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Composition for Concept Art and Illustration

Composition for Concept Art and Illustration

An 8-week course on the art of composition and how it evokes emotion to engage audiences
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Overview Gallery Instructors Interview Pricing Benefits Testimonials

Create visually striking, story-based images

Create visually striking, story-based images
This class will cover the fundamental principles used to create visually striking images as applied to illustration, film, games, animation, and publishing. The class will first begin by exploring how composition functions as a visual design language across a 2-dimensional surface by covering concepts like mass, proportion, movement, and symmetry.

These concepts will then be studied as they relate to illustration and entertainment-based mediums in the form of focal point, rhythm, depth, camera, space, and more. Clear visual communication will also be emphasized with regard to how the basic principles help communicate a compelling story/idea. Students will refine their understanding of composition through assignments that include graphic studies, thumbnail sketches, background/layout design, and story-based drawings.
Registration Now Open
Registration Period
Apr 23, 2025 - Jul 14, 2025
Course Start
Jul 09, 2025

Course Format

Standard

Skills Level

Intermediate

Duration

8 weeks

Q&A

Once a week

Feedback

Individual recordings

Lecture Type

Pre-recorded
Assignment
Due each week. Expect to spend 8-10 hrs/wk viewing lectures, Q&A, and time on assignments.
PREREQUISITES
Students should have a very good understanding of drawing fundamentals including but not limited to figures, environments, and general perspective
MATERIALS
Photoshop (or equivalent)

The more you know, the better.

This class will define the “illustrator’s intent” as well as what is meant by composition using examples from throughout the world of art/photography/film and more. Composition will be formally introduced using abstract spatial principles & defining the need for visual context. It will also discuss the tools of visual language and how they form the basis for all composition.
This lecture will introduce the concept of Notan vs. Form and use examples from art history and film to explain how line and mass relate to the story message. It will also continue with the abstract spatial principles already introduced as they relate to line and shape.
This lecture will introduce the topics of focal point, division of space, depth, rhythm, etc. as they relate to overall layout design which includes but is not limited to environment and background design.
This lecture will take the previously discussed topics of focal point, division of space, depth, rhythm, etc., and apply them toward more advanced character-driven compositions that tell a story.
This lecture will take the previously introduced value matrix and expand upon it by focusing on value as a design tool.
The topics of lighting and color will be discussed as additional visual tools in furthering the composition’s story message.
Building on the concepts introduced so far this class will explore how different camera “lenses” can be used for different compositional goals. Perspective concepts will also be discussed as a visual tool for thumbnail exploration.
This lecture will focus on composition as it relates to media not entirely dependent on a single image such as the graphic novel, children’s books, poster art, and other unconventional formats.

STUDENT GALLERY

Unleashing your creative potential

Steffany Rodriguez
Visual Development Artist
LECTURES BY Mauricio Abril
Course Start: Jul 09, 2025

Steffany is an artist in animation located in Los Angeles, CA. She graduated from UCR with a B.S in Anthropology before attending Art Center College of Design for Illustration - Entertainment Art. She specializes in environment design and paint and has worked for Netflix, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Animation and more. Steffany has experience as a background painter, designer and visual development artist for TV. She has also been a digital matte painter on a few Disney Parks projects, an illustrator for children’s educational series, and a foundation instructor for children.

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Instructor's Gallery

Concept Art
Concept Art
Concept Art

STUDENT INTERVIEWS

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Deconstructing the Image: How to Create Strong Composition

Introduction COULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO US AND WHAT YOUR ARTISTIC BACKGROUND IS? I currently work in Chicago as a Lead Artist at a gaming...

Interview with

Kyrstin Avello

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The Art of Composition

Introduction Hey, my name is Ryley Garcia and I am a visual development artist, production designer, and illustrator working in animated film and tv. I...

Interview with

Ryley Garcia

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Week by Week

Introduction My name is Ross Moyer and I’m a student at CGMA. I’m from Pennsylvania in the United States. My educational background is in Economics...

Interview with

Ross Moyer

GET ONE YEAR ACCESS AND TRANSFORM YOUR ARTISTIC JOURNEY

Take your CGMA learning further with CGMA+, a companion add-on featuring over 70 new, stand-alone workshops—more than 250 hours of content you won’t find in your core CGMA program. You’ll learn from multiple instructors, each with a unique style, so you can see how different artists approach the same subject in various ways. This additional material builds on what you’re already studying, broadening your perspective and helping you look at topics from fresh angles. It’s a straightforward way to strengthen your studies and boost your skills.

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PRICING SCHEDULE

Even though our courses are the most affordable for the quality of education, these finance options allow you to focus on your goals instead of the barriers that keep you from reaching them.

3x Payments

$233

2x Payments

$349.50

Full payment

$699

View all CGMA+ Workshops
Summer TERM REGISTRATION Now Open
Apr 23, 2025 - Jul 21, 2025
COURSE BEGINS on Jul 09, 2025
Composition for Concept Art and Illustration

What makes this learning experience unique?

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK

Receive personalized feedback on all assignments from the industry’s top professionals.

LIFETIME ACCESS

Enjoy lifetime access to the spectrum of course content, including lectures, live Q&As, and feedback sessions.

CERTIFICATION

Show off your Certification of Completion when you turn in 80% of course assignments.

FLEXIBLE LEARNING

Learn anywhere, anytime, and at your own pace with flexible, online course scheduling.

Testimonials

Mauricio was awesome! He really engaged with us and answered every question that was asked – pretty amazing!

Sebastian

Really good mentorship and instruction from Mauricio.

James

The instructor is clearly passionate about his profession and he demonstrated his enthusiasm throughout the assignments. He always managed to bring out the best points in any of the students’ work, improving them but preserving the student’s initial idea.

Anouk

I learned a lot more about composition, not just how to place elements on a page but also how to use colour and lighting to direct the eye.

Peter

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