Visual Storytelling for Compelling Illustrations
A course by R. Kikuo Johnson , Illustrator and Cartoonist
Learn how to tell a complete story in a single image by exploring narrative illustration and drawing exercises in the style and medium of choice
Using creative illustration techniques, you can transform people, places, and objects into compelling images that tell stories. R. Kikuo Johnson is an illustrator and cartoonist whose goal is to do just that. He has collaborated with clients including Airbnb and Coca-Cola, and had his work featured in publications like The New York Times, and The New Yorker.
In this online course, he teaches you how to tell a complete story in a single image, in whatever style or medium you choose. By combining narrative concepts with drawing techniques, you’ll create images that truly speak louder than words.
What will you learn in this online course?
13 lessons & 22 downloads
- 100% positive reviews (48)
- 1,835 students
- 13 lessons (2h 18m)
- 22 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?
Create an illustration that tells a complete, easy-to-read story in a single image.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone who wants to expand their illustration skills and explore the world of narrative imagery.
Requirements and materials
Basic drawing experience is recommended.
Kikuo uses Photoshop and a Wacom tablet, but you are free to use your favorite medium.
Reviews
R. Kikuo Johnson
A course by R. Kikuo Johnson
R Kikuo Johnson is a cartoonist and illustrator from Hawaii. He fell in love with drawing at a young age as a way to tell stories and went on to study illustration at art school where he started his first graphic novel, Night Fisher. After graduating, he published a second novel and landed his first major illustration job—a two-page illustration in The New Yorker.
Since then, Kikuo has collaborated with clients including Airbnb, The Atlantic, Coca-Cola, The Guggenheim Foundation, Marvel Comics, The New York Times, Newsweek, Nike, Puma, and Penguin Random House. His illustrations have earned two gold medals from the Society Of Illustrators, and his most recent graphic novella, No One Else, won the 2021 Los Angeles Times Book Prize.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Storytelling Techniques for Narrative Illustration
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9 Tricks to Telling a Story in One Image
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Understanding the Problem
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Researching
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U3
Starting to Draw
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Sketching 1
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Sketching 2
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Reference Photos with Yourself as a Model
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Coloring the Sketch
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Linework
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The Final Colored Illustration
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U4
Broader Applications to Your Storytelling Skills
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Single-Image Storytelling: Comics and Graphic Novels
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Professional Advice
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FP
Final project
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Visual Storytelling for Compelling Illustrations
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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
Yes, this course is designed for intermediate artists who already have basic drawing or illustration skills and want to advance their storytelling, composition, and professional practice for editorial and graphic novel work.
You will need basic drawing tools (traditional or digital), access to Photoshop or similar digital art software, and a camera or smartphone for creating reference photos. No specialized equipment is required.
You’ll learn storytelling and compositional techniques, how to create narrative-driven images, prepare artwork for editorial use, collaborate with art directors, and pitch your work to publishers and magazines.
Yes, the course provides guidance on submitting your work to publishers and magazines, including building a client base, crafting pitches, and understanding industry expectations.
The course teaches strategies for managing revisions, communicating with art directors, and integrating editorial feedback to improve your work and maintain a professional workflow.
Yes, you’ll learn the magazine cover design workflow, including integrating headlines, designing around logos, and working with editorial teams for effective cover illustrations.
You will explore silhouette storytelling, negative space, minimalist panel design, juxtaposition, and page layout strategies to enhance clarity and narrative impact in your illustrations.
Adobe Photoshop
I loved it!
Excelente curso e didática, boas recomendações e dicas profissionais!
resim yapmaya farklı bir bakış açısından bakmaya yardımcı olan etkili güzel bir ders teşekkürler
like it!
Enjoyed this very much, big fan of Kikou's illustration and I wasn't disappointed; great tips and tricks in the course.