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    Specialization

    Specialization in Creative Illustration with Acrylic Paint

    Specialization in Creative Illustration with Acrylic Paint

    What will you learn in this specialization?

    A total of 6 modules and 73 lessons
    A total of 14h 4m of vídeo lessons
    Taught by 5 selected expert teachers

    Introduction1

    Introduction

    Acrylic paint opens the door to a vibrant and expressive way of creating. Its quick drying time and versatility allow you to play with layers, textures, and transparencies. In this session, you'll explore how this medium enhances intuitive creation, letting your personal world emerge with every brushstroke. Let your imagination lead the way.

    2m

    Referents and influences | Maya Hanisch2

    Referents and influences | Maya Hanisch

    I will talk about my references and how I look for inspiration for my works. I will show books, photos of religious celebrations, costumbristas suits, masks, Latin American ethnic groups, European and Asian folklore, crafts, et cetera, that inspire me deeply.

    2m

    Influences | Maru Godas2

    Influences | Maru Godas

    Watching and admiring the artists you are passionate about is part of learning. In this course I propose some of the influences that have pushed me to paint and that have inspired me in my language applied to the acrylic medium. In this lesson I will tell you about some of my favorite painters, but also about geniuses from other disciplines who have also fueled my artistic spirit. Do you want to know who they are?

    8m

    Influences | Adolfo Serra2

    Influences | Adolfo Serra

    Next, I will tell you what my main influences are for this course. I will tell you about artists who create their own universe combining technique, narrative, inner world and dreams, transforming all of this into works of art that excite those who observe them.

    12m

    Influences | Florencia Fraschina2

    Influences | Florencia Fraschina

    In this lesson I will tell you what were and are the influences that build me as an artist.

    5m

    Influences | Ariel Olivetti2

    Influences | Ariel Olivetti

    Here I will share everything about my artistic influences.

    6m

    Nature as a source of inspiration3

    Nature as a source of inspiration

    In this lesson I share with you some readings that have led me in recent times to rediscover my relationship with nature, observing it and loving it in another way. Painting forests, urban parks and small green spaces goes beyond the defense of the environment, for me it has become a profound demand for a return to nature. We will also see how the theme of landscape has evolved through art.

    8m

    Painting outdoors or in the studio?4

    Painting outdoors or in the studio?

    This is one of the most frequent questions! That is why in this lesson I want to reflect with you on the pros and cons of painting outdoors or in the studio. so you can choose the process that interests you the most. My goal is that you get the best of all possibilities and learn to combine them to shine with your own style.

    5m

    Sketch materials5

    Sketch materials

    Next, I am going to present you the materials that I use to make sketches and studies before painting. With black and white you can fit in and decide the composition, make decisions about proportions, planes, etc. This is my proposal of materials, but remember that you can use the material you want.

    5m

    Acrylic paint: types and mediums6

    Acrylic paint: types and mediums

    In this lesson I introduce you to the guest star of the course, acrylic paint. It is the technique that has more varieties and options on the market, so I will give you an overview so that you know the different types of paint that exist according to consistency and quality so that you do not go crazy when choosing. We will examine the information on the label and also show you some of the mediums that I use to accentuate and modify some of the properties of paint. This is the lesson that I would have liked to receive when I started painting with acrylics.

    19m

    Papers, fabrics, brushes and palettes7

    Papers, fabrics, brushes and palettes

    Finally, I will show you different types of brushes, palettes, fabrics and surfaces where to capture your art. I'll show you which ones I use and what for. Remember, you don't have to buy everything, but you do have to know the materials that exist.

    12m

    Color and emotional landscapes: the Rothko charts8

    Color and emotional landscapes: the Rothko charts

    It is time to start playing and mixing colors. We will make small color charts inspired by Mark Rothko's “color fields”. We will create simple emotional landscapes where we will learn the behavior of acrylic paint, we will play with opacity and transparency, we will create relationships between colors and we will observe the emotions they transmit to us.

    19m

    There is a jungle in my brush!9

    There is a jungle in my brush!

    In this lesson we will practice strokes and smudges to let go of your hand and get the most out of the brushes. We will paint lots of trees and plant masses in different ways. You will be amazed at the amount of nature that comes out of your brush!

