Theory matters, but real growth comes from practice — consistent, intentional practice.
Throughout the course, you’ll work through carefully designed exercises to help you get started and stay inspired.
I’ll share the methods and small decisions that shape stronger, more intentional work.
Learn to design and paint backgrounds that work within animation pipelines, not against them with 20+ lessons with over 7 hours of content.
Getting good at background painting is not talent — it is practise.
Sometimes it is easy to believe that professionals in the industry create high quality artworks just by having talent for it, but actually they worked hard on their crafts with lots and lots of practise.
They too started as beginners, and as time went on gained experience and knowledge.
I know the confusion, the self-doubt, and the feeling of not knowing where to begin because I've been there. I spent years practicing, studying, and navigating a path that often felt unnecessarily complex. That experience is exactly why the course exists.
This step-by-step program is designed to give you the clarity I once searched for. Together, we'll build a strong foundation in background painting for animation - from simple thumbnails, to crafting mood with color and light, creating environments that are not just pretty but are filled with with storytelling.
You don’t need to be a “natural.”
You need guidance, structure, and the confidence to start.
This course is here to make the road clearer and a little easier than it was for me.
Hi, I'm Milica!
My name is Milica Mastelica, and I’m a background artist working animation.
For few recent years I specialized in working on video game cinematics - some of my recent projects include working on Apex Legends, Valorant, Clash Royale, and many more unannounced work.
I have 14 years of experience working in the industry, on various projects, and in that time I learned so much about my painting process, and how can I improve my work.
So for that reason, I want to share the knowledge I gathered so far, to help aspiring artists who want learn more about painting backgrounds, and how to elevate their work!
Imagine letting go of the fears that are holding you back.
➡️ Starting with no prior experience?
➡️ Wondering how long it will take before your work feels industry-ready?
➡️ Questioning whether you truly belong here at all?
These doubts are common — and I know them well, because I faced them myself.
Now imagine sitting down to paint with clarity instead of hesitation. You understand why you're making each choice. You focus on progress rather than comparison. With every background, you're not just practicing, you're building skills that translate into professional work.
Background painting is a long journey, but it doesn't have to be a confusing one. With the right structure, you can move forward step by step and see tangible improvement far sooner than you might expect.
In this course, I'll guide you through the tools, techniques, and mindset needed to start from zero and grow with intention. You'll learn how to simplify complex scenes, build depth, shape mood through color and light, and create backgrounds that feel cohesive, purposeful, and ready to support a story.
You won’t be navigating this path alone.
I’ll be there to guide you — the way I once needed myself.
At the end of the course you’ll master:
Production-Oriented Thinking
Learn how to design and paint backgrounds that function within animation pipelines, not just as standalone images.
Visual Clarity & Control
Understand how composition, value, color, and lighting work together to create readable, efficient backgrounds for animation.
A Repeatable Painting Process
Develop a structured workflow—from reference to final render—that you can apply consistently across projects.
Course Content
The course has 6 modules for +7 hours of lessons.
You can pause and replay each lesson as many times as you need, allowing you to learn at your own pace.
This course is designed for anyone who wants to understand background painting more deeply — especially beginners, but also intermediate and advanced artists who want to strengthen their foundations and truly master the techniques.
I recommend taking the lessons in order. The course is carefully structured to guide you from the very basics to more advanced concepts, so each step builds naturally on the previous one.
And above all: progress comes from practice.
Consistency, not perfection, is what moves you forward.
In this course you will learn:
Find out more about what you'll get with the course!
This is a pre-recorded course, thoughtfully structured so you can move through it at your own pace without pressure, and without feeling lost.
Even though the lessons are not live, you won’t be learning alone. Inside the academy, you’ll be part of a community of students where you can share your progress, ask questions, exchange paint-overs, and learn from each other’s process. Growth happens faster when it’s shared.
The platform is designed to support your learning experience: all videos are in Full HD, and you can adjust playback speed, audio, and quality to suit your workflow. Each lesson is highly visual, using references, images, and clear demonstrations so you can follow every step and apply it directly to your own practice.
The course is deeply practical, starting with the fundamentals, and gradually building toward more advanced techniques. You can revisit any lesson as many times as you need, wherever and whenever it fits into your routine.
This is a space to learn, practice, and grow with intention — supported by structure, clarity, and a community that understands the journey.
Included in the course you will find:
Fundamentals & Materials
The course begins with a few theoretical lessons to build a solid foundation.
From the very start, everything is applied in practice, so you’re never just observing.
As you progress, the focus shifts entirely to hands-on exercises.
You’ll design alongside me in each lesson, building skills step by step.
Practical exercises
Lifetime Access
Once you enroll, you’ll have lifetime access to the course.
You can revisit the lessons whenever you need, allowing difficult concepts to settle naturally.
There are no deadlines — you can move forward at your own pace, even a few minutes a day.
Flexibility
This is one of the course's strengths: being able to watch the videos wherever and whenever you want.
The course is available from any device so you can watch the course from the comfort of your home, work from a cafe or review a lesson from your phone on your way home!
Community of artists
When you join the course, you become part of a community of artists taking the same path.
You’ll be able to share your progress, exchange ideas, and ask questions along the way. Learning alongside others creates perspective, motivation, and clarity.
My support
Throughout this journey, you won’t be navigating alone.
You’ll be able to reach out and receive guidance whenever you need it.
Moments of doubt are part of the process, especially when learning something new.
I’ll be there to support you, step by step, as you move forward.
...and more!
JOIN NOWBonus.
An extra help for you to follow the course easily and excel in the industry.
My pack of brushes
During the lessons, I share the exact brushes I use and recommend in lots of my paintings. These brushes are designed to simplify your painting process and allow you to focus on what really matters, which is the painting itself.
25$ FREE
TWO OPTIONS TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS
Now it's the perfect time to focus on yourself and your ambitions!
Here you can find two options that only differ in how you want to pay. The first option is a one-time payment, and the second is a monthly option with four installments.
The price displayed below is in dollars, but you can pay with ANY currency.
Kickstart your background painting journey today ✨
My Guarantee to Every Student
You have a 14-day money-back guarantee to explore the course and make sure it’s the right fit for you.
You can request a refund during the first 14 days after your purchase, simple and risk-free.
