The Background Painting: Advanced Techniques workshop at The Art Club is open to all intermediate to advanced-levels of students. This workshops is designed for artists who are ready to push their 2D background painting skills further, focusing on the work required in Television Animation. You will learn how to bring another layer of dimension through lighting, color and texture. While foundational aspects of background painting will be mentioned, the core of this lesson will hone in on the details of the process. Throughout the course, the focus will be on compelling lighting, surface textures and the final details to bring a background painting to production- ready quality.
Participants may join as Active students, receiving drawovers and feedback, or as Viewers, with access to the live sessions and text chat interaction with other viewers.
BACKGROUND PAINTING: ADVANCED TECHNIQUES
The Background Painting: Advanced Techniques workshop at The Art Club is open to all intermediate to advanced-levels of students. This workshops is designed for artists who are ready to push their 2D background painting skills further, focusing on the work required in Television Animation. You will learn how to bring another layer of dimension through lighting, color and texture. While foundational aspects of background painting will be mentioned, the core of this lesson will hone in on the details of the process. Throughout the course, the focus will be on compelling lighting, surface textures and the final details to bring a background painting to production ready quality.
By the end of this workshop, students will be able to:
Apply advanced lighting, color, and texture to enhance backgrounds
Refine details for production-ready quality
Maintain visual clarity and consistency across multiple shots
Translate designs into compelling, finished background paintings
What You’ll Make: Production-ready background paintings for animation.
Participants may join as Active students, receiving drawovers and feedback, or as Viewers, with access to the live sessions and text chat interaction with other viewers.
Dates
Thursdays - Feb 26 - Mar 26
Time
7:00pm - 10:00pm PST
Location
The Art Club - Discord: <https://discord.gg/TZb8wK292j> Red Classroom
FORMAT
Class meets once a week on Discord.
Recorded Access: Class recordings are provided after the course, viewable for one year for Active & Viewer Pass students.
Active student’s must upload homework to Google Drive folder before the next class begins.
Active student spots are limited to 10 participants, and Viewer access is limited to 20 seats.
THE FACULTY
Michael Baillie Jr. is a seasoned designer with over 10 years of experience in television animation. He has contributed to a wide range of projects for studios such as Netflix, Warner Bros., Cartoon Network, A24, and Nickelodeon.
Outside of the animation industry, Michael has a strong fascination with interior design, architecture, graphic design and the culinary arts. When he is not working, Michael enjoys a good cup of coffee and spending some quality time outdoors with his wife and two children.
You can see more of his work at: https://mbailliejr.com/
Mike’s Credits
Prerequisites
This is an Intermediate to Advanced-level class. To participate as an Active student and get the most out of the class, Active students need to fulfill the following requirements:
Intermediate Skill Level: Previous background painting/digital painting and software knowledge.
Software: Adobe Photoshop (preferred), Procreate
Computer with microphone (camera optional)
Access to Google Drive
Access to Discord
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In this session, we will discuss background painting basics as well as style, mood and brush selection.
Assignment:
Active students lay down flat colors on BG Design. Critiques available for works in progress. -
We'll explore how texture and different lighting scenarios bring a space to life!
Assignment: Active students using a limited brush selection, students will take painting further into completion using texture and lighting to fit desired choice. Critiques available for works in progress for Active students.
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We'll discuss how painting can bring out details in a painting that may not have been communicated in the design phase as well as pushing lighting and drama. This is the time to really bring the painting home with an expert level of polish.
Assignment: Active students bring the background painting to a finish. Available for critiques for Active students.
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Discuss tips and tricks to paint BG layouts of related sequences and maintain consistency.
Assignment: Active students paint other background designs in sequence hooking up first painting. Available for critiques for Active students. -
Let's show off what all Active students created and discuss creative choices! After we will hold a Q&A session.
Who is this Workshop for?
The Background Painting: Advanced Techniques workshop is designed for intermediate to advanced artists who want to elevate their background paintings to a production-ready level. This class focuses primarily on refining the advanced elements that make backgrounds feel dimensional and cinematic with the use of lighting, color design, material rendering, and surface texture. Students should already have a solid understanding of basic painting fundamentals and digital workflow.
Current College Students – looking to push their background paintings beyond foundational coursework by improving lighting, mood, and material rendering to meet industry expectations.
Professionals – who want to sharpen their visual polish, refine textural detail, and strengthen the advanced lighting and color decisions necessary for high-quality television animation work.
Hobbyists – who want to deepen their understanding of background painting in a structured, supportive environment while learning how to add depth, atmosphere, and refined detail to their artwork.
Outcomes
By the end of this workshop, students will be able to:
Develop a clearer eye for detail, quality, and visual clarity in background painting
Apply advanced lighting techniques to create mood, depth, and dimension
Use texture and brushwork to enhance surfaces and bring backgrounds to life
Refine details to achieve production-ready polish
Maintain consistency across multiple shots in a sequence
Gain confidence in translating design concepts into finished, compelling backgrounds
What You’ll Make: Production-ready background paintings for animation.
The Background Painting: Advanced Techniques workshop at The Art Club is open to all intermediate to advanced-levels of students. This workshops is designed for artists who are ready to push their 2D background painting skills further, focusing on the work required in Television Animation. You will learn how to bring another layer of dimension through lighting, color and texture. While foundational aspects of background painting will be mentioned, the core of this lesson will hone in on the details of the process. Throughout the course, the focus will be on compelling lighting, surface textures and the final details to bring a background painting to production- ready quality.
Participants may join as Active students, receiving drawovers and feedback, or as Viewers, with access to the live sessions and text chat interaction with other viewers.
