Background Design - Landscapes and Environments from Udemy

If you are interested in creating concept art for Film or Animation, then this course will not only teach you techniques for painting, but will also teach you the principles and theory of visual language.

In this class you’ll learn key, important principles for composition that are fundamental to background or concept art for film, games and animation.

You’re gong to learn how to create a visual sense of depth in your digital painting, as well as how to create a visual sense of story.
You’ll learn about Leading Lines, Contrast and the all-important Rule of Thirds
You’ll learn WHY the rule of thirds works, and you’ll understand that it has much more to do than just simply making a pleasing image.
You’ll learn how this RULE affects the work that professional concept artists create in the wider context of the animation production.
You’re also going to learn how to make visual research, how to collect and analyses images for a project, and then how to distill your own vision into a series of thumbnails on which to base your final project.

Then we’ll dive into the process of painting, and I’m going to walk you through step by step the exact process for a concept art painting.

Everything in this background is painted directly, with a brush stroke. This is an incredibly intuitive and powerful way of painting and I’m going to show you the exact techniques and thoroughly explain everything as I go.

By the end of the course you’ll have a fully realized and major portfolio piece. You’ll also have a clear understanding of how to generate any digital painting for film, because we will have demystified the process from start finish.

I’ve worked as a background artist on many games, animated tv shows and films, and I am passionate about sharing the skillset and knowledge that took me on my art journey. I really hope that this course will open the door for you o start your own art journey.

Thanks for checking this out, i hope you enroll and if you do I look forward to working with you.

What's inside

Learning objectives

In this course, you will learn how to create concept art
You'll learn to paint backgrounds for films, animation or games
You'll learn about key principles of composition
You'll also learn how to use tailored brush packs in photoshop

You'll learn creative painting techniques to make your art look powerful
You'll learn how to do visual research and build up a reference library of images
You'll create a fully finished, beautiful portfolio piece

In this course, you will learn how to create concept art
You'll learn to paint backgrounds for films, animation or games
You'll learn about key principles of composition
You'll also learn how to use tailored brush packs in photoshop
You'll learn creative painting techniques to make your art look powerful
You'll learn how to do visual research and build up a reference library of images
You'll create a fully finished, beautiful portfolio piece

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to the Course: Structure and Overview

What to Use for this Course

Importing the Brush Set

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops depth of field and storytelling through painting techniques

Teaches the Rule of Thirds and how it applies to visual composition

Builds a foundation for creating visual research and reference libraries for concept art

Guides learners through a step-by-step process for concept art painting

Taught by an experienced background artist with industry experience

May require additional software or tools not readily available to all learners

Reviews summary

Practical landscape concept art fundamentals

According to learners, this course is a highly practical guide to creating concept art for film, animation, and games. Students particularly appreciate the clear, step-by-step instruction that demystifies the painting process from start to finish, enabling them to produce a portfolio-ready piece. The course emphasizes fundamental composition principles, explaining why rules like the Rule of Thirds work, and provides hands-on digital painting techniques using a tailored Photoshop brush set. While comprehensive for building foundational skills, some advanced artists might seek more specialized techniques beyond the core curriculum.

Ideal for foundational learning, less for advanced users.

"While the course effectively demystifies the process for new learners, advanced artists might find some foundational sections review material."

"I found it perfect as a beginner, but artists seeking very specialized or niche techniques may want to supplement their learning."

"The step-by-step approach is fantastic for building confidence, but if you're already very experienced, some parts might feel basic."

Master collecting and analyzing image references.

"The module on visual research was very insightful, teaching me how to effectively build a reference library."

"I now understand the importance of collecting and analyzing images to distill my own vision for a project."

"Learning how to start a painting with strong foundational research is a valuable takeaway."

Learn powerful brushwork and specific Photoshop methods.

"The techniques for painting directly with a brush stroke are incredibly powerful and well-explained."

"The tailored brush pack provided for Photoshop is a great asset and very helpful for the exercises."

"I learned practical methods for adding textures, details, and atmospheric effects like glow and snow."

Develop skills directly applicable to entertainment art.

"I feel confident generating digital paintings for film after completing this course."

"The focus on creating a major portfolio piece is invaluable for aspiring concept artists."

"Understanding how composition affects professional animation production adds significant context."

Follow an intuitive, complete concept art workflow.

"The instructor walks you through step by step the exact process for a concept art painting, making it incredibly intuitive."

"I appreciated how the course demystified the digital painting process from start to finish, leading to a fully realized portfolio piece."

"From creating thumbnails to adding final touches, the workflow is clear and easy to follow."

Master core visual language and depth creation.

"I learned key, important principles for composition that are fundamental to background or concept art for film, games and animation."

"I gained a clear understanding of how to create a visual sense of depth and story in my digital paintings."

"This course taught me WHY the rule of thirds works, which is crucial for professional concept art."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Background Design - Landscapes and Environments with these activities:

Review the basics of 3D modeling

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Reviewing the basics of 3D modeling will help you refresh your memory and improve your understanding of the concepts.

Browse courses on 3D Modeling

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Go over your notes from previous courses or tutorials on 3D modeling
Watch videos or read articles about 3D modeling
Complete practice exercises in a 3D modeling software

Practice drawing different types of landscapes

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Practicing landscape drawing will improve your skills in composition and perspective.

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Find reference images of different types of landscapes
Sketch the basic shapes of the landscape
Add details and shading to your drawing

Read a book on the history of animation

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Reading a book on the history of animation will provide you with a broader perspective on the field and its evolution.

