Art Prof
This video explains what is an art cliché, and how to avoid creating artworks that will be perceived as being cliché. This discussion breaks down how to get past the cliché in order to create artworks that are more thought provoking and unique in their approach. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching […]
This video demos how you can draw convincing foreshortening in your figure drawings, focusing on legs. Techniques for how to draw foreshortening are explained as well as what anatomical landmarks to look for. This demo shows techniques in Photoshop and a Wacom Cintiq 22, and also Procreate with an iPad. Demo by Art Prof Clara […]
Animation • Sketchbook • 3D • Drawing • Painting • Photo & Film • Character Design • Collage & Printmaking Animation Prompts Sketchbook Prompts 3D Prompts Drawing Prompts Painting Prompts Digital/Photo/Film Prompts Character Design & Comics Collage & Printmaking
Prompt Choose an underwater creature: fish, crabs, lobsters, and more. Aim to capture a three-dimensional feeling of form and a wide range of textures and colors. Examples Manette, Helen Background Consider the background as well, is your creature in a specific environment, or do you want to do a close up view which minimizes the […]
Prompt Objectives Reference photos Recommended media Any paint medium: watercolor, gouache, acryl gouache, oils, water mixable oils, acrylics. We recommend using the same paint medium for the entire track. Inspiration Kathleen Speranza, Adriaen van Utrecht, Jan Davidsz. de Heem, Vincent van Gogh, Rachel Ruysch, Jan Philips van Thielen, John William Waterhouse. Rose Drawings in Pencil & Charcoal See how to draw […]
This video provides ideas for creating merch that goes beyond the typical T-shirt or mug. Items like wrapping paper, textiles, pins, tattoos, and more can create unusual items that are more distinctive. Learn about how to match specific artworks to different merch formats so you maximize the visual impact of both merch and artwork. Discussion […]
This video explains the anatomical structure of the eye. We will be looking at the specific bones, muscles and landmarks that will provide the knowledge you need to successfully create portraits in your artwork. We explore the proportional relationships between the eye lids, the eye socket, the eyeball, and more. Discussion led by Art Prof […]
Hear about the in depth process of creating 78 hand painted tarot cards from beginning to end. This video explains the many challenges of creating a series of artworks. This includes coming up with the idea for the series, how to do the research, figuring out the sketching process, development of the imagery, painting technique […]
Do you look at what you create as an artist and just hate everything about it? This is a really common reaction to our own artwork, we are our own toughest critics. This video explains coping strategies for how to shift your mindset when you experience this frustrating situation as an artist. Discussion led by […]
See how an animation of a snail is made in 1 hour in Procreate! Using basic techniques in Procreate is a quick way to whip up a fun, simple animation of a snail character. Inspiration is taken from our reference photos of snails, available on our free reference photo collection on Flickr. Demo led by […]
What is a “bad” illustration? This video shows a broad range of illustrations, and the opinions of several artists as to why the artworks are effective or not. The thoughts of each artist on the illustrations then stimulates a discussion on why a specific illustration is successful or not. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara […]
Art Dare Prompt Create a fantasy vehicle using at least 3 reference photos, using any 2D or 3D art media. Inspiration Films & TV Shows Mentioned Oscar Mayer Wienermobile X-Men: Days of Future Past Rick and Morty Minority Report Back to the Future Artists Mentioned Scott Robertson Bob Staake Odino Tso Tom Gauld Feng Zhu […]
This video features an art school portfolio by a Louise MacArthur. Critique led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Lauryn Welch. Featured Artist Louise MacArthur “I’m an artist from Scotland hoping to attend art school next September. I’m currently studying advanced higher art in high school so a good few of my portrait […]
This video features an art school portfolio by Ewan McKinney. Critique by Art Prof Clara Lieu & Teaching Artist Jordan McCracken-Foster. Featured Artist Ewan McKinney “I’ve been an artist my whole life and I’ve only within the past few years made the decision to start my journey to becoming an animator or concept artist. I […]
This video is a critique of an MFA portfolio by Michelle Eisen. A detailed critique is provided of the overall portfolio, explaining overall strategies that are recommended to the artist. This is followed by critiques for each individual artwork in the portfolio, considering the factors many MFA programs are looking for in potential candidates. Critique […]
This video comprehensively explains the anatomical structure of the feet, with an emphasis on the bones. Bones and landmarks covered include Achilles tendon, calcaneus, phalanges, metatarsals, wrinkles, and veins. Other topics, such as how the stance of the feet affect the entire gesture of a figure, are also explored. Lecture by Art Prof Clara Lieu. […]
