Naturalistic Illustration for Design Collections
A course by Pascale Marie SabelleArtist and Designer
A course by Pascale Marie Sabelle, Artist and Designer
Discover the beauty of naturalistic illustration and how it can be applied to product collections. Create illustrations using ink and watercolor.
Every species requires another to exist. In this course, the illustrator Pascale-Marie will teach you to investigate the relationships that exist between the species of an ecosystem and then translate them on paper using ink and watercolor.
You will focus on the colors, textures, and shapes of the flora and fauna, which you will end up applying to a collection of products you have created. You will use scientific information in order to create works with a solid foundation and you will have fun composing naturalistic illustrations.
What will you learn in this online course?
20 lessons & 32 downloads
Observation and Research
8 minutes, 36 seconds
The species and its natural world
15 minutes, 41 seconds
Exercises with graphite and ink 1
14 minutes, 48 seconds
Exercises with graphite and ink 2
19 minutes, 42 seconds
Exercises with watercolor
11 minutes, 7 seconds
Card of color
18 minutes, 19 seconds
What's included in this course?
In the first lessons, Pascale-Marie will tell you about her career as a naturalist illustrator, her influences and her creative process.
You will know the necessary materials for the final project and you will delve into the importance of observation and research as a starting point for naturalistic illustration.
Later you will do exercises that will help you loosen your hand, and you will see how to choose a color palette, based on the chosen species. You will make a sketch of the illustration, you will learn about composition and graphic construction concepts and you will transfer to watercolor paper.
You will begin the inking of the illustration, and then paint the bird and the organic elements that accompany it with watercolor. You will also work on the details in depth, to achieve a naturalistic illustration with a personal stamp.
Finally, you will enter the process of creating a collection of illustrated products. You will digitize and apply the first parameter adjustments, and then go to the digital models and the last revision with the printed images.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
You will make a naturalistic illustration of fauna and flora, and you will creatively capture it in a collection of products.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
To all those curious about nature, who want to develop creativity through art and observation.
Requirements and materials
It is ideal if you have basic knowledge of drawing, although they are not exclusively necessary. You will use a computer with Adobe Photoshop, Procreate (optional) or graphite pencil and paper to draw.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
Me gusta su manera de mostrar su proceso, lo hace de una manera clara, me motiva a llevar un proceso similar, gracias.
- 3 months ago
A wonderful course, as I've learnt a lot. I especially enjoyed learning the various watercolour painting techniques, which were new to me. Thank you to the tutor, for sharing her knowledge & skills!
- 4 months ago
Es un curso muy inspirador! Aprendes muchas cosas valiosas pero al mismom tiempo te anima a realmente apreciar y crear. Lo recomiendo un montón!
- 4 months ago
Es realmente grandiosa la forma en la que está planteado el curso, la forma de explicar es muy precisa, tranquila y permite comprender técnicas y formas de una manera amplia y suficiente. La maestra es excelente y su calma es inspiradora, permite que los conceptos queden claros y se asimilen con confianza. Gracias, ¡es un curso genial! Más como éste por favor.
- 5 months ago
I really enjoyed and learned a lot from this course. I highly recommend it.
His most recent work is dedicated to studying and delving into families of species that inhabit Chile and raising informative and illustrated material that speaks of ecosystem imaginaries through research.
Now, her horizons have expanded towards new supports where she can apply her works in the form of products such as textile pieces, stationery, among others.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Observation and Research
- Materials
- Observation and Research
- The species and its natural world
- U3
Practice and Sketch
- Exercises with graphite and ink 1
- Exercises with graphite and ink 2
- Exercises with watercolor
- Card of color
- Sketch
- Transfer
- U4
Ink and Paint
- Inking 1
- Inking 2
- Painting the bird
- Painting the organic elements
- Details and personal seal 1
- Details and personal seal 2
- U5
Creating the Collection
- Starting the digital process
- To play with the material!
- Review and dissemination of the collection
- FP
Final project
- Naturalistic Illustration for Design Collections
What to expect from a Domestika course
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FAQs
You’ll learn to observe, analyze, and depict animal and plant species using graphite, ink, and watercolor techniques. You’ll also master composition, color mixing, and how to apply your illustrations to various surfaces like paper, fabric, or printed products.
This course is designed for people with intermediate drawing or painting skills. Basic experience with traditional techniques is recommended to get the most out of the content.
You’ll need cotton paper, tracing paper, graphite, ink, watercolors, brushes, tape, a ceramic palette, and optionally digital tools like a tablet and Procreate.
You’ll learn mixed techniques using graphite, ink, and watercolor, including gradients, color blending, textures, layout, inking, and transferring sketches—both on traditional and digital media.
Yes, the course teaches you how to adapt your illustrations to different formats and products like notebooks, postcards, textiles, and materials for printing or scientific outreach.
You’ll be able to illustrate birds, insects, native plants, ecosystems, and specific species like Chilean parrots, applying taxonomy, observation, and scientific analysis.
Scientific illustration communicates knowledge about biodiversity accurately and beautifully, promoting appreciation, education, and conservation of species and ecosystems.