Dynamic Sketching 1

An 8-week course utilizing observational drawing to understand how to see the world for the creation of design and illustration; develop strong foundation sketching skills through observation

Request syllabus

Select instructor

Course overview Course overview

Course Overview

Observe life and communicate visually

Learn how to communicate visually through drawing principles and knowledge. Dynamic Sketching will enable you to approach the world around and begin to observe life. We will use observation as inspiration to begin your own designs. Design can be a daunting task at times and may take longer for others to master but with the dynamic sketching approach you will have stepping stones along the way. Dynamic Sketching 1 is a class designed to develop a foundation in basic drawing skills. Students will learn how to break down objects to their most simplistic forms. Using pen and toned paper, students will learn to build confidence in their line work. (Please click on "Request Syllabus" under your instructor's profile to download a full, detailed materials list).

Less

Course Format: Standard

Lecture Type: Pre-recorded

Feedback: Individual recordings

Duration: 8 weeks

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

Q&A: Once a week

Materials: Sketchbook with brown paper, felt-tip pens, Sharpie pen Ultrafine, wide Copic marker, white color pencil, Uniball Signo white pen | Click on "Request Syllabus" to download the full materials list for each instructor.

Skills level: Beginner

Prerequisites: None

Dynamic Sketching 1 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

What you'll learn

The more you know, the better.

expand all

collapse all

Week 1 | Introduction

Discover the importance of warming up your hand before drawing and sketching | Warm-up exercises including line control, line weight and efficiency | Materials review

Week 2 | Perspective

Basic perspective exercises | Perspective & ellipse tips & tricks

Week 3 | Organic Forms

Develop convincing volumes using organic forms and contour lines | Texture studies | Applying texture to the basic forms

Week 4 | Lighting & Textures

Understanding basic lighting: learn how light interacts with and expresses form | Applying textures | Creating a focal point and having fun with arrows | How light behaves differently on different materials and textures

Week 5 | Creating Depth & Volume

Learning to combine and manipulate the 5 forms to create believable volumes | Dissecting forms to create depth | Basic form analysis

Week 6 | Draw from Observation

Arboretum/garden trip (local parks, gardens, and plant nurseries are also acceptable) | Draw organic forms from observation at location and learn to break them into simple thumbnails | Understanding how to finish a drawing | Building visual vocabulary | Practicing everything we have been absorbing from the previous weeks but this time drawing by observation from life (the subject matter will be plants)

Week 7 | Redesign Project

Taking what we learn from observation and transforming them into original concepts that can be used for the entertainment industry | Now that we have become more familiar with the shapes and forms of plants, we will apply what we have learned and use those observations as inspiration to design an environment, character, vehicle, prop, etc.

Week 8 | Redesign Project, Part 2

The importance of layout | Recap | A sneak peek at Dynamic Sketching 2

Instructors

Your journey starts here

Poe Tan

Patrick Ballesteros

Dzu Nguyen

Margaret Koo

Poe Tan / Kommercial Wurkz

Lectures by Peter Han

Poe Tan has worked for Walt Disney Animation Studios, Warner Brothers Animation , Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Fox Animation, Sony, and many others. He has done designs for hit shows Ben10, Rugrats the Movie, Johnny Bravo, He-Man Masters of the Universe and many more. Areas of expertise include background design both relating to animation and game design. Poe has received his MFA in 2014 from Academy of Art and has been teaching at many famous art institutes including Art Center since 2008.

Instructor's Gallery:

Request syllabus

Patrick Ballesteros / Freelance Artist

Lectures by Patrick Ballesteros

Patrick Ballesteros is a designer based in Los Angeles, California. He works as a freelance illustrator/concept artist for the film, game, and animation industries. He also conducts workshops, guest speak, and teaches at the Concept Design Academy in Pasadena, California. Some of his clients include High Impact Games (Jak and Daxter the Lost Frontier), Magic Pixel Games (Carnival Island),

Instructor's Gallery:

Request syllabus

Dzu Nguyen / Freelance Artist

Lectures by Peter Han

Dzu Nguyen is a freelance concept artist and illustrator currently working the in video games and entertainment industries. In addition to freelancing, he also teaches at the Art Institute of California. Some of his past video games projects for Sony Computer Entertainment include Warhawk, Resistance: Burning Skies, "Sorcery", Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale, and Destiny of Spirits.

Instructor's Gallery:

Request syllabus

Margaret Koo / Freelance

Lectures by Patrick Ballesteros

Margaret Koo is a freelance illustrator and concept artist based in Los Angeles, California. She has worked for a variety of studios and companies such as East West Entertainment Studio and Koi Art Boutique, among others. She has also taught for a variety of art and design schools including Concept Design Academy in Pasadena, California. As an artist who loves the outdoors, she enjoys sketching and painting from life at any moment possible and discovering new ways to incorporate learning from the natural world around her.

Instructor's Gallery:

Request syllabus

Dynamic Sketching 1 Student gallery

Student Gallery

COURSE BEGINS

April 18th!

Spring TERM Registration

Feb 8, 2021 - Apr 26, 2021

Only

$699

COURSE BEGINS

April 18th!

SELECT INSTRUCTOR

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

”

Cally Lim

I like that the feedback session is done for all students at the same time, that way we can learn from each other, not just a standalone feedback.

”

Dennis Scarry

I like how no matter the level of experience each student has the instructor always gave constructive criticism. They never tore anyone down.

”

Cody Rose

Great at clearly conveying ideas and concepts to the students, even without direct contact or interaction during the lectures.

”

Aleksandra Szwejk

Patrick Ballesteros is a brilliant teacher, who can encourage students in their way to development in a professional and friendly way. He is very open and always ready to help.

”