The Illustration Master Class 2008 (photos! D/L intensive)

[Blue]

Hey guys. Wow what a week it has been. To give you all a quick summary in case you have been under a rock, Rebecca Guay put together the first "Illustration Master Class" which went from june 16th - jun 22nd at Amherst College. I was over-joyous to have attended, and even before i unpack all of my paints and take my first full nights sleep in a week.. I'll post some images and toss out some general info for you all.

To begin, the mastermind of all of this was Rebecca Guay. This women deserves so much for putting this all together, I feel as if it was a life altering experience for everyone who attended.

The instructors we had (in no particular order, they are all Gods in my eyes): Rebecca Guay, Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell, Greg Manchess, Scott Fischer, Dan Dos Santos, Donato Giancola and Irene Gallo. All of which went out of their way to instruct, assist and teach the 69 students who came.

The week included Demos by the instructors, one on one and group critiquing, Live models for Figure studies, an array of lectures on everything from Thumbnails and Composition, all the way to Business practices, contracts, finding work and tips/tricks. Our days were typically from 9am-11pm with way more jamed into one day then can ever be expected.

Every instructor went over their method at one point and we were able to see how each could put down their thoughts and ideas into breathe taking art. The styles ranged, the methods ranged, but everyone was so cool it was unbelievable.

There is so much I want to jabber on about but I'll just say: THIS WAS FUCKING AWESOME! After 1 day it paid for itself; the staff, students and atmosphere was fantastic. Nothing was too sacred to keep secret and everyone was friendly, helpful and kick ass. Period.

So here are some photos I took with my shit 80 dollar digi (note: I'm not adding paintings done by the staff during the class since Rebecca mentioned there may be some copyright issues with them. But she had a professional photographer attend so better images will come up, as well as images which can be shown by the instructors.)

If this happens next year, you all better sign up, it is was worth EVERY PENNY. Rebecca Guay made me fall in love with painting all over again. :)

[Dan!]

Wow.. That looks awesome and um...
Rebecca Guay, Boris Vallejo, Julie Bell, Greg Manchess, Scott Fischer, Dan Dos Santos and Irene Gallo were instructors??!!!

/swoon -pass out

[Blue]

It is killing me, most of my photos are of the instructors working on their own paintings... and i reeaallyy want to show those images. Well, here are a few more.

Now I sleep. Hope to see more CA members at the next one, was awesome to meet so many people who I'm used to ONLY seeing a name and an avatar to go with them. :)

[Jason Snair]

I'm so glad I decided to attend this class. It was truly an amazing experience. I learned so much, met some cool artists, made some friends, saw lots of art, got refueled, and all despite the fact that it was only a (very short) week.

Big thanks to the faculty, and to Rebecca Guay for organizing everything. I really want to go again next year.

I ended up with about 250 photos. Some I can't show, like Blue mentioned, because of copyright issues. But here's some for starters;

From the top: Scott Fisher and Greg Manchess, my sketch for the class assignment, studio time, Donato and Dos Santos painting and sketching (I blurred the image that Dan was working on, he wasn't painting green clouds), Manchess painting (which by the way was done in like 2 hours), and finally Dan Dos Santos giving sketch crits on the first day.

[Victor B]

Sounds fantastic thanks for sharing!

[MarkWinters]

This was the most incredible thing I have ever been a part of. Seriously. And to illustrate how awesome this was I'm posting one of the few images I have resized of art genius Donato Giancola wearing an Iron Man mask and repulsor wrist-thingy. This pic was taken moments before my eyeball got shot out by a spinning plastic projectile. I'll post more when I land at home.

[Irene Gallo]

Jason -- That shot of Scott and Greg is priceless!

I can say this for sure, the entire faculty came away just as excited, reinvigorated, exhausted, and blown away by the whole experience.

I'll post some photos in a bit.

Mark: June 2009...meet you at the bungie jump.

[themissinglink]

hands down one of if not the best artistic descisions i made was to come to this workshop; one cannot put into words how amazing it was to be in the same room as some of the greatest artists in fantasy/sci fi and having them teach you. I met the most amazing people here, I have no idea how I am going to afford it but there is no doubt in my mind that I will find a way to go back next year. Thank you Rebecca for putting together the most amazing week.

MarkWinters- that pic is HILLARIOUS!

[TASmith]

this was in amherst, MA? Okay, now I'm beginning to regret moving away from there... Ah well...

[HunterKiller_]

Looks like amazing times.
Wish I was there. :(

[Irene Gallo]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/igallo/Album%202/MasterClassFaculty.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/igallo/Album%202/MasterClasSaturday.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/igallo/Album%202/MasterClassA.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y141/igallo/Album%202/MasterClassWednesday.jpg

[Victor B]

Bless you Gallo!

[duddlebug]

I can't tell you how jealous i am...

From the moment i saw Dan's first post about the masterclass, I bookmarked it and tried to work out how i could go. And when it came down to it, i just didn't have the money (or the time). My wife went back to college for the last twelve months and it's tough enough paying the mortgage (and nursery fees for my 3yr old) as a freelance artist!

But i'm gonna start putting my pennies away now for next year (and hope my wife gets a job!).... PLeeeeease let it happen again. It looked like an inspirational experience.

And thanks to those who've uploaded photos, especially Irene with all the stuff on the art department blog. Anyone know if it's likely to happen again in 2009?

Now then, where's my piggy bank?

:)

[Jason Snair]

MarkWinters: I had heard about the famous Donato Iron-man costume over in 101...glad you took the pic...very funny!

Irene: Any chance you could email me a large res. version of the faculty group shot...I don't have any of them like that...and I'd like to get a few of these shots printed for an album.

Here's some more pics.

