Ranking of the best online courses for concept artists for 2022

Already today, a novice concept artist can apply for a salary of 80,000 rubles. According to Research and Market, the prospect of this market by 2023 is estimated at $212.4 billion.

What is Concept Art?

One of the TOP directions for designers, artists, which embodies the concept of a film, a game.
Several ideas are taken as a basis, thought out and sketched in the form of a sketch. The customer only has to choose the option they like. At the second stage, a virtual world is created, where there are:

1. location;
2. elements of architecture;
3. items in the layout of colors and material of manufacture with the corresponding parameters;
4. characters with characters, facial expressions and clothes.

Training provides for several levels of preparedness of applicants - a beginner or an experienced artist.

What are

A concept artist usually works in 2D.
2D artists are in demand in the gaming industry, which is developing rapidly. In Russia, gaming divisions such as MY.Games, Playrix have already managed to enter the top three highest income among European developers. Specialists are in demand in creating animated films, in comics, book illustrations.

2/3 D artists are involved in the creation of film projects, and the work lasts for several years.
An experienced specialist has the opportunity to work in several directions, both freelancing and in the studio.
From the point of view of constant demand, the best activity in the specialty belongs to game development. Updates, additions to games require constant participation, which is less common in the film industry, where with the end of the project, the work of the artist also stops.

How to choose

It is important to remember that the choice of the concept of the future product determines its direction:

• Comic;
• The game;
• Movie;
• Animation.

It is at an early stage that it is important to decide on a priority look, as with the embodiment of an idea.
Training involves the acquisition of the following skills:

• the ability to draw;
• understand compositional structure and perspective;
• have knowledge of anatomy;
• feel color and combination with texture;
• experience in 2D and 3D graphics in editors, texturing, modeling visualization programs.
• The selection criteria depend on the service offered in the sections of programs, lessons, courses of various duration.

Programs

The whole range of offered training programs can be divided into the following formats:

• fundamental programs;
• free access to online lessons and webinars;
• short-term courses in a narrow specialization;
• author's studies with lecture materials and practical exercises.

Employment

Separate resources offer assistance in subsequent employment, communication with partners in specialized industries.

Trial lessons and consultations

Most often, SA training requires the applicant to have a base. The best test is a free trial video lesson, when the applicant for training can assess their capabilities and level of preparation for further advancement.
The approach also differs across platforms, so it's best to complete an online interview before purchasing a course.

Errors when choosing

It is a mistake to think that you can become a concept artist quickly and cheaply. It is important to understand that the ability to draw alone is not enough, it is necessary to master all available applications and computer technology in a timely manner. Requirements for concept creators are constantly growing.

Portfolio is a pitfall on which many drown. Unfinished works, as well as the entire list of your works, should not be included in the presentation block.

It is better to prepare a "narrow" portfolio for projects or a group of companies. Don't bombard the company with resubmissions if there is no response. You can get blacklisted, but it is necessary to replenish the portfolio with new works by raising the level.

Concept art does not end up in the final project, it is intended to enhance inspiration, for example, with a location, and contribute to an increase in efficiency when working out a level.

The language aspect is also important - the best teaching materials are served in English.

TOP best online courses for concept artists

Fundamental platforms

Skillbox

The platform allows:

1. 3D specialists to get away from the monotonous routine of modeling according to the terms of reference, and combine work in 3D and 2D, with the creation of locations and scenes, concept art of characters;
2. move from 2D to 3D with a quick overpoint baseline and sketch renderers.
3. The service has 572 cases in various areas of online learning.

• the prospect of a change of profession;
• skillset expansion;
• mastering Octane Render for modeling in graphics;
• the possibility of using photobashing, pitbashing for the first scenario sketch;
• quick rework of drafts;
• freeing up time for the final image;
• development of characters with an accurate transfer of character in gestures and poses;
• drawing details in clothes, facial expressions;
• creation of landscape scenes in 3D and elements of architecture;
• exclusion from the process of routine concerns for the design of details;
• obtaining effective tools for creativity;
• participation in the development of Game Box games with students joining the game-dev community for free;
• the opportunity to communicate with participants in the gaming industry;
• user support in the job search process;
• no payment for the first three months;
• on the site you can order the full course program;
• the presence of practical video lessons;
• completing tasks;
• availability of free content in the categories of webinars and magazines;
• classes with a curator on consolidation and mistakes with the defense of a diploma and portfolio design;
• separate blocks according to the movie concept, blender with sculpting, modeling, rendering;
• as part of the teachers Lead concept artists.

• not detected.

☎ 8-495-126-25- 20; 8-499-444-936.
Website: https://skillbox.ru

XYZ School

Illustrators, artists and designers have the opportunity to be trained in three educational blocks: basics, thinking, character. The platform has been on the market since 2018. In 2020, the service became the winner of the Runet Prize for the "Gaming Industry".

Beginners are advised to start with a thematic 5-month online course with the acquisition of drawing skills and mastering the principles of painting. 3 works completed at the end will be a good portfolio for employment.
A special 16-month program is offered for advanced professionals with access to game development and mastering studio work tools. Concept art and sketching will form 25 projects. For the best graduates, assistance in finding a job is provided.

• pumping drawing skills;
• gaining experience;
• the presence of master classes, streams, several dozen courses;
• there are annual programs;
• a complex with a six-month training is offered for lovers of non-standard methods of approach to the realization of an idea according to the author's methodology.

• not found.

Service:
https://www.school-xyz.com

VFXLAB

The service program consists of two blocks:

1. introduction;
2. concept art environment.

The introduction introduces the concept of specialty, introduces the tasks and modern techniques of the profession, concretizes the ways of sharpening observation and perception.

