WORKSHOP Testimonials Thread

[Layil]

ive complied a bunch of testimonials from various threads on the forums...

have a look-see and feel free to add to them if ya like.



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I've been to 2 workshops (Austin June 2004 and San Francisco Jan 2005) one of which I sold my car 1200 dollars less than it's worth so i could go...

If anybody is on the fence about this, hop off...the instructor list alone is enough to get me to sell my brother (slight exaggeration, but you get the idea)...

Hope to see everyone there...

-Bryan



Most inspirational thing I've ever done, three times. Make it, my friend.

They're all different, and you'll take away something new every time. I felt that a lot of people in San Fran focused too hard on what they were 'being taught' rather than on what they could **learn.** Those around you will teach you as much, if not more, than the dude at the front.

Say hi to the person next to you, or ask if it's cool if you take a look at their stuff. I don't know anybody that would say no at any of these workshops, and frankly, it's the *mainline*. We're all there to learn, and the sketchbook is like the secret handshake. You have a sketchbook, 99% per cent of the people around you will either learn from you or teach you.

Having said that, these guys are absolutely awesome and just watching HPX paint for the first time is one of the most awe inspiring things you'll ever see.

Come to the workshop, god damn it, cause it's the best thing you'll ever do. And because I'm sure some of you owe me a beer

-Dirty_c



Keep in mind that the workshops aren’t just about watching the instructors or meeting the instructors, it’s also an opportunity to meet EACH OTHER! You’ll have people off these forums from all over the world, some of which you talk to every day online, plus a roster of legendary artists, plus a bunch of pros from the local studios and art ateliers.... you never know who you may be sitting next to.

I found that one of the most rewarding parts of the workshop was to see that there are a bunch more people out there that are as obsessed with art as I am, and that we’re all dealing with the same things, and have something to learn and share and teach to each other.... The opportunity to geek out en masse alone is worth the trip. It’s inspirational and intoxicating and you’ll be sad when it’s over and looking forward to the next one!

You’d be crazy to miss it.


-Layil



Sorry if this comes off as heavy, but I just came back from a crazy insane awesome illustration workshop at the academy in San Francisco and it made me appreciate the workshop in Austin.

Jason and the others put together this opportunity for you, and it's a very rare thing to have happen, especially if you're interested in pursuing entertainment art. Think of all the garbage you could buy that won't benefit you in the long run. There aren't any other events like this happening anywhere, so GO TO IT if it's worth a fraction of your money…

You may just learn how to figure out what to do with yourself.

But remember that what you get out of this, and other workshops, depends on what you put into it. Some of what you will learn will come by osmosis, attending and sitting and watching/listening to lectures and conversations... seeing an artist start and finish a rad oil painting, or doing something in a way you've never seen before. But, what really makes it cool is the other part, your own strategic pursuit for critique and conversation from people you want to learn from.

I guarantee it will at least help you get out of your art rut

Be aware of what you want to get out of all this. Just prepare and show your portfolio, maybe some questions you want to ask instructors, (and do your research on the work and background of the instructors,) and you'll likely get something that you really needed to hear.

-Nova



It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life.
-Profil




Thanks for THE BEST experience I have ever had, and a special thanks to Marko and Coro, for the great help, crits and motivation to stop drawing TENCTICLE MONSTERS!! Haha, nah, thanks for the crits, they have really motivated me to break out of my comfort zone. Thanks dudes, you two are my idols!!!

It was awesome meeting you all; I’m still fucking pumped from this workshop! I just feel sooooooo inspired. I’m so stoked about getting painter IX!! I’m gonna install it tonight and start messing around. Thanks again you MB guys for making this whole thing possible. If you guys read this I want to let you all know that I am eternally grateful for your hard work and dedication to helping others out. I owe you the world.

And to all the great friends I made there, some of you I didn’t get to say goodbye to, but we will meet again some day I’m sure. Thanks to all of you for being so damn cool. I love all you guys. I hope to see you all again in the near future.


BEST. WORKSHOP. EVER!!!
-Cartoonfox



What a friggin´ awesome trip!!!
Thanks to you all for making this thing possible.

-Xaya



If you think the PICTURES are brain-shattering, you should have been there. Because even though these pictures take me back to a happy place, being there was one million times better than the pics!

-Slash



The workshop is probably the best thing you could ever do to help your child's creative/artistic progress. The main thing parents should worry about is what I’d like to call "Post-Workshop Syndrome" Aka "Never shutting up about the workshop especially on the drive home."

The younger workshop attendees will greatly benefit from the workshop. The age difference and level differences may seem intimidating and could make the young attendee feel out of place, but in fact it is rather the opposite. During the workshop, practically everyone was friendly, despite the age, or level. Everyone was willing to help each other and in the end, we made friends for life. As cheesy or corny as that sounds, it’s the reality of the workshop. Socially, the workshop benefits the young attendee. The workshop is the best exposure you could give your child to the real art world, creatively, and socially. The skills it takes to interact and chat with other artists, being able to ask questions and participate is essential to the art industry. Workshops like these will help develop social skills, and may even raise the confidence of your child.

Educationally/Creatively/etc, the workshop IS THE BEST THING. Besides all the social, getting to know people, making friends, and improving social skills and whatnot, the education and exposure is up there with the big reasons on why you should say yes . It’s a HUGE EVENT. If you research on some of the names of attendees and teachers at the workshop, there are quite a lot well known names in the art world. Some of the pros at the workshop might have worked on some movies or games that you have heard of. Basically, the other attendees and the teachers will most definitely expose the attendee to the reality of the art world. Plus, there is always the business talk on the fourth day. It's a lecture and it has artists themselves speaking from their own personal experiences, which is probably one of the best ways one could learn.

The fact that the workshop is very hands on, and it’s very open (several lessons going on, etc. in and out as you like.) makes the lectures even more helpful. The teaching methods are amazing; there isn’t a single lesson or demo your child won’t learn from. After 5 minutes of watching Wesley Burt, Marko Djurdjevic, and Rich Doble sketch at the table, I already picked up some techniques. Until now and forever will they be etched into my brain. Exposure to different techniques and methods absolutely helps in more ways than we might think. Even just sitting around with some artists, sketching and talking, one can learn so much.

Like I've said before, the professionals, the experienced, and even the beginners have so much to share and learn. The lectures and the talks may seem boring to someone or may seem like a waste of a few hundred dollars, but really, in all true honesty, they’re one of the biggest factors that will contribute to the young attendee’s knowledge. Not only that, the attendees are exposed to honest critique and help. It’s not going be like, "WOW that’s awesome. It’s a little funky looking, so keep practicing." (Not that there's anything wrong with that...) The help the young attendee will get will be more in depth, specific, and most of the time, they will probably give the attendees advice on what to do on the future, and how to improve. Besides, during portfolio day, who wouldn’t want their artistic hero/idol looking through their sketchbook, getting critiqued and reviewed. It might sound nerve wrecking, walking up to your favorite artist or hero and saying "Can you critique my sketchbook, please?" but its all worth it, you'll get some of the best advice and help of your life.

