Environment Sketching
Learn to sketch your own immersive environment concepts in accurate perspective!
Teacher Artwork by Keven Stapleton
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Environment Sketching
In this course, taught by a veteran environment designer, you will build up essential environment art fundamentals as you progress along the path of becoming a professional level concept artist or illustrator.
Enhancing your observation, perspective and composition skills as well as expanding your architectural knowledge, visual memory and reference library. You will understand how to effectively place key elements within your sketch and learn how to select the best viewpoint to ellicit the desired mood and draw the viewer's eye to the compositional focal points of your choice.
In addition, you will become skilled in analyzing a variety of complex architectural structures and design styles and depicting depth and scale so you can sketch realistic urban and interior scenes. Finally, you will gain proficiency in depicting flora and other elements of the natural world so you can accurately sketch a variety of visually-appealing landscapes.
By the end of this term, you will have all the skills necessary to accurately sketch environments for concept art or illustration that have a strong composition, accurate perspective and realistic features. In addition to taking your observational and analytical skills to the next level, you will also have new high-quality portfolio pieces that you can be proud of!
- Course Type Inactive Classes
- Duration 10 weeks
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Skill Level
Level 2 Level 2
Second level classes are for students who have a good foundation in the basics of realistic drawing (such as perspective, proportion, shading and colour theory) and already know how to use Photoshop, but need more in-depth knowledge to create professional and complex artwork.
This level is about expanding knowledge, strengthening skills, and transitioning to the world of concept art and illustration.
- Language English
Schedule
Note: This class will be offered online only
Term: TBD
Class Timings: TBD
Date of first class: TBD
Duration: 10 weeks
Please note that our classes times are listed as EDT (GMT-4) but that starting on Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, all class times will go into EST (GMT-5).
If you are unable to attend the class during the times listed above, you will still have access to video recordings of the class lectures and will still receive personalized feedback from your instructor.
It should be noted that students should set aside a minimum of 3 hours per week to complete assignments for this class. Students may even require a bit more time (4-5 hours per week) depending on how quickly they can work through assignments.
*Please note that this class' duration is subject to change (to either 1.5 hours or 2 hours) depending on the number of enrolled students.
These shorter class formats are conducted with more of a personalized mentorship style, allowing students to have more time devoted to their assignments' critiques and the ability to ask more questions in class, while still maintaining all of the theory and planned curriculum for the regular class length.
Prerequisites
Skill requirements
To enroll in this course you should have:
- Some intermediate drawing and basic digital painting skills (use of proper perspective, proportions, shading and colour).
- Proficiency in all basic Photoshop tools.
- Ideally completed our Intro to Digital Painting, Analytical sketching, and Fundamentals of Perspective classes or have equivalent practice/experience.
If you are unsure of your skill level, please contact [email protected] for additional guidance.
Language and age requirements
You should have at least intermediate level English to take this class. Please be advised that there could be artistic nudity in our classes. Students should be 14 years old to enroll.
Minimum Artistic Skills Required
Your current skill level should roughly be on par with the artwork featured here before taking this class. If you are still unsure, please send an email to [email protected]; we will be happy to assess your artwork!
Required Materials
Traditional Material List:
You will be needing a sketchbook and pen/pencil for this course. You also have the option of using a laptop/tablet or desktop computer. Coursework may be done traditionally (with sketchbook, pens, etc.) or digitally (with a Wacom tablet, Photoshop, etc.)
Digital Material List:
- A desktop computer or laptop with Photoshop installed*
- A graphic tablet with pressure sensitivity (from brands such as Wacom, Huion, or Xencelabs), OR a tablet-laptop hybrid (also with Photoshop installed) with pressure sensitivity (such as the Wacom Cintiq Companion or Microsoft Surface Pro).
Important note:
Please note that the vast majority of our digital classes are taught using Adobe Photoshop and that this is also the recommended program for students to use. You may consult our FAQ for more information on other software which may be potentially used for class, however, please note that no technical assistance will be provided by instructors on the use of alternative painting software as they may not be familiar with the program.
Please ensure that all of your hardware and software are functioning properly before the start of the term; there will not be any time to resolve technical issues in class.
*Please consult our Tech Requirements below for more precise computer specifications.
Tech Requirements for Attending Syn Studio Online Classes
Minimum Requirements
- A strong uninterrupted broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE) connection with a minimum 600kbps bandwidth (up/down).
- A Laptop/Desktop computer equipped with a single core processor (at least 1 GHZ processing speed) or a smartphone/tablet with equivalent processing capabilities
- Good speakers/earphones to listen to the classes
- Browser - IE7+, Safari 5+, Firefox, Chrome
- Operating System - Windows XP, Mac OS 10.6, Linux distro based on 3.0 kernel, Android 5.0, iOS 10
Syn Studio Recommendations
- A strong uninterrupted broadband wired or wireless (3G or 4G/LTE) connection with a minimum 1.5Mbps bandwidth (up/down). You can also connect to the internet directly using your ethernet cable to improve your experience.
- Laptop/Desktop computer equipped with a dual core processor with at least 2 GHZ processing speed and a 4 GB RAM
- High Quality speakers/earphones to listen to the classes
- Browser & Operating System - We recommend using the latest version of the browser and operating system for an optimal online classroom experience.
Course Outline
*Please note that the following outline is subject to change slightly at the teacher's discretion.
During this 10 week course, the instructor will use a variety of in class exercises, assignments, and demonstrations aimed at boosting your observation, composition and analytical skills and enhancing your visual memory so you can quickly sketch environment concepts from reference and imagination.
The following topics will be covered:
- Become proficient in effectively composing an image so you can produce captivating environment sketches that draw the viewer in and direct them to the compositional focal points of your choice.
- Learn to analyze a variety of complex structures and architectural styles and learn how to authentically depict depth and scale so you can sketch realistic urban and interior scenes.
- Gain the skills required to accurately depict flora and other elements of the natural world so you can accurately sketch a variety of visually appealing landscapes.
Testimonials
Questions and Assistance
Feel free to send us an email at [email protected] or give us a call at 514-998-7625
Please consult our FAQ; most of the commonly asked questions are answered in detail there. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please feel free to fill out the form below, or, send an email to [email protected]