FOR BEGINNERS, HOBBYISTS, AND EMERGING ARTISTS:

Master Portraits with 60 Minutes a Day – Perfect for Busy Artists!

In 8 weeks, go from confused & overwhelmed with no results to creating confident portraits.Save time by using our guided system that eliminates overthinking, second-guessing, and fear of drawing the wrong things.

PREORDER PRICING IS LIVE

BOOTCAMP ENROLLMENT LIMITED TO 100 STUDENTS.

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Your time is precious. Study the right way without wasting time.

Nearly 70% of artists I speak to struggle to find a study system that works with their schedule. It’s not about dedication—they’re eager to improve.When they do make time, their efforts often fall short because the process lacks structure, repeatability, and clear progress. Instead of saving time, it feels like running on a treadmill: you’re working hard but not getting closer to creating the art you love.This leads to:- Burnout: Hours spent on studies with no creative fulfillment.- Lack of Direction: Forgetting why you started drawing in the first place.- Fear of Failure: Avoiding personal projects because they won’t be “perfect.”Our Portrait Drawing Bootcamp breaks this cycle. We teach a system that balances structured learning with creative application, helping you not just master the fundamentals but use them to create art you love.By the end, you’ll feel confident in your portraits and ready to approach any artistic challenge with clarity and excitement.

Commit. Learn. Create. Analyze. Reflect. Repeat.

It's time to change the way you approach art.You may be reading this, worried you won't be able to commit.You're here for a reason. You want to commit not only to your learning, but to end this cycle of creative searching. You're tired of the guilt when you can't draw and the shame you feel missing another day of practice. The expectations you have for yourself are so high that starting feels impossible and even when you do, there's no end in sight.You hate the emotional rollercoaster that drains what's left of your energy, and even in the midst of suffering you can't help but feel like it's your fault.

It's not your fault.

And it’s never too late — you’re not out of time, no matter what fear might tell you.Our approach helps lower the unrealistic expectation that you should be putting in hours and hours of time right away -- because that's what the pros do, right?But this is part of the problem.This expectation forces us to compare ourselves to other creatives beyond our skill. And comparing your beginning to someone else's middle or end is just being unfair to yourself.In this program, you'll start by making a realistic commitment to yourself, not just for developing your creative skills, but for you.Do this for you.When's the last time you did something for yourself?

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WHAT'S INSIDE?

Let’s dive right in.While this bootcamp is designed to help you develop your portraits, know that you will leave this experience feeling confident in your entire approach to learning art fundamentals.The only way you won't see success with these methods is if you don't participate in the lessons or draw.Learn how to draw every feature of the human head so you can easily capture lifelike expressions and anatomy.Create on a flexible schedule so you can improve your drawing skills, no matter how busy your life is.Adopt a learning strategy that embraces learning AND play so you can draw what you want while you practice. No more waiting to feel "ready".Discover how to pick topics to study so you can focus on areas that truly matter to your growth as an artist.Master the skill of deconstructing subjects so you can simplify learning into smaller, manageable pieces and tackle any artistic challenge.Participate in team-building experiences to forge lasting connections with other artists.Gain accountability through your peers and interactive lessons with Sylessae to stay motivated and on track throughout the course.

What you'll see in our bootcamp that you won't see in others

‣ Support from someone who truly understands your creative mental battles—guidance from an artist who’s faced the same challenges and knows how to overcome them, walking alongside you every step of the way.‣ Learning tailored for your busy life—designed to fit seamlessly into your schedule, no matter how hectic things get.‣ Thoughtful reflection questions—crafted to help you rediscover the joy of drawing, even when challenges arise.‣ Carefully curated reference materials—so you can focus on creating without worrying about scrolling through AI riddled search engines.

THE PROGRAM

Total time needed weekly to complete the curriculum:
6-7 hours- 5x/30-min study sessions
-5x/30 minute portrait practice sessions
- 1-2 hours for live lessons
- 5 min daily reflectionDesigned for results even on a busy schedule.

BONUS #1: We're partnering with TrueREF to bring you 2400+ references!