The four days may seem short, but the things you acquire and the knowledge you'll obtain will last you through the future. Whether it be college applications, or simple class projects, the experience in the workshop will have a life long effect. I admit, I was a bit depressed after the workshop was over, but the lessons, the knowledge I've gained, and the friends I've made are still with me. You can learn, obtain, and even pass it on to other fellow artists who might be able to use the knowledge.

The main things parents will have to deal with is a few hours of non stop talking and occasional "This one time, at the workshop..." times about the workshop. It's also really cool when you can talk to your parents about the art world, and have conversations and discussions for minutes, hours even. The experiences you'll have and the knowledge you'll gain will be nothing less than breathtaking. I'd even say phenomenal.



- Dished



I was 15 when I attended the Prague workshop in October, I'm 16 now because my birthday was in December.

I went to the Prague workshop and it was awesome.

Honestly, it wasn't that hard for me to convince my parents. Because:
1. I had already met some people from CA and they didn't rape me or anything.
2. They said it would be good for me to go out and experience things.

The only demand they had was that they had to come along. At first, I hated the idea. I didn't want someone to check up on me all the time. I heard about the parties and going out etc with the workshop, and if I knew my parents there was no way in hell that I was going to them.

But I gave in, my father was going with me, but I was thankful though, because if he didn't want to come, I would never have been able to attend to the workshop.

Everything was good, we arrived in Prague I checked in at the hostel, my father checked in at his hotel (he didn't want to disturb my experience or anything.) So I was on my own, oh and my cell phone if my father would need comfort for those lonely Prague nights.

I honestly believe that I would have evolved/mature more if my father hadn't gone with me. Because in the back of my head, I always knew that if something went wrong, he would be there for me. If I had been on my own, I would have to take care of myself and be even more careful.

The people I met there made the experience. They helped out so much, with rooming, finding places to eat, just talk to people etc. It was like one big family, that sounds corny but everyone was there for the same reason, so why not help each other? My roommates were great; I had already met two of them before on several occasions but the other ones were new to me. But it wasn't just me people treated great, everyone were nice to everyone.

So to all parents, it will be an experience your child will remember, probably forever. Just let them go there and trust them. Let them have fun and do what they love to do. Let them socialize, draw, whatever. Let them experience something like this while they are still young; don't tell them "you can do this when you get older." If you trust them, let them go.

-Profil



My mom came along because she wanted to find what was so great about this workshop that I was raving about since the one in Amsterdam (it was a true mind opener). She got to see with her own eyes how much one can learn at this event. Bring your mom or dad along, I did it and haven't regret it since because my mom became a lot more supportive about what I wanted to do with my life.

-Evil



My son had changed when he came back from the workshop in Amsterdam.
He was really inspired by it and wanted to go to every workshop in Europe.
I wanted to experience that too. For me it was a great time, I learned a lot and I would recommend letting your children go to the workshop or come with them if you want. It’s a good thing to let your children experience an event like this early in life, so they can get a new perspective of their future or what they want to do in life. Plus, your child can make new friends who all share similar interests and these friendships can be a great help later in life and in thier career.

-Evil’s Mom.

[Layil]

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Not just for showing me awesome stuff, teaching me new things, and fueling my inspiration, but also to those who made the social experience the best I’ve ever had. That means ALL of you.

-Slash



The workshop in Prague was a life changing experience for me. I also attended the Austin and SF workshop. Prague was defiantly the best in my eyes, not to say the others weren't amazing as well.

-SamBrown36



First I would like to say how amazing this trip was.....I kept wanting to pinch myself cause I couldn't believe what was around me....I have made some pretty amazing friends along the way...I feel so lucky to be able to attend these workshops......

-PandoraBlood

I've been to a good few and I can safely say you'll-be-alright. There is PLENTY of art going on morning, noon and night. At the hostel in Prague, there was always a massive group of fellas sitting there squashed up, elbow to elbow drawing in their sketchbooks, and that would go on till early morning. Alotta commitment and dedication to their art is what you'll see most, and you will meet and make close friendships with a ton of people...

A BIG thank you, to the MB fellas, for organizing these workshops; putting aside time for us kids, being so cool and hanging, drinking, talking, and laughing with us all. I adore the CA.org community, and without it I wouldn’t be who or where I am now. No matter how many times you attend a workshop, it will always be new and exciting and every bit what we are expecting. They just get better and better every time. I attend these workshop because a lot of my friends and people I admire will be there too, and it’s the only time I get to see them; I attend because I need to be inspired and to top up on knowledge & techniques where needs be; I attend because I want to meet new people, and meet face to face those I talk to online for whom I only have a name for; and last but not least, to catch up (yes socialize, tsk, tsk) with the wonderful people I met on previous workshops and to see in-the-flesh their sketchbooks and how they have all progressed.
So, I say to you now MB blokes, carry on what you are doing, continue to grow and learn from your actions as things will only get better. What you guys are doing is nothing short of amazing. The commitment, the drive, the power – it lights a fire in us all that carries us on to the next level. You make us all feel very special☺

-Molly



A big THANK YOU to all instructors and organizers; thanks for not turning the event into a sterile environment where you simply buy lectures. While I was working here alone at home, in a really inartistic environment for the last year, it felt a lot like me vs. the rest of the world. This workshop taught me that there are many others out there sharing my vision of life, this is priceless.

-Psyloco



This was my first workshop. - It was AWESOME.
I got so many great inputs and inspiration, while watching the instructor demos, talking to other motivated artists, and sketching all night long.
I’m planning to go to the next one, too.

-Miau



Back again from Prague and I have to say, this workshop was utter crap.
Yes, I'm dead serious
No, of course I'm not.
This workshop was definitely fanfuckingtabukickassulous(sp?). Very inspiring stuff.

-SirSushi



I learned more about myself then drawing I think, I know that sounds like a cliché answer but whatever. So to the drawing; I got some good, really good solid tips on what I should be working on and stuff like that.
I guess I was a bit fanboyish at some times, but the instructors were really good and more personal then what I would have thought.

This workshop was very laidback to the others of what I heard, and that´s a good thing.

-Profil



Prague was kick ass!

-Johnny78



This was my first workshop, and it was truly an amazingly inspiring experience! I haven't even started to sort through what happened... I have so much stuff to process before it really starts to sink in... I've learned more than I thought was possible in that short amount of time! Everything from the more theoretical demos to the awesome speed paintings HPX did blew my mind!

-dCept



I've learned so much, and intend on going to another! I'm so inspired! Marko said I need to do art 8 hours a day for the rest of my life if I wanna be real good, which seems very, very daunting. But then again, I'm gonna enjoy the ride because its 8 hrs doing something I love! Yeah, Marko and Coro really helped me out with the critique they gave me on my work; it was awesome and really promising. I'm glad I met the small amount of people I did cause now I know who you all are! The fact I want to go to another should explain how awesome it was. AWESOME!

HPX, Jason, Nox, Coro, Aleksi and Andrew's demos were awesome, and Coro is the funniest guy I have ever known to exist!

