Surrealist Illustration: Draw Compelling Stories
A course by Kyle Ellingson, Illustrator
Use intuitive journaling to unlock new approaches to drawing and transform everyday objects into memorable illustrations that tell a story
Surrealism gives you the opportunity to mix your imagination with things that are totally foreign to you – to remix them and make them strange. It’s a way of interacting with the world around you in a unique and personal way. Illustrator Kyle Ellingson is known for his surrealist narrative illustrations which have seen him work with clients including New York Magazine, The New York Times, Billboard, Financial Times, and The Washington Post.
In this online course, he teaches you how to use intuitive visual journaling to unlock new ways of drawing. Discover Kyle’s approach to surrealism and use it to create illustrations inspired by your surroundings through a combination of analog and digital tools. Turn everyday objects, environments, and conflicts into memorable narrative illustrations.
What will you learn in this online course?
19 lessons & 23 downloads
What's included in this course?
Begin the course by getting to know Kyle Ellingson, a freelance illustrator and your teacher for this course. Hear about the creative journey that has led him to collaborate with some of the most well-known publications in the world, along with the influences that inspire him.
Dive into the materials needed for the course. Then explore Kyle’s approach to surrealism and how you can apply it to your creative process. Learn how to simplify the world around you into symbols and recast them as narrative elements in your imagination.
Brainstorm a series of lists, starting with the dysfunctional objects in your living space to define a conflict. Repeat this process for your reactions to this object, alternative settings, and an opposing force to create tension. Translate these visual elements into a thumbnail for your composition. Then sketch using shape-based drawing techniques, as well as perspective devices.
Ink over your sketch and erase your underdrawing. Scan your work and prepare your file for digital editing in Photoshop. Then learn how to apply color and texture to bring your piece to life.
See how to store and share your work. To wrap up the course, Kyle shares his advice for staying curious and evolving as part of your creative process.
- 100% positive reviews (27)
- 797 students
- 19 lessons (4h 2m)
- 23 additional resources (7 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software & tools for this course
Adobe PhotoshopWhat is this course's project?
Illustrate a surrealist drawing with a clearly defined story using a combination of analog and digital tools.
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone with an interest in surrealism and storytelling in the world of art.
Requirements and materials
Basic drawing skills and knowledge of Photoshop is recommended.
In terms of materials, you will need materials including:
- ⦁ A mechanical pencil
⦁ Graph paper
⦁ Cardboard
⦁ A device with Photoshop installed, and other materials specified by the teacher in the course.
Reviews
Kyle Ellingson
A course by Kyle Ellingson
Kyle Ellingson is a freelance illustrator living in Brooklyn, New York. He first started drawing as a child, encouraged by his grandfather, a printmaker, and his uncle, a visual effects artist. He went on to study creative writing and philosophy at college and working at bookstores in his spare time when he discovered the possibilities of visual narrative. Kyle later attended the illustration practice program at Maryland Institute College of Art, creating a final project that attracted his first freelance editorial jobs.
Since then, he’s been featured in by a number of notable blogs and created illustrations for clients including New York Magazine, The New York Times, Billboard, Financial Times, The Washington Post, and The New Yorker.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Materials and Surrealism
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Materials
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Opening Your Mind to Surrealism 1
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Opening Your Mind to Surrealism 2
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Simplifying the World around You 1
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Simplifying the World around You 2
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U3
Conceptualizing
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Listmaking: Formulating Your Conflict
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Listmaking: Harvesting Narrative Elements
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Thumbnailing
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Sketching 1
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Sketching 2
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U4
Finalizing
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Inking 1
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Inking 2
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Scanning and File Preparation
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Color 1
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Color 2
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U5
Final Tips and Exporting
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File Export
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How to Keep Evolving
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FP
Final project
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Surrealist Illustration: Draw Compelling Stories
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at 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
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Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate artists who want to develop their visual storytelling, surrealist techniques, and portfolio through practical projects and conceptual frameworks.
You’ll need basic drawing tools like mechanical pencils, technical pens, Bristol paper, erasers, rulers, and access to Photoshop for digital editing and coloring.
You’ll learn to develop a unique visual style, use surrealist techniques, create wordless narratives, use visual metaphors, and combine traditional and digital workflows to build a professional illustration portfolio.
The course covers both traditional techniques like inking and perspective drawing, as well as digital workflows including scanning, coloring, and texturing with Photoshop.
No prior experience with surrealism is required, but a foundation in drawing and basic illustration skills will help you get the most from the course.
You’ll explore combining comics, pop art, and surrealism, experiment with motif repetition, and reflect on your creative process to build a distinctive and consistent visual voice.
Yes, the course guides you in creating cohesive projects and professional portfolio pieces tailored for editorial, narrative, and personal artistic development.
Adobe Photoshop
I like how Ellingson uses creative writing and images to come up with art ideas! Since I'm also a writer I can relate to his creative process. Not yet done with the course and I'm learning much already and enjoying it as well.
Great course and teacher!
Definitely recommend!
Excelente curso, explora la creatividad de manera profunda
Un curso muy original!