Drawing as a Creative Base
A course by Alex Arizmendi, Graphic artist
Learn to put your ideas onto paper through exercises of observation and documentation
A visual work does not begin when the hands begin to draw it, but in the process of observation and previous investigation that the artist carries out to realize a masterpiece. The visual artist Alex Arizmendi is a strong supporter of this theory that he has been putting to the test with impeccable results during his more than 15 years of professional experience working for clients such as Warner Music, Editorial Televisa or Marvel Comics.
Observe carefully what surrounds you and know in depth other graphic techniques and the model you want to draw will make your results better; that's why in this course Alex will teach you different methods of observation and documentation to improve your drawing technique.
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 14 downloads
- 98% positive reviews (237)
- 3,924 students
- 17 lessons (3h 48m)
- 14 additional resources (9 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish, English, French, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
You will create the drawing of a character with different methods of observation from photographic references, using a human element, an animal element and an inorganic element.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
To illustrators, cartoonists and anyone who wants to learn to see to draw and improve or improve their drawing technique.
Requirements and materials
To carry out this course it is necessary to have basic knowledge of drawing.
You can do the exercises in a traditional way with pencil, paper, eraser and ruler or also in digital, with a computer with Adobe Photoshop installed.
Reviews
Alex Arizmendi
A course by Alex Arizmendi
Alex Arizmendi was born in 1976 in Mexico City (Mexico). His passion for fantasy, science fiction, human emotions and pop culture led him to devote himself to the visual arts, specifically to drawing. He has extensive professional experience of almost two decades, mainly in the publishing, advertising and entertainment industries. Among its clients are brands such as Editorial Televisa, Warner Music, Telcel, Avon and Marvel Comics.
His work has been recognized by different communities of the visual world such as Behance, IdN magazine and Advance Photoshop. He has also been a lecturer at UAM Azcapotzalco, UAM Xochimilco, Universidad del Pedregal, Northwestern University of Tampico, Anáhuac de Puebla and Universidad Londres, among others.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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My influences
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U2
The documentation and its value
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Drawing as an artistic practice
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The documentation
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From the idea to the concept, through the documentation.
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U3
Observation methods
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How to use the methods of observation?
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The grid or grid
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The guidelines
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The lines of force
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The implicit lines
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The shape
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Negative and positive spaces
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Bonus track: Simplification P1
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Bonus track: Simplification P2
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U4
Let's draw!
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Preparation of our work file
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A first sketch
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From the first sketch to the final drawing
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FP
Final project
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Drawing as a creative base
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn professional techniques for drawing comic characters, creating impactful portfolios, mastering observation, visual composition, using references, and developing commercial and editorial illustration projects.
This course is designed for intermediate learners; it’s perfect if you already have basic drawing skills and want to deepen your knowledge with advanced techniques and professional development.
You only need basic drawing materials, a computer or tablet with illustration software (optional), and internet access to reach the content and digital resources.
You’ll learn how to organize and select your best work, tailor your portfolio to your target audience, and present your projects professionally at events and selection processes.
The course covers creative observation methods, visual analysis, use of references, image banks, organizing boards like Pinterest and Tumblr, and documenting creative processes.
Yes, you’ll do structured exercises in observation, quick sketches, grid use, shape simplification, and light and shadow techniques to strengthen your skills.
You’ll learn how to design comic characters and caricatures, focusing on anatomy, proportions, stylization, and developing your own visual voice.
La primera unidad es un poco lenta pero el contenido del curso es bueno debido a su gran cantidad de técnicas
Excelente contenido, recomendable al 100%.
Exelente desde el comienzo, recomendable al 100%
Un gran curso para empezar a desarrollar las habilidades de investigación y preparación para la creatividad a la hora de realizar proyectos de dibujo para marcas y demás
Muy bueno, me esta gustando mucho.