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Ultimate Creature Design and Concept Art

Austin Batchelor

Join the course and begin designing creatures today.

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Join the course and begin designing creatures today.

Do you want to learn how to design creatures for game and film like an industry pro? Or maybe you’re on a quest to start making money as concept artist? In any case you’ve come to the right place.

The 'Ultimate Creature Design Course' will show you how to create interesting and believable creatures that will stand up as professional work. The techniques taught in this course can be translated into any program from Photoshop to Manga Studio to paper and pencil. This course will enhance or give you skills in the world of creature design - or your money back.

The course is your track to building a solid portfolio of creature designs and concept art. Whether for your own content or for other peoples projects.

This course will take you from having little knowledge in designing creatures to creating professional concept art in as little as one week.

So what else is in it for you?

You’ll be taken from basic animal anatomy to believable and original creatures, from beginner to expert

You’ll gain instant access to all of the course. You’ll also gain access to all of my files I create though out the course for you to use how ever you like. These assets can be used to study and trace over or as inspiration and reference for your own paintings.

The course is setup to quickly take you through step by step, the process of creating interesting creature designs. It will equip you with the knowledge to create stunning images and concept art.

This all comes under one convenient easy to use platform. Plus you will get fast, friendly, responsive support on the Udemy Q&A section of the course or direct message.

I will be here for you every step of the way.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up now to start creating today.

Enroll now

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What's inside

Learning objective

Design creatures and create concept art for use in film and games

Syllabus

Students will get an overview of the course and have an understanding of what concept art is and what it entails

This lecture is the intro and welcome to the course.

Read more

Students will Learn how to access the Q and A section.

Students will have an understanding of what concept art is and what it entails.

Students will have a basic understanding of creature anatomy and be able to draw the rough skeletal structure of real animals and their own imagined creature designs.

Students will have a basic understanding of bipedal anatomy.

Students will have a basic understanding of quadrupedal anatomy.

Students will have a basic understanding of bird anatomy as well as similar forms.

Students will have a basic understanding of bipedal saurian anatomy such as raptors and T-rex.

This is a demo of the assignment for this section.

Students will learn about the importance of using reference and doing studies. They will learn how to find good reference and use it correctly. They will also learn how to do a study of real animals.

Students will learn why its important to use reference. 

Students will learn the difference between good and bad reference and where they can find it.

Students will learn the correct way to use reference.

Students will be exposed to some of the defining characteristics of a creature design and shown different examples of real world animals that exhibit a variety of bodily features.

This lecture is a demo of the assignment on doing studies.

This is part 2 of the demo on doing studies.

This lecture is a demo of the chimeric creature design assignment.

Students will learn about the elements of design and be able to direct what makes up a good creature design and how target specific feelings and ideas using design elements.

Students will learn about shape language and how to incorporate it into their designs.

This lecture is a demo for the assignment on shape language.

Students will learn about size and scale and how to effectively incorporate it into their creature designs.

This lecture is a demo for the assignment on size and scale.

Students will learn about colors and patterns and how to use reference to create their own patterns.

This lecture is a demo of the assignment on color and patterns

This lecture is pt. 2 of the demo on colors and patterns

This lecture is part 3 of the demo for the assignment on colors and patterns.

Students will learn how to read and comprehend a concept brief in order to make accurate concept art..

This lecture goes over the difference between sentient and non sentient creatures.

Students will learn the difference between scientific and fantastical creatures.

This lecture is a demo on the scientific creature assignment.

This lecture is pt 2 of the demo on the scientific creature assignment.

This lecture is the demo for the assignment on fantastical creature designs.

This lecture is pt 2 for the demo on fantastical creature designs.

This lecture is pt 3 for the demo on fantastical creature designs.

Students will learn how to go from beginning to end in the full process of designing a creature. Starting from thumbnails and all the way to final render.

In this lecture we will go over the prompt for a creature design and come up with concept ideas

In this lecture we will create thumbnails

This lecture is part two of creating thumbnails

This lecture we will create different pose sketches

This lecture is part 2 of the pose sketch lecture

This lecture is part three of the pose sketching lecture.

This lecture i show you how to flat the colors for your creature design.

This lecture I go over how to paint the light and shadows for your creature.

For this lecture I show you how to add the final details to your creature design.

This section concludes the course and contains extra resources to help students understand how to create good designs

This video I provide some extra resources in the form of jpegs and photoshop documents.

In this lecture students will learn some tips for creating a portfolio.

This video is a farewell and congratulations. 

