Starting My Graphic Design Journey
I started learning graphic designing Photoshop etc from 2020 The first thing I learned was graphic designing product designing After learning I stepped into photo manipulation So there were not so many tutorials on YouTube in Urdu language Till then I only had a little English I started learning again About photo manipulation.
So then I was the top channel from which I learned photo manipulation basic to advanced. I learned Photoshop from Phlern, who is a great teacher and teaches very well. So if you want to learn, you should definitely learn from him, every little detail.
He explains it to you in such an easy way that it makes you want to just keep watching and just keep doing it. After that Benny Production was a YouTube channel from which I got interested in advanced photo manipulation All PhaseRunner is the master of Fantasy environment From which I learned a lot of Fantasy environment or Fantasy photo manipulation.
Discovering PhaseRunner’s Work
Who is PhaseRunner?
The real name of the PhaseRunner creator is Alyn Spiller. He mostly likes to create designs for movie posters, fantasy environments, etc., which I like very much. So, simply, a few months ago, I found out that they also have a course for Fantasy environments, so I was very curious. I saw its reviews, etc., and also checked out the website on YouTube.
So, I decided to do this course. So, I enrolled in their course. Last month, I finally completed a task that I had been putting off for a long time. The PhaseRunner Fantasy Environment is an online course. I have been trying my hand at digital art for the past few years, but when I found out about the PhaseRunner Fantasy Environment course, I was hooked. I thought, what’s the matter? Because I was already a fan of theirs. I was trying to learn Fantasy environments from the top.
Decision to Enroll
So, I was curious. I said, “Man, you should enroll in this course.” Then I had the budget, so I enrolled in their course. I enrolled in PhaseRunner’s Fantasy Environment course from the official website, so today I will share my honest experience with you. If you are wondering whether to invest in this course or not, then this is for your review.
As I said, I was watching PhaseRunner work on YouTube from the beginning, so I am a big fan of him. And when I found out about it, the cinematic quality of his Fantasy Environment course immediately impressed me. I was a fan at first after seeing the work he was doing with normal stock photos, but when I found out that there was a course, Mashallah, I was happy.
Passion for Fantasy Environments
Why Fantasy Environments Captivated Me
I have always loved Fantasy environments. Creating worlds that do not exist is very close to my heart. Whether it is the Misty Force from Lord of the Rings or the Alien Landscapes and Sci-fi Movies, I found it amazing to see how artists make impossible scenes.
I found out that PhaseRunner is offering a complete course where they teach all these techniques, so I immediately thought, I have to try this, I have to do it now. That’s when I enrolled in the course. And yes, this is not a review where everything is said to be perfect. I’m going to tell you the truth. Did you like it or not? And is this course worth your money or not? So let’s get started.
Challenges in Fantasy Environment Design
My Struggles as a Basic Artist
Why did I want to learn Fantasy environment design? Before this thought, I used to call myself a basic artist. I have been using Photoshop for about five years now. I used to do just fine in basic Photoshop editing and simple digital painting. But when it came to creating complex and believable Fantasy scenes, I used to get completely confused. I did a lot of research on YouTube and found some channels that aroused my curiosity. PhaseRunner was one such channel.
Difficulties with Compositing and Lighting
I like Fantasy art because it contains some things like Aliens in an Unbelievable Other World. Compositing scenes that are pleasing to the eyes, such as those that do not even exist, are made in such a realistic way. I like it very much.
But whenever I tried to create it, I could not achieve that result. My biggest problem was that I tried to blend the elements for hours in compositing and lighting, but the end result was not the same. They looked so strange that I didn’t even want to show the design to anyone.
Frustrations with Lighting and Shadows
The lighting was all messed up, the shadows were in the wrong direction, the highlights were not visible, and the logic was frustrating enough. When you have a clear idea in your mind but the lack of skill ruins everything, it used to demotivate me a little. But when I used to watch creators on YouTube who make such big hearts, I used to wonder how they do it.
My simple idea was great. I wanted to create an environment that would stop the viewer in their tracks, where they would get lost like I get lost in the work of others.
Goals and First Impressions of the Course
Aspiring to Master Photo Manipulation
I wanted to master photo manipulation and learn how to tell a story using light, color, and compositing. The first impression of the course was that the course platform was quite simple and user-friendly. There were no extra show-offs. The course has a total of 25 lessons, which is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes of content.
