fbpx

Course Dates: Jan. 18 –  March 22, 2025

Ideation & Visual Storytelling for Illustration

Instructed by Ashly Lovett

This visual storytelling course is a masterclass on narrative development for illustrators and painters.

Enroll

Tell a compelling story with your art.

This course explores the art of developing a compelling and engaging story, a critical component of visual narrative.

Add depth and personal voice to your artwork with this masterclass on visual narratives. Great visual storytelling is an essential skill for artists. Developing strong ideation and visual storytelling skills in illustration enables artists to convey compelling narratives and unique concepts that captivate audiences. Emotion, tone, and feeling can be brought to life by a skilled visual storyteller. With thoughtful design and skill, your work can shed light on new ideas, perspectives, and set the tone for powerful story that resonates and connects with audiences.

Overview of Topics

  • How to generate ideas
  • Visual thinking
  • Enhance storytelling with mood, emotion, & tone
  • Conveying narrative through a single image and a series of images
  • Visual problem solving
  • Storytelling and composition
  • Visual communication
  • Working with an art director
  • The books every illustrator needs to read
  • Fundamentals of visual storytelling

Length

10 weeks (23 Live Sessions)

Live Classes

Saturdays, 10am – 1pm PT

Course Dates

Jan. 18 –  March 22, 2025

Enroll

Meet the Class Mentor Ashly Lovett

Known for her captivatingly ethereal artwork in chalk pastel, Ashly Lovett is an illustrator, writer and gallery artist. Inspired by folklore and mythology, she hopes to bewitch her viewers with a deep sense of wonder and dark nostalgia. She has done licensed work for FOX Searchlight, Jim Henson Company, Adult Swim, Netflix, SEGA, and more. She received her BA in Illustration from Ringling College of Art and Design and has been published in Spectrum Fantasy Art Annual 22-27, Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, etc.

12345

Course Outline

Homeroom:
Saturday Zoom Meeting (3 hours)

Study Hall: 
Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours)
Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program.

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Homeroom:
Saturday Zoom Meeting (3 hours)

Study Hall: 
Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours)
Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program.

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Guest Speakers:
Saturday & Sunday Zoom Meeting 
Students meet both Saturday and Sunday for two separate Guest Artist events. Guest artists will present work, share process, and technique via demonstration and on occasion will provide group critiques to select students.

Study Hall: 
Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours)
Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program.

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Homeroom:
Saturday Zoom Meeting (3 hours)

Study Hall: 
Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours)
Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program.

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Homeroom:
Saturday Zoom Meeting (3 hours)

Study Hall: 
Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours)
Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program.

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Guest Speakers:
Saturday & Sunday Zoom Meeting 
Students meet both Saturday and Sunday for two separate Guest Artist events. Guest artists will present work, share process, and technique via demonstration and on occasion will provide group critiques to select students.

Study Hall: 
Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours)
Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program.

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Homeroom:
Saturday Zoom Meeting (3 hours)

Study Hall: 
Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours)
Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program.

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Guest Speakers:
Saturday & Sunday Zoom Meeting 
Students meet both Saturday and Sunday for two separate Guest Artist events. Guest artists will present work, share process, and technique via demonstration and on occasion will provide group critiques to select students.

Study Hall: 
Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours)
Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program.

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Homeroom:
Saturday Zoom Meeting (3 hours)\

Study Hall: 
Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours)
Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program.

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

Homeroom:
Saturday Zoom Meeting (3 hours)

Study Hall: 
Wednesday Zoom Meeting (1-2 hours)
Topics: Study Hall is an optional weekly resource. Group critique, assistance on homework and general support by VAP mentors from each program.

Discord:
Post progress, ask questions, connect and network with fellow classmates, while gaining insights from VAP mentors throughout the week.

The Value of Visual Narrative and Ideation Skills

Learning visual narrative is vital for illustrators developing intellectual property and worldbuilding, helping illustrators create immersive environments that enhance storytelling. It allows them to convey mood, setting, and character through visual elements alone, a key skill in fields like animation and entertainment design.

