Transcripts
1. Introduction: Hey there. Illustrating
landscapes is a fantastic way
to capture moods, tell stories, and create immersive scenes
that drive viewers in. It allows you to
explore the beauty of both the natural and
imaginative worlds while mastering essential techniques in lighting and perspective. Plus, landscapes are
incredibly versatile, making them a great foundation
for practicing concepts, compositions and
detail, all skills that can be applied to
any style or subject. I’m Yifat Fishman, as
an illustrator, I love creating
engaging narratives that not only enhance spaces, but also resonate with viewers, making the artwork feel
meaningful and relatable. In this class, I'll
share helpful tips to inspire you and get your
creativity flowing. If you're feeling
stuck trying to illustrate landscapes,
you're not alone. Maybe you're unsure
how to make your scene feel realistic or how to
add dimension to your work. Perhaps you're finding
it tricky to capture the light or choose colors
that blend well together. If any of this sounds familiar, then this class is for you. We'll cover basic
compositions that artists use to create landscapes and dive into brainstorming
techniques. I'll show you how to
generate ideas using AI. Learning how to break through that block is an
invaluable skill. We'll explore techniques
for creating backgrounds, adding personal attaches to elements like hot air balloons, sky and mythical creatures, and even introduce
small characters to set the mood and
establish a sense of scale. You don't need advanced
knowledge in Procreate. A basic familiarity
will work just fine. Though feel free to follow along with other apps that you're
more comfortable with. Whether you're a beginner or
more experienced artist or a designer who want to improve your compositions and
storytelling skills, in this class, you'll gain tips for grounding your landscape with relatable details that
brings everything to life. By the end, you'll feel more confident and inspired
to create colorful, magical landscape.
Let's get started.
2. Your Class Project: For your class project, you'll illustrate a fun
and imaginative landscape with hot air balloons
floating in a dreamy sky, creating visually striking
and imaginative scene. The class lessons
walk you through the process of creating
this surreal landscape. We'll start with
brainstorming ideas, sketching out basic compositions and planning the
overall mood and scene. From there we'll add
imaginative elements like constellations or mythical creatures
and fun details as we explore ways to bring
your artwork to life. Remember to share
your project with The class and leave a
short review at the end. Focus on the hot air balloons as the main feature
of your project, but feel free to get
creative with the landscape, background, and other elements. By the end, you'll have a
unique illustration that blends playful creativity
with a surreal atmosphere.
3. Brainstorming Ideas With AI: In this lesson, we'll
dive into brainstorming. Sometimes when you
sit down to draw, it's tough to figure out where to start with the blank canvas. That's completely normal,
and one of the best skills you can learn is how to
break through that block. We often use our sketchbook and look what other artists
create to get inspired. Though a great way to
come up with new ideas is by using AI to help your
brainstorming process. Here's how you can use it. I asked Chat GPT for seven different illustration
ideas with fun elements, and it gave me a
list of suggestions. From there, I could pick what caught my eye or ask for more. This is a great way to train yourself to explore
and refine ideas, which is so important
as an artist. One thing to remember when
brainstorming with AI, you don't have to worry about being perfect
with your words. Just throw out your thoughts and the AI will focus
on the key points. For example, I asked for ideas that were easy
enough for beginners to intermediate
artists and focused on scenes like coffee
shops, homes or hands. In return. I got some fantastic ideas
to play around with. Learning how to spark
your imagination this way is a huge skill. It helps you move past creative blocks and get
things flowing again. The cool thing about
using AI is that it's like having a brainstorming friend that helps guide you. Even mistakes can
lead to great ideas. For instance, for
our class project, I asked for a scene with an
open sky and flying balloons, but I accidentally typed Interstellar instead
of interesting. And instead of just
giving me boring fix, it came back with ideas about celestial balloons
and space creatures. It was a fun twist that
I hadn't expected. And this teaches you to
stay open to surprises and let your creativity take
you to unexpected places. In the following lessons, we'll turn those
ideas into sketches. So practice brainstorming by playing around with
different prompts and ideas. And remember, coming up with creative solutions is a
skill like anything else. The more you try it,
the easier it gets to turn your thoughts
into amazing artwork.
