Cubebrush Art School Term 2 By Marc Brunet New › | PLUS |
Term 2 is massive. It is designed to simulate a second-year industry education, focusing heavily on Design and Environment Art.
Rating: 9.5/10
Cubebrush Art School Term 2 is arguably the best intermediate digital painting course available for under $200 (when on sale; full price ~$250). Marc Brunet’s strength is his efficiency—he teaches the exact shortcuts Blizzard artists use to produce high-quality work on tight deadlines.
Term 2 won't teach you "how to draw." It teaches you how to think like a professional illustrator. If you do the homework, you will come out the other side with 3–4 portfolio pieces that actually look like they belong on ArtStation.
Where to buy: cubebrush.co (often discounted during back-to-school sales and Black Friday).
Have you taken Term 1 or 2? Let me know in the comments.
I wandered into the faint glow of my laptop at midnight, curiosity thicker than sleep. The notification read: "CubeBrush Art School — Term 2: Marc Brunet." Marc's name tugged memories of crisp digital brushstrokes and tutorials that once rearranged the way I thought about form and light. I clicked.
The course landing page opened like a tidy studio: syllabus, schedule, assignment briefs, and a gallery of polish from previous terms. Marc’s promise sat front and center — to push students from competent to deliberate creators. The structure felt practical: weekly demos, one critique session, and a final project that threaded anatomy, lighting, and storytelling into a single piece.
Week 1 introduced foundational review: gesture, proportion, and silhouette. Marc—calm and direct—drew quick 60-second poses, then slowed to show decisions behind the shapes. His voice carried a studio-floor frankness: "If it doesn't read from a thumbnail, it fails." The exercises were simple but precise: thumbnails, 5-minute sketches, and a pose study to turn in.
By Week 3, the lessons cut deeper into anatomy—not as trivia but as a map for visual intent. Instead of cataloguing every muscle, Marc focused on landmarks and function: how the rib cage twists under a reaching arm, why the pelvis tilts with weight shift, and which planes catch light. He layered demonstrations with comparisons—stylized vs. realistic—so students learned to bend rules without breaking believability.
Lighting and color came next, framed as narrative tools. Marc showed how a single rim light could sell form, and how desaturated midtones can push mood without muddying values. Practical demos walked through block-in to final, using adjustable warm/cool lights and limited palettes. Homework asked students to render the same pose under three different lighting setups to explore mood and readability.
Critiques were the heart of Term 2. Marc's feedback was surgical but constructive—pinpointing where a line, value, or composition weakened an idea, then offering a targeted fix. Peer reviews cultivated a studio rhythm: you learned to articulate intent and accept critique. The community Slack buzzed with speedpaints and resource threads; neighbors traded brush presets and texture packs like studio gossip.
The final project culminated in a character piece that married anatomy, lighting, and storytelling. Students submitted process reels alongside finals—showing thumbnails, iterative revisions, color studies, and the eventual polish. Marc's final notes emphasized decisions made, not just outcomes: "Show your choices. Tell me why you picked that color, that pose, that crop."
Not everything was seamless. Some lessons felt dense for beginners; the pace assumed basic tools familiarity—Photoshop shortcuts, layer modes, perspective grids. A few students asked for slower breakdowns or supplemental mini-lessons. Marc responded with extra office hours and a small library of quick-reference PDFs.
After Term 2 closed, the gallery filled with work that felt more intentional—characters with believable weight, mood-infused lighting, and thumbnails that read at a glance. The term left a clear aftertaste: skill without intent is noise; deliberate choices make art sing.
I closed the course tab with the same quiet determination that follows a good demo—eager to sketch, correct, and repeat. Term 2 didn't promise perfection, only a method: practice with purpose, seek critique, and always, always explain your choices.
