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Digital Painting Level 3: Painting Realistic Portraits

In this class, we will create digital paintings with a focus on realistic portraits.
Chris Chien
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5.0
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(851)
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What's included

1 live meeting
45 mins in-class hours per week

Class Experience

New to Outschool? Enjoy $20 off this class with promocode: CHRISCH20 (New users only).

This is a class for advanced digital artists who want to push themselves in creating realistic portrait paintings. This fast-paced class is reserved for artists who are very familiar with their digital painting software and have a strong art foundation. 

-- LEARNING GOALS -- 

In this class, you will...
βœ… Create digital paintings of your favorite celebrities.
βœ… Experiment with various art styles, including realistic, stylized, and cartoony. You will explore different methods and techniques for digital painting, encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone and try new approaches.
βœ… Practice fundamental art principles such as shadows, values, highlights, color, and texture.
βœ… Have fun and paint alongside other passionate artists.

-- TOPICS --

We will experiment with a variety of methodologies and digital workflows in the class. Here are some examples of techniques covered:

πŸ”°Grisaille Method: This technique, used by artists during the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods (13th-18th centuries), provides a classical approach to painting. Students will start with a grayscale layer and gradually introduce color in thin layers. 

πŸ”°Digital Layering: This method emulates 3D software workflows and is frequently utilized by artists in the animation industry. Students will create separate layers for local color, shadows, highlights, and ambient occlusion. 

πŸ”°Alla Prima Method: This Italian painting technique, meaning "at first attempt," is traditionally used by oil painters for quick, wet-on-wet painting. In digital painting, it will create an artistic look with highly visible brushstrokes.

πŸ”°Cell Shading Method: A straightforward approach often employed by anime and comic book artists to produce a high volume of consistent work. It relies on the artist's skill in translating shadows into pleasing shapes, resulting in a flat, graphic style seen in animations like Marvel's "What If?".

-- PREREQUISITES --

⚠️ Students are recommended to have 1 YEAR of digital painting experience before joining this class OR have taken the Digital Painting Level 2 class or equivalent. https://outschool.com/classes/digital-painting-level-2-drawing-objects-environments-people-and-animals-fs7WLy6u?refuid=kfpvK2xd

Proficiency in drawing people, faces, and bodies is recommended. A basic understanding of digital painting software functions is required.

This class is designed for intermediate to advanced students. We'll work at a fast pace to complete both drawing and painting in a single class. If you prefer a slower-paced class focusing on proportions and basic shading techniques, consider enrolling in my Realistic Portrait Drawing Class. 
https://outschool.com/classes/5a270cf8-0d6b-4303-afb3-3a1b53dba1f1

-- SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE --

This is an all-inclusive class where I'll be teaching in Photoshop, but alternatives such as Procreate, IbisPaint, Krita, Fire Alpaca, and Clip Studio Paint are all welcome.

Students should have a pressure-sensitive tablet and pen. It is also recommended for students to have 2 monitors for the best learning experience: one for the class video and one for their digital painting software. 

Thank you and I look forward to seeing you in class!
Learning Goals
In this class you will...
βœ… Create digital paintings of your favorite celebrities.
βœ… Experiment with various art styles, including realistic, stylized, and cartoony. You will explore different methods and techniques for digital painting, encouraging you t
learning goal

Other Details

Pre-Requisites
Learners should have at least 1 year of experience using their digital painting software, or have taken the Level 1 and Level 2 Digital Painting Class or equivalent.
Supply List
- Computer
- Digital Painting Software (like Procreate, IbisPaint, Krita, Fire Alpaca, or Clip Studio Paint)
- Drawing Tablet and Pen (like a Wacom tablet or iPad)
- It's a good idea to have 2 screens (1 for your computer and 1 for your tablet) to make it easier to follow along with the lessons. If you only have 1 screen, you can try using your phone as a second screen. Having 2 big screens is best so you can see everything clearly.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined March, 2020
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851reviews
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Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from Carnegie Mellon University
Chris Chien is a professional theme park designer who has spent the last 10 years contributing to projects such as Universal Studios, Sesame Street Land, SeaWorld, Kennedy Space Center, Ferrari World and many more. As a professional concept designer and illustrator, he has created designs for many theme parks all around the world!

Chris primarily works in Photoshop, but his background in traditional mediums such as charcoal, watercolor and oil painting help gives his digital art an authentically β€œhand-painted” look. In addition, Chris often uses 3D software such as SketchUp, Unreal Engine and Planet Coaster to create immersive worlds.

In 2010, Chris graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Bachelors in Industrial Design and a minor in Theater. During his time in college, Chris designed and built many award-winning Carnival Booths, which sparked his interest in themed entertainment. Afterward graduating from Carnegie Mellon, he moved to Los Angeles to study at the prestigious Concept Design Academy, studying under Hollywood’s finest professionals from Disney, Pixar, Dreamworks, Lucasfilms, Marvel, and Blizzard.
​ 
Chris’ passion for themed entertainment and storytelling comes from exploring different countries. With his desire to learn and explore, he backpacked around the world, visiting the continents of Europe, Asia and South America - seeing castles, jungles, and temples in their natural context.  Chris’ mission in themed entertainment not just to entertain, but to also provide education and inspiration to people around the globe.
​
Skills:
​‒ 10 years of concept art and design experience
​‒ 8 years of professional teaching experience (art classes for children, teens and adults)
β€’ Experienced in theme park design, concept art for games and movies, showset design, fabrication, and scenic painting

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Live Group Class
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$18

weekly
1x per week
45 min

Completed by 24 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
3-10 learners per class

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