Beginner

Art Direction for Rendering

This short course will take you through how to craft a compelling image. Rather than focusing on technical software tutorials, this course is all about the easy steps you can take to start creating more purpose-driven and visually stunning images. This is Art Direction for Product Rendering.

About the course

Beauty sells... boring doesn't


Learn how to make eye-catching, beautiful images

This course is not about what buttons to push or complex render settings.  It's for beginners and advanced users. These concepts even work for all render engines!

Art direct your renderings


I have taught thousands of people how to use KeyShot. But knowing a software doesn't guarantee a strong image. Art direction is about style, taste, emotion, balance, harmony, narrative and more.

We use art direction to make an image beautiful and effective. It's all about intention.

Testimonials


Here's what other people have to say about this course...

"As someone without any experience in photography, I got a lot out of the lesson on composition."

Robert Fayers


"I'm surprised at how much more efficient I am. I also have a much better understanding of context to improve visual storytelling."

Grishma Bhanderi


"This course helped me understand the importance of a visual library and how to use it to guide my image making process."

Ivan Lowewen


"Learning how to place highlights to enhance my product shots made a massive improvement in my renderings."

Eben Smith


"It's crazy how just a few tweaks can either make or break an image! Improving my lighting really enhanced all my renderings immediately."

Peter Mehrhof


"My favorite part of this course was the non-nonsense explanations and super simplified approach to art direction."

Julien Duquesnoy

5 Short Lessons

Each lesson contains a video demonstration as well as action items and supplementary resources.


Visual Library

Learn how to actually collect, organize and deconstruct reference and inspirational images.


4 Archetypes

You'll save time and quote projects more accurately when you learn about the 4 Archetypes of product images.


Props & Dressing

Get buy-in when you show your customers or stakeholders the product in a convincing setting.


Lighting

Grab attention with a well-lit rendering once you learn how to direct the light and create proper focal points.


Composition

Finally! I'm going to teach you actual, tangible ways to use composition to create better images.


Here's what you'll learn:

  • How to identify and collect good reference images
  • How to study and deconstruct strong images
  • When to use certain lighting techniques
  • The 4 major categories of product renderings
  • Where to find reusable 3D props for your scenes
  • How to make a product look more interesting
  • Techniques for creating better compositions
  • Composition mistakes to avoid
  • How to construct a narrative for your image
  • Planning tips for your next project


When you put together and apply the techniques covered in this course, you will be able to improve the quality of your imagery. Strong images make big impacts. This course covers the 20% of actions you can take to drastically improve your renderings.

What if you get stuck along the way?

Each video lesson has a comments section below it. If you get confused or stuck at any point, just drop a comment and I'll get back to you typically within a day. You might even find that your question has already been answered in the comments section!

Still not good enough?

Just email me with your questions and mention which course you're working through. I'm happy to help anyone who's bought one of my courses.

What if you don't like the course?

While I have done my best to create an amazing course and describe it accurately, I understand that I can't please everybody.

If you take the course and feel like I did not deliver on the value I promised, just email me asking for a refund. I will issue one. To be eligible for a refund, a request must be made less than 90 days from date of purchase.

The teacher

Will Gibbons

Certified KeyShot Expert
I’ve been perfecting and teaching my product visualization skills for the last 10 years, honing in on techniques and workflows to enable others to master the art of product visualization, much faster than I did. I wanted to create a platform that enabled me to teach others the skills and techniques I wish I'd known sooner. I share only the most effective methods to create stunning visuals and how to apply this knowledge in practice through my various courses, tutorials and resources.

Success stories

Jorge E. Paez

“What I enjoyed about the Rendering Masterclass is I felt like I advanced quickly without being bogged down by a million unnecessary details. I would recommend this course for anyone that's seeing render weekly and asking themselves 'How can I do that?'"

Stijn De Bondt

"My ability to build materials from scratch and create more captivating scenes has grown tremendously thanks to this course. The best outcome of taking this course was when a client of mine couldn’t tell the difference between one of my renderings and the photographs of the product."
$99.00 USD
Will Gibbons
8 lessons

Check out my other courses

Explore my other courses

See all

Have more questions? I have more answers.

Here are my most frequently asked questions

I'm not sure which course to choose.

If you're unsure about which course is right for you, start by assessing your current skill level.

Each course description provides guidance on the required experience level, and if you still have questions, feel free to reach out using the 'contact me' button below.

How are the courses delivered?

Courses are delivered online through an online learning platform that hosts all the video lessons. Once you purchase a course, you will receive a link via email.

Can I download the course materials?

The videos are not available for download at this time, but you can access them online anytime. Any downloadable resources, such as models or texture packs, will be provided within the course via download links.

Is there a certification available upon completion?