TrueRef is creating THE best art reference material on the internet—no retouching, never AI-generated, just authentic humans. That's why we've partnered with them to bring you references that can be used for the bootcamp and beyond.2410 images will be provided with your enrollment--a $60 value!

• LEARN MORE ABOUT TRUEREF

BONUS #2:
6 REUSABLE STUDY METHODS
FOR FASTEST RESULTS

1. Direct Reference Method - Most people copy reference material without much thought. I'll get you thinking actively with a checklist of questions to ensure you develop your visual library—no more mindless copying.2. Imaginative Development - Drawing from imagination is a skill that STILL requires an understanding of reality. I'll introduce you to a method that allows you to learn from your reference, practice recalling what you just drew, so you no longer need to always rely on reference.3. Self Feedback Tactics - Let's be honest, we don't always have someone looking over our shoulder, making sure we're drawing in the right way. You'll be prepared for that with tactics that keep you checking your work without another set of eyes!4. The Break Down - Just drawing what we see leaves a few gaps in our learning. With the Break Down Method, we'll learn how to identify individual shapes in our subjects to reconstruct and rebuild what we see.5. Fill In The Blank: Master Study - You want to learn from the masters, but it's so daunting to begin! Using our master study method takes some of the pressure off when trying to learn from your favorite artists.6. Style Discovery - Style takes time to develop, but you don't have to guess second if you're on the right track. Using our style discovery study method, you can start discovering what your style is.

GUARANTEED RESULTS OR YOUR MONEY BACK

Your success is my mission—that’s why I do what I do. With nearly a decade of professional drawing experience and thousands of one-on-one student sessions this year alone, I’ve poured everything I’ve learned into this carefully crafted curriculum.I’m so confident you’ll see results that I offer a massive money-back guarantee.If you complete the course, stick to the homework and study lessons, and still don’t see improvements in your work or creative confidence, I’ll give you a full refund. All I ask is your honest feedback to help make the next bootcamp even better.This bootcamp isn’t just about teaching—it’s about reaching more students and making a bigger impact, even with my limited time. Your input helps me refine the experience and empower more artists like you.Thank you for trusting me with your growth—and for helping me make this program the best it can be.

