three-year program
Art, Concept, Illustration & Comics
A three-year program dedicated to visual design, where traditional drawing, digital illustration, concept art, and comic book storytelling come together in a structured, interdisciplinary approach. During the first two years, students develop a solid foundation in drawing techniques, composition, character and environment design, editorial techniques, and storytelling through images. The third year allows students to specialize in one of three areas —Concept Art, Illustration, or Comics —by building a professional portfolio tailored to their chosen field.
Course Description
The three-year program in Art, Concept, Illustration & Comics is dedicated to developing visual imagination: a space where a line becomes
story, color becomes emotion, and a character becomes identity.
A journey that combines traditional arts and digital media—from pencil to brush, from graphics tablet to concepts for film and video games,
, all the way to the use of 3D as a creative tool in the production pipeline.
Here, you’ll learn how to design worlds, creatures, atmospheres, scenes, and characters; how to tell stories with a single image; and how to give your style a recognizabl
, and personality.
This is a program for those who want to turn their imagination into a career by becoming artists in the world of global entertainment.
The main areas include:
- Traditional Drawing, Artistic Anatomy, Basic Sculpting
- Concept art for film, video games, and animation
- Character design: heroes, creatures, villains, NPCs, visual cast
- Creature Design, Animal Anatomy
- Environment Design: Worlds, Architecture, Narrative Settings
- Editorial and Digital Illustration
- Comics & Visual Storytelling: From Comics to Graphic Novels
- 3D Techniques Integrated into the Pre-Production Pipeline
- AI creative tools for concepts, mood boards, and artistic direction
Silvia Pasqualetto
COURSE DIRECTOR
As an illustrator and concept artist, she continued her studies at Side Academy, where she delved deeper into the world of 3D and developed a well-rounded artistic vision.
Thanks to the skills she acquired, she entered the video game industry as a Concept Artist at Supermassive Games, contributing to the creation of international titles such as *Alone in the Dark*.
Her career then led her to fulfill a dream: joining Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), the historic studio founded by George Lucas, the creator of legendary sagas such as Star Wars and Jurassic Park.
Among his most recent projects, the creation of the new dinosaurs for *Jurassic World: Rebirth* stands out—an achievement that represents a personal milestone and a source of great pride for Side Academy.
Today, he serves as a Senior Concept Artist at ILM, continuing to inspire new generations of artists with his experience and passion for art.
How to participate: In-person or hybrid? Choose the option that's right for you!
In-person
The traditional format involves daily attendance in the classroom: the instructor is always present, and each class takes place in one of the academy’s classrooms, featuring theoretical sessions, labs, and real-time practical reviews.
This format fosters direct collaboration with classmates and faculty, provides immediate access to equipment, and offers an immersive experience in professional study environments.
Hybrid
To offer greater flexibility, a hybrid track is also available that combines online learning with in-person participation: There will be workshops with guest speakers or specialized labs that can be attended in person. This model allows participants to take part in some of the activities remotely while still attending in-person classroom and lab sessions on-site.
ALL LESSONS AND WORKSHOPS ARE RECORDED AND MADE AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS.
Learning Objectives
The course trains professionals to:
• conceive and design iconic characters and believable worlds;
• create visual narratives for film, video games, publishing, and animation;
• master traditional and digital illustration techniques;
• use 3D tools for sketches, compositions, lighting, and basic concepts;
• develop an international portfolio that meets the standards of the creative industry;
• collaborate with directors, art directors, game designers, editors, and production studios.
Every year, we produce complete character sheets, keyframe art, storyboards, illustrated panels, prop designs, and concepts for real projects.
Laboratories and Technologies
- Fine Art Atelier: drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media.
iPad Pro workstations with Procreate and ZBrush for iPad for sketching and 3D sculpting
3D workshops focused on using Blender and ZBrush for concept modeling and lighting
Texturing Workstations with Substance Painter and PBR Workflow
Digital Illustration Lab: Professional Tablets, Concept Station.
