Anime & Gacha Illustration with Joseph “Kunomd” Chan

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An introduction to professional character illustration through the lens of the Eastern entertainment industry and Gacha games. Topics include: critical technical art skills, meta value distribution, composition, historical/cultural background, industry workflow/pipeline, and networking strategies. This course will attempt to bridge the gap between your current, holistic art skillset and effective deliverables while maintaining a sustainable workflow.

This course will focus on art philosophy from an Eastern entertainment perspective and will not be demonstration heavy. This is an intermediate course that focuses on fast deliverable throughput and professional-readiness. Approaching the current state of the global art industry from a strategic and methodical point of view will hopefully equip any artist looking to contribute with the necessary knowledge.

Time & Date: Sundays at 2PM ET starting Feb 1, 2026
Skill Level: Spectator: All skill levels welcome. Critique tier: Intermediate level and up preferred
Tiers: 12 Critique spots – Receive feedback or unlimited spectator spots without homework feedback
Format: 4-5 hour live class with combination of lectures, demos, and feedback. Recordings are typically provided within a couple days of each live session.
Materials: Any digital or traditional mediums. Paintovers will be done digitally.

WEEK 1:
Topics: Class introduction, What are Gacha games? Required (and not required) skills.
Description: Grounding the direction of this class from an informed background in Eastern entertainment and healthy art practice. Making sure all students/participants feel confident in working with their preexisting knowledge and skillset.
Assignment: current state portfolio review with detailed explanations of each piece. Why did you choose this?

WEEK 2:
Topics: Critical stylized construction skills, FAST anatomy!
Description: Answering the “how do they draw like that?” question. How to construct gendered forms efficiently while adhering to a given style. Building artwork from a base of strong construction with draftsmanship and painting in mind.
Assignment: Develop-able anatomy studies. Choose a given IP/style and adhere to it stylistically. Produce quick, presentable figure sketches

WEEK 3:
Topics: “Meta” Composition and Value Distribution pt. 1
Description: Achieving “the look”, why I hate “mood” and the marketability of visual clarity. Using narrative elements to drive composition.
Assignment: Create simple, clear, and unique thumbnails with clarity and surface-level narrative in mind.

WEEK 4:
Topics: Comp and Value distribution pt. 2
Description: Using product form factor to drive development. What is your art being used for? Exploring the relationship between stylization, color/value choice, composition, and product development.
Assignment: Create thumbnail sketches with a given product in mind. (With descriptions)

WEEK 5:
Topics: Thumbnail Development and Art Direction
Description: How and why of choosing a thumbnail. How Art Direction affects thumbnail choice and development. Using your Creativity and Artistic Flexibility to work with feedback.
Assignment: Develop a clear color rough from a chosen thumbnail. Both instructor and student will choose one thumbnail each (2 total)

WEEK 6:
Topics: “Okay but do it fast”
Description: Streamlining your workflow from pre-visualization to deliverable illustration as fast/efficiently as possible. Forcing the artist to go through the motions of the artistic workflow while cutting as many corners as possible to prioritize speed while NOT sacrificing quality where it matters.
Assignment: With a given IP, character, and brief in mind, use the directed action items to independently create a full illustration from thumbnail(s), to color rough, to full render. Please use/turn on timelapse if possible!

WEEK 7:
Topics: “Can you do it again?”
Description: Further streamlining the artist’s process and forcing a “stress test”. Prioritizing scheduling and time management while maintaining a standard of quality and creative clarity. How to deal with producing multiple pieces of artwork working under a variety of feedback/Art Direction rolling from week to week.
Assignment: Start a brand new piece from scratch while also choosing another thumbnail/color rough to continue developing. There should be 2 illustrations total underway.

WEEK 8:
Topics: How to “Find Work”, Networking, Branding with “Undeniable Skill”
Description: Understanding the current state of the industry from a business perspective. Realizing that Art as a profession is rarely ever about the act of drawing itself. Making each piece count, building a portfolio that represents you. Sharing your work and conversing with other professionals.