-blog



That workshop was really cool. When I was on the train back home, I just realized what incredible stuff I’ve seen the last days. I am still completely stoked!!!

-oleolsen



Actually I don't really know what to start with -
This was such a great event, great instructors, great artists and people, lots of creativity, tons of input....it was simply mind-blowing :-)

For all those who've missed it - don't miss the next one, start saving money, it was more than worth it!....I think I've learned more in that 4 days than in the previous years ...

-Nike



I’m always feeling a bit strange showing emotions literally but I must say it was a most enjoyable event that brought me back some lost energy. Beside the stuff I learned (I can’t say what really was my favorite) it was good to watch over the rim of my personal tea cup and get some ideas for my further career - even if it will be difficult because of some new directions my life took.

Anyway I want to thank the bunch of really great teachers for being themselves; I can’t find a bigger compliment for them. It was a completely laid back atmosphere with no room for airs and graces and no annoying fanboyisms.

I met so many nice people that have been great to hang out with, I don’t know who to name ´cause I fear to forget one.

-Fipse



You sir, have very little idea regarding what you are in for. If your mind will allow your body to get more than three hours of sleep per night, I will be shocked. This will be the most intensive art related experience you will have participated in. For all you know, you will end up at one of the bars that Marko or Puddnhead will be in drawing away…which leads to you drawing…which leads to....then you go back to the hostel and there are twenty or thirty people all drawing together...then you realize its six am and classes start at ten thirty! So, off you go to bed but not before you stop by some others drawing in a room and see some crazy stuff and then you wind up in bed just in time to hear the alarm and then you are back at the workshop drawing and taking notes and seeing things done that you didn’t even know were possible. You will meet friends that stick with you for many years from this. You will see new techniques, new styles, and new ways of doing things that change your directions in art or help bring clarity to what you are doing in your work over the next year or more.

I promise you that you will learn more in those four days than you think you will. I did, every time. You will not master these things in four days...BUT...you will take them with you when you go and you will have guidance from new peers and instructors that will help you down your road of art like no other.

I say this because this is how I see people react to the workshops...and how it felt for me to see so many amazing things happen in front of my eyes.

-Jason Manley

[Layil]

It was an awesome experience and I recommend to everyone to attend one workshop once in his/her life. This was the most awesome thing I’ve ever been to.

-Carnifex



Hey guys, I wanted to thank everyone for an incredible weekend! Jason and the Massive Black crew, all the amazing instructors and all the really cool people who I got a chance to meet. I learned so much, it's gonna take a while to digest everything. That was one excellent workshop!

- Dmitri



Thanks to the MB crew and all the volunteers for putting together another great opportunity to expand our artistic knowledge and get together with a huge crew of like minded people.

I'm pumped to get my draw back on and kick myself in the ass to get back on the wagon and make some progress. And I'm looking forward to seeing the glut of art that I know everyone will be producing in the wake of this event.

-Fukifino




I would like to say that this conference really helped me broaden my horizons with art. I'm rather new at it, and I think this was a great way to start things off. Thanks to all of massive black and the instructors who put up with people asking the same questions over and over and over. It was worth every penny and the 16 hour drive through the rainy hell that was all of California on Monday night/Tuesday morning.

-Digital_robotics



It was amazing and really helped focus me. Not to mention the feedback and the motivation boost. Not to mention the courage to start posting work on the forums now. Just watching someone go THROUGH the creative process is amazingly helpful- much more so than just seeing the finished piece.

Thanks to everyone who make it happen!

-Larylich



I’ve been fortunate to attend 2 now, and I will be at each successive one. If you're missing out....you’re really are missing out.

Incredible.

-Jetpack42



My hearty thanks go out there as well, for everyone's commitment and patience to make this all possible. I ended up taking way more insight and inspiration from this workshop than I thought I would, especially toward the final days.

Hope to see you all next time... time and wallet permitting.

-Steph Laberis



I just wanted to thank Massive Black for throwing together such a wonderful event. Everything from the instructors, the space, and the party was top notch. I also wanted to thank you guys for letting us recruit and critique work. I had a great time all around and learned a bit from everyone there.

Thank You,
Juan R



This was my first workshop and a truly awe-inspiring experience.
Inspiration definitely abounded. Watching Marko work and listening to him talk about character design was a tremendous help (his explaining of patterns has me constantly observing them in the people I run across now). And getting my sketchbook crit'ed by Sweet and Andrew definitely got me focused. I'm gonna be attacking anatomy like a madman now!

All in all I'm stoked about the experience, and I've been constantly thinking about the things I learned and the people I met.

-Teknobabel



The only sickness I have is workshop withdrawal

Going back to work on Tuesday felt *really* weird. It’s been tough to concentrate too ... all day and night all I can think about is drawing. I’m already countin' the days to the next one.

-geezer87



Often, living in the box of school, you never really get to see what's out there until it hits you in the face (aka, the "real" world). This workshop opened me up to a bunch of ideas, new approaches to my work, people, and lots more great art than I ever expected to see. It was depressing, inspiring, amazing, saddening, and overwhelming...essentially a four-day roller coaster.

It was great seeing the instructors in their element: El Coro + supplies = crazy! Peter Konig's sculpting and finally seeing Ron Lemen's approach to life painting was damn cool.

And that's only scraping the surface...I'm sure the others have more stories.

I've been just a page-clicker, lurking the forums, but now I'm a vowed participant and will be contributing more work and input as well. It was great meeting the people behind the 1"x1" avatars and looking at your guys' and girls' work! Very inspiring...Thanks for talking with me.

And to the instructors: your time is very much appreciated. You could easily stay put and not talk to any of us, but I really want to thank you all for taking the time out of your schedules and letting us pick your brain and see your processes.

A special thanks to Jason Manley for talking to me and giving more insight to his Day 4 morning talk. I'm already researching Inevitable and Insomniac and tons more companies. Thanks for a well deserved kick in the @ss! You rocked this workshop...can't wait till the next one!

- PHiLMePHLo



It was great watching you draw Marko! It was definitely an inspiring experience! Thanks a lot for doing kick ass demos with dozens of people behind you!
I’m still suffering from PWS, post workshop syndrome. I think my friends are saving up to buy me a straight jacket, and a lot of duct tape.

-Dished



You and the other guys giving me encouragement is one of the best things to happen in my life-time. THANK-YOU

SF was a blast, hopefully I can make it to Prague.

-Steak-Tron



This workshop was awesome, I’m so glad I went.

-Cartoonfox



Heck, with the line up of amazing artist teaching at this workshop. I wouldn't miss this for anything in the world. This workshop is like the Oscars. It's the only onetime of the year you'll get to see so much talent under one roof.

