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Continuing Education

Continuing Education . Pre-College . Classes . Illustration 

Illustration

Illustrators can wear many hats but the common thread that links us is our desire to tell a story.

Session 1: June 18–30, 2023
Session 2: July 9–21, 2023

Zoom
An instructor and student reviewing their work in an Illustration studio.
An example of student work created in the Illustration class.
A student working on their illustration at one of the drafting tables.
An example of student work from the Illustration class.
Illustration students drawing characters from life in the drawing studios.
An example of student work created in the Illustration class.
An example of work created in the Illustration class.
Students practice drawing from life in the Illustration studios.
An example of student work created in the Illustration class.
An example of student work created in the Illustration class.
A view of the Illustration studios, with students hard at work.
An example of student work from the Illustration class.
An instructor and student reviewing their work in an Illustration studio.
An example of student work created in the Illustration class.
A student working on their illustration at one of the drafting tables.
An example of student work from the Illustration class.
Illustration students drawing characters from life in the drawing studios.
An example of student work created in the Illustration class.
An example of work created in the Illustration class.
Students practice drawing from life in the Illustration studios.
An example of student work created in the Illustration class.
An example of student work created in the Illustration class.
A view of the Illustration studios, with students hard at work.
An example of student work from the Illustration class.

Whether the project is a children’s book illustration, storyboards for film or television, editorial illustration or character development for animation, illustrators create the visual narrative. As an applied art, illustrators create work to satisfy a client’s need and apply the artwork to a specific purpose. Classroom assignments will mimic real-life job situations and cover a variety of topics. You will explore the full creative process, from brainstorming and concept art to a finished piece ready for display.

Additionally, you will discover dynamic composition, storyboarding, fundamental rendering techniques, and basic pre-press print production. During the first week, you will sample many different avenues of illustration, and develop core skills and design principles that will be applied to finished artwork during the second week. Presentations and critiques throughout will help you present ideas and gain the experience necessary to sell the concept.

This course is designed to help you find your creative voice, execute advanced-level artwork, and discover the diverse field of illustration.

Projects

The first week of this course will focus on building the skills needed as an illustrator. Students will work on observational drawings, learn how to utilize thumbnail sketches, and carefully choose composition and design. The elements of art and design will be explored further through the creation of brand identity. During the second week, students will focus on illustrating narrative and feeling, learning how to tell a story in a single image.

Projects and topics that will be explored include composition and value, aesthetic and comprehensive design, brand identity, visual communication of an idea or story, character development, poster and book-jacket design, and story-boarding.

Apply to Pre-College today!

Start your application today. Priority/scholarship deadline is February 15, 2023.

Learn about CIA's Illustration program.

2023 Pre-College Schedule

Session 1: June 18 – 30