Character-Driven Illustration: Drawing from Imagination
A course by Marcos ChinIllustrator
A course by Marcos Chin, Illustrator
Learn how to transform simple shapes into engaging narrative illustrations featuring characters full of color and personality
Through character illustration, you can reflect the world around you and the feelings it evokes in you. Illustrator Marcos Chin specializes in creating narrative illustrations based on his own experiences. He has worked on everything from advertising campaigns to sculptures, and collaborated with brands including ESPN and The New York Times.
In this course, Marcos guides you through how to draw character-driven illustrations using your imagination. Create an image of one or more characters, and discover how to turn simple shapes into engaging illustrations full of personality. Designing characters comes from within, so don’t be afraid to put yourself in your art.
This is Marcos’ second course with Domestika. In his first, Composition and Color for Creative Illustration, he teaches you how to visually interpret a written piece and turn it into a meaningful illustration.
What will you learn in this online course?
21 lessons & 26 downloads
Foundations of Character Design
20 minutes, 59 seconds
Gesture Drawing to Convey Actions
16 minutes, 34 seconds
Gesture Drawing Using Photo References
7 minutes, 51 seconds
The Basics of Perspective
15 minutes, 3 seconds
Using Geometric Box Forms 1
15 minutes, 14 seconds
Using Geometric Box Forms 2
14 minutes, 10 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin the course by getting to know illustrator Marcos Chin. He talks through his creative career, which spans 20 years, along with the important learnings he’s gained along the way. Discover the influences that inspire the work he creates.
Dive into the foundations of drawing characters. Learn what “shape language” is and see how to use organic shapes to convey characters with different personalities. Marcos guides you through how to draw gestures and use photo references to inspire the poses you create. Explore the basics of one, two, and three-point perspectives to illustrate from different angles. Then refine your gesture drawings to give them more form and structure.
Choose from a list of words provided by Marcos and create a loose sketch that encapsulates them using the techniques you’ve learned. Build on your initial sketch using reference photos as your guide. Begin with the head, before moving on to hands and feet. Then add clothing, as well as finer details like facial features and hair.
Time to finalize your linework. Start by cleaning up your drawing. Then, add color and texture, either digitally or using analog tools, to bring your finished illustration to life.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Create an illustration of one or more lively characters based on a series of words provided by the teacher for inspiration.
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone with an interest in improving their character illustration skills and learning how to draw from their imagination.
Requirements and materials
Basic knowledge of one, two, and three-point perspective is recommended.
You will need a computer or tablet with a drawing program like Procreate or Adobe Photoshop installed. If you prefer to work with analog materials, you will need drawing materials as well as tracing paper and an optional lighting box to enhance your sketches.
Reviews
- 8 months ago
Love Marcos course and how uplifting he is!
- 2 years ago
Muito bom
- 2 years ago
Muito bom, aulas bem dinâmicas.
- kunderaPLUS2 years ago
Me encanta este profesor.
- 3 years ago
MARCO CHIN è un ottimo insegnante, bravissimo, molto preparato, tutte le fasi del suo corso sono mirate ad avere una preparazione ottima, E' uno tra i corsi piu' interessanti e completi cher ho seguito. lo consiglio vivamente a chi è alle prime armi come me. Grazie Marco Chin
Marcos has given lectures and workshops throughout the US and abroad. He currently lives in New York, where he teaches Illustration at the School of Visual Arts.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Theory
- Foundations of Character Design
- Gesture Drawing to Convey Actions
- Gesture Drawing Using Photo References
- The Basics of Perspective
- Using Geometric Box Forms 1
- Using Geometric Box Forms 2
- U3
The Assignment
- Loose Sketch
- Drawing the Head 1
- Drawing the Head 2
- Drawing Hands and Feet
- Adding Clothing and Drapery
- To Learn More: Drawing the Head Using the Loomis Method
- To Learn More: The Basics of Drawing the Nose
- U4
Final Linework
- Refining the Drawing 1
- Refining the Drawing 2
- Adding Colours 1
- Adding Colours 2
- Adding Textures 1
- Adding Textures 2
- FP
Final project
- Character-Driven Illustration: Drawing from Imagination
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
This course is designed for learners with some basic drawing experience, especially those looking to improve character illustration skills in Procreate. Beginners may find value, but prior familiarity with drawing fundamentals is helpful.
You’ll need an iPad with Procreate installed, a stylus (like Apple Pencil), and access to reference photos. Optional: sketchbook, pencils, and digital or analog texture resources for experimentation.
You’ll learn to use gesture drawing, basic shapes, perspective, and digital techniques in Procreate to create expressive, dynamic character illustrations from sketch to final color and texture.
Some foundational drawing skills are recommended. The course builds on basic shape construction and gesture drawing, helping you develop more advanced character illustration techniques.
The course covers gesture drawing techniques using timed photo references, body language, and line of action to help you create expressive and dynamic character poses.
You’ll start with basic shapes and gesture sketches, refine using references, add linework, apply color with layers, and finish with texture and pattern techniques, all within Procreate.
Yes, the course emphasizes constructing characters with basic shapes and geometric forms to establish structure, personality, and dynamic poses.