Specialization in Creative Illustration with Acrylic Paint

Influences | Florencia Fraschina

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

Influences | Ariel Olivetti

Here I will share everything about my artistic influences.

Module 2

Can you imagine transforming your favorite mug, a notebook, or an improvised canvas into a folk treasure? With Maya Hanisch, Chilean artist and illustrator, you’ll explore the magic of acrylic as you design your first folk-inspired botanical composition. Through practical exercises, Maya will guide you step by step—from creating the sketch to the details of light and color—so that you master the painting tools and develop a unique style that breathes life into any everyday object.

7 lessons (56m)

The materials

I will show the materials that we will use in the course and I will talk a little about them: acrylics, papers, brushes, water, etc.

The sketch

I will make a sketch on white paper, explaining how to make it symmetrical and proportionate.

Transfer of the sketch to the notebook or "first layer"

We will learn to transfer the drawing of the sketch to our product, to be able to paint it later.

Color palette and "first layer" finish

Apply the acrylic on the crochet, finishing with the first layer and starting the second. I'll talk a little about the characteristics of acrylic paint while I apply it with different brushes. I will show you how we can move the brush, the amount of water and paint necessary, so that the acrylic flows correctly on the surface.

Apply the acrylic on the product, finishing the second coat of paint. There will be moments of preparation of colors in the palette and some cuts to let dry between layer and layer.

The second layer

Adding volume, light and shadow

I will talk a little about the concepts of volume, light and shade while I paint and prepare colors in the palette.

Now we will paint small details by freehand. They are graphic color details that will help us to finish the composition and give the last personal touches to generate harmony. Unlike the previous lessons, here we will work with pencils.

Painting details

Module 3

Let nature inspire you and your brushes translate it. Maru Godàs, a renowned landscape painter, will guide you step by step in the use of acrylic to reproduce intense tones and life-filled atmospheres. You will explore the application of successive layers, mastery of texture effects, and the conversion of simple sketches into true paintings. You will also have open access to her other course on Sketchbook pictórico in gouache, to continue enriching your creative palette.

20 lessons (4h 35m)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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 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]

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 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.

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 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 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 2

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

Points of interest and half plane 3

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

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.

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]

Module 4

Dive into a journey of imagination where monsters and myths take shape under your brush. Together with Adolfo Serra, a world-renowned artist, you’ll discover acrylic techniques that let you play with color density, symbol contrast, and texture richness. Adolfo will guide you step by step: from tarot-inspired sketches to using surprise effects with unusual materials, so you can express your most creative ideas in every piece.

16 lessons (3h 24m)

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.

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

Magical thinking in art

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.

Tarot

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 ideas

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

Acrylic, watercolor and gouache

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

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: 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.

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.

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.

Experimentation: other alternatives

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

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

Acrylic markers

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 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.

Working the final illustration 2

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

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.

Module 5

Let yourself be inspired by the unique vision of Florencia Fraschina, a visual artist whose works have shone in museums and galleries in Argentina, the United States and France. Under her guidance, you will learn to compose landscapes full of color and emotion, understanding how light transforms each acrylic brushstroke. Florencia will show you layer-over-layer techniques, precise brush handling and the necessary theory to design your work. In the end, you will have solid foundations to create a final project inspired by a memory, your imagination, a photograph or the environment you prefer.

14 lessons (2h 41m)

Observation of Landscapes

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

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.

The Visual Rhythm

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.

Formal Experimentation 1

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

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

Glazes

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

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

How to Form Colors

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

Complementary Contrasts

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

Cold - Warm Contrast

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.

Follow me in making sketches and making composition decisions.

Composition Tips

11m

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 Texture

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

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.

Module 6

Give your creation the charisma of a comic icon with Ariel Olivetti’s techniques. Throughout this journey, the artist who has collaborated with industry giants will reveal how to achieve solid volumes, realistic textures and striking color palettes. You will work on initial sketches to define musculature and dynamic poses, learn to model the body with precise brushstrokes and apply lighting effects that highlight the action. You will also discover the gateway to his course Illustration for Comics: Anatomy of a Superhero to dive even deeper.

10 lessons (1h 48m)

Materials

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

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

Light and shadow 1

16m

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 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.

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.

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.

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

Lighting and volume