Drawing course : Drawing Basics

In this drawing course: Learn the right reflexes, mentality, and logic of drawing to progress at your own pace. Practice and integrate the basic techniques of drawing through various exercises. No more mindless copying, develop the artist within you!

4.7 (344 ratings) • +15.4 h of lessons · 51 video lessons
No prerequisites, the course starts from scratch
Unlimited learning, with no deadlines to meet
An active forum with the Dessindigo teachers
Leave with a finished piece, proudly displayed or ready for your portfolio
Veauléger Grégoire

YOUR TEACHER: VEAULÉGER GRÉGOIRE

Grégoire Veauléger is an illustrator and drawing teacher with undeniable artistic talent. He has notably worked on the creation of board games such as Chroniques Oubliées. Passionate about the fantasy universe, he will share his extensive knowledge to teach you the basics of drawing.

How it works

1

Watch

Follow the videos at your own pace, wherever and whenever you like.

2

Practice

Do the exercises at your own pace, with your own materials.

3

Post optional

Want feedback? Share your work on the forum whenever you like.

4

Progress

A teacher from the team can help you improve, if that is what you are looking for. Otherwise, simply draw for fun.

The complete program

+15.4 h of lessons across 7 chapters, 51 videos and exercises.

Chapter 1 1

Introduction to Drawing and Basic Techniques

2h01
Introduction to Drawing and Basic Techniques

Drawing is not reserved for a handful of talented people: with the right method and fundamentals, anyone can do it! Discover the right techniques, the basic principles, develop your artist's eye and your sense of observation to progressively improve!

1.1 Everybody can draw Before we dive into drawing, Grégoire takes the opportunity to discuss some misconceptions and the right mindset to adopt for your training. 25 min Subscribers only 1.2 Materials for beginners Brief overview of materials suitable for drawing with some tips and food for thought. 22 min Subscribers only 1.3 Drawing materials guide In this course, we'll introduce you to a selection of materials we recommend to help you get started with drawing. 5 min Subscribers only 1.4 Mastering the right movements Drawing is, first and foremost, about developing the right habits from the start. This includes both your techniques and your workflow. This course will provide you with all the information you need. 23 min Subscribers only 1.5 Observation is the key to success Because a drawing requires preliminary work, we are going to show you some tips and tricks to start your illustrations in the best possible way. 21 min Subscribers only 1.6 Observation is the key to success: exercise 1 correction Correction of exercise 1 from the previous course, which involved observing, studying and representing the model – in this case, a household appliance. 7 min Subscribers only 1.7 Observation is the key to success: exercise 2 correction Correction of exercise 2 from the previous course, which involved observing, studying and representing the model – in this case, a ladybird. 7 min Subscribers only 1.8 Observation is the key to success: exercise 3 correction Correction of exercise 3 from the previous course, which involved observing, studying and representing the model – in this case, a car. 11 min Subscribers only 1.9 Quiz: Observation is the key to success Short quiz to test your knowledge about drawing observation 5 min Subscribers only
Chapter 2 2

Understanding Volume and Perspective

1h31
Understanding Volume and Perspective

Understanding perspective and volume is fundamental in learning to draw to create believable works. Learn to accurately represent shapes and objects with simple and guided exercises and add realism to your drawings!

2.1 Understanding volume Learn the basics of drawing three-dimensional forms using cavalier perspective. 19 min Subscribers only 2.2 Understanding volume: exercise 1 correction In this correction of the previous course, you will learn how to simplify different elements and represent them in three dimensions. In this course, you will review the correction for the toolbox. 5 min Subscribers only 2.3 Understanding volume: exercise 2 correction In this correction of the previous course, you will learn how to simplify different elements and represent them in three dimensions. In this course, you will review the correction for the camera. 6 min Subscribers only 2.4 Quiz: Studying Volumes Let's start a quiz on the study of volumes! 5 min Subscribers only 2.5 What is perspective? We’ll get straight to the heart of the matter with a comprehensive lesson on perspectiv or how to successfully depict an object or elements in depth, as closely as possible to what the human eye perceives. 33 min · Free 2.6 What is perspective? exercise 1 correction Correction of exercise 1 from your first course on perspective. 7 min Subscribers only 2.7 What is perspective? exercise 2 correction Correction of exercise 2 from your first course on perspective. 10 min Subscribers only 2.8 What is perspective? exercise 3 correction Correction of the third exercise Grégoire assigned during your first course on perspective. 10 min Subscribers only 2.9 Quiz: What is perspective? Now let's test your knowledge with this quiz on perspective! 5 min Subscribers only
Chapter 3 3

Enhancement and Staging of Drawings

3h02
Enhancement and Staging of Drawings

This chapter will help you further enhance your drawings and make them believable. Cleaning up, hatching, staging, and depth are all essential techniques and concepts for any aspiring artist who wants to add dynamism to their creations. Let’s put it all into practice with some exercises!