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a step by step structure that goes from beginner to expert
Lacks a certification that can be used to demonstrate proficiency
Teaches design across multiple programs, offering industry flexibility
Develops a solid portfolio of creature designs and concept art
Strong focus on creature design, relevant to industry and academic settings

Save this course

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Reviews summary

Creature design and concept art

According to students, this course is a positive learning experience. Students say it is engaging, informative, and worthwhile.
Content is worthwhile and engaging.
"i really learned alot in this course"

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 Ultimate Creature Design and Concept Art with these activities:
Review anatomy and physiology
Review the basics of anatomy and physiology to strengthen your foundation for creature design.
Browse courses on Anatomy
Show steps
  • Read textbooks or online resources on anatomy and physiology.
  • Attend a workshop or take an online course on animal anatomy.
  • Visit a zoo or natural history museum to observe animals.
Draw animal sketches
Develop your drawing skills by practicing sketches of various animals.
Browse courses on Drawing
Show steps
  • Find reference images of animals from different angles and poses.
  • Draw the basic shapes and proportions of the animal.
  • Add details and shading to bring the animal to life.
Watch tutorials on creature design
Learn from experienced creature designers by watching their tutorials and videos.
Browse courses on Creature Design
Show steps
  • Search for tutorials on creature design on YouTube or other online platforms.
  • Choose tutorials that cover topics relevant to your interests, such as anatomy, proportions, or color theory.
  • Follow the steps and instructions in the tutorials to create your own creature designs.
One other activity
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all four activities
Design your own creature
Put your learning into practice by designing your own unique creature.
Browse courses on Creature Design
Show steps
  • Brainstorm ideas and gather inspiration.
  • Sketch out different concepts and explore different variations.
  • Develop the anatomy and proportions of your creature.
  • Add details, textures, and colors to bring your creature to life.

Career center

Learners who complete Ultimate Creature Design and Concept Art will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Concept Artist
Concept artists create visual concepts for video games and films. They work with directors and other creatives to develop the look and feel of a project's characters, environments, and props. This course can help you learn the skills you need to become a successful concept artist. You will learn about visual storytelling, character design, and how to use digital tools to create your own concept art.
See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist
Creature Designer
Creature designers design all sorts of creatures for video games and films. They use their creativity to dream up new and interesting characters, and then work with artists and animators to bring them to life. This course can help you learn the skills you need to become a successful creature designer. You will learn about animal anatomy, creature design principles, and how to use digital tools to create your own creatures.
See salaries and explore the career path for Creature Designer
Game Designer
Game designers create the rules and mechanics for video games. They work with programmers and artists to bring their games to life. This course can help you learn the skills you need to become a successful game designer. You will learn about game design principles, level design, and how to use digital tools to create your own games.
See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer
Animator
Animators bring characters and objects to life in video games and films. They use their skills in drawing, animation, and digital tools to create realistic and believable movement. This course can help you learn the skills you need to become a successful animator. You will learn about animation principles, character rigging, and how to use digital tools to create your own animations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Animator
Illustrator
Illustrators create visual images to communicate ideas and stories. They work in a variety of fields, including publishing, advertising, and web design. This course can help you learn the skills you need to become a successful illustrator. You will learn about drawing, composition, and how to use digital tools to create your own illustrations.
See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator
Graphic designer
Graphic designers create visual concepts using computer software or by hand. They use their skills in typography, layout, and color theory to create designs for a variety of purposes, including logos, brochures, and websites. This course can help you learn the skills you need to become a successful graphic designer. You will learn about design principles, typography, and how to use digital tools to create your own designs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer
UI Designer
UI designers create the visual interfaces for websites and apps. They use their skills in design, typography, and color theory to create user interfaces that are both visually appealing and easy to use. This course can help you learn the skills you need to become a successful UI designer. You will learn about visual design principles, typography, and how to use digital tools to create your own user interfaces.
See salaries and explore the career path for UI Designer
UX Designer
UX designers create user experiences for websites and apps. They use their skills in research, design, and prototyping to create user interfaces that are both easy to use and visually appealing. This course can help you learn the skills you need to become a successful UX designer. You will learn about user experience principles, information architecture, and how to use digital tools to create your own user interfaces.
See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer
Web Developer
Web developers create and maintain websites. They use their skills in programming, design, and usability to create websites that are both informative and visually appealing. This course can help you learn the skills you need to become a successful web developer. You will learn about HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and how to use digital tools to create your own websites.
See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer
Videographer
Videographers capture moving images of people, places, and things. They use their skills in composition, lighting, and editing to create videos that are both visually appealing and informative. This course can help you learn the skills you need to become a successful videographer. You will learn about videography principles, composition, and how to use digital tools to edit your own videos.
See salaries and explore the career path for Videographer
Motion Graphic Designer
Motion graphic designers create animated graphics for a variety of purposes, including video games, films, and advertising. They use their skills in animation, design, and digital tools to create graphics that are both visually appealing and informative. This course can help you learn the skills you need to become a successful motion graphic designer. You will learn about animation principles, design principles, and how to use digital tools to create your own motion graphics.
See salaries and explore the career path for Motion Graphic Designer
Photographer
Photographers capture images of people, places, and things. They use their skills in composition, lighting, and editing to create images that are both visually appealing and informative. This course can help you learn the skills you need to become a successful photographer. You will learn about photography principles, composition, and how to use digital tools to edit your own photographs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Photographer
Environment Artist
Environment artists create 3D models of environments for video games and films. They use their skills in modeling, texturing, and lighting to create environments that are both visually appealing and realistic.
See salaries and explore the career path for Environment Artist
Character Modeler
Character modelers create 3D models of characters for video games and films. They use their skills in sculpting, modeling, and texturing to create characters that are both visually appealing and realistic.
See salaries and explore the career path for Character Modeler
Technical Artist
Technical artists create tools and pipelines for video game and film production. They use their skills in programming, modeling, and animation to create tools that make it easier for artists to create content.
See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Artist

