Building Backgrounds
Fall in love with creating a home for your characters.
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12
Videos with over 2.5 hours of content
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1
PDF
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13
Sample perspective grids
Adding characters to an environment is an important topic to understand and add to every artists work flow.
In this course professional illustrator Brian Ajhar emphasizing how to draw characters within their environment.
Brian discusses perspective, developing ideas, and how making characters interact helps with developing your thought process. This class is designed for any student interested developing their thinking skills at the early sketch and idea stage of creating art.
Parental Advisory: The video "Brian's Influences" contains a few images of nude cartoon figures and illustration images of the effects of war.
In this class you will learn:
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Fundamentals of perspective and why it's important
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Understanding your character in perspective
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The horizon line and how it affects your character
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Why it's important to know the eye level in your drawing
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How to design a room with 1 point perspective
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Adding furniture and props to a room
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How to draw engaging characters in perspective
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How to make your characters live in their environment
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Layering landscapes in perspective
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Making perspective believable and using perspective to to tell a story
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About the Instructor
Illustrator
Brian Ajhar
Brian Ajhar is an award winning character designer and illustrator who specializes in the animation and publishing industry. Brian's newest project will be published in 2019 by Disney. Brian has been recognized multiple times by CA magazine and the Society of Illustrators.
Reviews
Wonderful class with plenty of information and tips
Lisa Griffin
I enjoyed this class very much. Brian was thorough in his teaching with a focus on creating illustrations that emphasis environments that push story/narrativ...
Read MoreI enjoyed this class very much. Brian was thorough in his teaching with a focus on creating illustrations that emphasis environments that push story/narrative elements. It was interesting to see him draw over assignments, not only to watch his creative process, but to listen as he commented on other artists work and provided thoughtful critiques. Both Bryan and Will reviewed work objectively and gave feedback in an encouraging manner while further highlighting techniques that were taught in class. I highly recommend this course, whether you are new to illustration or working within the industry. Thank you Brian and Will!
Read LessGreat class!
Hugo Wee
I was not quite sure what to expect from this class, meaning I did not know from what angle they would teach how to build an environment. Overall I got a lot...
Read MoreI was not quite sure what to expect from this class, meaning I did not know from what angle they would teach how to build an environment. Overall I got a lot out of this class. They pointed out many aspects of building a space that is convincing in perspective. They went into some character design to address communication between characters. I wish the spacing between project was a little more evening spread and that there was an ending critique addressing the things each specific artist could work on and what their strengths are. All in all I loved it and the unique and different perspectives from Will and Brian!
Read LessA cure for fear of backgrounds
Linda Silvestri
I tend to shy away from drawing backgrounds but after taking this class I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and start plopping characters into all sorts of en...
Read MoreI tend to shy away from drawing backgrounds but after taking this class I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and start plopping characters into all sorts of environments. Excellent class!
Read LessGreat course more than just backgrounds
Blane Bellerud
This one was way more than just backgrounds, also did a really good job of explaining multiple viewpoint perspective and placing characters in the world of t...
Read MoreThis one was way more than just backgrounds, also did a really good job of explaining multiple viewpoint perspective and placing characters in the world of the illustration
Read LessOne of the best courses yet!
Emily Bier
The SVS foundational courses were extremely helpful in providing context for this class. I appreciate, in this class or others, when Will challenges another...
Read MoreThe SVS foundational courses were extremely helpful in providing context for this class. I appreciate, in this class or others, when Will challenges another artist to do something additional and challenging - it helps you learn to have a fuller, more thoughtful approach to your own work. Brian's artwork is effortless and so compelling. I particularly enjoyed it when he provided an overview of some of his influence. Another winner. Thanks again!
Read LessCourse curriculum
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1
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Introduction
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Horizon Line (The Pizza Principle)
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Placing Characters in Perspective
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Building Backgrounds in Perspective
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Down Shot Example
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Storytelling Example
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Exterior Background Example
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Draw-overs
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Parental Advisory
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Brian's Influences
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2
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Homework Introduction
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Homework PDF
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Grids
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3
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Image files
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