Workshop: Composition & Thumbnails

In this 2 week workshop, you’ll learn strategies for how to create compelling compositions while exploring how thumbnails can help brainstorm a range of possibilities.

Composition is a fundamental skill which is critical in every type of artwork. You’ll get hands on practice on how to approach sketching thumbnails to plan out compositions in an efficient manner.

Enrollment is closed

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Watch a Sample Workshop

Watch a sample workshop: Gestural Portraits

I really love that we get the week afterwards to continue to get feedback as we work on what we learned.

Also the atmosphere that Prof Lieu creates so that even if it’s the first time trying something it is not too anxiety provoking to share it!

How it Works

Thumbnail sketches tracing paper Enjolras

Week 1: Before the Live session

  • The workshop channel in our Discord opens.
  • You’ll get to share your past artworks, and Prof Lieu will review your artworks so we get acquainted before the live session.
  • Prof Lieu will provide recommendations for what skills you can work on, as well as what to do during the 3 hour live session, if you want it.
discord workshop feedback

Discord Tech Support

  • If Discord is new to you, don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of assistance!
  • You are required to join our Discord to participate.
  • We ask that you join a few days before the 3 hour live session so we can provide assistance, and make the live session run as smoothly as possible for you.
discord workshop feedback
  • Our main workshop guide has logistics and step by step instructions, but the most effective way to get set up is to join early so we have time to troubleshoot things.
  • Prof Lieu will hold your hand as much as you need through the tech, and answer your questions.
Thumbnail sketches radish banner colored pencil drawing

Workshop Guides

  • Guide #1: Nuts and bolts of how workshops run and tech on Discord.
  • Guide #2: Specific to the workshop topic with resources, prompts, art supplies, and more.

Prompts

  • Option #1: choose yourself what you want to explore.
  • Option #2: Prof Lieu can make recommendations for as much, or as little structure as you would like.
  • Our prompts are a combination of art along videos, lesson plans, our reference photo collection, timed videos, and more.
  • We provide everything you’ll need to work on a prompt.
Figure Painting: Water Mixable Oils, Underpainting, banner

Art Supplies

  • Option #1: use any art supplies you would like.
  • Option #2: if you’re not sure, the workshop guide provides concrete specifics on recommended supplies.
  • There is a 1 week period in the Discord where you can Prof Lieu questions about supplies that aren’t covered in the workshop guide.
banner thumbnail sketches art director

Live Session Breakdown by Hour

Hours 1 & 2: Studio

  • Students work on their artworks, and post their progress at various intervals, into the workshop channel.
  • You’ll get to chat 1on 1 on voice with Prof Lieu, who will provide suggestions and critiques.

10 min. Break

Hour 3: Critique

  • You’ll chat with Prof Lieu 1on 1 about your progress during the live session.
  • Other participants are encouraged to type comments to each other in the workshop channel. (this is not required)
banner thumbnail sketches art director dune

Workshop Recording

  • A recording of the live session will be available for participants.
  • The recording is not available to the public.

Week 2: After the Live Session

  • Many participants will finish an artwork they started during a live session, or create new pieces related to the workshop topic.
  • Prof Lieu will provide feedback and follow up on resources or other questions.
BFA MFA Group Discord Critique

Email Summary

  • You’ll receive an email from Prof Lieu, where she will summarize your progress in the workshop, and also provide suggestions for how to move forward.
  • See a sample email below.
Clara cartoon

You have so much going for you and your figure drawings, I love how fluid your marks are, and also how organic and fleshy the figures are in your drawings. I think you’ve got a really good balance between line and tone, and that the volume of the figures come across beautifully.

I think it would be worth thinking more deliberately about proportions. Proportions can be a really tricky thing, and it’s definitely not a skill that you can learn overnight. A lot of getting experience with the fortunes is really training your eye to make comparisons between the various parts of the figure.

Prof Lieu

“The workshops are intentionally kept small with no more than 12 students. Because of the smaller class size, I was able to receive frequent feedback through out the entire class time from Prof Lieu.

Hearing the feedback Prof Lieu gave to the other participants was also beneficial and relevant to me. I learned so much in this one workshop.”

Student info

  • Limit 12 students.
  • Enrollment is first come, first serve.
  • You are required to join our Discord to participate.

Confirmation

  • You’ll receive an email on whether the workshop is running.
  • This email will arrive by the Wednesday after the Friday registration deadline.
  • If the workshop does not run, you will receive a full refund no later than a week from the Friday registration deadline.

Refunds

  • All payments are non-refundable if the workshop runs.
  • You must join our Discord at least 24 hours before the workshop starts. There are no refunds if you do not join within this time frame.
  • There are no refunds if a student is late, or does not attend the workshop for any reason.
  • We only issue refunds if the workshop does not run due to lack of enrollment.

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