AI Creative Lab: Generative AI for mood boards, references, and visual concept development.
Comics & Storytelling Hub: narrative layouts, inking, digital coloring.
The course takes place in spaces dedicated to visual experimentation, where traditional art and digital tools coexist within a contemporary workflow.
Students alternate between drawing and painting classes and sessions on digital sculpture and concept art, learning to use technology as a natural extension of the creative process
Experience and Awards
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 the opportunity to interact directly with professionals in the visual arts and entertainment industries.
Lucca Comics & Games
Every year, students in the three-year program have the opportunity to present their projects, illustrated pages, concepts, and self-published works at Lucca Comics & Games, Europe’s leading event dedicated to comics and visual culture. Participation provides a concrete opportunity to engage with professionals, publishers, and international artists, allowing students to showcase their portfolios, build professional connections, and gain hands-on experience with publishing in a real-world setting.
JUDGES OF THE ROOKIES
Each year, the projects developed by Side Academy students are evaluated by an international jury from 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.
Short stories published in *The Rookies*
Green/Blue Screen Set
Art Workshop: Sculpture and Life Drawing
Course Structure
YEAR
FIELD OF STUDY
OBJECTIVES AND RESULTS
First Year
Fundamentals of Drawing and Visual Art
An introduction to the principles of drawing, gesture, and anatomical construction. Students learn techniques in observation, perspective, composition, and color theory, working both on paper and digitally (Photoshop, Procreate). The goal is to develop a solid professional foundation and a personal visual sensibility, integrating traditional drawing with basic digital painting and 3D tools.
Second year
Production, Design, and Multimedia Storytelling
In-depth study of visual design for characters, environments, creatures, and props, combined with narrative development for illustration, comics, and concept art. Students learn hybrid 2D/3D workflows (Blender + ZBrush) applied to visual research, lighting references, and blockouts. At the same time, students are introduced to the professional fundamentals of storyboarding, writing for comics and graphic novels, narrative pacing, visual direction, and illustrated sequences for storytelling. Interdisciplinary production begins with CGI and video games: the concepts, illustrations, and visual scripts created by students are used in animated shorts, cutscenes, and video games.
Third year
Specialization and Professional Portfolio
Students specialize by choosing one of the following tracks: Concept Art, Illustration, or Comics. The year is dedicated to professional production, interdisciplinary collaboration with CGI, Animation, and Video Games, and the creation of a portfolio consistent with their field of study. Students have the opportunity to participate in external internships and mentorship programs. The best works are presented at The Rookies, Lucca Comics & Games, and the Notte dei Draghi d’Oro.
Software & Tools
Classrooms equipped for life drawing with models and professional lighting setups
Wacom graphics tablets and iPad Pro with Procreate and ZBrush for iPad
Calibrated graphics workstations for digital painting and color grading
Dedicated 3D labs with high-performance workstations
Exhibition space for illustrations, concepts, and in-house exhibitions
Procreate (iPad Pro) – Sketching, Digital Painting, and Rapid Visual Prototyping
Adobe Photoshop – Advanced Painting, Compositing, and Post-Production
ZBrush / ZBrush for iPad – sculpting and creating highly detailed 3D concepts
Blender – Lighting, Materials, Rendering, and 3D Previsualization
Substance 3D Painter – Texturing and Materials for Realistic Concepts
DaVinci Resolve / Lightroom – Color Management and Finalizing the Panels
Career Opportunities
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)
Visual Development Artist for Film, Animation, and Video Games
Illustrator / Key Art Artist
Character Designer
Environment Artist / Matte Painter
Lookdev Artist / Lighting Concept Designer
3D Concept Artist / Sculptor
- Comics Artist / Graphic Novelist
Storyboard Artist
Previs Artist for Film and Video Game Productions
FAQ:
Absolutely! All courses start with the basics, so no artistic or programming skills are required. We want to train new artists regardless of their educational background.
With the HYBRID format, we allow those who need to take the course ONLINE to also have the option of attending certain in-person labs, workshops, or 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. A webcam is optional.