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Our Mentees are Savages
Artstation coming soon
They leveled-up a lot
Some got hired at...
And more
Welcome to
Portfolio Masterkey
A Premium Portfolio-Building Mentorship
and Private Community
With no expiry date
We work with you for as long as you need,
until you are hired
Here is how it works
Preparatory Module - Be ready before Day 1
You get 80% of the theory before we start, so we save time and you are ready for the Mentorship
A complete breakdown of the current Industry Landscape, how it works, how to navigate it, and how to stand out
A full set of courses and exercises to master the Design Process and understand Production Pipeline requirements
An ever-growing set of extra modules and demos to improve your design and rendering abilities
5 weeks of intensive training and personal guidance
You know exactly how get hired, we skyrocket your design skills, and you are launched in the right direction
Step-by-step guidance through every phase of the process, with everything you need to become the candidate studios want to hire
10 group sessions with in-depth feedback to review your work, answer your questions, and provide tailored direction
Access to extra workshops, bonus sessions, and resources, shaped by the needs and requests of the mentorship community (past, present, and future)
Ongoing support until you get hired
We don’t stop after five weeks, you continue receiving feedback and guidance on your portfolio and job applications for as long as you need
From start to finish, we work together to craft a portfolio that’s flawless and showcases your full potential when applying
Weekly feedback on your portfolio, or at your own rhythm
When you’re in contact with studios, I help you prepare for interviews, review your offers, and determine what salary you can confidently negotiate
Your work is also regularly shared with our network of studios, to increase visibility and open real opportunities
Our Commitment, and what we expect in return :
If you are accepted in the Mentorship,
We work with you for as long as you need, until you get a job
The only thing we demand in return is that you build your portfolio in less than a year.
One year is more than enough if you’re serious.
This is not an online class where people disappear after a few weeks.
We stay with you long-term because we actively connect top students with studio opportunities and negotiate recruitment deals with companies.
Studios come to us for trusted, production-ready talent and we only recommend artists who have proven they are serious and reliable.
Everyone who joins the mentorship is carefully selected to ensure they have the mindset and foundations needed to succeed in the industry. We don’t accept anyone we don’t fully believe in.
We build your entire portfolio together, piece by piece, until it reflects the best of what you can do. We take you by the hand, for every step of the process.
When you get in touch with studios, we help you prepare for interviews, salary negotiation, and support you through every step of the hiring process, as long as it stays within NDA boundaries.
Benevolent, Win-Win relationship between Mentors and Students
This is a supportive but high-expectation environment, you’re pushed to reach your full potential, build an outstanding portfolio, and dramatically increase your chances of getting hired. You get what you came for, and more.
In return, your success directly strengthens The Art Nest’s reputation, which brings more studios to us looking for serious, production-ready talent. That means more hiring opportunities for you and future mentees.
In short, when you win, we all win.
This is why many former mentees who have landed jobs now actively support the next generation inside the community to elevate everyone.
We take you by the hand
for every step of the process
Here is what to expect for every week
Preparatory Module : Understanding how the Industry, Design and Production work
Mastering Design and standing out in today's market
By the end of the module :
You’ll know exactly how to stand out, even in what looks like a saturated market (spoiler: it’s not, if you know what you’re doing)
You’ll understand what studios actually look for, including the key requirements most Concept Artists miss
You’ll master the entire Design, Rendering, and Production Pipeline, and start producing relevant, and professional-level design iterations
Video Course :
State of the Industry
Unplugging from the Artstation Matrix
The backstage of Big Studios uncovered and what is required from professionals
The Foolproof method to come up with Deep, Compelling and Drastically different ideas for any design task given to you
How to thrive in today's seemingly saturated market where most Concept Artists fail
How to have fun again doing art
Every step of the Design Process explained
How to nail Character Design, Environment Design and Props, regardless of your style
How to get rid of the Blank Page Syndrome for good
And to accelerate your progress :
A 4-week practical brief to apply everything you've learned, so your design and technique are already leveled up before the mentorship even begins
Printable lists and cheat-sheets to unstuck your designs
Real case studies of the most common design and rendering mistakes, and exactly how to fix them
Full transcripts from all my past design courses and workshops for easy reference and deeper learning
Week 1 : finding the Entrance Door
Identifying accessible companies and understanding their requirements
By the end of the week :
You’ll have an exhaustive list of studios you can confidently apply to, fully aligned with your VISA, experience, and artistic style
You’ll know exactly what these studios expect in terms of Art Direction and Process, and how to reflect that in your portfolio
You’ll know how to find and assess as many other compatible studios as needed without wasting time or second-guessing yourself
Content for the week :
Inside a recruiter's mind: how an application review works
The requirements to get hired
Applications are Intellectual Duels : how to win them
What is expected from a Junior vs Mid vs Senior
How to find if a Studio hires juniors or not?
