Learn how to get images from your head onto canvas!

Whether you're leaning toward realistic paintings, fantasy illustrations, or somewhere in between, there are specific skills that you need in order to invent or alter the subject, lighting, and environment in your work to match your ideas.

This class will teach you the skills you need to understand 3D form, space, and lighting so that you can invent a background for your portrait, create a made-up character, and move beyond copying reference photos.

Here are some examples:

Portrait Commission

This painting was done from a black and white photo of the client's grandmother with a plain background. The client wanted an outdoor scene with dappled sunlight nearby. Photos of other family members were used to inspire skin tones, hair, and eye colors, while the color of the dress came from a popular movie. The background is completely invented.

Venusian Queen

This painting started with a reference photo of the model and her costume taken in a plain interior. I decided to create a background with neon lighting and fog which was not copied from any photo. I had to consider where this lighting would reflect on the model to make her fit convincingly into the new environment.

Imagined Nature

This painting pushed the boundaries of my artistic thinking: Again I started with reference photos for the figure, but none were exactly the pose desired, so the figure was created from a few separate images. Elements in the background came from plants and items in my own collection, photos from friends and online, and elements of old illustrations I wished to reference.

In order to make this painting work, I needed to juggle light temperatures and effects, the planes of all surfaces, atmospheric perspective, and linear perspective.

Course Outline:

You'll first learn how to study concepts that you need in order to create from imagination, as well as techniques to help your brain understand light and dimension. Then, you'll embark on creating your own work with imagined or invented elements to put those skills into practice.

• 3D Concepts: Your first step will be to consider the form of any elements in your work. You'll learn how to break your subject down into geometric solids, and how light will act on those surfaces.
• Lighting Qualities: Different light sources have unique characteristics such as their color temperature, intensity, and crispness. This will have a major effect on the colors and values on subjects!
• Gathering Reference Material: This may take the form of photo references, real life observation, and/or maquettes. The idea is to know how to fill in any gaps in your imagination.
• Create Strong Composition: Make sure you have a plan for layout and color before you begin trying to render from your imagination.
• Incorporating Subject & Environment: As you're creating your work, you'll keep in mind everything you learned above to make sure all your invented elements are properly interacting with each other and everything is unified.

Class Structure:

Earlier lessons in this class start with follow-along style demonstrations designed to build essential skills. These skills are then adapted to topics particular to each individual student in preparation for your personal project. As the course progresses, classes will begin with a short presentation on specific topics, and the remainder of the session is dedicated to helping you one-on-one with your project.

In-Studio Attendees:
All materials included except large or specifically-sized canvases
Access to a library of reference photos, still life props, and a printer
Online platform access for class recordings, notes, and to accommodate travel, illness, etc.

Virtual Attendees:
Attend live via the fully interactive online platform 
Ask questions directly via audio and email images for real-time illustrated feedback during class time
Access to class recordings, notes, and reference images
BONUS: Receive 2 months of access to the Realist Art Club for additional virtual studio and feedback time!