Spring 2009 schedule available today~!!

Hi Everyone,

HAPPY NEW YEAR~!!

We have just updated our website with our Spring 2009 schedule and enrollment information. The new schedule will be available for enrollment starting 12AM on Jan. 1st, 2009.

http://www.conceptdesignacad.com/

Due to the heavy volumes of e-mails, please allow us at least 1 day to get back to you with the reservation confirmation. Thank you very much for your patience.

Hopefully you are all enjoying a great holiday break and a great new year to come~!!

Best,

Kevin Chen

Stephan Martiniere Workshop Demos

(*** Update - Here are the finished images from the workshop. I would like to thanks Stephan for the inspiring demo and everyone for coming. Have a great Thanksgiving and hope to see you guys again soon~!!)

Day 1 & 2 demos:

Here are some snapshots from the event:
After workshop dinner at Daisy Mint:

Stephan Martiniere Workshop on Nov. 8th & 9th~!!

Hi Everyone,

This is just a quick reminder that Stephan Martiniere’s 2 day “Sci-Fi & Fantasy Illustration Workshop” is starting on next Saturday, Nov. 8th~9^th (2~7PM).

In case you are interested, there are still spots available for anyone who wishes to join in.

We are flying Stephan in from Texas where he is currently working as the Art Director at ID software. This is a rare chance to see a modern master at work.

To enroll, just send us a reservation e-mail and we will reply you with the payment details.

Thank for your time and have a great weekend~!!

Best,

Kevin

Gary Meyer Workshop this Weekend at 3 Kicks Studio~!!

Our friend, Charles Hu at 3 Kicks Studio is running a 2 day painting workshop this weekend with Gary Meyer. Gary is one of my favorite instructor at Art Center and he is well known for his amazing gouache demos of city scenes, figures and landscapes without using any reference. Gary's past projects include "Star Wars", "The Thing" and many other beautiful advertisement & aviation illustrations.

Gary is great at teaching by explaining how things work visually so you can paint the object from memory. I would strongly recommend Gary's class for anyone who wants to learn how to paint. This is a rare chance to learn from one of Art Center's legend.

For more of Gary's artwork, you can visit his site at:
http://www.garymeyerillustration.com/Site/GARY_MEYER_ILLUSTRATION.html

Enjoy your visit~!!

Christian Alzmann Workshop Demo

(*** Update - Chris have just updated his blog with the workshop demo. Hope you all had a great time. Enjoy the images~!!)

Demo from workshop. Giant Design from book, "Big Friendly Giant":
Chris' 2nd take at the design after the workshop:

For more info visit Chris' blog at http://alzmannstudios.blogspot.com/

Best,
Kevin

Concept Design for Digital FX Workshop

Hi Everyone,

On Oct. 18th, we are flying in Christian Alzmann, an Art Center Alumni and currently the Art Director at ILM to do a talk & demo on creating concept designs for Film Visual Effects.

His past films includes Van Helsing, War of the Worlds, Men in Black 2, Star Wars Episode 2, Indiana Jones 4, and AI. Besides concept work, he is also a fantastic illustrator at heart with many paintings on his website:

http://www.christianalzmann.com/

Don't miss this great opportunity to learn how to prepare for the industry and meet one of the top artists that is active and influential in the field today.

Best,
Kevin Chen

Cinematic Storyboard

Jay Oliva is a director & storyboard artist in the animation industry for the past 12 years. His clients inlude Disney, Sony, WB, and Marvel. His projects includes: “The Batman”, “Spider Man”, “Thundercats”, “Teen Titans”, and many others.

In this class, Jay will cover the storyboard staging mechanics used in various films such as horror sequences, fight choreography, drama sequences and etc. The class will study clips from various directors on how they use the same mechanics with their own storytelling styles. This is a great class for anyone interested in learning more about camera staging, composition, and how to draw quick, expressive storyboards.

Cinematic Storyboard is open for enrollment. To see more samples of Jay's work, please visit:
http://cinematicstoryboard.blogspot.com/

Thanks,
Kevin

Fall 08 term enrollment status (Updated 10-6-08)

In case you are interested, here is a quick update on our fall term enrollment status:


Available:
Creature Design with Jerad Marantz - (6 spots available)
Cinematic Storyboard with Jay Oliva

Full:
Environment Design (Monday) with James Paick - FULL
Environment Design (Saturday) with James Paick - FULL
Sketching for Environment with Ed Li - FULL
Vehicle & Mechs with John Wu - FULL
Analytical Figure Drawing with Kevin Chen - FULL
Entertainment Projects with Carlo Arellano - FULL
Intro to Character Design with Kevin Chen - FULL

Concept Design for Digital Effects with Christian Alzmann - LOCKED
Sci Fi & Fantasy Illustration with Stephan Martiniere - FULL
Style Guide & Art Direction with Bill Perkins - FULL
Laguna Fall Special Workshop - FULL

(*** For all FULL classes, there is a waiting list available. Sign up if you wish to be notified when there are any last minute openings from cancellations.***)


If you have any classes you are interested, sign up soon to ensure your spot.