3.1 Cleaning up your drawings Concepts of cleaning up with advice where we will suggest you take some liberties, your own, those you prefer to clarify your lines and the values of your drawing. Grégoire explains everything to you. 24 min Subscribers only 3.2 Cleaning up your drawings: exercise corrections Grégoire revisits the different exercises from the course on line weight and shows you his corrections. 14 min Subscribers only 3.3 Quiz: Clean up your drawings How to clean up your drawings? Let's test your knowledge on this topic with this little quiz! 5 min Subscribers only 3.4 Composing your drawings In this course, you will explore the fundamentals of composition and learn how to arrange and organise the elements within your drawings and illustrations to create clear, balanced, and engaging images. 23 min Subscribers only 3.5 How to enhance your drawings Highlighting involves applying varying levels of gray to indicate the dark or light values of the objects and elements in your drawings. This has multiple benefits, and Grégoire will explain them to you. 30 min Subscribers only 3.6 The magic of hatching Another method to enhance your drawings is the use of hatching, which will allow us to add additional concepts and effects. 20 min Subscribers only 3.7 Quiz: Staging Your Drawings We continue to test your knowledge with this quiz on how to stage your drawings, knowing how to highlight your drawings and the magic of hatching. 5 min Subscribers only 3.8 Adding depth to your drawings This course follows on from the first course on perspective. We take the concepts a step further and explore the subject in greater depth. 45 min Subscribers only 3.9 Adding depth to your drawings: exercise 1 correction Step by step, Grégoire shows you the correct approach to completing the first exercise from the previous course. 10 min Subscribers only 3.10 Adding depth to your drawings: exercise 2 correction Correction of the second exercise from the course on how to add depth to your drawings using perspective. 16 min Subscribers only 3.11 Quiz: Adding Depth to Your Drawings We conclude Chapter 3 with this quiz to learn how to add depth to your drawings. 5 min Subscribers only
Chapter 4 4

Your First Characters

4h18
Your First Characters

Find inspiration to create and bring your characters to life! Highlighting some essential concepts related to anatomy, muscles, joints, proportions, and clothing for accurate illustrations and unique, credible characters.

4.1 Getting character proportions right This course introduces you to the fundamentals of morphology and anatomy by exploring the question of how the human body is constructed. We begin our study by working with classical systems of proportion. 26 min · Free 4.2 Giving meaning to your drawings In this course, we take the principles of image composition a step further by introducing new concepts. 28 min Subscribers only 4.3 Inspiration just a click away! Grégoire shares tips on how to build your own reference library so that you always have useful images and sources of inspiration at your fingertips. 22 min Subscribers only 4.4 Recap 1: your first drawing from A to Z In this course, we revisit all the concepts covered together since the beginning of the course and use them to create a complete illustration from A to Z. 33 min Subscribers only 4.5 Recap 2: your first drawing from A to Z (continued) We continue our illustration by working in the chosen format, building the perspective and refining the drawing. 45 min Subscribers only 4.6 Quiz: Your First Drawing Let's get started with a quiz that will cover the first 5 lessons up to the creation of your first drawing! 5 min Subscribers only 4.7 Understanding the human body In this course, we will explore the human body and its structure so that you can better understand how to draw it correctly. 31 min Subscribers only 4.8 Drawing your characters’ joints correctly The contact points between the skeleton and the skin provide precise and valuable information. They help you identify the correct volumes to represent when drawing your characters. 18 min Subscribers only 4.9 Drawing character muscles We will now take character drawing a step further by exploring human muscles. 29 min Subscribers only 4.10 Perspective in character drawing We have already explored perspective for elements and objects, but what about characters? Characters are also subject to the rules of perspective. 13 min Subscribers only 4.11 Drawing realistic clothing Drawing a character is one thing, but dressing them is even better! So how do clothing folds actually work? There are a few important rules to follow and, above all, certain mistakes you should avoid. 13 min Subscribers only 4.12 Quiz: Human Body and Characters To properly finish this chapter, here is a quiz on creating your first characters and the human body! 5 min Subscribers only
Chapter 5 5

Advanced Perception Techniques

2h
Advanced Perception Techniques

Master shadows and lights, shapes or the scale of heights, and learn to accurately reproduce distances through numerous exercises that will help you understand these essential concepts in drawing.

