Course Dates: July 12 –  September 13, 2025

Process: Skill & Craft for Illustration

Course Instructed by Adam Gustavson

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

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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 (1-3pm ET)

Mediums
Digital or Traditional

Course Dates
10 weeks (23 Live Classes)

Price
$999

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Meet Your Illustration Instructor & Mentor

Adam Gustavson’s career as an artist spans various mediums, including paintings, drawings, and murals. His work has appeared in over thirty highly acclaimed and award-winning books for children, as well as in magazines, educational materials, advertising campaigns, and galleries.

Since 2014, he has co-owned the Renaissance Art Studio in Millburn, NJ, with his wife and manager, Denise. Represented in children’s publishing by Abigail Samoun at Red Fox Literary, Adam’s diverse portfolio showcases his talent and versatility in both commercial and personal projects.

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:

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

  • Veronica Martinez

    Flat Assignment

  • Student work

    Movie Poster

  • Elijah Boor

    Thumbnails

  • Reese Bice

    Celebrity Portrait

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.
Marcus SolomonProcess: Skill & Craft Student
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.
Ren LindroosProcess: Skill & Craft Student

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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.

Have Questions About This Course?

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