Welcome to the Academy of Animated Art. Here we will share news and opportunities related to lighting and creative living.
A Different Kind of December (Lighting + Exploration Inside)
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Hello Reader, It’s been a while since my last email — what can I say, time flies. With Thanksgiving behind us, we’re entering one of my favorite times of year. You might think it’s because of the holiday cheer, but for me, December is special for another reason: it’s my annual month of giving feedback to the community. This tradition always brings me back to why I entered this industry in the first place — the simple joy of making things look good. And that part has never changed. What was true then is still true today: it all comes down to training your eye, understanding the craft, and using whatever tools we have to reach that final image. Processes will always evolve, but the goal remains the same — to “make it look good.” This year, with so many shifts happening in our industry — especially around tools like GenAI — I want to take December a step further. Instead of just giving feedback, I’d love for us to treat this month as a creative playground to explore how these new tools might fit into our workflow. How will we explore this? This December, when you post your work for lighting feedback, we’ll experiment together with ways to enhance the process, such as: Paintovers — both traditional and GenAI-assisted — to see if they speed up clarity or slow it down. Taking still images further — exploring alternate moods, palettes, or lighting directions. Combining 3D + lighting + GenAI — especially for animation shots — to see whether these tools can help us refine or visualize a final “good” end product. None of this replaces the fundamentals. It simply adds a layer of exploration: What helps? What gets in the way? Where might these tools open new creative possibilities? Let’s find out together. As always, I’ll be offering lighting feedback all month inside the LFA Lighting Feedback space — this exploration is available exclusively to those in the Lighting for Animation community. I’m excited to return to our roots while staying curious about what’s possible ... I hope to see you there. As always, happy lighting and creating! Jasmine P.S. If you’re not interested in the exploration aspect, no worries — you can absolutely continue to receive lighting feedback exactly as usual. This new layer is simply an optional add-on for anyone who wants to play. Interested in learning more about the Academy of Animated Art? There are several ways you can dive deeper: 2. Join our Discord Channel here and meet the community. 3. Enroll in the Lighting for Animation Program here. 4. New to 3D & Interested in modeling? Enroll in the Introduction to 3D Modeling |
Academy of Animated Art
Welcome to the Academy of Animated Art. Here we will share news and opportunities related to lighting and creative living.
Hello Reader, Spring is here! And what better way to refresh your creative energy than with a brand-new challenge? We’re thrilled to announce our latest Lighting Challenge, "DONE WITH YOU" animated by George Toombes —in partnership with our creative friends at CG Riff!! This challenge isn’t just about honing your skills—it’s about removing obstacles hindering your ability to start creating. Let me tell you why this is so close to my heart. When I was starting, focusing on lighting felt like a...
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Hi Reader, Ever wondered what feedback looks like at the Academy of Animated Art? Here's a sneak peek: it’s flexible, thoughtful, and designed with your busy life in mind. We know our students aren't full-time learners in traditional settings. Life is busy—work, family, and everything in between—so our programs are intentionally not built around rigid live classes or deadlines. Instead, we prioritize creating a space where learning and creativity are joyful, not stressful. Here’s a perfect...