4. Choosing Your Layout: In this lesson, we're
going to focus on building basic compositions
for your illustrations. We'll start by working
in landscape mode, sketching a few rectangles
for thumbnails, and then develop them
into full compositions. Let's start with
our first option. Imagine we divide the composition
roughly in the middle. This will be the horizon line. The lower half represents the Earth and the
upper half is the sky. We'll add balloon
of different sizes, some crossing over the
horizon to create depth. Small figures at the bottom will represent people watching
the balloon show. This is a simple, balanced composition
to start with. Now, for a second option, let's place the horizon line closer to the top of the canvas. This changes the perspective, allowing us to show more of the ground and
balloons taking off. It creates a different feel
from the first composition. In the third option, we'll place the
horizon line very low, giving us more sky. This choice create a
more dramatic effect. You'll still have small figures below watching the balloon show, but now the focus
is on the vast sky. Changing the horizon
lines create different depths and
interpretations for your scene. Once you decide on
your horizon line, you can get creative. Let's say we go with
the third option. You can add elements like mountains or trees
in the background. Curve the horizon line for a dynamic field or add
clouds to the sky. If you curve the horizon line, it instantly makes
the composition more dynamic and fluid. Now, for something different, what if you decide to make a poster instead of
landscape image? Switch to portrait mode, choose your horizon line, and then play with scale. For example, place
a large balloon in the foreground with lots of detail and add
smaller balloons in the background to create
a sense of depth. The larger elements feel closer while smaller ones recede
into the distance. You can also add fun
details like spectators with telescopes or binoculars
watching the balloons. If you're designing a poster, think about framing
your art with fun motifs or patterns.
Have fun with it. So now you have a few composition
options to choose from. Pick the one you like best
and in the next lesson, we'll develop it into a sketch
and eventually add color. See you in the next lesson.
5. Develop The Concept : Now that you have text prompts and understanding of
composition arrangements, it's time to refine
your concept. Start by reviewing the
prompts you developed with AI and identify which
idea resonates with you. Grab a notepad or sketchbook and write down
or doodle anything that inspires you from
the list you've generated with the
previous lesson. This will help narrow down the overwhelming options and capture the essence
of your concept. For instance, my
composition features hot air balloons flying
in a low horizon sky, allowing for a lot of room
for creative elements. One idea I'd like to incorporate is constellations
in the background. I envisioned the artwork
set early morning or twilight times when balloons typically take off,
providing dramatic lighting. The sky would be fairly
dark transitioning to sunlight near the horizon with stars adding an
extra touch of magic. I want this scene to feel more surreal than hyper realistic, which opens the door to
playful imagination. For example, I might add
aliens or spectators in spacesuits with one figure holding a telescope
for stargazing. This would create an
other worldly atmosphere, blending bright colours
into darkening sky, showcasing a transition from
earthly to cosmic elements. Visually, I'll create a gradient for the sky starting bright near the horizon and gradually becoming a starry
night sky above. This duality emphasizes the
surreal interstellar theme. I might even include
partial solar eclipse where distant planet or moon
partially obscures the sun. Adding asteroids or
cosmic debris floating alongside the balloons will enhance the celestial
feel and add movement. While we're still
in the early steps, it's important to think
about what the balloons will look like since they'll
tell part of the story. Some balloons could be
shaped like planets, complete with rings or moons, incorporating mythological
or whimsical creatures. They could make the balloons
more relatable and fun. For example, you could design balloons shaped like dragons, breathing fire or fish
floating through the sky. You could also create balloons
with motifs like stars, flowers or abstract shapes. The goal is to
decorate the balloons with elements from
your inner world. This imaginative
exploration will give your artwork a light
hearted dream like quality while ensuring that the balloons remain the
main focus of the piece. Remember, while a basic sketch
is a great starting point, it doesn't need to
be overly detailed. As an artist, I find that ideas often evolve
while working, so it's okay to keep
things loose and flexible.