— End —
Marc Brunet's ART School Term 2 remains a popular structured transition from absolute basics to technical digital skills and foundational anatomy. While marketed under a "2025/2026" banner, the core video content is pre-recorded and has not seen a major overhaul recently, though new subtitles and a weekly study guide have been added. Term 2 Curriculum Breakdown
Term 2 shifts focus from general observation to technical construction and the first deep dive into the human form: Anatomy 1:
Focuses on the head and neck, covering proportions and construction of the face. Perspective 2:
Advances to 3-point perspective and more complex environmental constructions. Photoshop for Digital Production 2:
Explores intermediate tools like the Pen tool, vector work, and layer management for design. Visual Communication 2:
Covers design principles for characters and icons, often involving projects like box art or character lineups. Critical Reception (2025-2026 Updates) cubebrush art school term 2 by marc brunet new
Recent reviews highlight several key pros and cons for students considering the "new" version: My honest review of the Marc Brunet Art "School" in 2025
Beyond the Basics: Bridging the Gap in Cubebrush Art School Term 2
In the rapidly expanding universe of online art education, few platforms have garnered as much attention as Marc Brunet’s "Art School." Marketed as a comprehensive replacement for traditional art college, the first term of the program set a high standard, focusing heavily on the absolute fundamentals of drawing and perspective. However, it is in Term 2 that the curriculum reveals its true ambition. Rather than simply continuing a list of basics, Term 2 acts as a critical bridge, transforming students from passive observers into active designers. By shifting the focus toward rendering, color theory, and the daunting task of "ideation," Marc Brunet creates a term that is less about learning to draw and more about learning to create.
The most immediate shift students will notice in Term 2 is the departure from strict line work toward the magic of light and shadow. While Term 1 focused on the skeleton of a drawing, Term 2 focuses on its flesh. The modules on rendering are extensive and technical, teaching students how to manipulate value to create form. This is a crucial pivot point for any artist; it is the moment where a sketch transforms into a finished illustration. Brunet’s teaching style here is particularly effective because he demystifies the process of "polishing" a piece. He breaks down complex lighting scenarios into manageable steps, ensuring that students do not just copy reference photos but actually understand how light behaves on different surfaces. This section alone solves one of the most common struggles for self-taught artists: making their work look "finished."
However, the core of Term 2 is undeniably the deep dive into Color and Light. This is often considered the "boss fight" of digital art fundamentals, and Brunet approaches it with a methodical, almost scientific precision. Unlike many tutorials that rely on intuition, Term 2 breaks color down into value, saturation, and hue in a way that is quantifiable. The course challenges the student to abandon the color picker’s reliance on luck and instead make informed decisions. By pairing these lessons with specific homework assignments, Brunet forces students to grapple with atmospheric perspective and color relativity. The result is a rapid acceleration in the mood and atmosphere of the students' work, allowing them to convey emotion through palette choices rather than just outlines.
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of Term 2, however, is the introduction of "Ideation" and basic design principles. In Term 1, the goal was accuracy—drawing a box or a mannequin correctly. In Term 2, the goal becomes design. Through the introduction of shape language and design theory, Brunet pushes students to invent rather than replicate. This is where the "Art School" program distinguishes itself from standard YouTube tutorials. It is not enough to render a pretty sphere; the student is asked to design a character or an object with specific intent. The inclusion of "Level 2" challenges and more complex character rotations forces the student to engage their brain, solving spatial problems rather than just moving a stylus.
It is worth noting that Term 2 is significantly more demanding than its predecessor. The learning curve is steep, and the homework requires a substantial time investment. Yet, this intensity is by design. It mimics the pressure of a professional environment where deadlines and quality standards are non-negotiable. The supporting community and critique systems become vital here, as the complexity of the work often requires outside feedback to spot errors in value or design.
In conclusion, Cubebrush Art School Term 2 is the moment the program stops holding the student’s hand and starts expecting them to run. It successfully bridges the gap between academic exercises and professional design work. By mastering the interplay of light, color, and design theory, students finish the term not just with better drawings, but with the mindset of a concept artist. For anyone serious about a career in digital art, Term 2 is not just a recommendation; it is an essential milestone in their artistic journey.
