
Arranging elements in an image is often the first stage of the artists process when deciding the …
$199.00
Course Access
Unlimited Duration
Total Video Time
23 hours, 47 minutes
Arranging elements in an image is often the first stage of the artists process when deciding the intent of a work of art. The subconscious effects of the principles of design will be examined in understanding what evokes responses in viewers. Each week will feature a critique of student work, followed by a lecture analyzing classical art and comic book panels. Symbolism and reading order will be discussed with students to understand the abstract design and power of images. The course will generally focus on producing tonal images, with color being addressed towards the end of the course.
Bio:
My primary creative motive has always been emotional and thematic communication, in all forms of art. I fell in love with comic books/graphic novels as a boy, and this love and admiration for the deep poetic capacity of the medium has only increased throughout my life. While at CSU Northridge, I experimented in abstraction, but developed an abiding passion for classical and 19th-Century art—although, like comics, the latter was still largely denigrated at the time. After graduating, I studied with Glen Vilppu, while free-lancing in illustration and graphic design. My first published work in comics was for the enormously influential Neal Adams at Continuity Comics, followed by work for Dark Horse, Marvel U.K., and DC Comics, including several Batman “Specials” and a Bram Stoker Award-nominated Special of “The Dreaming”.

Brian Apthorp
About Instructor
My primary creative motive has always been emotional and thematic communication, in all forms of art. I fell in love with comic books/graphic novels as a boy, and this love and admiration for the deep poetic capacity of the medium has only increased throughout my life. While at CSU Northridge, I experimented in abstraction, but developed an abiding passion for classical and 19th-Century art—although, like comics, the latter was still largely denigrated at the time. After graduating, I studied with Glen Vilppu, while free-lancing in illustration and graphic design. My first published work in comics was for the enormously influential Neal Adams at Continuity Comics, followed by work for Dark Horse, Marvel U.K., and DC Comics, including several Batman “Specials” and a Bram Stoker Award-nominated Special of “The Dreaming”.
Course Curriculum
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- Composition 1 | Preview FREE 00:05:00
Preview of Composition 1 with Brian Apthorp. -
- Composition 1: Introduction 00:30:00
- Fundamental Issues 00:21:00
- Off the Cuff Abstract 00:26:00
- Composition 1: Balance and Rhythm 00:45:00
- Limitation of Vision 00:32:00
- Composition 1: Homework 1 00:11:00
- Outside the Dance Critique Part 1 01:05:00
- Outside the Dance Critique Part 2 01:16:00
- The Golden Rectangle FREE 00:30:00
- Composition 1: Homework 2 00:04:00
- Symmetry Critique Part 1 00:44:00
- Symmetry Critique Part 2 00:51:00
- Informal Division 00:36:00
- Composition 1: Homework 4 00:10:00
- Speed/Force Critique 00:45:00
- Hercules Wrestling with Death for the Body of Alcestis 00:56:00
- The Glass of Absinthe 00:19:00
- Composition 1: Homework 6 00:09:00
- 4 Part Reading Order Critique 01:17:00
- Fulcrum-lever 01:04:00
- Composition 1: Homework 8 00:01:00
- Composition 1: Harmony 00:58:00
- Young Lady with a Shiner 00:46:00
- Composition 1: Harmony and Opposition 00:25:00