6. Color Magic: Gradient Foundation: Now, let's get into the
fun part, coloring. For me, color is one of the most inspiring
aspects of my work, and it often drives the
whole creative process. To start, make sure your
sketch layer is on the top of all the other layers and lock it so you don't
accidentally draw over it. If you want, you can
also lower the opacity to keep it from being too distracting as you
start coloring. Next, we'll work
on the background. I create a new layer for this and start by choosing
colors for the sky. I like to use large
brush for this, select a dark color
for the top of the sky and a lighter
one near the horizon. You can place more than
two colors on your canvas. So play around with different
color combinations to see which one create the right mood for
your landscape scene. After laying down these colors, go to the adjustment menu, select Gaussian blur and slide your pencil across the
canvas to apply the filter. This will create a
smooth gradient effect. If the background
looks too light, you can duplicate the
layer and merge the copies together until you get the
opacity you're looking for. You can add more colors to the scene and
repeat the process. Be sure to label this layer
as background and lock it so it stays separate from
the rest of your elements. Remember, have fun and
experiment with colors. Try different combinations
for the landscape background. You can keep a few good options and decides which one
you like best later on.
7. Shape Blocking Basics: With every creative work, it's really important to do some research to understand
your subject better. I recommend looking for reference photos of
hot air balloons and pay attention to the shape, their colors, and how they
look when taking off. This will help you understand how to structure your scene. Alright, for the
hot air balloon, we're going to create
a color block or a basic shape as a
template for the project. Start by using the Canvas guides to help keep everything
symmetrical. Choose a brush without texture, such as the syrup brush in
the procreate inking brushes. I'll be using my own liner brush because I know it's just
perfect for color blocking. Begin by drawing
half of the balloon, making sure the shape is closed. This is important
for the next step so that when we drop in color, it fills the balloon perfectly. After that, I will add the
basket beneath the balloon. Once you're happy with
your hot air balloon, you can remove the guides, and don't forget to turn off
the lyricist for this step. This gives us a clean template
to start working with. From here, you're ready to add details and color
to your balloons. Up next, we'll focus
on adding depth and bringing your hot air
balloons to life with color. See you in the next lesson.
8. Essential Rendering Techniques: In this lesson, we'll
focus on ways to keep your illustration process
efficient and enjoyable, all while adding rich
color and texture. With just a few
strategic techniques, you can enhance your artwork without getting bogged
down by complex steps. We'll explore how
duplicating elements like your balloon shapes can
streamline your project, and we'll dive into some simple yet effective
coloring methods that make your scene pop. Let's jump in. I want to show you some professional
techniques to save time and keep the process fun as you work on
your illustration. Here we'll use the
balloon shape we created in the last
lesson as a template, duplicating it to create the other balloons
in the composition. First, duplicate your
balloon layer several times. Keep one original
template layer, which you won't change. Then use the copies for
each balloon in your scene. Rotate each balloon slightly
to avoid a uniform look. This variation helps make the composition
feel more natural. Remember, since Pcreate
is pixel based, always start with the
largest version of your balloon to maintain
resolution when resizing. Avoid enlarging as it may
create a pixelated look. Next, let's dive into two masking techniques for coloring and texturing
the balloons. Using a clipping mask, place a new layer
above the balloon, add a clipping mask and choose a textured brush to bring life
into your balloon surface. Try experimenting with color and brush texture
to add highlights, patterns or details
that add depth. Here color takes the lead. I'm using harmonious shades to render the balloon with red as the main colour and orange as the highlight
to create dimension. The textured brush adds
character to the balloon, creating a dynamic contrast
between its smooth, round shape and
textured surface. I'll keep experimenting with
more color combinations to see how they work together in bringing
the balloon to life. Now, let's try
another technique. I'm inspired by my initial
sketch when choosing colors, but I'm staying flexible, allowing room for adjustments
as the piece evolves. Here I'm using a watercolor
brush I created, which responds dynamically to
the pressure of the stylus. The technique involves gently
covering the surface with color while varying pencil
pressure as you work. I love the effect it creates, though I think a darker
color might create better contrast and
enhance the overall look. Yep, the darker blue definitely
looks more in place, and it's sampled from
the sky gradient, so I'm keeping my
color palette tight. The last technique I'd
like to show you is using alpha log to mask your
balloon for coloring. This method is faster and
helps save on layer count. Start by selecting two
complimentary colors. Then use Gaussian blur to blend them within
the balloon shape, creating a smooth
gradient effect. It's similar to how we
created the sky gradient. This technique achieves a vibrant, seamless
color transition. So as I work, I'm going to use these techniques
throughout the balloons. Some of them will be gradients. Some of them I will use
more of a brushwork, try them out as you
work on your balloons. Continue duplicating
and arranging your balloons across
your landscape, testing different
coloring techniques. In the next lesson,
we'll add more depth and detail to bring the
entire landscape to life.