-Chubbs



I come from a traditional art background. I did six years in school and the foundation ways of creating art are familiar to me. In Amsterdam we were going over the workshop stuff with the instructors and at one point I asked Marko to give me a demonstration of his drawing technique. Now Marko grabs Coro’s sketchpad and begins to draw. He starts with a thumb, moves across and up the hand, gets the hand gesture just right, and begins to draw up the arm. I watch him amazed that he started with a thumbnail on the thumb and is now drawing costume as he has moved up the arm. He bled his marks across the forms that only he could see as they were being created. Lines became chest, arm, leg, and head. Finally the last details were put in. Marko had just finished doing everything I was told not to do in my art school career. In the end, he had started with the pose of a hand that became the pose of the arm that became the pose of the torso until he had a complete gesture with anatomy and all the wonderful details he puts in his art. Coro and I stood there with our eyes popping out of our heads. Marko, you see, is self taught. He learned on his own without knowing the traditional conventions. Seeing him successfully work this way was a breakthrough for both Coro and I. I did not even think it was possible. All of it took no more than fifteen minutes for him to work out so much. We on the other hand, would take twice that much just to get the pose and structure right.

There were dozens and dozens of experiences like this for me. I learned more at the workshops as an instructor than I did in the past three or four years working in a games studio. Seeing all the different ways the pros work was just mind boggling to me.

I hope we can continue doing these for a long time.

-Jason Manley



The greatest experience during all Workshops was seeing Android develop his drawings from abstraction. He will sit down without focusing the blank sheet of paper, and move his pencil over the sheet making marks and shapes you wouldn't even be able to understand or create, if you forced yourself to do them under concentration. Afterwards he would just pick another colored pencil and force his will into the abstraction of his lobotomized scribbling. Shaping it, searching out connections, that were completely random in the beginning and now started making sense. Putting layer upon layer of imagination on top of completely coincidental structure of his lines. I had a blast back then and still have one every time I see it. Never in my life would I have approached an illustration this way. I have always thought one would have to have a clear concept on his mind before starting out. I always thought one should follow a certain idea first. Seeing that it worked in such a beautiful fashion and realizing that this was the never-ending pool of Android's creativity, really opened my eyes. I start taking and introducing part of his work ethic into my own approach to art more and more. It was a fantastic lesson to be learned.

-Marko D



I attended the workshop in Berlin and if I had known what it would be like, I certainly wouldn't have missed out the one in Amsterdam. In the beginning I just "went along" to this workshop with Soja, who had already signed up for it, to learn a little and have some fun in Berlin. I didn't know, that it would turn out to be completely different from what I had expected and really moved something in my life. For me it was not all about learning anatomy or lighting or composition, which you really can't all that much in two days, but seeing the approach of people (like Android and Marko) who know how to do it, and hear them talk about their experience.

What I took from that workshop, was inspiration and a huge load of motivation, which I can't remember to ever have experienced in that quantity in my life so far. This all might sound a little exaggerated, but it isn't! Since that weekend, drawing has (again) become a way more important part of my life... now there's almost no place I'm not taking my sketchbook to with me.

-T.m0

[Layil]

To relate everything awesome that happened at the workshop would require a small book...it was 4 solid days of incredible inspiration and learning. So I'll just share a couple little tidbits.

I came in the second morning and went upstairs and J.P. Targete was already back at his space, workin'. He had the rough form of one of his classic beasties sprawled out in vine charcoal on a big 18x24 piece of posterboard and I watched as he just sort of flowed the charcoal over the form, letting it find its own shapes and all this detail just kept appearing out of nowhere as he worked on it. It was awesome. Then he took some black ink and later some white watercolor and ended up with a really great finished drawing...starting with vine charcoal. But the way he just sort of found the shape of the creature in the beginning really stuck with me. Watching him do it, man...that's not something you can read about in a book.

Which leads me into another thing...sketches. You see all these great drawings posted on here, but you miss a lot until you see them in person and see how detailed they are, or small they are...Targete had a little portfolio of pencil drawings and at first I wondered if they were reduced from larger drawings..they were so small and detailed and precise..then he said "no, those are the originals." And everywhere you look people had sketchbooks and portfolios just filled with kickass art.

My personal highlight was making it into one of the sketch nights back at the hotel. We had probably around 15 people all crammed in a little hotel room, all hunched over their sketchbooks, passing artwork around, doing collaborative and challenge pieces. The vibe was just incredible and inspiring. I wish I could do that every night, and it's one of the things I'm really looking forward to doing again in SF.

I think the biggest testament to how powerful the Austin workshop was is that despite the crazy heat and humidity , everyone plowed ahead and in the end, it's memories like those above, and not the heat, that shine through and live on. If I had to do another workshop in those same conditions, I'd do it in a heartbeat because it was that effing cool. I can't wait!

-Fukifino

someone tells you about lions, you think you know what they could be like...you see a group of lions in a book and you like it, you think you know what they look like...you watch a documentary with lions moving around, making noises and hunting prey, you think you know how they live and what they are...you go to a zoo, you hear lions roar, the sound isn't just scary, it actually vibrates your whole body and you feel his roar in your stomach...they smell like wild animals...as they pass by you step back because they are so huge and powerful...and it's 10 times greater than everything you thought you knew about lions...you LIVED them...

now...someone tells you about great artists doing cool artwork...............

If you don't want to work in the industry and if you are not that into art and you really have problems gathering the money, I tell you, you don't need this and it won’t change your life...life is changed by so different things...some change their life after having a baby, some change it when they feel sexually attracted by smelly goats...it's depending on every individual...

Now if you're young and you are really interested in art, especially concept art or actually doing art at all...I tell you, when I was young, none of my friends or me had a chance like this...the internet and this community is worth SOOOOOO much you can't describe it...I couldn't show my images to anyone or if I did no one could give me crits...if I needed some information I had to look up in books in the library, which was hard to find especially about concept art...now you sit on your warm and cozy seat, all you have to do is typing in "concept art" in Google...on this community you can get crits from the top notch industry artists!!! It's like asking Spielberg or Lynch on a board for feedback for your movie...and you GET IT over here...

So, that's only the digital part of this unbelievable advantages of YOU younger artists have right now!!! As I said, if you don't want to do something art-related later on...save your money and buy something nice for yourself, you will be happier this way...BUT if you really want to do something art-related later on, this is a great chance...Go there, SMELL the lions, HEAR their voices, FEEL the atmosphere and soak every single bit information or experience you can get out of this....because for the art-interested people, especially the younger ones, this thing is really WORTH it...

-Fozzybar


There were many great things that came out of attending the workshop. On day 0, I went with a bunch of people to the location. We all sat around and helped out setting up... and there was Marko... in person. I was like whoa O.O! Then some person tried to say something to him... and stuttered while saying something fanboy-ish... and Marko’s reply was.. 'I didn't understand a fucking word you just said' .. That was solid gold .
Another thing... Coro was mad swamped with people watching him sketch and talk about things in general, and answering the same question 15 times in 10 minutes ;]. I approached him when he was taking a break, and he started talking to me like he knew me for forever. I got him to crit my sketches and he just went off from there. Before the one-sided conversation was done, there was a crowd around us listening to what he had to say. It was beautiful T_T.

