Illustration Program · Course 1 of 3

Process: Skill & Craft

Build the foundation for advanced illustration with Edward Kinsella III. Composition, value, color, and media application through three major assignments and weekly live critique.

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Illustration by Edward Kinsella III, Process: Skill and Craft instructor
Edward Kinsella III
Live Class
Sat 10am-1pm PT
Study Hall
Wed 5-7pm PT
Sessions
23 Live Classes
Medium
Digital or Traditional
Format
Live and On-Demand
The Course

Every great illustration starts with a story.

Visual Storytelling
What separates illustration from decoration. Generate concepts, find your visual voice, and build a repeatable process from first idea through finished piece.
Three Major Assignments
Each one pushes you through the full professional workflow. Ideation, composition, value, color, and final execution.
Direct Critique, Every Week
Your instructor reviews your work personally in every live session. Not pre-recorded feedback. Not peer review.

Your Instructor

Learn from one of the best working illustrators in the industry.

Edward Kinsella III
Illustrator · Editorial · Folio Society

Edward Kinsella III

Work published by The New Yorker, Time, and Rolling Stone
Illustrated editions of Stephen King's The Shining, Misery, and Pet Sematary for The Folio Society
Criterion Collection, Netflix, and major editorial commissions
Edward teaches the thinking behind every mark. His critiques push you to understand why a composition works, not just whether it looks right.
Edward Kinsella III illustration for Time Magazine
Edward Kinsella III illustration
Edward Kinsella III artwork for Jordan Peele's Us
Edward Kinsella III The Colorado Lounge illustration
Edward Kinsella III drawing during a live class at Visual Arts Passage
In Class
10-Week Outline

Week by Week

Every week includes a 3-hour Saturday live class and an optional Wednesday Study Hall with group critique. All sessions recorded and available on-demand.

1
Intros and Professional Goals
Image-making, composition, and assignments. First project assigned: The Flat Assignment.
2
Drawing
Drawing from memory, life, and photography. Individual critiques of flat assignment progress.
3
Guest Speakers
Working professionals present their work, share process, and critique select students.
Guest Artist Week
4
Controlling Value and Shape
Understanding silhouette and value control with thumbnails. Second project assigned: Criterion Collection Film Poster.
Assignment 2
5
Understanding Composition
Composition and controlling shape. Continued work on Criterion Collection assignment.
6
Guest Speakers
Working professionals present their work, share process, and critique select students.
Guest Artist Week
7
Creating Great Photo Reference
Photography reference with great lighting, posing, and costuming. Third project assigned: Celebrity/Historical Figure Portrait.
Assignment 3
8
Guest Speakers
Working professionals present their work, share process, and critique select students.
Guest Artist Week
9
Using Reference to Make Great Images
The power of great reference and how to integrate it into your illustration process.
10
Exit Review and Demonstrations
Final reviews of work, critique, and instructor demonstrations.
Show Full Outline

Part of every mentorship course

Live Guest Speakers

Each semester we bring in working professionals to share their experience, process, and perspective with the school.

George Pratt artwork
Guest Artist

George Pratt

Painter & Visual Storyteller

Sara Kipin artwork
Guest Artist

Sara Kipin

Illustrator & Character Designer

Eva Toorenent artwork
Guest Artist

Eva Toorenent

Illustrator & Concept Artist

David Palumbo artwork
Guest Artist

David Palumbo

Fantasy & Editorial Illustrator

Dariusz Kieliszek artwork
Guest Artist

Dariusz Kieliszek

Concept Artist & Illustrator

Charlie Griak artwork
Guest Artist

Charlie Griak

Filmmaker & Illustrator

Learn-by-doing Assignments

Build skills fast with exercises and real-world projects designed to push your process and grow your portfolio in the direction you want to go.

  • Jess Lemon

    Flat Assignment

    Dark night scene of a person standing beside a white van in a mountainous area with snow falling, power lines, and a "No Parking" sign, in a digital art style representing urban and wilderness contrast, related to street art and contemporary visuals.

  • Veronica Martinez

    Flat Assignment

    Soft pastel illustration of a city park with bare trees and hanging lanterns at sunset, capturing a peaceful urban scene and fostering a contemplative atmosphere.

  • Student work

    Movie Poster

    Dark surreal art of a woman reading a glowing book with mysterious eyes above, featuring a butterfly. Designed for fans of fantasy and dark creative illustrations.

  • Elijah Boor

    Thumbnails

    Girl walks home alone at night, minimalist black and white artwork, emotional and thought-provoking, cinematic poster style, reflective of independent horror films, featuring a mysterious female figure, urban night setting, and themes of danger and resilience.

  • Reese Bice

    Celebrity Portrait

    Intricate black and white line art featuring a contemplative woman with floral and fantastical elements, highlighting contemporary and surrealist art styles from Visual Arts Passage.

Student Testimonials

They manage the rare feat of challenging you to grow as an artist while also building up your confidence. Plus, they are a wealth of experience, knowledge and insight which they presents with the lovely nonchalance of a trusted friend.
Portrait of a young man with long dark hair, glasses, and a friendly smile indoors, showcasing contemporary art and creative expression.
Process: Skill & Craft was an excellent class that definitely helped get my brain thinking about drawing and illustration in different ways. I was pushed to try new techniques and materials as well as consider different approaches to ideation and illustration development that have proved useful in all my work going forward. I really enjoyed the projects and the opportunity to let loose in regards to my own process and style.
Art gallery visitor sketching at an art museum, surrounded by classic landscape paintings and sculptures, capturing the essence of visual arts and cultural appreciation.
Shop Pay logo with purple and black design, digital payment solution for online shopping, visual arts passage branding, secure and easy transactions.

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Other Illustration Courses Now Enrolling

Process: Skill & Craft
Keith Richards drawing portrait
Process: Skill & Craft

Instructor: Edward Kinsella III

Illustration

Mentorship

Beginner

Establish fundamental skills for advanced drawing and painting techniques for various visual arts industries.

Length: 10 weeks

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Frequently Asked Questions

Process: Skill & Craft is the first course in our Illustration Program. It's the perfect course for beginner to intermediate artists. Even relatively experienced illustrators gain a wealth of information from this learn-by-doing, assignment and coaching-based course.

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.

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