"It’s often said there is no “wrong” approach to this art form, but Charles’s method somehow feels like the original and essential way to approach stylized characters. It has filled in the gaps of my workflow and has multiplied my confidence. The lessons are presented clearly as he puts on display the skill and sensibilities of a top industry artist. He also has an inviting sense of humour, which makes it easy to engage and ask questions, which he always invites us to do. He’s demonstrated his commitment to our class group in many surprising ways by doing extra demonstrations, handing out premium freebies, and involving us in exclusive industry experiences. As we come to the end of the 10th week, I find I’ve also grown fond of each of the characters being modelled and their respective artists as well. I’m excited to continue being a part of the community of artists Charles is creating with this class!"
— Robin Cho
"Choosing to take the mentorship with Charles Ellison was the best professional choice of my entire life. With him and all the group I learned a lot and strengthened my fundamentals. Together we formed a united team, we helped each other, it was like a group of friends. Charles knew how to create a relaxed atmosphere where everybody could show their work stressless. What's more he is really understanding and he always seeks to find the best on each project to take them even further. He was always there for us, for both the class and our personal projects. Indeed, he did additional courses just for a specific case we had. To sum up, he's a really involved, benevolent and pedagogical teacher. I strongly recommend this mentorship. I thank a lot Charles and all the group for their kindness and their deep knowledge!"
— Clara Faissolle
The mentorship with Charles was a unique and incredibly enriching experience in many ways. Not to mention his warm and welcoming energy that makes you feel comfortable asking any questions you might have during class, while we all grew together and elevated our skills at the same time. Each session truly felt like a masterclass. An opportunity that, if you ask me, is one of a kind to learn one-on-one from a master of the industry. Highly recommended! You’ll genuinely level up by the end of this mentorship. Go for it!!!
— Angel Corona
Being in this mentorship was one of the best decisions I've made this year. I've always been a huge fan of Charles's work, but this mentorship helped me learn new ways of working, achieve excellent results in such a short time, stay motivated, and most importantly, get to know Charles and see that he's not only one of the best at what he does, but also a great person, a great teacher always willing to help others, who always laughed at my GIFs, and best of all, create a community of artists that I can now call friends, who are always willing to help each other.
— Diego Veliz
What Students Are Saying
"It’s often said there is no “wrong” approach to this art form, but Charles’s method somehow feels like the original and essential way to approach stylized characters. It has filled in the gaps of my workflow and has multiplied my confidence. The lessons are presented clearly as he puts on display the skill and sensibilities of a top industry artist. He also has an inviting sense of humour, which makes it easy to engage and ask questions, which he always invites us to do. He’s demonstrated his commitment to our class group in many surprising ways by doing extra demonstrations, handing out premium freebies, and involving us in exclusive industry experiences. As we come to the end of the 10th week, I find I’ve also grown fond of each of the characters being modelled and their respective artists as well. I’m excited to continue being a part of the community of artists Charles is creating with this class!"
— Robin Cho
"Choosing to take the mentorship with Charles Ellison was the best professional choice of my entire life. With him and all the group I learned a lot and strengthened my fundamentals. Together we formed a united team, we helped each other, it was like a group of friends. Charles knew how to create a relaxed atmosphere where everybody could show their work stressless. What's more he is really understanding and he always seeks to find the best on each project to take them even further. He was always there for us, for both the class and our personal projects. Indeed, he did additional courses just for a specific case we had. To sum up, he's a really involved, benevolent and pedagogical teacher. I strongly recommend this mentorship. I thank a lot Charles and all the group for their kindness and their deep knowledge!"
— Clara Faissolle
"The mentorship with Charles was a unique and incredibly enriching experience in many ways. Not to mention his warm and welcoming energy that makes you feel comfortable asking any questions you might have during class, while we all grew together and elevated our skills at the same time. Each session truly felt like a masterclass. An opportunity that, if you ask me, is one of a kind to learn one-on-one from a master of the industry. Highly recommended! You’ll genuinely level up by the end of this mentorship. Go for it!!!"
— Angel Corona
"Being in this mentorship was one of the best decisions I've made this year. I've always been a huge fan of Charles's work, but this mentorship helped me learn new ways of working, achieve excellent results in such a short time, stay motivated, and most importantly, get to know Charles and see that he's not only one of the best at what he does, but also a great person, a great teacher always willing to help others, who always laughed at my GIFs, and best of all, create a community of artists that I can now call friends, who are always willing to help each other."
— Diego Veliz
I’m not even joking when I say this mentorship with Charles Ellison was hands down the best experience of my life. From the very first session to the final wrap-up, it’s been an incredible journey. The way Charles breaks down complex info makes it accessible for everyone. He’s an incredibly patient and supportive teacher who genuinely cares about his students' growth. I’ve learned more than I ever thought possible, and the hands-on experience was invaluable.He is so attentive to every single student and was always there to help, no matter how many questions I threw at him (and trust me, there were a lot! 😅)he atmosphere was so comfortable and welcoming that it felt like a community from day one. Everyone was supporting each other, and that kind of environment is priceless. I’ve gained so much knowledge that I feel confident taking into my future projects. I’m honestly so sad it’s over already—it flew by way too fast! Thank you, Charles, for everything. This experience is something I’ll carry with me forever. ✨🙌 "
— Elizaveta Marshyna
"Charles ’ Mentorship has to be one of the most amazing educational experiences I’ve ever had in my professional life. He has a way of always helping you push your project to its best potential and helping you grow as an artist. His feedback is always on point, super helpful, and supportive. Above all, since day one, you can feel Charles’s passion for teaching, his enjoyment of sharing his knowledge, and his commitment to helping artists improve their skills, inspiring everyone to reach their full potential, making the mentorship an amazing experience!"
— Javier Gonzalez
"The course is incredible - I highly recommend it! Charles is a master of his craft who effectively condenses years of refined, professional experience into a logical three-month journey. You gain a complete understanding of how to create any character through a process that is simple, convenient, and flexible at every stage. He shares everything! While the course covers the full character creation pipeline, its core is deeply artistic. Charles teaches you to think like an artist, and once you adopt this mindset, you’ll be able to create much more personalized and expressive characters. While there were many professionals in the group, I’m writing this as someone exploring character art as a new challenge. I’m not new to the industry (I work as a game environment artist and have a formal art background), but character work was a fresh area for me. If you're worried about keeping up with the rest of the class, don't be! The pipeline is flexible enough that you can simplify technical steps, like swapping XGen for sculpted hair or skipping complex texturing, and still finish with the strongest piece in your portfolio. You’ll walk away with a rock-solid foundation and a clear understanding of the 'why' and 'how' behind every decision. This provides a professional roadmap for all your future projects. On top of that, during the course you also get a bit of that special warmth of our industry, and from Charles, that’s especially valuable. He’s a truly great mentor. I’m really glad I took this course, and I’m incredibly grateful to Charles for sharing his knowledge. You simply wouldn't achieve this much on your own in just three months - this kind of insight is hard to find anywhere else. Definitely go for it! 🔥"