2010 March - May
Bradley Machamer
"The way that you talk about what you do, and how you teach; the energy and the effort that you have put into this workshop, and into all of us is incredible - your teaching is far beyond anything I have ever seen before, and I feel so blessed to be one of your students, and to be able to interact and learn with everyone."
Won Suk Heo
"It has been said already, but I want to say again that Robert has inspired me to be more than just a better artist, but to be a better human being as well. He showed by example the kind of person I want to be: totally dedicated and helpful to others, strive for excellence yet remain humble, and have a broad vision and enjoy everything life has to offer. So thank you Robert. I had very high expectations for this workshop, and it surpassed them in ways I didn't even think of."
Del Melchionda
"I think Rob has a very unique, very holistic approach to art and creativity, one I've never really seen or heard before from a teacher or professor. He makes you think about the why, not just the how. And this is something that often gets shunted aside with the heavy focus digital art has on technique and tools."
Trevor Crandall
"Dang Rob! I do feel like like Neo in the Matrix, where all the knowledge he needs is instantaneously downloaded into his brain! The pages of info, and the additional story telling notes in particular, had my head spinning. So many new ideas and thoughts that have simply never really been in my head before now, and then all of the sudden, there's bunches of them in here at once! I love that feeling!
...
Really, I think I could ramble on for quite a few pages about how much I got out of this workshop. But instead I will say this. I've spent a ton of time and money on learning and getting to where want to be artistically and professionally over the last 8 years. In doing so, I've developed a very low tolerance for bullshit when it comes to people wasting my precious time or taking advantage of my hard earned money. That being said, this class was probably one of the best investments of my time and money thus far, and it will be paying dividends for many years to come."
Krystal Camprubi
"I
like the way you build your whole course. I knew a lot of these theoric things
but I have the feeling here I actually discovered them for the first time. Probably
because you break everything into "learnable" and applicable pieces.
I must say I am deeply impressed, not only of your artistic knowledge and accuracy,
but also of the passion you put in teaching. I hope everyone of your student
had realised that, for it is rare and precious to find such an engagement. I
consider myself very lucky to be here..."
Grant Moore
"I
have only scratched the surface in terms of taking in all the information in
the course. If I were to look at it simply in terms of quantity of quality material
for dollar value, this is easily the best course I've ever taken in my life.
I feel like I am going to have to go through the material a good dozen times
before it really starts to sink in and become a regular part of my thought process.
I'm very happy with what you've created Robert and I can tell you made it sincerely
from wanting to help people rather than make a quick buck, it's a shame there
aren't more people with both the necessary skills and passion to create courses
like this. If this were an Ebay purchase, my comment might go something along
the lines of, '100% Excellent, would buy again A+++++'."
2010 June - August
Denise Gross
"I can tell you that I already, just from last week's videos, feel that I have learned more about painting than I have from any other course I have taken. And I have taken alot. This is by far the best painting and process instruction I have ever had. Thank you so much for not only putting the time into this but also for actually allowing us to see the process of every step. It is great!!!!"
Jacek Krzykowski
"This course value just paid off, in my opinion, after first week alone."Chris Nicholls
"No matter what kind of artist you are or how good you are, I would strongly encourage you to consider and part-take this course. There is a HUGE amount of information in there that you'll digest for months and actually use in your future. I find myself referring to the course notes ALL the time with both 2D and 3D works.
Robert goes into a large variety of topics and related topics with unexpected depth and gives the course and each student all of his time. You won't be disappointed and it's money very well spent.
Invest in yourself!"
2010 August - October
Ricardo Roberto van Duuren
"The workshop met all my expectations and more. I had already heard about it and from the posts you wrote on cgtalk I already knew you are knowledgable and have excellent teaching skills. The combination is rare I think. At least, most teachers I met either didn't knew enough to answer any question I had, or lacked the teaching skills to explain things to someone who's as stubborn as me. I don't believe people unless they can convince me with facts and adequate information. I (and many others) aren't convinced by 'I'm the teacher, so just believe me on this'. The fact that you managed to convince me on matters I thought otherwise about says enough I think.
...
If I haven't said it before (I'm known to be sparse with compliments and 'thank you's'): Thank you! I will forever remember this workshop as a turning point in my life."
Victor Galo
"As a beginner, all the entire workshop has been priceless to me. I've enjoyed this experience since I started reading in CG-Society forums the thread about this workshop. I started to feel more and more longing about joining it. And even with all my growing expectations, I could have never guessed that I would take so much benefit from an online course. It's really easy to see how much love and effort you have put into this."
Freya Horn
"Like Lukasz mentioned, I feel similarly about my university education.I spent three years and got into alot of debt and came out the other end good enough to get by..but by no means did I learn as much as I think I can in this workshop. Pretty sad considering this is just an 8 week course, but it's much more intense, concentrated, and I really do feel that you care about the students and helping us improve. My university lecturers all seemed pretty indifferent in comparison."
Brandon Pirruccello
"It's pretty obvious that you are immeasurably passionate about art and that goes far beyond the scope of your own skills and self betterment. You really go out of your way to push us, and that push is something that we all yearn for but don't always receive. We are all deeply grateful for what you put into this course for each of us individually. I can only hope, this early in my career as an artist, that I come across more people like you to help me realize my dreams so one day when I finally "make it", I can pass along the wisdom as well. I knew going into this course it would be an amazing experience and this far through I can already tell that there is only more awesome advice to come. Thanks Robert :D
I just wanted to stop by and once again thank you for all of your help in this course. I eventually did end up getting accepted into Art Center after spending a lot of time building up those foundations that I was lacking in. I start in the spring and the wait has been driving me nuts. Anyways, there is no way I would have even been considered if it wasn't for your teachings. I am going to continue to use them throughout my time in school and hopefully it will give me the edge to rise to the top! At the risk of sounding incredibly cheesey, thank you for helping me to realize my dream and I will never forget how much you helped us all. : )"
Lukasz Jastrzebski
"The course was very important, and I think, a turning point in my professional life. The amount of knowledge I was exposed to was enormous."
Maris Karklins
"you have saved me thousands and thousands of dolllars that it would have cost me to gain the same insight and knowledge in a fraction of the time."
2010 October - December
Jason Hill
"I admire your knowledge and approach to teaching and learning. You are most surely the best teacher I have ever been graced to work with, just by the fact you seem to care so much."
