18th
July
2010
Digital Figure Painting (using Photoshop) (Starts July 29th – 10wks)
Instructor: Alex Ruiz
Thursday, 7pm-10pm

The focus of this course will be on digital life drawing and painting using Adobe Photoshop and other digital techniques. The class also explores working with brushes and digital drawing tablets (such as those from Wacom) with a live model in the room to replicate through drawing and painting the human figure as would be done in a studio environment. Gesture, form, and anatomy will also be discussed in depth.
Drawing Storyboards/Graphic Novels with Light (Starts Aug. 14th – 5wks)
Instructor: Marcos Mateu
Saturday, 10am-1pm

Light is the element that will dramatically influence a set and the characters within. Depending on the use we make of it the perception of the image will change in order to fit the storytelling moment. In this course we will observe and ink on paper sets under different lighting conditions, in convincing and practical ways, to then apply these techniques to specific panels that will deliver the desired message to an audience.There will also be slide show, analysis and discussion of artwork examples.
Entertainment Composition (Starts Aug. 21st – 5wks)
Instructor: Bryan Norton
Saturday, 2pm-5pm
The focus of this course is to investigate different methods of sketching and visual concept development for entertainment projects while stressing creative thinking, drawing from the imagination, and composition. Using fundamental drawing and design principles students will explore in class and at home using ink pens, pencils, markers/and or watercolors to fully realize their ideas through various exercises and small design projects including character design, environments, props and/or vehicles. In addition to interactive lectures, instruction includes demos and technical information on materials, methods, and uses of various sketching techniques and styles as they apply to entertainment design. My goal is to give students a hands-on overview of entertainment design sketching and composition that is content rich in a very interactive and open setting that allows students to participate and express their creativity using the knowledge they gain from this course. Should Have Prior Knowledge Of: Basic perspective drawing, previous figure drawing/quick sketch.
Wednesday, 7pm-10pm

This course explores the fundamentals of environment design. The class will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of what goes into designing environments including a step by step process which will culminate with the students producing environment drawings of their own. Weekly lectures and demonstrations will cover topics such as staging and composition, 1, 2, 3 and 5 point perspective, scaling characters, visual story telling, natural and artificial lighting, thumbnails and rough sketching, final line and line quality and tonal drawings. Students will be expected to work within the classroom as well as manage homework assignments.
If you would like to register for any of these classes, call 818.708.9232
posted in Animation, Classes, Concept Design, Illustration, Painters, Presentations, figure drawing |
13th
July
2010
#4250 – Environment Layout Design
(Starts July 14th – 10wks)
Instructor : Robert St. Pierre
Wednesday, 7pm-10pm
Robert St. Pierre was the Production Designer for the movie “9″ His responsibilities include facilitating final design, overseeing simple proxy to hi-res 3D models including environment, characters and props. You can watch the trailer at: http://www.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/9/
He also worked as the Layout Artist for Disney’s the “Princess and the Frog”. You can view the trailer at http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/disney/princessandthefrog/
He is currently working as a layout artist on “Winnie the Pooh” movie at Disney.

Click to view class info
#4050/4055 – Narrative Illustration for Entertainment/Composition
(Starts July 17th – 5 weeks/10wks)
Instructor: Bryan Norton
Saturday, 2pm-5pm
Bryan has worked on Star Wars Battlefront 2, Saboteur, Lord of the Rings Conquest and Saboteur Irishman in Paris. You can view his work on the Lord of the Rings: Conquest- “Attract” Game Trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGaH_Xj2cO4

Click here to view 5- week class Entertainment Composition Class
Click to view 5- Week Narrative Illustration Class
Click to view 10-week class
If you are interested in taking any of these classes, call 818.708.9232 or email us at
contactus@laafa.org
posted in Animation, Classes, Comics, Concept Design, Games, Graphic Design, Illustration, Painters, figure drawing |
10th
July
2010


