Creative Illustration Techniques with Gouache
A course by Aljoscha BlauArtist, illustrator and author
A course by Aljoscha Blau, Artist, illustrator and author
Discover the versatility of gouache by combining basic and experimental techniques to develop your own illustration style
Aljoscha Blau is a genius when it comes to varying the style of his award-winning illustrations, which revel in the versatility of gouache. Although this type of painting has been around for at least one thousand years across various countries and civilizations, there are still many aspects left to explore. In the 20th century, it became the most influential painting technique for illustration, poster design, and drawing for advertising.
In this course, learn to experiment with traditional gouache painting methods in a fun and atypical way. Discover a wide range of possibilities to perfect your own illustration style and for you your final project, draw an imaginative and unique animal using one or more of the new techniques taught by Aljoscha. By the end of this course, you'll be able to paint an infinite number of pieces using gouache.
What will you learn in this online course?
18 lessons & 20 downloads
Materials
10 minutes, 59 seconds
Basics: Washing and Glazing 1
13 minutes, 30 seconds
Painting with the “Dry Brush”, Stencil Technique, Drawing with a Reed Pen 1
14 minutes, 57 seconds
Covering Parts of the Image with Masking Fluid 1
16 minutes, 51 seconds
First Sketch and Technique Selection
7 minutes, 10 seconds
Creating the Final Illustration 1
19 minutes, 33 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start the course by getting to know your teacher, artist Aljoscha Blau, a little better. He tells you about his childhood in the Soviet Union, his university studies in illustration in Hamburg, his professional experience, and his main sources of inspiration.
He then explains the basic concepts and history of gouache, and shows you the materials required. Move on to review color theory and do some exercises to work with balance and contrast.
At this point, get to know more of the different aspects of gouache. Aljoscha guides you through the essential techniques such as the wash, the glaze, dry brushing, stenciling, and finally masking parts of the painting.
Later, dive headfirst into a complex illustrative task. Using the gouache techniques learned, develop a character from the initial ideas and sketch to the final illustration. As an example, your teacher draws a fantastic animal.
Aljoscha gives you some final tips on how to create an illustrated story, comic book, or picture book with your artwork. Also see how to give your character emotions and how to expand on their story.
What is this course's project?
Illustrate a fantastic animal with gouache.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone who wants to explore gouache and experiment with this exciting medium.
Requirements and materials
You need basic knowledge of illustration to take this course.
As for materials, you need watercolor paper, gouache, paintbrushes, a pencil, a reed pen, a cutter, and masking fluid, as well as other utensils that can be found around the house and that your teacher specifies at the beginning of the course.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
Ce cours est tout à fait génial ! Il m'a aidé à crééer de nouveaux personnages. Merci beaucoup !
- 6 months ago
Der Kurs ist sehr zu empfehlen und wird nur von seinem Buch "Multitalent Gouache" noch übertroffen!
- 8 months ago
Me ha encantado, cuando ves sus ilustraciones, las del profesor, su obra, que me encanta y admiro, es difícil saber cómo consigue las texturas tan originales, gracias al curso he podido descubrir paso a paso cómo hacerlo.
- 9 months ago
interesante
- 1 year ago
Me encanta!
What appeals to him about the genre of the picture book is the illustrator's special responsibility to translate content that previously only existed in abstract language into the visual. He sees his projects as intellectual adventures with room for surprises, the grotesque and humour. He often lets the details do the talking and invites the viewer to look around in peace. His books in cooperation with German and international publishers, including Peter Hammer, Aufbau, NordSüd and Bajazzo, have received numerous international awards such as the German Youth Literature Prize and the renowned BolognaRagazzi Award. In "Multitalent Gouache" he recorded his experiences and techniques for illustration with gouache in book form.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About me
- My Influences
- U2
Gouache Bases
- History of Gouache Painting in Art and Illustration
- Materials
- Insight into Color Theory
- U3
Techniques of Gouache: A Different Water Colour
- Basics: Washing and Glazing 1
- Basics: Washing and Glazing 2
- Painting with the “Dry Brush”, Stencil Technique, Drawing with a Reed Pen 1
- Painting with the “Dry Brush”, Stencil Technique, Drawing with a Reed Pen 2
- Covering Parts of the Image with Masking Fluid 1
- Covering Parts of the Image with Masking Fluid 2
- U4
A Strange Animal
- Brainstorming
- First Sketch and Technique Selection
- Creating the Final Illustration 1
- Creating the Final Illustration 2
- The Character’s Environment
- U5
Outlook: Developing the Illustration and Story Further
- Developing the Character
- Developing the Story
- FP
Final project
- Creative Illustration Techniques with Gouache
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
The course is aimed at advanced beginners and those with some drawing or painting experience who want to deepen their skills specifically in book illustration and gouache techniques.
You will need gouache paints, a variety of brushes, a mixing palette, high-quality paper (such as watercolor paper), masking fluid, a craft knife, a sketchbook, and optionally pastel chalks and lettering pens.
You will learn key gouache techniques like glazing, layering, dry brushing, masking, and color layering to create rich, atmospheric illustrations.
Yes, after the course you will be able to develop original characters, refine them through drawing, and seamlessly integrate them into children's book illustrations.
Basic drawing or painting skills are helpful, but the course guides you step-by-step through the essential gouache and illustration techniques.
You will explore different artistic approaches, techniques, and sources of inspiration to discover and develop your own style for book illustration and gouache.
Yes, you will learn about the color wheel, various color harmonies, contrasts, and how to use them effectively to create mood in your illustrations.