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CalArts Portfolio Development Workshop for Artists & Animators

CalArts Portfolio Development Workshop for Artists & Animators

The CalArts Online Animation Portfolio Development Workshop is designed for students who are interested in exploring Concept Design and Visual Development, and enhancing their college application portfolios. Participation in this workshop does not imply an admissions advantage to CalArts or any other institution.

In this workshop, students are encouraged to express their creativity in as many ways as possible. Each week, different illustration styles are examined for inspiration. Students will produce exaggerated character designs that can be used as concepts for future animations, 3D models, graphic novel ideas and gallery work. The students will draw from films to learn about visual composition and story telling. This course focuses less on making perfect drawings and more on giving students an open arena to explore and learn to love drawing while broadening creative ideation and output.

Here's a link to the class overview video: Class Overview
Program Breakdown
Students will be given an assignment each week, and the instructor will respond to their work with a video critique. Through their participation in the workshop, students will learn what kind of content to include as part of an effective animation portfolio.
Pre-Class Preparation
  • Prerequisite(s): Approval of instructor based on a review of student’s work.
  • Students should be a high school freshman or older to apply. Please submit samples of your work—five digital images of drawings or paintings—along with your request for student status to extension@calarts.edu.
Course Materials & Equipment List:
Specific art/drawing supplies
  • Drawing pens - no ball point pens, no pencils or erasers;
  • Sketchbook;
  • Pad of large drawing paper;
  • Any small water color set;
  • 2 paint brushes one small one medium size;
  • A bottle of water proof India Ink;
  • Chalk pastels (optional);
  • A 3-ring binder with 100 plastic sleeves;
Technical capabilities
  • Computer w/ internet connection;
  • Scanner or decent digital camera; images will be emailed size 72 DPI around 12" x 14";
  • Photoshop is a plus, but not essential.

CalArts Extended Studies Class Enrollment will take place June 2nd thru June 27th.

Status

Course Fee

$1000
Maximum Class Size

30 students
Key Dates

Enroll By:
Start Date: 6/30
End Date: 8/29
Teaching Artist
John Mahoney
Concept Designer
Film Maker
Sculptor
Creativity Professor
Digital Artist
Kickstarter:
Zentropa

John Mahoney worked as a visual development artist for Disney Feature Animation on films including Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Treasure Planet and The Emperor’s New Groove. During his time at Disney he contributed to a total of 10 feature films. Since then he has pursued his passion as an independent filmmaker. John has produced more than 20 short films and two independent features.


He has directed numerous documentaries on such prominent people as Doug Chiang, designer of the new Star Wars films, and Tyrus Wong, designer of Bambi. He has also taught such diverse classes as figure drawing, sculpture, film design, storyboards, stop motion animation, and character design in the United States as well as in Singapore and Taiwan.
John's illustration work has been showcased in Spectrum and the Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art. The release of the book will mark the launching of the Exhibition Tour starting in Miami, then New York, Los Angeles, Amsterdam and London. John has also had several gallery exhibitions around the Los Angeles area, including a one-man show at the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena.

John Mahoney is a graduate of Pratt Institute with a BFA in Illustration. He works in Los Angeles as a concept 
designer, an independent filmmaker, and a professor at CalArts and USC.