Editorial Illustration in Photoshop: Express More with Less
A course by James YangIllustrator
A course by James Yang, Illustrator
Learn how to break down complex subject matter into captivating illustrations for editorial publications using the digital tools of Photoshop
“I tell stories that connect with the audience, with a slightly different point of view, whether from a conceptual or visual perspective.”
Telling those stories in the form of editorial illustrations is what has led award-winning illustrator James Yang to work with publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and WIRED.
In this online course, he teaches you how to come up with creative ideas for striking editorial covers. Learn to take complex concepts and turn them into bold and colorful works of art with James as your guide. Are you ready to find your voice as an illustrator?
What will you learn in this online course?
10 lessons & 17 downloads
Brainstorming Ideas
3 minutes, 28 seconds
Thumbnail Sketches
8 minutes, 49 seconds
Techniques for Creating Objects and Figures
9 minutes, 23 seconds
The Illustration’s Background
13 minutes, 56 seconds
The Main Elements
18 minutes, 31 seconds
Finishing the Illustration
11 minutes, 7 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin the course by getting to know illustrator James Yang. Hear about the career that has led him to work with international agencies and publications, along with the influences that inspire him.
Hear James’ advice for coming up with ideas for your illustrations.Then learn how to sketch thumbnails, and explore different techniques for drawing objects and figures in your work.
Time to start your illustration, beginning with the background. Move on to the main elements, blocking out shapes for your characters before refining them and adding details like shadows. Finalize your colors, and put the finishing touches to your work.
James shares how he uses social media to promote his work. To wrap up the course, he gives his advice for sharing your own illustrations online, from choosing the right platforms to using hashtags to get your work discovered.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Create a striking editorial cover illustration based on a complex topic using Photoshop.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone with an interest in editorial illustration who would like to improve their skills.
Requirements and materials
Previous experience with Photoshop is required.
In terms of materials, you will need pencils or pens, tracing paper, a device with Photoshop installed, as well as other materials specified by the teacher in this course.
Reviews
- 9 months ago
De très bon conseils
- 1 year ago
Great explanation of the process
- 2 years ago
Great course and very conceptual course I really enjoyed.
- 2 years ago
Very clearly explained, all the steps through. James Yang's style is very conceptual and exploring the idea is a great part of the work. So much time is spent on exploring thumbnails. Something that we sometimes are eager to oversee, to jump right into the execution. Yang's technique is simple, which here is at the service of clarity and efficiency, and his geniality is an intuitive and poetic placement of elements and choice of colors. And it is a pleasure to follow how he does it.
- 2 years ago
Great and simple! Thanks James.
Since then, he has won over 250 awards for design and illustration, including Best of Show from 3x3 magazine. He has worked for publications like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and WIRED, as well as advertising agencies around the world. More recently, he began focusing on writing and illustrating children’s books and won the Geisel Award for best book for young readers. He has also taught and lectured at a variety of institutions, including SVA Parsonswork.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Learning How to Think with Thumbnails
- Brainstorming Ideas
- Thumbnail Sketches
- Techniques for Creating Objects and Figures
- U3
Creating Illustrations
- The Illustration’s Background
- The Main Elements
- Finishing the Illustration
- U4
How to Use Social Media as an Artist
- Your Online Presence
- Sharing Your Work on Social Media
- FP
Final project
- Editorial Illustration in Photoshop: Express More with Less
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
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers foundational skills in figure drawing, idea generation, and digital illustration techniques.
You’ll need basic drawing tools (pencil and paper) and access to Adobe Photoshop for digital illustration exercises.
You’ll learn how to brainstorm ideas, create thumbnails, develop unique styles, use abstraction, master digital tools, and build professional magazine or album cover illustrations from concept to final artwork.
Yes, you’ll discover practical brainstorming strategies and techniques to overcome creative blocks and generate fresh illustration ideas.
Yes, the course includes step-by-step guidance on conceptualizing, sketching, and finalizing magazine and album cover illustrations.
You’ll explore techniques like abstraction, misremembering, and drawing from personal experiences to create a unique illustration style.
Yes, the course covers essential Photoshop tools for selection, masking, layering, texturing, and color management in digital illustration.