NMA Course Guide for Artistic Learning
NMA Course Guide for Artistic Learning
COURSE GUIDE
Welcome to New Masters Academy (NMA)! Our Course Guide is here to assist you in choosing Note:
the right courses to fulfill your artistic learning objectives. You can follow our pre-designed To enhance your learning
Learning Tracks or customize your journey by selecting from our "Courses By Subject" starting journey at New Masters Academy
on Page 3. Courses progress from beginner to advanced levels to suit your skill development (NMA), we highly recommend
needs. meeting the prerequisite
requirements for certain courses,
NMA offers 10 Learning Tracks focused on specific art disciplines, extending over four to five especially those concentrating on
years. These tracks are broken into Modules, each equivalent to one to two years of study, the Russian approach and sight-
comprising subject-specific courses. For Interactive, we require you to take the module in the size techniques. Adhering to
designed sequence of parts, but you can take any course in your chosen order within the part. these prerequisites ensures you
Expect each course to last 8-12 weeks, with a average eight hours of video lessons and weekly can fully understand and apply
assignments. Your time on a module can be adjusted based on your schedule and pace. The the concepts and techniques
commitment is significantly reduced for full-time students, whereas those with only two hours covered in these courses.
weekly to dedicate will find it takes longer to complete.
Starting at NMA, we strongly advise beginning with the Drawing Foundations Module. It's
designed to establish essential drawing principles, providing a solid foundation for all your
future artistic endeavors.
START HERE:
DRAWING FOUNDATIONS
TRACKS:
3D
FIGURE PORTRAIT LANDSCAPE ENTERTAINMENT
SCULPTURE CARVING ILLUSTRATION COMICS ART ANIMATION DESIGN
CHARACTER
PAINTING PAINTING PAINTING
ART
MODULES:
1. Sculp- 1. Sculp- 1. Figure 1. Figure 1. Figure 1. Figure 1. Portrait 1. Painting 1. Enter- 1. 3D Char-
ture I ture I Drawing I Drawing I Drawing I Drawing I Drawing Founda- tainment acter Art I
tions Design I
2. Sculpture 2. Sculpture 2. Painting 2. Painting 2. Painting 2. Illustra- 2. Painting 2. 3D Char-
II II Foundations Founda- Founda- tion I Founda- 2. Land- 2. Enter- acter Art II
tions tions tions scape tainment
3. Sculpture 3. Sculpture 3. Figure & 3. Anima- Painting Design II
III III Costume 3. Portrait 3. Portrait tion 3. Portrait
Drawing II Drawing Drawing Painting 3. Enter-
4. Sculpture 4. Carving tainment
IV 4. Figure 4. Illustra- 4. Illustra- Design III
Painting tion I tion I
5. Illustra- 5. Comics
tion II Art
Some Live Classes are designed to accompany specific courses from our catalog. By enrolling in
these Live Classes, you can progress through the course material on a week-by-week basis, complete
assignments, and receive valuable instructor critiques.
Upon successfully completing a Live Class while actively participating, you will have the chance to
receive a Certificate of Completion. To stay informed about the latest Live Classes, including upcoming
and ongoing sessions, you can refer to the up-to-date schedule available at [Link].
If you cannot attend the Live Classes in real time, rest assured that we record each session for later
review. This ensures you can benefit from the content and insights shared during the Live Classes at your
convenience.
INTERACTIVE COURSES
We are introducing our innovative Interactive Courses to enhance your learning experience. With this format, you
can access pre-recorded courses on our website, submit assignments conveniently through Discord or Jotform, and
receive personalized feedback from our dedicated NMA Feedback Team. While our Drawing 1 course is entirely free and
conducted through the NMA Digital Campus, most courses can be accessed directly on our website.
Once you submit an assignment, you will receive customized feedback from our Feedback Team. The Interactive
Courses align with the Drawing Foundations Module outlined in our Course Guide, available on Page 6 of this guide.
While not all courses within the module are currently offered in the Interactive format, we will progressively introduce
more options as they become available.