9. Grounding Your Scene: Now that your balloons
are floating in the sky, let's move to the next step, creating a ground layer
to define the landscape. This will anchor your scene and give it a real
sense of place. To begin, trace the shape of your ground layer
using a liner brush. This can be a jagged
or curving line or even a diagonal one, depending on the
layout you chose. The goal here is to
block out the shape, allowing space for creativity. You'll see that adding
this ground layer over your background makes
the scene feel complete. For now, don't worry about
picking exact colors. Just play around with
anything that works. Place a new layer above your blocked ground shape and
set it as a clipping mask. To make the ground
feel more realistic, choose a slightly
textured brush and apply it in large
abstract colors. Head to adjustment, select, liquefy, and play around
for a fun abstract look. Here is a tip for choosing colors that look
natural together. Use colors in similar shades. For example, if you're
working with a pink palette, try picking colors close to
pink for harmonious look. Procreate's harmony tool
in the color menu can help you find analog colors
that blend well together. Once you're happy
with the colors, you can use liquefy again to create more abstract
dynamic landscape effect, and there you have it a
grounded and creative landscape for your illustration. Here's another
technique you can use, which I'll be applying
in my own work. Start by duplicating the
background color with all its beautiful
gradients and place it above the ground layer
as a clipping mask. This creates a gentle gradient that aligns with your
background colors. With your ground layer in place, your landscape is now grounded and ready for
the next creative step. Up next, we'll add definition and shading elements
to the landscape.
10. Adding Color And Shading: In this lesson, we'll
explore ways to add definition with colors and
shading to the landscape. Your landscape can be anything
from big open sky over mountains or a desert to a fantastical,
other worldly scene. I'll be working on a
surreal landscape featuring a large abstract
astronaut figure emerging from the ground. In the following lessons, I'll show you how to introduce abstract characters
into your scene. So let's begin by placing a new layer above
your ground layer and experimenting
with different colors to follow your sketch. The goal is to define shapes and add more
detail to the work. As you progress, your illustration
will move from broad, less defined shapes to
increasingly detailed elements until everything
looks just right. It's a process that
we learn to trust. Add a new layer to bring highlights and definition
to the landscape. Sample colors you've already
used like those from the hot air balloons to
keep the palette cohesive. This is a great stage to be playful and give yourself
space to explore. You don't need to know exactly where your art is
going right now. This is one of the reasons
for working in layers, so you can make adjustments
non destructively. Always check back with
your sketch layer to ensure you're
on the right path. Occasionally, hide the
sketch layer to see how the illustration looks
without the sketch line, but make it visible now and then to stay true to your
original design. Remember, it's okay to
adjust your plan as you go. Creative ideas often
develop during the process, so give yourself the flexibility to evolve from your
initial sketch. Now let's start
blending the colors on the ground layer for a
smooth, dreamy look. I am using the blending
tool in procreate. It's that finger next to your brushes and layers
at the top of the menu. I'll introduce more textures
later, but for now, I'm focusing on soft shading and defining shapes based
on the original sketch. When using Procreate's
blending tool, you can set it up for either soft brushes
for smooth blending or textured brushes like the
rake to add visual textures. The more you work, the clearer your
direction will become. So don't hesitate
to try new things. Your artwork will start
to click and take shape as you continue exploring
more creative directions.