How to find more studios than you'll ever need
Good vs Bad Portfolios explained
Portfolio traps to avoid
Inside an Art Director's head : What they need
How to understand any project's Art Direction
And to accelerate your progress :
The Foolproof Checklist to Finding your First Studio So you only focus on companies that are actually within reach
The Evergrowing Company Career Page and LinkedIn List Sorted by type and location to save you time and headache
Homework resources, real examples, and demos So you know exactly what to do at every step of the process
Week 2 : Inspecting the Door Lock
Closing the technical gap with professionals
By the end of the week :
You’ll know how to skyrocket your technical level above junior level, without having to watch any tutorial
You’ll know exactly how and where to learn the missing skills that matter for the job
You’ll fully understand how to match the Art Direction, style, and workflow of the studios you’re targeting
Content for the week :
Understanding Seniors and Art Directors Artistic Mind
Understanding Seniors and Art Directors Process
How to properly measure your work agains senior artists
How to close the technical gap with Seniors fast
How to level-up efficiently : the 80/20 rule for artists
And to accelerate your progress :
The A/B Comparison Blueprint A complete checklist to evaluate your work side by side with the pros, without missing a single detail
Homework resources, real examples, and demos So you know exactly what to do at every step of the process
Week 3 : Crafting the Key
Defining, Planning and Referencing your Targeted Portfolio
By the end of the week :
You have the ideal portfolio subject, tailored to tick all the boxes the companies you are aiming at, and planned so all you have to do now is draw
Once the 1st chapter of your portfolio is done, you'll stand out positively and you’ll be able to start applying immediately
You’ll know exactly how to present your work, making your portfolio a smooth, professional, and enjoyable experience for any reviewer
Content for the week :
Finding a portfolio subject that is Relevant, Understandable and Design-Heavy
How to tick all the boxes of studios as fast as possible with your work
How to properly plan, structure and research your portfolio
How to avoid the most common traps when working on your Portfolio
How to elevate the quality of your work with proper paging
And to accelerate your progress :
Portfolio Structure examples for every single Concept Art Specialty Every specialty has different nuances, we cover them all. Pick a structure, apply your subject, and your planning is done
Banger, Safe and Fresh portfolio subject suggestion list 150+ curated subject ideas, organized by category, for when you’re stuck or want inspiration
Portfolio Content and Design Roll Tables In case you need some interesting twists to your designs, showing your attention to details
Homework resources, real examples, and demos So you know exactly what to do at every step of the process
Week 4 : Disarming the Traps
Nailing the Hiring Process
By the end of the week :
You’ll eliminate 99.9% of the non-artistic reasons recruiters disqualify candidates, and gain an unfair advantage over 95% of other applicants
You’ll remove the stress around hiring, interviews, art tests, and negotiations, by knowing exactly what to expect and how to prepare
You’ll know how to send 10 targeted applications per day in under an hour and negotiate better offers with real arguments
Content for the week :
How to present your portfolio professionally and make a strong first impression
Artstation Algorithm Explained
How to beat the ATS
How to make a banger CV and avoid being disqualified with it
How to write a relevant cover letter to score points when being read
How to Nail Industry Gathering Events
How to prepare for and succeed in interviews, even under pressure
How to nail Art Tests
How to win against Loaded Questions during Interviews
The most common interview mistakes and traps and how to avoid them
How to negotiate properly and secure a decent salary with real arguments, not just a salary average you found online
How to spot legal red flags in contracts and protect yourself from abusive clauses
And to accelerate your progress :
Email Skeletons written by a professional Copywriter To send 10 Relevant and Personalized Emails to Studios or Pros in less than 1 hour of work, without ever sounding like a LinkedIn Bro or like you copy-pasted some crap from Google or ChatGPT. No more artists spending 3 hours writing an email while crying
Complete HR Interview Breakdown The Good, the Bad and the Ugly explained to you
Interview Preparation Checklist Includes answers to Loaded Questions and how to defuse them
ATS-Friendly CV and Letter Files Don't get disqualified by a robot before your work can get reviewed
Wolf of Art Street : Advanced Negotiation Tactics How to get paid with real Money instead of a Foosball table and a Nespresso Machine
Week 5 : Harvesting Rewards
Once you get hired, replicating the process to access the next step of your career
By the end of the week :
You'll know how to increase your Rates/Salary and climb the hierarchy
You know how to stabilize your career and have several clients in parallel rather than staying one layoff away from being jobless
You know how to protect yourself from Crunch and Drama and Corporate Politics in the Industry without burning bridges
Video Course :
Professional Etiquette : how to protect your reputation
Corporate World Survival Guide
Salary vs Freelance Career Growth
How to raise your Rates/Salary and get a Promotion
How to navigate Corporate Politics & High Positions
International Pricing explained
Tax Structures explained
How to build Abundance, Security and Comfort as a Professional Artist
How to Network effortlessly
How to remain happy and fulfilled at work
And to accelerate your progress :
Lifetime access to all workshops, including sessions with past, current, and future mentees. Continue to learn and evolve even after the mentorship sessions end
