Amirhossein Yaghoobi is a Fine Artist and Anatomy and Figure Drawing Instructor with over 8 years of teaching experience. During his career, he has taught art at institutions such as IRIB University and Alzahra University in Tehran. He currently resides in Rome, where he enjoys the patronage of the Santa Maria Della Vittoria Church.  

Amirhossein was accepted into a prestigious program at the Vatican City Art School, where he has been immersed in the study of Renaissance masters, comprehensive studies in architecture, Renaissance history, design, restoration, and traditional techniques such as fresco painting and Roman stucco.

“Recently, I’ve been engaged in an intensive fresco and restoration program at the Fabbrica di San Pietro in the Vatican, where I’m further developing my skills as a decorator and stucco artisan. This hands-on experience within one of the most historically and spiritually rich environments has significantly deepened my understanding of traditional techniques and sacred art.  In parallel, I’m collaborating with the Pneuma Art Foundation on a major upcoming exhibition titled Porta Paradiso, set to open in October 2025 at Galleria Frilli in Florence. This project explores the intersection of Renaissance aesthetics and spiritual symbolism, aligning closely with my ongoing philosophical research into the connections between Persian and Italian art traditions.“

Amirhossein teaches online classes that focus on accurately portraying the human body.  Don’t worry.  You won’t need a medical school degree.  You’ll learn the fundamental landmarks of the human body that artists need to know.  Drawing the Human Form and Advanced Figure Drawing are available for registration now!

Below you will find a gallery of some of the art that Amirhossein has been working on.  

The post Amirhossein Yaghoobi: Restoring Art at the Vatican appeared first on Syn Studio.

If you are reading this blog, then at some point, you have read a book, played a game or watched a movie that inspired you to create something of your own.  Concept art is where those stories begin to come to life.  

Syn Studio is here to help you make that magic happen.

Why Choose Syn Studio?

• Study at one of the top art schools in the world
• Train under experienced industry professionals
• Small sized classes to ensure attention from the teacher
• Live in a city with a passion for creativity and home to many studios
• The most affordable high-profile art school tuition

Syn Studio has built a reputation for its well-trained alumni who go on to work on big video game projects such as the Far Cry series, Gotham Knights and Star Wars Outlaws.  

The Rookies ranked us #1 in concept art school in North America and 4th in the world.

We are located in Montreal, a world-leading game development hub with over 200 studios, known for offering a vibrant cultural scene, a high quality of life, an affordable cost of living, and a safe, welcoming environment.

We are proud to offer an affordable education, where small cohorts ensure personalized attention, and elite mentorship from industry-vetted instructors supports every student’s growth and success.

Why Study in Montreal?

Montreal is home to a large number of top studios as well as a growing number of smaller studios which focus on film, animation and video games.  Some of your favourite games were developed here including the Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry franchises.  

Montreal is also generally much more affordable than other large North American cities.  It’s still a big city though and faces many of the same challenges that other cities face.  One thing that makes Montreal stand out from other cities is its long dedication to preserving greenspace.  Despite already having a lush mountain park in the heart of the city, there are tons of other parks and greenspaces across the city.  Most residential streets have a canopy of big shady trees.  A rare sight in most major cities.  Montreal has a good public transit system making it affordable to travel in and around the city.  It is also a city rich in art and culture.  Throughout the year there are numerous multicultural festivals, concert series and events, as well as plenty of historical centers and museums that will both enrich and inspire you.  

“I decided to attend Syn Studio mainly due to its location and how affordable the concept art diploma was in comparison to other places.” – Jair Medina, alumnus and concept artist at Volta

About The Program

Our Concept Art AEC Program (NTL.1V) is a two year program that will train students not only the technical skills but also the interpersonal skills needed to work in a studio as a concept artist.  We try to offer the lowest tuition to students while still paying our teachers their worth.  Our tuition comes out to $44,000 CAD.  That’s a lot of money but keep in mind that other prestigious art schools cost over $200,000 CAD!  Moreso, we limit our classes to a maximum of 22 students so that students have more time with their teacher.  

You’ll be learning directly from industry professionals who have hands-on experience and a passion for creating.  Our instructors aren’t simply trying to teach.  They are helping to forge the next generation of concept artists.