Josh Bailey
"I have never before came across such knowledgable experience. I have already learnt more than two people could dream of. The class notes literally blow my mind with sudden realisations and it's turning me into a much more aware person when it comes to general observation and artistic skills. I couldn't recommend your workshop enough really. I always partially believed in blessings and you are truly one of them. Thanks mate!
This course has definitely been the biggest educational experience out of my 23 years of livin' and has etched itself into the main foundation of my personality and interests. I will always refer to Robert Chang as the guy who showed me the way. His help has been beyond priceless and I'd gladly do the course again if I got amnesia *touches wood*."
Philipp Otterbach
"What i can say for sure, is, that i definitely got what i had come for and that was a refresher on the essential principles that are the foundation of good artwork and a roadmap on how to improve. This and your personal insights in what being a creative person means, the techniques you use and the structured way of how you tackle creative endeavors was so incredibly interesting and inspiring.
This is the third CGSociety workshop i participated in and all three were great learning experiences, that were well worth the money they cost, but this one really sticks out, because of how essential and meaningful the stuff taught here is to all kinds of creative processes."
2011 January - March
Mauricio Flores
"Through these eight weeks I almost felt like a little boy inside a toy store, the majority of the material provided resulted fresh and fascinating, I always thought of myself as an intermediate level artist but this workshop pulled my pants down leaving me in a shameful but also exciting position, because the moment I started to apply the concepts learned, my worked began to improve, and hell did I loved that smile on my face."
Hector Eduardo
"I wanna thank you so much Rob for your always caring and delightful teaching. You really have known how to keep us motivated throughout out this awesome ride. Thank you for being such a passionate teacher.
...
Now, I’m more than happy to join the others as saying this workshop met and far exceeded my expectations. I can’t thank you enough Rob for your passionate way of teaching and your honest caring for our growth."
Steven
De Saeger
"When I initially read the class description and
objectives I thought that it was all too nice to be true ... I started the class
with the hope that it would at least partially meets its goals but I am very
glad to have found out that the course meets all its goals and that it has given
me much more then I could ever hope for.
I have been going to art school for 5 years but this course managed to teach
me so much more in just a couple of weeks ..."
2011 May - July
Suresh V. Selvaraj
"You've now set an impossibly high bar for all my future teachers.
...
Early in my career, I learnt the difference between someone who is very knowledgeable and someone who is both very knowledgeable and capable of imparting that knowledge. Most people consider anyone knowledgeable can teach, but teaching is a completely different skill and its crucial from a student's PoV. You're one of the rare few who has both. And because of your storytelling background, you also seem to know how to have a good flow through the whole course. But more importantly, you seem to actually *care* about the students, which definitely comes through in your comments and critiques. So, hats off to that!"
Luis Gama
"You know those times in life when you think about your choices at a given time, were they good, were they bad? Who would i be if turned left on that road instead of right? Well, now i look back and i`m so happy that i make the turn into this workshop. I was lost. Without any clue of how to achieve my goals, overwhelmed with information, overwhelmed by amazing work being posted everyday, and absolutely no idea how to get there. Every Monday morning i felt like a kid unwrapping the Christmas presents while i was reading through the notes, even the anticipation "New notes tomorrow...sweeet!". Everything was so well organized, written and exemplified for our needs as an artist, the assignments so well planned to push you further, step, by step, with precise feedback."
Sarah Bloch
"I can't tell you enough how lucky I feel that I could be part of this workshop. It's truely a blessing and it just crossed my path when I needed it more than anything. That was one of my best decisions to participate in this course! One of those decisions that – when thinking back – you just think "wow, that really changed something in my life!"
Nele Klumpe
"Before I enrolled in this workshop I felt like I needed to get to the next level. I was improving, yes, but not as fast as I would have liked to. But the problem was more that I had immense problems in the process of creating an image as well as several problems with self doubts. Now I think that I'm ready to take the next step. It's like someone showed me the direction, where to go, whereas before I couldn't see through the fog."
Enric Guillem
"Truth be told, the contents of this workshop are something far from my early expectations and my happiness goes beyond my wildest imagination. Why? Because this course doesn't teach, this course is a testimony of wisdom passed to the students by a kind and hard working soul. During my school and university days, I was able to notice improvements by little bits but here it's the first time that I've experienced such a brutal change in a very short time. The best way I find to explain is comparing to Matrix as I finally can understand Neo when he claims: I know Kungfu =)
Know that I'm not an ass-kisser and that I mean what I say, so get ready: you're one of the best teachers I've ever had. Period. Your dedication, generosity and kindness are amazing and there's not a day where I felt that you failed us. Are you sure you're human and not an angel?
When I enrolled for the workshop, I was expecting specific advice on the fundamentals to improve as an artist, but what I actually found was beyond my wildest dreams as a student. Trust me, this is not hype. The contents you'll find if you decide to enroll are top notch and extremely well structured. In fact, you'll wonder how much time you'll need to finish them because I can guarantee you they are generous and fully informative. When I read about Rob's comments before enrolling, he stated that students would have big AHA! moments during the course, but I was a bit skeptical at first. What a mistake! Once the course started I could understand how accurate that statement was because each week gave me new insights of concepts I never had considered before.
I totally recommend enrolling in this workshop so if you are in doubt, do not hesitate any more an just jump in, no matter your current skill level. I don't know for how much time you'll be able to have the opportunity to receive this unique education. For me it has been a life changing experience. Thanks for all your passionate dedication Rob.
This is no bluff and pretty much sums up what this workshop can offer to you. If you consider to enroll -which you should if you are serious with your art- you'll soon notice why past students like me can't find other words than life changing to describe the course. It's not about learning a set of steps to achieve a result, but more like starting to think critically about our work and see how can we do to improve it thanks to the solid knowledge the workshop provides. The assignments are designed to make you think and I found them very challenging. When you reach week 3 you'll know what I'm talking about
In my opinion, the biggest benefit you'll enjoy is to awaken from your misconceptions and believe me, once you do that there's no turning point."
Abbey Termeer
"I did not expect what I got in this workshop. I will be completely honest. I was expecting a workshop of advanced knowledge techniques that really got down to the knitty gritty. Instead I got my brain ripped out, organized and jammed back in with a comprehension of a world I had seen before but never truly understood.
Rob, you were not what I had expected. In addition to your educated and informed critique you gave support, constant day by day support at that, to each and every one of your students. Something that puts most college teachers to shame."
