Diorama: Thinking in 3D
A course by Óscar Sanmartín VargasIllustrator and Modeler
A course by Óscar Sanmartín Vargas, Illustrator and Modeler
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.
What will you learn in this online course?
19 lessons & 15 downloads
Album covers that I would like you to meet
10 minutes, 47 seconds
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
What's included in this course?
Illustration is as real as life itself. Unleash your illustrations from the flat format and explore the possibilities of three-dimensional techniques. Practice easy and effective methods to build characters and objects and give them volume and texture. Óscar goes over very basic notions of lighting so that, spending almost no money, you can improvise a mini photography set. Finally, learn about some of the digital retouching tricks that Óscar uses to give his images that special look.
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
- 2 months ago
muy recomendado
- 10 months ago
Excelente curso! muy motivador, el profesor es atento y dedicado, además de excelente artista... 100% recomendado... el curso da muchos tips útiles para trabajos futuros incluso artísticos que podrían aprovecharse en obras en medios mixtos... también son buenas las recomendaciones de fotografía y edición... muchas gracias!
- 10 months ago
Perfecto, muy ameno, he aprendido mucho con él.
- 11 months ago
Ótimo curso! Recomendo!
- javosanvalPLUS1 year ago
Me sirvio mucho para mis dioramas y maquetas, sobre todo la parte de Photoshop.
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
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 to create original album covers by combining techniques like illustration, modeling, digital collage, and photography, blending visual storytelling, miniature set design, and both classic and modern graphic elements.
This is an intermediate-level course, perfect for those with basic skills in illustration, design, or modeling who want to deepen their mixed-media techniques for creative covers.
You’ll need paper, pencils, watercolors, acrylics, a modeling knife, glue, wood, diorama materials, and access to Photoshop or other digital editing software.
The course covers techniques such as sketching, shading, halftone patterns, watercolor, airbrushing, digital collage, SuperSculpey modeling, spray painting, aging with steel wool, and building miniature sets.
Yes, you’ll learn how to blend vintage and modern typography in Photoshop and compose balanced images for album and book covers.
Yes, the techniques and concepts apply equally to album covers, vinyl sleeves, editorial covers, and other graphic projects.
The course analyzes both historic and contemporary covers, from psychedelic and Victorian art to photographic minimalism and digital retrofuturism.