Artwork by Daniel Lopez

ur Teachers

Notable Projects our teachers have worked on:

• Assassin’s Creed Series
• Far Cry Series
• Gotham Knights
• Batman: Arkham Origins
• For Honor
• Dragon Age: Origins
• X-Men Film Series
• Dune
• Godzilla: King of Monsters

At Syn Studio, you’ll be training under instructors who have worked on some of the coolest and most popular game and film franchises in the world.  Not only will you learn the skills needed to work as an entertainment artist but you will gain valuable insight into the industry through their experiences and anecdotes.  

The accolades of our teachers are only overshadowed by their immense passion for their trade and their dedication to their students.  Our teachers are committed to helping you become a competitive, industry ready concept artist.  

So, if you’re an ambitious, tenacious, and hardworking student who wants to shape the future of video games and movies—creating the kind of art that will inspire others as you were inspired—submit your portfolio and get ready to have some fun.

You don’t need to already be a top concept artist to make it into our program. If you are interested, you can apply at any time! Click HERE to start your art career!

The post Forging The Next Generation of Concept Artists appeared first on Syn Studio.

These drawing sessions offer artists affordable access to a professional model so that they can practice drawing from a live model instead of relying on photographs.  Now there is nothing wrong with using photo reference but honing your ability to draw from observation is an important skill that all artists should strive to master.  A photo presents its subject as flat and still but being able to draw from a living model in front of you is more of a challenge.  The model will move just a tiny bit while you are drawing them.  They are breathing after all!  Depending on their pose, the model might shift their weight ever so slightly or after a few moments, their arms might start to droop a bit.  It’s not easy to stay perfectly still for a long period of time.  Foreshortenning can also be a challenge.  A photograph will flatten the subject which will usually make it easier for our brain to process.  Capturing a foreshortenned limb in a drawing can be quite challenging to beginner artists and overcoming these challenges will help you become a better artist.

There are also so many different approaches for artists to take when drawing anything.  Are you an artist that prefers to focus on gestures?  Maybe you are more inclined to constructive anatomy.  A figure drawing session can be a great way to practice a new approach.  Or perhaps you are struggling with an approach that you are learning in class.  A bit of extra practice can help!

Timed poses offer the next challenge provided by figure drawing sessions.  It’s easy for an artist to get lost in their work and draw their subject for long periods of time.  Figure drawing sessions typically have their models pose for specific periods of time.  While long pose sessions aren’t unheard of, most start with a rapid series of brief poses and then steadily increase in length.  These quick poses usually start at 30 seconds or a minute and can go up to 20-30 minutes depending on the length of the session and the breakdown of the poses.  Quick poses allow the artist to focus on capturing the essence of their subject.  With only a minute on the clock, even the best artists are going to have a hard time capturing a lot of details.  Disney animators used to draw live models in rapid fire poses in order to train this skill, which is needed for classical hand drawn animation.  Furthermore, this is a great exercise to warm up the artist so that they are ready for longer poses.

Longer poses, meanwhile, allow the artist to focus on the finer details of the subject.  These are the poses where the artist will tidy up the pose, add more shading, and refine the features of the model’s face.

Figure drawing workshops are also a great way to practice drawing in a fun, casual setting with other artists.  Unlike with a classroom setting, figure drawing sessions will amass a wide range of artists of various skill levels and preferences in mediums.  A beginner can work next to a professional artist and might even learn a new technique, simply by watching another artist work.  When a public figure drawing session is offered by a school, it can also be a great way for a potential student to scope out the school and see if it’s where they might want to continue their art education.  

Artists can also work in a variety of mediums.  One week they might work in the classic mediums of pencil or charcoal, while the following week they might work with more modern tools such as a ballpoint pen or work digitally on their laptop or tablet.  Watercolour and ink are commonly used as well.  Oil paints are best left for working at home or the studio as it can be messy and has a strong odour.  Other than that, just about any medium is welcome at these events.  Just be mindful and respectful of the venue and the other artists!

Workshops are also far less of a commitment than taking a class, both terms of cost and time.  Just pop in when you have the time!

The best figure drawing workshops will build up a great community over time. After a few sessions, you might see the same faces again and again.  Don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation.  Complementing another artist’s work is always a great ice-breaker.  