Jeffrey Scott
"Becoming A Better Artist is the perfect course for anyone interested in finding some direction in their development as an artist. Don't know what aspects of your artistic development to focus on? Don't know how to work smarter not harder? Missing some key components in your artistic tool set? I was, and this course helped me figure out what I should be focusing my artistic energy on in the future. I now have a road map to improve as an artist. No dead-end country dirt roads, just highways . Thanks Rob!"
2011 June- August
James Filippone
"I was immediately taken aback by how very different this was to everything I was led to believe an art course was. The more class notes I read and the more videos I watched, the more I began to see just how very brazen this course is; it promises nothing it cannot deliver and it does so with an attitude not maintained as a formal facade, it's very honest and the language used is that of someone who is genuinely interested in what they do, trying their best to communicate to you how you can ultimately improve yourself.
...To everyone even glancing at this course, take it. Your expectations cannot be fully trusted, you have more to gain from this course than you can possibly know without already being a part of it. If you want to understand what it means to truly begin your journey to being a great artist, this is the best place to find that beginning. It doesn't matter how lowly or advanced you may consider yourself, there is much to be gained from starting anew here."
Hassan Javaid
"This workshop has changed me, in a very significant way. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge that I've received in it, and honestly, I've learned more in these few weeks than I have in 2 years at college, so yeah, its amazing...
Either way, Thank you Robert, I really mean it, this workshop was probably one of the best things that have happened to me, and the knowledge alone is worth more than I could ever wish for."
2011 September - November
Leandro Reis
"I can tell you, I've seen a lot of tutorials, seen a lot of works, but your workshop helped me see exactly the process needed in order to develop and grow as an artist. It's not about the technical skills, that, every single tutorial tries to teach you, it's all about the vision and the challenge. It's how you perceive and find new things, the way you deconstruct and try to understand them and to connect the dots on all that you've seen and try to create rules and destilate what you know into the canvas. The discoveries have been, simply put, magical."
Steven Howell
"Thank you so much for the opportunity that this workshop provided. I signed up for this workshop because I couldn't understand why I couldn't improve as an artist, but I never expected to get as much from this course as I did. Despite going through college taking mostly art courses, I feel like I knew next to nothing after all you touched on in these weeks.
You have been by far one of the best art teachers I have ever had, I really respect how you take the time to view our assignments and evaluate our strengths and what we could do a better job on."
Anton Myrestam
"I'd like to thank you, Robert, for helping me come to terms with something that's plagued me for years, something I haven't even been able to put to words properly until now. This just goes to show that this workshop has something to offer for absolutely everyone. I do hope that you will continue to teach for a long time to come, you're an excellent teacher and I wish you the best of luck in the future."
Dziga Kaiser
"I was in the latest run of Rob's workshop and it was wonderful. When I first read the course description and the testimonials of previous students I thought "Jesus, this is the workshop I need to advance in my creative life.". At the same time I wondered how a workshop and a mentor could be so highly praised and how it can be possible to learn so much as other students stated. Well, they were all right. Rob's workshop is simply amazing in its depth, complexity, understandability and personality (and so much more ! My vocabulary is limited haha). It felt as being taught and guided by a zen master. Gigantic amounts of experience and knowledge in various fields of art (drawing/painting, writing, music) joined by worldly wisdoms that help you overcome your fears and gain a completely new perspective on various aspects of life and art build the foundations of this workshop. It's not easy to comment the workshop because even the most exaggerated terms seem to underrate the actual value of the 8 weeks with Rob.
There is nothing that helped me more than Rob's workshop. Around eight months have passed now since I took part in this workshop and my skill level at work is constantly increasing the more I manifest all the knowledge and techniques Robert taught us. I still think this workshop is the most brilliant, effective and long term life changing training you can get."
2011 November - 2012 January
Chee Sing Chan
"To be honest, I'm actually shocked and overwhelmed when I saw the content. I couldn't believe that i'm getting so much just from week 1! (This reminds me that I read it somewhere that someone commented that they probably has earned back their course money just from week 1 alone ^^)"
Gildo Rioji Nakamura
"This workshop for me means a great boundary: "me before" and "me after" the workshop. I really feel I am a better artist now, and a better man too!
Thank you Rob for this opportunity of growing, people like you really make the difference!"
Kight Neale
"It
is probably one of the most important 8 weeks at this point in my journey to
become a professional artist. I am very honored to have taken it and hopefully
do the the course work justice in my future endeavors.
I am grateful and privilidged to take this workshop. It has given me so much more than I Initially imagined. It pushed me to my limits and past my comfort zones to better myself. To watch others grow with me was also benificially, to know that there really is no shortcuts, but dedication, passion and determination and just plain blood and sweat to achieve your goals.
You lead by example of pure positive attitude and straight to the point sincerity. I would reccommend this course to anyone and everyone because it just doesn't teach to become a better artist, but overall a better professional and person."
Carol Cornils
"Thanks a lot Rob, for your incredible patience and dedication. You have an amazing gift; a precise and critique eye. And objective critique is very difficult to find today.
I think that you helped me far beyond the workshop themes. And you were able to teach me how to deal with frustration, that fact alone is awesome."
David Coacci
"Like Charles said, the past few months have gone by way too quickly, and I can say they've been some of the most memorable of my life. I can't recall the last time I actually wanted to do homework. Crazy."
2012 February - April
Jean-Noe Tharin
"I was a bit skeptic about what I could learn here before enrolling but what I got far exceeded what I expected so I'd like to express my gratefullness. Everything that I wanted to learn was there and even more.
8 weeks ago, if someone asked me if I were an artist, I'd have say no. Now, I'd totally say that I am an artist (not a really good one for the moment but an artist nevertheless) I know the way is still very long but at least it's not a roadless desert where I wander without directions.
There was also some sort of Karate Kid effect in this workshop that I really liked: A few times I read some lesson thinking that it was more philosophic than useful or I did assignement I didn't get at first why they were crucial and a few days-weeks later: bam I'm doing crane kicks in the face of the artistic mistakes bullies who were kicking my ass for the last 2 years and I suddenly realised that those lessons/assignements were in fact priceless."
JM Santiago
"The amount of knowledge, love, and effort put into this 8-week-long workshop is just remarkable. I can¡¦t believe that that amount of information can even be compressed into 8 weeks. Every week I get overwhelmed with information, every week I get excited to check the new ideas I can learn, every week during the workshop didn¡¦t feel like any other week I experienced before."
