Concept Art & Digital Illustration Diploma
Study concept art and illustration and unlock a career as a film and games artist
Student work by Danny McMullen
Concept art and illustration course taught by top artists
Expert career training with an industry mentor as your guide
Turn your artistic skills into a career as you discover how to create professionally polished art for the film, video game and publishing industries. You'll be mentored by highly experienced artists who have worked with some of the world's biggest film and game clients.
Why study concept art & illustration at CG Spectrum:
- Be mentored by award-winning artists
- Learn to create art for film, games & publishing
- Discover expert Adobe Photoshop techniques
- Private 1-on-1 or small group classes (max 4 students)
[more]More[/more]
At CG Spectrum digital painting school, you’ll get hands-on experience creating compelling concepts and narrative images for the entertainment industry. Learn how to work with client briefs and deliver high quality work that keeps clients coming back.
On graduation, you can choose to specialize in either concept art or illustration and continue with the Advanced Diploma course.
Brandon Reimchen
Brandon brings almost 20 years of experience as a video game concept artist with a long client list that includes EA, Activision, Capcom, Gree, and Disney Interactive.
Read full bioDept. Head of Concept Art
Known for Resident Evil
Humza Khan
Humza has worked for EA, Microsoft, Activision, LucasArts, Wargaming, Ubisoft, Fischer Price, Hasbro, Mattel. Credits include: Call of Duty, The Division 2, and the Sims.
Read full bioMentor of Concept Art
Known for Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell
Mike Thompson
Award-winning artist Mike has worked with clients such as Marvel, Hasbro, Dimension Films, HBO, Electronic Arts, Warner Bros, Mattel, DC Comics and Cartoon Network.
Read full bioMentor of Concept Art
Known for Black Panther
Bernie Kang
Now art director at Phoenix One, Bernie created creatures, characters, weapons and FX concepts for cinematic trailers for World of Warcraft and more while at Blizzard.
Read full bioMentor of Concept Art
Known for World of Warcraft
Eric Wilkerson
Eric Wilkerson is an illustrator/concept artist for film, TV, advertising, publishing, comics and games. Clients include Weta Workshop, Marvel, Upper Deck, Scholastic and Disney.
Read full bioMentor of Illustration
Known for Upper Deck: Ultra Spider-Man
Tyler James
Award-winning artist Tyler has worked with major clients like Cryptozoic and Blizzard on titles including Heroes of the Storm, Warhammer, Rift, Star Wars, Hex, Warcraft, and RWBY.
Read full bioMentor of Concept Art
Known for World of Warcraft TCG
Brian Huang
Art director and concept artist who has worked on PC/mobile games at studios such as Blizzard. Brian's work has influenced games like World of Warcraft, Starcraft II and Diablo 3.
Read full bioMentor of Concept Art
Known for Star Craft II
Concept Art & Illustration Course Pathway
We've built our courses based on industry input and focus on teaching skills studios are hiring for. The courses below form a complete study pathway designed to fast track your education so you can land your first job sooner.
Once you have completed the diploma, you may choose to specialize in either advanced concept art or advanced illustration (both options shown below).
Each course can also be taken separately depending on your skill level and career goals.
Overview:
The Introduction to Concept Art & Illustration Certificate teaches you solid foundations, giving you an idea of what it takes to pursue a career in this field.
This course serves as the first term of the Concept Art & Illustration Diploma, so you’ll already be one-third of the way through the diploma if you choose to continue your journey.
Prerequisites:
- Basic drawing skills, and a passion for drawing
- A digital drawing tablet and a computer that meets the minimum recommended specifications
Course Summary:
- Qualification: Certificate
- Duration: 3 months
- Commitment: 20 hours weekly
- Skill level: Beginner
- Software: A student educational license of Adobe Photoshop is provided to all students for free
Overview:
The Concept Art & Illustration Diploma develops your skill level further with more complex techniques and a focus on producing the quality expected in film and game production.
Prerequisites:
- Completion of Introduction to Concept Art & Illustration Certificate
(Note: The Introduction to Concept Art & Illustration Certificate is embedded in the Concept Art & Illustration Diploma and serves as Term 01. If you have already completed the introductory course, you are one-third of the way through this diploma.) - A digital drawing tablet and a computer that meets the minimum recommended specifications
Course Summary:
- Qualification: Diploma
- Duration: 9 months
- Commitment: 20 hours weekly
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Software: A student educational license of Adobe Photoshop is provided to all students for free
Overview:
The Advanced Concept Art Diploma takes your skills to an industry-standard level, with the final term focusing on career development and building your professional portfolio.
All diploma and advanced diploma students receive additional 1-on-1 career support, portfolio reviews, and industry insights from CG Spectrum's Career Development Manager.
Prerequisites:
- Completion of the Concept Art & Illustration Diploma or a portfolio submission demonstrating equivalent learning outcomes
- A digital drawing tablet and a computer that meets the minimum recommended specifications
Course Summary:
- Qualification: Advanced Diploma
- Duration: 9 months
- Commitment: 20 hours weekly
- Skill level: Advanced
- Software: A student educational license of Adobe Photoshop is provided to all students for free
Overview:
The Advanced Digital Illustration Diploma takes your skills to an industry-standard level, with the final term focusing on career development and building your professional portfolio.
All diploma and advanced diploma students receive additional 1-on-1 career support, portfolio reviews, and industry insights from CG Spectrum's Career Development Manager.
Prerequisites:
- Completion of the Concept Art & Illustration Diploma or a portfolio submission demonstrating equivalent learning outcomes
- A digital drawing tablet and a computer that meets the minimum recommended specifications
Course Summary:
- Qualification: Advanced Diploma
- Duration: 9 months
- Commitment: 20 hours weekly
- Skill level: Advanced
- Software: A student educational license of Adobe Photoshop is provided to all students for free
Thank you CG Spectrum for giving me exactly what I needed to get started in this competitive industry.
I started the Concept Art & Illustration Diploma at CG Spectrum in order to create a stunning portfolio to apply for an internship. As soon as I had my first lesson, I knew this was the best way to go. The weekly tasks were challenging, but with the excellent feedback from my amazing mentor, I was able to accomplish them. I was able to raise my skills to a professional level. My incredible mentor gave me valuable insights into the industry and guided me throughout the year. Without CG Spectrum I would never have been able to create a portfolio on a level that got me an amazing internship in Beijing.
Loving every minute of it.
As an aspiring Concept Artist, it's been amazing to have an industry professional as a mentor. Brandon Reimchen has not only been able to teach me new skills and techniques in regards to my art, but also how to apply my craft in a client-based situation. Having one on one feedback has been so helpful, for example submitting in a concept and receiving back a paint over and a 30-minute video of well thought out and detailed constructive feedback. I've learned so much these past 6 months and have gained much more motivation to work hard for my dream job.
CG Spectrum isn't only for people wanting to break into the industry, it's for professionals in the industry as well.
I am a concept artist at Paradox Interactive in Sweden, and I wanted to expand my illustration skills, so I decided to take the Digital Illustration Diploma. And I am loving it!! It is exactly what I needed, and my mentor Eric is modifying the feedback sessions to suit my needs. If you are a professional and want to learn a new skill, I would say go ahead! Expand your set of skills! I am already thinking of 2D animation after I am done with illustration.
Eric Wilkerson is truly an excellent mentor.
It is a pleasure to be in his class. Firstly, he is so knowledgeable and his tutorials are packed with valuable information. Secondly, he is very patient and always takes time to find the best solution for problems his students encounter. On top of that, he is an AMAZING artist!
