Course Dates: Jan. 24 –  March 28, 2026

Process: Skill & Craft for Illustration

A masterclass illustration course that establishes fundamental skills for advanced drawing and painting techniques for various visual arts industries.

Course Instructed by Edward Kinsella III

ENROLL NOW

All the tools you need to accelerate your skills as an illustrator, painter, and visual artist.

Course Details

Launch your illustration career with Process: Skills and Craft, the foundation of our Illustration Program. This hands-on course builds core skills in composition, lighting, mood, color, texture, and concept development—everything you need to tell powerful visual stories.

You’ll explore a range of media, refine your drawing techniques, and learn how to create work with purpose and clarity. By the end, you’ll be equipped to develop and execute strong visual ideas, with finished illustrations—including one major piece—ready to share.

Topics covered

  • Making a picture with an art director
  • Enhance ideation skills
  • Basic ideation skills
  • Effective lighting for creating photo reference
  • How to develop three-value thumbnails
  • The importance of shape and value control
  • How to develop a final drawing and value study
  • Simple color

Space Limited

Live Class Meetings
Saturdays, 10am-1pm PT (1-4pm ET)

Mediums
Digital or Traditional

Course Dates
10 weeks (23 Live Classes)

Static overlay

Personalized Mentorship

Enroll Now

A contemplative man reading a book in a cozy, artsy cafe with natural lighting, wooden decor, and creative workspace elements, embodying the inspiring environment of Visual Arts Passage.

Meet Your Illustration Instructor & Mentor

Edward Kinsella III is known for his striking, hand-crafted imagery. He has created work for The New Yorker, Time, Rolling Stone, The Criterion Collection, Netflix, and The Folio Society. This includes illustrated editions of Stephen King’s The Shining, Misery, and Pet Sematary.

His work has been featured in Communication Arts and Taschen’s Illustration Now!. Edward has won awards from the Society of Illustrators. He has also been recognized by the Art Directors Club, Spectrum Fantastic Art, 3×3, and Communication Arts Annuals. Collectors and galleries worldwide exhibit his original artwork.

He works traditionally in mixed media from his studio in St. Louis.

Somber portrait of a man wearing a vintage suit and sheriff's badge, with a large illuminated white cowboy hat behind head, evoking themes of Western Americana, law enforcement, and cultural symbolism.A striking artistic portrait of an African American man wearing a vintage suit, cowboy hat, and peace pin, symbolizing activism and the power of visual arts in social commentary.
Somber portrait of a man wearing a vintage suit and sheriff's badge, with a large illuminated white cowboy hat behind head, evoking themes of Western Americana, law enforcement, and cultural symbolism.
Somber portrait of a man wearing a vintage suit and sheriff's badge, with a large illuminated white cowboy hat behind head, evoking themes of Western Americana, law enforcement, and cultural symbolism.
A person’s face emerging from darkness with focused, intense eyes, highlighting themes of solitude and introspection in contemporary visual arts.
A person’s face emerging from darkness with focused, intense eyes, highlighting themes of solitude and introspection in contemporary visual arts.
Vivid artwork featuring two Black individuals, one with dreadlocks and a red shirt, integrated with torn paper effect, emphasizing diversity and artistic expression in contemporary visual arts.
Vivid artwork featuring two Black individuals, one with dreadlocks and a red shirt, integrated with torn paper effect, emphasizing diversity and artistic expression in contemporary visual arts.
A dark, textured sculpture of a human face emerging from a black background, emphasizing contemporary art and mixed media artistry.
A dark, textured sculpture of a human face emerging from a black background, emphasizing contemporary art and mixed media artistry.
Vintage-style portrait of a person with closed eyes, long hair, and a contemplative expression, showcasing modern art with bold colors and abstract influences, representing themes of introspection and artistic creativity.
Vintage-style portrait of a person with closed eyes, long hair, and a contemplative expression, showcasing modern art with bold colors and abstract influences, representing themes of introspection and artistic creativity.

Overview of Course

Homeroom:
Saturday Zoom Meeting (3 hours)
Topics: Student introductions, class goals, followed by discussion of image-making, composition, and assignments. Students receive first homework project: The Flat Assignment.

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)
Topics: Drawing from memory, life, and photography. Review and individual critiques of flat assignment progress.

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)
Topics: Understanding silhouette, value control with thumbnails.
Assignment #2: Criterion Collection Film Poster

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)
Topics: Understanding composition and controlling shape

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)
Topics: Creating photography reference with great lighting, posing, and costuming.
Assignment #3: Celebrity/Historical Figure Portrait

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)
Topics: The power of great reference and using reference in your work.

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)
Topics: Final reviews of work, critique, and demonstration

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.

Learn from Top-tier Guest Artists

World-renowned artists and directors visit this class every semester. Gain access to their craft, process, and industry wisdom. Upcoming artists include:

Lisk Feng | Illustrator + Children’s Book Author

Matt Rota | Editorial + Publishing Illustrator

Tony Rodriguez | Illustrator + Filmmaker

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.

View options at checkout

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

View Course
previous arrow
next arrow

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.

Have Questions About This Course?

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