Illustration by Design: A Guide to Elevating your Drawing Skills

Staff Pick

Ira Marcks, Illustrator / Cartoonist

17 Videos (1h 7m)

- Introduction
  
  2:03
- What is Design Thinking?
  
  2:00
- Connecting Illustration and Design
  
  1:55
- Art Nouveau: The Style of the People
  
  3:19
- The Spirit of the Movement
  
  3:16
- A Utopia for Illustrators
  
  1:31
- Roles for Illustrators
  
  3:46
- Class Project: Planning a Composition
  
  7:30
- Class Project: Lines, Shapes, Space
  
  3:19
- Class Project: Making a Mood Board
  
  3:56
- Class Project: Symbolic Forms
  
  3:59
- Class Project: Sketching an Idea
  
  7:11
- Class Project: Tone Map
  
  1:59
- Class Project: Line Art & Contrast (pt. 1)
  
  9:00
- Class Project: Line Art & Contrast (pt. 2)
  
  5:13
- Class Project: Color & Negative Space
  
  5:46
- Wrap Up
  
  0:55

57 students are watching this class

About This Class

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A good illustration is an amazing thing.

It can illuminate an idea, simplify a complexity and give us the feels all at once. But what makes a good illustration work? Design thinking!

In this class, you'll learn to define your creative goals, develop your symbolism and evoke stronger feelings in your drawings using a few simple principles from the world of design.

Here are the topics we'll be covering:

Design Thinking
The Power of Connecting Illustration and Design
The Origins of the Modern Illustrator
Gathering Great References
Making Strong Compositions
Using Symbolism to Create Stronger Visuals

All you'll need for this class is a pencil and paper but I'm working in Clip Studio Paint for visual clarity.

Class Projects 22 See All

Assignment:

70 of 70 students recommendSee All

another VERY interesting and inspiring class, thank you ira :)

Jane S.

Great class, with a lot of useful info! Very fun and memorable. I love the animations Ira uses to present the info-- The presentation of the info is treated like an art form itself.

My name's Ira. I'm a cartoonist/illustrator living in Upstate NY with my wife, dog, two cats and lots of books. In my classes, I explore ways to create meaningful illustrations and tell stronger stories.

Join my Newsletter for cool contests, news, and art. Watch me fumble w/ social media on Instagram.

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Skills in this Class:

Illustration Visual Storytelling Digital Illustration Drawing Graphic Design Visual Arts Creative Staff Pick