11. Bring Your Landscape To Life: In this lesson, we'll focus
on adding definition to your landscape by enhancing colors and bringing out shapes. We'll start by building on the abstract colors and using shading to
give depth and form. For example, if you have
blue in the shaded area, try selecting a
slightly darker shade to define the shadow and shape. So let's look at the
astronaut helmet in my piece. I've highlighted it with
light blue and orange, and for shading, I'm
using a darker purple. Blending this darker shade along the shape helps define the form, especially when toggling
off the sketch layer. Now the Helman shape
stands out clearly. You can follow the
same approach, whether you're defining a hill, a mountain, or other
landscape feature. To build up shading
and highlights, use lighter shades for highlights and darker
colors for shadows. Let's apply this to my
character's hair as an example. I pick colors already
on the canvas, both lighter and
darker for variety instead of reusing the same
color throughout the hair. By following the shape and
using the blending tool I create a soft gradient that
add depth and dimension. This method works for any
part of the landscape, adding richness and
interest to each element. Let's take a closer look. This knee functions as an abstract hell in
the surreal landscape. So I want to add a few
fun details to bring out its character and emphasize how it serves as both a leg
and a hell in the scene. Adding detail to the knee pad is one way of showing
that this is a leg. I'm also having fun googling
motifs such as xs and ovals. Now I want to add more
definition to this crater. I'm following the smooth
landscape features I blended in the previous
step with straight lines. I chose orange as my highlight color and this
beautiful purple for shading. Okay summarize this process, draw lines that follow
your landscape features, then blend one
side of each line, leaving a portion of it intact. This method is
great for balancing gradients with detailed
elements in your landscape. With these shading techniques, your landscape begins to feel
alive and layered setting a strong foundation for any additional details
you want to add. Let's keep building on the
sense of depths to your scene.
12. Designing Hot Air Balloons: In this lesson, we're
giving the hotter balloons their own personality by adding unique details
and fun motifs. Think of each balloon as a chance to set the
mood for your scene. Whether it's playful, dreamy, or magical, we'll add
dimension to each balloon. Then we'll explore
how patterns and hand drawn elements can bring these floating
shapes to life. This is the perfect
time to get creative, so let's dive in. To start, we'll add dimension to the balloons to
avoid a flat look. Add two new layers set as clipping mask
above each balloon. One for highlights,
and one for shadows. This will give them a
nice rounded shape. Use a large soft
brush when drawing those added dimensions and set the blending modes
of your layers to overlay for highlights
and multiply for shading. Repeat this process across your artwork to achieve
a consistent look. Y here's a tip since we'll be adding more layers to add
dimension and style to your project to save on layer number and to help with
streamlining the process, consider merging down
layers on the same plane. This will help you
save on your layer count and simplify your project. Now let's look at
more techniques for designing the balloons. Check your original
sketch for guidance, but don't hesitate
to follow new ideas. One way to add
definition is by drawing vertical lines on each balloon
to enhance your shape. What I like about this
balloon is that it has this happy repeated motif that really helps bring
the mood of the piece. And since this hot air balloon is front and center
in the composition, I really wanted to stand
out with joyful details. So I'm drawing
stars and I'm using a pencil brush to give
the stars that warm, hand drawn look and feel. For this next balloon, which again is set up in the
front of the composition, I'm creating a bold
and fun repeat motif. I will draw each element of
this motif, lips, teeth, and tongue on separate layers, and when I'm happy with
the way they fit together, I'll merge those
layers into one. Here's another tip
for repeat motifs, make small tweaks to each element size or
angle to create variety. I'll finish with highlights
to bring it all together. Okay. Now it's your turn. Give your balloons
their own personality. Try adding highlights,
add shadows, and then let loose with
playful details and patterns, stars, stripes, funky shapes,
whatever feels right. Remember, each little touch adds character and
personality to a scene. Get creative and have fun bringing those
balloons to life. In our final next
couple of lessons, you'll add relatable
touches by drawing small characters and create
a narrative with stars, constellations and
mystical creatures.
13. Set The Scene With Small Characters: Adding small characters
to your landscape is a simple but powerful way to bring life and story
into your scene. These dining figures
help establish scale, making mountains feel
towering or rivers feel wide. They also add a touch of
realism and relatability, inviting viewers to picture themselves within the landscape. A few well placed characters create depth and perspective, guiding the viewer's
eye through the scene. Plus, they can introduce an emotional layer and set
the mood for your piece, whether it's the sense of
adventure, calm or fantasy. Adding small characters doesn't just populate your landscape, it enriches it with context,
relatability, and narrative. In this lesson, we'll
explore how adding small characters can turn your landscape into a
space with a story. We'll start with a very
loose sketch to get the general idea of how
many characters to include, their relationship
and the best places for them in the scene. I'll be adding two
characters stargazing, aiming for a nostalgic
mood to add a sense of fun and wonder as they
watch the hot air balloons. From this loose sketch, begin forming more
defined shapes. Use simple geometric
shapes, circles for heads, triangles and rectangles
for legs and bodies. Next, build on these
basic forms by adding layers with more refined
drawings of each character. Light is key to this scene, helping to create drama with
long elongated shadows. To create shadows, simply
duplicate your characters, flip them and stretch the inverted sketch until it sits behind each
character on the ground. Now we'll add color, block
out each character's shape, and don't forget
to add any props the characters are using
on a separate layer. Pay attention to the
light direction. With the light source in the front and the characters
shown from behind, light will fall on their front, leaving their backs
in the shadow. This creates a dramatic effect and simplifies their appearance. Just add highlights along
each character's outline. Now you can add fun
details in the clothes, hair, and anything
they're holding. Remember to stay
organized and place all the character layers
into one layer group. It's important for
the next step. For the shadow effect, duplicate the
character's layers, flatten the group, and stretch the shadow with the
transform tool. Use an alpha log mask to color
the shadow in dark color. Now, add the layer mask and
adjust the shadow's opacity gradually with a soft gradient to make the shadow look
realistic and grounded. And there you have it
small defined characters that enhance your scene
with scale and emotion. Up next, we'll get to
add finishing touches that bring extra magic and
depth to your landscape.
