Learn the fundamentals of stylized painting with Thomas Mahon! Join Thomas in this 5-week class and learn how to create stylized paintings with a believable sense of form and light, both out of your head and from reference. There will be a combination of demos, lectures and homework assignments that we’ll review in class.
Duration: 5 weeks
Date & Time: Saturdays, starting July 12th, 2025 at 12:00 PM Eastern
Skill level: All skill levels welcome
Tiers: 12 Critique spots – Receive feedback or spectate without homework feedback
Format: 4-5 hour live class with combination of lectures, demos, and feedback. Recordings will be provided within 24 hours of each class.
Materials: Any digital or traditional mediums. Paintovers will be done digitally.
WEEK 1:
- Intro to stylization, why do we stylize?
- Observing different styles
- Objective overview for the course
- Student portfolio / introductions
- Process overview
WEEK 2:
- Portraits, people and animals,
- focus on being lead by your reference
- Colour and form
- Expressive brushwork
- (Homework assigned)
WEEK 3:
- Plants, trees and nature
- Focus on silhouette and shape
- (Homework assigned and previous weeks reviewed)
WEEK 4:
- Props
- Concepting from reference
- Inspiration and worldbuilding
- (Homework assigned and previous weeks reviewed)
WEEK 5:
- Natural landscapes / vignettes and inventing lighting
- (Homework and portfolio reviews)






