Creative Illustration Techniques with Gouache

Start the course by getting to know your teacher, artist Aljoscha Blau, a little better. He tells you about his childhood in the Soviet Union, his university studies in illustration in Hamburg, his professional experience, and his main sources of inspiration.

He then explains the basic concepts and history of gouache, and shows you the materials required. Move on to review color theory and do some exercises to work with balance and contrast.

At this point, get to know more of the different aspects of gouache. Aljoscha guides you through the essential techniques such as the wash, the glaze, dry brushing, stenciling, and finally masking parts of the painting.

Later, dive headfirst into a complex illustrative task. Using the gouache techniques learned, develop a character from the initial ideas and sketch to the final illustration. As an example, your teacher draws a fantastic animal.

Aljoscha gives you some final tips on how to create an illustrated story, comic book, or picture book with your artwork. Also see how to give your character emotions and how to expand on their story.