Prior to the pandemic, we had so many groups of friends who would come for the figure drawing session and then go out for food or drinks.  These groups would absorb more people as time went on.  It was more than a social event, it was a community event.  Syn Studio is in a new location and we are slowly rebuilding our figure drawing community.  We are currently offering our workshops on a monthly basis, but as our events grow in popularity, we will once again offer a session every two weeks.  This summer, Ontario street will become a pedestrian only walkway and there will be tons of festivals and activities happening.  Come join us for our next figure drawing workshop and then enjoy the nightlife around us.  

Our next workshop takes place on June 27th, 6:30pm – 9:30pm featuring a nude, male model.  Tickets are $15 but seats are limited so secure your spot soon! CLICK HERE!

Sign up to our newsletter below so you can be notified for our Figure Drawing Workshops and more!

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“I’m Ogechukwu (or Oge for short!), an artist from Nigeria with a background in concept art and illustration. I’m also a graduate of Syn Studio’s AEC program.  I’ve always loved creating art and have a deep passion for storytelling. So, when I discovered concept art, I was absolutely sold on the idea.  I enjoy experimenting in my work and creating art that is expressive, colorful, and visually striking—with just a touch of sparkles and pink for good measure. Since graduating, I’ve been focused on building a body of work that truly reflects who I am and what currently inspires me. I believe art should always be a reflection of oneself, and right now, I’m on a journey to understand and discover what that means for me.  I also share and document this journey, along with what I learn, on my YouTube channel, Neddy is Neddy, in the hopes of inspiring other artists.”

As Oge mentioned, she is a graduate from our AEC Concept Art Program.  While her channel predates her experience at Syn Studio, her channel is a wealth of artistic insight.  From sharing her thoughts about art to showcasing her enviable collection of artbooks, Oge’s channel offers an engaging, thoughtful and honest series of videos.

In particular, we want to highlight her series of videos about our program.  Oge was part of the last cohort before we expanded the program (C22), but her experiences still reveal some of the struggles and challenges that our students can encounter in the program.  Syn Studio’s AEC Program (NTL.1V) and the Online Concept Art Program can be intense and sometimes even be overwhelming.  Her sincere reflections address the pressure that one can face in any educational setting as well as the questions of self doubt and imposter syndrome that nearly all artists encounter at some point in their journey.

Oge offers a unique perspective about Syn Studio:  You get to follow her journey throughout most of the program.  Starting with a video where she discusses why she wanted to go to art school in the first place and why she chose Syn Studio.  This video starts with a super cut of the introductions of several past videos where she described herself as a self taught artist.  Click here to watch the video and find out why she made the decision to join Syn Studio!

Oge also has a video showing the portfolio that she submitted when applying, you get to watch her art skills develop during her time at Syn Studio.  She has a pair of videos dedicated to recapping the work she did for the term, the second video being terms 2 and 3 together.  Although you will notice that as she progresses through the program, her videos are posted with dwindling frequency.  The program is intense and we kept her very busy.  She is now back to posting regularly about a variety of art related subjects.

Even when Oge was facing challenges, she rose to the occasion and persevered.  Her determination and joyful radiance helped her power through and that’s the Syn Studio spirit!  That’s what makes our students rise to the top.  Give Neddy is Neddy a follow and if you find yourself connecting with these videos then do what Oge would want you to do: pick up that pencil, or paintbrush or stylus, and create something beautiful!

Syn Studio also has a YouTube channel!  Click here to subscribe!

If you think you have what it takes, then you can apply to our programs HERE

The post Meet Neddy is Neddy appeared first on Syn Studio.

On February 21st, 2025, Syn Studio hosted a Q&A session for current students in our AEC Concept Art Program (NTL.1V).  We invited 3 of our Alumni; Carson Jones, Julien Simon and Will Wong, to answer questions from the crowd.  This was a closed door event, no Syn Studio staff were allowed to be in the room so that everyone could speak freely.  We didn’t want the presence of our staff to influence what sort of questions were asked nor influence how our guests might respond.  We just wanted our students to get honest answers, even if there might have been negative experiences in the past.  

