Guided Course: Create A Strange Animal
A course by Aljoscha BlauArtist, illustrator and author
A course by Aljoscha Blau, Artist, illustrator and author
Develop creative illustration skills to create imaginative, realistic animals, from sketches to the final scene.
Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of creative illustration and learn how to bring a unique, imaginary animal to life using gouache paints. The process begins with extensive research and brainstorming, drawing inspiration from nature and diverse cultures. Develop initial sketches to define the shape and characteristics of your creature and choose the appropriate technique to translate your ideas onto paper. This artistic path offers you the opportunity to explore new perspectives and creative approaches.
Step by step, refine the details and character of your animal. Place it in an environment that emphasizes its characteristics and tells a story. Learn how to skillfully use colors and textures to create depth and expressiveness. Throughout the process, you'll expand your creative skills and develop a personal connection with your work. Be inspired and experience the joy of creating your own fantastical creature.
What will you learn in this online course?
6 lessons & 20 downloads
First Sketch and Technique Selection
7 minutes, 10 seconds
Creating the Final Illustration 1
19 minutes, 33 seconds
Creating the Final Illustration 2
18 minutes, 37 seconds
The Character’s Environment
20 minutes, 30 seconds
What's included in this course?
Immerse yourself in the world of creative illustration and learn how to create an imaginary, realistic animal. The course begins with a brainstorming phase where you can unleash your imagination and develop initial ideas. You'll then move on to creating initial sketches and selecting the appropriate techniques to bring your vision to life. The focus is on developing a unique process that will help you expand your artistic skills and deepen your understanding of shapes and colors.
In the following steps, you'll be guided through transforming your sketch into a final illustration. You'll learn how to flesh out details and create an environment for your animal that tells its story. Through the creative process, you'll learn how to create expressive scenes that both capture the imagination and appear realistic. Master the art of gouache and discover how to create a harmonious overall image through careful color choice and composition. Let this journey inspire you and discover your own artistic style.
What is this course's project?
You'll learn to illustrate an imaginary, realistic animal using creative techniques and gouache. From brainstorming and sketching to the final illustration, including designing the character's environment, your creativity will be encouraged.
Who is this online course for?
Creative minds looking to improve their gouache illustration techniques will find inspiration here. Perfect for illustrators and artists who want to create imaginative creatures and expand their creative thinking through sketching and exploring references. Beginners and advanced artists alike will benefit from new perspectives.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is necessary. You'll need gouache paints, a brush, paper, pencils, and an eraser. Simple sketching techniques and a little imagination will help you create this strange animal. Creativity and a love of painting are beneficial.
Reviews
- 9 months ago
Recomendado!
- 1 year ago
I loved it all!!
What appeals to him about the genre of the picture book is the illustrator's special responsibility to translate content that previously only existed in abstract language into the visual. He sees his projects as intellectual adventures with room for surprises, the grotesque and humour. He often lets the details do the talking and invites the viewer to look around in peace. His books in cooperation with German and international publishers, including Peter Hammer, Aufbau, NordSüd and Bajazzo, have received numerous international awards such as the German Youth Literature Prize and the renowned BolognaRagazzi Award. In "Multitalent Gouache" he recorded his experiences and techniques for illustration with gouache in book form.
Content
Guided Course: Create A Strange Animal
- Podcast: Inventing fantasy creatures that push boundaries
- Brainstorming
- First Sketch and Technique Selection
- Creating the Final Illustration 1
- Creating the Final Illustration 2
- The Character’s Environment
- Final project
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 course is aimed at artists with basic drawing skills who want to take their animal and creature illustration abilities to the next level.
You’ll need a sketchbook, pencil, colored pencils, watercolor and gouache paints, masking fluid, brushes (like a red sable), a sponge, and optionally digital tools for research.
You’ll learn how to research animals, combine motifs, design imaginative creatures step by step, and apply various painting and drawing techniques.
Basic drawing skills are helpful since the course targets advanced beginners and intermediate artists.
The course introduces masking fluid, dry brush techniques, layering with gouache and watercolor, as well as textures using colored and graphite pencils.
You’ll discover how to use high-quality book illustrations, historic engravings, and Street View images as focused inspiration and reference for animals and backgrounds.
Yes, the course teaches you how to create your own fantasy beings, animal hybrids, and mythical creatures based on real references.