Practice what I teach

Now that we're in a new classroom location I'm joining in the fun by adapting an expanded approach to my instruction. I'm utilizing a method which I call 'practice what I teach'. It involves me doing the same assignment that I give my students.

For example, new students in Character Design 1 start off by sketching 10 distinct concept designs to get their projects going. I decided to do likewise, so I committed to developing 10 unique designs for a cubby bear theme I chose. Here's what I came with last week.


This technique helps our students by giving them a direct example of how to handle what can be a daunting challenge for beginners. Developing one's imagination and creative problem solving abilities as well as basic drawing and design skills. There's more to see in a topic I'm building in the Gallery of on the AnimationNation Forums.

The Academy helps talented artists achieve new creative heights through training in artistic fundamentals in an animation oriented venue. Enrollment is open on a monthly basis for both new and returning students. Please refer to the Academy's website for more details.

Tucker Joneson B & A

It's been a while since I've posted a student's Before and After work. Tucker Joneson is the cartoonist for his local high school paper here in Burbank. He enrolled in our program last month. On the left is the first drawing he did in Character Design 1 when he started. On the right is a design he created in class last night.Quite an improvement in a short period of time. Tucker is just starting out, learning to approach his art in a new way with an emphasis on fundamentals. It's not always easy, but once you get into it, the sky is the limit as to where your creativity can take you.

You can see examples of other students' artistic improvements on this ongoing topic I've been maintaining at the AnimationNation Forums.

Our new classroom which we've been utilizing since January is working out beautifully and everyone is very happy with the change. Focused subjects in smaller groups throughout the week. We accept new and returning student enrollment on a monthly basis. Feel free to visit the Academy's website for details.