Art Prof
Our Anatomy track covers fundamentals of drawing the human figure by developing a base knowledge of human anatomy. Hugo Cline, @orcamagickaSlideshow, Video feature, Instagram Post Anastasia Lvova, @kneeded.a.razorVideo feature, Instagram Post Samuel Madriaga, @samuel.jpmSlideshow, Video feature, Instagram Post
This video is part 2 in a Landscape Curriculum designed for self-taught artists. (watch part 1) This discussion talks about the various genres and formats where landscape can be found in the visual arts: in game design, manuscripts, ceramics, murals, textiles, and more. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artists Deepti Menon […]
See a soft pastel drawing demo on how to draw a portrait. Soft pastel techniques like blending, layering, and approaches to color are explained and shown. Tips for creating a convincing sense of lighting and form in the portrait are put forward in this drawing tutorial. Explained are ways on how to draw hair and […]
This video shows the results of the January 2022 Art Dare: creating a design of a word which visually conveys the meaning of that word. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artist Jordan McCracken-Foster. Prize Winner Ginger Medrano (USA)@gingercute4 “I decided to do two words for this art dare slimy and ‘patines’ […]
Prompt Examples Wadalafer, Ashley Tanelle, Neil Espinosa, JenK Shadows Drawing from Life vs. Photos 3D Reference Model Wadalafer Reference photos Tips Thumbnail Sketches: Line We recommend doing about 6 small thumbnail sketches to explore a diverse range of options for your composition. Start your first thumbnail sketches with line and think about how you want to place your subject onto […]
Prompt Examples Neil Espinosa, Wadalafer, Crissie, Ashley Tanelle Atmospheric Perspective Thumbnail Sketches We recommend doing about 6 small thumbnail sketches to explore a diverse range of options for your composition. Start your first thumbnail sketches with line and think about how you want to place your subject onto the page. Neil Espinosa, Wadalafer, Crissie, Ashley Tanelle Inspiration Caspar David Friedrich. Pieter Bruegel […]
Prompt Examples Ginger Medrano, Wadalafer, Ashley Tanelle, Neil Espinosa, Crissie Tips for Drawing from Life Tips for Drawing Space Thumbnail Sketches We recommend doing about 6 small thumbnail sketches to explore a diverse range of options for your composition. Start your first thumbnail sketches with line and think about how you want to place your subject onto the […]
This video is part 1 in a Landscape Curriculum designed for self-taught artists. This discussion reviews many techniques and approaches that can be used to create compelling landscapes in a wide range of art media. Concepts like atmospheric perspective, texture, and light are explained in great depth. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and […]
The complete Landscape Curriculum for Self-taught Artists is a series of 2 videos. Landscape Part 1 Landscape Part 2
See a drawing demo on how to draw baby hands. They are tricky to draw. Their anatomy is totally different from an adult’s hand! Tips for how to capture the volume and form of a baby hand, as well as how to articulate the lighting on the hand are explained. Demo by Art Prof Clara […]
The Landscapes & Backgrounds Track provides a comprehensive exploration of the role landscapes and backgrounds can play. Techniques like atmospheric perspective, lighting, texture, scale, and space will be addressed through various prompts. Lesson 1 • Lesson 2 • Lesson 3Lesson 4 • Lesson 5 • Lesson 6 Whether you do concept art, are a fine art painter, or a comics artist, you’ll learn the fundamentals of how […]
Prompt stages Examples Bowsers Subject matter Other prompts Art Media Paint Media Visit these pages for supply lists: watercolor, gouache, acryl gouache, oils, water mixable oils, acrylics. Drawing Media ballpoint pen/gel pens, dip pen, brush pen markers, Caran d’Ache crayons, graphite powder, colored pencil, soft pastel, oil pastel, pencil, charcoal, ink wash, scratchboard, wet charcoal, oil sticks DIGITAL SOFTWARE OPTIONS Procreate, Krita, Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Paint Tool SAI, Adobe Fresco, MediBang Paint, Gimp How to Avoid Art Clichés This […]
See how to create an original illustration from the initial brainstorming stages all the way to the completed digital painting in Photoshop. This video discusses basic techniques in Photoshop for drawing thumbnail sketches, blocking in colors, shading, creating a convincing sense of light and shadow, and details. Also included is a demonstration of how to […]
Art Dare Prompt Choose either one of your own birthday parties, or a birthday party you attended. Brainstorm and plan out how you will design the panels. Art media Use any 2D art media, anything goes! Decide in advance whether you want to do a black and white comic, or full color. Composing the Panels […]
Prompt Preliminary Sketch Tips for shooting reference photos Inspiration Cat, Prof Lieu, Alex Hear from an Art Prof Student “My main takeaway is to look for references and sources that go beyond just stylistic choices. Try to find references that express themes and deeper meanings even if they don’t appear relevant to the topic on […]
Prompt Subject matter Tracing paper Tips Format Art Media Examples Artworks by Triplegem, SC McGill, Cynthia, Johanna, Brittany, Neil, Bowsers Thumbnail Sketches This video explains and demonstrates the process of how thumbnail sketches work within the artistic process. There are many benefits of thumbnail sketches: they can save you time when working on a final […]