The second block includes:

• mastering the features of CA in the interior, exterior;
• the embodiment of imagination in the drawing;
• the concept of the main character's dominant, storytelling;
• practice on tools - brushes, custom tools;
• composition in the rules and laws of creation;
• color rendition in the nature of the environment;
• perspective by type and construction scheme with shadows, reflections, shapes;
• detailing with drawing;
• passes, rendering, effects, lighting;
• Mad Paint;
• photobashing.

The third block is aimed at creating a character from character, design, sketch to the perception of form, space, observation.

Conducted practice on the referent, moodboard.

A detailed study is given:

1. Sveta;
2. proportions;
3. structures;
4. dynamics;
5. expressiveness.

• availability of bonuses;
• technical rules of the final CA for the customer;
• technique of increased speed in the process;
• presentation of the algorithm for further development;
• Assistance in the design and structuring of the portfolio.

• not detected.

Contact Information:
https://vfxlab.ru

Course specialization

Quality content is focused on market requirements. Theory combined with practice under the guidance of sought-after professionals is of particular importance for a successful result.

CA Education

Practicing concept artists offer courses on authoring techniques for beginners, professionals with deep preparation for specialized activities in the industry.

The course "Perspective in Conceptart" consists of 5 lectures with the following skills:

1. analysis of references with the embodiment of ideas in an individual design;
2. creation of a complex object from technology to a robot;
3. finalization into sketches and concept illustrations with addition to the portfolio.

The course "Digital Anatomy" is designed for 8 practical lessons and 8 lecture hours. 2/3D artists and sculptors are invited, both traditional and digital.The use of virtual reality technologies is envisaged. A three-hour feedback is provided for testing and concept improvement in quality, drawing technique.

• for 5 years of existence 770 students have been trained;
• the availability of open classes for testing the strength of applicants on a gratuitous basis;
• regular teacher support on practice and lecture material;
• a block of video recordings of materials remains in the public domain;
• the presence of chats on interests in Telegram for informal communication with like-minded people;
• a course in the basics of 2D graphics can be taken for free with getting practice in basic functions;
• partner open events CG, GameDev;
• the site provides complete information on the course teachers and their professional achievements;
• the presence of a gallery with the work of students made during training in service courses;
• the program of each block is described in detail according to the content, broken down into lectures;
• the final stage involves styling, detailing with a presentation;
• access to an introductory introductory lesson is issued upon completion of an individual application on the site;
• open access to a webinar about discipline on the YouTube platform.

• no information on payment terms.

☎ 38-099-443-13-13
Website: https://conceptart.education

Smirnov School

The training takes place in the format of viewing lessons with lecture materials and doing homework.

• 5,000 specialists trained;
• availability of copyright courses;
• six years of CG training;
• with the teacher's analysis of the submitted homework online;
• term paper from 2 independently developed concepts with addition to the portfolio;
• interior in a fantasy setting, SCI-FI, cartoon interior with stylization techniques, sketch;
  mastering the photobash;
• elements of architecture in the landscape, with a grid, pipeline;
• generation by shapes, planning, castr;
• study of stages;
• 7 CA output.

• game environment priority.

Contact Information:
https://smirnovschool.com/

Skillsupschool

The CA character course is designed for 5 days.
The resource provides training for gamedev creativity.

• with an individual approach according to the level of student preparation;
• the initial stage of preparing the material, sketching;
• promotion to resources and design;
• development of costumes, details, paraphernalia, work with lighting;
• "final" ready for portfolio.

• no.

Contact Information:
https://skillsupschool.ru

Services for beginners

The service platform conducts specialization courses:

1. motion designer;
2. illustrator;
3. CG artist;
4. architect;
5. 3D visualizer.

The program "Concept Art of the Environment, Matte Painting" is designed for 12 weeks, for each of which a plan is provided.

• with 24/7 mentor support;
• providing access to the discord server with a lot of useful information;
• the presence of a library with lectures, diagrams, brushes, shapes, additional videos, inspiration;
• links are given to the topics of each educational week to resources, publications;
• lectures in 3D block;
• availability of bonus material.

• not detected.

Contact Information:
https://clab.pro/

Comparison Chart of the Best Online Courses for Concept Artists
1.	Fundamental courses
	Platform name	Duration of study	For which specialists / course	Cost, rub.
	Skillbox	8 months	3D and 2D artists, game designers	171600
	XYZ School	6 months	illustrators, 3D and 2D artists, game designers	95000
			−”−
	VFXLAB	17 weeks	for those who want to master the concept art of cinema games animation	50000
2.	Course specialization
	CA Education	11 o'clock	Course - Perspective at Conceptart	20000
		8 lectures + 8 practices	Digital Anatomy - for sculptors, 2/3D artists	53000
	Smirnov School	3 months	for concept artists, game developers, animators	50000
	Skillsupschool	5 days	for CG pros, comics artists, illustrators looking to upgrade their portfolio	15000
3.	Services for beginners
	CGLAB	12 weeks	for professionals and beginners	44000

Conclusion

Technological progress in the age of digitalization and unique technologies has brought with it new professions. Games, films using computer graphics are a field of creativity that requires special skills and knowledge. The industry is constantly evolving, providing more and more opportunities. You can also master ultra-fashionable professions, in the style of the time, in online courses for concept artists.

You can gradually master knowledge from the zero level, starting with free video lessons, with a gradual transition to fundamental programs or specialized courses. Sculptures, 2/3D artists, illustrators, game designers are offered services to get the latest skills and techniques in accordance with the requirements of the time.

Concept art educational platforms involve the completion of final tasks with inclusion in personal portfolios, which is an excellent bonus for subsequent employment. Separate services take part in finding a place to apply the acquired knowledge of students through cooperation with specialized companies.
The prospect of working as a freelancer from anywhere in the world in the film and game industry attracts many who want to get a unique training.