You can earn an Interactive Course Certificate by completing all the required assignments for each course. As you fulfill
the assignment requirements, the subsequent course will unlock, allowing you to proceed with your learning journey.
For additional information on our Interactive Courses, please visit [Link]/interactive-courses. This resource
provides further details and insights into this engaging learning format.
The NMA library consists of a wide range of unique courses. We’ve gathered the world’s top artists from different creative fields to
provide you with a complete learning experience. The following is a list of all our courses arranged by subject and difficulty level.
ANATOMY: PAINTING:
☐ Art Anatomy for Beginners ☐ Oil Painting for Beginners I
☐ Anatomy of the Head and Neck ☐ An Introduction to Painting
☐ Anatomy of the Figure ☐ Oil Painting Atelier
☐ How to Draw Hands ☐ Watercolor/Gouache Sketchbook
☐ Intermediate Anatomy Drawing ☐ Outdoor Landscape Painting Quickstart
☐ Complete Human Anatomy for Artists ☐ Watercolor Sketching on Location
☐ Portrait Painting for Beginners
DRAWING: ☐ Oil Painting for Beginners II
☐ Drawing Foundations I ☐ Still-Life Painting in the Sight Size Method
☐ Drawing Foundations II ☐ Introduction to Still-life Painting I
☐ Drawing Foundations III ☐ Introduction to Still-life Painting II
☐ Drawing Foundations IV ☐ Sight-Size Portrait Painting
☐ Fundamentals of Drawing and Perspective ☐ Contemporary Realism in Oils
☐ Stress-Free Sketching ☐ The Portrait in Watercolor
☐ Fundamentals of Observational Drawing ☐ Pastel Painting Atelier
☐ Drawing with FORCE ☐ From Paper to Canvas
☐ Dynamic Gesture Drawing ☐ Long-Pose Figure Painting
☐ Introduction to Landscape Drawing ☐ Sight-Size Figure Painting
☐ Drapery: The Russian Approach ☐ Painting Interiors in Oil
☐ Cast Drawing: The Russian Approach ☐ Watercolor Painting from Observation
☐ Bargue Plates and Plaster Cast: Sight Size ☐ Introduction to Landscape Painting
Method ☐ Designing Your Landscape Painting
☐ Introduction to the Figure ☐ Studio Landscape Painting from a Plein Air Sketch
☐ The Spirit of the Pose ☐ The John Asaro Approach to Oil Painting
☐ Introduction to Inking
☐ Pastel Figure Drawing SCULPTING:
☐ An Overview of Rendering Techniques ☐ A Beginner’s Guide to Modeling in Clay
☐ Renaissance Head Drawing ☐ The Sculptor’s Funeral
☐ Constructive Head Drawing I ☐ Clay Modeling in the American Western Tradition
☐ Constructive Head Drawing II (Lesson 7-13) ☐ Modeling the Portrait in Clay for Beginners
☐ Colored Pencil Portraiture ☐ An Observational Approach to the Portrait in Clay
☐ Constructive Figure Drawing I ☐ Build Your Own Anatomy Figure
☐ Constructive Figure Drawing II ☐ The Dynamic Anatomy Figure in Clay
☐ Figure Drawing for Fantasy Art ☐ Drawing in Space
☐ Drawing the Portrait in the Russian Style ☐ Marble Sculpting
☐ Figure Drawing in the Russian Style ☐ An Observational Approach to the Figure in Clay
☐ Advanced Dynamic Gesture Drawing ☐ An Introduction to Mold Making for Sculptors
☐ Complete Sight-Size Drawing Course
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6. Stress-Free Sketching
9h 24m
12. Perspective I
40h 45m 55s
This module is for professional figure or portrait sculptors as 2. Modeling Plaster Casts (pending 2024)
well as digital or entertainment modelers that want a stronger
foundation in the traditional arts. This module is also great for 3. The Sculptor’s Funeral