John DeRosa
"I want you to know that I enjoyed every moment of this class. I am so grateful that I came across it and feel lucky to have taken the chance of enrolling in it. I have not had good experiences with online classes because they were so impersonal and never felt like I got anything out of them. This class was the total opposite. You can really tell that you care deeply about the course and all of your students. You gave us all your very best in constructive critique. I had mentioned in an earlier week that your critique alone was worth the price of the course.
Week one alone was a mind blowing experience for me and will forever change the way I think about my work. "Becoming a Better Artist" has done exactly that, made me a better artist!
Thank you very much Robert for an unforgettable experience."
Ashlee Hynes
"I don't think I really got the chance to say thank you for the course that we just completed. I do not think that I could have found the optimism that I needed to keep moving along if I hadn't signed up for those past 8 weeks. The information I learned very often put the words to the questions that I hadn't known how to ask in the first place. It's probably one of the most insightful classes, and personal classes, that I think could be offered and I couldn't have made a better investment!"
2012 April - June
Effie Rodriguez
"I've had more "eureka!" moments in the last 6 weeks than I've had in the last 6 years. I'm not even joking. I came out of my public university art school degree knowing a little more than I knew when I went in, but not enough to have a good working process and definitely not enough to have a career. I was in a huge rut for at least the last year, filled with crippling self doubt because I wanted this so much, but all I could draw were girls floating in space and I didn't know how to make myself grow. I was considering dropping 60 grand on a master's degree at a private art school, but I really really didn't want to get into so much debt, and there was no guarantee I'd come out of that as a "master". I feel so much more confident now that I can teach myself and improve all on my own, it's great!
...
Robert, I can safely say that this one course has changed my life, and I'm filled with the utmost gratitude to you for that. The material in this course has been absolutely priceless. (Plus, the tuition fee was a drop in the bucket compared to what some of those art schools charge.)"
AR Negm
"Robert for real I have to thank you. I'm finally able to have fun with art again. The whole "get us confident with our own abilities/knowledge" is an understatement. So happy I took this course man, stuff in this weeks lesson is gold and I just like to give credit where it's due."
LeRoy Corbie
"Previously I have invested time and money in many art courses, however, none of then offered the scope that I already see in this workshop. I now realize how little I really learnt from all those courses and tutorials."
Kevin McGinnis
"I won't go into how epic this course is because that's already obvious from the introduction, let alone the countless testimonials. Instead I'll just say what I think is the most incredible thing about the workshop, it's the tangible difference in skill I feel after only 6 weeks compared to when I started. You will jump ages ahead in your personal evolution as an artist, gaining both practical proficiency, and invaluable insight you won't find anywhere else."
2012 April - June
Tan HuiYan
"My gosh you were the most helpful when I needed it! And it's strange to have just a man who is capable of teaching to beat the pants out of not one, but several institutions of supposedly world class schools that I've went to!"
2012 - September - November
Toni Shelton
"I really appreciate the effort you make to read through all of our post and give us honest, genuine feedback. Having an instructor who really takes his job seriously and is passionate in what he does motivates me to want to try my hardest in return. I honestly had my doubts when I first signed up for this class, but even in the first week alone I feel like I have improved as an artist. Even if it's just in my way of thinking. So really, thank you for that. I'm looking forward to the rest of the course. : )"
Keidy Zuniga
"I've
read a lot of books, like A LOT and I can tell you this much. Your lectures
are not only the most detailed that I have ever read, but they are also the
most focused.
I'm just amazed how much I understand now because you're literally telling me
step by step, "this is how artists think" and exactly why that is."
Troy
Parrott
"This workshop has exceeded my expectations. Before this, I had no idea just how much there was to learn. Just about every lesson was an ¡§Aha!¡¨ moment for me.The class notes were comprehensive and easy to understand. The assignments have been challenging for me and have helped me to learn about things I would never have figured out on my own."
2013 - January - March
Emil Assarsson
"I'm learning more about the process of creation here than I ever did in four years of studying in art-schools. "
Cody Lee
"I feel this class is touching ALOT of subjects that tutorials never talk about, and it's only in the first week!"
Dawn Lincoln
"I knew there were huge gaps in my knowledge and ability, but try as I might I just couldn’t work out how to overcome them. The best way I can explain is it feels as though I’m standing at the base of a huge mountain, and the art I want to be able to make is right at the top with all the advanced artists out there, and I didn’t know how to get there. You’ve shown us all where the path is, and explained how to cross it safely, heck you’ve even given us a map, a list of supplies, and team to journey with. It’s simply up to us now to shape up and put in the time and effort to get there.. "
Dave Cherry
"Well, after having gone through this workshop so far, I can sum my experience up with one question for Rob:
'Where have you been all my life?'
In all seriousness, if something like this had existed many years ago it might have made a profound difference in how my career has turned out thus far. However, since one can only move forward, I intend to utilize everything I’ve learned here in order to become, hopefully, a much better artist."
Julie Lainesse
"Robert, I honestly hope one day, I get to meet you in person and shake your hand to thank you for this amazing class, for your support to me and all of us, for your dedication and honesty which truly comes from your heart. It is the best and most rare and wonderful thing to find a humble teacher such as you who cares so much about his students."
Samantha
Ong
"This
workshop changed my life, it really slapped me awake. I got lost of what I really
wanted and this workshop made me remember once again. I am really grateful and
I feel really lucky to encounter and enrolled in this workshop.
Thank you, Rob! First, thank you for spending your precious time on writing
and compiling this amazing content! Thanks for being really patient and repeatedly
answering duplicated questions and giving really detailed good advices to help
me and every classmates improve. I really apprieciate it very much, a teacher
who tries his best to answer every question that any students asked is really
rare. Please do continue to guide me in the alumni forum. BIG BIG THANK YOU
ROBERT!!"
Jason Franco
"First I'd like to say, this workshop definitely changed the way I view things. Ironically it's the shortest course I ever enrolled in but it's probably the most important one. My only regret is that I should have taken this kind of course years ago, who knows what kind of artist I would be today."
Tomas de Zarate
"thks
to Robert I have already done things I've never dreamed of.
MIL MILLONES DE GRACIAS, ROB. I've the psychological response of a person trapped
in a deep cave: he can't find enough words to thank the fireman who takes him
out.
