Illustrated Scenes Using Traditional Techniques on Photoshop

What if you could tell a story visually, without writing a single word? Through creative techniques and exercises, Jimena Estíbaliz, illustrator specialized in editorial illustration, wants to show you how.

Discover how to create a visual story in three images using theatrical elements to give more dynamism to your characters, learn how to create hand-made textures and incorporate them into your Photoshop paintbrushes, and learn how to print your work with a number of creative techniques.

Jimena begins the course by telling you about her career and shares some of the artists that most inspire her and why.

Review what Jimena has prepared for you in the course, go over some of her techniques, such as how to visualize an illustration as a theatrical scene, going over puppet theatre concepts and scenic design, costume, and lighting. Learn how Jimena uses silence as a concept in her work and take a look at some of her favorite silent books.

Start the practical part of the course by playing a game to unlock your ideas and put your imagination to work. With the results obtained, start sketching your character and scene, learning how to give movement and expression to your work.

Move on to working on the textures for your digital illustration, using black paint, textured paper, and types of paintbrushes to create different effects. Next, do a practical exercise to work on your composition. Learn how to use different tools to create harmonic color palettes and create paintbrushes with your handmade textures.

Get to work on your illustrations on Photoshop, starting with how to configure the dimensions of your file correctly. Learn how to illustrate with layers, masks, and paintbrushes, seeing how to adjust your colors and composition. Use the paintbrushes you created to add a unique touch to your work, seeing the different ways in which you can apply them.

Lastly, learn how to print your work in two to four colors, using screen printing and Risograph, as well as in full color. Finish the course with Jimena’s advice on how to present your work.

Create a series of three illustrations that narrate a story that can be clearly understood without the need for text.

For all those that want to create images that tell a story with dynamic characters and create scenes that communicate a clear concept. This course is also useful for those who want to learn illustration techniques on Adobe Photoshop and create their own brushes.

To take this course, you need basic drawing skills, general notions of how to use the tools on Adobe Photoshop (such as Paintbrush, gradients, Lasso, Cloning, etc), and some experience in drawing with a graphics tablet.

As for materials, you need a computer with Adobe Photoshop and a graphics tablet. To create your digital paintbrushes with analog techniques, you need sheets of textured paper (Fabriano, Sundance, Rosaspina, etc.), black India ink, black acrylic paint, a sponge, a stiff bristle paintbrush, a soft-haired paintbrush, a roller, and a mixing tray.