Flat Illustration with Photoshop
A course by Willian SantiagoIllustrator and designer
A course by Willian Santiago, Illustrator and designer
Learn digital painting techniques using brushes to create unique compositions with texture
Can you imagine being able to transpose vibrant colors, organic brush strokes, simple shapes, and natural textures in your digital illustrations? These flat-style characteristics are designer and illustrator Willian Santiago’s specialty. His expertise has led him to collaborate with brands such as Adobe, Havaianas, and Natura. His compositions convey a burst of color and contrast that draws inspiration from a playful, Brazilian-style universe.
In this course, you will learn how to compose a flat-style illustration in Adobe Photoshop, with brushes that take reference from manual techniques such as colored pencils, chalk, and watercolors. Willian teaches how to use each brush and encourages you to explore many different textures. Once you have completed this course, you will know how to apply each element of your composition for various types of mockups.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 16 downloads
What's included in this course?
Start by getting to know Willian, discovering his professional career as a designer and illustrator so far. See some of his work and learn the artistic references that inspire his work.
In the second unit, create a mood board and collect references that will serve as a guide to draw your first sketches. Then, Willian shows you a wide variety of brushes in Adobe Photoshop that simulate analogical techniques such as chalk, watercolor, and pencils.
Once you have created your sketch and tested many different elements, you will move onto the production phase. Start off your final flat-style illustration with Photoshop, and learn how to use specific functionalities and techniques such as layer organization, direct access, brushes, finishes, and textures.
Willian shares some tips to help you work more efficiently, showing you how to change colors swiftly, and how to create noise texture layers to give more character to your illustration.
In the final stage, you’ll learn how to adapt your composition to other formats to enhance your portfolio and apply it to mockups (mugs, plates, paper, etc.). And lastly, Willan will give you advice on how to promote your work on Behance and Instagram.
Once you have completed the course, you will have learned how to use a number of brushes, and will know how to apply many different finishing details, obtaining a clear idea of how to adapt your flat illustrations to mockups, to enhance your cover letter and portfolio.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
You will create a flat-style illustration and explore the digital textures on Photoshop. Your final illustration will contain different elements that will be applied to mockups (book covers, mugs, plates, stationery, and others).
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
For artists, designers, and anyone interested in digital illustration. This course will also be of use to those that already have notions of digital illustration, that want to expand their knowledge in textures and manual stroke techniques.
Requirements and materials
You will need basic knowledge of Adobe Photoshop.
As for materials, you will need a computer with Adobe Photoshop and a graphics tablet.
He also worked in the editorial field, creating illustrations for various magazines and book covers, and collaborated with brands such as VSCO, Anthropologie, Wetransfer, Society6 and Apple Music. In 2015, he illustrated Brazilian writer Luis Fernando Veríssimo’s first children’s book, O Sétimo Gato, which won the Literary Jabuti Prize in the Children’s Digital category.
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.
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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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