Dynamic Illustrations: Drawings that Pop Out of the Paper
A course by Ryan SmallmanIllustrator
A course by Ryan Smallman, Illustrator
Discover how to craft vibrant, dynamic illustrations. Improve your drawing skills and create captivating artwork that leaps off the page.
Enter the exciting world of illustration with Ryan Smallman, a leading artist whose work is distinguished by its dynamism, organic strokes and vibrant colors that defy the limits of perspective. You'll explore how to create illustrations that transcend the 2D plane and come to life.
Ryan has collaborated with industry giants such as Disney, Marvel and Warner Bros, and has made his mark on projects such as posters for The Batman movie and Spider-Man pieces for Epic Games, among others. His passion for pop culture and superheroes is reflected in every stroke of his illustrations, and now, he will share his knowledge with you.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 23 downloads
Point of view and scale
4 minutes, 12 seconds
Silhouette: the most important principle!
4 minutes, 25 seconds
Composition and thumbnail
20 minutes, 30 seconds
Pencil: refining the details
16 minutes, 41 seconds
Final artwork: cleaning up the line
20 minutes, 13 seconds
Colorization 1
15 minutes, 20 seconds
What's included in this course?
You will learn to apply concepts of perspective and dimension to think about three-dimensional forms, exploring scales and viewpoints while understanding the importance of detailed silhouettes.
As you progress, you will define the theme of your project and create a moodboard, explore techniques of dynamic composition, and generate thumbnail sketches. You will use these sketches to apply values and seek or produce additional references, even using yourself as a model.
Next, you will shape and refine your work, whether on paper or in digital format, and then proceed to create the final illustration and immerse yourself in colorization, all with a focus on achieving impressive three-dimensional effects. You will conclude with the finishing touches and learn how to prepare the file for sharing and create a GIF to narrate your creative process. By the end of this course, you will be ready to challenge dimensional constraints and compose truly impactful illustrations.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
You will create a version of your favorite character from pop culture. Following Ryan's lessons, you will apply all the concepts learned to bring a three-dimensional illustration to life, reflecting your creativity and mastery of the techniques taught in the course. This final project will allow you to apply your knowledge in a practical and challenging way.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is ideal for aspiring illustrators and art enthusiasts who want to explore new dimensions in their creations. Ryan's teachings are suitable for both experienced artists and those taking their first steps into the world of illustration. Your technical skill level doesn't matter; what's important is your passion for developing vibrant and lively characters. Ready to inject energy and vitality into your artwork?
Requirements and materials
To make the most of this course, it's recommended to have a basic understanding of perspective in drawing. Ryan uses Photoshop and a graphic tablet in his lessons, but if you don't have these materials, you can still follow the classes using analog methods. The essential thing here is your enthusiasm and desire to dive into the fascinating world of illustration. So, prepare your artistic tools and get ready to embark on a unique creative journey.
Reviews
- 7 months ago
Embora seja um curso razoavelmente curto, o professor é muito agradável e você aprende varios tópicos muito úteis. O triste é que o curso acaba.
- 9 months ago
Excelente!!!
- 9 months ago
Excelente curso.
- 10 months ago
excelente
- 1 year ago
hasta el momento me ha parecido un curso excelente
Ryan's work is characterized by dynamic energy, organic strokes, and vibrant color palettes, always pushing the boundaries of perspective. In this course, Ryan shares his passion for pop culture and superheroes, aiming to help you capture maximum energy and dynamism in your illustrations, bringing them to life. Join him on this exciting creative journey and discover how to breathe life into your illustrations while exploring new dimensions in your art.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Preparation and how to visualize your art
- Thinking in 3D
- Point of view and scale
- Silhouette: the most important principle!
- U3
Realization of the idea
- Theme and semantic panel
- Composition and thumbnail
- Creation of photographic references
- U4
Completion of the work
- Pencil: refining the details
- Final artwork: cleaning up the line
- Colorization 1
- Colorization 2
- Finishing and final touches
- U5
Export and share
- Share your drawing
- How to create a GIF of your process
- FP
Final project
- Dynamic compositions for comics
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 is an intermediate course, perfect for those with basic drawing or illustration skills who want to improve perspective, dynamic composition, and digital finishing techniques.
You’ll learn how to create 3D perspective illustrations, striking compositions, use silhouettes effectively, color in Photoshop, make process GIFs, and prepare artwork for portfolios and social media.
Basic Photoshop knowledge is recommended since the course covers digital techniques like coloring, brushes, layers, and effects to polish and present your illustrations.
You’ll need a computer with Photoshop installed, a drawing tablet (optional but recommended), and internet access. Apps like PureRef and Sketchfab are also suggested for references.
The course teaches perspective techniques, including vanishing points, varied viewpoints, scale variation, and extreme foreshortening to create dynamic 3D scenes in your illustrations.
Yes, the course shows how to use your own photo references and online 3D models to create realistic poses, accurate anatomy, and expressive character compositions.
You’ll learn to sketch digital thumbnails to structure compositions and organize visual references on semantic boards, streamlining your illustration planning.