Mike Stewart Writes

SL: Twelve weeks to portfolio gold

Meta heading: build that perfect illustration portfolio

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Hey there [FIRSTNAME]… got a sec?

There are so many portfolio prep classes to choose from these days.

And we know how hard picking the right course can be.

If you’ve been stressing over getting that portfolio together before application season…

This one’s for you 

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We’re putting together our newest course and wanted to let you know about it

Our Portfolio Gold course will focus on drawing and traditional rendering skills 

But this one is different!

This is a streamlined package with an emphasis on preparing work for translation into marketable illustrations.

Yes, this is purely focused on one goal…

Making your illustration portfolio shine like gold!

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Love illustration and have always known you were meant to do it?

Need to show samples of your work in order to land a client?

Trying to get into that cool art program at your dream university? 

Not sure where to get started? 

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Let Portfolio Gold help

We start by making sure you have the basic drawing skills 

Then we’ll move onto developing those into more illustrative and narrative pieces.

In just twelve weeks you’ll be rocking a collection of work that’ll shine!

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What skills you’ll gain:

• Manipulating perspectives 
• Transforming inanimate objects into lifelike characters 
• Creating dynamic action
• Putting a portfolio together that knock people’s socks off
• And a lot more~

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You might be worried about dedicating 12 weeks to such a project.

Our evening time slot makes it much more convenient for folks like you with busy schedules.

There’s no better way to unwind after a long day at work than with a brush in your hand and an easel in front of you…

Release your inner artist and let your creativity shine.

Those twelve weeks will fly by too.

And just think of how great it’ll be to have your entire portfolio complete.

Our courses are attended by a mix of future artists from all backgrounds and at various levels too.

No worries if you’re just starting off.

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So now’s your chance [FIRSTNAME] to make the first step in becoming the illustrator you were born to be

[SING ME UP NOW]

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These are not online classes. 

Sure, ZOOM is great, but sometimes we need that personal touch.

We’re physically in the studio, meaning you’ll be getting first-hand guidance every step of the way from our expert instructors.

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Here’s an overview of what we’ll be going over each session.

Week 1: “Getting started.”

After a short introduction to illustration and different kinds of line drawings students will work on a still-life drawing in pencil.  We will focus on “line.” This will act as a warm-up for a later project.

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Week 2: Composition (1) “Personal Object”

Students will learn about “mental cropping” and adjusting foreground/background relationships to enhance the drama of a painting. Each student will then have to set up their own personal still-life using a personal item they bring from home and other random objects from the classroom.

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Week 3: Composition (2) “Transformations”

Using the previous week’s drawing, students will work on retranslating that image in a variety of ways on glassine paper by using different marks, line drawing styles and mediums.  

These images will be put together as a kind of flip-book.

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Week 4: “Putting things into Perspective” 

After an introduction to one, two and three point perspectives, students will work on drawings of an object of their choice in a realistic perspective.  Then a second drawing is to be made alongside this one using a ‘warped’ sense of perspective. 

This is a key skill used in a lot of illustrations. 

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Week 5: “Adding Character”

Looking at references from popular illustrations and animation, we’ll study how artists are able to turn inanimate objects into life-like characters. Different types of cartoon faces will be practiced and then students will attempt to add ‘assigned’ characters to chosen objects.  

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Week 6: “In living Color”

This week we will study color theory and how different color schemes help to convey moods and set tones. We will then continue working on character designs, but this time color will be added to create more complete images and to put our characters into an environment.

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Week 7: “Story Time!” (1)

Students will have chosen a story from a list of folk and fairy tales to depict in a “splash narrative image” or a single image that tells us enough to know what the story is about (much like a children’s book cover). Thumbnail sketches will have been done at home for the other students to critique and recommend.  Then a large illustration will be made. 

This will be a two week project.

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Week 8: “Story Time!” (2)

This week we will continue to work on our folk/fairy tale illustrations adding color and getting them close to finished. For faster artists, a small secondary image can be made as a companion piece. Perhaps a back cover to your book!

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Week 9: “Guest Monster”

This is one of our most popular sessions.

A guest model will visit our class for students to draw.  We will focus on creatively rendering the model in a number of poses to be used later as character studies.

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Week 10: “Who was that masked man?!”

This week we will use the previous week’s model sketches to create movie posters.  We will study a number of poster design styles and turn our model into a film legend!

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Week 11: Final Musical Projects

Students will work on final projects made from life sketches, photo references and imagination in creating a storyboard or comic page style image illustrating a song of their choosing. Thumbnail sketches will have been made at home.

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Week 12: Final Day: Portfolio Day and Golden Critique

On our last day of class, students will be able to finish and show their final projects with accompanying song and have a full critique session about all work from the course followed by a snack and wine party in the studio or a bit of beer at the pub downstairs.

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[SING ME UP NOW]

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What do you need to do?

After signing up, we’ll save you a seat and you can just show up. 

It’s that simple.

All art materials are provided in the studio, so you won’t need to go shopping.

We don’t want to rush you, but Portfolio Gold usually fills up fast.

If you’re ready to get started, make sure you get your name on that list before all the easels and pallets are taken. 

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Our first studio session is in three weeks (June 22nd) so don’t miss out!

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[See you in the studio for Portfolio Gold]