14. Adding Magic: Welcome to our final lesson. This is where you add those
finishing touches that bring extra magic and
depth to your landscape. In this lesson, I'll guide you through some creative steps to elevate the background
and sky of your artwork. Imagine stars and
constellations lighting up the sky or
shooting asteroids, adding a sense of
movement to the scene. And if you're in the
mood to experiment, we'll add a little extra by illustrating a
mystical creature, a starry dragon to enhance the surreal atmosphere and make your price truly memorable. Let's add a touch of
magic to the landscape. First off, I've added meteors
shooting through the sky. To illustrate them,
I simply drew one element and
then duplicated it while generating
slight variations to create the complete
meteor shower. I love how they add
movement to the sky. Now, let's dive into
creating glowing stars. Start by adding a new layer, placing it just
above the sky layer. For star colors, a light blue
or near white works great. Select a small brush. I'm using my honey
drizzle watercolor brush because it's very responsive. Draw a small diamond
shape for the star. Next, switch to the smudge tool set to the same
brush as your star, but in a smaller size. To make the star shine, lightly press the smudge
tool at the center of the diamond and release as you drag outwards,
creating light rays. Add as many rays as you like
for that glowing effect. There's your star. Try making another one maybe smaller
using the same steps. H Now, let's create constellations. Constellations are essentially star arrangements
connected by lines, so you can either follow an existing constellation
or make up your own. Begin by placing stars, some larger, other smaller
to vary visibility. Once your stars are in place, connect them with lines to
form the constellation. Create these lines
on a separate layer for easier adjustments.
Here's a tip. After drawing a line, haul your stylus on the canvas to have procreate,
straighten it automatically. Use the eraser at the ends of the lines
to create gradient. When finished, group the
stars and lines together and move the constellation around the canvas until it's
in the perfect spot. Now let's add mystical
creature to the scene. Drawing creatures can be easier with some
reference photos, so feel free to gather
a few that inspire you. I'll sketch a dragon
based on several photos, but if drawing from observation feels
tricky, don't stress. You can place a reference
photo directly on your procreate canvas and use it as a guide to
create your version. Once you have your
creature in mind, consider illustrating
it as a constellation. Just like we did with the stars, you can draw stars
along the outline of your creature and connect them with bright lines
to form the shape. This approach creates a
beautiful surreal effect of your creature shining
in the night sky. With this lesson, you've added magical elements
to your landscape, transforming it into a vibrant
and imaginative scene. By incorporating
these techniques, you'll have a unique
illustration that blends playful creativity
with surreal atmosphere.
15. Final Thoughts: Congratulations on
completing this class. Thank you for being a part of this creative process as you brought your surreal
landscape to life. We started with
brainstorming ideas, sketching out basic compositions and planning the
overall mood and scene. From there, we added imaginative elements
like constellations, mythical creatures,
and fun elements. Now it's time to share
your project with a class, and I can't wait to see your unique take on
everything you've learned. Please remember to leave a short review of the
class at the end. It really helps me improve and lets I know what to expect. If you'd like to stay updated
on my upcoming classes, follow me here on skillshare and on Instagram. Thank you again for joining me. Happy creating, and I'll
see you in the next class. Bye for now.
Yifat Fishman, Artist & Illustrator
