Heroes and Monsters

Initially, students will select inspirational master works to copy and use to study traditional techniques. While developing these essential skills, they also maintain a sketchbook of original ideas for narratives, subjects, character designs, and settings. Advanced students culminate their experience by creating a finished, fully realized painting.

In this first sequence of pictures, students have created paintings to learn step-by-step procedures from masters of Fantasy, Comic, and Science Fiction art.

Liam Headrick, Age 11, Watercolor

Aidan Headrick, Age 13, Watercolor

David Lin, Age 12, Watercolor

Liam Headrick, Age 11, Watercolor

Johnny Barret, Age 16, Watercolor

Lilliah Campagna, RHUPA Clukerbug Chase, Age 18, Original Visual Development Watercolor Design

Mason Smith, Age 15, Watercolor

Iris Baurceanu, Age 15, Watercolor

Fina Mooney, Age 12, Watercolor

Joey Snippes, Age 12, Watercolor

State Fair Blue Ribbon Winner! Izzy Wexler-Mann, Age 14, Watercolor

State Fair Winner! Alex Pedersen, Age 14, Watercolor

Eliza Baker, Guest Instructor, Kindred Spirits, Age 19, Watercolor

Zach Clemens, Age 17, Oil on Canvas Board

Nils Lundgren, Age 17, Oil on Canvas Board

Daphne Welter, Age 19, Oil on Canvas Board

State Fair Winner! Alex Pederson, Age 16, Oil Painting on Canvas Board

David Alf, Age 17, Oil Painting on Canvas Board

Sam Eiken, Age 15, Oil Painting on Canvas Board

State Fair Blue Ribbon Winner! Alex Pederson, Age 15, Oil Painting on Canvas Board

Developing a Concept to Finish

In the following sequence of pictures we trace the thought process of one student at work on an original fantasy painting. Inspired by masterworks and sketchbook drawings, Alex used ink and wash to paint composition sketches. The cycle shows Alex's rough, initial concept as it develops into a complete visual expression through incremental studies.

Alex then selected his best concepts and consulted photographic reference to produce a full-size compositional drawing. Next came his bistre and grisaille underpainting.

The gallery concludes with a pencil drawing by Eliza Baker. It is included to demonstrate the variety of techniques we encourage students to try as they work to harness their first creative impulse.