-Donkyslayer


The past 6 months have been a life changing experience for me. Through these workshops I have found not only people who inspire me and push me to be a better artist, but also like minded friends I will prolly have for life as well. I am convinced these workshops are going to literally push the field of what we do further, due to the interaction of so many people involved in this industry. I think completely differently lately, and have become acutely aware of a lot of my bad habits, while also being able to give to others my insights, through which I have been able to help them break some of their bad habits as well. We are pushing the bar higher every time we throw these, and after each one there has been this tidal wave of new groundbreaking work following as a result. I cant show a lot of what I am doing these days, but I can say without a doubt these workshops have made me a much better concept artist. In addition to all the valuable info to be learnt at these things, the added bonus is the networking factor, which as a working professional, I can tell you without a doubt is necessary to make it. The camaraderie between everyone is amazing. It’s magic when you get so many like minded people under one roof. There’s this energy, and every one is jacked in feeding off it, contributing to it....I have never felt anything like it. Before the first workshop, Jason, Andrew and I arrived in Paris, where we got to hang out with Noxizmad, Hpxxx, Aleksi, Bengal, Living Rope, and many other fantastic French artists. The last 2 nights in Paris we spent sitting in Lesouppe, a studio there, all night, with Nox and Hpxxx, drawing, sketching , taking turns on the computer(French keyboards are all fucked up by the way) and learning off each other. By sunrise each of the two days, we would just kind of all look at each other, stunned by what had happened. I had never had such a great time in my entire life. When we arrived in Amsterdam, and met up with Marko, the same thing happened only with the entire workshop going on, it was magnified. In Austin, it was the exact same thing, the bonding, the profound sharing of info, the workshop bonding experience...only on an even larger scale. SF promises to be the best one yet. I cannot wait to see Assael and Hussar paint. I can’t wait to see Foster and Sweet put it down like only they can. I can’t wait to see Ron and Vanessa Lemen, Jay Pee, our French family, my dearest Marko, and the rest of the gang, everyone else who has helped make these things so amazing. These workshops have been created to help to educate and share information relating to what we do, the same reason the site was started. It’s not for a selfish reason. We are not big business. We are artists who have tapped into something truly special, and want to make it something accessible to anybody who wants to learn. I cannot stress to you all enough what an amazing, life changing experience these have been. Putting a face to the names, and being to speak on a personal level and learn from one another, are things that I can’t even explain to you how valuable they are. So I can’t wait till January. See y'all real soon!-c36

-El Coro



My story...

October 2003

I had just finished my end of school exams, and had gotten a decent mark for art. This surprised me - I had never completed a piece of art before...and I got nearly the top mark in the state (49/50). I realize now that this was fluke/marking on a different scale, but that’s unimportant because that was what jogged the idea to have a go at art. Id always wanted to be a writer.

November 2003

A friend pointed me to conceptart.org and I absolutely fell in love with the place... I went on every day, hoping for some new art from these incredible art-gods like Feng Zhu and El Coro. It quickly became a part of my life... the community accepted me in; I felt a sudden surge of being part of something bigger. Because I hadn’t been drawing all my life like the majority of people here, I was not in the habit of drawing daily. I’d do maybe 1 or 2 sketches a week... I spent many months over the break between school and starting university just being a member of the community - eventually working my way up to becoming a moderator. I helped people out, I ran the middle class for a while... all was good.

April 2004

A month or so into my university degree course (which I had slaved my ass off to get into mind you) the Amsterdam Workshop was announced. I was *so* envious. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Stuff like this actually happened?? In one place at one time? So I booked it. I just did it. I shut off the part of my brain that said "it’s too expensive, you’re too young, you’re not good enough, you won’t get anything out of it" and I just went.

The workshop....altered me. I became a different person. Instantly. It’s like the minute I walked through the door someone had branded me with a flaming hot poker that said "Artist for Life". My entire body filled with energy...

Those 4 days were the best days of my life. Period. I felt like my mind had opened up and all the wonder of life and the world and people, art, cultures, was rushing in. The workshop picked my life up and shook it awake like it had never been before...

At the Amsterdam workshop I was lucky enough to hang out with Coro, Marko, Jason and Kevin. On the last day of the workshop, I mentioned to Kevin I was staying in Amsterdam a few days extra... on the off chance he’d want to hook up and sketch (yeah, rite). And then the night after the workshop finished, I was walking round Amsterdam with these guys I met at the youth hostel, and its like 4am....the city is deserted.... and I see this mohawk bobbing up n down in the distance. And I’m like.... no.... fucking.... way. Kevin. The most random thing possible...ever. And I call out to him. And he’s like “Still on for tomorrow man?”

The next day we went to this awesome medical museum to sketch cadavers and stuff... it rocked the house.

May 2004.

Under the guidance of Jason Manley, I quit my Uni degree that I worked so hard for. I had seen that I had learned more over those 4 days in Am'dam than was even in the curriculum for a 4 year course...

July 2004

Austin. The thing that made this awesome was that I was reuniting with these guys. Jason, Coro, Marko....peeps that had helped me since Amsterdam...people who I had formed tentative friendships with. What really hit home to me about Austin was the way these people were *real* people. It was Jason and Andrews home turf. Their city. Chilling at their houses. These were guys who had lived, learned and accomplished just like me - just like what I want to do in the future.... Austin was a human experience for me. It grew me up... it taught me about independence, friendship, risk, and so on. It was mindblowing. It was hot as hell and I loved it. I made about 20 lasting friendships, and strengthened the ones I had already made in Amsterdam and over the forums.

Talking with Jason and the pros....on a human level....instead of elevating them to god-like untouchability.... allowed me to really connect with what they were all about - WHY they did what they did, why they choose to live the way they do.

After the Austin workshop these friendships strengthened and I’m now on my way to the US - to move, indefinitely, and work with the people I admire so much. One year ago I thought they would most likely be dead by the time I ever met them in person!

These workshops are a big melting pot of opportunities. You are invited in, and you leave taking out as much as you can. I’m not saying everyone will walk away with the same experience - but everything you need is right there. It’s beyond a professional experience...it’s beyond an entertainment experience...it’s an experience in 'life' that for some (like myself) and particularly the younger guys who don’t yet really know their place in the world....it’s something almost spiritual.

I hope you guys understand that the guys who run it aren’t in it for money. They don’t even make money....it’s a hell hard battle to put a workshop like this on. But you need to take comfort in that, because if people that are that busy, that professional, fly from all round the world and tirelessly work to make the event happen.... it means its an incredible thing that’s worth working for.

Have a think about where you want to be in a year... and ask yourself if maybe a workshop like this...is a doorway to your dreams and ambitions.

Open the door...

-Form

[Layil]

The workshops are the best thing for anyone in love with art, and hanging out with some of the most badass human beings on this planet...

Not being in school for 2 years and not holding any conversations about art was seriously dryin me up....workin in a job where, my imagination is forcibly stunted and the work completely mundane...I needed to go to Texas...

