Learn from These 20 Exceptional Women at The Gnomon Workshop

In celebration of International Women's Day, we’re thrilled to spotlight the incredible talents and contributions of female artists who have shared their expertise through The Gnomon Workshop. 

We've curated a list of 20 exceptional female artists whose careers span diverse disciplines within the industry. From character and creature design to environment creation, anatomy, and beyond, these artists excel in their respective fields – and they’re here to inspire and educate the next generation of creatives.

Whether you're interested in the intricate anatomy of fantastical creatures, the detailed textures of game environments, or dynamic storytelling through character design, these talented women have a wealth of knowledge to discover. 

Join us as we celebrate their achievements and dive into what makes their contributions to The Gnomon Workshop unique.

New to The Gnomon Workshop? Get a Free 7-Day Trial Today!

Sarah Arduini

Software Taught: Maya, Fusion, QuickTime, Natron, Premiere

Disciplines Covered: Character Animation, Visual Effects

Sarah Arduini's journey from a self-taught artist passionate about Disney to a Senior Animator at the forefront of VFX is nothing short of inspirational. With a decade of experience, Sarah has brought her unique vision to life in some truly iconic films, including Star Wars, Jurassic World, and The Lion King. Her tutorials for The Gnomon Workshop, Character Animation and Video Reference, and Acting for Animators are treasure troves of wisdom that blend theory with practical skills in Maya. Learning from Sarah is an opportunity to see the world through the eyes of an artist who has mastered bringing characters to life, so don't miss the chance to learn from her exceptional journey!

Bhavika Bajpai

Software Taught: Arnold, Maya

Disciplines Covered: Grooming, Lighting & Rendering, Look Development, Modeling, Scripting, Visual Effects

Bhavika Bajpai's remarkable 16-year journey in VFX is a testament to her dedication and skill in bringing cinematic creatures to life. Starting at Rhythm & Hues, Bhavika contributed to Oscar-winning films like Life of Pi and honed her leadership skills by guiding a team of over 20 artists. Her desire to lead and mentor is clear in her Gnomon Workshop tutorial, Creating a Stylized Groom in Maya & XGen, which packages up her expertise perfectly (expertise that also includes six years specializing in grooming for MPC on pictures like Pirates of the Caribbean). So, if you’re interested in stylized grooming, take up this golden opportunity to learn from an exceptionally talented artist!

Crystal Bretz

Software Taught: Mari, Arnold, Maya, Marvelous Designer, ZBrush

Disciplines Covered: Character Design, Cloth, Digital Sculpting, Grooming, Lighting & Rendering, Look Development, Modeling, Texturing & Shading, Uv Layout, Visual Effects

Crystal Bretz has forged an inspirational path through the VFX industry, from a versatile generalist to a Senior Character/Creature Modeler at Framestore in Canada. With an impressive portfolio that includes work on Fantastic Beasts and Black Panther, Crystal has made her mark across various media, from feature films to VR and animation. What makes Crystal so inspirational beyond her professional achievements is her commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists. Through her tutorials for Gnomon Workshop, including Creating a Stylized Female Character, and her social media, Crystal offers a gateway into the complex world of hair grooming in Maya and Mari and the creation of compelling characters.

Jessica Canter

Software Taught: Mari, Arnold, Mudbox

Disciplines Covered: Environment Design, Lighting & Rendering, Modeling, Texturing & Shading

From The Croods and Turbo to Kung Fu Panda and Shrek, Jessica’s journey as a texturing artist reads like a rundown of Dreamworks Animations’ most iconic films. At Dreamworks, Jessica introduced pioneering new workflows and acted as Mari show lead; she’s got a wealth of experience with communication and interactions between producers, directors, supervisors, and other artists; and she has years of experience teaching texturing and 2D animation. For all those reasons and more, you should absolutely check out Jessica’s Texturing Environments with Mari tutorial – an exploration of her unique blend of inspiration, technique, and the pure joy of creation.