Probably you've already heard this hundreds of times, but you're an amazing
teacher. Seriously. thanks, thanks, thanks."
Matej Jan
"To me this workshop is like a big map of art. Before it I was lost, blindly running around in the dark, exploring in random directions without a sense of grander scale."
2013 - March - May
Charles A. Aiken
"I think I was a bit over confident at the beginning and now am realizing just how na?ve I was. Quite a humbling experience, I must say. For someone like me who really needs hand holding, it is a great comfort to know that, unlike most other courses I've taken over the years, I won't be left high and dry with no one to help me. Having someone you can ask questions is much more valuable than any book or video course can ever teach.
I am
thrilled beyond words that I took this class.
I also would like you to know that despite our personal differences, I respect
you a great deal. I could not have hoped for a better digital art instructor.
The time and money I've wasted over the years trying to find what I learned
here...well, there are no adequate words to express my heartfelt gratitude."
Robert Nicholson
"Wow! Suddenly the fee for this course just got very insignificant. I'm just a little speechless to tell the truth. I certainly never expected that kind of personal commitment, I genuinely don't know what to say."
Michael Sagan
"I want you to know that made a huge difference for me already. I have learned, re-learned, changed some things in the way I see and gained confidence in many areas. Most noticeably, you have got my energy pointed in a new direction. That said, while my participation in the workshop is not showing it, my attitude at home and work has improved. Thank you, this is what I needed and it is working."
Hope Brackin
"You Sir, are an Artist's Guardian! I wanna have a picture of you, put in a locket and carry it always with me- So that when discouraged, sad, mad and lost, I can consult you and count on you.
You are an Artist Saint -
That is how I see you -
Thank You!
Rob, You have done an outstanding job with this workshop. Thank you for dedicating it to those that feel lost, stuck and alone instead of how to draw big "Booms" and naked chicks.
I feel like, for the first time in my life, I found a four leaf clover. This workshop has been a true rare gem and I cannot wait to see you all in the Alumni Lounge.
The whole class was so eye opening and mind blowing that I had moments where I wanted to cry and scream or hide under the bed or punch a puppy. Just saying that it was intense, will not cut it."
Lloyd Romero
" I've had countless mentors in the past from elementary through college (and beyond), but I can only name a handful that really made a big impact on my life. You sir are one of them.
I can't speak for everyone and everyone has their own methods and ways... but Rob you have really changed me as an artist. It has given me a better understanding and assessment of where I am, who I am and what I need to do to become who I want to become.
Your class not only taught me how to become a better artist, but a better person in general, and I just want you to know that that is something I will always remember and cherish from hereon out.
For me I reached a plateau that I had been at for quite a long time and I needed to boost myself back up. Nowadays there's so many classes to choose from: matte painting, concept design, 3d design, zbrush, photoshop, after effects.. you name it, there's a workshop for it or some big name teaching it. I had coworkers taking master courses on this and that, and producing works at the end of their terms that were very impressive. But I chose this class because from the outside it looks like a basic class, but in reality, it should have been a prerequisite to anything and everything I've learned about art. People say the lecture notes alone are worth the price of admission, and they're right. Because this class doesn't just give you a goal of.. "two or three portfolio pieces at the end".. it gives you all the portfolio pieces you can ever dream of.
There's a famous cliche quote that says, "give a man fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for life." And really, that's what it boils down to as far as what this class has given me. I don't have a big basket of fish right now to show for it, but now I feel like I can continue on my journey as an artist and be able to fish on my own.
If I can sum up one word to describe what I got out of this class, it's wisdom. I chose the word wisdom rather than knowledge, because we acquire knowledge on a day to day basis. We absorb information like a sponge and it if we remember it, it becomes knowledge. But wisdom is something different, something that changes you, something that allows you to better understand all the other "knowledges" you've acquired.
One of the coolest things I've noticed after completing this class is everything had a new meaning... I'm not sure if Rob ever intended for this, but it's definitely something I got after reading all the lecture notes. When I sit and watch past tutorial videos I've seen over and over again, I don't just watch it to learn how to create anymore... I view them and now I understand how to take that knowledge to create my own pieces. It's almost like Rob teaches you how to understand other artists, and through that, it opens up a new world of figuring things out. When I look at other people's photography, when I look at the world around us, or even just looking at my desk right now, I understand the visual flow, the reason why I see what I see and through that I have a better sense of the world around me and how to recreate that the way I would like to create it.. and in the proper way.
This isn't some magic class that will turn you into David Blane or Copperfield. This is a pure and simple understanding of 'this is where you are now' and 'if' this is where you want to go.. then use this to guide you. And it is in this that I can say that Rob's class is worth 10-20 of other workshops out there.
I know I'm rambling a lot in this comment, but I really firmly believe in Rob's class because it really did give me a better understanding of who I am. Now I understand what others (and he) has said in terms of it being a boot camp.
In a world of fast pace and cut throat job market, where people are scratching and clawing at each other to get to the top, this class was a very humbling experience. It has inspired me to want more, to reignite the need to gather more information and to feed my drive to improving... It truly has made me become a better artist."
Jessica Page
"I think the most important thing this course has made me realise, is just how much more learning I have to go. It's shown me that getting to the level of skill that I want to is achievable. Sure, it's a long road, but it's far more straight forward then I ever thought it would be. There are some things I think I can do well, but that's totally irrelevant if I don't keep trying to get better, because there's no end to what I can learn. It's not daunting, it's exciting and has only made me more determined.
As far as the content itself. Wow. Seriously. What Lloyd said about it being like to "teach a man to fish" is 100% accurate. It's something I'm going to refer to often throughout the years. There's so much information, yet it is all completely relevant and invaluable. It's changed my outlook, not only with artwork, but also the world itself.
Something I also feel the need to say is thank you. Not only for creating a course that I'm sure has changed other people's lives as it has with me, but also for caring that much about it. I honestly can't imagine this course to have such a dramatic effect on people if it had been someone else. You have my highest respect and I will prove it the only way I can. By utilizing what you've taken great care in teaching, and becoming the best artist I can be."
Yoel Judowitz
"I have to say that this idea of the alumni forum is literally where the value of this course is for me."
2013 - May - July
Laszlo Nyikos
"I really feel it has saved me years of struggle and disappointment. After going through the workshop I can tell that I have been looking for something like this course for a long- long time. I feel like I have been given a huge kick and put on the right track to become a better artist. I really appreciate all the hard work you put into your critiques and lectures."