This video explains the anatomical structure of the nose and how it fits into the structure of the face. We also explore how the nose has been perceived in history as a symbol. Lecture by Art Prof Clara Lieu. We look at the structural components such as cartilage and the nasal bone, how to apply […]
This video shows the results of the 2021 July Art Dare: creating characters based on your worst trait, and your best trait. The 2021 September Art Dare is to create a video short, 30 seconds or less that is related to your practice as an artist. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching […]
Art Prof Clara Lieu explains which are the most important muscles on the lower back of the human torso for artists to be able to draw and recognize. Muscles covered include Gluteus Maximus, Gluteus Medius, Tensor Fasciae Latae. Prof Lieu explains how these muscles interact with the bony landmarks and how they overlap on top […]
This video explains how to the structure of the head and neck are organized. All of the major bony landmarks are covered, as well as how to identify them on a person. Lecture by Art Prof Clara Lieu. In addition to explaining how to articulate bones like the mandible, the zygomatic arch, etc., this lecture […]
This video provides a comprehensive explanation of the structure of the human hand. It explains how to subdivide the hand into its major parts. These large sections of the hand are then broken down into smaller forms, including the metacarpals, phalanges, the wrist, and more. Lecture by Art Prof Clara Lieu. Video Walkthrough Bones, Landmarks […]
Why are some artists overrated, while some are underrated? This video provides 3 examples of overrated artists, and 3 examples of underrated artists. We look at the reasons why these artists receive more, or less attention over time. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artists Alex Rowe & Deepti Menon. Video Walkthrough […]
Prompt Sound Effects We recommend the free YouTube audio library to find sound effects, it really helps when you can hear the audio many times as you work on your painting. Recommended media Any paint media: watercolor, gouache, acryl gouache, oils, water mixable oils, acrylics. We recommend using the same paint media for the entire track. Inspiration Cristi Rinklin, Daniel Zeller, […]
Prompt Examples Heather Gibbons, Triplegem, Brittany Spiszer, Bowsers Step 1 Collect white objects for your still life. Step 2 Arrange the objects on a table against a wall. Hang a cloth up on the wall behind the table for a backdrop. Be inventive with your still life! Stack, overlap, and place the objects in a dynamic way. […]
Prompt Create a painting of a sky which shows a broad range of colors and textures. Aim to show depth in the sky, with some parts of the sky coming forward, while others push back. Examples Triplegem, Brittany Spiszer, Bowsers, Helen Reference Photos Artists for inspiration John Constable, J.M.W. Turner, Maxfield Parrish, Georges Inness, Claude Monet, Hilary […]
The Painting Basics Track will help you develop a foundation for painting, covering basic skills like color theory, brush technique composition, transparent vs. opaque paint, and more. Lesson 1 • Lesson 2 • Lesson 3Lesson 4 • Lesson 5 • Lesson 6 You’ll get to jump around between figurative, abstraction, landscape, and still life topics to expand your personal repertoire in painting. Pacing […]
Prompt Choose a painting from art history or contemporary art and create a mastercopy of that painting. We recommend choosing a painting that is very different from how you usually paint so you can expand on your painting vocabulary. Try to use the same paint medium used in the original painting. Example: use watercolor to […]
This video demos watercolor techniques for plein air landscape painting in a cemetery in Widstoe, Utah. The process is explained step by step, from the sketching process into finalizing the details in the paintings. Watercolor is combined with alcohol based brush pen markers to blend and create dramatic color effects. Demo led by Art Prof […]
PromptCreate a video of a friend/family member telling a story from their life. SuppliesAny video camera: smartphone, DSLR camera, tablet with a camera. Video editing softwareFree software: iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, Splice, VideoleapPaid Software: Adobe Premiere Process Filming Find a friend or relative with a story to tell, and interview them. Make sure you’re in a quiet […]
PromptCreate a portrait of a place using video. SuppliesAny video camera: smartphone, DSLR camera, tablet with a camera. Video editing softwareFree software: iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, Splice, VideoleapPaid Software: Adobe Premiere Process Pick a place you find interesting and set up your camera. Remember, some locations may require permission to film in them! Record your […]
See the process of watercolor painting AND baking sourdough bread! This video weaves together how a grandmother baking sourdough bread inspired a watercolor painting. (Prof Lieu’s mother in law, the “Bread Fairy.”) By showing and explaining the painting process, the artist comes to see that the bread is much more that just a loaf of […]
This video shows several art prompts that you can use to get going in your sketchbook! Often times the toughest part of the artistic process is how to begin, and these prompts will get your creative juices flowing. Demo led by Teaching Artists Jordan McCracken-Foster and Deepti Menon. Video Walkthrough Prof Lieu’s Tips When was […]