    14m

    Nature textures: skies, seas and mountains 110

    Nature textures: skies, seas and mountains 1

    In this lesson, I propose that you experiment with me with different acrylic techniques to achieve textures and effects that will help you paint your landscapes. We will create marvelous seas, mountains, skies ... We will make sponge washes, sea waves with dry brush, we will drag paint, we will make glazes ... We will have fun together experimenting with the textures of nature!

    14m

    Nature textures: skies, seas and mountains 211

    Nature textures: skies, seas and mountains 2

    We continue to recreate textures of nature. In this case, we will see different ways to paint clouds.

    14m

    Nature textures: skies, seas and mountains 312

    Nature textures: skies, seas and mountains 3

    We finish these exercises recreating other textures that we can find in nature such as trees or the sea.

    16m

    The nature of the abstract: synthesis of color and form13

    The nature of the abstract: synthesis of color and form

    Now I am going to show you some examples of how to apply synthesis both in color and in shapes; how to combine local and synthetic color. We will see how you can find inspiration in a nearby park or on a walk on the beach and, with your impressions, tell a little story in small formats. We will also see how we can get a more subjective view of nature, playing with abstraction and creating a random landscape. I'm sure you will have a great time. [textbox type=alert]Before you begin As you are starting in a new environment, I suggest that you carry out the tasks and practices with the supports that are most comfortable for you. In the videos in this unit, I do exercises in a notebook, loose leaves and lined cardboard. My recommendation is that you try all the supports you can, the more options you know, the better.[/textbox]

    12m

    Composition and depth tricks14

    Composition and depth tricks

    In this lesson I will talk to you about some bases of landscape composition, we will see Edgar Payne's schemes and I will tell you some laws to keep in mind to better play with the structure and fit your landscape creating points of interest.

    11m

    Sketches, Color Studies, and Scene Creation15

    Sketches, Color Studies, and Scene Creation

    Now we will choose the final drawing based on elements of reality, but applying synthesis in shapes and color, adapting them to what we want to convey. We will leave everything ready to start painting.

    10m

    Transfer to canvas: fitting and backgrounds 116

    Transfer to canvas: fitting and backgrounds 1

    Staining the pristine white of the fabric for the first time can bring a little respect. In this lesson I show you how to fit the main composition lines on the fabric. We will start by painting the spots of the largest elements: the sky, the earth and the sea.

    16m

    Transfer to canvas: fitting and backgrounds 217

    Transfer to canvas: fitting and backgrounds 2

    We continue with the main spots, this time with the blue of the sea, the sand of the beach and the mountains in the background.

    15m

    Points of interest and half plane 118

    Points of interest and half plane 1

    Next, we will continue our landscape by adding the elements located in the background and medium plane: trees, green masses, reflections of the water ... You will see how, little by little, brushstroke by brushstroke, your painting comes to life.

    17m

    Points of interest and half plane 219

    Points of interest and half plane 2

    We continue to add elements to the box. We will work on the elements of the trees and some details on the water.

    18m

    Points of interest and half plane 320

    Points of interest and half plane 3

    We continue to add elements before continuing with the details and elements for the final finishes.

    12m

    Close-ups, details and finishes 121

    Close-ups, details and finishes 1

    Now we will paint the elements in the foreground and the details that make the difference: Human figures, houses, branches, leaves, glitter, elements that will give life to your scene and help tell your story. At this point we will finish the job.

    18m

    Close-ups, details and finishes 222

    Close-ups, details and finishes 2

    We finalize the last details to finish the work. [textbox type=alert]Now, before you start to paint your final illustration and do the homework for this unit, take a look at the previous tips that I have left you in the additional resources.[/textbox]

    9m

    Fantasy, imagination and creativity3

    Fantasy, imagination and creativity

    In this lesson I will explain what we are going to do in this course and why I think it is important for each artist or creator to find their own magic to create.

    10m

    Magical thinking in art4

    Magical thinking in art

    Next, I will tell you about magical thinking and how it has influenced artists over time.

    18m

    Tarot5

    Tarot

    In this lesson I will teach you the history and origin of the tarot, and I will explain to you how I understand this tradition or artistic manifestation.