Joseph Landy
"Rob, you really seem to have a gift for changing people's perceptions, and getting people to think seriously about themselves in new ways leading to new understanding."
Ali Asad Jafri
"I
have read quit extensive books and seen many tutorials but I feel this workshop
has set me in the right direction and continues to be an eye-opener for me to
expand my knowledge plus kill any misconceptions that I may have in my brain.
I would recommend it 200%. This workshop is for everyone related to art whether
your a 2d or 3d artist. I am a 3d generalist myself and would recommend this
workshop as an eye opening experience. Plus if you work hard enough and follow
the instructor properly, you will see improvements right away and this will
also change the way you think about the subject of art itself. So stop slacking
around and do something right. Join this workshop. I did.
This workshop is worth every iota for improvement in art. The main process of
first fixing how to think and approach the subject of art itself is the greatest
asset for students I think. This has been an experience of self correction and
focusing on whats important."
Kim Van Deun
"I
learned more during this eight weeks than during a full year of illustration
evening class.
It's like a switch in your head: suddenly, you understand the painting process
itself: how to apply values, colour, why composition works, the impact of brushwork...
In the past I painted merely on intuition, and that's dangerous, as this approach can grind the improvement of your skills to a halt. Rob is fully dedicated to explain, help and critique your work, so you can break through your artistic plateau.
I advise this workshop to everyone who want's to become a better artist, just like the title says."
2013 - July - September
Aditya Bramanta
"The videos are very helpful as if they were made for me specifically. This is because what were shown in the videos answered many of the most important questions I had been asking myself in my techniques. And turns out I have been doing things similarly on the very early stages, but got stuck on where my knowledge didn't reach, which would probably take me several years to figure out on my own. I wonder how many more years will be saved after the next 7 weeks!
How the workshop is laid out, really enhanced my interest in my art development. Previously, because I knew so little and couldn't figure out how to improve, I was basically at the brink of giving up and made this my final attempt. I am glad that my final attempt is not blown, and is rather a very inspirational experience. At the end, it is a brand new beginning of a new, enlightened journey in my artistic development. The things I thought were impossible for me are starting to open up and for the first time I feel like I can achieve them. "
Paul Friedl
"One of the things i am very happy for in this course is, that everything makes so much more sense. How you explain and break down the journey to become a better artist, starting from the very basics."
Luis Chacon
"It's been a really moving class so far, and I know I will look back and know that this was the stepping stone that made me really able to create things of real worth.
One of the most important things I learned from the course was how to build on the fundamentals in a way that really put me a step ahead. I was aware of the bare basics of composition, perspective, lighting etc. before I joined, but the course explored them in ways that I never quite realized before and made me apply them to assignments that were definitely just outside of my comfort zone. The course really did make things seem less scary, there weren't many mysteries left - I learned that so much is based on logic and observation.
I feel like a lot of the information I had before the course had now united and made a lot more sense. Before it felt like scattered bits that left me uncertain about what steps to take next. Now, I consider each step of a piece much more carefully, and try to make certain that everything is adhering to what I learned to the best of my abilities.
Overall, I do definitely feel like I became a better artist :D"
Craig Oats
"Thanks again Rob. It's incredible just to see how a different way of teaching can really make all the more difference."
Jackson Wong
"I really could've used this workshop when it came out (I would've been in my last year of high school - 2009, right?). I would've had this revelation sooner and hopefully ended the drawing/confidence funk I dug myself recently.
Doing a painting now seems far less intimidating once you systematically break things down into a series of phases!"
Stephanie Kyriakopoulos
"Things have been amazing. I don't even know where to begin, if i were to start gushing. It feels like my brain has been opened up and lots of cool stuff has been shoved in, completely changing the way I even first approach a piece of art. This is the start of a massive evolution for me, I can feel it."
2013 October-December
Jag Patel
"First, I would like to say that it was very clear from the beginning how much you care about being a great teacher, and I would like to thank you for that.
...I have not encountered such a dedicated teacher. I too am excited to see what comes next, every week I feel like I am filling in huge holes in my knowledge
For me, this workshop has been very eye opening. I knew I had a lot of holes in my knowledge, but sometimes, you don't know what you don't know, and that was the case for me.
The biggest thing I got from this workshop is a feeling of being empowered. I feel like I know enough now to actually start becoming better, in fact I have already noticed improvement when I look at my old work. I feel like if I follow the plan you gave us, I really will improve a lot. I have also become better at observing the world around me, through a different eye than before, noticing subtle colour variations, and the way light bounces off of different surfaces.
The biggest misconception that you cleared up for me was that the really talented artists never struggle or work on fundamentals. I always felt like there was a magic that they knew. I know now that is not the case, and it makes me feel like my goals are more reachable. I know how much discipline it takes now, and that is is not all unattainable magic.
I had a lot of books and resources before the workshop, and I never successfully used most of them, because they were either formulaic in nature, or they seemed to claim to be for beginners, but they really were not. Looking through some of those books now, I think I can actually use them to their full potential.
This workshop really forced me to not keep doing the things I am already good at doing, and pushed me to do things I couldn't do. It really has helped me understand how to become a better artist, and it has sparked a deeper passion for me as well. I have no regrets taking the workshop, and I would take it again. I have also recommended my friends take it too. Thank you Robert, I truly appreciate the effort you put into this workshop, it has changed the way I will approach all my artwork from now on."
Emilien Rotival
"A huge thanks should go to you, Robert. It's been cristal clear right from the start that you give your all to teaching this workshop, and now we're a few weeks into it I'm confident to say you're by far the most dedicated teacher I've ever met. I feel that the least I can do in return is being as dedicated a student as I can afford to be. :)
First, I'm not sure I can come up with any appropriate final comments: giving a "final" anything would feel like wrapping up when this workshop has really been the beginning of something new. I've repeatedly had in the past those moments of realization when I would look back at my older work and begin to see parts that were blatantly wrong or plain awkward, and it would dawn on me how lacking what I had hitherto considered as the peak of my ability truly was. Those steps would make me happy because just when I was beginning to feel stuck in the fog, I would be given a glimpse of what lied beyond and a whole new land of possibilities would unravel before my eyes.
Simply put, this workshop has been the largest step ever. As an artist I had always been sailing my little spaceship in low orbit and just when I was beginning to wonder about the solar system, Rob showed me the universe.