Our Guests

Carson Jones – Concept Artist, C18 Alumni

Julien Simon – Concept Artist/ Illustrator, C19 Alumni

Will Wong – Concept Artist, C20 Alumni

After Party

The Q&A lasted about an hour and a half, followed by a community social event where we invited our alumni from all previous years.  This event allowed for old friends to catch up and let our current students start networking with industry professionals and gain some insights to what it’s like to work as a junior concept artist. In addition, it also gave an opportunity for the students to know more about the latest trends and demands in this ever involving entertainment industry.  For many of our alumni, this was their first time at our new location!  

Our graduates not only go on to have successful careers as concept artists and illustrators, but each cohort joins a growing family of artists who were forged in the fires of Syn Studio.  They have all been through the gauntlet of rigorous and challenging class assignments and stressful deadlines.  More than becoming champions of creativity, our students become family.  We keep in touch with our alumni and many students return to Syn Studio as teachers or guest speakers, to share their knowledge and passion for teaching the next generation of concept artists.  While our staff was not present in the Q&A, we do have one question: What great things will you accomplish when you graduate from our Concept Art Program?

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After a long hiatus, Syn Studio’s Figure Drawing Workshops are finally up and running again!  To begin, we are only offering these events occasionally (we are aiming for once a month) with hopes of getting back into a biweekly schedule like we used to do before the pandemic.

Figure Drawing Workshops provide the perfect avenue to practice anatomy, as well as other fundamentals such as lights and shadows, and perspective. You can train your eye to observe the human body in a physical space, measure the proportions and understand the relationship between the different muscle groups in action.  It’s also a great chance to mingle with other artists.

The varying lengths of time allotted for drawing poses throughout the workshop also provides a unique learning opportunity:

Short poses – Require quick thinking, and will push you to focus on the movement and emotion of a pose.
Long poses – Provide the opportunity for more meticulous work where you can explore shapes and shadows in depth.

Workshops are also a fantastic opportunity to relieve stress, meet fellow artists, pros and amateurs alike, see their own process and artwork, and become a part of the ever-growing Montreal Art community!

For more practice, here is a list of great places that currently conduct regular workshops in Montreal:

1. Cestar Collège – Syn Studio

“Great artists are not born, they’re made!”

Where: 3440 Ontario St E, Montreal, QC H1W 1P9 – Near Joliette Metro
When: Exact Dates To Be Announced – Friday 6PM to 9PM – 15$ (Tickets available online only, Limited seating)
Contact: info@synstudio.ca

Syn Studio Figure Drawing Workshops

2. UQAM Centre de Design Atelier libre

“For life drawing addicts who are compelled to feed their habit every Wednesday evening and Saturday morning.”

Where:1440 Sanguinet, Room DE-2250, UQAM Design School, Berri-UQAM Metro
When:
-Wednesday 6:45PM to 9:45PM – 10$
-Saturday 11AM to 2:00PM – 10$
-Saturday 2:30PM to 5:30PM (Long poses) – 15$
Contact: David Chait (Workshop organizer) davidchait1@gmail.com

Facebook group for the workshops

3. Sunday Workshops at UQAM

“Come and draw with us! No reservation or registration, just show up.”

Where: UQAM pavillon Judith Jasmin, room J-7130, 7th floor
When: Sundays 11AM to 2:00PM (Sept. to Dec. & Jan. to May)
Cost: $13

Facebook page for the workshops

4. Dr. Sketchy Montreal

“Dr. Sketchy is the unconventional figure drawing workshop with over 110 branches worldwide! In Montreal, we organize monthly events and are also available for private sessions.”

Where: MainLine Theatre, 3997 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal, Québec H2W 1Y4
When: Once per month, Saturday, 2PM to 5PM (Consult the Dr. Sketchy Blog or Facebook page to see the next event)
Cost: $12
Contact: (Dr Sketchy Montreal e-mail) drsketchymontreal@gmail.com

Facebook Page for Dr. Sketchy Montreal
Blog for Dr. Sketchy Montreal

5. Ubisoft Life Drawing Sessions

Where: Bernard Landry room, 1st floor of the Peck building (5480 St-Dominique Street)
When: Mondays 6pm-9pm (Please arrive by 5:50pm)
Cost: $10 cash, to be paid during the break

Ubisoft Life Drawing Facebook Page

6. Monday Night Life Drawing Meetup Group at Montreal Art Center

“Do you want to practice your art, drawing skills and have fun? Come to the Montreal Art Centre!! We have an amazing place for you to do both at the same time.”