I sold my car for just enough to cover the tuition, flight, and conveniences (hotel, food etc..) and I never looked back...So much information, too, too, too many cool peeps, and good times...(after Roller Derby I was torn up, Jason knows- lol)

Lookin forward to chillin wit all my homies in SF...

And if I had another car, I would sell it again...

-bRyaN



That's another thing. I too don't get to hang out with artists that have the same passion as I do. No one can stand talking to me about art and games, etc. No one likes to chill places to draw and talk long.

I really want this creative and motivation atmosphere. I need it.

-Rkhon



If a lot of the people who talk about the last workshop in Austin sound like they've had a religious experience, they're not blowing it out of proportion. It was one of the best life experiences I've had, and even though it was only 4 days, I'll probably look back on them fondly for years to come. It's really insane how much fun and inspiration was to be had last time. The vibe was just so cool, everyone there felt like someone you've known for years, even though you only talked to them for a few minutes...just hundreds of like minded people. Hate to sound gushy, but it's the only way I can sound when I'm talking about the Austin workshop. I can't recommend it enough. If you have any inclination to do art of any kind, the workshops are completely worth the money and time.

-Cotron



Going to Austin was the best decision.
Met the members of CA and shared many
things ... learned a lot from drawing
but more from life . . . made new friends
and I still continue in communication with them
on an almost daily basis.
I hope to see all of you soon

I was shocked to see everyone drawing ALL DAY !!!!
I couldn’t t believe what I saw !!! Saw Marko’s
DEGENESIS book page by page meanwhile hearing
Marko’s own comments, asked to see Wes9000 sketchbook also!!!
Saw Tyboogie’s Sketchbook, Sammy’s portfolio, Marc Taro’s
amazing prints and watercolor travel sketchbook,
Metalwinds’ amazing tips and sketchbook, drooled with
Insane Visions sketchbook and even get an original from him!!!!
Finally met Ron Lemen !!!!! Heard a lecture from Scott Robertson !!!
Amazing!!!.... Being in a room getting feedback on EVERYPAGE
from SPARTH !!! Meanwhile watching HPX, Barontieri and Vyle
doing speedpainting, meeting JP and seeing him work a canvas
sitting at his side !!!!! Finally met Jason Manley, and working
with Andrew Jones on the map for the workshop and having
such a good time doing that, going to the Rollerderby,
.. hanging out with everyone at the hotel for sketchbook drawing
. . Did I say met wonderful people?!!
Get to paste faces on all those avatars!!!

For the ones thinking of going to SF

You gotta go cause you will:
LEARN
MAKE CONNECTIONS
LEARN
GET UNIQUE EDGE
GET INSPIRED
MAKE FRIENDS
MEET THE PROS
TRAVEL
DRAW DRAW DRAW DRAW

The inspiration from Austin is still alive in me.
since I returned I felt so motivated I just
keep pushing to get better everyday
and I’m grateful everyone is doing that
and sharing with all of us . . . . The workshop is great !!!!

And even if you don’t know anyone,
everyone is so friendly, bring your sketchbooks please.

Even some people made some incredible things
to get the tuition for Austin cause it won’t
happen again so don’t give up . . .
I’m doing my best effort now to get the tuition
like I did on Austin as soon as possible cause I will go !!!!!!!

I miss you guys

-Gaboartpage



One of my best memories was the talk given to Donk from Coro. I had gone there to show Coro my rinky dinky sketch book but came away with something so much better then a crit. I owe all my hard work to that speech. Until that day I never drew on a regular basis. Since then, I draw at least a few hours a day.

-intern



During the Amsterdam workshop I got some crits from Android after doing the life drawing. He showed me that I had to put more emotion in my lines, that I had to feel the forms when drawing; not just draw, but feel. He told me while he was drawing over my sketches with swooshing red lines; my eyes just popped.

Then after, when Kevin was critting my stuff, he looked at my cast drawing from the other day and showed it to Android, certainly a push ha! But then he looked at my sketchbook and said "well basically you just have to do more life drawing".. I was a bit put off by that, but he was right of course, cause the stuff from that book is so bad when I look at it again.

And also the fact that for the first time I had people around me who were constantly drawing, and at home I'm the only one who really does that.

-Jens



I happened to discover Mr. Manley´s art many years ago and instantly fell in love with it. I found Conceptart.org when it was a single page with an only a "coming soon" text in it and bookmarked it, joining in on a daily basis since then.

When the official workshop in Amsterdam was announced I simply knew that I was going.

Everything that everyone had said, it’s totally true. You can feel that special energy surrounding you. It was the most amazing experience ever. From seeing Kevin painting from life, to talking with Andrew about his portraits of people while having breakfast.

The worst: my being so shy and not talking more to more people because of my poor English, a thing that won’t be happening in San Francisco.

-Jaku



I don't want to repeat what people have said already, but let me just tell you that after Amsterdam I decided to quit my job as a programmer and pursue a career in art. The workshop wasn't the only reason for this but it definitely was the kickstart I needed and made me rethink all my ideas about art.

-Roger



When Amsterdam was announced I was like, whoa gotta go there - but money was a big barrier for me, cause I was still in school at that time. But I knew I didn’t want to miss this one, especially. when I heard that some crazy bastard from Australia would come. I borrowed all the money for trip from my parents, and that was the only reason I didn’t make it to Austin: no money.

I went to Amsterdam even though I should have been learning for my A-levels.

We drove from Germany to Holland, staying the night before workshop-day1 at Fipse's home. Everybody was so excited about what was gonna happen, how the workshop would be.. I was so crazy excited I couldn’t sleep well.

When we arrived at the workshop (a bit late) Kevin was showing his work and I was fucking blown away. I was sitting there mouth wide open. And my mouth wouldn’t close for the whole 4 days. I was so excited and stunned. It was such a great experience, meeting people and realizing they were artist from all over the world, BUT everyone felt like longtime friends. Everybody was so friendly and relaxed. Like Jaku, I feel ashamed that I didn’t talk to more people because of my bad English. Still, I met super cool guys. I was amazed that even talking to pros like Coro or everybody else was like talking to your friends. It was a real community feeling and getting to know the faces behind the nicks is just so cool. Every time I open this site (and I do that really often, mind you) I get this feeling of belonging to a great community.

I started a sketchbook in Amsterdam, my first one, and I learned way more in those 4 days than in my last 2 years of art class in school. Since then, I'm drawing everyday. And I'm counting the days till San Francisco - I'm soo looking forward to this experience, drawing ALL THE TIME, hanging out with you guys, meeting new friends (hopefully). I spent ALL my money on this trip, and I mean ALL. But I don’t care, I'd even go into debts again for it. It's worth every hour of work I do to be able to afford it; it's worth every cent.