As a self-taught person, growth came either from long hours of practice or chance encounters with good tutors. Meeting Rob and taking the workshop was an incredible combination of both that offered challenging exercises and a vast sum of tightly-packed knowledge. In addition to covering an extremely large artistic ground, the conference notes are detailed and thorough beyond the skill of most teachers I've ever met, and Rob did complement them whenever asked to. Taking this workshop did not only help me improve : it forced me to look my weaknesses in the eye and gave a path to progress for the years to come. I know my artistic ability still has many shortcomings, but at the same time I know where I need to go in order to fix them, which is more than I could possibly ask for.
Hearing about Rob's extensive experience of the entertainment industry was also invaluable and should be compulsory for anyone who's seriously considering a career. It really helped me build a better mental image of the industry, its projects, habits, good and bad sides... all extremely useful knowledge to anyone from a different background.
A special mention also goes to my fellow students: hearing from everyone's different background and seeing the different takes on assignments was enjoyable and refreshing"
Mike Luard
"I completed the course about 10 weeks ago and have noticed a big improvement in my work since. I seem to be much more confident, quicker and more patient when working. I honestly found many of the assignments to be very hard but the intense workshop has really been worth it - frankly, I wish I had enrolled earlier. Robert was a marvellous teacher and the course material was clearly explained. His critique was clear which was extremely helpful. Thanks Robert!
Side note: the course requires someone to really engage with the course material, be dedicated and to be very humble. Neither Robert or his course material should be lightly considered, it really requires someone to engage and learn hard. Any hard work put in will be worth it!"
2014 January-March
Fernando Martins
"...you are opening my mind like I never expected. Actually I think my expectations of this whole workshop were so off. I had no clue what I was getting into. And not only artistically but I think I'll be a better human being at the end of all this.
And I think that Rob is a special part of all of this. It's so amazing to know there are people like him and most special is to know that I am one of his students.
This has been my best educational experience ever. Rob is an exceptional artist and an exceptional teacher. Better than that he is an exceptional person that truly cares for his students. Taking this workshop was the best decision I've ever made in terms of any sort of education. We are now past week four in the current run and it is truly unbelievable all you get in it. Rob will carefully guide, support and push you through the very foundations of art and no matter your skill level, you will get a rich and unforgettable experience. I honestly recommend this to anyone who wants to step up their game and become a better artist."
Silvana Rusan
"Going through the lecture notes I found myself captivated by your organic writing and your diplomacy and open-minded approach. You’ve covered a lot of technical, social, personal aspects involved in an artistic career and your conclusions or advices are straight forward. It was very enlightening to discover new things and solidify ideas that I was not fully trusting.
What I was really impressed was how you guided this week 1 big lecture around the vital question: do you want to become a better artist? And how important it is to really rationalize this question internally, since the road is not impossible to reach and can be taught. I have taken other CG classes that were more technical orientated I must say, but this is the first time when a teacher cares about my “artist soul” and becomes my “therapist” (please join my giggles right now…) On a very subjective level, I’ve always thought that’s what a teacher should be.
So thank you for your willingness and for your professionalism and for caring!"
Brice Giannico
"...this week's notes on time management have given us really good practical advice to learn how to deal with ourselves. It might sound a little childish from a 33 yo man, but your notes kind of made me realize how messy my life style is and how much energy will be required to turn things right side up. This week's notes have been really earth shattering for me and even if it's just a few dozen pages, the conclusion is me realizing I've been doing most of the things I do wrong these past years.
...
I'm just trying to express one thing. Your class, on week one, has hit me, and it has hit me hard, in a classy and gentle kind of way, but hard nonetheless. Not even to mention that you ask those life orienting quesitons like how much do you want to become an artist? or what kind of artist do you want to be (these are dire ones héhé)."
Andrew Whisson
"...week one of this course has given me a different direction for the first time in more than a decade. I can't wait to see how the weeks unfold."
Gary Baptist
"If this course stops running it'll be criminal.
...
I just wanted to take a little time to provide some feedback on this course, hopefully to encourage those who are wondering whether it is right for them.
I was an absolute beginner when I started this course and now, after five weeks in, I'm a professional. Okay maybe that is a slight exaggeration. Well alright a huge one, apart from the bit about being an absolute beginner. I had purchased a Wacom tablet and some drawing software and been playing around with it. I'd also purchased some books and one or two video tutorials, subscribed to magazines, watched everything on YouTube and hoarded web sites. I was a genuine "all the gear, no idea" man. But I did know I had no focus, no plan and no real guidance on how to produce art that I wanted to produce. I was forever looking at other people's work and saying "how do I do that?" I needed some help.
University is too expensive and invasive on someone who has to work full-time so that option was out. So I hunted around to see what the Internet had to offer and found this course. The course description sounded like exactly what I needed but I was drawn to this part:
'Once a student finishes the workshop, he'll be granted access to the private forum, where Rob will continue to mentor the students by helping them with their personal artistic and career development strategies, answering questions, giving critiques, sharing resources, as well as continue to expand and update the workshop course material to the latest version that is being offered to future students. All of this is offered free of charge, and with permanent access.'
Really? So when I've finished the course and paid you my money you'll continue to tutor me? If you think this sounds too good to be true, so did I. But that was before I met Rob.
Firstly, his course material really is amazing. Not only is his writing style gripping to read it's also full of WOW moments. Even after the first week I knew I'd chosen correctly. It is straight to the point, very insightful and full of real examples that prove his points. You very quickly realise how much you didn't know. You also soon realise that you have a wealth of valuable material which you'll be referencing continuously as you learn to become a better artist - and realistically way after that. His many videos cover tips and tricks that demonstrate and complement the written material. It all comes together to make a solid foundation for learning. What is a bonus for me is that all the other material I have purchased or hoarded has actually increased in value, because they now have a context in my learning and are acting as supplementary material to what Rob has given me - well in some cases, some of it has gone in the bin!
But then there is also Rob's feedback and support in the forums. He is obviously a very driven individual who has strived to be the best he can be with his creative endeavours. He's a story teller foremost but expresses this in a whole manner of creative outlets from art, to music, to the written word, and is determined to give something back by helping others do the same. He draws upon much of this background when he provides his feedback which means you can't help but listen to what he has to say, as it is so insightful. He is always honest and critical with his feedback and doesn't give you the response your mother would just so he doesn't dent your ego. He wants you to learn and improve so he ensures his feedback makes that happen.
