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👈 Back to Live Classes

Imaginatomy
Creature Design & Anatomy Workshop
with Rey Bustos

9-Week Workshop

Starting: April 10th - June 5th
📆 Thursdays @ 12 pm - 2 pm PT

For the first time ever, master anatomy instructor Rey Bustos brings his legendary Imaginatomy course to New Masters Academy in a 2D-focused format. Originally developed as a sculptural workshop, this live course has been reimagined for drawing and rendering—offering artists the unique opportunity to design imaginative creatures with a foundation in real anatomical structure.

This is not just a creature design class—it’s a rigorous anatomy workshop where you will build an original skeletal structure for your own imagined species. Through step-by-step lessons, you’ll study the anatomical logic of real-world animals and apply that knowledge to create creatures that move, function, and adapt believably within their environments.

💡 A Special Return: We are honored to welcome back Mr. Rey for his first teaching assignment with NMA since the Eaton Fire, which claimed his home and a lifetime of artistic work. His resilience and passion for education remain unwavering, and this workshop is a unique opportunity to learn from a true master of anatomical design as he returns to share his expertise.

By the end of the workshop, you will complete a final anatomical taxonomy presentation, showcasing a scientifically grounded skeletal design of your creature. This experience will push both your artistic imagination and technical knowledge, refining your ability to design with structural integrity, movement, and function in mind.

Enrollment Options

Audit Tier (10 NMA Tokens) – Unlimited Enrollment

  • - Access to all live lectures and critique recordings via live stream
  • - Follow along with assignments at your own pace


Critique Tier (30 NMA Tokens) – Limited to 10 Students SOLD OUT


  • - Personalized weekly critiques from Rey Bustos
  • - Private live Google Meet sessions for direct engagement during the workshop hours
  • - Exclusive Q&A time and in-depth feedback

Enrollment Now Open! 👇

Click Here to Enroll

💡 Live Plan, Legacy, and Program Students will receive Audit Tier access for free! Please contact support.nma.art for details and to upgrade to the Critique Tier.

Workshop Breakdown

Each week builds progressively, taking students from core structural concepts to fully realized anatomical designs:

  • Week 1: Silhouette exploration and base proportions
  • Week 2: Pelvis and hind limb development for movement
  • Week 3: Spinal and ribcage construction for balance and stability
  • Week 4: Functional forelimbs, arms, and wings
  • Week 5: Skull and head structure based on function and environment
  • Week 6: Naming conventions, taxonomy, and evolutionary logic
  • Week 7: Diet, ecology, and behavioral adaptations
  • Week 8: Final project development and refinement
  • Week 9: Final anatomical presentation—bringing your creature to life

Who Should Enroll?


  • Artists looking to create creatures with scientific plausibility
  • Concept artists, illustrators, and animators refining their anatomy and rendering skills
  • Entertainment designers working in film, games, or animation who want to develop compelling and believable creatures
  • Anyone eager to push their creative boundaries while deepening their anatomical knowledge

What You’ll Learn

- A rare opportunity to take Rey Bustos’ renowned Imaginatomy course in a 2D format

- In-depth study of animal anatomy, biomechanics, and evolutionary logic as it applies to creature design

- Step-by-step drawing and rendering exercises, from silhouette exploration to fully structured skeletons

- Live anatomical breakdowns of skeletal and muscular systems for enhanced realism in creature movement

A Final Project:


- A professional-grade anatomical presentation including taxonomy, evolutionary reasoning, and functional adaptation, great for any portfolio.

Student Examples from Previous Workshops

A Special Opportunity to Learn from Rey Bustos


Mr. Rey’s knowledge and dedication to teaching have inspired generations of artists. This workshop is not only a chance to push your creature design skills to new heights—it’s an opportunity to learn from an instructor whose passion and resilience continue to shape the world of art education.

Rey Bustos graduated as an illustrator with high honors from the Art Center College of Design in 1989. He has been teaching since 1990 and is now considered one of the preeminent artistic anatomy teachers in the country. Rey is a former teacher at Art Center College of Design, California State University, and Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art and is also on the teaching staff at Disney Feature Animation. Rey specializes in teaching figure drawing, composition, and anatomy. A class that he created, “Imaginatomy: An Anatomical Approach to Animal and Character Development,” is now required at the Art Center College of Design.