April Connors

Software Taught: Clip Studio Paint

Disciplines Covered: Anatomy, Character Design, Drawing, Painting

A Los Angeles-based artist, author, and instructor, April has a decade of experience in teaching life drawing. She’s even taught her craft in figure drawing at Warner Animation Group, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Gnomon School. Her work is exceptional and has been exhibited everywhere, from the bustling galleries of the United States to the vibrant spaces of Mexico and Hong Kong. She’s a genuinely excellent artist – anyone looking to refine their technique and discover stories hidden within every gesture and form should check out her tutorials, Developing Storytelling Skills from Life and Gesture Drawing Fundamentals.

Carol Cornils

Software Taught: Arnold, Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter

Disciplines Covered: Character Design, Digital Sculpting, Lighting & Rendering, Look Development, Texturing & Shading, UV Layout

Hailing from the vibrant landscapes of Chile, Carol has specialized in stylized and cartoon styles since 2014, and her dedication to the craft is evident in the characters she creates – they almost leap off the screen. With a portfolio that boasts collaborations with giants like Nickelodeon and Adobe, as well as work at Behavior Interactive on titles like Peanuts: Snoopy’s Grand Adventure, Carol has built up a portfolio of imaginative, colorful characters that exude all the warmth and charm of cartoon magic. In her tutorial, Creating Stylized Characters for Production, you can dive into the playful world of character creation, guided by Carol’s hand.

Gina DeDomenico

Software Taught: Daz3D, Photoshop

Disciplines Covered: Character Design, Look Development

Gina's career as a costume concept artist is a rich and impressive tapestry. With a foundation from Parsons School of Design and the prestigious Bob Mackie Gold Thimble Award under her belt, Gina set out for a career in costume design that took her through blockbuster films, popular TV shows, stage costumes for icons like John Legend, Lionel Richie, and Madonna, and collaborations with Oscar-winning designer Ruth Carter on historical epics like Malcolm X. After a 10-year hiatus to focus on family, Gina returned to the forefront of costume concepts for the DC Streaming Universe. So, it’s fair to say she’s a phenomenal person from whom to learn the craft, which you can do in her workshop, Creating Costume Concept Art for Film & TV.

Kristin Farrensteiner

Software Taught: Houdini

Disciplines Covered: Grooming, Lighting & Rendering, Look Development, Visual Effects

With over seven years of experience, Karen’s digital hair and fur expertise has brought to life some of the most memorable characters in Marvel and Disney movies. Her path from Hanover University of Applied Sciences and Arts to becoming a pivotal member of the ILM TV team in 2020 is a testament to her dedication to her craft and her skill in grooming and look development. Her tutorial, Creating Creature Hair & Fur Grooms in Houdini, gives a fantastic insight into her incredible expertise, revealing how technical hair and fur details can help bring characters to life. It’s an inspiring opportunity to grow under the guidance of a true expert in the field.

Wendy Froud

Disciplines Covered: Character Design, Sculpting

Wendy Froud's journey through digital art took her from Detroit, Michigan, to the landscapes of Dartmoor, England, driven by the power of her imagination and craftsmanship. With a degree in fabric design and ceramics, Wendy embarked on a remarkable career that saw her breathing life into cinema's most beloved characters, including those in The Muppet Show, The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and The Empire Strikes Back. Transitioning to focusing on doll and model making, Wendy has crafted a world where fantasy and reality merge. Her tutorials, Creating a Character Figure and Creating a Faery Figure, offer a gateway into Wendy's world, teaching the art of doll and figure making with the passion and precision that has defined her career.

Erika Lochs

Software Taught: Marvelous Designer, Marmoset Toolbag, ZBrush, Substance Painter

Disciplines Covered: Cloth, Digital Sculpting, Lighting & Rendering, Texturing & Shading

Erika Lochs merges the tactile world of traditional sewing with the boundless possibilities of digital creation as a Principal Character Artist at Electric Square. Her specialization in crafting clothes for game characters, honed through titles like Diablo 4 and Far Cry 6, demonstrates her deep understanding of fabric behavior and garment construction. Erika's personal passion for sewing her own clothes feeds into her professional work, offering her a unique perspective on how to bring authenticity and realism to the digital wardrobes of game characters. You can learn how she does it in her tutorial, Creating Realistic Fabric & Clothing for Games, leveraging Marvelous Designer & ZBrush to transform digital cloth into a work of art.

