Fine Art & Portfolio Skills Archives

How to Learn Anatomy!

The important Skill of Anatomy and how young artists can Learn It

-by Grace Gardner-

Ah, human anatomy, the artist’s great friend and often foe. Almost every aspiring artist knows the frustration of drawing a hand and making it look right. We often find a way around it with a glove-like shape or just a simple circle and it passes, or so we think. So ‘why’, you might ask, should I have to learn how to draw a realistic hand, or realistic human in general, when the cartoons that I’ve already been drawing work well enough?

The answer is quite simple. Understanding human anatomy offers an artist the fundamental building blocks for correctly drawing other people. Otherwise one could wonder why anyone would start to learn how to draw humans, which wouldn’t be that big of a deal, if we weren’t surrounded by them. But really, if your plan is to pursue a creative career, you’ll need to have a diverse skill set and knowledge of proper human anatomy as it is expected by default and is a bit of a hard skill to fake.

Given that anatomy is essential for understanding how to build proper humanoids, it is a skill you should be learning pretty early on. But there are people who either don’t bother to learn anatomy at all or have difficulty fully grasping it the first time someone tries to teach them. For these reasons students commonly give up learning this skill before they begin.

Yet understanding human anatomy and how to use it properly is a very important skill to have. Anatomy gives students a 100% chance of improving their ability to draw a human form. In Anatomy courses, like the ones offered at Max the Mutt College through our diploma programs, you’ll learn the human body’s bone structure, then how muscles connect to those bones, how those muscles work for movement, act and react. Understanding those concepts help students to improve how their characters move and will assist in creating a less awkward looking form. Anatomy also helps a student understand how to give a human form weight and knowing this helps to make even a 2D person seem more alive.

Taking workshops that focus on figurative drawing like those of our Portfolio Development programs will give you more insight into how to draw a human form.

As a wise artist said: “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist” – Pablo Picasso

Anatomy — characters by 2022 Animation Graduate, Melodie Litwin

You’re probably wondering why in the world it is so hard to draw humans considering not only are we human ourselves but we are constantly surrounded by them. Well it may be surprising to know that the reason IS exactly that, we are constantly surrounded by humans making them very hard to draw.

You see, our brain has made short cuts for us to make processing the world around us easier and an often used social shortcut is to break down and then interpret the details that make up the people around us. Our brains aren’t fully recognizing the exact shapes and contours of our hands or how many wrinkles a person has on their face. The brain sees this information and changes it into generalized ideas of a person, like when you say someone has ‘soft features’ or they ‘looked old’.

Our brains do this for better social communication and is the reason we can see strange looking comic humans as humans. It takes the features we unconsciously process and exaggerates them to give us an impression of what that person is like.

This is why understanding and putting proper anatomy into practice is so hard. You have to un-train the brain of your old social shortcuts in order to really see what humans are made up of for the first time.

Anatomy: Daniela Jung — Anatomy by 2022 Animation Graduate, Daniela Jung

Anatomy by 2022 Animation Graduate, Jordan Marshall

Where do you even learn anatomy nowadays?

Well many people now try to learn it casually online by picking up techniques and instructions on how to draw humans here and there through other artist anatomy tips. This will give you an idea on how the body could be drawn in the artist’s style but it lacks that teachable understanding of how the bones and muscles interact to make a human form pose or move.

Nolan Chew Anatomy — art by Animation student, Nolan Chew

The best way to fully understand the fundamentals of anatomy is to take a hands on course like ones offered at MTM College. For example, workshop courses like Single Session Life Drawing or any of our Portfolio Development programs which give students the tools to help understand the concepts as well as assist to build their portfolio. Those looking for a more independent approach can follow the teachings of our Constructive Figure Drawing instructor, Dave Ross through his book, Freehand Figure Drawing for Illustrators, which provides a thorough approach to practicing figure drawing. Or for the student choosing to enroll in a creative diploma, like any of MTM College’s diploma programs in Animation, Concept Art or Illustration, they would definitely be taught anatomy and other important basic building blocks in order to improve their skills.

Whichever path you choose, we know that mastering anatomy from the inside out will give a boost to any artist looking to make any characters or creature designs.

How to Prepare a Portfolio for Art School Applications, A General Guide.

Whether you’d like to start formal studies in art and design, animation, concept art or a sequential arts program, it helps to learn more about how to prepare the portfolio required for your review. For an outstanding portfolio, we suggest that in addition to the required pieces asked for by the college, you should consider asking if you can include extras that you feel good about. These pieces can reflect some of your personality; your ideas, technical skill and interests. This helps set your portfolio apart from others when college admissions officers review it.

Tips for Preparing a Portfolio for Art College

The following tips and guidelines will help you prepare a better portfolio.