When you finish the course, you'll be eligible for a certificate of completion. This is issued by Will Gibbons, not KeyShot the company.

How long does each course take to complete?

The duration of each course varies, depending on its complexity. Course descriptions provide an estimated time commitment, but you are free to take them at your own pace.

What if I have issues accessing the course after purchase?

If you experience any issues accessing your course, please contact me via the provided email, and I'll assist you as quickly as possible.

Do I need prior knowledge of KeyShot to take these courses?

No, prior experience is not necessary for all courses. Each course description specifies the level of experience required, so you can choose the one that best matches your current skill level.

Who are these courses for?

These courses are designed for KeyShot users of all levels, from beginners to advanced professionals who want to improve their rendering and animation skills. Whether you're a product designer, 3D artist, or simply curious about KeyShot, you'll find value here.

How do I get support if I have questions during the course?

There is a comments section for each lesson, where you can ask questions. I regularly monitor the discussion and provide support. You can also reach out via email for more in-depth queries.

I bought the wrong course. Can I switch?

Yes, as long as you haven’t consumed the lessons, I can exchange your purchase for another course. Just reach out to me via email within 14 days of purchase.

What should I do if my KeyShot render is not looking as expected?

This is a common challenge when learning rendering. You can troubleshoot by checking lighting settings, materials, and camera angles. Many of these issues are covered in the courses, and I also encourage students to ask questions for specific guidance.

What computer do you recommend for KeyShot, rendering, 3D modeling, and animation?

I use a custom-built Puget Systems computer and have nothing but great things to say about Puget Systems. Here are the specs of my current computer:

Motherboard: ASUS Pro WS TRX50-SAGE WIFI
CPU: AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ 9970X
RAM: 4x Kingston DDR5-5600 ECC Reg. 2R 64GB (256GB)
GPU: PNY GeForce RTX™ 5090 32GB OC
Hard Drive: Samsung 860 EVO 1 TB SATA3 2.5 inch SSD Scratch Disk 1 & 2: Kingston KC3000 2TB Gen4 M.2 SSD
Archive Disk: Seagate Exos X24 12TB SATA3
Case: Fractal Design Define 7 XL
Power Supply: Super Flower LEADEX Titanium 1600W
CPU Cooling: Asetek 836S-M1A 360mm Threadripper CPU Cooler
Case Fans: Noctua Case Fans Upgrade Kit (PWM Ramping)

If you're interested in getting a quote from Puget Systems, click here.

What monitor do you use?

My main monitor is a Dell UltraSharp 40 inch Curved WUHD Monitor - U4021QW

Can I use KeyShot with other 3D software?

Absolutely. KeyShot has developed plugins for a wide variety of 3D software such as SolidWorks, Rhino, Fusion 360, Blender, and more. It’s designed to be compatible with many file types to enhance your workflow.

How can my courses be paid for?

For individuals: Purchases can be made via credit card on my website.

For corporations: Contact me via email to make bulk purchases (minimum of 3). An invoice will be issued and can be paid via ACH, credit card, or wire transfer.

Can purchases be made through CANDEX?

Yes.

Do you offer gift cards for the courses?

Not at this time, sorry.

Can I make a partial payment or use a payment plan?

No, full payment is required at the time of purchase. At this moment, there are no options for partial payments or payment plans.

Do you offer refunds?

- Refunds will not be offered for those who have a 'change of heart' or decide they don't want the course.

- If the wrong course was purchased by accident, I can make an exchange for a different product, as long as you have not consumed the lessons in the course you bought.

- If your refund request is granted, you will be refunded the total of the purchase minus the credit card processing fees.

Are there any discounts available for students?

Currently, there are no dedicated discounts for students. However, I occasionally run promotions or offer discounts to my email subscribers. Sign up for the newsletter to stay updated.

Do you offer free tutorials?

Yes, I have several free tutorials and resources available. Visit my Resources page for access to free content that will help you get started with KeyShot.

What other resources do you recommend for learning rendering and animation?

In addition to my courses, I recommend exploring KeyShot’s official resources, such as their YouTube channel and user forum. I also share tips, tricks, and updates regularly on my blog and social media.

Are you available for hire?

If the right opportunity comes along, I may say yes. However, I seldom have the time to dedicate to any freelance work. I do have a handful of trusted partners that I may be able to refer you to if I think they're a good fit for your project.

Feel free to complete this form here, and I will get back to you. Note, your budget must be a minimum of $7,000 before I will consider a project.

Do you offer corporate training or bulk licensing for courses?

Yes, I do offer bulk licensing for corporations (minimum of 3 licenses). Please contact me via email for more information and to discuss pricing and availability.

I bought the wrong course. Can I switch?

Yes, as long as you haven’t consumed the lessons, I can exchange your purchase for another course. Just reach out to me via email within 14 days of purchase.