Dynamic Illustration with Ramon Hurtado
$300.00
Recordings from last term available now!
Have you ever wondered how to move from a single figure study to a fully staged scene that feels alive and dynamic? This class breaks down the process into clear, repeatable steps, giving you the tools to stage characters as actors—with intention, emotion, and real physical presence.
We’ll explore how figures interact with props, animals, and each other, how to build groups and crowds without chaos, and how to make environments feel like active participants in the story. Along the way, you’ll learn practical strategies for lighting, mood, and cinematic framing, using simple setups and clear choices to control complexity without getting lost.
By the end, you’ll have a fully staged plan for a narrative illustration—scaled, lit, and framed—ready to take further in your own medium and style.
Whether you’re a beginner looking to sketch scenes with confidence or an experienced artist searching for a reliable framework, this class will help you create work that feels intentional, cinematic, and alive.
We’ll Cover:
• The Chessboard – and why it’s the key to everything
• Figures as actors – body language, intention, and emotion
• Props, animals, and physical tension in scenes
• Groups and crowds that are clear, energetic, and dynamic
• Environment, light, and framing as storytelling tools
Week 1: Intro
Week 2: Acting in Space
Week 3: Props & Animals
Week 4: Groups & Crowds
Week 5: Environment as Actor
Week 6: Lighting & Mood
Week 7: Framing the Scene
Week 8: Final Project & Critique
Duration: 8 weeks
Date & Time: Saturdays at 2:00PM Eastern starting November 1, 2025
Skill level: All skill levels welcome
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.
Description
Ramon Hurtado is an oil painter and instructor in subjects including anatomy, figure drawing, and composition, with a particular passion for researching 19th century educational methods. He has lectured at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art, Safehouse Atelier, California State University- Long Beach, DreamWorks Animation, the Society of Illustrators, Emile Cohl Atelier, the University of Lisbon- Faculty of Fine Arts, Porto Atelier, Art Center College of Design and Grand Central Atelier.
STUDENT EXPERIENCES
“Ramon is very encouraging and is extremely knowledgeable, he emphasizes discipline in your practice and studies, but be forgiving on yourself and don’t forget to have a good time. And that It’s okay to have slightly wonky perspective and things that don’t line up sometimes — even the old masters don’t always have the most accurate sense for proportions or perspective.
“This class helps students build a solid foundation for storytelling scenes; I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants to get into story driven illustration, professionally or just as a hobby. Ramon has insightful advice in regards to how to build any given scene from beginning to end and how to break down shapes into comprehensive simplicity. Whether you’re looking to create a painted story scene for your DnD party or up your game to work for Magic the Gathering cards, this is the class for you.”
—Cascanor
“I have been drawing for a very long time but without proper 2D fundamental training, and working professionally as a 3D character artist.”
“I am grateful to myself for having registered to the class. I have been stuck for a long time artistically and Ramon’s mentorship allowed me to break through that plateau. His way of breaking down concepts which used to seem so nebulous allowed for things to click in my mind. I still have a lot to learn but I now feel equipped to tackle those unknowns.”
—Ryan Bechara
“Ramon is a great teacher. His lectures are enjoyable and filled with fun tangents. He brings a welcoming vibe to all his classes and I deeply appreciate how often his cats are included.”
—Allie Irwin
STUDENT WORK
