How did you like Gary Kelley and Jon Foster on Thursday?

[John English]

Thursday Gary Kelley and Jon Foster delivered a class on composition for painting and Jon Foster also did his introduction to digital painting. What did you think about the class?

John

[Thyname]

I thought it was pretty awesome. Gary produces amazing work and I liked seeing his process.

I liked seeing Gary work in real time. The 5 step process has been shown multiple times and it works. You guys really practice what you preach. There isn't some magical secret that I'm not being taught.

It was awesome that John stayed so late. I really wanted to see his demo and I'm glad I got to.

-Evan

[Reymus]

It was nice to see both of their work processes, and the way that these classes mix up artists with very different styles. A nice thing to have had though, since it was onscreen, in addition to showing Mr. Kelley's work but to draw the composition lines/elements over each piece.

[Jason Manley]

Going in there and seeing Foster and Kelley mixing it up with Greg Manchess, Sterling, John, Anita, and all the pros was a treat. I don't think people realize who sees the students in this program. While you everyone was in class, I was browsing the work off and on with the Chair of the International Games Developer Association, along with one of the original team from EA's founding days, The CEO of India's number one game developer, The Director of Southern Methodist University's Guildhall, and Nexon's Kim who is one of the most successful game creators ever, as well as a number of key entertainment press who have reach into the millions of viewers.

I went in to see two instructors and instead saw a whole lot of amazing people and a whole lot of amazing people saw you too.

Best,


Jason

[BRINKMAN!]

It was great to see how two guys approach the same problem with roughly the same techniques, just a different set of tools. All jokes about tracing paper being "old school photoshop" aside, it was encouraging and enlightening to see that even someone as good as Gary or Jon doesn't get it all right on the first go. The process of building and refining information is really important and something that I think a lot of us young or beginning artists forget quite often. Carl and Coro really nailed this home on friday too, as well as offering two other variations on the process for us to consider.

It was a great week!

[Adam Watts]

Another winner in a series of really excellent classes. Both demos were rich with information and insight. I can’t believe how much I was able to glean in just one sitting. Even picked up a couple new PS tricks! Seeing Gary and Jon work was a real treat.

The collection of additional instructors that attended was pretty fantastic as well. It’s awesome to see a real community of serious artists working together to deliver art education as it was meant to be.

[LexieSue]

I spent my weekend picking up pieces of my brain off the floor.

Like Brinkman mentioned, seeing two people use the same approach for works of different media and styles is a treat. It's really great to see that process in action and know that no matter what it is you're trying to do, that's all there really is to it. I have a newfound appreciation for tracing paper and it's possibilities. It's given me a new outlook on traditional- I stuck to digital so much because it's so easy to adjust things later on (which I've also learned that the way I use it is more of a detriment) and has given me more freedom (and less excuses!) in doing traditional work. I've even almost stopped tapping my desk or sketchbook like there's a Ctrl+Z there when I make a mark I don't want to keep. :P