Animal Illustration
ART-40162
10 Weeks | Live Online
Learn how to capture the spirit of animals in your artwork with a focus on using watercolor. This course will introduce the fundamental skills of depicting animals, including preliminary composition, sketching, finding good reference materials, and realistic rendering.
Basic concepts of animal anatomy including how to depict fur, feathers, facial features, motion and personality will be taught. Students will learn how to use and resource photographs of animals and how to combine them in a composition. Basic watercolor techniques (like mixing colors), color theory, value, backgrounds and materials will be taught through engaging live online-demonstrations. Students will have access to the instructor’s YouTube videos and have an option to interact and critique work with other classmates through private social media.
Quarters Offered: Winter, Summer | Live Online
Course Fee: $325
Course Length: 10 weeks
Prerequisite: Recommended prerequisite: Drawing I: Focus on Perception (ART-40166).
Note: Elective course for Art and the Creative Process professional certificate and Children's Book Illustration professional certificate.
Materials: The updated list can be found on the right side of this webpage under "Related Documents".
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
Textbooks:
No textbook required.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/9/2025
- Early enrollment advised
- No visitors permitted
Note:
Schedule:
| Date | Day | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/1/2025 | Tue | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 7/8/2025 | Tue | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 7/15/2025 | Tue | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 7/22/2025 | Tue | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 7/29/2025 | Tue | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 8/5/2025 | Tue | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 8/12/2025 | Tue | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 8/19/2025 | Tue | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 8/26/2025 | Tue | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 9/2/2025 | Tue | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
Instructor:
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Michelle McCunney
Michelle received a master's in visual arts from the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas (UNAM) in Mexico City and bachelor's in visual arts from the University of California San Diego. She has taught painting, drawing and illustration for university programs in Mexico and the US since 1988. Michelle´s art revolves mainly around the animals she observes, and their stories of habitat loss.
She teaches the following courses for the Professional Certificate in Art and the Creative Process:
- Drawing I: Focus on Perception
- Drawing II: Refining Technique
- Watercolor I: Basic Techniques and Materials
- Intermediate Watercolor
- Introduction to Painting
When Michelle is not teaching she enjoys playing blues and hiking with her family, always keeping an eye out for wildlife. She is working on a book about animal scientists.
Section ID:
Class type:
Textbooks:
No textbook required.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 7/9/2025
- Early enrollment advised
- No visitors permitted
Note:
Schedule:
| Date | Day | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/2/2025 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 7/9/2025 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 7/16/2025 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 7/23/2025 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 7/30/2025 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 8/6/2025 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 8/13/2025 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 8/20/2025 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 8/27/2025 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 9/3/2025 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
Instructor:
Kelsey Worth
Kelsey Worth teaches Introduction to Illustration, Drawing I: Focus on Perception, Drawing Ideas: Developing Your Sketchbook, and Playing with Pen & Ink for the Professional Certificate in Art and the Creative Process.
Kelsey is a fine artist and illustrator, portraying vibrant flora and fauna using water media. She draws and paints wild animals in fantastic environments, juxtaposing realistic subjects in dreamlike scenarios. Her portfolio captures the wonder of planet earth and the animals that need protection. Concerned about human impact on the environment, Worth’s work includes messages for conservation.
After receiving a Bachelor's degree in Studio Art and a Masters degree from the University of Redlands, Worth joined the United States Marine Corps. She completed active duty in April 2021, earning distinction as an accomplished Marine, musician, and visual artist. Worth currently teaches illustration and drawing courses for UCSD extended studies and stays active in the San Diego art community.
