conceptartist,brandonliao Details
Intro
Class Intro
Concept Artist, Brandon Liao
With the right skillsets in 2D & 3D, let's create intrigue & curiosity in your art, and keep your audience on their toes!
Immersive Visuals, Efficient Execution
Across genres, across styles, one truth holds:
Artists need depth and speed.
This class is about building immersive scenes that pull people in. You’ll learn to guide the eye, shape the story, and leave a lasting impression.
This class is about building immersive scenes that pull people in. You’ll learn to guide the eye, shape the story, and leave a lasting impression.
It’s about working fast without losing impact. Every element has a purpose. No wasted space. No visual noise. Just clean, intentional design that lands instantly and lingers long.
You’ll get efficient at crafting compositions that feel immersive from the first glance, while layering in details that reward a closer look. Learn to shape mood, direct focus, and build atmosphere that speaks before the viewer even knows why. This is the backbone of visual storytelling, and you’re going to master it.
You’ll get efficient at crafting compositions that feel immersive from the first glance, while layering in details that reward a closer look. Learn to shape mood, direct focus, and build atmosphere that speaks before the viewer even knows why. This is the backbone of visual storytelling, and you’re going to master it.
Class Preview
Still Not Sure?
Check Out Brandon Liao's Class Preview!
Chapter 09. The Underpainting
1. Explanation of the underpainting
2. Highlight the importance of using ambient light (or diffuse light) values first
3. Going over how to add basic colors quickly
2. Highlight the importance of using ambient light (or diffuse light) values first
3. Going over how to add basic colors quickly
Class Perks
Special Gift from Brandon Liao
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Final PSD / PSB Files3+ PSD and PSB files -
Worksheets and Exercise FilesSketches and References -
Ultimate Brushes by Brandon LiaoTop5 and more bruses
Class Material Details
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PSD/PSB files- Supports all highdynamic range
- Includes large layers
- Dimensions upto 300,000 pixels -
Sketches and References- Your tailored moodboard
- Rivisiting basecamp references
- Space and composition setting ranges -
Brushpack from Brandon Liao- Brandon's Top 5 Brushes
- Proper usage for ultimate success
Recommendation
Who should take this class?
Aspiring artists who want to learn how to get an idea down fast and efficiently.
Curious artists who are willing to make daring decisions for storytelling.
World builders who want to draw people into their world.
Expert Concept Artist Brandon Liao's Portfolio
Why Take This Class?
Ever notice how your attention moves effortlessly through a well-crafted scene?
That’s no accident—it’s visual storytelling engineered with precision.
This class is about bridging the gap between vision and execution quickly and with intent. You’ll learn to create cinematic illustrations that feel immersive and alive, using streamlined workflows that prioritize clarity over perfection.
If you’ve felt that disconnect between concept and execution, you’re not alone. Maybe your assets are strong, but the scene lacks depth. Maybe your characters feel detached from their environment. Maybe the vision is clear in your mind, but it doesn’t quite translate to the screen. This class tackles that gap directly.
You’ll build the technical foundation to make deliberate, impactful decisions about composition, mood, lighting, and spatial flow. You’ll learn to evaluate visual hierarchy as you work, not after endless revisions, and eliminate guesswork from your process.
By the end, you’ll approach your work with clarity and confidence. You’ll know what strengthens a piece before it’s finished, and execute with precision, speed, and purpose.
Get Ready for the Real-World
9 Class Exercises
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Mood Board Creation- Develop a habit of gathering references to organize your thoughts -
Shape Language- Start thinking in creative ways and breaking the rules in meaningful ways -
Compositions & Lighting Drill- Get your ideas down fast instead of lingering and tinkering
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Photobashing in Photoshop- Break down photos to use as details or as visual interest -
Anatomy Draw-Through- Understand how muscles are shaped in different poses -
Character Integration- Learn how to make characters appear as part of the scene
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Set Dressing- Use props and details to hint at character or environmental story and history -
Color & Lighting- Quickly iterate colors and lighting with adjustment layers -
Cinematic LUT Emulation- Color grade your illustration to achieve a cinematic look
Final Product Example(s)
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Cinematic Illustration ver.1 -
Cinematic Illustration ver.2 -
Cinematic Illustration ver.3
Highlights
Class Highlights
Composition and Visual Storytelling
Learn to create scenes with intention and to add meaningful narratives to draw people in.
Light, Value, and Color
Light, value, and color are core to any cinematic illustration. We'll break them down into their fundamental components to better manage each aspect to achieve that cinematic look.
Digital Arsenal
Mastery of digital tools will greatly simplify and expedite the drawing process; leaving more time to focus on narrative, intent, and mood. This class will showcase various techniques and tricks to make the drawing process more efficient.