[timpaatkins]

Ok, def gotta be there for the next one. I was hoping you guys would have taped the demos from the gurus.. I mean guys! I would gladly lay down 50 smackers each for them (I'm sure Im not alone)

Slightly related to this, I'm trying to find the series of pictures where either Greg or Donato show the progression of how they mount their paper. Ive found the textversion on Donatos site, but Im sure I remember seeing pics too.

Or did I dream it? (Anyone get that reference?)

[themissinglink]

timpaatkins- There is video footage of Greg Manches painting at least the first half of his steampunk amelia earhart, I am not sure if they recorded the other half (witch was done at the other studio). There was also a video done of Dan Dos Santos painting a 45 minute portrait. They are not sure what they are going to do with the videos yet but hopefully there will be some form of dowload or dvd.

Donato did a whole lecture on his mounting technique, i am sure people took photos of it. The genereal gist of it is to wet the paper on both sides, pour matt medium onto the masonite and on the backside of the paper. place the paper on the boad, use a roller and roll out any air bubbles and then place a coat of matt medium on top of the paper and let it dry.

[gruve24]

looks awesome!

[DavePalumbo]

What a week guys :) It really was a truly inspiring and invigorating experience. I spent a good deal of the class as a fly on the wall, just hanging out in my corner and trying to keep up on some jobs, but the atmosphere was soooo productive and positive. I was blown away by the strides I saw some people making throughout the week, and completely floored by just how hard everyone was working and how dedicated the students and faculty were. Everyone was so friendly and excited, it was really an incredible group. I wish I hadn't had to duck out before the last day, I heard the show went really well. Looking forward to seeing all those finished pieces :D

[Blue]

Fly on the wall or no, it was awesome to see someone else painting with a common technique as Boris and Julie, Dave. I'm still toying with your method back home. You, Julie and Boris make it look SO EASY. :)

[Ptree3]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v350/ptree303/pallettesw.jpg
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v350/ptree303/IMG_1249.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v350/ptree303/IMG_1272.jpg

[Blue]

Its fairly incredible when you think about how much we all did during this week. Now that I'm back home finally resting with a beer and some chips, everything is starting to sink in.

Next year I'm bringing a tape recorder, or video camera.

ps. Amazing how through all of these pictures I'm not in any of them. :dead:

[nonie]

*sigh* I wanted to go to this so bad but the timing didn't work out... Next year I'll be there for sure (if you have one)!

[serhc]

please keep them in the summer! that way us college students will be able to make it out (though i guess if it's at a college, it's a lot more practical that way anyway :P)

[timpaatkins]

Amazing how through all of these pictures I'm not in any of them. :dead:

Only one solution... attendees need to post moar pics!

[MarkWinters]

Here are a few more shots I dug up. I thought I took a lot more pictures than I did, but as it turns out most of the pics were only taken with my mind...

Top row of the first set features Irene, Boris and Dan. The second row is a shot of the farewell dinner (so sad!), Sara and Ev.

Top row of the second set is Donato Giancola and Dave Palumbo in a mock reference photoshoot. I didn't use my flash cause they were actually shooting so my shots came out blurry (stoopid point-and-shoot!) They were hilarious. One the second row Julie Bell, Scott Fischer and Greg Manchess during a critique. One of the coolest things about the Master Class was the faculty just drawing on your stuff, really showing you how you can make your drawings work. At first they were trying to find tracing paper in an attempt to preserve the students' drawings but after a while they stopped bothering, which was great. It's probably been said a hundred times or more but the dynamic duo of Manchess and Ficsher was unbelievable. Next is of Irene blogging :lounge: ... go fig!;) And a few Master Classers Mike, Juan and Eric during the open gallery.

I wish I had more to share...

405076

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[Serpian]

Daaaanngg......

Looks awesome, in the true meaning of the word...

[Kristina]

AwesomeAwesomeAwesomeAwesom. Truly a mind boggling and mind filling experience. Thanks everyone for posting some more pics and weighing in- sadly I spent more time just trying to get everything in my head than actually shooting so I don't have any to share- but I'm glad everyone else was on the ball!

As for people trying to do it it this year- I think you will have to fight all of last years attendees who want to come back! ;) The teachers were all so wonderful, and for the first time I was in a class filled with people as or more motivated than me- Something that NEVER happens in college. Totally worth it.

Love to you all! I miss you!

K- now to spend my 4th freely painting. Woo!

[bluefooted]

I wanted to go to this so bad :(

Wondering if I can work this for next year - it would be super sweet.

[rlederer]

Absolutely awesome! I'm still absorbing everything. this was far and away a whole different league of workshop or class I've ever experienced. Never have I been surrounded by more motivated, kind, generous people - faculty and students alike. Honestly it felt as though everyone was both teacher and student. Thank you Rebecca for putting this together and to Greg, Scott, Dan, Donato, Boris, and Julie (and as special extra guest star, David Palumbo!) for being so generous and honest with your knowledge. For those that didn't attend, most if not all of us had each of the faculty touch, or rework our paintings in some way or another. Imagine - collabing with Greg Manchess or Donato etc...! After the dust has settled a bit I think I'm gonna flip out.

Holy crap! That was amazing!

See you next year!

-Ray

[Andrew Weaver]

So is this going to happen for sure again next year? I cant find if it is anywere.

[Blue]

Rebecca didn't say. A lot of us were pushing her to do it again, i know that at least 80% of those who went would go again if she put it together (myself included) but nothing was set in stone. Hopefully lightning will strike twice.

So only time will tell.

[MarkWinters]

"I don't know how I CAN'T do it again" was what I got out of Rebecca. Nothing set in stone but I'm already stuffing pennies into a little piggy bank with IMC scrawled on the side of it.