Double Check the Requirements – One of the most basic, and biggest mistakes you can make is to miss something that is clearly stated in the college’s application requirements. If it isn’t stated, a rule of thumb is to include 10 to 20 pieces in the portfolio. And submit your portfolio on time!
Pay Attention to the presentation:
- if you need to photograph some pieces, do it well! The best concept art ever can look terrible if it is photographed in poor lighting.
- Clean up your drawings. If you are showing your sketchbook, for example, use a kneaded rubber eraser to clean up smudged or messy pages.
- Organize the pieces so that is easy for the reviewer to check off required pieces.
- Double check that you have everything required for your application! What else did you need to include besides the portfolio? The care you take is an indication that you will be a serious, focused student who can follow directions.
- If the college does an in-person interview, get there a few minutes early. Think of this as a job interview. Be sure you are well groomed. Smile. Make eye contact… Introduce yourself.

If you liked this post, check out our article on how to begin a career in animation and many others on fine art, graphic design, and much more.

What is Traditional Representational Art & Why is it Crucial for Concept Artists?

Representational art quite simply ‘represents’ its subject in a way that most viewers can easily recognize. Traditional representational art uses perspective (including colour and atmospheric perspective) to present the illusion of three-dimensional reality on the paper or canvas. The knowledge and skills required to create realistic illusion grew slowly through the centuries.

Throughout history, most art, including paintings and sculptures, were representational. The earliest known examples of representational art are indeed the earliest known forms of art; cave paintings that date back up to 40,000 years ago.

The first known picture to make use of linear perspective was created by the Florentine architect Fillipo Brunelleshi (1377-1446). Painted in 1415, it depicted the Baptistery in Florence from the front gate of the unfinished cathedral. ( see A History of Perspective in Art – Op-Art.co.uk).

Although other basic types of art, including abstract and non-objective art, emerged in the 20th century, traditional, it is realistic representational art skills that are necessary for AAA video game and live action concept artists. Why? If your goal is to create realistic environments and the characters who inhabit them, you obviously need to understand how this illusion is achieved. Photoshop depends on your drawing and painting skills: you must first understand how to draw human beings, animals and creatures, locations and props that convince the viewer that he/she is looking at a real place before you can take those abilities into computer programs.

Representational art skills are core subjects in the Concept Art Diploma program at Max the Mutt.

A Quick Look at 5 Different Types of Animation

If you’re thinking about a career in animation, you’ve probably done some animating. Maybe you’ve always doodled on a flipbook. Or you might have grown up with a computer animation program. In any case, you have a pretty good idea of what is animation, or you wouldn’t be thinking about making it your career!

But, no matter what animating you’ve done, you’ve probably only used one of the 5 basic types of animation. For example, your flipbook animations are an example of 2D animation, or traditional animation. The work you’ve done on a computer is probably and example of 3D or computer animation.

5 Basic Types of Animation

Here’s a quick look at 5 types of animation to help you have a better idea of the possibilities for a career in animation.

Traditional 2D Animation – One of the older forms of animation, every frame of a traditional animation sequence is created by hand, similar to what you did with with flipbooks. Back in the day, animators used a process called onion skinning. Working on a light table, animators could see previous drawings through the paper so they could draw the next frame in the sequence. Today, even traditional animation is created using a computer. Disney’s classic animated films and the old Bugs Bunny cartoons are examples of traditional animation.
2D Vector-Based Animation – In addition to aiding in the process of traditional animation, computer technology makes it possible to create 2D vector-based animations. In addition to frame-by-frame animation, 2D vector-based animation technology gives animators the option to create ‘rigs’ for a character. This allows the animator to move individual body parts, instead of redrawing the entire character for each frame.
Computer Animation – While 2D vector-based animations are created with computer, computer animation refers to 3D animations. Today, 3D animation is the most common form of animation. Computer animation requires the same understanding of the principles of movement and composition as traditional animation. But 3D animation doesn’t necessarily require drawing skills. In a way, it is more like working with puppets. Once a character has been designed, 3D animation programs give animators the tools to animate every element of a character, step by step, in three dimensions.
Motion Graphics – Also computer-based, motion graphics are not as character-driven as the forms of animation we’ve mentioned so far. In a way, the ‘characters’ are graphic elements or text that are animated in creative ways, often for advertising, promotions and titling sequences in films and TV shows. While motion graphics may not require the same understanding of human body motion dynamics as other forms of animation, frame composition and perspective are key.
Stop Motion – For the last type of animation we’ll talk about today, we’ll go back to a traditional form, stop-motion animation. Using live-action video or film cameras, stop-motion animation is done by capturing a frame of a still object, then slightly moving it and/or changing its shape or other characteristic, then capturing another frame. The process is repeated so that when the captured frames are played in sequence, the object appears to be animated.

If you’re interested in a career in animation, the Classical & Computer Animation & Production Diploma program at Max the Mutt is designed to give you all the tools for success.

