• €699

From The Ground Up

  • Course
  • 258 Lessons

Your companion course to understanding composition, building better images, and running a successful archviz business.

From The Ground Up

All the lessons

Introduction to From The Ground Up - New version of D0 drops on the 26/03/26

A full introduction to the course where you'll discover all the content we're about to tackle, how you should approach the course, and a separate lesson on how to get you all setup in terms of software.

Staying up to date with the course
D0_01_FTGU Main Introduction.mp4
Preview

Diamond 1 : From The Ground Up - New version of D1 drops on the 26/03/26

Diamond 1 is the foundational diamond, the one that reshapes your understanding of the core ideas that lie within composition and archviz. Misunderstanding the foundation of your own industry can lead you to focus on the wrong things.

I'll address the semantics: what is a rendering? What's going on with photorealism? I'll also lay the foundation of an actionable definition for "composition", turning it from a vague concept into a practical tool.

D1_D_01 - Opening Diamond 1
D1_D_02 - What is a rendering?
D1_D_03 - The hidden cost of photorealism
D1_D_04 - Photorealism isn’t realism
D1_D_05 - Common misconceptions on composition
D1_D_06 - The missing link
D1_C_01 - A more holistic vision
D1_C_02 - Composition as a tool
D1_C_03 - Expanding the language of rendering
D1_C_04 - Theory to practice
D1_C_05 - Wrapping up Diamond 1
D1 - Resources

Diamond 2 : Fundamentals of Perception - New version of D2 drops week 15 2026

Perception itself is frequently misunderstood and oversimplified. The act of perceiving is fundamentally shaped by cultural differences, personal memories, and the physiological quirks of your own body.

I'll explore the power of contrast, Gestalt psychology principles, and the fundamentals of visual hierarchy. This gives you the keys to understand visual weight and tension, the dynamics inside your compositions.

D2_D_01 - Opening Diamond 2
D2_D_02 - Perceiving is not seeing
D2_D_03 - Cultural differences in perception
D2_D_04 - What you see vs what your client sees vs what the industry sees
D2_D_05 - What the layperson tends to like
D2_D_06 - Anisotropy of reading
D2_D_07 - Gestalt psychology
D2_D_08 - Greatest area of contrast
D2_D_09 - Contrasts, many contrasts
D2_D_10 - Context within contexts
D2_D_11 - Core principles: weight & tension fundamentals
D2_D_12 - Structural form, pattern & space
D2_D_13 - Mastering high-attention elements
D2_D_14 - Limits, inside and outside
D2_D_15 - Experience and memory
D2_D_16 - Early thoughts on animation
D2_D_17 - Early thoughts on soundscape
D2_D_18 - The instagram effect
D2_C_01 - Engagement, completing the incomplete
D2_C_02 - Experience of the architectural space
D2_C_03 - Space perception and color values
D2_C_04 - Rhythm and variety
D2_C_05 - Balance disambiguation
D2_C_06 - Formal balance
D2_C_07 - Informal balance
D2_C_08 - The reveal
D2_C_09 - F*ck balance
D2_C_10 - What balance fits better my image?
D2_C_11 - What makes an image boring?
D2_C_12 - Sharpening and blurring to guide the eye
D2_C_13 - Theory to practice
D2_C_14 - Wrapping up Diamond 2
D2 - Resources

Diamond 3 : Intent - New version of D3 drops week 16 2026

"Just make it look good." But looking good and being effective are completely different things. The difference between a beautiful image and one that moves your client comes down to intent.

I'll uncover the true meaning of intent, its four hidden layers, clarify the limits of storytelling, and tackle how to rip apart the brief during your very first client meeting.