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Ultimate Creature Design and Concept Art.
Cover image
Principles of Creature Design
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of the creature design process, from initial concept to final realization. Featuring in-depth case studies of professional creature designers, it offers valuable insights into the creative and technical aspects of creature design.
Principles of Creature Design: creating imaginary...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
The Modern Bestiary
Save
Comprehensive guide to the fundamentals of creature design, providing a solid foundation for developing skills in this field.
The Modern Bestiary: A Curated Collection of...
Hardcover
$$
The Modern Bestiary: A Curated Collection of...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Anatomy for Fantasy Artists
Save
This comprehensive book provides descriptions and hundreds of illustrations of the skeletal and muscular systems of both humans and animals, with particular attention paid to understanding how anatomy determines realistic movement and form.
Anatomy for Fantasy Artists: An Essential Guide to...
Kindle Edition
$$
Cover image
Lives of Victorian Political Figures, Part IV Vol 1
Save
Provides hundreds of inspirational pages that cover the entire concept art pipeline and includes many incredible images from ILM, Digital Domain, Ubisoft, Blur Studio, Sony Imageworks, Weta Workshop, and many other studios.
Lives of Victorian Political Figures, Part IV Vol 1...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Ancient Sea Reptiles
Save
Explores the scientific basis for the design of monsters, providing a unique perspective on how to create believable and scientifically plausible creatures.
Ancient Sea Reptiles: Plesiosaurs, Ichthyosaurs,...
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
Fundamentals of Creature Design
Save
250-page guide to creature design from one of the most well-respected and in-demand dinosaur and creature artists in the industry. At the same time, The Art of Creature Design is both an educational guide and a showcase of Scott's own creature designs, including many creatures he created for Hollywood films such as Jurassic World, Pacific Rim, and Avatar.
Fundamentals of Creature Design: How to Create...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Animal Painting & Anatomy
Save
Provides a deep dive into animal anatomy and physiology, specifically how this knowledge can be applied to painting animals.
Animal Painting and Anatomy (Dover Anatomy for...
Paperback
$$
Cover image
Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara
Save
Can help to provide a deeper understanding of the use of color and light as they can be applied to creature design. It will also be helpful for the process of painting and digitally rendering creatures.
Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara (Calla Editions)
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
Optima for Animals
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of how animals move, which can be a helpful resource for understanding animal anatomy and movement for the purpose of creature design.
Optima for Animals: Revised Edition
Paperback
$$$
Optima for Animals: Revised Edition
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
The Laws Sketchbook for Nature Journaling
Save
Can help develop drawing and observation skills and techniques that can be directly applied to the process of drawing and designing creatures. Many of the drawing exercises can also help to train and develop the sketching skills necessary for the process of creature design.
The Laws Sketchbook for Nature Journaling
Hardcover
$$
Cover image
The VES Handbook of Visual Effects
Save
This handbook is written by and for the leading professionals in the industry. VES Handbook of Visual Effects provides the knowledge and techniques experienced professionals need to complete successful VFX supervisors.
The VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry...
Paperback
$$$
The VES Handbook of Visual Effects: Industry...
Kindle Edition
$$$
Cover image
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 16th Edition,...
Save
Can be helpful as a reference guide providing background and more depth on the anatomy of the human body and other animals.
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 16th Edition,...
Paperback
Check
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology, 16th Edition,...
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
9.5 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Austin Batchelor
Language
English
Good to know
Provides a step by step structure that goes from beginner to expert
Lacks a certification that can be used to demonstrate proficiency
Teaches design across multiple programs, offering industry flexibility
Develops a solid portfolio of creature designs and concept art
Strong focus on creature design, relevant to industry and academic settings
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