12 Month Boot Camp
A Curriculum Designed for Real-World Success
One of the most overlooked factors when choosing an art school is the quality of its curriculum. A poorly structured program can leave students feeling lost, overwhelmed, and unprepared. At Grind Before Glory, we take pride in offering a world-class curriculum that eliminates confusion and fosters true growth.
Our program was designed by Michael Buffington—a veteran educator with over 20 years of university-level teaching experience and a celebrated career in the video game, animation, and film industries. Michael is a master curriculum designer who understands how to build a learning experience that truly prepares students for creative careers.
Every course in the program is carefully sequenced to build on the last, gradually expanding your drawing and painting foundations step by step. This 12 month journey is rigorous, intentional, and career-focused—ideal for both beginners and experienced artists looking to strengthen their core skills.
The curriculum is organized into five learning “blocks,” each lasting 8 weeks and featuring three targeted classes. These blocks function like school quarters, guiding you through a structured and progressive pathway to artistic mastery.
KEY
= Traditional = Digital
BLOCK 1
CLASS 1
Drawing 1: Line, Shape, and Form
CLASS 2
Human Figure 1: Intro to Figure Drawing Concepts
CLASS 3
Digital Painting 1: Intro to Digital Painting
BLOCK 2
CLASS 4
Drawing 2: Rendering Light, Shadow, and Reflection
CLASS 5
Human Figure 2: Drawing the Human Head
CLASS 6
Human Figure 3: Arms and Hands
BLOCK 3
CLASS 7
Human Figure 4: Drawing the Figure in Action - Gesture Drawing, Quick Studies, and Anatomy
CLASS 8
Digital Painting 2: Surfaces and Materials
CLASS 9
Human Figure 5: Legs and Feet
BLOCK 4
CLASS 10
Digital Painting 3: Digital Still Life Painting
CLASS 11
Human Figure 6: The Foreshortened Figure
CLASS 12
Drawing 3: Sketching Architecture and Environments
BLOCK 5
CLASS 13
Digital Painting 4: Digital Portrait & Figure Painting
CLASS 14
Human Figure 7: Drawing Clothing and Costumes 1
CLASS 15
Animal Drawing 1: Mammals, Birds, Reptiles & More