In-Ah Mellor

Software Taught: Maya

Disciplines Covered: Character Animation

Born in Düsseldorf, Germany, In-Ah's passion for animation took her to a higher diploma in 2D character animation in Luxembourg and then to GOBELINS for a 3D animation degree. This foundational journey laid the groundwork for a career that would see her contribute to the magic of the Harry Potter and Marvel universes, among others, at renowned studios like Framestore and DNEG. In-Ah's tutorial, Performance & Acting: Creating Believable Characters, is an invaluable resource for animators seeking to infuse their creations with depth and realism, using their own performances as a guide. It’s a compelling example of how one would approach a similar shot in a studio environment running a full-feature production. 

Krystal Sae Eua

Software Taught: Mari, Arnold, Nuke, KeyShot, Maya, Marvelous Designer, Photoshop, ZBrush

Disciplines Covered: 3D Printing, Character Design, Creature Design, Cloth, Digital Sculpting, Lighting & Rendering, Look Development, Modeling, Texturing & Shading, UV Layout

Krystal draws her inspiration from the natural world, an approach that has carved a niche for her in the visual effects industry as a sculptor of the wild and wondrous. Her 14-year journey through the realms of blockbuster cinema and groundbreaking digital projects – spanning the lush landscapes of Avatar and the intense battlefields of Destiny 2: Forsaken – showcases her exceptional talent in bringing creatures to life. Krystal's work extends beyond the screen to include collectibles and fine art sculpture. Her tutorials, Character Modeling for Production and Dynamic Animal Sculpting, wrap up this passion, inspiration, and expertise, inviting you to join Krystal through the fascinating process of blending creativity with craftsmanship.

Jana Schirmer

Software Taught: Photoshop

Disciplines Covered: Character Design, Look Development, Painting

This self-taught German illustrator and concept artist, now based in Irvine, California, has woven her love for character design into her career, painting worlds and warriors for Marvel Comics, Magic: The Gathering, and a host of video game giants like Riot Games, BioWare, Obsidian, Ubisoft, and Guerrilla Games. Her tutorial, 2D Fantasy Illustration, is an invitation to her imaginative process and a window into the creation of captivating characters and fantastical settings. Jana manages to communicate emotion and essence in every stroke. So, for artists looking to turn their ideas into powerful visuals, you’ll receive both inspiration and guidance from Jana.

Elaina Scott

Software Taught: After Effects, Maya

Disciplines Covered: Character Animation, Character Rigging, Compositing, Creature Animation, Pre Viz

Elaina’s foundational studies in Character Animation at the California Institute of the Arts led her to work on world-famous 2D projects like The South Park Movie: Bigger, Longer and Uncut and The Simpsons alongside explosive visual effects blockbusters like Iron Man 3, Avengers: The Age of Ultron, and Fast Five. Her journey certainly encompasses a remarkable spectrum of projects, and she’s gained tons of experience along the way. That experience shines through in her tutorials From Previs to Final Animation and VFX Animation for Television, where Elaina offers a comprehensive view into creating compelling visual stories. For animators aspiring to refine their skills, Elaina stands as an inspirational guide.

Maddie Scott-Spencer

Software Taught: Maya, KeyShot, Photoshop, ZBrush

Disciplines Covered: Lighting & Rendering, Modeling, Painting, Sculpting, Texturing & Shading, UV Layout

Madeleine Scott-Spencer, a sculptor whose mastery of ZBrush has defined a decade of visual effects, toys, collectibles, and digital maquettes, is a shining example of how art and technology intersect. Her career spans prestigious studios like Weta and DNEG and contributions to films like The Hobbit and Wonder Woman. At the same time, her educational journey sees time spent at the Savannah College of Art and Design and the classical environs of the Florence Academy of Art. Her Intro to ZBrush tutorials underpin Maddie’s understanding of both digital and traditional sculpting, showing how you too can navigate the complexities of ZBrush to take raw digital clay and breathe life into digital creations.

