Illustrate & analyze the animal form
Animal Drawing emphasizes developing an understanding of the anatomy of wildlife and domestic animals. Students will learn to construct quadruped skeletons as well as rendering fur and reptilian skin. Furthermore, there is an exploration of form and perspective with an analysis of gestures and expressions. Learning to draw animals is a vital step in creating populated landscapes as well as building a foundation that strengthens believability when developing creature designs.
Registration Now Open
Only 5 seats left
Registration Period
Jan 31, 2024 -
Apr 22, 2024
Course Start
Apr 15, 2024
Course Format
Standard
Skills Level
Beginner to Intermediate
Duration
8 weeks
Q&A
Once a week
Feedback
Individual recordings
Lecture Type
Pre-recorded
Assignment
Due each week. Expect to spend 8-10 hrs/wk viewing lectures, Q&A, and time on assignments.
PREREQUISITES
Good drawing foundation or analytical figure drawing
MATERIALS
Photoshop (or equivalent), OR sketchbook, paper, pencils, pens, brushes
The more you know, the better.
Week #1
Basics of Animal Structure
Introduction to structure: how animals are built | Understanding form | Gesture | Shape & bony landmarks in equine & bovine forms
Week #2
Unguligrade Skeleton (Equine & Bovine), Continued
Introduction to the skeleton: movement & limitations of the joints | Balance & proportions | Learn how to take the complex skeleton and simplify it to basic shapes to have a manageable way to better understand how the skeleton of the animal functions and moves
Week #3
Unguligrade Construction Shapes & Muscles (Equine & Bovine)
Form and form direction | Filling out structure and surface form with muscle and deep tissue masses
Week #4
Digitigrade Skeleton (Canine & Feline)
Breaking down the forms into simple shapes | Familiarize yourself with skeletal landmarks and shapes of the animals covered in this week | Study from photos and life if possible
Week #5
Digitigrade Construction Shapes & Muscles (Canine & Feline)
Understanding the construction of basic shapes & muscle structures within them | Construct your animal drawings as you put together skeletal structure with muscle forms and shapes on top | Focus on understanding the foundation of the animal through skeleton and construction drawings before adding muscles
Week #6
Bony Fish, Sharks, & Reptiles
Construction shapes | Skeleton & muscle overviews | In-depth look at how aquatic animals function
Week #7
Birds
Construction shapes | Skeleton & muscle overview | Wing feather groups | Beaks | Folding & unfolding of the wings
Week #8
Prehistoric Life and Rendering
Bird hipped | Lizard hipped | Construction shapes | Muscle & skeleton overview | Rendering techniques for coloring & finalizing animal drawings
STUDENT GALLERY
Bringing out the best in talent
LECTURES BY
Shannon Beaumont
Course Start: Apr 15, 2024
Mike Wiesmeier has been working in the animation industry since 1991. Mike’s production work has included interactive, commercial, games, and feature animation projects, including six features at Walt Disney Feature Animation, work as a supervisor on a traditionally animated feature film in Barcelona, Spain, and most recently on a AAA game, interactive theme park ride, and Netflix series projects in Montréal.
Mike’s teaching career began while working at Walt Disney Feature Animation. In the years since he has taught animation, life drawing, animal drawing, and figure sculpture at institutions worldwide including The Art Institutes of California, The Getty Center museum, The Huntington Library, Gnomon School of Visual Effects, Syn Studio École d’Art in Montréal, and Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, Italy.
Instructor's Gallery
PRICING SCHEDULE
Even though our courses are the most affordable for the quality of education, these finance options allow you to focus on your goals instead of the barriers that keep you from reaching them.
3x Payments
$233
2x Payments
$349.50
Full payment
$699
Spring TERM REGISTRATION
Now Open
Jan 31, 2024 -
Apr 22, 2024
COURSE BEGINS on Apr 15, 2024
What makes this learning experience unique?
PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK
Receive personalized feedback on all assignments from the industry’s top professionals.
LIFETIME ACCESS
Enjoy lifetime access to the spectrum of course content, including lectures, live Q&As, and feedback sessions.
CERTIFICATION
Show off your Certification of Completion when you turn in 80% of course assignments.
FLEXIBLE LEARNING
Learn anywhere, anytime, and at your own pace with flexible, online course scheduling.
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