Introduction to Gouache: A Chromatic Journey to Japan
A course by Lil Sire , Illustrator

Master gouache painting techniques to create a Japanese-style illustration full of details and vivid colors
Are you ready to discover the endless possibilities that gouache painting has to offer? Vibrant and poetic colors, rich textures, and fine details added with the most delicate of touches. For illustrator Lil Sire, the world of gouache is a playground in which she draws inspiration from Japanese folklore and the splendor of nature.
In this course, travel to the very heart of Japanese culture while learning the secrets of gouache painting. By the end of the course, you'll know how to find inspiration and create your own illustration, mastering everything from flat washes to selling online.
What will you learn in this online course?
22 lessons & 16 downloads
- 99% positive reviews (149)
- 3,043 students
- 22 lessons (3h 54m)
- 16 additional resources (3 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: French
- French · Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Create a gouache painting that illustrates a Japanese character surrounded by animals and plant patterns.

Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Illustrators and art students, as well as anyone interesting in painting who would like to discover some new techniques with gouache.
Requirements and materials
You need a mechanical pencil, sketch paper, watercolor paper (300gsm), absorbent paper, paintbrushes, tubes of gouache, and a paint palette. You also need a light tablet if you have access to one.
No prior knowledge of gouache painting is needed, the course is open to everyone, even beginners.

Reviews

Lil Sire
A course by Lil Sire
Lil Sire started out exploring the worlds of ceramics, embroidery, and jewelry, before specializing in illustration. This creative journey through several artistic disciplines taught her patience and the importance of consistent practice in creation.
After being discovered by fashion brand Anthropologie, she worked for Lefranc Bourgeois as well as magazines The Tōkyōiter and Psychologies. She has also designed book covers and even sent an illustration into space!
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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U2
The basics
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Tools and materials
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The technique: brushes
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Taming the technique: brushes 1
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Taming the technique: brushes 2
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The technique: the colors
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Taming the technique: colors 1
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Taming the technique: 2 colors
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U3
The illustration
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Be curious to stay inspired
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Formatting the illustration
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U4
Gouache
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The characters and their faces 1
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The characters and their faces 2
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The characters and their faces 3
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Background colors 1
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Background colors 2
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Finishes and details 1
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Finishes and details 2
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U5
Highlight your illustration
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Sharing and posting on social networks
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Tips for opening your online store
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Illustrator agencies in France
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A few final tips
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FP
Final project
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Introduction to Gouache: A Chromatic Journey to Japan
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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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.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
What are Domestika's online courses?
Domestika courses are online classes that allow you to learn new skills and create incredible projects. All our courses include the opportunity to share your work with other students and/or teachers, creating an active learning community. We offer different formats:
Original Courses: Complete classes that combine videos, texts, and educational materials to complete a specific project from start to finish.
Basics Courses: Specialized training where you master specific software tools step by step.
Specialization Courses: Learning paths with various expert teachers on the same topic, perfect for becoming a specialist by learning from different approaches.
Guided Courses: Practical experiences ideal for directly acquiring specific skills.
Intensive Courses (Deep Dives): New creative processes based on artificial intelligence tools in an accessible format for in-depth and dynamic understanding.
When do the courses start and when do they finish?
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.
What do Domestika's courses include?
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.
Have you been given a course?
You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.
j'ai beaucoup aimé le rythme du cours et tous les supers conseils de Lil Sire. Elle est très pédagogue et généreuse de conseils et d'astuces. son cours est très complet.
conclusion: top cours j'ai appris beaucoup et j'y ai pris beaucoup de plaisir. Je recommande à tous ceux qui aiment ou qui veulent découvrir la gouache.
Excellent class! Very clear and well taught. Also, beautiful work!
Excelente curso. Uno de los que más me ha gustado de Domestika.La profesora es muy didáctica y amena en sus clases. Dá gusto verla pintar!. Buscaré un motivo para pintar mi propia version en gouache
J'ai beaucoup aimé !
Great course, really enjoyed it.