D3 - Introduction (2023) 00:36
D3 - Diverging
D3 - What is intent? 03:12
D3 - The need of a mindset shift 13:30
D3 - Typologies of intent 07:22
D3 - Storytelling disembiguation 05:37
D3 - The limits of intent 07:01
D3 - Converging
D3 - Identifying intents 01:52
D3 - Prioritizing and mixing intents 08:58
D3 - Put a title on it 05:28
D3 - Diamond 3 in less than 120 seconds (2023) 01:40
D3 - Theory to practice (2023) 02:47
D3 - Resources

Diamond 4 : Frame - New version of D4 drops week 17 2026

Most people think framing is about finding a good angle. It's not. Framing is about perception. It's not about grid systems, plotting elements, or other oversimplified approaches.

I'll break down aspect ratios, camera placement, focal length, depth of field, negative space, the rule of thirds (overrated), golden ratio (fancy but useless), and dynamic symmetry (actually useful).

D4 - Introduction (2023) 00:39
D4 - Diverging
D4 - Aspect ratio 23:14
D4 - Typologies of framing 10:06
D4 - Grid systems : the rule of thirds 07:39
D4 - Grid systems : golden ratio 08:39
D4 - Grid systems : dynamic symmetry 15:06
D4 - Open and closed frames 04:50
D4 - Height 15:00
D4 - Focal length 19:16
D4 - Fixing verticals and horizontals 07:57
D4 - Camera plane shifting 03:13
D4 - Depth of field 05:20
D4 - Horizon 09:15
D4 - Negative space 06:58
D4 - Nose room and head room 04:28
D4 - Reflections 04:26
D4 - People 08:38
D4 - Details 10:58
D4 - Converging
D4 - Overall philosophy 00:28
D4 - Broad questions 25:51
D4 - Detail questions 08:08
D4 - Diamond 4 in less than 60 seconds (2023) 01:05
D4 - Theory to practice (2023) 05:07
D4 - Resources

Diamond 5 : Light - New version of D5 drops week 18 2026

Lighting makes or breaks the shot. Light is the invisible hand that shapes everything. It defines depth, guides attention, creates mood before a single material even registers.

I cover light and shadow equally, photography setups, natural vs artificial light, atmospherics, texture legibility, smart material libraries, light matching, and AI-generated custom skies.

D5 - Introduction (2023) 00:31
D5 - Diverging
D5 - The weight of light 11:04
D5 - In the darkness of shadows 10:01
D5 - Peculiarities of rendering 04:16
D5 - The typical photography setup 10:54
D5 - Don't forget your keys 12:50
D5 - The impact of light orientation 07:23
D5 - Typologies of light and atmospheres : direct light 13:07
D5 - Typologies of light and atmospheres : indirect light 13:30
D5 - Artificial light 08:06
D5 - Atmospherics 10:01
D5 - Sky 09:21
D5 - Artifacts 10:18
D5 - Converging
D5 - Converging on a lighting strategy 00:29
D5 - Broad questions 27:35
D5 - Detail questions 07:03
D5 - Diamond 5 in less than 60 seconds (2023) 01:05
D5 - Theory to practice (2023) 05:21
D5 - Resources

Diamond 6 : Color - New version of D6 drops week 19 2026

Color is the final core component of composition. Not because it's less important, but because it's the last thing you adjust. Get it wrong and it ruins the equilibrium. Get it right and everything clicks.

I start by imagining a world without color, explore Itten's framework, map color styles, then reverse-engineer palettes, build cohesive schemes, and leverage AI for seasonal variations.

D6 - Introduction (2023) 00:39
D6 - Diverging
D6 - A world without color 06:49
D6 - Basic terminology 03:41
D6 - Color in the hierarchy of perception and identification 03:49
D6 - Colors' inherent dynamics 10:37
D6 - The power of colors 05:31
D6 - Impression : color contrasts 15:19
D6 - Construction : symbolism 04:45
D6 - Expression : emotion and temperature 12:30
D6 - Atmosphere : time of the day 08:18
D6 - Atmosphere : time of the year 05:38
D6 - Atmosphere : type of weather 08:25
D6 - Artificial light 06:16
D6 - Converging
D6 - Some analysis tools 18:56
D6 - How palettes work 12:53
D6 - Greys and neutrals 07:54
D6 - Building your color palette : dealing with existing colors 02:08
D6 - Building your color palette : how to choose colors 08:00
D6 - Building your color palette : manipulating existing colors 13:22
D6 - Building your color palette : finetuning the palette 05:45
D6 - Broad questions 17:52
D6 - Detail questions 05:36
D6 - Diamond 6 in less than 90 seconds (2023) 01:22
D6 - Theory to practice (2023) 05:22
D6 - Resources

Diamond 7 : Creativity I/O - New version of D7 drops week 20 2026

Good ideas don't just fall on you. Creativity isn't talent you either have or don't. It's a skill you can nurture through mindful observation, experimentation, and questioning the status quo.