Hi Everyone,
Steve Jung is coming to CDA for a 1 day workshop on the topic of “Film Production Illustration” this coming Saturday.
Date – July 17th
Time – 2~7PM
Price – $120
Steve’s past projects include “Tron Legacy”, “Transformer 2″, “Gatchaman”, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle” and “Darkwatch”
This is a great workshop for anyone interested in concept design for film or the process of creating a digital illustration for pre-production.
To sign up, just e-mail us at contact@conceptdesignacad.com to reserve your spot.
Space is limited, so sign up soon while the seats are still available~!!
Best,
Concept Design Academy
www.conceptdesignacad.com



posted in Classes, Concept Design, Film, Games, Illustration, Interior Design, Lectures, Presentations, Tutorials, Workshops |
6th
July
2010
Check out Alex Ruiz’s New Figure Painting Demo in Photoshop!
To view his video, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWFrpJx6apM
Alex Ruiz will be teaching a Digital Figure Painting Class at LAAFA, starting July 15th. The class runs for ten weeks and will be working in Photoshop.
posted in Animation, Classes, Comics, Concept Design, Illustration, figure drawing |
26th
June
2010

The skills of drawing and color are critically important and yet they don’t find their full expression until they’re teamed with a strong composition. If you’re going to make a great picture you have to have a great composition.
So whether you’re a landscape painter, figurative or entertainment artist, this workshop will give you the information you need to bring compelling expression to your work.
Composition: Design for dynamic picture making:
* Slide-show presentation and lecture, 12-3pm: Lectures on the fundamentals of effective picture making. Discussions on the creation of mood and environment. Principles for organizing complex scenes into pleasing arrangements. Strategies for solving compositional problems quickly and effectively. Studies of Composition in history and the modern day.
* Painting demonstration, 3:30-5
* Compositional exercises, 6-7pm
* Student painting time with instructor feedback, 7-8pm
Workshop for the Day – $140
Call 818-708-9232 for more information or visit for more information.
posted in Animation, Classes, Concept Design, Illustration, Lectures, Uncategorized, Workshops, figure drawing |
18th
June
2010

Hi Everyone,
Stephan Martiniere’s 2 day “Sci Fi & Fantasy Design” workshop is coming up next weekend on June 26 & 27.
There is still 3 spots remaining, so sign up soon while the spaces are still available
To sign up, just e-mail us at contact@conceptdesignacad.com to reserve your spot.
Best,
Kevin Chen
Concept Design Academy
http://www.conceptdesignacad.com/
posted in Animation, Classes, Concept Design, Film, Illustration, Interviews, Lectures, Painters, Presentations, Tutorials, Workshops |
15th
June
2010
LAAFA is having their Open House June 19th from 11am-4pm! Come check out our student and teacher work. There will be a free uninstructed model workshop, so make sure to bring materials to paint or draw with. We will be doing a raffel for up to $100 off a class for the Summer Quarter. Aaron Westerberg, Mark McDonnell, and Alex Ruiz will be doing demos. And bring work for a portfolio review!
If you have any questions or if you need directions, call 818.708.9232 or email contactus@laafa.org
posted in Classes, Concept Design, Open House, Painters, Presentations, Tutorials, Workshops, figure drawing |
12th
June
2010
LAAFA is offering more entertainment classes next quarter! Here are some of the classes…