WHAT THE MENTEES ARE SAYING

Tiff - Comic Artist | I worked with Syl as a mentor for a year, and I learned a ton from her on both making and promoting art. Syl helped with everything from nitty gritty critique of illustrations I brought to mental roadblocks I was facing to coming up with a promotion strategy for social media. In particular, after a year of sessions, I felt that Syl really helped me iron out my relationship with art and figure out how I could focus on approaching art in a way that brought me joy. Through working with Syl, I have learned to be kinder to myself, trust my intuition as an artist more, and to embrace the uncertainty and challenge that art-making often brings. During our sessions, Syl was always patient, caring, and kind - she always adapted the sessions to whatever I needed each week! I really enjoyed working with Syl as a mentor and would recommend her for others!!Faun - Fantasy Character Artist | Syl is a great mentor! She is patient and kind and doesn't put too much pressure on her mentees to be overly productive. She is sensitive to the needs and wants of her clients while also gently pushing them in the areas they need to strengthen. Her feedback is clear and she's good at breaking down how to improve your art pieces into the fundamentals that need work. She also doesn't hesitate to point you to resources outside of her own work. If you need someone patient and kind who will match your energy and work with you with compassion, Syl is your girl. She knows her stuff and will absolutely help you grow as an artist and business owner while also being careful not to push you to burnout.Supia - Fantasy Character Artist | I have been working with Syl for a few months and hope to return mentoring at a later date, but Syl has taught me a lot in the short time! I am still building the fundamentals but she has pointed me in the right direction and really made me think more about the hows and whys, and especially just the fact of how to go about things at my own pace. I'll definitely carry what I've already learned and apply it and hope to return at a later point ❤️ Been seeing a steady improvement in my art this year and I have been able to draw more as a result. Definitely recommend as a positive, inspiring, and compassionate mentor!:Erza - Splash Artist | Working with Syl over these past 9 months has truly been everything and more I’ve wanted out of an art mentorship. Not only has she been incredibly dedicated to helping me grow and learn as an artist, but she genuinely cares about each of her students and wants to see them succeed in other facets of their lives as well. She is kind, dedicated, inspirational, and above all else, knowledgeable as hell! Before starting my mentorship with her, I had been in a 4 year long degree program at a fine art university, and it was a running joke in our mentorship that I learned more from her in our short time together than in my 4 years at uni. No matter what stage you’re at in your art journey, Syl will have something for you to take away. She also knows how to give constructive, concise feedback in a manner that never comes across as negative or scrutinizing. She was incredible at pushing me to do better and better each session, and it never felt overbearing or too challenging. Syl has truly changed the path of my art journey forever and for the better, and there is no one I wouldn’t recommend her to.Jeanne - Character Artist | Working with sylessae was definitely the best learning experience i’ve had in my life. by far! her guidance is fully personalized, incredibly professional and very adaptive. above all else, the human being behind the mentor is a kind, sensitive and patient soul. the ambiance on the server is also super inclusive and chill; the people are nice, you can learn with the other mentees and feel a clear sense of community with the other learners. the one thing i realized so strongly when i was into this program is just how much you can learn when you have a very hardworking, caring and passionate teacher by your side! it’s crazy how much progress you make in this sort of environment! my improvement was very quick with this mentoring program. i still have so much to learn and practice, but i do know for sure my progress wouldn’t be near what it has been. my understanding of the fundamentals as well as the application of those notions are insanely better if i compare to where i was at the very beginning of my journey! enrolling into this program was definitely the best decision i took for my art! for whatever skill level, i feel like every artist can learn so much with sylessae 💜Rhi - Fan Artist | I have been working with Syl for nearly a year now and I've loved every second! She really helps me understand through her live demonstrations and paint-overs. I also like how our meetings are not overly serious like a school or something! It makes me more at ease and less anxious which can be a huge problem for me. I like how as she is doing paint overs she usually explains what she is doing as well so you can replicate it by yourself. Speaking of anxiety (and possibly ADHD) Syl has also helped me when these issues become roadblocks for my art with really helpful advice and exercises that actually help and are not the usual condescension or obviousness that can come from some therapists. I feel I've already grown so much and we've only just started to scratch the surface of what I can do, I am so glad I decided to be her student and I am excited for what's to come next!BottledLineArt - Fantasy Artist | Prior to taking a mentorship with Sylessae I was in a very dark place regarding my art; I won't go into everything, but suffice to say I didn't like anything I made and felt very hopeless about the situation after so many years of trying. Syl helped me a great deal with trying to think more positively and proactively about the things I was producing. She helped me out of that rut and into a more positive headspace. She helped me to improve my art and my overall mindset - I'm very grateful for this. If you would like to try out a very reasonably priced art mentorship with someone both kind and skilled, look no further than one of Syl's mentorship programs.Ashley - Book Cover Artist | Working with Syl has helped me in more ways I could have ever imagined. Through her careful eye and unwavering support, not only can I (and others!!) see my skills improving - but my confidence and courage in trying new things and tackling more challenging pieces are constantly growing. From a freelancer perspective, I’m getting more work than ever and I can’t help but feel it’s because of how much Syl has helped me grow. She is the absolute best, and I’ve never felt more supported and nurtured. 12/10 best money and time ever spent.Molly - Comic & Fantasy Artist | I signed up for Sylessae's mentorship program because I wanted to be a better artist and I was unsure of what direction I wanted to go. What I have gained from this mentorship has been so far beyond what I expected! Her art critiques and lessons have made me a better artist in many ways. Not only has she helped me work on my weaknesses and see my own strengths, she has helped me to think, and see, more like an artist. Even more than that, Sylessae has been such a comfort to have on my personal journey. She has taken my jumbled mess of goals and set me on a track to actually achieve them. Along with art lessons on whatever topic I need - she has talked me through self-doubts, fears, and my own expectations. Whatever scary new journey I'm on she has supported me 100% and helped me believe that I can achieve my goals - no matter how big they may seem.