Prompt Inspiration Art history & contemporary art sites Historical image archives Museum collection sites Tips Examples Ashley, Arielle, Triplegem Digital platforms go old school How to Brainstorm with Mood Boards Creating mood boards is a fun, exciting way to gather visual inspiration for your projects. This video explores Jordan’s mood boards, created for the character designs in […]
Why are some artists overrated, while others are underrated? This video provides 3 examples of overrated and 3 examples of underrated artists. We explain the specific reasons why these artists receive more, or less attention over time. Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artists Alex Rowe & Cat Huang. Video Walkthrough Artists […]
See a demo of sketching an original character design. It starts with pencil sketches to brainstorm, the inking process with a dip pen with India ink, and Photoshop to add color. Topics include discussing the importance of writing your own original stories in order to inspire original character designs. See how the personality and narrative […]
Prompt article search: key words list Choose your key words Image Search Mind map Examples Clar Angkasa, Casey Roonan, Annabeth Tao, Ashley, Arielle, Trent Hear from an Art Prof Student “My main takeaway is how much non-linear exploration can really enrich the end result. By exploring different ways of making patterns in reference photos, looking […]
The Color Track provides a comprehensive exploration of color. It addresses the specifics of color theory and the creative potential of color as a vehicle for narrative and abstract expression. Neil Espinosa, @neil.f.espinosaSlideshow, Video feature, Instagram Post Manette Eaton, @m.eatonartSlideshow, Video feature, Instagram Post
Ageism is prominent in all parts of the art world: in the gallery scene, in academia, on social media, and more. This video explores the ageism that occurs, referring to experiences shared by many artists in the field Discussion led by Art Prof Clara Lieu and Teaching Artists Lauryn Welch and Deepti Menon. Video Walkthrough […]
This video is a demo of how to draw thumbnails using several reference photos to create an original composition. See the process of how to merge the reference photos to create a dynamic landscape that shows depth. Demo led by Art Prof Clara Lieu. Video Walkthrough Prof Lieu’s Tips It’s common for people to know […]
Prompt Time yourself Inspiration Prof Lieu’s kid drew these when she was in the first grade! Examples Prof Lieu’s kid in when they were in 1st grade, Ross Hines, Borany Wicks, Hyeji Kim, July Ha, Merlin SK Tips drawing on the charts art media We recommend any drawing media that allows you to draw thin […]
This video explains how lighting can be used in paintings to show form in a portrait. You’ll see how to break down the specifics of light and shadow: direct light, reflected light, shadow core, types of shadows, how light effects color. Lighting can establish a mood or narrative for a painting, and more. Lecture by […]
The Brainstorming Track provides guidance and direction for developing ideas and themes in your artistic practice. Lessons and prompts will stimulate your thinking process to unlock your creative potential. Lesson 1 • Lesson 2 • Lesson 3Lesson 4 • Lesson 5 • Lesson 6 This track will allow you to gain skills that are applicable in any art field, from fine art painting, character design, illustration, comics, […]
Here are the 5 top mistakes artists make when drawing portraits. (with a little help from Benedict Cumberbatch) Mistakes such as not addressing the skeletal structure of the face, adding details too soon, starting with the eyes, nose, and mouth, etc. The reasons why these actions can be considered mistakes are explained and then followed […]
This lecture explains the bony landmarks on the front torso of the human figure. Bones explained in include the clavicles, acromion process, anterior superior iliac spine, and the symphysis pubis. The shape and interaction of each bone with the rest of the anatomy is explained in detail. Lecture by Art Prof Clara Lieu. Video Walkthrough […]
This video explains the bone structure on the back torso of the human figure, and how that anatomical information can be used to enhance your figure drawing skills. Bones explained in this video include the scapulae, acromion process, manubrium, seventh cervical vertebrae, the ilium, the iliac crest, posterior superior iliac spine, the sacrum, and the […]
This video is a demo which shows approaches to brainstorming as an artist. How do you start with an idea and develop it into a viable piece of artwork? Several brainstorming exercises are shown, including drawing mind maps, how to research topics, search for reference photos, draw thumbnail sketches, and more. Demo led by Art […]
Prompt 1. Choose a still from a movie or TV series with a color palette that interests you. Why that color palette? Does it establish a mood, an atmosphere, a look you would like to explore? 2. Take that still and make a palette (digital or traditional media) that you can use as a reference. […]
prompt Examples Raven Kushner, JenK, Johanna Newspaper obituaries Objectives This prompt challenges you to create a portrait that is much more than a visual description of their physical appearance. People are more than just what their faces look like! Tips Inspiration Brad Holland, Gary Kelley, Anita Kunz, Ralph Steadman Reference Photos This prompt will require […]