Lifetime Access to Alumni Private Community Your direct access to pros who went through the same process as you and can help you
Tax & Business structures explained How to increase your purchasing power thanks to company expenses
Follow up and Feedback
We build your entire portfolio together We help you in your job research until you get one
Benefits:
You'll get guidance, feedback and support from start to finish while working on your Portfolio so it is as good as you possibly can
You'll be surrounded with hard-working, like-minded and benevolent artists and professionals every single day
You get help for the hiring process and negotiation, and continued support until you land the job
What to expect :
Weekly access to live feedback sessions
Community Feedback available anytime you want
Extra content and resources based on community requests
Lifetime access to all future updates of the Mentorship
Active promotion of your work to our network of studios
Studio recommendations when your profile matches their needs, if you’ve shown commitment and progress
Extra workshop and presentations, including from studios
And to accelerate your progress :
Your own private feedback channel Every time you need feedback, you post your work, request a review, and once a week everyone in need gets individual feedback like your personal art director
Access to all group feedback sessions : watch others get reviewed and learn from every critique
IRL meetups at industry events with personal support to help you connect and network with professionals
The best, most curated and hard-working Art Community available worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
Around 5 and 8 hours of work per week for the homework.
The video course is delivered to you on every Friday so you have the time to watch it and do the homework as much as possible during the Week-Ends.
This way, even with a job on the side, it is possible to follow along.
The group sessions assume around 30 mins per student. So on average these should last 3 to 4 hours. If you have to leave, no worries, these are recorded.
Yes ! And available as replays almost immediately after they are done !
Here are our requirements :
1/ You are close to junior level or already a professional
2/ You have strong 2D fundamentals and you know how to draw
3/ You have a good culture about games and the media you want to create
4/ You are coachable, you are working hard and able to follow instructions to the letter
5/ You have a good work ethic
We work very long term with our mentees, so making sure you are a good fit is a crucial part of our process.
All the communication and Group Sessions will happen on Discord
The Video Course and sessions replays will be available on Systeme.io
There are 2 sessions per week : one on Mondays, the other on Thursdays I'm running 2 classes in parallel each of these days, one from 1:30pm to 5:30pm CET and the other from 8:00pm to Midnight CET
This allows us to cover everyone's availabilities and timezones
You can join any of these that suit you best and you spectate the other if you want.
English
A microphone, an internet connection, and preferably a webcam
For the work, just your usual gear and softwares
We understand that unexpected events occur
If you happen to miss a session, don't worry, you can watch the replay and we will make time during the next session for you to catch up
In the event of multiple absences, we will work together to devise a suitable catch-up plan, provided this benefit is not exploited
It depends on how much time you have available every week for your portfolio.
Some former mentees able to work full time on their portfolio managed to make it in 3 months
Some other mentees, working a full-time job, took 6 months to craft their portfolios
Bear in mind that while we can help on a lot of aspects, building your portfolio and your motivation are 100% your responsibility
This mentorship is focused mostly on portfolio building rather than pure technique.
HOWEVER,
If you work hard, you will level up A LOT, more than in a lot of purely technical courses.
Of course
This is a side-benefit of our method, and the Before-After pictures you've seen above should prove more than enough how our mentees can increase their level if they work diligently.
While the mentorship is Job-Agnostic and could easily be transposed to any artistic role in the Industry, we currently work solely with Concept Artists and Illustrators.
This is our expertise and we want to ensure anyone in the Mentorship gets as much value as we can possibly give them.
Absolutely !
This is why we have a team of specialized professionals doing feedback to the mentees after the 5 weeks and helping you develop your style and specialty, regardless if it's realistic, stylized, character or environment.
This happens quite frequently as our dream jobs are often very high-end companies hiring only seniors.
While there might always be some exceptions to that rule, it is crucial to accept that as part of our artistic journey, it is part of the process to find some companies hiring juniors, start there and keep working on our professional journey by applying the same framework explained in the mentorship.
Exactly as you did for that first job, you apply the framework again for the next job, then the next one, then eventually your dream job.
Again, it is all about perseverance and doing the work to become the perfect candidate for that company, and this is exactly what this course is about.
In this case, the course/mentorship is perfect for you because you will need to strongly target a company that wants you enough to either relocate you or let you work remotely. This requires an excellent portfolio to establish trust with these studios, and we excel at building these.
Totally !
Actually around 40% of our current mentees are already professionals when joining it, and these are the easiest and fastest profiles we can sort out successfully.
Additionally, the mentorship will likely help you increase your rates.