Rasha Shalaby

Software Taught: Houdini, Gaea, Photoshop

Disciplines Covered: Environment Design, Hdr Images, Lighting & Rendering, Look Development, Texturing & Shading

For artists eager to explore the frontiers of environmental creation, Rasha offers invaluable insights into the fusion of artistry and technology and crafting worlds that immerse. She’s undoubtedly familiar with the process, given that she’s worked in the entertainment industry since 1998 and held roles such as visual effects art director, environment artist, matte painter, and composer. In her tutorial, Creating Procedural Environments in Gaea & Houdini, she reveals how cutting-edge technology can be blended with more traditional matte-painting techniques, supporting artists to tackle the demands of rapid production schedules without sacrificing quality.

Amy Sharpe

Software Taught: Arnold, Maya, Marvelous Designer, Photoshop, ZBrush, Substance Painter

Disciplines Covered: haracter Design, Cloth, Compositing, Digital Sculpting, Lighting & Rendering, Look Development, Modeling, Texturing & Shading

Amy’s creative canvas spans high-resolution game cinematics and intricately designed collectible figures for giants like Riot Games and DC Collectibles. At the heart of her work stands a deep understanding of how to illustrate a character with shape and form front of mind – and that’s what she explores in her tutorial Creating a Stylized 3D Character Illustration. Amy helps artists delve into the heart of character creation, blending artistry and technical skill to craft portraits that resonate. For artists passionate about the art of storytelling through character design, Amy is an excellent mentor, with a wide range of advice to offer that will help your creations captivate.

Kat Tamburello

Software Taught: Mari, Arnold, Nuke, Maya

Disciplines Covered: Compositing, Environment Design, Hdr Images, Lighting & Rendering, Look Development, Texturing & Shading, Visual Effects

Kat Tamburello is a Gnomon School graduate and now a Senior Texture Artist at id Software, developer of Doom Eternal and Rage 2. Before that, she contributed to the visually stunning God of War Ragnarok as an environment artist at Santa Monica Studio. Her passion extends beyond just creating immersive game worlds, though; she’s also committed to mentoring up-and-coming artists, as evidenced in her tutorial Creating Complex Materials for Games in Substance Designer, where Kat reveals how to craft a diverse array of materials. It’s a must-watch for artists eager to enhance their skills in game development. Under Kat’s guidance, you can build worlds as convincing as they are immersive.

Kat Unsworth

Software Taught: Unreal, Maya, Marmoset Toolbag, ZBrush, Substance Painter

Disciplines Covered: Character Design, Digital Sculpting, Game Engines, Lighting & Rendering, Look Development, Modeling, Texturing & Shading, UV Layout

Kat Unsworth, a Senior Character Artist at DPS Games, has a diverse background in the videogame industry, spanning mobile, indie, and AAA game development. Over that time, Kat has honed her craft in character art, developing a visually stunning and unique look for the characters she models. She can make such great characters thanks to her grasp of the entire character creation pipeline, from initial concept to polished 3D model. Kat shares this expertise in her tutorial, Modeing a Stylized Character for Games. It’s a golden opportunity to absorb wisdom from a seasoned expert, ensuring your creations stand out in the vibrant world of video games.

Terryl Whitlatch

Software Taught: Photoshop

Disciplines Covered: Creature Design, Drawing, Zoology

Terryl Whitlatch is renowned in creature design and animal anatomy, boasting a prolific career spanning more than a quarter of a century and a portfolio including iconic projects such as Star Wars, Jumanji, and Men in Black. Terryl’s clients range from giants like ILM and Pixar to educational institutions and natural history museums, and her contributions to the academic field through her books and classes at the Academy of Art University highlight her commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists – as do her Gnomon Workshop tutorials. Check them out for unparalleled insight into the process of a true creature design expert capable of blending the imagined and the anatomical like few others.

Did you know that The Gnomon Workshop releases multiple new workshops every month? Be sure to sign up to our mailing list to be first in the know when new workshops drop, and to be first to take advantage of special promotions!