#4050 – Narrative Illustration for Entertainment with Bryan Norton on Saturdays, 2pm-5pm. (5 Week Class) For info: http://www.laafa.org/sessions/classes_details.php?id=67&class_id=3175&cat_id=4
#4009 – Animal Drawing on Location with Jonathan Kuo Saturdays from 10am-1pm. (5 week class and a 10 week class is offered) For info: http://www.laafa.org/sessions/classes_details.php?id=67&class_id=3170&cat_id=4
#4037 – Digital Figure Painitng (using Photoshop) with Alex Ruiz Thursdays from 7pm-10pm. (10 Week Class) For info: http://www.laafa.org/sessions/classes_details.php?id=67&class_id=3157&cat_id=4
#4041 – Drawing Storyboards/Graphic Novels with Light with Marcos Mateu Saturdays, 10am-1pm (5 Week Class). For info: http://www.laafa.org/sessions/classes_details.php?id=67&class_id=3168&cat_id=4
#4055 – Entertainment Composition with Bryan Norton Saturdays, 2pm-5pm. (5 Week Class) For info: http://www.laafa.org/sessions/classes_details.php?id=67&class_id=3176&cat_id=4
#4250 – Environment Layout Design with Robert St. Pierre Wednesdays, 7pm-10pm. (10 Week Class) For info: http://www.laafa.org/sessions/classes_details.php?id=67&class_id=3154&cat_id=4
#4027 – From Life Drawing to Cartooning with Rad Sechrist Sundays, 1:30pm-4:30pm. (10 Week Class) For info: http://www.laafa.org/sessions/classes_details.php?id=67&class_id=3182&cat_id=4
#4012 – Portfolio & Website Presentation with Douglas Kirk Saturdays, 10am-1pm. (5 Week Class) For info: http://www.laafa.org/sessions/classes_details.php?id=67&class_id=3167&cat_id=4
#1027 – Costumed Gesture Quick Sketch with Mark McDonnell Mondays, 7:30pm-10:30pm. (10 Week Class) For info: http://www.laafa.org/sessions/classes_details.php?id=67&class_id=3131&cat_id=1
#1223 – Figure Quick Sketch with Kirk Shinmoto Wednesdays, 7pm-10pm. (10 Week Class) For info: http://www.laafa.org/sessions/classes_details.php?id=67&class_id=3152&cat_id=1
#1130 – Figure Drawing with Emphasis on Action and Form with Paul Wee Tuesdays, 7pm-10pm. (10 Week Class) For info: http://www.laafa.org/sessions/classes_details.php?id=67&class_id=3139&cat_id=1

If you have any questions, or if you would like to register, call 818.708.9232 or email us at contactus@laafa.org.
posted in Animation, Classes, Comics, Concept Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Painters, figure drawing |
27th
May
2010

This Workshop will focus on learning to paint a portrait from life. The Instructor will be going over composition, drawing, likeness, organizing your palette, color mixing, value, edges, and producing a completed portrait. This will consist of one day costumed or semi- nude poses. Students can work in any media. Instructor will be working in oil.
Sean Cheetham uses a very distinct palette, called a “mud-Palette” when working on Alla-Prima Portraits. This palette will be discussed extensively throughout the workshop. The benefits of working with this palette are value and color control. Harmony and unity in you final piece and a simple step by step process to painting alla-prima portraits. Don’t miss this opportunity to study with one of the great Portrait Painters of this time.
Sean Cheetham has been recognized by many Galleries, Magazines, Museums, and Art Collectors as a valid and important Artist in today’s representational Fine Art world!
What: Sean Cheetham Portrait in Alla-Prima Workshop
Where: Atelier Marchant
15414 Cabrito Rd.
Van Nuys, CA 91406
When: June 24th-28th 10am-6pm each day
Cost: $695 total
www.seancheetham.blogspot.com
To Register or for more details please Call Matthew Marchant 661.350.1579 or e-mail: marchant07@sbcglobal.net
posted in Animation, Autographs, Classes, Comics, Competitions, Concept Design, Convention, Fashion, Fashion Show, Film, Fundraisers, Funny, Gallery Show, Graphic Design, Illustration, Images, Interior Design, Interviews, Lectures, Open House, Opening Night, Painters, Photography, Presentations, References, Screenings, Signings, Technology, Tutorials, Uncategorized, Videos, Workshops, figure drawing |
21st
May
2010
Our Summer Brochure is here! We have all our sessions classes and workshops listed. We also have information about LAAFA’s Full-Time Program Scholarship Competition, our Complimentary 5-Week Teen Portfolio Class, Teacher Appreciation Classes, and our new 5-Week Courses!

The brochure also includes information about our Student Show at the Downtown Art Walk, June 10th and our Open House June 19th.
You can view our brochure at: http://www.laafa.org/PDF/SU10BrochureWeb.pdf
Classes will be filling up fast, so of you would like to pre-enroll, you can call 818.708.9232 or enroll online at:http://laafa.org/sessions/register_policy.php?cmd=pre_application
posted in Animation, Classes, Competitions, Concept Design, Gallery Show, Graphic Design, Illustration, Lectures, Open House, Painters, Presentations, Tutorials, Workshops, figure drawing |