The ART School - Term 2 by Marc Brunet is the second phase of a comprehensive 10-term digital art curriculum hosted on Cubebrush. Designed to transition students from basic tools to core technical fundamentals, it focuses on anatomy, advanced software usage, and visual communication. Curriculum & Lessons
Term 2 consists of four primary modules designed to build a professional foundation:
Visual Communication 2: Focuses on advanced principles of design and communicating ideas through art.
Photoshop for Digital Prod 2: Explores deeper digital production workflows, including image adjustments and digital painting techniques.
Perspective 2: Advances into 3-point and 4-point perspective, helping students construct complex environments and objects.
Anatomy 1: A core module focusing on the human head, features (nose, ears, eyes), and basic facial proportions. Program Details
Instructor: Marc Brunet, a veteran artist with over 16 years of experience, including work at Blizzard Entertainment.
Format: The course is delivered through high-definition pre-recorded video lessons, typically 2–3 hours each, with accompanying assignments for every module.
Prerequisites: While suitable for those who have completed Term 1, it is designed to be accessible for beginners while providing depth for intermediate artists.
Pricing: Individual terms are typically available for $50.00 for a basic license, though the full 10-term program is often sold as a bundle for approximately $550.00.
Support: Includes access to a dedicated student forum on Cubebrush and weekly live stream feedback sessions for mentorship students. Key Updates (2024-2026)
Recent updates to the program emphasize accessibility and structure: ART School - TERM 2 - Cubebrush
This is Term 2 of ART School * Visual Communication 2. * Photoshop for Digital Prod 2. * Perspective 2. * Anatomy 1. ART School on Cubebrush.co - Marc Brunet
The ART School for Digital Artists Term 2, created by industry veteran Marc Brunet, is a foundational digital art module available through Cubebrush. As of March 2026, the course has been updated with new accessibility features, including Spanish and French subtitles. It serves as a self-paced "spiritual equivalent" to a college-level fine arts curriculum, focusing on construction, digital tools, and the beginning of human anatomy. Core Curriculum Overview Term 2 is massive
Term 2 consists of four primary classes totaling approximately 9 hours and 19 minutes of video content:
Visual Communication 2: Focuses on advanced design principles and visual storytelling basics.
Photoshop for Digital Production 2: Continues building software proficiency, specifically for professional digital workflows.
Perspective 2: Expands on Term 1 basics to cover complex 3D environments and advanced grids.
Anatomy 1: The centerpiece of Term 2, this class focuses heavily on portrait drawing and head construction. It teaches how to understand the shapes and proportions of the head from various angles. Weekly Study Structure
A provided companion guide outlines a structured 6-week progression for this term:
Week 1: Watch Visual Communication 2 and Photoshop 2. Practice digital assignments and draw a self-portrait using a mirror (not a photo).
Week 2: Begin Anatomy 1. Perform daily 2-minute gesture drawings and study 10 character head drawings in simple perspective.
Week 3: Engage in daily 10-minute gesture drawings and draw 5 character heads from imagination in simple perspective.
Week 4: Watch Perspective 2. Practice daily primitive drawings and draw the head from memory.
Week 5: Complete Perspective 2 assignments and copy 10 heads from photo references.
Week 6: Focus on daily 1-minute gesture drawings to build speed and intuition. Recent Updates & Community Resources
Subtitles: New English (Nov 2024), French (Feb 2026), and Spanish (Mar 2026) subtitles have been added to improve accessibility.
Weekly Study Schedule: A revised study schedule was implemented in late 2023 to help students pace their progress better.
Community Forums: Students can share progress and receive peer critiques on the Cubebrush ART School forums.
