Watercolor Techniques for Graphic Design
A course by Glenn Wolk , Artist and Designer
Explore the spontaneity of watercolors with lettering and illustration work before polishing it in Photoshop and Illustrator to create unique designs
Creating art by hand is what gives it personality. By combining the imperfection of watercolors with digital design, Glenn Wolk has developed a unique artistic style that has led to collaborations with brands such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and New Balance. He has also designed posters and merchandise for musicians like Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Eminem, and Lady Gaga.
In this online course, learn to create original graphic designs with a hand-painted aesthetic. Glenn walks you through his process step by step, from developing the concept and capturing it on paper to digital retouching and mock-ups. Explore the best of both worlds and see where spontaneity takes you.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 18 downloads
- 100% positive reviews (10)
- 544 students
- 15 lessons (1h 38m)
- 18 additional resources (5 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
What is this course's project?
Design and paint a poster for a music festival using watercolors and polish it in Photoshop and Illustrator.
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in creating unique graphic designs by combining watercolors with digital tools.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is necessary for this course, but basic notions of Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator are recommended.
As for materials, you need:
-A pencil and an eraser
-Tracing and watercolor paper
-Brushes and a mixing palette
-Black and white watercolors
-A computer with Photoshop and Illustrator
Reviews
Glenn Wolk
A course by Glenn Wolk
Glenn Wolk is a New York-based artist and graphic designer with a passion for music. He first studied graphic design, and then an MA in fine arts, which laid the foundation for his signature style. He started his career doing mostly commercial work, but noticed that painting began to take a more prominent role in his imagery. Inspired by the outcome, he left the firm he was at to start his own, Glenn Wolk Design, where he could give free rein to his creativity.
Known for his hand-painted style, Glenn has collaborated with brands such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Sperry Top-Sider, and New Balance. He has also designed posters and merchandise for musicians including Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson, The Beatles, Guns N’ Roses, Eminem, and Lady Gaga.
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 Research
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Steps and Materials
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Research
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Inspiration for the Project
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U3
Creating a Design
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Creating Sketches with General Ideas
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Looking for the "Magical Moments"
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Final Digital Sketch
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U4
Painting: Planned Spontaneity
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Tracing the Design and Painting It with Watercolor 1
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Tracing the Design and Painting It with Watercolor 2
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Scanning the Artwork and Touching It Up
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Coloring the Design
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Using Watercolor on a Dark Background
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U5
Variations and Mock-up
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Adaptations
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Mocking Up
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FP
Final project
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Watercolor Techniques for Graphic Design
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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
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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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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for those with some experience in art or design, offering intermediate-level instruction that blends painting with graphic design and digital workflows.
You'll need watercolor supplies, quality paper, brushes, a light box, pencils, and erasers. Digital tools like Photoshop and Illustrator are also required for scanning, editing, and finalizing your artwork.
After completing this course, you’ll be able to design hand-painted posters, merchandise, and promotional artwork, expertly blending traditional painting with digital design and preparing professional print-ready files.
The course covers hand-painted and digital poster design, musician merchandise creation, typography, sourcing copyright-free images, Photoshop and Illustrator workflows, and techniques for promoting your art on social media.
Basic familiarity with painting or design is recommended, but the course guides you through both traditional and digital techniques, making it accessible if you have foundational skills.
You’ll learn how to transfer sketches, paint with watercolor, scan and edit artwork, and integrate hand-drawn elements into digital compositions using Photoshop and Illustrator.
Yes, the course includes specialized lessons on creating music and festival posters, including concept development, typographic choices, and visual storytelling tailored to each event.
Muy buen curso, muy recomendable.
Great and inspirational course!
Très intéressant
Ottimo corso, originale e trasversale.
Toller informativer Kursus mit einer für mich interessanten und gut nachvollziehbaren neuen Technik.