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Foreword

 

Hi! If you’re here, it means you love art!

 

I’m making an effort to help anyone interested in self-studying because when I landed a concept art job I promised I’ll pay it forward once someone asks. Back then, I wished someone guided me so I’d take less time trying out dead ends. It was an emotional roller coaster journey before I made it a career. But what I learned is that, we are all artists regardless if we draw for a living. So even when you get discouraged, just keep drawing. It’s fun and rewarding to level up your drawing skills bit by bit.

 

In this lesson plan, take your time in each topic. While there are so many other important videos and topics, these are the core and fundamentals (and what I used), and I don’t want to overwhelm you with too much. Also note that the artists in the video links have years of industry experience. So if they could draw something in 1 hour that you draw for 10hrs, it’s okay to get frustrated, but don’t stop trying. Imagine that they spent countless hours mastering their craft.

 

I also placed assignments for your exercise. I'm also offering free mentorship! You can ask for feedback from me, and just send a DM on IG, LinkedIn or FB. Don’t take it personally though, it’s for improvement. Note that this could take a lot of time depending on your commitment and speed but don’t rush so you could really learn. I’m also learning new things with you, even if I’m already working as an artist.

 

-Juni

Self Study - Beginner Illustration & Concept Art Training

You can choose which topic to study first, or skip parts. Remember, this is only a guide, and you can tailor-fit it to what you want to achieve. BUT I learned that going back to basics makes all the difference. 

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INTRO - Concept Art vs Illustration
Concept Art vs Illustration

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I. Perspective - CGMA | Intro to Perspective for Entertainment Design Class with Polina Hristova

Assignment 1:  

Practice drawing 10-15 boxes in perspective

Sample: 

1.PNG

II. Human Anatomy

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Assignment 2:

Practice set A, copy what Proko did in the same process and part by part. 

And do the whole head when you complete the part by part.

Week 1 - Heads.png

Hands & Feet 

 

 

Assignment 3:

a) https://grafitschool.gumroad.com/l/wCsOI

b) http://www.quickposes.com/gestures/timed

^go here for references (I prefer Grafit Studio’s free sample pack for whole body)

Then practice hands first, then feet, then whole body gestures (warning: some nudity)

Week 3 Hands.jpg
Week 3 Feet.jpg
Week 2 - Bodies2.jpg
Week 2 - Bodies.jpg

III. Painting Basics: Value, Color and Light 

 

IV. Digital Painting

 

V. Character Concept Art

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Assignment 4:

Create 3 exploration sketches, 1 final linework, and 1 final render of a character you’d like to create. Artists have different workflows and processes, but Atomhawk’s character concept artist’s tutorial (link in Lesson V part 1) is one of the more standard procedures.

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Baste_Illustration_process.png

VI. Building Design

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Assignment 5: 

Make 2-4 sketches of buildings in 3-point perspective

make sure to choose a specific architecture style--japanese, modern, victorian, etc.

Can be own design or copy design but in similar perspective as samples

Sample:

6.PNG

VII. Vehicles / Props / Mechs 

 

Assignment 6: 

Make 2-4 sketches of your choice--mech, vehicle or prop--in 3-point perspective

Can be own design or copy design but in similar perspective as samples

Sample:

7.PNG

VIII. Environment / Landscape

Note: important aspects (shown in vids) -- composition & perspective 

 

Assignment 7: 

Make 3-6 thumbnail composition sketches (choose your own theme), try to make perspective grids too if applicable. Samples:

8.PNG

IX. Visual Storytelling

 

Assignment 8:

Master Study (One of the most effective ways to learn techniques is just to copy them.):

Choose one or you can do all (or choose your hero artist):

9.PNG

X. Portfolio Building

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Other Free Education Resources:
FZD School - https://www.youtube.com/@FZDSCHOOL 

  • Great fundamental concept art especially for environments and props

Marc Brunet - https://www.youtube.com/@YTartschool

  • Specializing in character concept art techniques, leaning more on stylized and anime

Proko - https://www.youtube.com/@ProkoTV

  • All the basics, from anatomy, to color and light, you name it. Leaning toward traditional style

Kaycem - https://www.youtube.com/@KaycemCrew

  • Fairly new in Youtube (2022~2023 I think), but has some cool techniques he shares on his Twitch VODs

21 Draw - https://www.youtube.com/@21-Draw

  • Art Education company. They have free tutorials on Youtube as well as trailers for their online courses

TB Choi - https://www.youtube.com/@tbchoi5020

  • Had a great time becoming her mentee back in May 2023. Pick up her techniques and fundamentals through her uploaded demos and feedback to her students (although she already hid a lot of stuff last time I checked)

Michael Hampton - https://www.youtube.com/@s.michaelhampton9556

  • If you prefer very technical human anatomy, his videos are the way to go

Bobby Chiu - https://www.youtube.com/@BobbyChiu

  • Creature artist, but has tons of other artists interviews in the industry and some inspirational videos that kept me going

Sinix - https://www.youtube.com/@sinixdesign

  • He has some great drawing and painting techniques in human anatomy, including stylization as well

Mooncolony - https://www.youtube.com/@mooncolony_ltd

  • An outsource company with an amazing art community focused also on improving everyone’s art skills

InHyuk Lee - https://www.youtube.com/@InHyukLeeArt

  • He works for comic books like Marvel, and I absolutely love his style. He has some substantial videos in his Youtube channel including feedback and processes.

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  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

juni frio © 2023

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