At first, it seemed a little less, but Photoshop was perfect, not that time was wasted even by talking, but guided properly and professionally. The teaching style of a PhaseRunner immediately felt natural, no fancy artist lingo, no confusion, Just Real knowledge.
Course Structure and Delivery
Every step was clearly shown in real time and the explanation was in simple English. The audio was also crystal clear and the screen recording was high resolution. Every brush stroke and adjustment was clearly visible. What impressed me the most was the perfect organization of the course.
Every lesson is in a logical order and there is a very smooth transition from basic to advanced. Each step has been explained in such a way that it is the way someone would explain it to a beginner, and I got what I needed.
What I Learned in the Course
Core Techniques and Tools
What did I learn in the course? As I mentioned, I had some problems before enrolling in this course, so did this course meet my expectations or not? Let’s talk about it. This course focuses entirely on Photoshop-based photo manipulation techniques.
You learn how to choose stock images, how to blend them, adjust lighting, how to do color grading, and how to create strong final compositing. The most useful thing was the 16 free stock photos that come with the course. You work with the same images that the instructor is doing, which gives you real-time experience. Comparisons become easy.
Practical Resources Provided
You also get a handy cheat sheet that summarizes all the techniques. I am still using it. The course assumes that you know the basics of Photoshop, such as the Layers, Mask Selection Tool. This is perfect for beginners. Beginners in Fantasy Environment Design Photoshop Beginners This means that this course does not teach you Photoshop for beginners.
It teaches you how to create Fantasy environment designs for beginners. You must have basic Photoshop knowledge, which you can learn for free on YouTube. My favorite part of the course was the two lessons that changed my entire approach.
Transformative Lessons
An atmospheric perspective lesson taught me how to create depth. Before, I only knew that things from the Doric period were light and blurry, but I didn’t understand how to achieve that technically in Photoshop. Creating depth using gradient maps and subtle color adjustments was a game-changer.
The two lighting and shadow consistency phases taught me how to analyze the light sources of different stock images and make them all consistent under the same sun or moonlight. This is a technique that made my art both amateur and professional. My biggest achievement was a good fantasy environment. There are no magical elements in me; the real magic lies in the mastery of light and compositing.
Was the Course Worth the Investment?
Honest Verdict on Value
Was this course worth my money? My honest verdict: When I saw the price of $59, I thought it was a bit expensive, but trust me, this course is worth every dollar. I said it right, I had some issues with the operation of some photos, I was not getting a professional look, so let me tell you, even after looking at the scores, all my doubts were cleared and I would not say a full professional, but not a beginner either.
Impact on My Artistic Growth
I can professionally generate my own art works. It provides such details. I have also taken expensive courses that only teach theory, but this course of PhaseRunner is completely practical. I now use every technique in my daily art workflow. The best thing was that the techniques are not just for one time, they will come in handy for the long term.
Whenever I generate a photo, I start creating it in Photoshop. I follow the practical details that have been taught to me in every work. Now I am using the advanced division of these methods in every new project and have also started developing my own unique style. My confidence has increased so much that the compositions that seemed impossible before now seem exciting.
Earlier I did not share my artwork on social media platforms. I told you that now my heart is telling me that I must share it. So you can imagine how much I have learned from this course and yes, praising me so much will not make you an expert in Fantasy environment.
Advice for Aspiring Fantasy Environment Designers
Importance of Practice
If you want to enroll in the Fantasy environment course of PhaseRunner, then look back. When you enroll in any course, whether it is Phase Earner’s Fantasy environment course or any other course, you will not become an expert. You just know that this thing has been taught in it. These things are like this. Why should you do this? How should you do it?
You will get answers. But if you do not practice this thing in a good way, you will not practice it. Then you cannot become a master. So, if you are stuck in a problem like me and want to further grow your journey. Want to make your work professional? Then you can enroll in the PhaseRunner Fantasy environment codes. But yes, you should practice and share your artwork with others. Just like now, I use these techniques that have been taught in the PhaseRunner course in every project of mine. In my daily work.
I use the same way, unless you practice, you can’t be perfect. So if you also want to reach that level where your art makes people stop and stare, then I have only one thing to say. Invest in this course. Give your art a magical pitch. You will see for yourself how much your work evolves.
All you need to do is practice, practice, and keep practicing. Apply these things in your daily work. And that’s all I want to say. Phase Runner Fantasy Environment course was life-changing for me. So if you have any questions, you can ask them in the comments box. I will definitely answer you.
