Crash Course for Artists, Illustrators and Cartoonists, 2013 Edition!

**Elwell** · April 13th, 2011

UPDATE: We're doing this again, Winter/Spring 2013. Come one, come all.

(Crossposted from the Art Schools and Education forum, for maximum spammage.)
I'll be teaching a ten week evening class at the School of Visual Arts in NYC, starting January 28. The official title is Crash Course for Artists, Illustrators, and Cartoonists, but I've been referring to it as "Everything you were supposed to learn in art school (but probably didn't)." It's a high-intensity survey of the fundamentals of representational art, aimed at both beginners looking for a framework for further study, and experienced artists who have holes in their knowledge. Topics covered will include:

Perspective and creating believable form and space
The structure, proportion, and anatomy of the human figure and head
Drapery and the clothed figure
The principles of light and value
Color theory and its practical application
Abstract composition and narrative storytelling

Each session will consist of a lecture, class exercise, and take-home assignment, as well as a list of resources for further study.

So, if you're going to be in or near New York, I'd love to have you. Complete schedule, fee, and registration information are available at the SVA website.

Crash Course for Artists, Illustrators and Cartoonists, 2013 Edition!

**Stoat** · April 13th, 2011

Wow, I wish. Fundamentals boot camp; just what I need.

Sadly, moths fly out of my wallet these days. Congrats to anyone lucky enough to attend.

**skechim** · April 20th, 2011

Honestly i really really want to go!but I don't know whether i'll be able to join. unfortunately i don't know whether i'll be able to join due to financial matters or personal matters.Also it said this: - Students must have a high school diploma or equivalency diploma.
- Students under 18 years of age must have the signature of a parent or guardian on their registration form.

I'm 17 ,My birthday is in May, I don't graduate till June.
Also anybody can go right?Anyone(or thing).

**Kuroyue** · April 20th, 2011

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT hnnnnnnggggg do want...And although I'm in the area, chances are sadly slim...

The hours are probably too late for me to negotiate, and plus, I'd also taken a 10-week course last year... But what a coincidence that it's SVA; I'd applied there this year.

**TASmith** · April 20th, 2011

Hey, next summer could you please do a course in Slovakia? Or, failing that, how about Cape Cod?

**Vay** · April 21st, 2011

I would have been there full-time in SVA in a quantum second if I had money. I wanted to go there last year, but my parents won't help me pay that much for art education (I have parents who think art is useless. My father is a plumber and my mother is a seamstress in some factory (the American Dream). Ironically my mom also likes to watch cartoon). I also live in Manhattan in New York City, so at least it is good to know that I don't have to go all the way to those top schools in Florida, Texas, or California if want to have a good art education, when more professionals come to New York to teach. Right now I am in some city college, but I will try to attend the SVA summer program at least.

One question I would have is, do you go into three point perspective and stuff like using scales? Don't know if I should buy wacom tablet and photoshop or attend your class. I only have about $526 leftover from financial aid.

**p sage** · April 23rd, 2011

This will be in NYC? I'll be in Pennsylvania for most of June into July... would it be kosher to just pop in for a visit? I'd like to go and visit the Met at least once, so it would be a good excuse to look you up.

**Deadlyhazard** · April 23rd, 2011

Nooooo

Why couldn't there be teachers like this in central FL!

**Marlo** · April 24th, 2011

Oh my god!! ;3;. I wish I can go, and I live on long island too :cry:

if my dad wasn't just a nggrhhgr about me going to new yark D:.

**Elwell** · April 27th, 2011

Answer bump!

skechim-
I don't think your age or graduation date would be a problem. And yes, the class is open to anyone.

TASmith-
Central Europe is pretty unlikely

. New England slightly less so. We'll see what happens. Baby steps!

Vay-
There's a ton of good art education opportunities in New York, maybe more than anywhere else. SVA, Parsons, and Pratt (all of which have continuing ed programs), the Art Students League, the National Academy of Design school, the New York Academy of Art, and lots more.
And yes, we'll be touching on three-point perspective and the basics of using scales.

Marlo-
If this goes well I'll probably do something next summer, maybe it will be less of a problem when you're a little older.

**velderia** · April 27th, 2011

Might be able to go, dunno. I would love to though.

Edit: Okay... Strange. Mom says yes. Brother even says yes... (Place to stay)... I guess I can. I don't know though. Are the required art supplies expensive? I have pencils and that's about it. I might need to buy some new ones though.

Edit: Fuck it. Going. Done. Just waiting for email confirmation.

**Jie Kageshinzo** · April 28th, 2011

Stupid ocean! Why can't there be any crash courses like this here in the Philippines?