View Melania on Amazon

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Find a book on the history of animation that interests you
Read the book and take notes on the key points
Discuss the book with other students or professionals in the field

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Follow tutorials on how to use industry-standard software

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Following tutorials on industry-standard software will help you develop proficiency in the tools used by professionals.

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Identify the industry-standard software for your field
Find tutorials on how to use the software
Follow the tutorials and practice using the software

Develop a concept for a new video game

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Developing a game concept will help you solidify your understanding of game mechanics and level design.

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Identify the target audience for your game
Define the core mechanics of your game
Create a prototype of your game

Attend a workshop or class on a specific topic

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Attending a workshop or class will provide you with an opportunity to learn from experts and network with other professionals.

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Identify a topic that you want to learn more about
Find a workshop or class on that topic
Attend the workshop or class and participate in the activities

Design a storyboard for a short animated film

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Creating a storyboard will help you visualize the composition and flow of your story.

Browse courses on Storyboard

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Brainstorm ideas for your short film
Sketch out the key scenes of your film
Add dialogue and sound effects to your storyboard

Attend a film festival or screening

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Attending a film festival or screening will expose you to a variety of films and filmmakers, and provide opportunities for networking.

Browse courses on Film Festivals

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Find a film festival or screening that interests you
Purchase tickets and attend the festival or screening
Watch the films and take notes on your observations
Attend Q&A sessions or workshops with filmmakers

Career center

Learners who complete Background Design - Landscapes and Environments will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Art teacher

Art Teachers teach art to students of various ages and levels, from primary school to university. This course may be useful for Art Teachers because it provides them with a strong foundation in the principles and theory of visual language, which they can use to effectively teach their students the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the field of art.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art teacher

Concept Artist

Concept Artists bring ideas and concepts to life in the form of images and illustrations. They work in various entertainment, media, and technology industries. This course is highly relevant to Concept Artists because it teaches the techniques for painting, as well as the principles and theory of visual language. The course can help aspiring Concept Artists to develop their skills in visual storytelling and create compelling and impactful imagery.

See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist

Environmental Artist

Environmental Artists use computer graphics software to create realistic or creatively designed landscapes and environments for video games, animated films, and other visual media. This course may be useful for aspiring Environmental Artists because it teaches how to create concept art for landscapes and environments. The course also teaches the principles and theory of visual language, which would be valuable for an Environmental Artist who wishes to make their creations visually engaging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Artist

Landscape Architect

Landscape Architects plan and design outdoor spaces, such as parks, gardens, and campuses. This course may be useful for aspiring Landscape Architects because it teaches the principles and theory of visual language, which is an important consideration in landscape design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Landscape Architect

Photographer

Photographers use cameras to capture visual images and create photographs. This course may be useful for Photographers because it teaches the principles and theory of visual language, which is essential for creating visually appealing and meaningful photographs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Photographer

Museum curator

Museum Curators are responsible for planning and managing exhibitions, as well as acquiring, preserving, and interpreting museum collections. This course may be useful for Museum Curators because it teaches the principles and theory of visual language, which is essential for creating engaging and informative museum exhibits.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Motion Graphics Designer

Motion Graphics Designers use computer graphics to create animated visual content for various media, such as films, television shows, commercials, and online videos. This course may be useful for aspiring Motion Graphics Designers as it teaches the principles and theory of visual language, as well as essential techniques for creating engaging and visually appealing imagery.

See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphics Designer

Graphic Designer

Graphic Designers use visual content to communicate messages. They may work in a variety of industries, including marketing, advertising, and publishing. This course may be useful for Graphic Designers because it teaches the principles and theory of visual language, which is essential for creating effective and impactful visual designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

Animator

Animators use their artistic and technical skills to create moving images that tell stories and convey ideas. They may work in the film, television, gaming, or web industries, among others. This course may be useful for Animators because it teaches the key principles of composition that are essential for creating visually appealing and dynamic animations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Art Director

Art Directors are responsible for overseeing the visual aspects of various creative projects, including films, television shows, video games, and websites, among others. This course may be useful for aspiring Art Directors because it teaches the principles and theory of visual language, as well as the skills and knowledge required to create and manage visual assets for creative projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director

Game Designer

Game Designers are responsible for designing the overall gameplay, mechanics, and storyline for video games. This course is somewhat relevant to Game Designers as it teaches the principles of composition that are fundamental to creating immersive and engaging visual experiences in video games.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Architectural Designer

Architectural Designers use their artistic and technical skills to create the plans and designs for buildings and other structures. This course may be useful for Architectural Designers because it teaches the principles of composition that are fundamental to creating visually appealing and functional architectural designs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Architectural Designer

Filmmaker

Filmmakers use cameras and related equipment to create motion pictures, including films, documentaries, and short films. This course may be useful for aspiring Filmmakers because it teaches the principles of composition that are fundamental to creating engaging and visually appealing films.

See salaries and explore the career path for Filmmaker

Visual Effects Artist

Visual Effects Artists use computer graphics and animation to create visual effects for films, television shows, and other visual media. This course may be useful for Visual Effects Artists because it teaches the principles and theory of visual language, which is essential for creating believable and immersive visual effects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Effects Artist

Illustrator

Illustrators create visual content to communicate ideas and stories, often through drawings, paintings, or digital art. This course is somewhat relevant to Illustrators as it teaches the principles of composition that are essential for creating visually engaging and impactful illustrations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator