BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art

Duration

3 years

Institution code

L28

UCAS Code

W223

An illustration of a man wearing glasses, a straw hat, a brown jacket with yellow and lilac details, beige shorts and white socks with brown sandals. The background is green and he holds flowers in one hand. The drawing also shows development sketches for the jacket collar and a description of the jacket details, which are based on lotus roots.
An illustration of a man wearing glasses, a straw hat, a brown jacket with yellow and lilac details, beige shorts and white socks with brown sandals. The background is green and he holds flowers in one hand. The drawing also shows development sketches for the jacket collar and a description of the jacket details, which are based on lotus roots.
Six vibrant images, digitally painted, that appear to represent trees or fireworks. The colours are bright reds, yellows, purple, blues and pinks.
Six vibrant images, digitally painted, that appear to represent trees or fireworks. The colours are bright reds, yellows, purple, blues and pinks.

Andrei Kopylenko

Two illustrations of a person wearing a long red dress with wide sleeves and vine-like tendrils. In the first image they hold a red parasol over their head and their hair is up and woven with red tendrils and leaves. In the second image their hair is loose, their head is severed and floating above their body and blood appears from their eyes and mouth.
Two illustrations of a person wearing a long red dress with wide sleeves and vine-like tendrils. In the first image they hold a red parasol over their head and their hair is up and woven with red tendrils and leaves. In the second image their hair is loose, their head is severed and floating above their body and blood appears from their eyes and mouth.

Cordelia Dundas

A very dark illustration of a person holding a lantern, and standing in front of stone ruins
A very dark illustration of a person holding a lantern, and standing in front of stone ruins

Jessamy Martin

A comic art illustration of two people looking towards each other. One is wearing black, and has black feathered wings coming out of their neck, the other is wearing white and has white wings.
A comic art illustration of two people looking towards each other. One is wearing black, and has black feathered wings coming out of their neck, the other is wearing white and has white wings.

Kai Spiewak

Illustrations of a character called The Ferryman, showing a front and back view and some development sketches. They are a blue/grey colour, have a long fish-like tale and are wearing a brown straw hat and red striped trousers. The text reads: A man who lives his life out on the water in his house/food vendor boat. The ferryman provides Jayvyn safe refuge as he's on the run from Tamisra. The Ferryman wears a hat that his bird sleeps in.
Illustrations of a character called The Ferryman, showing a front and back view and some development sketches. They are a blue/grey colour, have a long fish-like tale and are wearing a brown straw hat and red striped trousers. The text reads: A man who lives his life out on the water in his house/food vendor boat. The ferryman provides Jayvyn safe refuge as he's on the run from Tamisra. The Ferryman wears a hat that his bird sleeps in.

Max Sherwood

Comic art of a turqiose sea. On the surface drawings of litter, dead fish and other and debris, whilst a person crashes into the sea. The black text in yellow blocks reads: Ever since humanity gave up on the sea...everything that they didn't want on land ended up down here. Anthing from scraps, garbage, unsused appliances, people.
Comic art of a turqiose sea. On the surface drawings of litter, dead fish and other and debris, whilst a person crashes into the sea. The black text in yellow blocks reads: Ever since humanity gave up on the sea...everything that they didn't want on land ended up down here. Anthing from scraps, garbage, unsused appliances, people.

Music Tiamethakorn

A comic book illustration of an island with a blue light at the tip against a pink sunset. The image is overlayed with smaller images in boxes which show different scenes of life on the island. The text reads: The island looks so beautiful from afar when all the lights distract you from the reality of life at the mouths of the rivers.
A comic book illustration of an island with a blue light at the tip against a pink sunset. The image is overlayed with smaller images in boxes which show different scenes of life on the island. The text reads: The island looks so beautiful from afar when all the lights distract you from the reality of life at the mouths of the rivers.

Music Tiamethakorn

A colour illustration of the exterior of a small wooden house with one orange framed window and an orange door. Grass and small flowers grow over the roof and down the sides of the house. Small black and white pencil sketches show the exterior from a different angle, a close up of the door, and two interior sketches.
A colour illustration of the exterior of a small wooden house with one orange framed window and an orange door. Grass and small flowers grow over the roof and down the sides of the house. Small black and white pencil sketches show the exterior from a different angle, a close up of the door, and two interior sketches.

Olivia Jones

A digital illustration of mountains against a sky of blues and greens. A silvery creature shaped like a dragon is flying through the sky.
A digital illustration of mountains against a sky of blues and greens. A silvery creature shaped like a dragon is flying through the sky.

Olivia Jones

A detailed and colourful 3D isometric illustration of the main floor of a house. Written descriptions accompany each room.
A detailed and colourful 3D isometric illustration of the main floor of a house. Written descriptions accompany each room.

