Narrative Illustration and Characters

An 8-week course creating strong images that tell stories using visual design principles

OVERVIEW

INSTRUCTORS

GALLERY

COURSE OVERVIEW

Compelling visuals for strong stories

Illustrators working in entertainment will spend their careers creating compelling imagery for narrative and marketing purposes. The best illustrators in entertainment inject a sense of gravity, mood, and energy, which draws consumers and players into the world the art portrays. This course focuses on the skills essential for good image-making, and also on those skills which elevate an illustration to the next tier of professionalism. We will discuss what makes a lasting, impactful piece of art, cover some of the techniques and tools you can use to maximize your chances of success, and build the habits necessary to conduct ourselves in a professional environment. COURSE NOTE: This course is designed for intermediate to advanced artists, so a portfolio review is recommended.

Course Format:

Standard

Duration:

8 weeks

Materials:

Photoshop (or equivalent), OR sketchbook, paper, pencils, pens, brushes

Lecture Type:

Pre-recorded lectures

Assignment:

Due each week. Expect to spend 8-10 hrs/wk viewing lectures, q&a, and time on assignments.

Skills Level:

Intermediate (portfolio review is recommended)

Feedback:

individual recorded feedback

Q&A:

Live once a week

Prerequisites:

Perspective, Analytical Figure Drawing, Fundamentals of Design, Digital Painting, Fundamentals of Character Design, The Art of Color and Light, and Fundamentals of Environment Design; OR equivalent experience; *application required

Course Format:

Standard

Duration:

8 weeks

Materials:

Photoshop (or equivalent), OR sketchbook, paper, pencils, pens, brushes

Lecture Type:

Pre-recorded lectures

Assignment:

Due each week. Expect to spend 8-10 hrs/wk viewing lectures, q&a, and time on assignments.

Skills Level:

Intermediate (portfolio review is recommended)

Feedback:

individual recorded feedback

Q&A:

Live once a week

Prerequisites:

Course Format:

Standard

Duration:

8 weeks

Materials:

Photoshop (or equivalent), OR sketchbook, paper, pencils, pens, brushes

Lecture Type:

Pre-recorded lectures

Assignment:

Due each week. Expect to spend 8-10 hrs/wk viewing lectures, q&a, and time on assignments.

Skills Level:

Intermediate (portfolio review is recommended)

Feedback:

individual recorded feedback

Q&A:

Live once a week

Prerequisites:

COURSE OVERVIEW

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

EXPAND ALL COLLAPSE ALL

The more you know, the better.

Week 1 | Introduction/The importance of narrative

Week 2 | Visual Tools to tell a story. part1 : Composition

Over view of the fundamental visual tools: Composition, posing of characters, value, light, and color | Different types of illustrations and their constrains on narrative | Basic concept of how to use the fundamentals to tell a story | Deep dive in the use of Composition and value for narrative | Analysis of narrative use of composition and value of several art pieces

Week 3 | Visual Tools to tell a story. part2 : Composition, Value ,Color and Light

Deep dive in the use of Composition as narrative tool. Part2 | Deep dive in the use of Value as narrative tool | Analysis of several pieces analyzing the narrative use of Composition and Value | Deep dive in the use of Color and light as narrative tools

Week 4 | The use of narrative on characters and the use of characters as narrative tools :Part1

The importance of references use in your work | The suggestive and inspirational power of characters | The fundamentals of character design as narrative tools: Anatomy, proportions, gesture, visual weight, volumes and shapes, balance etc

Week 5 | The use of narrative on characters and the use of characters as narrative tools: Part 2

The use of props and costumes as narrative elements for characters | Character Archetypes | Character design Art Demonstration

Week 6 | Visual Symbolism and the suggestive power of Mood as narrative tools

Symbolism as narrative tool | Mood as narrative tool | Analysis the use of symbolism and moods as narrative tools in several art pieces

Week 7 | Guiding the eye to tell a story

Artistic Styles as narrative tool | Rendering: The use of detail or lack of it to guide the eye | Your unique way to express as an artist | Contrast, Edges | Explaning the concept of defining “The Moment” | Art demonstration of the process of creating an illustration from start to finish

Week 8 | The ultimate goal

A look back to all your tools from your narrative toolbox | Art demonstration of the process of creating an illustration from start to finish focusing on the narrative choices

Narrative Illustration and Characters

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

Instructor

Real heroes don't wear capes - they teach

Axel Sauerwald

/Freelance

LECTURES BY Miguel Iglesias

Axel Sauerwald is a freelance concept artist and illustrator, currently living and working in Germany. While being a part of the team at Atomhawk Design in Newcastle he had the chance to contribute to games such as Mortal Kombat 11, Age of Empires 2:DE and various other unannounced projects, mainly creating character and costume designs, illustrations and marketing art.

INSTRUCTOR'S GALLERY:

REQUEST SYLLABUS

STUDENT GALLERY

Narrative Illustration and Characters

Student Gallery

STUDENT INTERVIEWS

Painting to the Prompt

Interview with Jenny Tan

Painting to the Prompt

Interview with Jenny Tan

SUMMER TERM REGISTRATION

Apr 29, 2021 - Jul 19, 2021

ONLY

$699

COURSE BEGINS

July 16th

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.

EMPLOYER
REIMBURSEMENT

ANIMATION GUILD
CSATTF

PAYMENT
PLAN

”

Madeline Julyk

I had a phenomenal time in this class, and I’m so sad it’s ending. The instructor is funny, personable, knowledgeable, and is always responsive an attentive in and outside of the classroom. He puts a lot of effort and care into critiques and genuinely cares about the improvement of his students. I can’t express enough what a positive experience this was!

”

Tessera Madison

This has been a fantastic experience! Mitchell has been an incredible teacher. He takes the time to give each student detailed feedback. He is easily available if we have any questions or are struggling with an assignment. His lectures were extremely helpful and I learned so much. I am so grateful for this experience and would love to take more classes in the future!

”

Anna Berentsen

[This course] focused on the mental process behind creating a piece instead of just technical tricks, which made it one of the most useful classes I’ve ever taken in terms of working through those stubborn issues I have as an artist.

”

Nick Harran

[This course] taught me how to focus in on the storytelling aspect of a piece and to always ask myself: is this effectively telling a story.

”

Lucas Örström

Very helpful, and could motivate students whilst giving very much needed feedback to keep the learning a fun experience!

COMPANIES THAT HIRE OUR STUDENTS