Thanks,

Kevin Chen

Figure & Grounds Show at Gallery Nucleus

From Sept. 13th ~ 29th, 2008, I will be participating in a group show at Gallery Nucleus along with Sean Cheetham, Mari Inukai, Charles Hu and many other in the gallery's first figurative show.

If you are interested or is free around the area, please swing by and check out our pieces :)

Show start Sept 13th 7PM ~ 11PM.

Hope you can make it~!!

Best,
Kevin Chen

2008 Fall term brochure available now~!!

Concept Design Workshop at Laguna College

Hi Everyone,

As special thanks to our friends in Irvine, Laguna and San Diego areas, we are coming to you this year with our first collaboration workshop at Laguna College of Art & Design on Sept 27^th and 28^th.

This is a great tasting menu for anyone who is interested in our program. It is also a great opportunity to get a concentrated dose of live demos and tips on designing for game and animation productions.

If you know any friends in the area who might be interested, please help us spread the word along.

Thanks again and hope to see you next term ~!!

Kevin Chen

*** PS – If you attend this workshop, your $30 enrollment fee will be waived for other classes you attend this Fall term.

(*** Update - Here are the demos from the workshop. Enjoy~!!)

Mike Hernandez:

Darren Quach:
Carlo Arellano:

Rick O'Brien "Counter Weight" book signing / Art Exhibit

July 19, 2008 - July 21, 2008
Opening Reception / Jul 19, 7:00PM - 11:00PM
Description:
One night only! Meet Rick O' Brien!!

-Original paintings and drawings will be on exhibit.
-Come see his latest air ship installation.
-Come hang out with Rick as he doodles and signs brand new Counterweight books.
http://rickobrientmp.blogspot.com/

Charlie Wen's Digital Illustration Workshop this Saturday~!!

Hi Everyone,

Just want to send a quick reminder that Charlie Wen’s Digital Illustration Workshop is starting up this Saturday on July 12^th, 2008, 1:30~6:30PM.

If you are interested to attend, just give us a call or e-mail to reserve you spot. There are still a few spaces left, so sign up soon!!

Hope this e-mail finds everyone well and see you soon this weekend.

Best,

Kevin

*** Update - Here are some photos from Charlie's workshop. A lot of the focus of the talk was on composition and designing the image in abstract shapes. Hope everyone had a great time and learned something valuable :) ***

Creature Design Workshop this Saturday~!!

Here are some of Constantines' sketches to start off the new week

*** Update - Thanks for coming everyone~ Here are some of the photos taken from the workshop. Enjoy~!! ***

Advanced Figure Drawing

Class - Advance Figure Drawing
Time - Tuesday, 7~11PM (10 week course)
Price - $560

This class is the part 2 of Analytical Figure Drawing. The class focuses on portraiture, likeness, anatomy, lighting and page composition. A good class to establish more accurate drawings and to transition into beginning painting.

You can find some samples of Kevin's previous class demos and notes here:

Analytical Figure Drawing:
http://analyticalfiguresp08.blogspot.com/
Long Pose Figure Drawing:
http://longposefiguresp08.blogspot.com/
Conceptart Forum Thread:
http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1432&highlight=kchen

Hope you will enjoy your visit :)

Creature Design Workshop w/ Constantine Sekeris on May 31st

Come join us for this 1 day special event, where Constantine will share his design techniques and painting process used for his many memorable characters.

Constantine is the concept artist responsible for creature and character designs for films such as Blade II, X-Men III, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Passion of the Christ, Constantine, Spiderman, Fantastic four, Ghost Rider and many others.

For more of his art samples, you can visit his site at:
http://www.constantinesekeris.com/main_page.swf

This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in learning more about creature design or getting into the film character/creature design field.

Space is limited so sign up soon :)

To sign up, e-mail us at contact@conceptdesignacad.com or call 818-669-4657 for any questions.

Sean Cheetham 3 day painting workshop

3 Kicks Fine Art Studio
55 Waverly Dr. Ste 104
Pasadena, CA 91105

May 16, 17, & 18 (10AM ~ 5PM, 1 hr lunch)

Sean Cheethm is coming to our Waverly studio for a 3 days painting workshop. The event is organized by Charles Hu, the owner of 3 Kicks Fine Art Studio.
Sean has an amazing ability to capturing people in his portraits. A class I would strongly recommend for anyone interested in learning how to paint and capture likeness.