5.1 Light and shadow We will start discussing concepts of shadow and light to show you that the value of things, depending on their context, can vary greatly depending on their inclination towards a certain area of shadow or light. This is therefore the logical continuation of the lessons on line values. 25 min Subscribers only 5.2 Studying objects through shapes In this course, you will explore several ways to study complex objects so that you can reproduce them accurately. 11 min Subscribers only 5.3 Studying objects through shapes: exercise 1 correction Correction of the first exercise to help you represent objects in three dimensions. 6 min Subscribers only 5.4 Studying objects through shapes: exercise 2 correction Grégoire revisits the second exercise from the previous course and adds a few extra tips. 5 min Subscribers only 5.5 Quiz: Study by Form Today, we're doing a quiz about shadows, lights, and shapes. Let's get started! 5 min Subscribers only 5.6 The height scale: a useful trick for mastering perspective Review of perspective concepts with tips in this course for reflecting the height of your elements in depth, regardless of their alignment and the distance at which these elements are located. 17 min Subscribers only 5.7 The height scale: a useful trick for mastering perspective: exercise 1 correction Correction of exercise 1 from the course on the height scale. 7 min Subscribers only 5.8 The height scale: a useful trick for mastering perspective: exercise 2 correction Correction of exercise 2. 8 min Subscribers only 5.9 The height scale: a useful trick for mastering perspective: exercise 3 correction Correction of exercise 3. 10 min Subscribers only 5.10 Quiz: The Scale of Heights We continue your learning of the basics of drawing with this quiz on the scale of heights. 5 min Subscribers only 5.11 Reproducing distances accurately How can you repeat a shape at a specific distance? This requires a few new concepts, which Grégoire introduces in this course. 10 min Subscribers only 5.12 Reproducing distances accurately: exercise 1 correction Correction of exercise 1. 10 min Subscribers only 5.13 Reproducing distances accurately: exercise 2 correction Correction of exercise 2. 12 min Subscribers only 5.14 Quiz: Knowing How to Reproduce Distances We conclude this chapter with this quiz to find out how to replicate distances. Let's go! 5 min Subscribers only

What you will learn in this course

Develop your observation, your inspiration, and your creativity

Master the complex keys of perspective, achieve your shapes and match heights and volumes.

Learn about human body proportions, character joints, different parts of the face, and also design their clothing style

Reviewed by your teacher

If you wish, a teacher looks at your drawings and answers your questions on the forum.

What our students created with this course

Who is this course for?

Complete beginners who have never drawn before and are looking for a simple method to get started!
Artists wishing to review their knowledge of fundamental concepts and drawing techniques.

Average site rating 4.7/5

"Very good impression, I’m only at the beginning, but I like the simplicity, the vocabulary that appeals to everyone, and the practical advice for getting started. My only criticism is the navigation on your site, but it might just be a period of adjustmen..."

Natou2012 On 28/09/2026

"It’s true that after watching it so many times, ..., I’m starting to get a little lost! First observation: I get lost on the site without really understanding where to go, discovering this here, that there... would an organizational chart or a site map..."

PEx On 11/09/2026

"It’s true that after watching it so many times, ..., I’m starting to get a little lost! First observation: I get lost on the site without really understanding where to go, discovering this here, that there... maybe an organizational chart or a site map..."

PEx On 11/09/2026

"This course is really excellent and the trainer's teaching methods are perfectly adapted"

Johann22 On 29/05/2026

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Questions before you start

I am a complete beginner, can I take this course?

Yes. The course starts from scratch and guides you step by step.

Do I need any special equipment?

No: the materials are presented at the start of the course, and you can begin with what you already have.

Will my drawings be corrected?

Yes, if you wish: post your exercises on the forum and a teacher from the team will send you personalized feedback.

Is this course included in my subscription or do I have to pay extra?

It is included in the Dessindigo subscription, which gives access to all 447 courses on the site.

Can I cancel my subscription at any time?

Yes, with no commitment: you cancel by following the procedure shown in your account.

What happens if the course is not right for me?

You are refunded if you are not satisfied within 14 days of signing up: simply write to us at support@dessindigo.com.

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Access to +400 courses
Drawing course : Drawing Basics From 24,08 $/month
Access to +400 courses
From 24,08 $/month
Access to +400 courses