Feedback Streams: While the dedicated "Live Feedback" upgrade is often on a waitlist or limited, Marc Brunet occasionally hosts weekend livestreams to discuss assignments and questions. Pros and Cons from Recent Reviews Pacing
Highly structured, but beginners may find the transition to anatomy fast-paced and may need to rewatch videos. Instruction Quality
Detailed, 2-3 hour videos where Brunet demonstrates every step clearly. Software
Principles are taught in Photoshop but are generally applicable to other digital software like Procreate or Clip Studio Paint. Feedback
The standard version is 100% self-learning; direct instructor feedback is not guaranteed without specific upgrades. If you'd like, I can help you: Find Marc Brunet's free starter brushes on Cubebrush.
Detail the software requirements for the Photoshop-specific lessons.
Locate the Term 1 curriculum to see what foundations are required first. ART School - TERM 2 - Cubebrush Have you taken Term 1 or 2
This is Term 2 of ART School * Visual Communication 2. * Photoshop for Digital Prod 2. * Perspective 2. * Anatomy 1. ART School - TERM 2 - Cubebrush
This is Term 2 of ART School * Visual Communication 2. * Photoshop for Digital Prod 2. * Perspective 2. * Anatomy 1. ART School +Feedback - Cubebrush
🎨 TERM 2 (9h19m total) * Visual Communication 2. * Photoshop for Digital Prod 2. * Perspective 2. * Anatomy 1. ART School - TERM 2 - Cubebrush
Unlike passive courses, Cubebrush Art School requires output. Each week’s homework is designed to be posted in the Cubebrush Discord community (which is arguably worth the price of admission).
Marc Brunet’s Cubebrush Art School Term 2 (New Curriculum) is arguably the best value intermediate anatomy course on the market.
It strips away the academic jargon that plagues traditional art schools and replaces it with a gamer’s mentality: Grind the tutorial, beat the boss (the turnaround), level up. If you put in the 15 hours a week, you will walk away able to draw any human pose from imagination.
Cost: Approximately $39–$49/month (or included in the annual plan).
Time commitment: 10 weeks (but most students take 12-14 weeks to finish the final project).
Note: Pricing and specific curriculum modules are subject to change. Always check the official Cubebrush website for the latest syllabus.
ART School for Digital Artists: Term 2 , created by Marc Brunet and hosted on
, is a foundational module focusing on core technical and artistic skills. Recent updates as of 2026 have introduced expanded language support, including French, Spanish, and Japanese subtitles, as well as a refined study guide. Core Curriculum Overview
Term 2 consists of four primary classes totaling approximately 9 hours and 19 minutes of video content:
: Introduction to the human figure, with a focus on constructing the head from memory and basic gesture drawing. Perspective 2
: Advanced spatial reasoning, including assignments on drawing primitives and complex environmental structures. Photoshop for Digital Production 2
: Continued instruction on utilizing digital tools efficiently for professional-level workflows. Visual Communication 2
: Focuses on the principles of storytelling and effective visual design within digital art. Recent Updates & Features (2025–2026)
The "new" versions of the course include several major quality-of-life and content improvements: Study Resources 23-page Weekly Study Companion Guide
was added to provide a structured 40-week roadmap for the entire program. Multi-Language Support : Complete subtitles are now available in English, Spanish, and French , with Japanese, German, and Italian currently in progress. Technical Refinements : Minor fixes to the Visual Communication 2 class were implemented in late 2025.
: Purchase includes lifetime access to the files (stream or download) and all future updates for free. User Experience & Learning Path Difficulty
: Reviewers note the course is highly structured but can be fast-paced for absolute beginners, often requiring extra practice sessions beyond the provided assignments. Assignments
: Term 2 includes specific daily and weekly tasks, such as drawing 30-second gestures, self-portraits from a mirror, and head studies from professional references.
: Full enrollment grants access to a private Discord community and a dedicated student forum for peer feedback. For those looking to trial the program, a Trial Version is available which includes a sample of the class from Term 2. included in the Term 2 study guide?
My honest review of the Marc Brunet Art "School" in 2025 : r/ArtistLounge
The course kicks off by breaking students of the habit of drawing "floating characters on a white background." Marc introduces cinematic composition rules (rule of thirds, leading lines, framing).