Here is a short description of the workshop:

Sean Cheetham will take you step by step on how he develops his personal painting in this 3 days workshop. Surface preparation followed with graphite drawing and acrylic wash will be demonstrated in the first day. On the second day, he will continue the work with oil. Demo from life by Sean and students painting will be on the last day of workshop.

To find out more information, please visit 3 Kicks Fine Art Studio's website or contact Charles Hu to sign up:

http://3kickstudio.com/Events.aspx
626-466-5043


Thanks for your time,

Kevin Chen

Summer 2008 Schedule Ready for Sign-up~!!

Our Summer term schedule is finally released today. I would like to thanks everyone for your generous support during the last 2 terms :)

To sign up, simply e-mail us at contact@conceptdesignacad.com to reserve a space. We will send you an availability confirmation and enrollment details shortly after.

We have a lot of great teachers and new workshops this term, I am looking forward to seeing you all soon after the break.

Best,
Kevin Chen
Concept Design Academy

Steve Huston Drawing Workshop

Hi Everyone,

My teacher, Steve Huston is running his Drawing Workshop over at the Waverly Studio (same place as Concept Design Academy).

If you haven't taken a course with Steve before, I would strongly recommend signing up for the intensive 4 day session. He is an amazing artist and an inspiring teacher. He is one of my main influences in teaching and drawing. Space is limited, so sign up soon.

http://hustonart.com/index.html

Here are the workshop sign up details:

55 Waverly Dr. #104
Pasadena, CA 91105

The workshop will start on May 1st ~ 4th, 2008 (Thursday~Sunday)

9AM~4PM daily (including 1 hour lunch).

The tuition is $575. Payment in full is needed to reserve a spot.

For payment, send check to:
Steve Huston
4680 Conestoga Circle
Bozeman, MT 59715

For more information call Steve at (406)-522-0906

Thanks,

Kevin Chen

New Teacher: Creature Design 1 w/ Jerad Marantz!!

Hi everyone,

I have two quick announcements to make. One is a reminder that Creature Design 1 on Sat morning 9:30AM~12:30PM is open for enrollment!!

Second is that we have a new instructor, Jerad Marantz for the this coming semester to take over the class for Anthony Francisco.

Anthony will be taking a break this term, due to a full work schedule. He plan to continue to swing by the class as a guest speaker from time to time.

Jerad's design background came from both film and game productions. He have been working for studios such as Stan Winston, ADI, Climax Games, Gnomon, NCsoft and Aaron Sims Studio. Some his recent projects include "I am Legend" and "Tabula Rasa".

Jeard have a great passion for creature design and a great demo teacher at showing and explaining his work process. This is a great class for anyone who is interested in improving or expanding their creature designs skills for either film development or game production. Previous figure drawing experience is strongly recommended to help you get the most out of the class.

If you have any questions about the class or sign us please feel free to contact us anytime.

Best,
Kevin Chen

Khang Le Vehicle Design Workshop This Saturday!!

Hi Everyone,

***Update: Khang's Imaginary Vehicle workshop have just been completely filled. Thanks to everyone for your support!!***

There are still 7 spaces left for Khang’s Imaginary Vehicle workshop this Saturday, Jan. 26th, 2008.

In the this workshop, Khang will cover the basics of perspective layout, scale, practical design ideas, style variations and rendering techniques he uses in creating Vehicles and Robots for his current projects.

This is a great class for both beginning and intermediate artists who is interested in strengthening their vehicle / props design for entertainment. During class, Khang will share his working process and take a vehicle or robot design from beginning to finish.

Enrollment is on first come, first serve basis. Space is limited, so please e-mail ahead to reserve a spot in the class. We accept cash only at this point. Payment will be collected at the door after e-mail reservation is confirmed.

For RSVP, you can e-mail us at contact@conceptdesignacad.com or call us at 818-669-4657 for questions.

Thanks and hope to see you this Sat~!!

Spring 2008 Semester Ready for Sign up~!!

Hi Everyone,

The first semester of Concept Design Academy has finally come to an end last year and was a great success. We would like to thank everyone for your generous help and support over the past few months.

Our new brochures for Spring 2008 have been completed and is out in local schools and art stores in LA for distribution. Attached is the jpeg version of the brochure & Enrollment form to help you plan for your next semester’s schedule.

To sign up, simply e-mail us at contact@conceptdesignacad.com to reserve a space. We will send you an availability confirmation and enrollment details.

Thanks again and hope to see you in Feb~!!