The HOMEWORK THAT BUILDS YOUR FUTURE IN ART

By the end of this bootcamp, you’ll walk away with:‣ Powerful, time-saving techniques that streamline your learning process, helping you work smarter, not harder, in every creative session.‣Creative structure that's sustainable even on a busy schedule. You may be juggling a busy life, but your art won't get in the way.‣ A series of 7 portraits showcasing your artistic growth week by week—a tangible, visual portfolio piece to reflect your dedication and improvement.‣ 40 documented study sessions you can proudly share on social media to highlight your progress and commitment, attracting followers, collaborators, or even potential clients.‣ A versatile foundational skill set that applies far beyond portraits—fueling your creativity in character design, illustration, splash art, avatars, and more.‣ Unshakable confidence to keep learning and advancing on your own, with the knowledge that you’ve mastered the essentials to propel you forward.If you embrace our guidance and draw consistently—regardless of how you feel—you’ll establish a strong foundation for creating believable portraits. This doesn’t just refine your skills; it opens doors to exciting possibilities. Enhance your current client work, elevate your personal projects, or even turn a passion into a profitable career.Stop doubting your options and start drawing. The future is yours to create.

$199

PREORDER SPECIAL:

$150

Curriculum only

For those who like a self paced experience. Preorder pricing ends January 1st, 2025 and the price will increase.

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$399

PREORDER SPECIAL:

$350

Full Bootcamp Experience

For those who want to grow with their peers in a live, guided experience, with access to Sylessae. Preorder pricing ends January 1st, 2025 and the price will increase.Limited to 100 students.

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$1995

PREORDER SPECIAL:

$1695

Full Bootcamp Experience: Access to all events for the entirety of 2025

For those who want their education planned out for them for the entirety of 2025. You're ready to commit. You're ready to become the artist you were always meant to be. Preorder pricing ends January 1st, 2025 and the price will increase.Limited to 100 students.

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BEFORE THE PORTRAIT BOOTCAMP:

‣ Uncertain of what to study
‣ Feel like you will never make it because you're not "talented"
‣ Frustrated with your portraits
‣ Lack of consistency
‣ Slow progress
‣ Lonely on your art journey
‣ No clear path forward
‣ Fear being a starving artist

AFTER THE PORTRAIT BOOTCAMP:

‣ Master your portrait drawing skills
‣ Tackle future studies fearlessly
‣ Develop and refine your skills with structure and clarity
‣ Take control of your creative path - whether you're a hobbyist or building a foundation to go pro
‣ Ignite a passion for drawing
‣ Build consistency and tap into your true motivation
‣ Forge meaningful connections
‣ Accelerate your artistic growth

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is our go-to for reference material.

TrueRef delivers monthly figure references for artists of all kinds—no retouching, never AI-generated, just authentic humans.TrueRef, created by Abbey Esparza and Sergio Angel, is a request-driven artist resource designed to provide artists with high-quality figure references.Their mission is to capture the full diversity of humans, all in full resolution and crystal clear quality, creating a library where we can all feel a little seen.TrueRef: Chicago-made, artist-bred, artist-led.