I explore where creative thinking comes from, the two essential tools (references and the repertoire), the Learning From The Masters series, and practical strategies for developing your personal style.

D7 - Introduction (2023) 00:46
D7 - Diverging
D7 - The roots of creativity 06:21
D7 - Does creativity matter? 03:35
D7 - Understanding references 07:09
D7 - Deconstructing references 14:20
D7 - Understanding the repertoire 10:16
D7 - Systemization and creativity 03:28
D7 - Some thoughts on AI (2023) 07:57
D7 - Learning From The Masters - Introduction (2023) 02:26
D7 - Learning From The Masters - Paintings (2023) 47:23
D7 - Learning From The Masters - Photographs (2023) 48:18
D7 - Learning From The Masters - Renderings (2023) 47:06
D7 - Converging
D7 - Seeing creatively 03:22
D7 - How to build your references library 30:14
D7 - Types of sources of inspiration 07:37
D7 - How and where to find inspiration (2023) 20:41
D7 - Is there such a thing as a bad reference? 03:56
D7 - How to build your repertoire 06:41
D7 - Clustering projects 04:33
D7 - Meshing and building your own style 06:14
D7 - Making your own teardown (2023) 12:41
D7 - Personal Projects (2023) 14:26
D7 - Where to go for quality resources and assets (2023) 10:25
D7 - Diamond 7 in less than 90 seconds (2023) 02:00
D7 - Theory to practice (2023) 06:06
D7 - Resources

Diamond 8 : Clients & Career - New version of D8 drops week 21 2026

"Just make great work and clients will come." That advice is wrong. Talent without business sense is a recipe for failure. Your skills are only half the equation.

From 10 hard-earned lessons to pricing strategies, contracts, client management, cash flow, productivity, and running a one-person studio. This diamond turns artists into professionals.

D8 - Introduction (2023) 00:45
D8 - Diverging
D8 - Understanding yourself 09:50
D8 - Ethics in archviz (2023) 07:51
D8 - Choosing your clients 07:45
D8 - Each new client is a blank slate (2023) 02:04
D8 - Setting up a good business relationship 04:00
D8 - Contracts (2023) 12:37
D8 - Cash management (2023) 09:50
D8 - Time management & routine (2023) 11:24
D8 - Pricing - introduction (2023) 01:23
D8 - Pricing - how to make more money (2023)
D8 - Pricing - what methods of pricing (2023) 07:23
D8 - Pricing - where does the price of an image come from (2023) 04:28
D8 - Pricing - what to charge (2023) 02:50
D8 - Pricing - upsells (2023) 01:46
D8 - Pricing - animations (2023) 01:28
D8 - Pricing - how to present your proposal (2023) 01:56
D8 - Pricing - price negociations (2023) 11:50
D8 - Pricing - when should I work for free (2023) 01:51
D8 - Pricing - do's and don'ts general recap (2023) 01:16
D8 - Pricing - the consequences of bad pricing (2023) 03:22
D8 - Pricing - Horoma case study (2023) 11:08
D8 - Choosing your contracts 09:11
D8 - Poorly written briefs 04:49
D8 - Ripping the brief 05:55
D8 - Converging
D8 - How to get there? 08:41
D8 - The end goal of a first meeting 08:42
D8 - Typical soft skills requirements 03:15
D8 - Going the extra mile, and extra buck 04:32
D8 - Scheduling projects (2023) 11:23
D8 - Presentation templates (2023) 04:09
D8 - Diamond 8 in less than 180 seconds (2023) 02:35
D8 - Theory to practice (2023) 07:16
D8 - Resources

Diamond 9 : Process - New version of D9 + AI modules drop week 22 2026

The complete production pipeline, from brief to final delivery. Open source tools, AI integration, and workflows that scale without compromising quality.