-Jeff Jaws



Apart from the like truly amazing over all experience which everyone else mentioned and I second with all my heart, there are a couple of other cool little things that really made it for me. Like everyone crammed into the figure drawing studio on the first day in Amsterdam, and no one had any idea what was going on. There was kind of a weird windy staircase, and I was looking down it, when suddenly two heads appeared from under me, one sporting a very elaborate mohawk, the other was like black spiky hair (Kevin and Andrew respectively ) and there was a split second of semi-recognition, before they even turned around, I realized "Holly shit, that’s them"

Or also in Amsterdam, taking a picture with Form and Coro posing like retards in it; it was just plain awesome. Traveling into Austin on a rickety ghetto bus with Beatnik and Blackhawk, and the damn thing broke down, Beatnik turns around "well at least we still have a/c" and the thing turned of a couple of seconds later. Later that day we found a wi-fi connection in some weird bar and spent an hour surfing CA, in a bar/restraint deep in Austin Texas. It was awesome.

Like Fukifino said, about 20 people all crammed in one room, doing collabs; I think we even watched that hilarious animation (I have to find that again), when in walks Lono, Wes and a couple of other people, beer in hand. Lono stands there for a while. Then suddenly "Ima go for a swim" takes of his shirt, and points at his chest, at the hairy patch you can see in his avatar. And goes "WTF IS THAT A MUSTACHE?" Apparently he jumped into the pool from the first floor balcony after that, and got chased out by that fat security guard lady.

Maybe even Oblio, complaining about the taco's we ate. hehe. The massive amounts of red bull that deprived us of any sleep for 4 days, and we kept going in the heat. People say a lot about the heat in Austin. but "FUCKING HOT" doesn’t even begin to cover it. Other people were talking about Coro before, I remember walking up to that little room, the thing was so damn small, I don’t even think it had a window. You literally couldn’t breath in there, I see Form semi conscious lying on a couch that’s in there, but Coro as animated as ever explaining his technique with amazing joy and patience for the billionth time! That’s dedication, everyone, and I mean everyone kept going. It was insane, anywhere else everyone would have packed up and left by then, but the vibe and the artwork and the people were so great you could ignore it so easily.

Also Marko starting a character with his finger was just obscene to watch, it was the craziest thing in the world. I left to watch something else and when I come back ten minutes later he’most finished the damn character, and I bet he didn’t even take his pencil of the paper once.

heehe, last one for now. HPXs down at the computer, puts on his headphones, opens Potoshop. Types: Man -> woman -> cyborg -> robot (or something like that) He then sits down, and with a few simple strokes he’ got a great illu of manightly from above facing left, a couple of seconds later he’ carved away 3 pieces with the eraser tool, and added a couple others, there is a woman facing the completely other direction then before, from a completely new angle. The same happens for the other to in literally no more then 5 minutes. Woah.

Definitely a life changing experience for me, probably one of the best things I’ve ever done is go to the workshops. Seriously, thank you everyone, this community is a wonderful place, seriously.

-Red_rook

[Layil]

The Austin workshop was to me a life changing experience.

Leaving home for the airport for the trip was surprisingly easy. I felt I was going somewhere special and there was something real in store for me. The first hint at something crazygood was meeting Mr. Jetpack42 at the airport. I couldn't believe we'd never met before and both had this workshop thing filling our braincells. When I met up with Molly in Austin, it suddenly felt like home [except for the weather, that definitely didn't feel like home, whew].

The single most incredible thing at the workshop was the first time we all walked through the doors, down the hall and into one of the main rooms, CROWDED, and finally sat down to hear a welcome and introductions. In front of me were, in the flesh, Andrew Jones, Jason Manley, Marko, Ron Lemen and so many others. IN THE FLESH. The fact they were real people made me dizzy. Later, Davi introduced himself with a GIANT hug. That was great

I’ll never forget the second-to-last night. The day didn't end.. After the workshop it was a blur.. Roller Derby, then stumbling around 6th Ave with Pandorablood after going to emo's, then 80's night somewhere else, the party at Andrew’s place, then back to the Awarehouse, where we realized the custodian had left all 400-person's worth of garbage in the cans and CLEANING it all up still in our party outfits.. Molly and I deciding we wanted to see the sun rise so we sat on the stairs at La Quinta and watched it go up..

The only thing I regret is letting my fears get in the way of talking to more people and being genuine. But at the same time, I remember how paralyzed I was during the whole thing, and wonder if it could have happened any other way.

After the workshop, the Seattle group came together. The rest has been history.

If any of you have ANY doubts, give me your number and I’ll personally call you and convince you to come to the workshop.

~ Laura (Nova)



The Austin Workshop was easily one of the most amazing experiences in my life. If you noticed after the workshop everybody who attended bumped up their creative production. It was more inspiring then I can even describe and a great way to meet and get to know many of the conceptart.org's forum members. Everybody was really cool. I looked at around 100 portfolios of so many different types of artists. Bryan sold his car to come and I think he was right to do it.

Basically, good times and good friends.

-PhilHolland



The Best Experience EVER!!
The people I met and the things I saw. I could not believe all the energy floating around in Austin. It really changed my life and renewed my passion. Everyone is real and everyone is there to help and learn and grow with one another. It amazes me that people even have to question whether or not they are going. Everyone should want to even if they can’t. I love this community and I love everyone in it. Thanks for making my life great.

-metaphysiks



I just read all your posts and thought I would write my own testimonial.

I went to the Berlin workshop. The people at the workshop inspired me and motivated me beyond belief. The people I sketched with, talked with and more importantly, drank myself into oblivion with, will always have a special place in my heart. I miss all of you very, very much.

My career as an artist is actually looking kinda bright right now; I have enough freelance work now to last me a couple of months. Much of this is because I grew as an artist after the workshop, and that I learned so much, not only how to be a better artist, but also at what level my competition is. It forced me to get myself into working mode, if I don't work on my shit now, I’ll be flipping burgers when I’m 30.

By watching Andrew and Marko work, I realized I have to become as good as or better then them to be able to compete. I'm not there yet, I’m not even close, but I’m working daily on it. Learning from the pros isn't just about learning anatomy and composition and things like that, it's also about learning to work as a pro. You can do that at a CA workshop.

If you have the money, go to the workshop.

-Olsen


Everyone I know who went, and drew for a month afterward, all got twice as good. Most people had made significant jumps by the 4th day in their sketches.

You've been told. If you need proof, go dig up the old threads from after Austin. This event will change your life. If you need more proof from 100 people who are all going AGAIN...well...then you're out of luck.

If you're serious about making art your career, the connections you will make at a workshop like this are priceless...besides making friends with great artists who will help you grow.

It's an educational investment, not a vacation.

Be there or be square.

- Jetpack42


Thanks, you only keep reminding me how awesome this is so I can lose sleep. I can't friggen wait. For the money scrappers out there...

I am 20, out of college, loans are creepin up on me, and I work very part time. I am going to make it happen; anyone can. It’s worth the negative effects the cost and time has on other aspects of life. I don't want to do more school because I believe it’s very possible to learn more from great communities like this one. And these workshops make the money and time invested invaluable. I haven't been to one, and I can feel the vibe from the community already.