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FAQ

When will the bootcamp start and end?
The bootcamp will begin January 19th, 2025. Our last live lesson will be on March 9th, 2025.How will I access the curriculum?
The lessons will be available via our resources in Discord.
Those who purchase the curriculum only will receive weekly updates with access to the material once the bootcamp begins. Because it is recorded live, it will be released after recording.REQUIRED MATERIALS:
- Discord for group discussion and access to recorded lessons
- Zoom for live meetings (free version is fine)
- Drawing Tablet & Digital Software (options are listed below under Materials And Preparation)OR- Pencil and paper if you're working traditionally. While there are a few digital tools you won't have access too, the lessons are fundamental to drawing and not exclusive to digital tools.COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
Is the bootcamp suitable for beginners, or is prior experience required?
- The bootcamp is specifically designed for beginners or people looking to refresh their skills. This bootcamp requires no prerequisite drawing skills.Will we learn different mediums?
The entire course is taught via digital art. Your skills in drawing will be transferable to traditional mediums, should you wish to work this way too.Does the course focus more on realism, stylization, or both?
- This course helps build foundational drawing skills and relies on using real life reference to understand the approach. While this course doesn't focus heavily on stylization, it will help you understand the fundamentals of portrait drawing, which you can then use to strengthen you're stylized illustrations in the future.How are the lessons structured (lectures, demos, hands-on practice)?
Each lesson demonstrates how to draw each element of the face. The subsequent homework then focuses on taking what you learned in the lesson and applying it to weekly drawing sessions.LOGISTICS AND SCHEDULING
How long is the bootcamp and what time are the sessions?
The bootcamp is virtual, spreading across 8 weeks with 1 live lesson a week and 5 live drawing sessions.Live lessons: Sundays @ 11 AM EST
Drawing Lessons: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday @ 7:30 PM ESTCan I access recordings if I miss a lesson?
Yes! Lessons are recorded and accessible even after the bootcamp ends. The live drawing sessions are also recorded, but are only available for the full bootcamp experience.MATERIALS AND PREPARATION
What materials or tools are required?
This is a digital artist bootcamp. You can work with a pencil and paper, but some of the digital tools are not accessible with traditional mediums. Many of the fundamentals taught, however, are transferrable to traditional drawing mediums.
Sylessae uses a Wacom Cintiq Pro, but it is not a requirement for participation. If you are looking to get into digital art, some great, affordable alternatives are XPPen and Xencelabs.Are references included in the course fee or do I need to buy them separately?
References are included! We have partnered up with TrueRef to bring quality reference material to our students.Do I need any software?
Sylessae uses Photoshop CC for her illustrations. Many of the tools that she uses in Photoshop are accesible in other programs. If you are on a budget, Krita is a free option. Other great paid options are Clip Studio Paint or Procreate.
I would also recommend downloading PureRef (there is a free version if you are on a budget) to organize and save your reference material.SKILL DEVELOPEMENT AND OUTCOMES
Will I be able to draw realistic portraits by the end of the bootcamp?
Yes! You will understand the placement of all of the facial features, their proportion, as well as the shapes that make up their forms. Like all things, consistent practice will continue to improve your development. By the time you leave this bootcamp, you'll have to resources to continue practicing with confidence.Are there opportunities for 1-on-1 feedback or mentoring?
While there is group given feedback, this bootcamp doesn't include 1-on-1 mentoring. If that is something you're interested in, you can read more info here.How will my progress be assessed or measured?
You are taught self assessment skills to be able to guage your progress, which are useful for the life of your creative journey. There are also live critique sessions, to which you can submit your work. While not everyone's work will be chosen, those that we do review will benefit everyone by addressing common mistakes and ways to fix them.Will there be assignments or practice exercises between sessions?
As part of the bootcamp, you are expected to complete your weekly studies and weekly portrait drawing. These are both independent and guided sessions.ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Are there options for advanced or follow-up bootcamps?
Yes! Our follow up bootcamp will encapsulate portrait painting, which requires a strong understanding of portrait drawing. If you would like to get on the waitlist for this bootcamp, click here.Will there be opportunities to showcase my work, such as in an exhibition or online gallery?
Yes! Students are encouraged to share their progress throughout the bootcamp. Some students will have their work showcased on this page alongside their socials!Are there any networking opportunities with other artists?
This bootcamp is a great opportunity to get to know peers in the creative space. Grow together and draw together.Is there an alumni group or continued access to course materials after completion?
You will have lifetime access to recorded materials as well as any updates to the lessons for no additional cost.MISCELLANEOUS
What is the maximum class size?
The maximum amount of students we can allow is currently 100 students.
Are there any prerequisites for joining, such as submitting a portfolio?
Because this is a beginner friendly course, there are no prerequisites to joining.

For questions, concerns, and refunds, please send us an email.

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