Illustration and Character Development with Watercolor
A course by Valentina ArmstrongDesigner and Illustrator
A course by Valentina Armstrong, Designer and Illustrator
Learn to create and draw characters with unique identities by experimenting with watercolors and colored pencils
An asymmetric face, big ears, a mop of hair with a bad dye job . . . turn the imperfect reality around you into art. Designer, illustrator, and expert in character development Valentina Armstrong shows you how to focus on the features of people around you and use them as inspiration for your art.
In this course, learn how to create illustrated characters experimenting with a mix of watercolor and colored pencil techniques. Learn tricks for character development to help you depict the identity and inner world of the characters in your drawings.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 15 downloads
What Will We Do in the Course?
2 minutes, 19 seconds
Materials
7 minutes, 26 seconds
Analyzing Characters
13 minutes, 38 seconds
Watercolor Catalog 1
13 minutes, 19 seconds
Watercolor Catalog 2
8 minutes, 53 seconds
Concept and References
8 minutes, 36 seconds
What's included in this course?
Valentina begins the course by talking about how she became an illustrator. She tells you about where she draws inspiration from for her work and shows you some of her main influences.
Next, she explains her approach and shares some tricks she uses to create, draw, and develop each of her characters. Analyze some illustrations with your instructor and explore her creative process including how to define concepts, search for references, and use a range of watercolor techniques.
Now it’s time to bring your character to life! Draw a sketch and then transfer it to the final paper and start painting. Valentina also gives you some useful tips on how to organize and prepare the colors for your illustration. Paint in layers starting with the face, the hair, and the body, and highlight certain details using colored pencils.
Put the finishing touches on your character and give them style and context by adding clothing or accessories. Finally, retouch your work in Photoshop to create an illustration with personality that’s full of life and color.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Design and draw your own character using the watercolors techniques you learn throughout the course.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
People who have experimented with watercolors before or illustrators who want to learn to create illustrated characters.
Requirements and materials
You need the basic notions of drawing, some experience with watercolors, and to be familiar with Adobe Photoshop.
For this course you need special watercolor materials, colored pencils, and some common items you can find in your desk.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
Great course!
- marianilustraPLUS5 months ago
ME ha encantado la forma tan fluida de ilustrar y el manejo del color. Además el proceso creativo es sencillo y accesible para to el mundo. Muy recomendable si quieres aprender a crear ilustraciones sin buscar la perfeccion.
- 5 months ago
Kurs był dla mnie wyjściem ze swojej strefy komfortu - średnio czuję się z rysowaniem ludzi. Na szczęście Valentina przeprowadza uczestnika przez kolejne kroki bezboleśnie i daje małe rady, które bardzo ułatwiają proces! Dobrze się bawiłam, dziękuję! :)
- fanny_lavanchyPLUS5 months ago
Muy interesante como explica Valentina, haciendo incapie en la observación de los detalles que singularizan el personaje.Sencilla y generosa en lo que entrega, cercana. Me ha encantado el curso!
- 8 months ago
Me encanta como explica la profesora, es muy generosa compartiendo consejos y conocimientos que nos son muy útiles. Ademaa ella es duper sencilla y humilde y transmite mucho. Gracias Valentina estoy disfrutando de este curso tan ameno, jovial y rico en conocimientos!
She bases her characters on real-life people and captures their imperfect reality with watercolors and pencils. Both common traits and unique features are sources of inspiration that Valentina uses to imagine each character's inner world.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- What Will We Do in the Course?
- U2
Materials and Basic Concepts
- Materials
- Analyzing Characters
- Watercolor Catalog 1
- Watercolor Catalog 2
- Concept and References
- U3
The Drawing and the Color Application!
- Your Ideas, on Paper!
- Transfer to Medium
- Color Planning and Preparation
- Painting the Face 1
- Painting the face 2
- Painting the Body and Clothes
- U4
Final Steps
- Accessories
- Digital Retouching and Finishing
- FP
Final project
- Illustration and Character Development with Watercolor
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 how to create illustrated characters by combining watercolor and colored pencils, from sketching to digital retouching, applying mixed media techniques, textures, and crafting expressive, original portraits.
Yes, this course is designed for those with basic drawing and illustration skills who want to deepen their knowledge of watercolor and mixed materials to create original characters.
You’ll need watercolors, watercolor paper, colored pencils, natural fiber brushes, masking tape, blotting paper, and access to Photoshop for digital retouching.
Basic drawing and painting knowledge is recommended, but no expert watercolor skills are required since techniques are explained step-by-step.
The course teaches how to combine watercolor with colored pencils, alcohol markers, dripping techniques, salt for texture effects, and digital touch-ups in Photoshop.
Yes, the course covers creating feminine and grotesque portraits, exploring diversity and expressiveness through watercolor techniques and pencil details.
You’ll learn to analyze facial features, design accessories, and work on facial expressions to create authentic, expressive illustrated characters.