SKETCHING FOR ANIMATION AND GAMES.
AVAILABLE ONLINE
COURSE DIRECTOR.
Mike started studying drawing and animation in the 1980s at Brandes Art Institute in California with Disney artists like Glenn Vilppu. He worked on films like Pocahontas and Tarzan at Disney Feature Animation.
He directed animation for a film in Barcelona and worked on commercials in Spain. Mike also consulted on video games and created animations for amusement park attractions. He taught at various schools in Los Angeles, Canada and Italy.
Currently, Mike lives in Italy and teaches animation online, as well as offering private sketching workshops in Florence.
INTRODUCTION+
With the guidance of a veteran in the traditional animation field, this course will equip you with the essential tools to turn your passion into a profession.
Over 24 weeks, divided into two semesters, you'll delve into the world of sketching mastering the fundamentals of drawing the human and animal figure.
Through hands-on practice and analysis of examples from masters like the Nine Old Men, you'll set the foundations start your journey in art.
WHAT YOU LEARN+
This course will emphasize drawing skills including human and quadruped forms, advanced physical human and quadruped animation, animating pantomime and simple dialogue scenes.
SEMESTER 1: 12 Weeks
This module of the course is focused on drawing the human figure, emphasizing gesture, three-dimensional structure, and appealing two-dimensional design
WEEK 01
Introduction to the course; introduction to the Animation Principles and the great animators; how Walt Disney set the bar for the animation industry via the studio’s artist training program; thinking about sketching the figure through the lens of the animation principles; the idea of combining loose gesture and structure; introduction to and practice sketching gestures and the volumetric forms (boxes, spheres, cylinders)
WEEK 02
Applying Animation Principle # 11 to Drawing the Human Figure: The large volumetric forms and proportions of the human figure; staying loose as we create the basic structure by applying the volumetric forms (boxes, spheres, cylinders) to the gesture
WEEK 03
Anatomy I: The Skeleton: The Importance of thinking of and drawing the human skeleton dynamically. Introduction to the axial and appendicular skeleton
WEEK 04
Things we can learn from Walt Stanchfield I: the gesture and animation - the importance of exaggerating the gesture (Animation Principle #10); thinking of verbs and adverbs as we sketch the gesture; developing the kinesthetic sense; practice sketching from life and from animation examples
WEEK 05
Things we can learn from Marc Davis and Milt Kahl: Connecting Action and Structure Through Design: applying Animation Principles #1 (Squash and Stretch) and #12 (Appeal) - using straight against curve (stretch against squash) to get an interesting and dynamic design to our sketch; using corners to create perspective and interesting design; practice sketching the figure from the model and animation examples
WEEK 06
Things we can learn from Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston: Advanced gesture and storytelling - empathizing with the character; applying Animation Principle # importance of silhouette and staging to create clarity; sketching the face dynamically
WEEK 07
Anatomy II: The Muscular System: the importance of thinking about and drawing the musculature dynamically; Introduction to the upper body musculature
WEEK 08
The Costumed Figure: Thinking About and Sketching Drapery in a Loose, Dynamic Way That Helps to Tell the Story of the Pose: (Animation Principle #5 - Follow Through and Overlapping Action & Animation Principle #7 - Arcs); simplifying drapery; practice sketching the figure from the model, sculpture, and animation examples; props, interaction, and believability
WEEK 09
Things we can learn from Walt Stanchfield II: Getting Out of the Way and Being Interested in What You’re Drawing: asking questions about the pose in order to ’abstract the essence’ of the performance within the pose
WEEK 10
Anatomy II: The Muscular System: the importance of thinking about and drawing the musculature dynamically; Introduction to the upper body musculature
WEEK 11
Things we can learn from Heinrich Kley: learning about dynamic figure sketching from the German master artist Disney artists have studied since the 1930’s
WEEK 12
Using light and dark in your figure drawings: thinking simplicity and design
SEMESTER 1: 12 Weeks
This module of the course is focused on drawing the animal figure, emphasizing gesture, three-dimensional structure, and appealing two-dimensional design
WEEK 01
Introduction to the module; review of the animation principles; thinking about sketching animals through the lens of these principles; the idea of combining loose gesture and structure; introduction to and practice drawing the volumetric forms; applying the volumetric forms to sketching ‘simple’ animals…insects, crustaceans, etc; sketching from animation examples
WEEK 02
The gesture and animation - exaggeration and storytelling; combining gesture and structure; more demonstration and practice of using the volumetric forms combined with gesture to create dynamic sketches; sketching from animation examples
WEEK 03
Quadruped Structure 1: Simplifying the quadruped structure into five volumetric forms; applying the quadruped ‘template’ structure to quadrupeds of differing proportions; staying loose as we sketch the volumes; sketching from video and animation examples
WEEK 04
Quadruped Anatomy I: The skeleton structure; practice sketching from anatomical illustrations and photos. Comparison and Contrast between human/primate and quadruped anatomy; thinking about the rhythmic gestures within the skeletal structure
WEEK 05
Quadruped Anatomy II: Introduction to the quadruped muscular structure; Comparison and Contrast between human/primate and quadruped anatomy; thinking about the rhythmic gestures within the muscular structure
WEEK 06
Quadruped Anatomy III: Head/Neck and shoulder/front legs muscular structure; Comparison and Contrast between human/primate and quadruped anatomy; thinking about the rhythmic gestures within the muscular structure.
