Use color and light to convey mood & story
The Art of Color and Light is an exploration in the properties of color and light under a variety of conditions. This is an essential stage in concept art that develops mood and communicates the narrative of the story by means of visual cues. Students should have a good understanding of perspective and sketching skills before joining the course. (Course outline for each instructor may be different; for specific outline information, please select the instructor and click on “Request Syllabus” below.)
Registration Now Open
Registration Period
Jan 30, 2025 -
Apr 21, 2025
Course Start
Apr 14, 2025
Course Format
Standard
Skills Level
Intermediate
Duration
8 weeks
Q&A
Once a week
Feedback
Individual recordings
Lecture Type
Pre-recorded
Assignment
Due each week. Expect to spend 8-10 hrs/wk viewing lectures, Q&A, and time on assignments.
PREREQUISITES
Good drawing foundations, Perspective and Digital Painting course
MATERIALS
Photoshop (or equivalent), Wacom tablet or equivalent
The more you know, the better.
Week #1
Introduction Designing a Picture-Arranging our Design Elements to Create Good Composition
Intro- Overview of the course. Who am I? My journey/ development as an artist (career). What are your goals for yourselves from the class. What are my goals for you from this class | What is good design? | Design vs.Composition | Arranging our design elements to create good composition | Using design tools to create the illusion of 3d space in a 2d image | Using composition to lead the eye. | Importance of different design tools (values, shapes, linework,color) | Focal point- creating a strong first read (2nd read, 3rd read) | The simple idea
Week #2
Form- Understanding values- How light reveals form through the proper use of values
Using values to render a 3 dimensional form on a 2 dimensional plain | Importance of edges | Basic properties of light | How to organize your values | Applying values to portraits and landscapes
Week #3
Color- The foundation of color theory
Color and values | Color and hue | Color and light | Color temperature | How color acts in light vs. shadow | Local color and how it is affected by light
Week #4
Color Part 2- Diving deeper to discover a more sophisticated understanding of color
Tint, tone and shade | Importance of greys | Color harmony
Week #5
Color Keys- Combining color and light to work out the best expression of the "big idea"
Different types of color keys | What is the purpose of a color key | Importance of using the color key process to establish the “big idea” | Limited palettes | Practical approach to painting color keys
Week #6
Concept Art Part 1- Planning a final concept painting
Planning/Designing our own compositions | Staging an idea | Atmospheric perspective | Depth cues | Easy Photoshop Perspective tools | Using difference and variety to your advantage
Week #7
Concept Art Part 2- Executing
Rendering different surface qualities | Prioritizing and implementing the principles of painting | Being an effective visual communicator | Shapes, values, and edges
Week #8
Concept Art Part 3- Final
Master studies | Art directing yourself
STUDENT GALLERY
Bringing out the best in talent
LECTURES BY
Chris Brock
Course Start: Apr 14, 2025
Samma is a freelance concept artist, art director and illustrator that loves anything related to color and light. As a self-taught artist, he is always exploring and figuring out what makes a good picture or artstyle. Samma has worked with Studios like Insomniac games, Ubisoft and Submarine animation, and is currently art directing multiple projects, including one of his own. He mainly works in Photoshop, but also uses 3D and VR in his workflow.
Instructor's Gallery
GET ONE YEAR ACCESS AND TRANSFORM YOUR ARTISTIC JOURNEY
Take your CGMA learning further with CGMA+, a companion add-on featuring
over 70 new, stand-alone workshops—more than 250 hours of content you
won’t find in your core CGMA program. You’ll learn from multiple
instructors, each with a unique style, so you can see how different
artists approach the same subject in various ways. This additional
material builds on what you’re already studying, broadening your
perspective and helping you look at topics from fresh angles. It’s a
straightforward way to strengthen your studies and boost your skills.
PRICING SCHEDULE
Even though our courses are the most affordable for the quality of education, these finance options allow you to focus on your goals instead of the barriers that keep you from reaching them.
3x Payments
$233
2x Payments
$349.50
Full payment
$699
Spring TERM REGISTRATION
Now Open
Jan 30, 2025 -
Apr 21, 2025
COURSE BEGINS on Apr 14, 2025
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