Process: Skill & Craft
Instructed by Adam Gustavson
10 Weeks · 23+ Live Classes · Beginner to Intermediate
All the tools you need to accelerate your skills as an illustrator, painter, and visual artist.
Course Details
Unlock the power of visual storytelling and launch your career as a successful illustrator. The ‘Process: Skills and Craft’ course, the cornerstone of our Illustration Program, offers a hands-on immersion into the art of picture-making and drawing. Your instructor will equip you with critical skills for visual storytelling such as composition, lighting, mood, conceptual approach, color, texture, and more.
Under the guidance of experienced professionals, you’ll delve into the intricacies of various media, master the application of color, shape, and light, and refine your drawing techniques. This course is more than just learning how the pros work—it’s an opportunity to work alongside them. You’ll be joined by seven visiting artists, each bringing decades of experience from collaborations with the biggest names in the industry. Prepare to transform your skills and harness the true power of visual storytelling.
Student Outcomes
This course will help you develop your personal process as an artist. Upon finishing this course, students will have the ability to evaluate and produce visuals tailored to their specific projects. They will be proficient in developing concepts and seamlessly integrating them into their artwork. By the end of the course, students will have completed several illustrations (including variations) and one major piece, along with detailed documentation of their creative process.
Class Time
Saturdays, 10am – 1pm PT
Length
10 weeks (23 Live Classes)
Delivery
Live & Online (available on-demand)
Medium
Digital or traditional
Space Limited
Instructor
Adam Gustavson
Skill Level
Beginner / Intermediate
Personal Feedback
Live & On-Demand
Live Mentorship Class
Live Class Meetup with Instructor 3 Hours on Saturdays
Bonus Live Group Critiques
All-School Critiques, 2 Hours on Wednesdays
Guest Speakers
7
Price
$1199
Key Takeaways From The 10 Week Course
Week 1: Intros & Professional Goals
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.
Week 2: Drawing
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.
Week 3: Guest Speakers
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.
Week 4: Controlling Value & Shape
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.
Week 5: Understanding Composition
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.
Week 6: Guest Speakers
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.
Week 7: Creating Great Photo Reference
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.
Week 8: Guest Speakers
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.
Week 9: Using Reference to Make Great Images
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.
Week 10: Exit Review and Demonstrations
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.
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.
Gustavson has also made significant contributions to art education, serving on the faculties of Seton Hall University and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. 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.
Connect with industry leading guest artists
Each semester features 7 guest artists who have risen to the top of their industry, giving you access to their craft, process, and industry wisdom. Ask questions, join the discussion, and gain industry knowledge from high-caliber artists.
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
Study Hall
Guest Speakers
Learn-by-doing Assignments
Polish your skills and create portfolio-worthy art
Students are tasked on a weekly basis with a variety of skill-building exercises, real-world assignments, and projects to help refine and improve. Assignments include creating publishing art based on existing narratives, celebrity portraits, and poster art for a mock client such as The Criterion Collection.
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.
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.
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.