    19m

    Interpreting an arcane: concept and creative thinking6

    Interpreting an arcane: concept and creative thinking

    Now is the time to tell you the steps I take to illustrate a concept or symbol and how to encourage creative thinking and discard the most obvious ideas.

    17m

    Interpreting an arcane: tools to generate ideas7

    Interpreting an arcane: tools to generate ideas

    Now I will show you how to practice writing and automatic drawing can be a useful tool to generate new ideas.

    12m

    Acrylic, watercolor and gouache8

    Acrylic, watercolor and gouache

    In this lesson I will talk about these materials and show you the differences between them.

    8m

    Brushes and their strokes9

    Brushes and their strokes

    Next, I will explain the peculiarities of each type of brush, as well as the narrative possibilities of the brushes depending on your type of stroke: intention, strength, doubt, etc.

    11m

    Playing with acrylics: techniques10

    Playing with acrylics: techniques

    Now we are going to go step by step looking at the various possibilities of the acrylic technique, how it works with more or less water and the textures or lines that are generated.

    14m

    Playing with acrylics: other possibilities11

    Playing with acrylics: other possibilities

    In this lesson I will continue to show the possibilities of acrylic paint. In this case: glazes, frottage, dry brush or cutouts and stencils.

    7m

    Experimentation: textures, patterns and effects12

    Experimentation: textures, patterns and effects

    In this lesson I will talk about the pictorial capacity of acrylic to generate textures, patterns and effects. So you can apply it to your creations.

    9m

    Experimentation: other alternatives13

    Experimentation: other alternatives

    Next, I'll show you even more possibilities to let your imagination run wild.

    19m

    Acrylic markers14

    Acrylic markers

    Now I will show you how in the market there are also acrylic markers with which you can directly create. They offer many possibilities!

    7m

    The sketch and the color15

    The sketch and the color

    In this lesson we will make several more finished sketches in a small format. Later, we will choose one to make it big and transfer it to paper.

    17m

    Working the final illustration 116

    Working the final illustration 1

    This is the time to get down to work, connect with your creativity and develop the illustration of a major arcana using the techniques previously proposed. I show you how I have done it.

    12m

    Working the final illustration 217

    Working the final illustration 2

    We continue to work on the illustration, paying attention to details.

    8m

    The deck18

    The deck

    Finally, I will show you my other two completed major arcana, as well as the previous process until I get the final image.

    8m

    Observation of Landscapes3

    Observation of Landscapes

    In this lesson you will understand fundamental issues for the inspiration of your landscape through a brief historical journey.

    10m

    The Visual Rhythm4

    The Visual Rhythm

    I invite you to think about what motifs can inspire you to paint a landscape. In this lesson you will analyze how some outstanding painters of different times approached it.

    9m

    Materials and the Craft5

    Materials and the Craft

    Here I will talk to you about the characteristics and possibilities of acrylic painting. As well as pigments, surfaces, soluble media and drying times.

    8m

    Formal Experimentation 16

    Formal Experimentation 1

    In this lesson I will teach you the applications of passages and contrasts.

    9m

    Formal Experimentation 27

    Formal Experimentation 2

    I continue with the experimentation, here you will learn different ways to exercise the stroke and you will explore ways to give texture to your painting.

    15m

    Glazes8

    Glazes

    Here you will learn this essential technique to provide atmosphere to the scene or make glass texture, transparent or translucent gauze.

    10m

    How to Form Colors9

    How to Form Colors

    In this lesson I will share my tips to form the desired colors for my palette.

    18m

    Complementary Contrasts10

    Complementary Contrasts

    Now you will experiment and analyze the way in which colors are related so that you can take full advantage of their expressive potential.

    10m

    Cold - Warm Contrast11

    Cold - Warm Contrast

    Now, you will analyze palettes of cold and warm tones and how to get more expressiveness from the contrast between them.

    9m

    Contrast of Light and Shadow12

    Contrast of Light and Shadow

    In this lesson I invite you to observe and experience how light and shadow work, keeping in mind that, in general, a landscape has a single source of light: the sun.

    14m

    Composition Tips13

    Composition Tips

    Follow me in making sketches and making composition decisions.