I can't praise this course or Rob enough. He's had such a positive impact on me and my learning that I can't help but shout out loud about it. Really if you want to start taking your art seriously, to start making some improvements, then you just won't be disappointed with this course.
See you in the Alumni forums."
Paul Miller
"...I have grown in my ability by leaps and bounds and we're not even finished. I cant put into words how well you've helped my ability grow, or if it was already there, just leap out. After every week's assignment that I've been able to accomplish i try my hand at some personal work, and every piece so far has shown significant improvement in every area i had hoped to grow in. The best part? it seems to just keep getting better. I'm getting faster, more detail oriented, more focused. Its like my eyes have been opened again. Its great. Thanks for the class rob. I'll definetly be saying more about it."
Leigh-Ann Johnson
"I'm really excited about this workshop, because a few months ago I felt like maybe there was no hope in becoming a better artist and getting to where I want to be as an artist. Your workshop has really opened eyes and I have learned so much during these past 4 weeks than I have any art class I have ever taken in the past."
2014 March-May
Mark Buzby
"I wish I would have been able to take Rob's course 20+ years ago, then I wouldn't have been wasting so much time! Think about how much faster you will advance because you are starting off down the right path at the get-go."
Carlos Gorospe
I love everything about this workshop especially reading the lecture notes. I prefer this way because it makes me feel like I'm in class than watching a video and the techer vaguely explains anything.
...
Overall, I think this is the workshop that everyone needs to take especially novice artists because I know a lot of artist that are just obsessed with styles and techniques but their foundations are really, really poor. (I noticed this just recently)They think that art is just being creative and not really logical. ( I was guilty of this)
Final comments, I really like this workshop and I would definitely recommend this to every artist I meet. The lessons taught here are the most important skills that every artist should learn. I also liked that my instructor was really engaged to us all. I had fun asking questions and getting critiques. I gotta admit, I was intimidated when I got my first critique. It was a huge blow to my ego and confidence in my abilities and made me question my intellect and sanity but it was fun times after that.
Thanks Rob! I hope you still have time to interact with us in the alumni forums! I'm looking forward to meeting my predeccesors."
Scott Jester
"Just wanted to say thank you once again for this workshop, your time and dedication/commitment to something like this. Your workshop will be the fundamental turning point for me as an artist and that does not come often in any industry or endeavor. I recognize the unique offering and amount of wisdom and information you have shared. I also recognize that it would normally take years if not decades to acquire all of it and you bundled it up in a nice easy package to consume.
I do not have a ton of artist friends, as I am in IT but I will try and shout from the rooftops I do have and hopefully it will make an impact for pulling in additional students. Before this workshop I was paying too much money each month for a drawing tutor and I made very little progress.
..
I have a ways to go, really just need to solidify my training plan. I have no doubt your workshop will provide the solid foundation I can build upon, so thank you again for that gift."
Thomas Mühlematter
"Thanks a lot for this amazing workshop, Robert ! It went far beyond my expectations about what could be taught about painting and art. I thought that past a certain point, only practice and self-study could make you better but I was wrong.
I particularly liked the story of your career. For me this was more interesting on a personal level than art-related. I really enjoyed to learn about why you made certain choices in your career. I feel that this is something that is really lacking in our society and may be a reason why so many young people struggle to find what they want to do with their life is that nobody told them about their story and why they chose a particular career or position.
...I just wanted to tell you how grateful I am for your workshop."
2014 May-July
Benjamin Moore
"I do appreciate you stating a long term commitment to us, that is extremely extremely rare. No teacher, mentor, or collegue in my life has bothered to say what you have, let alone attempt."
Anonymous 01
"Everything is excellent. Rob is the most awesome and incredible teacher of all I have seen in my life.
...
Rob tries to make the students better artists then they are at any given moment of their life, he explains the whole pipeline and Photoshop tricks in detail and provides the valuable feedback on the student\'s work. But it is what he was supposed to do. He is unique in that he takes personally our progress as he continually insists on making more iterations for us to achieve excellence as artists and explains the drawbacks so that they become obvious, though before his comments you would not even see them. What he does is not just teaching tricks, he introduces the whole new approach to life and work and creativity. I loved his encouraging and at the same time demanding approach to students and. probably, to himself. He is an incredible teacher and a really awesome person.
The course is very intensive and this is also something what I loved, though I have not completed all the assignments. But thanks Rob, I have time to complete and nail them all. And thank you guys in CGWorkshops for launching such incredibly useful and profound workshop!"
Anonymous 02
"I'm torn between the material covered and the teacher (on which was the best thing about the workshop). On the one hand, the material is amazing, and on the other hand, Robert really cares. He spent so much time giving feedback, motivating and encouraging. the whole thing was just incredible.
...
This course was amazing. There\'s just no other way to recommend it. When I started this course, I was in a pretty bad slump artistically. I knew I had problems with my fundamentals, but I wasn\'t sure what they were. This course was like a fundamentals boot camp (in the best way), and while I still have a lot to learn, I\'ve started to feel I know how to identify what certain issues are and how to move forward fixing them!"
Philip Sanchez
"As week 8 draws to an end, I just wanted to say thank you once again for putting together this incredible course. It was exactly what I needed: at the start of the course, I was kind of in a creative rut—I knew I had certain issues, but I wasn’t sure what they were or how to improve (and even if no one else could tell, I could feel it dragging me down). Now, only a few weeks later, I feel so much more empowered. This past week, as I sat down to start working on week 7’s assignments, I was blown away at simply how I was approaching the paintings differently (and by the incredible difference that new approach was and is making). I know I still have loads more to learn, but now its as if I have the tools I need to make that journey.
So again, thank you so much Robert!"
2014 August-October
Christopher Peelish
"This workshop was… HORRIBLE-ly scary amazing. I’m serious, I went into this workshop with almost 0 knowledge and I’m coming out what feels like a changed man!
... I honestly can’t decide which part I liked best about this workshop… Every time I try my brain automatically goes, “oh what about this part though!?” and that’s why at this point I’ve given up and just decided to comment on the workshop as a whole—rather than pick a single good thing. (:D) I think maybe the most valuable part of this workshop though, was able to get me up to speed like a crash course lesson. Now I can watch other people doing painting videos and understand their techniques and sometimes even apply them correctly on my first try! And that’s coming from someone who wasn’t even able to draw a stick figure using my Wacom before the workshop... >.>(LOL)"