April 2025: Online Events for Concept Artists

​I'm excited to announce this month's Concept Art Community Challenge and Workshops. We've got some fantastic opportunities lined up for you this month—to hone your environmental design skills and work with other dedicated artists.

Join our Discord community and get started!

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COMMUNITY CHALLENGE: OPEN WORLD SAFE HOUSE

Challenge Brief: Design a Safe House for a playable character in an open-world game. The genre is entirely up to you—be it sci-fi, fantasy, post-apocalyptic, or any other setting that inspires you. Your design must incorporate the following essential elements:​

• Save Station: A designated area where players can save their progress.​

• Storage: Space for players to store items and equipment.​

• Crafting Area: A functional spot for creating or upgrading items.​

• Player Customization Station: An area where players can modify their character's appearance or gear.​

Perspective Options: You can go with either:

• A first-person player perspective,
  OR

• A diorama-style 3/4 cutaway view that gives us the full layout.

Genre: Your choice! Sci-fi, fantasy, post-apocalyptic, modern, retro-futuristic—anything goes.

Pro Tip: Even if there’s no character in sight, your design should feel lived in. Every object, every layout choice should hint at a human story. Who lives here? What have they been through? What are they preparing for? The more you can help us imagine the life behind the space, the more immersive and impactful your concept will be.​

Submission Deadline: Please submit your entries by Friday, April 25 at 12PM EST / 9AM PST. After the deadline, the community will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite design.​

Prizes: The winner, determined through community voting, will have the option to choose one of the following prizes:​

• Three free months of Digital Art Fundamentals​

• One free month of Skillbuilder​

• A Project Kit of your choice​

• A 30-minute consultation call with me​

• A full portfolio review from me​

✨ Plus, all monthly winners are entered into a drawing for a year-long scholarship to Concept Art Academy.​

This challenge is an excellent opportunity to push your creative boundaries and develop a piece that could enhance your portfolio. I look forward to seeing the innovative safe houses you design.

WEEKLY STUDY SESSIONS

This month’s study series is designed to give you hands-on practice with the principles that make interior spaces feel believable, functional, and rich with story. Each week builds on the last, helping you observe, analyze, and apply what you learn to your own designs (ideal for those working on the Safe House challenge piece).

Whether you're looking to level up your environment skills or just want to try something new, these focused studies will give you the tools and inspiration to push your work further.

April 1 – Furniture Study 
We kicked things off with design analysis of functional, story-rich furniture.

April 8 – Interior Film & Game Stills
Study stills from familiar media to learn how layout, lighting, and set dressing make a space feel believable and lived in.

April 15 – Gray Box Draw-over
Use a provided 3D base (gray box) and sketch your own room design over it in your style. A great warm-up for the challenge!

April 22 – Challenge Entry Hangout
Join the community for a live session to finish your Safe House design, get feedback, and put on the final polish.

April 29 – Gesture Drawing Session
End the month with timed gesture studies to stay loose, build confidence, and keep your figure skills sharp—great for character-focused or environment-driven artists alike.