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Workshop

The Art of Visual Storytelling

A Workshop
by Ronan Le Fur

3ds Max, After Effects & Photoshop Workflow with Ronan Le Fur (a.k.a Dofresh)

intermediate
3h 14m 18s
8 Lessons
A Workshop
by Ronan Le Fur
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Boost your creativity with this detailed workshop that deconstructs the DNA of a successful image. You’ll learn the essential techniques that professional artists use to tell compelling stories through their artwork. This workshop uses 3ds Max, After Effects, and Photoshop, though the techniques can be transferred to other 2D and 3D software.


Over the course of 3 hours, Ronan Le Fur, also known as Dofresh, shares the professional techniques he uses to create original digital images. He concentrates on the kind of visuals required during the pre-production of a film or video game project, though the same techniques and mindset can be applied to any project, whether personal or professional.


This workshop is aimed at intermediate-level artists who already have an understanding of image creation and are comfortable with 3D and 2D creation software, although the techniques demonstrated are attainable for artists of all levels. Expect lots of sketching, extensive use of kitbashing, some essential compositing, and a lot of digital painting to help you master the art of visual storytelling.

8 Lessons

01IntroductionFree

This lesson introduces Ronan Le Fur's journey from technical 3D artist to creative concept artist. Within this workshop, Ronan aims to share his specialized hybrid workflow, enabling artists to adapt techniques to their own processes, regardless of their familiarity with 3D software.

Duration: 3m 43s

Introduction
02Overview

This lesson provides an overview of the steps taken within this workshop, employing a comprehensive approach to creating professional digital images by bridging 3D and 2D techniques.

Duration: 3m 25s

Overview
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03Finding Ideas

This lesson stresses an important lesson for professional artists: personal work isn't optional, it's essential for career sustainability and creative growth. Ronan demonstrates that success comes from balancing client obligations with personal creative exploration. By keeping detailed records of ideas and deliberately blending influences, artists can create unique pieces that showcase their vision, forming the foundation of a compelling professional portfolio.

Duration: 10m 12s

Finding Ideas
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04Framing, Composition & Storytelling

This lesson emphasizes that composition is one of the most crucial aspects of illustration and deserves a significant investment of time. While the rule of thirds provides a reliable framework, it should be applied flexibly alongside artistic instinct. Strong composition ensures that an image tells a story effectively, making it worth mastering through the study of the work of other artists, photography practice, and consistent completion of projects.

Duration: 19m 14s

Framing, Composition & Storytelling
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05Modeling & Kitbashing

This lesson demonstrates how, through kitbashing and the use of free or affordable tools, artists can build complex scenes without modeling everything from scratch. Ronan demonstrates a professional workflow optimized for creating compelling still images rather than animation-ready assets, focusing on composition, silhouette and iterative refinement.

Duration: 34m 59s

Modeling & Kitbashing
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06Texturing, Lighting & Rendering

This lesson demonstrates an approach to creating images that prioritizes workflow organization and iterative refinement. Keeping 3D elements relatively simple while planning for post-production work allows for greater creative flexibility and faster decision-making. By constantly evaluating work from different perspectives, using mock-ups for planning, and making detailed notes, artists can create a sustainable workflow that balances artistic vision with production efficiency.

Duration: 53m 3s

Texturing, Lighting & Rendering
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07Compositing, Painting & Detailing

In this lesson, Ronan shows that creating professional concept art is a flexible process where artistic judgment continuously overrides technical decisions. The approach prioritizes experimentation, happy accidents, and the freedom to change direction even late in production. The ultimate goal is clear visual communication achieved through the use of contrast, color, detail density, and atmospheric effects.

Duration: 41m 9s

Compositing, Painting & Detailing
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08Final Tweaks & Closing Thoughts

This final lesson in the workshop emphasizes that finishing a project is about knowing when to stop rather than achieving perfection. Effective storytelling comes from simple but deliberate choices in composition, lighting, and color rather than excessive detail. The main takeaway is that ‘not perfect, yet finished’ is a necessary philosophy for productive artistic work.

Duration: 28m 33s

Final Tweaks & Closing Thoughts
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Primary tools

For this workshop you’ll need:

After Effects
3ds Max
Photoshop

* Note that these programs and materials will not be supplied with the course.

Skills Covered

Who’s this Workshop for?

This workshop is designed for intermediate-level digital artists who have solid experience with 3D and 2D software like 3ds Max, After Effects, and Photoshop. It's particularly valuable for concept artists, visual development artists, and pre-production professionals working in the film and video game industries.


Artists at any level seeking to enhance their visual storytelling capabilities will benefit significantly from these professional techniques. Whether working on personal projects or commercial productions, they will gain essential skills in workflow optimization and compelling visual storytelling through digital art.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this workshop, artists will have learned professional techniques for creating digital images that effectively communicate stories and concepts.


Key skills include:

  • How to deconstruct successful images to understand their fundamental storytelling and composition principles.
  • How to utilize kitbashing techniques for rapid concept development and creative problem-solving.
  • How to integrate sketching workflows with digital tools to enhance creative ideation processes.
  • How to apply compositing techniques to strengthen visual narrative and atmospheric storytelling.
  • How to use digital painting methods that enhance pre-production artwork.
  • How to develop a professional mindset and workflow approaches for visual development.
  • How to transfer storytelling techniques across different 2D and 3D software platforms.

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Workshop
The Art of Visual Storytelling
3ds Max, After Effects & Photoshop Workflow with Ronan Le Fur (a.k.a Dofresh)
A Workshop by Ronan Le FurFreelance Concept Artist & Illustrator
intermediate
3h 14m
8 Lessons
Instructor Ronan Le FurFreelance Concept Artist & Illustrator

Ronan Le Fur, known professionally as Dofresh, is a French freelance concept artist and illustrator based in Rennes, France. With over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry, he has contributed to a wide range of projects, from indie productions to major blockbusters. Ronan specializes in science fiction themes, creating evocative keyframes and narrative illustrations that blend cinematic composition with intricate world-building.


His portfolio includes collaborations with renowned studios such as Framestore, Ubisoft, Focus Home Interactive, Unit Image, HarperCollins, Axis Animation, Epic Games, Passion Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, and Universal Pictures. Notably, he secured 1st Place in ArtStation's Grand Space Opera: Light Age – Keyframe Design challenge, showcasing his ability to craft compelling visual narratives.


Ronan's work has been featured in various publications and platforms, including Concept Art World and Design You Trust. He has also shared insights into his creative process through interviews and podcasts, such as The Learn Squared Podcast.

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