Introduction to Illustration
ART-40428
10 WEEKS | LIVE ONLINE | WINTER, SUMMER, FALL QUARTERS
Course Overview: Learn the fundamentals of illustration by exploring the link between language and image. Translate ideas, text, or narrative into pictures that communicates to others. Through demonstration, in-class exercises and homework projects, students will work on both concept and drawing skills. Basic techniques of using pen and ink, ink wash, and opaque paint (tempera or acrylic) will be covered.
Quarters Offered: Winter, Summer, Fall | Live Online
Current Course Fee: $350
Course Length: 10 weeks
Prerequisite: Drawing I: Focus on Perception (ART-40166), or equivalent experience.
Note: Elective course for Art and the Creative Process certificate and Children's Book Illustration certificate.
Materials:
Materials list is based on instructor:
Instructor Michelle McCunney:
11"x14" sketchbook (Strathmore Sketch recommended); 6B pencil, Sharpener; Staedler white eraser for first class meeting.
Full materials will be available in the first week of class.
Instructor Kelsey Worth:
Pencil; Eraser; Watercolor Palette; Mixed sizes Watercolor Brushes (Princeton Synthetic recommended); Fine Liner Pen (Sakura Micron sizes .01, .02, .03); Brush Pens (any size or brand); Painter’s Tape; 11"x14" or 9"x12" Strathmore Mixed Media Paper Pad; Winsor & Newton Watercolor Tube set; Prismacolor Colored Pencils; Alcohol Marker set (Ohuhu Brush Tip recommended).
Course Information
Course sessions
Section ID:
Class type:
Textbooks:
All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.
Policies:
- No refunds after: 1/14/2026
- Early enrollment advised
Note:
Schedule:
| Date | Day | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/7/2026 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 1/14/2026 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 1/21/2026 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 1/28/2026 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 2/4/2026 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 2/11/2026 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 2/18/2026 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 2/25/2026 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 3/4/2026 | Wed | 6:00 p.m. | 9:00 p.m. |
| 3/11/2026 | Wed | 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
- Animal Illustration
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.