2D artists who want to improve their understanding of form. 52m 35s
Drawing Development
Check Point: Choose One
6A. Figure Drawing in the Russian Style
20h 58m 50s
Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Observational Drawing
This module is for traditional artists who want to pursue Figure 2. Oil Painting for Beginners II
Painting as their focus of study. You will get an overview of 23h 3m 17s
oil painting and learn to construct the figure using different
approaches. 3. Constructive Figure Painting (pending 2024)
Painting Technique
Check Point: Choose One
4A. Contemporary Realism in Oils
18h 43m 32s
This module is crucial for artists who are looking to move on Check Point: Choose One
to figure painting, portrait painting, or landscape painting. You 2A. An Introduction to Painting with Steve Huston
will be introduced to several painting media such as oil paints, 26h 37m 19s
watercolor, and acrylics. You will learn more about perspective,
painting environment, and color theory. 2B. Oil Painting Atelier
10h 12m 3s
7. Creative Composition
11h 10m 11s
This module is for traditional artists who want to pursue 2. Watercolor Sketching on Location
Landscape Painting as their focus of study. You will learn to Parts 1 & 2
create quick painting sketches of the landscape, explore 2h 27m 21s
important painting theories and processes while working
on location, and lastly, focus on the design element of your
landscape painting. Theory and Process
Landscape Design
5. Russian Impressionist Landscape Painting (pending
2024)
Animal Drawing
5. Introduction to Animal Anatomy
9h 1m 41s
Head Rendering
Check Point: Choose One
3A. The Portrait in Watercolor
9h 21m 40s
Design
Check Point: Choose One
7A. How to Design Movie Posters
19h 39m 30s
This module is for artists who want to develop their drawing 2. Vehicle Design and Sketching
and designing skills for visual development, animation design, 11h 51m 51s
and concept art. You will expand your visual library, master the
foundations of advanced linear perspective, and continue to Perspective and Visual Library II
improve your skills in figure and costume drawing. 3. Linear Perspective Master Course
Part 2: Lessons 8-13
36h 57m 29s
This module is for intermediate artists who want to strengthen 2. Drawing Lessons from Art History (subject to change)
their drawing and painting for a visual development or concept 17h 8m 53s
art portfolio. You will study human and animal anatomy, then
learn to paint the portrait and figure. Check Point: Choose One
3A. Head Drawing for Entertainment Arts
Lessons 1-3
16h 3m 8s
Intro to Painting
Check Point: Choose One
7A. Oil Painting for Beginners
42h 32m 34s
This module is for advanced artists interested in refining 2. Color Theory Bootcamp
drawing and painting skills while creating a visual development, 39h 6m 41s
animation design, or concept art portfolio. You will develop your
ability to research, ideate, and execute designs from a project
brief. Environment Design & Painting
Check Point: Choose One
3A. Designing Your Landscape Painting
35h 41m 12s
Design
Check Point: Choose One
5A. How to Design Movie Posters
19h 39m 30s
This module is for intermediate artists interested in refining their 2. An Observational Approach to the Portrait in Clay
sculpting ability. You will build on your ability to construct the 18h 55m 52s
portrait in three-dimensional space. Then, you will develop a
deeper understanding of the anatomy of the figure.
