Illustration (ILS)

This traditional media course is offered each semester and the focus will be on the practical techniques of drawing, painting, sculpting and mixed media. In this 1st semester course the students will learn the range of painting techniques, using watercolour, inks, gouache and acrylic paints on paper, illustration board and canvas.

The digital tools covered in this course include the latest version of Creative Suite CSx Photoshop and Illustrator. A series of practical application exercises will navigate students through an illustrators use of the above mentioned software. It will also cover colour and 2D design theory, the colour management and calibration tools within those programs.

The rich history of Illustration will be explored from the early days of manuscript illuminations to the myriad of modern day uses and applications of the image that is used to help tell a story. Four history sections will include: Comic/graphic novel history, Childrens book illustration history, Advertising illustration history and Editorial illustration history. Through these subject areas the student will also learn rigorous research and citation skills.

This course will focus on solid figure drawing, composition and style exploration as it pertains to the figure. Although this is a figure drawing studio class, the emphasis will be on the evolution and development of interpretative skills as it pertains to the figure and composition. A series of short and sustained drawings will be produced as part of the final evaluation.

This course introduces the student to the skill of structural drawing. Drawing systems for perspective and proportion will be covered to provide the strong foundation required to render three-dimensional forms on paper. Detailed instruction in rendering techniques for paraline and optical perspective, tone, colour, and visual research for illustration will be covered. Visualization and observational skills will also be developed over the duration of this course.

This 7-week course introduces students to organizational and interpersonal skills necessary for success in Illustration as both a student and career professional. Time management, organization, business communication, professionalism, networking, and personal health and well-being are covered to encompass a variety of important yet often overlooked skills needed to succeed in the industry and beyond.

This course introduces learners to the concepts, tools, and techniques required to create digitally painted art for multiple industry applications. The primary focus will be on the fundamental properties of painting– how light & shadow affects forms and planes, applied in digital media to accurately paint from observation and imagination. This course will cover tonal studies and value distillation, edge control and brush control, digital brush properties, customization, and creation, digital rendering with masks, clipping masks, and layer styles, and common textures like skin, hair, and metal. Learners complete this course armed with the skills to finalize and polish their work for any subject or industry application.

In this course the student will learn a range of printmaking techniques used by illustrators including relief, silkscreen, stencils and Intaglio. Students will create several prints in edition. They will also explore logos, typography and stamping. Students will learn which images work best with each technique and learn how each method can contribute to the understanding of the building of an image. Students will learn to stretch their illustrative practices from a primarily drawing/painting/digital based art form into a mixed media one.

Iconography is an art historical method of deciphering historical and contemporary images. For the illustrator, an understanding of iconography can help build upon the past to continue the visual conversation. Visual metaphor is an inherent part of iconography and this course will break down the layers of complex imagery and provide the basis for students to identify, understand and create their own metaphorically based illustrations.

This course continues to build on the basic skills introduced in Structural Drawing 1. The focus will be on drawing figures as characters within a spatial arrangement. There will also be a focus on character harvesting and observation from life for specific applications. Compelling character design will also play a significant role in assignments. More advanced techniques and subjects will be introduced to provide a more in-depth investigation of drawing for concept design, development and visual exploration.

A continuation of Life drawing 1, this course maintains the focus on solid figure drawing, composition and style exploration. Emphasis will be on evolution and development of their interpretative skills as it pertains to the figure and composition. The application of wet and dry media will be the method.  The content will be explored through finding narrative with props, costumes and gestures.  A series of short and sustained drawings will be produced as part of the final evaluation.

This course introduces illustration for children at a range of developmental ages as well as for a variety of different outputs. Projects will cover children’s illustration for picture books, information diagram, non-fiction figurative in setting, spot illustrations for narrative, and an illustrated game/puzzle. Project briefs will represent illustration for children as published in magazines, books, and games.

This course introduces students to the art of character design for various mediums, including animation, comics, children’s illustration, and game art. The primary focus will be on the procedural design of a character and supporting cast following consistent design theme, style and logical worldbuilding. Then executing those characters in painted form for maximum visual impact. This course will cover design, proportion, style, conveying character attitude through posture, conveying narrative through costuming, and achieving thematic and aesthetic consistency. The final outcome for this course will be a series of highly polished digitally painted character illustrations designed for a specific audience based on intensive research and development.

This course introduces students to the language of Texture and Form, and its importance to the artist as it pertains to sculpture. It will include an initiation to the fundamentals of the various media used, wire framing and the process of building up the form. Students will explore these issues through studies in life, natural phenomena and dynamics as well as understanding the basic forms which comprise the more complex forms. The Studio will emphasize this through the application and exploration of a selected range of media, such as Sculpy, Plastic Card, Rigid foam, wood and found objects to represent required forms, and tools for sculpting as well as the solvents and emulsifiers to aid in the subtler qualities in sculpture.

Students will be introduced to the specific genre of editorial illustration. Editorial illustrators illuminate some element of the written text for the reader. This course will examine the various approaches to Editorial Art including narrative, conceptual, information based and opinionated. We will also examine digital utilization of editorial images, specifically their uses on-line and in social media. We will exam the role of the illustrator and their relation and relationship to the art director. The class is structured as a studio where students work on the same subjects. Peer review and class critiques are used to aid the development of individual solutions. The relationship between the written word and visual image solutions will be explored through examples, lectures and assigned projects. Projects emphasize conceptual problem solving, composition and the development of personal style. The individual visual vocabulary is developed through a collaborative process.

This course will prepare students in the administration of a freelance illustration business. Students will learn how to create a professional working environment, develop organizational skills, develop good client communication practices and project presentation techniques. The course provides an overview of pricing for illustration in various contexts, copyright and contract terminology and an introduction to basic business bookkeeping and tax preparation. Students will develop an original and professional brand image and learn strategies to effectively market their identity as a professional illustrator. By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to write in business-style communications, write a resume and professional bio, utilize organizational tools, understand basic bookkeeping, legal and tax related concepts, and create promotional communications.

An introduction to sequential visual storytelling as applied to comics for illustrators. This course will provide opportunities for students to explore and apply the design elements of comics such as, but not limited to framing, panel design, transitions, and timing, for comics and graphic narratives. Issues pertinent to print production will assist students to prepare artwork reproduction.

This course continues to build on the specific skills required to pursue the path students wish to take in their freelance career. The focus will be on preparing a series of final custom illustrations based on the students chosen theme(s). Students will also engage in research of possible employment avenues and options to follow up with after school ends. In consultation with their mentor/professor students will generate a production schedule and meet scheduled benchmarks to begin the practice of meeting realistic industry deadlines. Final works will be presented in the final week of classes to a panel of disciplined qualified faculty for final evaluation. Students will work in their preferred discipline to produce a portfolio in the area they choose to work in after graduation.

A continuation of Life drawing 1, this course maintains the focus on solid figure drawing, composition and style exploration. Emphasis will be on evolution and development of their interpretative skills as it pertains to the figure and composition. The application of wet and dry media will be the method. The content will be explored through finding narrative with props, costumes and gestures. A series of short and sustained drawings will be produced as part of the final evaluation.