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Course

Introduction to Illustration

ART-40428

Introduction to Illustration
10 Weeks | $325 | In-Class

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: Summer | In-Class
Course Fee: $325
Prerequisite: Drawing I: Focus on Perception (ART-40166) or equivalent experience.
Materials: Materials list is based on instructor.
Michelle McCunney: 11x14 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.
Kelsey Worth: pencil, eraser, watercolor palette, mixed sizes watercolor brushes (Princeton synthetic recommended), fine liner pen (Sakura Micron sizes .01, .02, .03), Sakura Pigma Brush Pen (3PC Black Set), painter’s tape, Bristol Paper Pad, 11 x 14 Strathmore Mixed Media Paper Pad or Hot Press Watercolor Paper, Winsor & Newton Watercolor Tube set, Prismacolor Colored Pencils 
Note: Elective course for Art and the Creative Process professional certificate and Children's Book Illustration professional certificate. 
Contact: For more information about this course, please email ahl@ucsd.edu.

Course Information

Live Online
3.00 units
$350.00
Notes: Elective for Art & the Creative Process Certificate Program. prerequisite: "Drawing: Focus on Perception" or equivalent experience. Please bring 11x14 sketchbook (Strathmore Sketch recommended), 6B pencil, sharpener, Staedler white eraser to first class meeting.

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This course applies to these programs

Art and the Creative Process Children’s Book Illustration

Course sessions

Closed

Section ID:

195415

Class type:

Synchronous web-based class meetings that are scheduled to meet online at published times (time/date).

Textbooks:

All course materials are included unless otherwise stated.

Policies:

  • No refunds after: 1/14/2026
  • Early enrollment advised

Note:

This is a live online course where all class meetings are held via Zoom. Course materials, like the syllabus and handouts, are delivered via Canvas. Login on your MyExtension account, select My Courses, and click the link under LOCATION.

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.
Closed

Instructor: Michelle McCunney

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.

Full Bio