Floral Illustration with Gouache Paint
A course by Malin Gyllensvaan, Illustrator and Pattern Designer
Joined June 2021
Learn gouache techniques to paint an illustration of flora and fauna filled with color and detail
Joined June 2021
Nature is one of the best places to find inspiration for your illustrations. Pattern designer and illustrator Malin Gyllensvaan takes the unique shapes she sees in the natural world, and paints them with vibrant gouache paint. Her artwork has appeared in puzzles and greeting cards, and she has collaborated with clients like IKEA, Anthropologie, and Bespoke Press.
In this online course, learn how to draw flowers, leaves, and animals, then paint them with gouache. Explore drawing exercises and brushstroke techniques to create bold and beautiful illustrations. By the end of the course, you will be ready to master the gouache technique.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 19 downloads
What's included in this course?
Begin by getting to know Malin Gyllensvaan, a Swedish Illustrator based in Stockholm, and your teacher for this course. Hear about her creative journey through the word of illustration and pattern design. She also shares her main sources of inspiration, from vintage textiles, folk art, and nature.
Get an overview of the materials needed for the course. Find inspiration by searching for references, and making a mood board. Then see how Malin creates a color palette by playing around with materials.
Next, start drawing different shapes inspired by different flowers in your sketchbook. Malin guides you through experimenting with the paint and creating textures. Then draw different thumbnails and choose your favorite one for your final illustration.
See how to transfer the thumbnail onto a bigger piece of paper. Malin takes you step by step through the process of painting leaves, animals, and flowers using light and dark colors. Learn how to define all the details with a fine brush and pencil.
As a bonus, Malin shows you how she retouches her illustrations digitally, from the colors to the textured background. To wrap up the course, learn how to prepare it for printing.
- 98% positive reviews (129)
- 4,005 students
- 15 lessons (2h 54m)
- 19 additional resources (6 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, Spanish (Latam), French, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software & tools for this course
Adobe PhotoshopWhat is this course's project?
Illustrate a vase full of flowers, leaves, and animals with gouache paint.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone who wants to explore gouache painting techniques by creating colorful floral illustrations.
Requirements and materials
No special skills are required. Everyone can enjoy this creative experience!
Reviews
Malin Gyllensvaan
A course by Malin Gyllensvaan
Based in Stockholm, Malin Gyllensvaan is inspired by vintage botanical studies. Her illustrations are a homage to the natural world, rendered in pencil and gouache. Over the years, her creations have adorned everything from stationery, puzzles, packaging, and textiles for both home and fashion, as well as illustrations for books.
She has a degree in printed textiles from Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. After graduating, she worked as a textile designer for 12 years before going freelance as an illustrator. Some of her clients include IKEA, eeBoo, Anthropologie, Bespoke Press, Holt Renfrew, H&M, Åhléns, Amber Lotus, and Greenfinch books, among others.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Preparation
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The Love of Materials
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The Mood Board
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Playing Around with Materials
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U3
Starting to Create
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Finding Shapes
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Painting and Creating Texture 1
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Painting and Creating Texture 2
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Thumbnails and the Final Sketch
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U4
Painting the Artwork
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The Greens
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The Flowers and the Animals
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The Details
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U5
Cleaning up the Artwork Digitally
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Scanning the Image and Adjusting Colors
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Removing the Background
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Preparing to Print
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FP
Final project
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Floral Illustration with Gouache Paint
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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
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and provides step-by-step guidance on gouache painting, floral illustration, and textile pattern design techniques.
You'll need gouache paints, synthetic brushes, watercolor paper, a kneadable eraser, pencils, and access to a scanner and digital design software like Photoshop or Illustrator.
You’ll learn how to hand-paint floral and botanical illustrations with gouache, create textures, choose color palettes, and develop your own illustrative style for textiles.
No prior experience is needed. The course covers the basics of textile and pattern design, making it ideal for beginners and hobbyists.
Yes, the course teaches how to scan, retouch, and prepare your gouache artwork for professional digital use in textiles and fashion.
You’ll learn how to research vintage textiles, collect reference images, build mood boards, and draw inspiration from nature and historical movements like Arts & Crafts.
Absolutely. The course includes lessons on creating t-shirt placements and fashion patterns using your hand-painted gouache illustrations.
Adobe Photoshop
Uno dei miei corsi preferiti di Domestika, molto pratico e mirato alla realizzazione di un buon pezzo. Metodo chiaro per ricevere un'ottima base da cui partire per poi esprimere la tua voce
I binge-watched this course, as if it were a Netflix series. I feel so inspired! Now I'm going to watch it again and create my beautiful, flowery masterpiece!
Gouache medium is not easy to learn, but this teacher helps you with clear instructions and inspiring techniques.
I loved this course. I learned so much step by step, and the examples were inspiring. I will review both the techniques and resources again and again. The teacher is delightful -- patient and encouraging!
One of my favorite teacher on domestika! Love this course