DRAWING FOR ILLUSTRATION ● FRANCIS VALLEJO
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
This 10-day course with Francis Vallejo is based on the theme of developing and experimenting with personal style and stimulating creativity.
The idea is to challenge each student’s reasoning as to why he or she draws, composes, etc. in a certain way. As different solutions are explored for each subject, trainees will discover that they are gaining in confidence and making purposeful choices in the way they create.
During the course, participants will discover a wide range of tools for developing their creativity.
This workshop will help participants develop their personal voice and bring more creativity and playfulness to their work.
LEVEL
Fundamentals ● Intermediate ● Advanced
PRE-REQUISITE
Basic drawing skills.
REQUESTED MATERIAL
* 18×24 Canson Sketch pads (red cover). If you cannot find this sketch pad, any other smooth white paper 18×24 pad will work. NOT newsprint.
* white rubber eraser and grey kneaded eraser (any brands)
* stick eraser with refills (any brands)
* charcoal pencils: 2 of each / B, 2B, 4B (any brands)
* blending stumps
* any inking materials (this includes pens, brushes, jars of ink, etc. You do not need to purchase any new inking materials. With that said, if you want to purchase any inking tool, I strongly encourage a 3.8mm Parallel pen. )
* any paper that accepts ink well (bristol paper or most sketchbooks). Any size.
* Prismacolor NuPastel sets of 24
* 18×24 Strathmore Toned paper (Tan or Grey color)
* if you want, mobile digital setup
THE TEACHER

Francis Vallejo is an award-winning, Detroit native, Mexican-American artist whose works have been exhibited in major national publications, art galleries, and museums. Francis earned his Bachelor’s degree from Ringling College of Art + Design and his M.A. from Savannah College of Art + Design. He has since created artworks for a host of notable clients and exhibits.
Vallejo’s Jazz Day,written by Roxane Orgill and published by Candlewick Press, was the recipient of the Boston Globe Horn Book award for Best Picture Book. His illustrated book, Anansi Boys, written by Neil Gaiman, and published by The Folio Society, has won Spectrum Gold, the D&AD Pencil, and other awards. He recently received a prestigious 2023 Kresge Visual Arts Fellowship.
Francis Vallejo currently serves as Section Lead & Associate Professor of Illustration at the College for Creative Studies, and Chair of the Board for the nonprofit Art-ology.
Website : Francis Vallejo
Program
Wednesday, July 29
- Day - 01
- Aesthetic Investigation
Thursday, July 30
- Day - 02
- Why Do You Draw Like That? We Will look into the various theories and processes for creating a drawing.
Friday, July 31
- Day - 03
- We will explore how the medium can affect the drawing.
Saturday, August 01
- Day - 04
- Why Do You Render Like That? We will explore the idea of flat vs rendered finishing approaches and everything in between.
Sunday, August 02
- Day - 05
- Why Do You Render Like That?
Wednesday, August 05
- Day - 06
- Why Do You Composer Like That? We will explore how picture making basics can be creatively applied to create new and dynamic pictorial solutions for both narrative and poster/cover imagery.
Thursday, August 06
- Day - 07
- Long Pose from Life.
Friday, August 07
- Day - 08
- Work in class on Final Project
Saturday, August 08
- Day - 09
- Work in class on Final Project
Sunday, August 09
- Day - 10
- Final critique.
















