I am Charles Light, a Fine Artist, Muralist, Illustrator and AI Prompt Designer with a strong background in large-scale murals, scenic painting, illustration, and theatrical design. I excel at creating detailed, cinematic imagery for murals and theatre and at crafting visually coherent prompts for AI image-generation tools. I am experienced in world-building, environmental storytelling, and translating abstract concepts into tangible visuals across traditional and digital media. Since 2006 I have freelanced and collaborated on film and theatre projects, leading concept-to-execution workflows, managing on-site production and materials, and producing illustrations for print and digital publications. I enjoy teaching scenic art and sharing creative processes, and I have worked with institutions like UCLA, film studios, and theatre groups.

Charles Light

I am Charles Light, a Fine Artist, Muralist, Illustrator and AI Prompt Designer with a strong background in large-scale murals, scenic painting, illustration, and theatrical design. I excel at creating detailed, cinematic imagery for murals and theatre and at crafting visually coherent prompts for AI image-generation tools. I am experienced in world-building, environmental storytelling, and translating abstract concepts into tangible visuals across traditional and digital media. Since 2006 I have freelanced and collaborated on film and theatre projects, leading concept-to-execution workflows, managing on-site production and materials, and producing illustrations for print and digital publications. I enjoy teaching scenic art and sharing creative processes, and I have worked with institutions like UCLA, film studios, and theatre groups.

Available to hire

I am Charles Light, a Fine Artist, Muralist, Illustrator and AI Prompt Designer with a strong background in large-scale murals, scenic painting, illustration, and theatrical design. I excel at creating detailed, cinematic imagery for murals and theatre and at crafting visually coherent prompts for AI image-generation tools. I am experienced in world-building, environmental storytelling, and translating abstract concepts into tangible visuals across traditional and digital media.

Since 2006 I have freelanced and collaborated on film and theatre projects, leading concept-to-execution workflows, managing on-site production and materials, and producing illustrations for print and digital publications. I enjoy teaching scenic art and sharing creative processes, and I have worked with institutions like UCLA, film studios, and theatre groups.

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Language

English
Fluent
Spanish; Castilian
Advanced
Tagalog
Advanced

Work Experience

Scenic Artist & Prop Designer at Freelance – Film & Theatre
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2020
Built immersive environments and props for film and theatre; emphasized visual storytelling and texture realism; designed paint treatments and surfaces that inform prompt-based texture replication; collaborated with directors and designers to translate narrative requirements into visuals; applied cinematic composition principles similar to AI prompting frameworks (mood, camera perspective, color hierarchy). Selected studios and clients I have worked with: -UCLA school of Film and Theatre (Also a teacher here for scenic art students 2019) -Grosh Backdrops and Drapery -Curious Creations of Christine Mcconnell (netflix series filmed at Jim Henson Studios) -Grillin’ (Indie pilot short film directed by Chris Heiman) -American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco -Lamplighters Theatre Group
Instructor, Scenic Art at UCLA School of Film and Theater
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Lectured scenic art to students; instructed on set design and visual storytelling; collaborated with faculty to translate narrative requirements into educational materials and visuals.
Freelance Artist at Self-Employed
December 22, 2025 - Present
Freelance contractual work, commissioned work. Murals, Illustration, graphic design, artistic constructions(installations),. Designed and painted large-scale murals with complex lighting, texture, and perspective challenges. Led full concept-to-execution workflows, translating client themes into cohesive visual narratives. Managed on-site production, materials, and scale logistics.Created illustrations for print and digital publications. Developed stylized and thematic imagery suitable for adaptation into AI-based workflows. Produced polished mockups and revisions under short deadlines.
Freelance Artist / Muralist / Illustrator / AI Prompt Designer at Self-employed (Freelance)
January 1, 2006 - Present
Freelance contractual work, murals, illustration, and graphic design. Designed and painted large-scale murals with complex lighting, texture, and perspective; led concept-to-execution workflows; managed on-site production, materials, and scale logistics; produced illustrations for print and digital publications; developed stylized imagery suitable for adaptation into AI-based workflows. Created polished mockups and revisions under short deadlines.
Scenic Artist, Prop Designer at Film/Theatre Production Teams (Freelance)
January 1, 2014 - January 1, 2020
Worked as part of a team creating sets for film and theatre production. Built immersive environments and props, emphasizing visual storytelling and texture realism. Designed paint treatments and surfaces that inform prompt-based texture replication. Collaborated with directors and designers to translate narrative requirements into visuals. Applied cinematic composition principles similar to AI prompting frameworks (mood, camera perspective, color hierarchy).

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts at Academy of Art University
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2011
AA in Audio Engineering at Glendale Community College
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2008
High School Diploma at Eagle Rock High School
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2007
Fine Art Major at Academy of Art University
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2011
Fine Art Major at Glendale Community College
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2008
Audio Engineering Major at Eagle Rock High School
January 1, 2003 - January 1, 2007

Qualifications

CHSPE Certified
January 11, 2030 - December 15, 2025
CHSPE certified
January 11, 2030 - February 17, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other