Pictorial Portraits Using Digital Techniques
A course by Alex de Marcos GarcíaIllustrator
A course by Alex de Marcos García, Illustrator
Learn how to use Photoshop to create illustrations using pixels as brushstrokes
Making portraits with striking colors, settings, and finishes, combining painting and digital techniques is one of the specialties of Alex de Marcos, an illustrator from Madrid who has been making his way onto the Spanish art scene. His works can be found in all areas of illustration, from children's books, through the biography of Kurt Cobain and stickers for Instagram, to advertising for Coca-Cola, Nike, and Bombay, among other renowned brands.
In this course, Alex teaches you step by step how to make a digital illustration in Adobe Photoshop achieving a pictorial and organic finish. Learn how to use color, create amazing environments, and give texture to your composition, making the technique your personal brand. Alex will also provide a number of digital resources and give valuable tips on how to succeed on Instagram.
What will you learn in this online course?
23 lessons & 64 downloads
What Will We Do in the Course?
1 minute, 36 seconds
About Adobe Photoshop
14 minutes, 47 seconds
Color Theory
8 minutes, 56 seconds
References and Documentation
2 minutes, 45 seconds
Composition and Collage Sketch
14 minutes, 11 seconds
Sketch to Line: Shadow Map 1
9 minutes, 27 seconds
What's included in this course?
Alex de Marcos starts by talking about his professional career in the world of illustration in its different fields: advertising graphics, art, and publishing. He shares the milestones of his career, the importance of his technique, and the artists who have influenced his work.
Then, go deeper into Adobe Photoshop learning all the techniques and secrets of Alex: his brushes, layer effects, textures, and other resources so you can make a portrait with a pictorial finish.
Get introduced to color theory, seeing what it takes to illuminate and highlight your illustration. Learn how to find reference images for your composition by organizing a mood board.
In the next step, get down to work and start making your composition. First, make a sketch, in the form of a collage, with the chosen references, then go on to make a shadow map, and then see how to create an interesting scene, painting elements that will give a unique touch to your image.
Create a color palette and make your first brushstrokes, taking into account their direction and energy. Alex teaches you tricks for painting hair and clothes, applying different textures.
In the last unit, give the final touches to your portrait, making your digital work look like it was done by hand. Finally, see how to print or export your file, as Alex gives you some tips to succeed on Instagram and become a professional illustrator.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Make an illustrated portrait in Photoshop, combining powerful colors, an eye-catching environment, and a unique hand-painted finish.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone who is interested in digital illustration and wants to do the process, step by step, from the sketch to the final finishes, with the aim of surprising by applying a unique painting technique.
Requirements and materials
Basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop is needed.
As for the materials, you must have a computer with Photoshop installed and a graphics tablet or iPad —Alex will show you a way to turn your iPad into a graphic drawing tablet—.
Reviews
- yanetevansPLUS6 months ago
expectacular!!!! y super divertido quede facinada, encontré en este el curso todo lo buscaba .❤️ hasta risas sobre todo en teoria del color.; precioso curso entretenido lo recomiendo a ojos cerrados!!!!
- 8 months ago
I've been familiar with Alex de Marcos García's work for some time, and I'm glad with this course. From what I've seen so far, it contains very interesting content, and my work methods are similar, so I hope to gain valuable knowledge.
- 10 months ago
great course!
- goutamPLUS11 months ago
TOP
- 1 year ago
Excelente
He has painted paintings for film decoration such as the Spanish film Get Her... If You Can and murals for Mercedes Fashion Week and the Madrid City Hall. He has been recognized internationally with different awards, including Silver in the illustration category at ADCI (Italy).
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- What Will We Do in the Course?
- U2
What We Need to Know and Have
- About Adobe Photoshop
- Color Theory
- References and Documentation
- U3
Let's Do It
- Composition and Collage Sketch
- Sketch to Line: Shadow Map 1
- Sketch to Line: Shadow Map 2
- Sketch to Line: Shadow Map 3
- Sketch to Line: Shadow Map 4
- Line sketch: shadow map 5
- Color Palette and First Brush Strokes 1
- Color Palette and First Brush Strokes 2
- Color Palette and First Brush Strokes 3
- Color Palette and First Brush Strokes 4
- Fashion and Clothing 1
- Fashion and Clothing 2
- U4
Digital Plasticity
- Plasticity
- Export and Succeed
- See You on Instagram
- Start Being an Illustrator
- Bonus Track
- FP
Final project
- Pictorial Portraits Using Digital Techniques
What to expect from a Domestika course
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.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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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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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FAQs
You’ll learn how to create digital illustrations and paintings using mixed techniques, manage color, light, and textures, and apply your style to editorial, advertising, mural, and product design projects using Photoshop and digital tools.
Yes, this course is designed for those with basic digital illustration skills who want to refine painterly techniques, color handling, and advanced composition in Photoshop.
You’ll need basic drawing and Photoshop knowledge, a computer, a graphics tablet, and Photoshop installed. Advanced digital painting experience isn’t required.
You’ll be prepared to work in editorial illustration, advertising campaigns, product design, mural creation, children’s illustration, and build a portfolio for clients and brands.
Yes, you’ll learn to mimic traditional effects like painterly textures, expressive brushstrokes, and digital collage using custom brushes and advanced Photoshop techniques.
The course teaches how to create color palettes, use the color wheel, combine complementary colors and harmonies, and adjust digital hues for expressive, balanced compositions.
You’ll be able to create portraits, murals, children’s book illustrations, ad campaigns, fashion compositions, and figurative art using mixed and digital techniques.