How to Learn Concept Art Even if You Can’t Draw

One of the biggest curves that life can throw is to give you a desire to do something without the innate ability to begin. You can be really creative with lots of artistic ideas, but have a problem when you try to put those ideas on paper. How to Learn Concept Art Even if You Can’t Draw?

The more refined an artistic discipline becomes, like concept art, the wider that disconnect can be. Just how do you go from a rudimentary ability to draw, to being a full-on concept artist? Can you even do it?

Concept Art – Yes You Can

First of all, few people get anywhere they want to go without the desire and motivation needed for the journey. That said, if you’re interested in learning about concept art and its role in the creation of films, video games, animation, graphic novels and other artistic media, you can pursue that interest, even if you’re starting at square one.

How to Become a Concept Artist Even if You Can’t Draw

1. Learn to Draw

It sounds so simple. You may have considered it, but figured it was too far a leap to start there and end up at concept art. But you must start somewhere and there’s no better place than art classes and workshops. There are important basics of art, including perspective, color theory, light and shade, and the human from, that you’ll need as a concept artist. Even if it seems miles away from your goal, a good grasp of the basics will make the journey easier.

2. Get Used to the Technology

From digital background painting and computer graphic design, to 3D modelling, digital technology is integral to concept art.

3. Talk to Concept Artists

Is there a professional concept artist whose work you admire? Or do you follow a few concept artists on Twitter? In any case, don’t be afraid to reach out and start a conversation. It could be the most valuable one you have about becoming a concept artist.

Max the Mutt offers a full diploma program in Concept Art. Contact us to learn more.

3 Sources of Inspiration for Artists and Animators

It’s bound to happen sometime. You might be the most prolific artist ever; you might have the best creative brief ever authored. But you simply can’t seem to get a start on your illustration, piece of art or the first frame of your animation storyboard.

First, you’re not alone. Creative blocks are common for creative people. If and when one strikes, the first thing to do is reassure yourself that you’ll get around it.

Sources of Inspiration for Artists and Animators

Back in the day, like the last century, artists and illustrators kept physical ‘idea’ files. These were stuffed with magazine clippings, the work of other artists, brochures from gallery openings, photographs, and more.

Idea files were a place for artists to store anything they found inspiring. Then, when they sat down to put pencil to paper and drew a blank, they could look into their idea file for inspiration.

Of course, today everyone can have access to the largest idea file ever, the internet. But the internet is so vast with so much inspiration, you may not find all the places where your particular inspiration lurks.

Here are just a few of the different places you can find inspiration for your work, beyond doing a straight google search.

1. Blogs

Sure, you probably follow a few blogs you like, but if you look more closely, you find inspirational blogs in some unexpected places. In addition to artists’ blogs, and those from design agencies, Adobe offers a graphic design blog that highlights artists, trends and news.

2. Podcasts

It might seem counter intuitive to get graphic inspiration from an aural medium but podcasts, like The Bancroft Brothers Animation Podcast, can help point you in directions you might not have thought of before for inspiration.

3. Other Artists

Websites, YouTube videos and social media are great places to display your art and that makes them great places to find inspiration. And, again, in ways you may not have thought. Can you pick up any pointers for concept art and/or illustration from graffiti artist Omen514’s Instagram feed?

Here’s one more. You can always visit Max the Mutt’s Alumni Portfolio page!

The Importance of Still Life Drawing

Before we discuss the importance of still life drawing, it helps to clarify just what is is. Interestingly, still life art typically depicts everyday natural or man-made objects that are inanimate and, in contrast to the name, generally lifeless.

But it’s the depiction of what may be a lifeless (actually including dead animals in some cases!) object in a way that draws in the viewer, almost as if it was somehow ‘alive’, offers the first clue to its importance.

Whether you’re considering a career in 3D or 2D animation, gaming graphics, fashion design, advertising art, or any graphic-related profession, the importance of learning still life drawing shouldn’t be missed.

1. Creating the Illusion of 3D in 2D

Even if you want to jump straight into 3D animation, understanding how to make a two-dimensional object look three dimensional gives you a practical understanding of what you’re doing on the screen.

2. “Animate” the Inanimate

The art of still life drawing is depicting objects that we might never notice day-to-day, other than for practical purposes (like a can of tomato soup!), in ways that lets the viewer see them differently, see different aspects and even different meanings in them.

If you can do that in a drawing of a bottle, you’ll be better able to do it in any graphic art form.

3. Setting the Scene

Still life artists take time and care to choose and compose their subjects before composing their drawing. It’s like sketching with the objects of your art instead of with pencil and paper. And it helps your ability to compose any scene, whether it’s on paper or digital.

4. Capturing Colour Theory

In addition to composition, still life art can rely heavily on colour theory to add meaning, mood and dynamics to the subject. All of which are valuable tools for every artist and animator.

