three-year course
Fine Art & Digital Production
The three-year Fine Arts program in Digital Production is an academic program dedicated to training contemporary artists capable of working at the intersection of tradition and innovation.
Course identity
The program is rooted in a traditional academic framework, in which life drawing, painting, and sculpture form the foundation of the training.
This facility is complemented by a cutting-edge digital area that includes:
digital painting
digital sculpture
3D modeling
The Study of Light and Rendering as Artistic Tools
Digital technology does not replace traditional practice, but rather serves as a natural extension of it, allowing students to broaden their expressive and design possibilities.
The main areas include:
The three-year period is divided into four key areas:
Drawing and Painting
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Life Drawing and Artistic Anatomy
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Traditional and Contemporary Painting Techniques
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Image Composition and Construction
Sculpture and 3D Modeling
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Traditional Plastic Modeling
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Study of Volume and Form
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Digital Sculpture
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3D Modeling
Art Theory and History
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History of Ancient, Modern, and Contemporary Art
Color and light theory
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A Critical Analysis of the Work
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Methodology of Artistic Research
Digital Production
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Digital Drawing
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3D Modeling
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Lighting and Rendering for an Art Studio
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Production of Hybrid Works
Training Objectives.
The three-year Fine Arts program in Digital Production aims to train contemporary artists with a solid academic foundation and a thorough understanding of current visual languages.
The route covers:
advanced skills in drawing, painting, and sculpture;
a solid background in art history and a critical eye;
proficiency in digital and three-dimensional tools as an extension of artistic practice;
the ability to research, design, and develop an authorial language;
building a coherent and professionally structured portfolio.
At the end of the three-year program, students will be able to work independently in the field of contemporary art, integrating tradition and innovation into a personal and distinctive vision.
Laboratories and technologies
Students have access to:
Drawing and Painting Classrooms
Spaces for Modeling and Sculpture
Digital Labs with Professional Software
Calibrated Monitors for Proper Color Management
Tools for 3D modeling and digital sculpting
The course consists of exercises, individual reviews, and critical discussions.
Experience and recognition
The Rookies - Concept Art
Every year, students in the program participate in the Rookie Awards, one of the most prestigious international competitions dedicated to young talent in digital art.
The concept art and illustration projects developed over the three-year program are submitted in the Concept Art category, where they receive evaluations and feedback from professionals at studios such as ILM, Weta FX, Blizzard, and Riot Games.
This is a unique opportunity to measure up against international standards and build a portfolio recognized by the industry.
The Night of the Golden Dragons
The best visual projects and final artwork are presented during La Notte dei Draghi d’Oro, Side Academy’s annual event held during the Venice Film Festival.
A prestigious award that celebrates the students’ creativity and artistic quality, offering them a direct opportunity to engage with professionals in the visual arts and entertainment industries.
Lucca Comics & Games
Each year, three-year students have the opportunity to present their projects, illustrated boards, concepts and self-productions during Lucca Comics & Games, Europe’s leading event dedicated to comics and visual culture. Participation provides a concrete opportunity to engage with international professionals, publishers and artists, allowing students to display their portfolios, build professional relationships and experience editorial production in a real-world setting.
JUDGES by THE ROOKIES
Each year, projects developed by Side Academy students are evaluated by an international jury of The Rookies, composed of high-profile professionals from leading animation, VFX and Motion Graphics studios
The judges include supervisors, lead artists, and senior artists from companies such as Weta FX, Framestore, Industrial Light & Magic, DreamWorks, and DNEG, who draw on their expertise to evaluate entries in the 3D Animation, VFX, and Film of the Year categories.
This direct exposure to industry standards allows students to measure themselves against real professional criteria and gain international visibility.
Course Structure
First Year: FOUNDATIONS
Field of Study
Drawing, painting, and sculpture as the foundations of artistic creation.
Key Content
Life Drawing: Figure, Gesture, Proportions, Functional Anatomy
Volumetric Construction (cylinders, planes, masses, simplification of form)
Linear and Atmospheric Perspective
Color Theory Applied to Painting
Study of Natural and Artificial Light
Painting techniques: acrylic, oil, mixed media
Traditional Sculpture and Plastic Modeling
Art History: From the Origins to Modernity
Introduction to Photography as a Compositional Tool
Digital Integration
Introduction to Digital Painting (Photoshop / Procreate)
Fundamentals of 3D Modeling for Understanding Volumes and Space
Basic Workflow: Between Traditional and Digital
Goal of the Year
To build a solid technical and cultural foundation by developing observational skills, an understanding of anatomy, a sense of color, and an awareness of composition.
Second Year: INTEGRATED PRACTICE
Field of Study
Expansion of artistic practice toward a design-oriented and multidisciplinary dimension.
Painting and Illustration
Narrative Painting and Image Construction
Dynamic Anatomy and Kinesiology
Animal Drawing and Comparative Morphology
Pictorial Lighting and Mood Painting
Sculpture and Modeling
Digital Sculpting (ZBrush)
3D Modeling (Blender)
Texturing and Material Design
Introduction to Physically Correct Rendering
Digital Technologies
Advanced Digital Sculpting
Introduction to Lighting & Rendering
Fundamentals of Compositing
Introduction to Unreal Engine for Digital Environments
Goal of the Year
Develop a hybrid artistic practice that spans painting, illustration, and 3D modeling.
Students learn to design complete images, not just to create them.
Third Year: ADVANCE PRACTICE & PORTFOLIO
Field of Study
Defining one’s artistic identity and preparing for the international professional arena.
Students may choose to pursue:
Visual Arts and Contemporary Painting
Illustration and Visual Development
Digital Production and Visual Arts for Film and Games
Advanced Skills
Advanced Digital Sculpting
Look Development
Cinematographic Lighting
Advanced Rendering
Compositing for Final Images
Professional Production Pipeline
Portfolio Presentation and Creation
Ultimate Goal
Communication and Professional Presentation
Participation in international competitions and festivals
Creating a professional portfolio.
Software & tools
Life Drawing Workshop
Wacom graphics tablets and iPad Pro with Procreate and ZBrush for iPad
Calibrated graphic workstations for digital painting and color grading
Dedicated 3D labs with high-performance workstations
Exhibition space for boards, concepts and in-house exhibitions
Procreate (iPad Pro) – sketching, digital painting
Adobe Photoshop – advanced painting, compositing and post-production
ZBrush / ZBrush for iPad – sculpting and creating high detail 3D concepts
Blender – lighting, materials, rendering and 3D previsualization
Professional outlets
The course prepares artists to work in the pre-production and visual development departments of the creative industry, where a project’s style, identity, and visual atmosphere are defined.
Thanks to a combination of a solid artistic foundation and digital technical skills, students develop a well-rounded and competitive profile on the international stage. Opportunities will be created for collaborations with video game studios, film studios, animation studios, publishers, creative agencies, brands, galleries, and production companies.
Concept Artist (characters, creatures, environments and props)
Digital Artist
Painter / Sculptor
Visual Development Artist for film, animation and video games
Character Designer
Environment Artist / Matte Painter
Lookdev Artist
3D Concept Artist
FAQ:
Absolutely, all courses start from the basics, so no artistic or programming skills are required. We want to train new artists regardless of their educational background.
With the HYBRID mode, we allow those who need it to take the course ON-LINE, but to have the opportunity to attend certain labs, workshops or in-person events.
We recommend having a PC or Mac at home that can run professional software, so that students can continue working on their projects from home. For those taking the online course, you’ll also need: an internet connection, a graphics tablet, a microphone to communicate with instructors, and headphones. The webcam, on the other hand, is optional.