Learn from Top-tier Guest Artists

Seven world-renowned artists and directors visit this class every semester. Gain access to their craft, process, and industry wisdom.

UPCOMING GUEST ARTISTS

What makes this Mentorship unique?

As a mentorship student, you will gain access to a vast wealth of resources to better your understanding and improve your skills. You will be paired with a high-caliber professional, who will be with you every step of the way.

Live Classes

Every class is delivered live and is fully interactive with lectures, demos, critiques, and guest speakers. Consider this your front row seat.

Connect on Discord

Connect with instructors and classmate between classes. You can ask questions, share work, and work with students across other programs. Prepare for non-stop inspiration.

laptop image of zoom art class for illustrators and concept artists

Study Hall

Meet every Wednesday at 5pm PT with Passage Mentors in between classes to ask questions, network, access bonus content, and supercharge your learning experience.

guest speaker events with comic book artist, Afua Richardsons

Guest Speakers

Students are invited to attend 6 Guest Speaker events. These lectures & demonstrations are led by the biggest names in the industry.

LEARN-BY DOING ASSIGNMENTS

Jumpstart your process and fast-track the your skills

Students create and refine finished work worthy of a career-ready portfolio.

  • Shanfan Haung

  • Adelia Koldarova

  • Aidan Holloway-Bidwell

  • Adelia Koldarova

1234

Student Testimonials

This course provided me a window through which I saw how professional illustrators work. Observing our teachers, listening to the guest speakers, participating in the study halls to share our work all helped me to have a realistic expectation on what it takes to become a professional artist. I’d recommend anyone who considers making a living as a visual artist to take part in Visual Arts Passage!
Shanfan HuangIdeation & Visual Storytelling Student
This was a deep dive that really helped me push boundaries.  I was encouraged to experiment with mediums and styles, developing habits and finding alternative approaches to composing professional art.
Rick StriekIdeation & Visual Storytelling Student

Payment Installments Available

Even though our courses are the best value, with the high caliber instruction and personalized mentoring, there are finance options available to make the mentorship program financially possible for as many artists as possible. Select Shop Pay or Affirm at checkout to view options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ideation & Visual Storytelling is the second course in the Illustration Program. This course is the perfect 10-week long bootcamp for artists who already have a foundation of skills, but are working to develop their abilities with visual narrative and personal voice.

It's the best course for students who have already attended Process: Skill & Craft or relatively advanced illustration students. We do not recommend beginner artists start with Ideation & Visual Storytelling.

In most instances, we recommend starting with the first course in the program. If you are an experienced artist, with substantial training or skills, you do have the option to test into more advanced courses. If you need help determining if you should skip the first course in the program, please send a link to you work to hello@visualartspassage.com and explain which advanced course you hope to attend.

The Mentorship program is a "get out of it, what you put in" experience. That being said, our courses are structured to accommodate individuals with a busy schedule. We recommend setting aside a minimum of 3 hours for your live course and 2 hours to complete assignments and course work. We highly encourage students to commit more time if their schedule allows.

We encourage students to attend the livestream whenever their schedule permits, however, this is not required nor is it essential to fully benefit from the personalized coaching and mentoring offered by this course. Every class we host is recorded and available on-demand after the broadcast. You will still receive personalized feedback on work submitted before the livestream.

Yes! This course is designed truly as a mentorship course. Your mentor will review work you submit for the course and provide feedback during or after class to help you progress, improve and develop your skills and portfolio.

Yes, all classes are available for download during your enrollment as a mentorship program student.

We recommend students enroll in only one mentorship course per semester. We highly recommend taking mini-courses, such as Color Theory or Figure Drawing in addition to Mentorship courses.

Need Some Guidance?

We can help you with any questions related to enrollment, portfolio development, and the student experience.

Lock-in $400 in savings Forever, with code CYBER400

Copied CYBER400
X