Pecolier Scoggin

An anime style illustration of a person with large eyes and a long fringe. They are resting against their hand and are surrounded by flowers. The image is tones of green.
An anime style illustration of a person with large eyes and a long fringe. They are resting against their hand and are surrounded by flowers. The image is tones of green.

Raa Mahmood

Ray Grindell
Ray Grindell

Ray Grindell

A dark illustration against a black background of a person wearing a gold hat and a green outfit with gold details. The trousers are attached like suspenders. They are wearing a cape large gold collar and hold a long sword across both shoulders.
A dark illustration against a black background of a person wearing a gold hat and a green outfit with gold details. The trousers are attached like suspenders. They are wearing a cape large gold collar and hold a long sword across both shoulders.

Rene Haase

Digital artwork of a wooden hut in a desert. The hut has four pillars and a wheel above the door. The hut is in front of a large boulder and next to an even larger rock formation. The sky is a bright turquoise blue.
Digital artwork of a wooden hut in a desert. The hut has four pillars and a wheel above the door. The hut is in front of a large boulder and next to an even larger rock formation. The sky is a bright turquoise blue.

Steinar Thorsteinsson

The Course

This experiential course gives you space to explore the theory, practice, and professional contexts of comic and concept art. Discover the diverse possibilities of these exciting fields through practical, transdisciplinary, and industry-relevant skills.

This unique course is one of the first to bring together comic and concept art. Throughout this degree, you will refine your design, drawing and digital visualisation skills to create believable worlds and bring to life immersive stories from your imagination.

Using emerging technologies and industry-standard software, you will develop your design and planning skills alongside comic and concept art outputs. There is a strong emphasis on engaging with industry from the start of the course and gaining professional practice skills.

Our local, national, and international industry links allow you to learn from practising artists, live briefs, and industry workshops. We position all comic and concept art within an international context, which has included involvement in Thought Bubble – the leading European comic art festival based in Yorkshire.

We encourage creative collaboration within the course and across the University, learning to work to briefs, participate in competitions, and have your work critiqued. You will develop your understanding of studio and freelance practice while gaining expert skills suitable for a range of creative careers.

Former students have forged successful careers in concept art for film and gaming industries, published comics, and even worked in theatre design.

The Structure

The course starts by shaping how you think and draw as a comic and concept artist. Practical workshops develop your design drawing, idea generation, and visual storytelling. Lectures and seminars focus on the historical and professional contexts of comic and concept art industries. At the same time, projects and art tests give you a taste of what is required to be a comic and concept artist. Experimentation and developing traditional drawing skills inform your 2D and 3D digital output.

Course Facilities

The studios for BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art students are outfitted with industry-standard equipment including high specification iMacs, Wacom Cintiqs and Intuos Pros as well as industry-standard software for 2D digital painting, 3D modelling, and digital sculpting. There is a dedicated booth with hi-spec PCs and VR headsets to explore virtual reality workflows and production for concept art and comics.

Students will also have access to a wide range of resources with a drop-in facility so work can be undertaken, provided resource inductions have been completed. For Comic and Concept Art students this will include print resources which provide excellent facilities for bookmaking and paper-based printmaking using a range of processes; 3D resources housed in dedicated workshops providing students with a hands-on experience including casting; access to industry standard laser cutters; professional-standard, large-format digital printing and print finishing.

Computer suites house networks of Apple Mac computers featuring regularly updated, industry-standard software for a wide range of creative applications that support all our courses and a purpose-built specialist library which includes including special collections of artists’ books, photobooks and illustrated books as well as the University archive. Self service facilities are available throughout, supported by a dedicated and experienced team of library staff.

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art

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Study Abroad

Studying abroad can help Leeds Arts University students gain valuable experience, broaden their horizons, develop international networks and experience their practice from a different perspective. Leeds Arts University has a global network of international partner universities in 15 different countries. Students can apply for a semester abroad in their second year of study.

Accolades

Recent student successes include:

  • Game Republic’s industry-ready bootcamp, 2024

  • Thought Bubble Festival micro-bursary, 2023

  • First Prize, The Sustainability Award 2022

  • First Prize, 3DTotal Character Design Competition 2021

  • Bronze prize, International Comic School Contest 2020

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be prepared for employment across a range of roles including commercial comic art, storyboard art, concept art, character design, visual development, creature design and experience design for a range of companies within the animation, games, TV and advertising industries.

Academic Staff

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Claire Smith

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art - Course Leader

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Charlotte Dobson

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept - Senior Lecturer

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James Lawrence

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art - Lecturer

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Dilraj Mann

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art - Lecturer

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Will Morris

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art - Lecturer

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John Pearson

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art - Senior Lecturer

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Mark Penman

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art - Senior Lecturer

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Robert Silkstone

BA (Hons) Comic and Concept Art - Senior Lecturer

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