5. Adds an Interesting, Unexpected Dimension to Your Portfolio

In addition the your areas of specialization, still life drawings add a sense of versatility and depth to your portfolio.

Still life drawing is a major component of the Fine Art Portfolio Skills Class at Max the Mutt College of Animation, Art & Design.

Just What Are Sequential Arts?

Sometimes, even the most complex names and terminology are actually quite easy to understand, and sequential arts falls into that category. You might be stumped on first hearing the term, but it’s really very simple. Drawings and/or images that are used in a sequence (suddenly it’s starting to make sense, eh?!) to tell or illustrate a story are known as the sequential arts.

Comic books and graphic novels are two of the most common uses of sequential art.

But, if it’s easy to get a good understanding of the term sequential arts. It’s not so easy to simply pick up a pencil and start drawing a series of images that produce meaning and a story when they are viewed one after the other.

That fact is one of the reasons that the term sequential arts was used by Will Eisner, one of the earliest cartoonists in the comic book industry. To describe the comic book medium and the elements that go into creating a comic book.

Comic Books as Sequential Art

Just like a story told in words can be conveyed in any of a virtually limitless variety of ways, so too can a story told using sequential arts.

To give you a sense of what can be involved in sequential arts, let’s stick with the comic books example and look at some of its components.

The Panel

If the basic building block of a written story is the sentence. The corresponding element in sequential arts is the panel, or frame of each individual image used in the sequence.
Just like sentences can be long, short, complex or simple, panels can take a variety of forms. They generally have a visible, rectangular border. But panels can take any shape and have no visible border. Whether they have a border or not, panels are usually separated by an area called the gutter.

The Page Layout

The basic page layout of a comic book is a series of rectangular panels in an obvious order. But just like panels can take different forms so too can page layouts. Many sequential artists don’t use rectangular panels, borders or the uniform page layout used in most comics. Instead, the borders of their panels may only be defined by the gutter, and the layout of the page can seem to have very little structure.

The Style of the Art

A story of revenge as told by Stephen King gives the reader an entirely different experience than a similar story told by J.K. Rowling. Of course, they would each use their own words to tell the story, but it is their style of writing that is as much to do with the different experience as anything else.

The same is true for the style of art used to create a comic. Your story will create a different impression if the style of art is cartoonish, abstract or realistic. And, as a visual medium, sequential arts can borrow from other visual media in its style. For example, the long shots, close-ups and zooms of film can also be part of your sequential arts style.

Marrying Text & Image

Not all sequential arts use text, but, when they do, it adds yet another level of complexity to the story telling. In addition to simply expressing dialogue, as it does in a Garfield comic, text can be used as narration, sound effects, thoughts and commentary. Text can appear in speech balloons, text boxes and within the image itself. Including the right text, in the right context, in the right position in each panel is as important as any graphic element of the panel and the overall story.

If you would like to find out more about learning sequential arts, get in touch with us at Max the Mutt College of Animation Art & Design.

Fine Art Portfolio Skills Classes Begin September 18!

Max the Mutt will offer the Fine Art & Portfolio Skills Certificate Program as an all day Sunday program starting Sunday, September 18th !

Curriculum changes in secondary school programs leave many students without a grounding in traditional REPRESENTATIONAL fine art skills, the skills required for success in many art based careers such as animation, illustration, fashion design, advertising art, concept design, and often required for acceptance into to undergraduate college and university programs. The Fine Art & Portfolio Skills Certificate Program at Max the Mutt was designed to help anyone who plans to apply to these college or university programs. Class size is limited, and individual attention is guaranteed. This program is open to adults as well as secondary school students.

The curriculum:

20 three hour life drawing classes
20 three hour drawing classes using still life to teach you how we create the illusion of 3 dimensions on a 2D surface;
10 three hour perspective classes introducing 1, 2 and 3 point perspective
10 three hour classes on composition, colour theory, and using acrylic paint.

At the end of each unit, you will have a one on one meeting with the instructor, and at the end of the course, a final meeting with a qualified professional to assist in choosing work for you portfolio.

Successful completion of all units is required to receive the certificate. This includes professionalism ( good attendance, punctuality, ability to take direction, polite professional behaviour) as well as Pass level work.

The schedule:

Life Drawing and Principles of Drawing (60 hours): September 18 to November 27 (60 hours)

(Off October 9 for Thanksgiving)

Life Drawing and Perspective (60 hours) : December 11, 18; 26, 27, 28, 29, 2016; January 8, 15, 22, 29, 2017 (Note: classes will meet 4 consecutive full days during the winter break.)

Design and Painting (60 hours): February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 2017

Saturday, March 4 Overall Portfolio Reviews

March 5 last day of classes

Life Drawing with Jock MacRae, building portfolio skills!

Sign before September to receive discounted tuition!