**TinyBird** · April 28th, 2011

Originally Posted by Jie Kageshinzo

Stupid ocean!

Word. We'd need such course here in Finland too.

**velderia** · April 28th, 2011

D'Aw. At least the ocean has pretty fish that could be used for studies...? [/optimism]

**Vay** · April 28th, 2011

I think I will be getting $4628 refunded in check from TAP award. Enough to buy wacom cintiq (hehe). Of course that is assuming they do get refunded. Well I guess I can just use my current $526 to sign up. See you guys there.

**QueenGwenevere** · April 28th, 2011

Tempting, actually... (what the hell, it costs less than the camera I'm trying to persuade myself to buy.) Terrible timing, though. I'll be in the middle of a huge job at exactly that time, the way things are going, blargh... (Well, not totally blargh, 'cause I get paid. But blargh, because this would be a great opportunity to brush up on so many things.)

I suppose there's a fair amount of homework and class time and all that? (There's some possibility I'd be insane enough to try and squeeze it into my schedule.)

**jacobanderson** · April 29th, 2011

Sounds so cool, I wish I could, but I'll be shackled by car insurance payments and trying to find a job.

Also, for a second I thought you wrote "I'd love to hate you", haha. Silly me.

**velderia** · April 29th, 2011

Uggghhh...

Order didn't go through. I have to use those... Phones... To do it correctly... /Shudder. I hate phones. /whine/whine

Edit: Or maybe they are still processing it... Dunno.

**Dana_T** · April 30th, 2011

Incredible- I'm currently a student at SVA for animation so if I find myself staying in the city for the summer I'll definitely check this out.

**Matani** · May 1st, 2011

Sounds amazing, Elwell! Unfortunately for me, that's way too far away...I hope you get some good students though who'll benefit from all the info!

**velderia** · May 8th, 2011

The order didn't go through (wrong browser I guess...?). It might be an omen because my parents are moving and they need to save money and I would feel like a complete jackass for making them spend at a time like this, even if it's for my education. There was a payment they had to make that they didn't expect and when I heard the amount they had to pay, my brain nearly imploded. ( 5000...

)

Though, I hope those classes go well for you, Elwell.

**Choob** · May 24th, 2011

Seems there's a whole bunch of people who, like me, would love to be there, but are unable to go. Although Elwell might go round on an awesome tour, and we could all one day be his adoring rabble of art groupies, it's pretty unlikely.

Thus, why not beg for something slightly more possible? Text or video tutorials on some of the basics, or better still, some DVDs made with Jason Manley and such. Just an idea.

**Flashback** · May 24th, 2011

Originally Posted by Droid

Thus, why not beg for something slightly more possible? Text or video tutorials on some of the basics, or better still, some DVDs made with Jason Manley and such. Just an idea.

We are just "Hinting!"

**Psychotime** · May 26th, 2011

...Eh, I gotta have a good game plan first.

**rolandb** · May 27th, 2011

I live in NYC, but I teach a class on Monday evenings. What a shame! If you ever teach a class on another night of the week, I'll be there!

**MyOrangeHat** · June 2nd, 2011

Do you do this class often or should I just get my butt back to NYC and take it this time around? I feel like missing the foundation classes in illustration left me with gaping holes I should patch.
Right now I'm out of state working on that proposal for the publisher. Yes, STILL working on that. They keep saying "fantastic!, can we have more?" Which is THINK is good but it's taking so long I really have no idea at this point.

**stragan** · June 4th, 2011

AUGH
I got accepted to sva and got some scholarship and really wanted to go, but i have to scrape up more scholarships in order to actually get there.

... uh is there a way i can get financial aid for THIS class? like, would any scholarships out there cover this? i have absolutely no idea how summer scholarship vs fall scholarships work lol

**Elwell** · June 4th, 2011

Stragan, I don't think SVA offers any financial aid for continuing ed classes. Just worry about getting things set up for the day school, and hopefully I'll see you your sophomore year.
Kristen, it looks like this class will be offered again in the fall, after that we'll see, but I'm definitely going to be doing more continuing ed classes. That's good news from the publisher, as long as they're still interested, they're still interested.

**MyOrangeHat** · June 5th, 2011

Phew then I can wait until fall. That'll be way easier. Thanks!

**Cobalt13** · June 22nd, 2011

Originally Posted by Droid
Thus, why not beg for something slightly more possible? Text or video tutorials on some of the basics, or better still, some DVDs made with Jason Manley and such. Just an idea.

To heck with hinting, I'll come right out and ask. Is there any way we can get our hands on some of the materials you'll be using to teach this class?

I'd be more than happy to invest in something of that nature...