Drawing Journal: Create Fantasy Characters
A course by Guille RancelIllustrator
A course by Guille Rancel, Illustrator
Learn to draw expressive and original creatures through a combination of exercises and sketches in your journal
Fantasy drawing is an exciting world full of secrets to explore. This is the philosophy of Guille Rancel—an illustrator specialized in comics—who has participated in the creation of works such as Sorunne and Emi the Dream Catcher. In this online course, he teaches you how to use your drawing journal to create fantasy characters.
Learn how to draw original creatures through different exercises and sketches and watch the pages of your sketchbook fill up before your very eyes. Throughout the course, discover the tricks to design characters and acquire the habit of drawing on a daily basis. Get ready to transform your sketchbook into a fantasy world!
What will you learn in this online course?
13 lessons & 23 downloads
Why a Creature Drawing Journal?
9 minutes, 5 seconds
Warm-Up: Let Go of Your Hand and Draw from Your Imagination
9 minutes, 44 seconds
Warm-Up: Find the Shapes
13 minutes, 53 seconds
Witch Objects
15 minutes, 12 seconds
Forest Creatures
15 minutes, 25 seconds
Body and Facial Expression
16 minutes, 18 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start the course by getting to know Guille Rancel, who talks about his professional career and shows you the references that have carved out his style.
Discover the importance of the sketch in the graphic work of any artist and choose the theme you want to explore in your drawing journal. Afterwards, carry out some exercises to help you loosen up your hand and break down your creative blocks.
Then, start to develop the universe you have chosen, in your teacher's case, it's a witches' forest. Fill your sketchbook as you draw objects and living beings, getting inspiration from the references and letting your imagination run wild, before learning what thumbnails are and sketching your main character.
Next up, develop the final drawing of your character, enriching the design with some of the elements you created previously. Now focus on the personality, for a result that's both expressive and dynamic. Explore how they can interact with other creatures in their universe and, to finish, Guille shares some tips on character design for your next pieces of work.
What is this course's project?
Develop a visual journal with the theme of your choice, creating a fantasy character and learning how to acquire a drawing habit.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone who likes drawing, especially those who enjoy filling their sketchpads.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is necessary to take this course. You only need a pad and a pencil, although you can use any method you prefer, even digital.
Reviews
- 2 months ago
Awesome!
- 3 months ago
Muy bueno
- 3 months ago
As práticas e didática fazem toda a diferença na forma de aprender. Muito bom!
- 5 months ago
This is a great course. Hope he follows it with a colouring tutorial.
- 5 months ago
Estuvo interesante el curso
his work as a cartoonist for the comic Sorunne is among his most well-known.
Throughout his career, he has collaborated as art director on Emi the Dream Catcher, a series of comics, music videos, and children's animations and worked as a character designer for animation companies such as Promineo, B-Water, and Animation Mentor. He has also participated in magazines such as CDQ, Imagine FX, and Storytime Magazine as well as character design books including Masters Of Anatomy (Volume 2: Robin Hood) and How to Draw Expressive Faces and Hands) and 3dTotal's Character Design Collection (Heroines and Fairy Tales & Folklore). In addition, he has given character design workshops at La Galería Roja and Donde Doré.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
The Importance of the Sketch
- Why a Creature Drawing Journal?
- Warm-Up: Let Go of Your Hand and Draw from Your Imagination
- Warm-Up: Find the Shapes
- Search for References
- U3
Sketch a Witch Forest
- Witch Objects
- Forest Creatures
- Character Thumbnails
- U4
Character Design
- Character Development
- Body and Facial Expression
- Connection between Two Characters
- Character Design Tips
- FP
Final project
- Drawing Journal: Create Fantasy Characters
What to expect from a Domestika course
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate students who already have basic drawing skills and want to deepen their knowledge in cartoon character design and illustration techniques for comics and 2D animation.
You’ll need paper, graphite pencils, colored pencils, mechanical pencils, an eraser, and access to digital tools if you want to explore digital illustration. Basic drawing supplies are recommended, and if possible, a graphics tablet.
You’ll learn how to create cartoon characters, explore dark and humorous styles, use visual references, experiment with color and texture, and develop fantastic characters and creatures for comics and animation.
The course is perfect for those with some drawing foundation. If you’re a complete beginner, it’s best to build fundamental skills before enrolling.
The course includes practical sketching exercises, techniques for developing characters from random shapes or stains, and using references to spark creativity and originality in character design.
Techniques covered include colored pencil work, blending, precise hatching, pressure control, shading, and texturing. You’ll also learn stylization methods and silhouette work for designing characters and creatures.
Yes, the course offers warm-up exercises, continuous drawing practices, and challenges designed to build consistency and creativity through sketch journals and practical tasks.