sell a product. Explore various commercial markets and learn about creating book covers, card gaming art and marketing art for film and games. Experiment with hand painting, photo-bashing and 3D paint-overs. Assignments are treated like real commissions with hard deadlines so you learn to work under pressure.
Learn how to:
- Turn rough sketches into final art
- Manage time and meet deadlines
- Create art for various markets
- Work with specific client briefs
Weekly Breakdown
- Sketching your commission
- Reference and Final Drawing
- Digital Painting Demonstration
- Finding your Voice & Guest Speaker
- Digital & Traditional Painting Workflow
- Oil Painting Demonstration & Guest Speaker
- Visual Problem Solving
- Working as a fantasy gaming illustrator
- Intro to Poster and Keyframe illustration
- Poster Illustration & Character Design
- Keyframe Painting Demonstration
- Color and Mood Painting Demo
*Curriculum subject to change based on industry input
TERM 03
Career & Portfolio Development
Review the business side of your new career. Discuss self-promotion, contracts and preparing yourself for a life in the arts. Your training ends with a final project where you select an illustration type and develop three pieces for a specific market – just as you would in the real world. Choose to work off a brief or self-direct. End your online illustration course by adding finished artwork to your portfolio!
Learn how to:
- Receive and apply critiques
- Professionally present your work
- Promote yourself and secure jobs
- Negotiate contracts like an expert
Weekly Breakdown
- Getting Your Career Started
- Self-promotion
- Portfolio Prep
- Payments and Contracts
- Your First Commissions
- Finding your Audience
- Staff vs. Freelance
- Developing Personal Projects
- Path of the Independent Artist
- Skill Development Practices
- Motivational Guidelines
- Emerging Art Career Tips
*Curriculum subject to change based on industry input
Meet Your Mentor
Eric Wilkerson
Mentor of
Illustration
Eric Wilkerson is an Illustrator who has worked in film, commercials, video games, and the publishing industry. As a professional Illustrator for nearly twenty years, Eric has worked as a freelance and staff artist, having held both lead and senior positions.
He has provided concept art, matte painting, and art direction services while working in-house for casino/mobile gaming studios and advertising agencies.
Eric has worked with companies such as Activision, Disney Publishing, Scholastic, Random House, Upper Deck, and Weta Workshop.