-Rkhon


Well of course everyone would like to roll out of bed right into the workshop but it can't always be that convenient. I am on the east coast myself and am a poor starving artist but I am going to make it to this workshop! I went to Austin and wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. You get to actually watch the process of some of the amazing artists on this site, you get to meet and party with other like minded artists..... It’s just an amazing experience all around. I'm still paying off my Austin trip but that's not gonna stop me from heading to SF! I think these guys did a great job of trying to make it fair for everyone..... That’s why there was a poll for locations. Unfortunately SF is a super expensive city, but that's where most people wanted to go....... these guys are still doing whatever they can to lessen the costs for all of us! I for one, couldn’t ask for more...

-Buffaloe



There simply is no reason not to go. I went to Austin workshop with Dark Horizon and Bobo the Seal, along with several other talented video game artists, and it was the greatest single art event of my life. I got to watch Sparth paint, not once, but TWO times, I watched Smelly Bug sculpt up a storm, I saw Jason Manley’s color theory lecture, I watched El Coro and Targete duke it out and swap canvases. After THAT, I saw Marko and Android do collaborations for over an hour, and I know I’m forgetting things.

If you want to get into the entertainment industry in the slightest, do whatever it takes to come to this workshop. That’s all that needs to be said. I don’t even work in the concept industry, I’m a modeler/texture artist, and I won’t miss another one of these for any amount. I preach to my coworkers on a daily basis how awesome these workshops are, and how badly they should go.

If you pay more than 10,000 for your entire college education, then this is a better value for what you get, probably even if you pay less than that. My story isn’t quit as humbling as Jason’s, but needless to say, I had a minister father and a secretary mother who couldn’t afford to help me through college. I have loans out the butt, and have paid for all of it myself, and have been rewarded with a job in the game industry. These are the types of things you have to figure out if you really want into this industry, because they are the types of things you have to decide on a regular basis.

/end of rant, sorry Jason, but I am tired of hearing the rants and complaints which I view as a slap in your, and the other workshop organizers, collective faces.

If you can’t afford to go, slap what you can spare into an envelope, and MAIL it to CA.org so that we can keep having these things.

Nuff said.

-Poopinmymouth



I was lucky enough to attend both the Austin workshop and Siggraph this past summer. If I had to choose, I would never go to another Siggraph again. Ever.

I left Austin inspired, excited, amazed, and exhausted, with new friends, contacts, connections from all over the world. It was jaw dropping and $500 is NOTHING for something like this. Siggraph would have been thrice that (yes, just for the registration) if I hadn't qualified for student rates.

I can honestly say I'd be hesitant paying even the student price now for Siggraph, knowing what I'd get for that same amount of money if people like CA.org were running it..

Maybe because I went to the Austin Workshop first I was spoiled by those guys. But they made Siggraph seem so...empty.

I should be able to afford to go by simply by not eating out at all, swapping my lunchtime soda for water, and a few other small adjustments for a month or two and tapping a little into my savings. The REAL money gets pulled away from you a dollar at a time, not on things like this.

Hope to see you in SF, seriously consider it, man.

-Blankslatejoe



As much as I like to bitch and moan, I am trying. I’m selling all my stuff on eBay and working my ass off at work and doing some freelance stuff, all to try and get there. In the past 2 weeks I’ve not gone to the movies or out to eat. I still don’t know if I’m going to have the $ to make it, but I’m trying. I may start panhandling any day now. If I had a little brother I’d sell him on the black market.

-Wafflehouseninja

[cartoonfox]

Wow that's a lot of testimonials!
Brings back good memories reading them.

I would just like to add, that I've seen some people complain about the price.
These workshops are expensive, but it's more than worth it. Heck, I have to borrow money off my friends just to afford food 'cos I've spent all ma money on this coming Montreal workshop! If I had a car, I'd sell it! :p
At the end of the day though, It is what you make of it. If you come along, make great friends, watch the pro's work, listen to the tutorials, take notes on the theory, draw your ass off with other like-minded artists (of every stage), and take what crits you get seriously, applying what you've learned to your drawing and painting, then I think that these workshops are more than worth the price of tuition. They are easily priceless.
Coming from a guy who has been to every single workshop to date (excluding Austin)

: ]


peace

[Pixeldragoon]

The workshops are expensive? I mean, depending on what you can afford maybe- but value wise, it's a freakin' steal. I think it would be too expensive if it was around... say 1200 dollars, but I mean- 137.50 a day to learn from the best at doing what we all want to do; Artcenter aside, is there any college that offers anything like this AT ALL? Even regardless of price? They say Those who can't do, teach- So when those who CAN do teach, those who CAN attend, SHOULD!

Did I just ramble?

EDIT: And thanks to Ms. Layil for compiling these, I'm sure you are helping a bunch of people who are having trouble deciding!

[Layil]

Originally Posted by Pixeldragoon

They say Those who can't do, teach- So when those who CAN do teach, those who CAN attend, SHOULD!

I think that there just about sums it up in a nutshell!

[bRyaN]

Originally Posted by cartoonfox

Wow that's a lot of testimonials!
Brings back good memories reading them.

I would just like to add, that I've seen some people complain about the price.
These workshops are expensive, but it's more than worth it. Heck, I have to borrow money off my friends just to afford food 'cos I've spent all ma money on this coming Montreal workshop! If I had a car, I'd sell it! :p
At the end of the day though, It is what you make of it. If you come along, make great friends, watch the pro's work, listen to the tutorials, take notes on the theory, draw your ass off with other like-minded artists (of every stage), and take what crits you get seriously, applying what you've learned to your drawing and painting, then I think that these workshops are more than worth the price of tuition. They are easily priceless.
Coming from a guy who has been to every single workshop to date (excluding Austin)

: ]


peace

Word...
i've had soo much goddamn fun at these things....
plus it's given me a reason to travel...new sights, new people, new knowledge it's a hat trick of awesomeness...

[AngryScientist]

Thanks for all of these, deep down inside I now wish that I don't manage to switch uni and take a year off, go to the italian workshop as to make the most kick-ass portfolio by next spring!
*insane grin*

[Layil]

I'm resurrecting this thread for ya'll who're still on the fence///////

Montreal Attendees! please add your thoughts!

THE WORKSHOP IS COMINNGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jessica Hook]

And I'm resurrecting this thread for anyone on the fence about coming to the Seattle Workshop!!!

aaaAAAAAAWWWW YEAH!!!

[Stark]

I just read this and damn...my head hurt. So much gushing about how awesome this is/will be makes me even more determined to make it. I know artists who've went to a workshop or two and have come back quickly leveling up. It was astounding. So, if you are not sure if you want to make it or even if you're good enough...go.

[Rabid]

Wow I havn't even experienced this yet and I think I'm gonna cry......I hope we get a hotel sketch session going in the warwick....or at elast some hang out time with the PROS

[Interceptor]

Absolutely invaluable experience.

The amount of inspiration and knowledge you'll take home with you is astonishing. Take notes!! Take lots of notes and talk to everyone that you can.

Something not advertised really is the type of lifetime contacts you'll meet. At the Montreal and SF workshop I've met some people who've helped my day after day to accelerate my work. Some of these people I consider to be my closest friends, even.