A full project walkthrough: ideation with AI, 2D/3D exploration, moodboarding, reference interpretation, scene debugging, culling, contact sheets, postprocessing automation, and final delivery.

D9 - Introduction (2023) 00:52
D9 - Diverging
D9 - Ideate & evaluate : exploring the brief 04:56
D9 - Ideate & evaluate : exploring in 2D 02:21
D9 - Ideate & evaluate : exploring in 3D 07:35
D9 - Mastering efficiency (2023) 06:38
D9 - Installing Horoma FTGU Package (2023) 14:36
D9 - What should your 3D base look like (2023) 03:49
D9 - Assessing 2D vs 3D (2023) 10:02
D9 - Texturing and how to build an easy-to-use material library (2023) 16:06
D9 - Automating the texturing process (2023) 08:20
D9 - Integrating Railclone into our workflow - presentation (2023) 05:16
D9 - Low to High Poly with Railclone (2023) 20:25
D9 - Integrating Forest Pack into our workflow - presentation (2023) 06:20
D9 - Optimizing FP scattering in your scene (2023) 20:29
D9 - Horoma basic 3ds max scripts (2023) 03:33
D9 - Translating the brief with the repertoire 02:54
D9 - Interpreting references that fit the brief 01:28
D9 - Meshing ideas by moodboarding 02:47
D9 - Expand & evaluate 04:56
D9 - Integrating Pulze into our workflow - presentation (2023) 03:59
D9 - Automating Light Research with Pulze (2023) 16:40
D9 - Debugging your scene (2023) 04:13
D9 - Outputting research 01:41
D9 - Converging
D9 - Contact sheet 02:06
D9 - Culling 02:52
D9 - Identifying the right sequence 13:46
D9 - Identify your keepers 03:15
D9 - Moodboard update 00:56
D9 - Refining your keepers 06:27
D9 - Automating your postprocessing files creation (2023) 19:00
D9 - Starting your photoshop file in a single click (2023) 09:25
D9 - Horoma Essentials Photoshop Actions (2023) 19:52
D9 - Early Sketches Photoshop Process (2023) 22:01
D9 - What should your early sketches look like (2023) 04:51
D9 - Presenting your work to the client 12:15
D9 - Dealing with objections 19:34
D9 - Iterating & detailing : how to integrate feedback 05:29
D9 - Iterating & detailing : how to add details to a scene 07:56
D9 - Final refining and checks 06:18
D9 - The good enough image (2023) 02:59
D9 - Final touchpoints : delivering the images 06:07
D9 - Typical project steps and timeline 08:11
D9 - Optimizing and automating your own workflow (2023) 01:54
D9 - What's next? 04:46
D9 - Diamond 9 in less than 120 seconds (2023) 01:52
D9 - Theory to practice (2023) 05:35
D9 - Resources

Conclusion to From The Ground Up - New version of D10 drops week 22 2026


This is it. You made it!

In this conclusion, I'll recap some of the most fundamental takeaways I think you should have in mind from this course, as well as give you some pointers on what to do next to implement all this new knowledge into your current workflow and practice.  

Congratulations :)

Conclusion to From The Ground Up (2023) 07:13

Appendix



In this appendix part you'll find all the downloadable content : cheatsheets, checklists and what you need for the workshop.
The Workshop
Discounts & coupons codes with Horoma School partners
Dynamic Symmetry Grids.zip
Presentation templates
Contract, invoice and quote templates
Checklists pdf to check every step of your process when working on a commission
Horoma From The Ground Up Package (Process Diamond 9) - V1.1 December 2023
Inspirations : common sources I go to to get inspired
Resources : common websites where to find assets, knowledge, and other useful stuff for your practice