Mid Length Portrait Modeling
3. The Ceramic Portrait (pending 2024)
3D Anatomy
4. Build Your Own Anatomy Figure
13h 51m 53s
This module is for advanced artists looking to expand 2. Figure Sculpting (pending 2024)
their ability to sculpt the figure. You will learn the different
approaches to working from life with the model. Then, you
will gain the knowledge needed to bring your sculptures to a Advanced Figure Modeling
resolve. 3. An Observational Approach to the Figure in Clay
24h 54m 51s
This module is for artists who want to take the next step with
their sculptures by making molds for casting. You will learn Sculpture Production Process
the techniques and tools required to take your sculptures to a 2. Digital Sculpting for Traditional Sculptors (pending
permanent state. 2025)
Pointing
4. Stone Carving with the Macchinetta di Punto (pending
2025)
This module is for artists who want to get started in three- 2. Introduction to Zbrush (pending 2025)
dimensional character art. You will learn the traditions of
sculpting with clay, develop an understanding of working in
space, and gain the skill set for traditional sculpture work. Head and Animals
3. Clay Modeling in the American Western Tradition
29h 21m 30s
This module is for intermediate artists who want to work with Anatomy
three-dimensional character design. You will learn the anatomy 2. Build Your Own Anatomy Figure
of the figure with clay. You will then take all of your traditional 13h 51m 53s
skills and apply that to creature designs and maquette making
for the entertainment industry. 3. The Dynamic Anatomy Figure in Clay
22h 27m 11s
Creature Design
4. How to Design Creatures
9h 9m 40s
This module is for artists who want to develop the skills for 2. Penciling and Inking for Comics
making comic art. You will study the foundations of traditional 13h 1m 22s
comic books. Then, you will learn the different techniques used
to create comic books and how to conceive your style. 3. Character Development for Comics and Illustration
36h 12m 44s
This module is for artists who want to develop their animating 2. Visual Storytelling
skills. You will learn the fundamentals of traditional animation. 16h 33m 4s
Moreover, you will develop the ability to tell stories, design
characters, and create complex animations with visual effects. Advanced Techniques
3. Walk and Run Cycles in Animation
15h 1m 14s
Figure and Costume Drawing II prepares artists for traditional figure painting by teaching students how to accurately depict the human form in various costumes and settings, enhancing their understanding of drapery and texture. This module reinforces advanced anatomy knowledge and develops skills in applying figure drawing techniques like the Sight-Size method, which are crucial for figure painting .
Color theory is an integral part of the Painting Foundations Module, as it aids artists in understanding how colors interact, which is critical for any painting genre, including figure, landscape, and portrait painting. The Color Theory Bootcamp specifically addresses these principles in depth, ensuring artists can apply this knowledge effectively across all subsequent painting modules, impacting the environment and mood of their artworks .
Combining traditional sculpting techniques with digital methods allows for a comprehensive approach to learning. Traditional techniques cultivate a tactile understanding and intuitive feel of materials, while digital methods offer precision and flexibility, enabling students to refine and iterate their designs effectively. New Masters Academy's curriculum balances these elements by integrating courses like Digital Sculpting for Traditional Sculptors, promoting versatility and adaptability in artists .
The Russian style of figure drawing emphasizes capturing fluidity and expression through dynamic gesture drawing, focusing on movement and energy in the figure. In contrast, the Sight-Size technique is more precise and structured, concentrating on accurately measuring and reproducing the subject's proportions as they appear to the viewer, often used for creating realistic depictions .
Narrative development is crucial in figure painting as it lends depth and context to artworks. At New Masters Academy, narrative is emphasized through courses such as Narrative Long Pose Painting, which encourages students to integrate story elements into their compositions, enhancing the expressive quality and engagement of their paintings .
The New Masters Academy approach to teaching anatomy combines theoretical studies with practical application, using a range of courses like Advanced Anatomy and Complete Human Anatomy for Artists. This structure ensures that students not only understand anatomical concepts but also learn how to apply these principles when drawing and modeling the human figure, making the education both comprehensive and applicable .
New Masters Academy employs a structured approach to introduce oil painting techniques, beginning with foundational courses like Oil Painting for Beginners, which cover basic tools, color mixing, and brushwork. Further instruction through Atelier workshops and guided exercises help students progressively build confidence and technique in oil painting .
Mastering the Sight-Size Method is important as it promotes accuracy and proportionality in both drawing and painting. In drawing, it aids students in achieving a true-to-life representation, while in painting, it helps in rendering realism efficiently. New Masters Academy integrates this method into various modules to ensure students can produce precision-focused art consistently across media .
The course Designing Your Landscape Painting at New Masters Academy intertwines theoretical instruction on composition and light with practical painting exercises, providing a holistic learning experience. By focusing on both conceptual frameworks and hands-on projects, the course ensures students can transfer theoretical insights into practical skills, leading to well-rounded proficiency in landscape painting .
Prerequisites for Portrait Painting include Drawing Fundamentals, Painting Foundations, and Portrait Drawing. These courses build the necessary skills by providing a strong foundation in basic drawing techniques, understanding of painting materials and methods, and specific practice in rendering the human form, which are essential for mastering portraiture .