WEEK 07
Quadruped Anatomy IV: Hip and rear legs muscular structure; Comparison and Contrast between human/primate and quadruped anatomy; thinking about the rhythmic gestures within the muscular structure
WEEK 08
Things we can learn from Marc Davis: connecting action and form (structure) to design: using straight against curve (stretch against squash) to get an interesting and dynamic design to our sketch; using corners to create perspective and interesting design; Things I learned from Walt Stanchfield: 1. ‘Abstracting the essence’: thinking verbs and acting out the character’s personality 2. Being interested in what you’re drawing…asking yourself questions about the pose
WEEK 09
Birds I: Action/gesture and overall structure
WEEK 10
Birds II: Wing structure and Pectoral muscular anatomy
WEEK 11
Things we can learn from Heinrich Kley: what we can learn about dynamic animal sketching from the German master artist Disney artists have studied since the 1930’s: exaggerated gesture, design, and storytelling
WEEK 12
Using light and dark in your animal drawings: thinking simplicity and design
STUDENTS PERKS+
GUEST TEACHER LECTURES
Additional to the classes, IDEA Academy also offers its students the great opportunity to attend exclusive lectures and webinars.
Furthermore, students have access to reserved discounts for workshops organized by IDEA with internationally renowned professionals working for Pixar, Dreamworks, Blizzard, Activision, Cartoon network and much more.
Please note that the availability of discounts reserved for IDEA's students changes depending on the workshop.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
Being a student at IDEA Academy’s drawing course means that you will be given the chance to enter in a unique school in Italy where there is an important network of international professionals and teachers who are currently working as leading artists in their respective fields.
IDEA's staff is always available to offer portfolio reviews and helpful advice to students who would like to attend the Visual Development Master Level 1.
STUDY MATERIALS+
The use of a computer with Adobe Photoshop installed and a graphic tablet (or a viable alternative, like the use of an iPad with Procreate) is necessary.
SCHEDULE+
ENROLLMENT DATES 2025
OPEN: Now!
ENDS ON: first day of the course or subject to seating availability.
COURSE SCHEDULE
STARTS ON: February, 2025
ENDS ON: July, 2025
ONLINE
-
Monday: 2PM - 5PM CET/CEST
-
Thursday: 2PM - 5PM CET/CEST
IMPORTANT: The school reserves the right to change the course's schedule.
Please note that during on-site courses, the lessons of some teachers will take place online but students are still allowed to come to the academy to connect and take lessons with their classmates.
COURSES FEATURES+
ONLINE
-
Access to recruitment activities
-
Access to post-course assistance
-
Student pass (that grants discounted access to some events, like Annecy Fair)
-
Free extra lectures with Recruiters and Professional
TUITION+
The cost of the course is the following:
ONLINE
The total cost of the course is € 2200 comprehensive of:
-
€ 1100 annual enrollment fee (VAT included)
-
€ 1100 tuition fee (VAT included)
The sum is to be paid as follows:
-
Enrollment: 1100 € (VAT included)
-
Deadline: to be paid at the enrollment
-
-
First installment: 1100 € (VAT included)
-
Deadline: to be paid before the beginning of semester 2
-
Notice: Alternative payment solutions can be arranged with the school.