Learn about how to start a composition, from the story, research, and thumbnailing, and set the rules to build it.
How to Design & Paint a Background Layout with Armand Serrano
Creature Art Teacher Course
Design and paint a background layout.
In this course, seasoned artist Armand Serrano shows his step-by-step approach to painting a single background environment.
Across 4 videos totaling over 6 ½ hours, you’ll go from research and line work to grayscale underpainting, adding color, and finishing a full-color background painting.
4 Videos
6½+ Hours
Background Layout
Project Files Included
6½+ Hours
Background Layout
Project Files Included
Research & Believability
Learn how Armand uses research to add believability to a background design before moving into the drawing and painting stages.
Line Work to Grayscale
Follow the process from rough and refined drawing tips into a grayscale value painting that supports the final image.
Color & Final Painting
Watch Armand adjust and add color, then carry the background through to a finished full-color painting.
Meet Armand Serrano
Learn from a professional artist with nearly 30 years of experience in film, games, and animation, including work for Disney, Marvel, Netflix, Skydance, Blizzard, Riot Games, and more.
Lessons
Chapter 1 Part 2 – Tonal Values
Start organizing layers to work in a better way, then add values using the grey scale. Be patient and enjoy the process. Experiment with lighter and darker values to make decisions.
Chapter 2 Part 1 – Adding Color
Add colors using the values you have assigned previously. Use Photoshop layers to test what color variations work the best for your composition.
Chapter 2 Part 2 – Digital Painting
Add a normal layer with color and review the final details, like the opacity of your line works.
