Diorama: Thinking in 3D

A course by Óscar Sanmartín Vargas , Illustrator and Modeler

Illustrator and Modeler. Zaragoza, Spain.
Joined April 2014

Design a CD cover modeling real scenography

  • English, Spanish
  • 100% positive reviews (237)
  • 4823 students

Design a CD cover modeling real scenography

Have you ever wanted to reinvent your work method by jumping into the third dimension? In this course, Óscar Sanmartín teaches you how to illustrate an album cover by creating a 3D miniature diorama or scenography. The key to making it work is not limiting yourself to 2D. Discover the endless options to compose a real scene using simple and easily available materials. In addition, learn some basic tricks so you can photograph your models and then digitally enhance them.

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What will you learn in this online course?

19 lessons & 15 downloads

Materials and tools
23 minutes, 32 seconds
Looking for the idea
7 minutes, 11 seconds
Borroncitos and sketches
9 minutes, 49 seconds
Finishing the sketch
7 minutes, 44 seconds
We chose the technique
6 minutes, 18 seconds
English, Spanish
  • 100% positive reviews (237)
  • 4823 students
  • 19 lessons (3h 7m)
  • 15 additional resources (12 files)
  • Online and at your own pace
  • Available on the app
  • Audio: English, Spanish
  • Spanish, English, Portuguese, German, French, Italian, Polish, Dutch
  • Level: Intermediate
  • Unlimited access forever

What is this course's project?

Make the album cover of your choice, using a photograph of a miniature set that you've built as an illustration.

Projects by course students

Who is this online course for?

This course is for illustrators or graphic designers who want to move to a new dimension and experiment with new methods and techniques to create images. You can also follow this course even if you are not a professional designer.

Requirements and materials

It is not necessary to have previous knowledge of modeling, sculpture, or photography, but it is helpful to have experience with Photoshop and digital retouching.

Regarding the materials, modeling tools such as an airbrush and a mini drill are used, as well as materials such as styrene sheets, but these can be replaced by simpler methods and more common materials that are just as effective.

A compact digital camera can be used to take a photo of the diorama, so it is not necessary to have sophisticated photography equipment.


Reviews

4823 Students
237 Reviews
100% Positive ratings
  • More reviews

Óscar Sanmartín Vargas

Teacher Plus
Illustrator and Modeler

I'm Óscar Sanmartín Vargas, and I'm a freelance illustrator and modeler. I do editorial illustration, making covers for books—mostly for publishers such as Tropo Editores—and designing posters. I have also had experience in the audiovisual world, participating in the art direction of feature films and television series, as well as designing various theater sets. I have always enjoyed building models and dioramas for fun. A few years ago, I decided to incorporate them professionally as a means of creating illustrations.


Content

  • U1

    Presentation

    • Me and my circumstances
    • References
    • Album covers that I would like you to meet
    • Materials and tools
  • U2

    Concept / Sketching

    • Looking for the idea
    • Borroncitos and sketches
    • Finishing the sketch
  • U3

    Contruction of the figure

    • We chose the technique
    • Building the frame
    • Modeling with paper pulp and cardboard
    • Applying the texture
    • Shading and finishing
    • Finishing details
    • Building the scuba
  • U4

    Construction of the scenery

    • Building the map
    • Building the stage
  • U5

    Composition

    • Illuminating the diorama
    • Retouching the image
    • Choosing the graph
  • FP

    Final project

    • Diorama: Thinking in three dimensions

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
    Plus

    If 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

Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.

All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.

The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.

You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.

If you're a Plus member, when you complete a course you've purchased, you'll instantly get your personalized certificate. You can see all your certificates in the Certificates section of your profile. You can download your certificates as PDFs and share the link online. Learn more about certificates.
Diorama: Thinking in 3D. Craft course by Óscar Sanmartín Vargas

Diorama: Thinking in 3D

A course by Óscar Sanmartín Vargas
Illustrator and Modeler. Zaragoza, Spain.
Joined April 2014
  • 100% positive reviews (237)
  • 4823 students