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All concept art courses

Fast-track your career with personalized concept art courses and industry mentorship.

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Overview

Bring your visual storytelling to life and become a concept artist!

At CG Spectrum, you will be job-ready in just 18 months with mentorship from industry experts. Whether you want to freelance as an independent artist, or work at a major film or game studio, you'll learn job skills, master complex techniques and learn to communicate through art, creating compelling work that captivates and inspires.

Why study concept art at CG Spectrum:

  • Progress faster with mentorship from professional concept artists
  • Create a polished portfolio that stands out
  • Receive career support and guidance
  • Choose 1-on-1 or small group classes (max. 4)
  • Study online from wherever you are

CG Spectrum's online concept art courses offer a complete study pathway to get you industry-ready. Receive the highest quality education and learn the latest techniques used by major studios.

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Courses

Concept art courses that get you career-ready

Dive right into the full study pathway and be industry ready in 18 months. Courses can be modular, or bundled for a discount.

Expand your digital painting skill set, learn best practices and professional lighting techniques. These courses are designed to give you the necessary skill set to prepare you for your concept art career.

Benefits

Why study at CG Spectrum

Get a more hands-on education with mentorship from top film and game experts, an industry-approved curriculum and a thriving creative community cheering you on.

By giving you access to the most talented artists in the industry, we help you to become well connected, trained and prepared for life beyond school.

What you get when studying at CG Spectrum:

  • Get job-ready in half the time of an average degree program
  • Personalized job-focused curriculum and training
  • Private 1-on-1 or small group classes (max. 4 students)
  • Live call with your mentor each week + recorded video critiques
  • Flexible schedules & 100% online, study from anywhere!

Progress faster with expert feedback from mentors and join an inspiring and supportive community of industry experts and peers.

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Mentors

Learn directly from experienced professional artists

Get expert feedback and support from your industry mentor in a live Q&A call each week. All CGS mentors are established artists with years of experience creating art for films and games at top studios.

Student Showcase

Explore student work and see what you can learn at CG Spectrum

Our students create amazing quality work that speaks for itself. We provide you with the tools and resources to help you build a portfolio that gets noticed.

Studios who hire our graduates
Frequently asked questions

Concept art FAQs

Concept artists develop the initial visual concepts (characters, props, vehicles, environments) from a script or creative brief. They set the tone and style of the work, giving life to an abstract idea. Their day can vary depending on the project.

Some general tasks that a concept artist might do in a day include:

  • Brainstorming ideas for the project with the team
  • Researching reference material
  • Sketching out ideas
  • Refining sketches into final concept art
  • Presenting the concept art to the team/client for feedback

A concept artist might also spend some time working on personal projects to improve their skills. This could involve practicing new techniques or trying out different styles. By continuously developing their skills, a concept artist can ensure that they're always able to create the best possible art for their projects and clients.

Highly skilled concept artists are in demand due to the ever-growing gaming and movie industry. These industries are always looking for talented individuals to work on a variety of projects. However, concept artist roles are extremely competitive (just head to ArtStation to see the standard of work top concept artists are producing!). So if you want to make it as a concept artist, you have to be prepared to put in the work!

To become a concept artist, you first need to develop your skills and expand your portfolio. This can be done by taking a course, studying the work of other artists, and practicing as much as possible.

Next, you'll need to network and build relationships with people in the industry so you can learn about new projects, show off your skills, and get your foot in the door.

Finally, you need to be patient and persistent. It takes time and hard work to succeed in any field, but if you're passionate about art and willing to put in the effort, then a career in concept art could be right for you. 

Besides becoming a Concept Artist, an artist with additional illustration skills could explore careers as a Digital IllustratorComic IllustratorGame IllustratorBook IllustratorKeyframe IllustratorCharacter DesignerEnvironment Designer, or Asset Designer. Explore all digital painting jobs

You need to be able to draw well enough to communicate your ideas visually to your clients or colleagues. Concept artists require a strong foundation in the basics of art and design, as well as composition, color theory, and lighting. 

Concept artists typically use various mediums to create their work, including traditional media like pencils and paints, as well as digital painting programs like Adobe Photoshop and 3D modeling software such as Blender or ZBrush. 

No, you don't need a drawing tablet to be a concept artist, but it will make your life easier. A drawing tablet gives you the ability to create digital art for film and games more efficiently. Most clients will expect to receive digital files, and it is faster to save different versions and make changes based on client feedback.

While you can find some cheaper alternatives, we recommend investing in a quality tablet that will last you a long time and provide a great experience.