Where: 1844 William Street, Montréal, QC
When: Mondays 6:30pm – 9pm
Cost: 17$
Contact: 514-667-2270

Facebook page for the Montreal Art Center

7. Dear Musa

“Dear Musa is a collective curating intimate and refined events that fuse social and artistic experiences. With a focus on elegance and thoughtful design, we offer a few events, including monthly life drawing experiences, creating spaces where meaningful connections flourish. At Dear Musa, every detail is crafted with heart, bringing beauty to the forefront of each experience. More than just events, it’s a sophisticated invitation to engage genuinely, fostering a community where creativity, conversation, and connection intertwine seamlessly.“

Where: The venue is disclosed 24 hours before the event to those who have signed up.
When: Exact Dates To Be Announced – Mondays 6:30pm – 9pm
Cost: $75 – includes art supplies, grazing table and wine

Sign up for the Musa Newsletter here!

8. Queer Bodies Montreal

“QUEER BODIES’s mission is to create safe, inclusive and festive spaces to practice life drawing together, from a queer and non-binary perspective. Costumed or naked, they will perform immobility in a series of poses.“

Where: MAI cafe-bar, 3680 Jeanne-Mance St, Montreal, QC H2X 2K5
When: Sundays 5pm-7:45pm, followed by a discussion period with the models
Cost: Free!

Queer Bodies Booking Site

9. L’Orbite Anti-modèle

Where: L’Orbite, 406 Rue Notre-Dame Est, H2Y1C8
When: Tuesdays 6:30pm – 9pm
Cost: 17.50$

Anti-modèle Website

10. Montreal Figure Drawing at Anticafé Montréal Quartier des spectacles

“Come to the spacious Anticafé Loft to take the time to relax and sketch!”

Where: Anticafe Montreal, 294 Ste Catherine Ouest, Montréal H2X 2A1
When: Wednesdays 7pm-9pm

Cost:
-$15 general
-$10 for students
Contact: (Anticafé phone number) 514 500-9045

Facebook page for the Anticafé
Facebook page for the workshops

Figure Drawing is an important artistic training exercise used by artists across skill levels and mediums to hone their skills.  Whether you are a concept artist, an illustrator or a comic book artist, understanding the human body and gaining the ability to depict it accurately at rest and while in motion will make your art appear more dynamic and realistic.

Syn Studio has just begun to host figure drawing workshops at our new location.  We will be announcing our next event very soon so keep your eyes open on our social media accounts.

Another great way to stay up to date on these figure drawing events and other art concept art news is by signing up for our newsletter.  You’ll be the first to know about upcoming events and new classes, job listings in the art industry, and other exciting news!  Sign up below!

The post Montreal’s Figure Drawing Workshops – 2024 Edition appeared first on Syn Studio.

Syn Studio Figure Drawing Workshops are a great way to practice drawing in a stress-free environment and let’s you mingle with fellow artists. There is no teacher offering any guidance at these events. You simply show up with your own supplies and draw a model for 3 hours. Models are normally nude but occasionally we will have a costumed model to spice things up. Poses start with fast, one and two minute poses to warm up and then get progressively longer and longer, from five and ten minute poses to twenty minutes or more.

Our new location doesn’t accommodate a huge crowd so to give everyone a comfortable space to work in, we are limiting our events to 28 participants. Tickets can only be bought online so be sure grab your ticket before they sell out!

Art by Cassandra, Juliana, Daragh, and Anna.

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Back in July, we shared the news that three of our AEC Alumni were finalists in the annual concept art competition from The Rookies. We are so proud of these students and we are eager to see what adventures their careers as concept artists will bring them on.

The next issue of Imagine FX will highlight one of our students, Janessa Kuek!

Janessa is a recent graduate from our 18 month AEC – Concept Art program (NTL.1V) program C22 cohort. Based on the 1997 animated film Anastasia, Janessa’s project, MIKO, showcases her skill and ingenuity. Her growth as an artist since the beginning of the program until now has been astonishing and she will no doubt go on to have an impressive career. She is currently working on environment concepts for an upcoming AAA title from Red Sixteen Interactive.

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