Course Cover

Environment Design

Description

This is an eight-week online course that teaches aspiring students the skills of environment design, from the basics all the way to the final touches. If you're new to digital painting, I’ll meet you where you’re at and help you develop an understanding that you’ll use for the rest of your career. More experienced students will get the always-needed review of foundational principles, followed by essentially everything I know on the subject. I use Photoshop in the weekly pre-recorded demonstrations, which include real-time commentary along with voiceover on sped-up process videos. This course also includes a weekly one-hour live class meeting hosted by me, where we discuss the lesson, I answer your questions, and I provide feedback. It’s never too soon to learn this stuff! I’m so glad I learned it when I did!

Author

Course Author

Ted Pendergraft

Program AreasIllustration
IntensityBEGINNER
Duration8 weeks

Showcase

1 image

Course Outline

Module 1 Breaking a Single Dimension Plane

Students will learn the basics of creating an illusion of depth using composition and value.

Module 2 Visual Motifs for Scale and Techniques for Dynamic Sketches

Students will learn how to use repeating elements for an illusion of distance and how to set up a dynamic space using distortion and lighting.

Module 3 Photoshop Shortcuts and Exposure Options

Students will learn the steps and shortcuts used when compressing pixels and exploring compressed light and compressed shadows.

Module 4 Color Approaches and Moving into Color from Greyscale

Students will learn the importance of learning color theory by studying from life and how to apply that understanding in a digital space.

Module 5 Simulating a Traditional Surface and Managing the Intermediate Stage

Students will learn about blending and brush efficiency when rendering an elaborate scene.

Module 6 Technical Design and Callouts for Production

Students will learn approach and design considerations when developing complex hard surface assets and a callout that serves a 3D artist.

Module 7 Photobashing and Finishing Moves

Students will learn to readdress the organization of the image details in order to enhance the intent while retaining the original composition and mood.

Module 8 Final Touches and Special Effects

Students will learn to maximize pixel organization for a digital painting using filters and layer options along with feedback and how to prepare for a final critique.

Available Courses

Instructor Ted Pendergraft

Ted Pendergraft

Instructor

Location

ONLINE

Begins

Sep 14, 2026

Ends

Nov 8, 2026

Meets on

Wed

Class times

6:30 PM – 8:30 PM ET

$849.00