Whimsical Sketchbook: Draw Imaginary Creatures from Nature
A course by Vorja Sánchez , Painter and Illustrator
Learn to draw fantastical beings inspired by organic forms found in nature and turn your sketchbook into an enchanting universe
A sketchbook is the gateway to a creative space where right and wrong, preconceptions, judgments, and limits cease to exist. Illustrator Vorja Sánchez teaches you to develop a fantastical nature sketchbook full of creatures from another world.
In this online course, turn your sketchbook into a magical and uniquely personal universe. Unravel the secrets held within the smallest details of woodland life and get inspired by its organic shapes to bring captivating, otherworldly beings to life.
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 19 downloads
- 100% positive reviews (330)
- 11,746 students
- 17 lessons (3h 21m)
- 19 additional resources (7 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish, English, French, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Create an artist's sketchbook as the foundations of your own fantastical universe.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Art and nature lovers wanting to extract a touch of fantasy from their surroundings and discover the hidden wonders of the forest.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is necessary to take this course.
In terms of materials, you need a sketchbook, pencils, and your choice of drawing tools (colored pencils, watercolors, etc.).
Reviews
Vorja Sánchez
A course by Vorja Sánchez
Vorja Sánchez is a painter and illustrator who's designed book and album covers as well as murals. His work consists of creating art that he sells online and in galleries.
His pieces are directly linked to nature and breathe life into mythical creatures based on organic forms observed in nature. He uses a diverse range of techniques to connect as many elements as possible throughout complex compositions bursting with magic.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Educate the look
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The value of your notebook: a unique treasure
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Materials for the course
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Natural patterns
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The forest as a bank of images
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Draw organic shapes 1
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Draw organic shapes 2
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U3
From organic to fantastic
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Creature from plant forms 1
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Creature from plant forms 2
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Creature from fungi and lichen 1
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Creature from fungi and lichen 2
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Creature from fungi and lichens 3
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Creature from bones and shells 1
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Creature from bones and shells 2
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U4
Creatures with personality
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Expand the references
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The importance of dialogue
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FP
Final project
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Whimsical Sketchbook: Draw Imaginary Creatures from Nature
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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
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
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
You’ll learn how to create original illustrations inspired by natural shapes, textures, and patterns, combining traditional techniques, photography, sketching, and composition to develop fantastic creatures and your own artistic style.
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate students who want to deepen their skills in mixed media, creative experimentation, and integrating natural references into their artwork.
You’ll need a sketchbook, pencils of various hardness, watercolors, brushes, kneaded eraser, rubber brush, mixed media paper, and basic photography tools (camera or smartphone).
Prior experience in scientific drawing or microbiology isn’t required, but basic illustration skills and a willingness to experiment with techniques and natural references are recommended.
The course explores traditional techniques like painting on jicara wood, restoring pieces, and incorporating cultural elements into your art.
You’ll learn to use macro and black-and-white landscape photography to capture visual references, analyze natural textures and patterns, and use them as the foundation for your illustrations.
Yes, it includes strategies for self-publishing your own illustrated book, from organizing content to self-publishing and promoting your work.
interesante
Un curso que te lleva a explorar y a mirar el mundo con ojos nuevos!!! Gracias por eso
Me encanto,bien explicado,te lleva a otro nivel,te enseña a mirar distinto ,lo recomiendo .
Love the teacher's sketchbooks – so inspiring! I'll never look at the plants & organic objects around me the same way again after this course.
I'm loving the course, I haven't finished it yet. It's an excellent course for anyone who wants to further develop their colored pencil technique, fantasy illustration, and sketchbook use. These are techniques that can be used in various illustrations.