Class Description
This course focuses on the development of observational skills and drawing techniques.
Students in this course will develop both technical abilities and creative responses to material and subject matter. No prior experience with drawing is required or expected. In this class, students will learn: Ink Line Proportion Perspective, one, two and three-point Line quality. Pose 2D size, perception, Body Proportion, Gestures, Volume, Shading, and Art Design. learn construction drawing methods to draw simple object the create drawing with a sense of depth, weight and correct proportions like bottles, tea cups, plates, boxes and organic fruits and vegetables.
Mediums & Media/Programs Used
- Pencils
- Paper
- Drawing Board
Subjects Covered
- Beginners Drawing
- Concept Creation
- Design Basics
INSTRUCTORS
Woody Woodman
Foundational Drawing / Illustration / Story Boards / Comics Instructor
Woody Woodman is an artist, storyteller and teacher with 20 years in the animation industry. After being honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps in 1991, I began my pursuit to become a professional artist, and enrolled at Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota Florida, where I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
I was recruited by Walt Disney Feature Animation and continued my education in their internship program in Orlando Florida in July of 1997. I began my animation career as an ‘inbetweener’ on the film “Mulan” with Barry Cook. I worked on several films; “Tarzan,” “The Emperor’s New Groove” and “Lilo & Stitch” Then I was accepted into the story department working with some of the finest storyboard artists and directors in the business. I also worked on “Treasure Planet” with Ron Clements, John Musker and Glen Keane. I continued to work for Disney in the story department on “Brother Bear” and a few films that where never realized, until the Orlando studio was shut down in 2003. Woody has continued his Animation experience working with such clients such as: Aardman, Lucas Films, Laika and 20 Century Fox.
Thomas Thorspecken
Traditional Animation / Sketching / Foundational Drawing / Figure Drawing Instructor
Thomas Thorspecken, also known as Thor, attended the school of Visual Arts and Design in New York City. In his 10 years as a freelance illustrator in the city, one of his assignments for the Daily News included sketching historic buildings throughout the city for a column called “Undiscovered Manhattan”. Thor relocated to Orlando in 1993 to work for Disney Feature Animation.
After 10 years the studio closed, and he continued to pursue his passion for art through teaching and sketching. His blog “Analog Artist Digital World” began in 2009 as a resolution to post a sketch every day. He describes it as “his way to finally put down roots, to be part of the community, one sketch at a time.” Thor has also been teaching Traditional Animation at Full Sail University and now is part of a great team of instructors at Elite Animation Academy. Thor will continue his passion to teach and now will include Middle and High School students. Some of the classes he will teach include Traditional Animation, Drawing Fundamental and Urban Sketching.
Tony Santo
Traditional Animation / Storyboarding / Foundational Drawing Instructor
Tony Santo has background in illustration, he is always eager to achieve new distinctions as an artist. Perhaps even more important is my commitment to provide the best visual solutions for my distinguished clients and the clearest instruction for my students.
Since 2009, I have been designing storyboards for History Channel (Vikings), WWE (Wrestlemania), Cartoon Network (Ben 10: Omniverse), Pepsi, Sports Illustrated, Indeed.com, Starz, Florida Hospital, HBO, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and others. With animatics, cinematics, video editing, illustration, and concept art, I have successfully presented campaigns for A & E Network, Microsoft, PHD, Carnival Cruise Lines, Budweiser, Henry’s Hard Soda, Sun Trust, Merck, Humira, and more.
I worked as a Clean-Up Animator on Disney films like Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo and Stitch, Brother Bear, and The Emperor’s New Groove. In addition, I served as Art Director on multiple iterations of the award-winning EA Sports games Madden NFL and NCAA Football.
As a Chartpak Art Ambassador, I find reward demonstrating and presenting art supplies and techniques for brands like Higgins, Grumbacher, Koh-i-Noor, Molotov, and others.
I currently reside in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, but my home is where my work takes me.
Matt Sveum
Traditional Animation / Digital Animation Instructor
Matt Sveum graduated from the University of Central Florida with a BFA in Character Animation. Later he received a certification from Animation Mentor, working with top industry professionals from studios such as Dreamworks and BlueSky. In his career, he has directed short films and animated for Netflix. Growing up, Matt was drawn to anime and manga such as Mobile Fighter: G Gundam and Rurouni Kenshin.
These works also inspired him to pursue martial arts, which he taught for 11 years. In his free time, he enjoys writing fantasy and science fiction novels. His preferred tools are Autodesk Maya, Adobe Premiere, Photoshop and good old pencil and paper!
Amanda Moldovan
Digital & Traditional Instructor
Amanda Moldovan is a skilled animator, painter, illustrator, graphic designer, and professional weirdo. In school, she crawled her way through the jungles of the amazon to get her BFA in Animation. Being a University of Central Florida student taught her what it was like to work in a studio environment and create a short animated film. Since then she has had animation jobs around the US, started her own art business, directed a short, and worked as a painting instructor.
In her first job as an instructor she taught people of all ages how to get creative and pick up a brush. She has animated on short films, music videos, video games, YouTube series, and Television shows. She also is an avid member of Women in Animation, where she was lucky enough to be in a mentorship group under a head of animation at Pixar. Her hobbies include Dungeons and Dragons, rock and roll, and re watching old Muppet show episodes. Raised in the state of Florida (home of the mouse himself), she found herself inspired by the world around her and began to create. The world hasn’t been the same since.