Illustration Program
Start your art journey, develop practical skills, and build a head-turning portfolio from start-to-finish in as little as 12 months.
Not sure if this is the right program for you? Book a consultation now.
Difficulty: Beginner
Your Art Career Jetpack
Every aspect of the Illustration track is focused on professional development. From identifying your dream clients, to building the skills and portfolio to compete at that level, our mentorship track acts as your compass and guide.
A mentorship for every step of the art journey
These 4 progressively challenging courses place you on a custom-tailored track towards professional development. Artists attend one mentorship course per semester. Students are paired with groundbreaking working artists to build your competitive edge.
Link to: Process: Skill and Craft
Course 1.
Process: Skill & Craft
BUILD YOUR SKILLS
Alongside your mentor, you’ll explore the complexities of working with different media, applying color, drawing with shape, and controlling light. You’ll be joined by guest speakers with decades of combined experience drawing for the biggest names in the industry.
Instructor: Katherine Lam
Link to: Ideation & Visual Storytelling
Course 2.
Ideation & Visual Storytelling
MAKE YOUR ART TELL A STORY
Overview: The illustration ideation process has been passed down for generations. This course explores the art of developing a compelling and engaging story, a critical component of visual narrative. This skill can be applied to all corners of the creative industry. Each class includes lectures, demonstrations, critiques, or projects.
Instructor: Ashly Lovett
Link to: Portfolio Development
Course 3.
Portfolio Development
BUILD A KILLER PORTFOLIO
Overview: Portfolio Development will give you the guidance and feedback to complete three to five head-turning illustrations. Led by industry award-winners who have worked for and with every big name under the sun—Newsweek, Time, Esquire—you’ll get close mentorship geared to help you succeed.
Instructor: Dale Stephanos & John English
Link to: Career Development
Course 4.
Career Development
PURSUE A CAREER
During this course, students continue to hone skills, enhance their portfolio, and outline career strategies. Every step of this process is guided by an illustration mentor, a highly vetted professional in the illustration industry.
Instructors: Sterling Hundley
Illustration Mentors
The mentoring artists at the helm of the Illustration Program are some of the top-performing artists in the industry. As you progress through the program, these artists act as your professional compass, helping you develop creative abilities, techniques, and entrepreneurial skills. Each course features different mentors.
Katherine Lam
Process: Skill & Craft
Ashly Lovette
Ideation & Visual Storytelling
Audrey Benjaminsen
Ideation & Visual Storytelling
Dale Stephanos
Portfolio Development
John English
Portfolio Development
Sterling Hundley
Career Development
Live Classes
Every class is delivered live and is fully interactive with lectures, demos, critiques, and guest speakers. Consider this your front row seat.
Community Networking
Study Hall
Guest Speakers
Award-winning Guest Speakers
Every semester, Visual Arts Passage invites 6 guest speakers to connect and share wisdom with all students. These industry leaders answer student questions, complete in-depth demonstrations, review work, and more.
How to Kickstart Your Illustration Career
How do you get your first job? What are the most common mistakes artists make? What art should be in my portfolio? This Q&A-style lecture with John English and Audrey Benjaminsen covers everything there is to know about developing your portfolio, building your skills, and professional strategies to pursue a career in illustration.
Book a Free Consultation
Need help determining if this is the right path for your professional and artistic development? Book a free Zoom call with our Program Director to discuss your goals and the resources offered at Visual Arts Passage.
Hear it from our students
Alana Tedmon attended and completed the Mentorship Programs at VAP, studying with artists such as Audrey Benjaminsen, Edward Kinsella, and Sterling Hundley.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to commit to attending all 4 courses included this program?
No. Students only commit to one mentorship course per semester. Once you complete a course, you can register for the next course, to continue your progress in the mentorship program.
How long does it take to complete the entire Mentorship Program (all 4 courses)?
The Mentorship Program can be complete within a 12 month period. It is not unusual for students to repeat the final course in the program, Career Development, if they choose to have continued coaching from Visual Arts Passage mentors.
What is the time commitment?
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.
What is the enrollment schedule for the Mentorship Program?
Mentorship courses enroll 4 times per year, during the winter, spring, summer, and fall semester. You can view the program calendar here.
What course should I start with in this program?
We recommend that most students start with the first course in the Illustration Program, Process: Skill & Craft. Highly experienced students may qualify to attend the second course in the program, Ideation & Visual Storytelling. If you are not sure, feel free to send your work to hello@visualartspassage.com and a team member will get back to you with a recommendation shortly.
How much does it cost?
Each course in the Illustration Mentorship Program is $1199.