FOUNDTIONS
The 8-week Foundations Course at The Art Club is designed for students with little to no prior experience who want to build both confidence and a strong base in essential artistic practices. Through guided instruction in drawing, anatomy, composition, color theory, and ideation, the course prepares learners to advance into higher level workshops with a solid grounding in the fundamentals. Emphasizing both theory and hands on practice, it encourages creative thinking while supporting technical growth, offering a clear pathway toward professional level study.
Upon completion, students receive a certificate that provides recognition of achievement and affirms their readiness to participate meaningfully in all of The Art Club’s workshops. For those considering admission to traditional colleges or universities, the certificate may also serve as a valuable pre-college credential, highlighting academic readiness and a recognition of strong foundational practices. Participation in the Foundations Course is optional and not required for enrollment in all other workshops and Lectures at The Art Club.
Dates
Saturdays Feb 15 - Apr 15
Time
Saturdays Unit 12:00pm - 2:00pm EST
Location
The Art Club - Discord: <https://discord.gg/TZb8wK292j> Blue Classroom
FORMAT
Class meets once a week on Discord
Recorded Access: Class recordings are provided after the course, viewable for one year.
Homework must be uploaded to Google Drive folder before the next class begins
The class enrollment is limited to a maximum of 10 students.
THE FACULTY
Nick Leysens is a designer, storyboard artist, illustrator and animator who has been working for the last 10 years in the tv/film, tech, and commercial industries. His clients include Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, Titmouse, ShadowMachine, Miley Cyrus, Duolingo, Cinemax, Fox, and Adult Swim. Nick studied at the Laguna College of Art & Design. Nick has worked on shows such as Animaniacs, Looney Tunes, BoJack Horseman, Spongebob Squarepants, The Simpsons, Baby Shark’s Big Show, Mike Judge Presents Tales from the Tour Bus, and Clone High.
Nick has taught on the collegiate level for 5 years at the Cleveland Institute of Art and also serves at the School of Visual Arts MFA program as a mentor.
Prerequisites
This is an all-level design class. In order to have a productive learning experience for all, prospective students need to fulfill the following requirements:
Drawing/Painting software (Adobe Photoshop, Procreate, ect…)
Computer with microphone (camera optional)
Access to Google Drive
Access to Discord
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Students will gain a strong understanding of perspective, learning how to establish depth, scale, and spatial relationships using 1, 2, and 3 point perspective.
Assignment: Perspective Exercise
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Building on their perspective knowledge, students will explore the fundamentals of composition. They will learn how to guide the viewer’s eye, establish hierarchy, and create clear, intentional visual storytelling.
Assignment: Composition Studies -
Students will apply their perspective and composition skills to blocking. They will explore how to stage scenes, arrange elements for narrative clarity, and begin thinking in sequences.
Assignment: Blocking out a scene in any form of sequential art.
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Students will learn a structured, step-by-step approach to drawing through construction techniques. They will then study simplified human anatomy by breaking down proportions, major forms, and how to apply them to expressive, dynamic poses.
Assignment: Human focused illustration
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Students will explore quadruped and creature anatomy, breaking down animal structures into basic shapes, studying motion and weight, and applying anatomical logic to original creature designs.
Assignment: Creature focused illustration & making a shape collage to prepare for Week 6’s class.
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Students will learn creative ideation strategies, how to avoid visual clichés, and how to use research to support stronger visual development. They will then explore foundational rendering techniques, using value to establish form, focus, and depth.
Assignment: Rendering exercise & start ideation for final project.
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Students will study hue, saturation, temperature, and color harmony, learning how to apply color intentionally to support storytelling, mood, and visual clarity.
Assignment: Add color to the final project
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Students will share their finished work for a group critique, receiving constructive feedback from peers and the instructor to solidify takeaways and set goals for continued growth.
Who is this Course for?
The Foundations Course is all about building a strong starting point for your creative journey. This course will help you develop the core tools, habits, and confidence you’ll need to grow as an artist. Whether your next step is joining workshops, applying to art school, or simply continuing your personal practice with a stronger foundation.
Pre-College Students – who want a structured introduction to art fundamentals. Upon completion, students receive a certificate of completion that can be used strengthen their art school applications and help them stand out in the admissions process.
Current College Students – who wish to strengthen their core skills and build confidence before advancing to higher level coursework.
Professionals – who may have experience but want to refresh their fundamentals.
Hobbyists – who are passionate about art and want a guided, structured way to develop essential techniques.
Certificate
The Fundamentals Certificate formally acknowledges the successful completion of foundational coursework and affirms the recipient’s demonstrated understanding of course fundamentals necessary for advanced study. Within The Art Club, the certificate provides students with both recognition and credibility, ensuring preparedness to engage meaningfully with all the workshops offered at The Art Club. For those seeking admission to traditional colleges or universities, the certificate further serves as a pre-college credential, signaling academic readiness and a clear commitment to pursuing education in the arts.
