In this video you will learn how to look at photo reference and start drawing it with simple shapes. Mel teaches what he's looking for in a good photo portrait. He explains that you must look for the big simple shapes first while ignoring the details. Follow Mel as he guides you through his process to create a stylized version of a photo portrait. You can use either traditional or digital tools to take this class.

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About the Instructor

Mel Milton

Mel Milton is an amazing artist who has worked as an interface web designer and later as a character animator for Disney Interactive for IPs like Van Helsing, Narnia Prince Caspian, Toystory 3, and Cars 2. While at Disney he illustrated The Smurfs book for Simon and Schuster, a hit with children around the world. Mel's work can be seen all over the internet as he has gathered an extensive following for his stylized characters and portraits that he shares almost daily.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    New Chapter

    • Stylizing Portraits

    • Downloads

Reviews

Full of tips!

Verna Grant

Lots of handy tips that could apply to more than just portraits. Great class!

Lots of handy tips that could apply to more than just portraits. Great class!

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Passionate encouragement to be creative.

First Last

I think the description of this course could be " Mel Milton enthusiastically tells you how to identify what it is that appeals to you in certain portraits. ...

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I think the description of this course could be " Mel Milton enthusiastically tells you how to identify what it is that appeals to you in certain portraits. Then he tells you how to ask questions as you analyze the portrait. These questions then enable you to emphasize the main elements that make up that appeal. He cheers you on to going way beyond merely making a nice portrait to creating something satisfying and appealing to yourself and your fans." Also I felt happy to see that Mel is African American.

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Great info and worth multiple looks.

Nicholas Waters

I have watched this lesson over and over and get something new out of it each time. I would love more courses from Mel Milton and topics like this.

I have watched this lesson over and over and get something new out of it each time. I would love more courses from Mel Milton and topics like this.

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How to evolve from your reference

Dominic Schell

I follow Mel already for a while and like his style. What I liked about this video is to see his approach and how he not simply uses reference material, but ...

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I follow Mel already for a while and like his style. What I liked about this video is to see his approach and how he not simply uses reference material, but analyzes why that reference was so appealing in the first place. And from that, he evolves the reference to become another stunning "Mel". In that sense: keep on keeping on, Mel!

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