    11m

    Layout of the Painting14

    Layout of the Painting

    In this lesson I will transfer the sketch to the canvas and start painting by locating the base elements and colors of my landscape.

    15m

    Shadow, Light and Texture15

    Shadow, Light and Texture

    Here you will see the progress on the definition of shapes and color adjustment.

    8m

    Details and Varnish16

    Details and Varnish

    Time to give the final details, you will learn how to varnish the final work and I will make an analysis of the production of the work.

    8m

    Materials4

    Materials

    In this lesson, I will show you the materials you need to paint in acrylic and that you will use throughout the course.

    10m

    Light and shadow 15

    Light and shadow 1

    Now I will explain to you the theory of light and shadow. I will tell you the effect of light on different objects.

    16m

    Light and shadow 26

    Light and shadow 2

    During this second part of the lesson, I will show you how to apply lights and shadows to a section of the character. Besides, I will explain in detail everything you must take into account for this to look incredible.

    13m

    Drawing and shading7

    Drawing and shading

    In this lesson, I will show you the drawing that I chose to produce my project, and you will see how I completely shade it.

    9m

    Color8

    Color

    I will explain to you what colors you should use as a base and what kind of chromatic variants I like to use for my illustrations. This is a strategic moment in any illustration. Remember that the color palette will give you different results, going from the emotional to the gimmicky.

    6m

    Watering technique and transparent glazes9

    Watering technique and transparent glazes

    Now you will see how to prepare the paper and how to give the first coats of color with diluted acrylic over the entire illustration.

    18m

    Lighting and volume10

    Lighting and volume

    Here you will learn how to lighten the lightest parts of the illustration with acrylic and how to add volume to them.

    14m

    Final details11

    Final details

    Finally, I'll show you how to make the details and the subtle toning changes.

    6m

    Conservation digitization and format12

    Conservation digitization and format

    I will tell you about the finish of the original with varnish and how to present it. Besides, I will tell you the technical data to take into account when scanning your original. Finally, I will show you how you can do so that your works preserve the highest possible quality.

    6m

    Editorial review13

    Editorial review

    Finally, I will give you some useful tips based on my personal experience in this wonderful profession.

    4m

    What is this course's project?

    Who is this specialization for?

    Requirements and materials

    Reviews

    867
    Students
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    100%
    Positive ratings
    • 2 months ago

      La metodología te acompaña paso a paso, las explicaciones y el material son muy claros y la experiencia de los profesores invaluable!

    • 2 months ago

      Great course

    • 3 months ago

      Excelente curso introductorio.

    • 6 months ago

      Excellent course. I learned a lot.

    • 7 months ago

      Me encanta!

    More reviews

    Select to get to know your teachers in this specialization course

    Maru Godas

    Maru Godas

    Illustrator

    Adolfo Serra

    Adolfo Serra

    Illustrator

    Ariel  Olivetti

    Ariel Olivetti

    Illustrator and Comic Artist

    Maya  Hanisch

    Maya Hanisch

    Graphic Designer and Artist

    Florencia Fraschina

    Florencia Fraschina

    Visual Artist

    See all 5 teachers

    What to expect from this specialization 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.

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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.

    • 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.

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    FAQs

    You’ll learn how to prepare surfaces, mix colors, apply light and shadow, create textures, experiment with mixed techniques, and get your work ready for professional printing—combining classic foundations with modern methods.

    This is an intermediate-level course, perfect for those who already have basic drawing or painting skills and want to deepen their knowledge of traditional and mixed techniques applied to illustration.

    You’ll need heavyweight papers, acrylics, watercolors, oils, various brushes, palette knives, masking tape, thinners, varnishes, and auxiliary materials like black pencils and acrylic markers.

    You’ll learn how to create textures, mix colors with a palette knife, apply layers and glazes, generate light and shadow effects, and use acrylics to build contrast and depth in comic illustrations.

    The course teaches you to select thick, acid-free papers and prepare them with the right primer to ensure proper adhesion and durability of acrylics.

    Thinning with water reduces the opacity and body of acrylic paint, while varnish preserves texture, enhances transparency, and protects the paint. The course covers both methods depending on the desired effect.

    Yes, the course includes how to prepare originals for digitization, choose the right format and resolution, and key tips for professionally printing your illustrations.

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