Drawing course : Digital Painting

This course offers you the opportunity to discover the world of digital painting step by step. The courses gradually guide you from choosing your materials and understanding the main tools, to creating a complete full-color illustration. All courses come with exercises that allow you to learn at your own pace. Start this course to dive into the world of digital painting.

4.7 (341 ratings) • +10.1 h of lessons · 42 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
Teppe Maxime

YOUR TEACHER: TEPPE MAXIME

Maxime Teppe is an illustrator who will guide you through the art of digital painting. An expert in digital drawing, he will offer you a unique experience with his imagination and creativity. You will learn all the techniques to create your first digital artwork.

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

+10.1 h of lessons across 7 chapters, 42 videos and exercises.

Chapter 1 1

Introduction

50 min
Introduction

Before you dive into digital painting, we explain everything from A to Z: the different software, the necessary equipment, the interface, and the various tools. This guide is essential for your first steps to understand how digital painting works.

1.1 Before you get started… Maxime explains what you need to know before you begin digital painting, such as the cost of the equipment and the differences between digital and traditional drawing. 7 min · Free 1.2 Choosing your equipment In this course, we review the different types of digital tools together: their advantages, disadvantages and costs, as well as tips to help you choose the right equipment. 13 min · Free 1.3 Software An overview of the main software programs you can use for digital drawing. We also introduce some free alternatives. 8 min Subscribers only 1.4 Understanding the interface All digital software has its own specific features, but they all work according to the same basic principles. Using Photoshop as an example, this course explains the main tools found in most drawing software. 12 min Subscribers only 1.5 Getting to grips with your tools Using a stylus and a graphics tablet instead of a pencil and paper takes practice. Maxime presents a few exercises to help you become familiar with your equipment and software. 9 min Subscribers only
Chapter 2 2

Getting Started in Digital Drawing

1h06
Getting Started in Digital Drawing

In this chapter, you will discover the basics of digital painting by learning various techniques, such as perspective and sketching. You will also learn how to compose your illustrations with numerous tips and tricks.

2.1 The rough sketch Maxime shows you step by step how to create digital rough sketches, from the initial sketch to the final drawing. 17 min Subscribers only 2.2 The rough sketch: exercise correction A step-by-step correction of the exercise on sketching a face, with tips for improving the accuracy of your digital drawings. 8 min Subscribers only 2.3 Composing your illustration Digital painting is no different from traditional painting, and composing your image to convey the desired emotion is central. Maxime explains how to solve narrative problems through compositional choices. 15 min Subscribers only 2.4 Perspective in the digital world Digital tools can make it easier to construct environments in perspective. Maxime explains how to create, import and use perspective grids in drawing software. 18 min Subscribers only 2.5 Perspective in the digital world: correction and tips In this correction, Maxime presents two examples of environments using a perspective grid. 7 min Subscribers only
Chapter 3 3

Understanding Color

1h56
Understanding Color

We are now focusing on color in digital painting: how to compose with color and perform color grading of your illustrations. You will tackle various exercises in the courses to perfect your learning.

3.1 How does colour work? Maxime explains how color works in a computer and explains the meaning of "barbaric" terms such as RGB, CMYK, ... and how to use them. 20 min Subscribers only 3.2 Composing in colour In this course, we explain how to use colour properties such as hue, brightness, and saturation, in order to create an image that is readable and pleasing to the eye. 30 min Subscribers only 3.3 Composing in colour: exercise corrections In this correction, Maxime explains how to colour a night scene and shares various tips for creating different emotions. 15 min Subscribers only 3.4 Colouring the illustration Maxime presents a method for colouring an image using different layers and layer blending modes to add shadows and highlights. 42 min Subscribers only 3.5 Colouring the illustration: exercise 1 correction The correction of exercise 1. Maxime shows you how using layers can help you modify the colours of an image in a non-destructive way. 4 min Subscribers only 3.6 Colouring the illustration: exercise 2 correction Correction of exercise 2 on using layer blending modes to create shadows. 5 min Subscribers only
Chapter 4 4

Techniques and Concepts

2h32
Techniques and Concepts

We delve into the heart of the matter with several essential techniques in digital painting. Learn how to draw shadows, lights, and contrasts. Then, discover how to integrate photographs, and how to depict materials. All these exercises will help you improve your illustrations!

4.1 The question of "style" in digital painting Digital media provides a range of tools, but it does not determine the style of image you can create with them. In this course, we provide an overview of different artists and the main visual styles that can be created digitally. 6 min Subscribers only 4.2 Painting without outlines When you are starting out, erasing your pencil sketch can feel intimidating. Maxime gives you various tips for moving from a sketch to a painting without visible outlines. 7 min Subscribers only 4.3 Rendering light and shadow Before stylising, you need to observe reality. This course explains useful optical concepts for painting light and shadow on a three-dimensional object. 18 min Subscribers only 4.4 Rendering light and shadow: exercise correction The correction of the exercise from the previous course, including an explanation of how reflections on coloured surfaces work. 7 min Subscribers only 4.5 Using photography One of the most powerful tools in digital art is the ability to use photography. This course explains how to choose your photos, import them and blend them harmoniously with the rest of the image. 22 min Subscribers only 4.6 Using photography: exercise correction Correction of the exercise involving importing photographic textures and incorporating them non-destructively. 5 min Subscribers only 4.7 Too much detail kills the detail! You might think that realism means creating an image with as much detail as possible. In reality, however, too much detail can weaken the overall effect. This course explains where and when it is best to reduce the amount of detail in order to make your images look more realistic. 19 min Subscribers only 4.8 Representing materials This course demonstrates how to use colour to represent different types of materials – whether matt or glossy, metallic or non-metallic – building on the foundations established in the course on light and shadow. 17 min Subscribers only 4.9 Representing materials: exercise correction Correction of the exercise using examples of various materials. 18 min Subscribers only 4.10 Balancing contrasts Alongside composition, lighting contrasts are among the main tools for directing the viewer’s eye within an image. This course explains how to use them to your advantage. 21 min Subscribers only 4.11 Balancing contrasts: exercise corrections In this correction, Maxime shows you how to adjust the lighting contrasts in an image to make it easier to read. 12 min Subscribers only
Chapter 5 5

Create Your First Characters

2h09
Create Your First Characters

Are you interested in character creation? That is precisely the topic of this chapter. You will learn to master the volumes of the face, limbs, and torso. Additionally, you will also create customized characters by learning to draw skin, hair, and clothing.

5.1 Facial volumes In this course, you will explore anatomical and perspective concepts to represent a face in a way that creates the illusion of volume. 21 min Subscribers only 5.2 Facial volumes: exercise corrections Correction of the previous exercises using Maxime’s examples. 11 min Subscribers only 5.3 Limb volumes This course covers the main volumes of the upper limbs (the arms) and lower limbs (the legs), as well as how to represent them in space. 12 min Subscribers only 5.4 Limb volumes: exercise corrections In this correction of the previous course, you will also see how to apply colour to a pencil drawing to strengthen the illusion of volume. 6 min Subscribers only 5.5 Torso volumes This course explains the anatomy of the torso and the main muscle groups that give it its shape. It also provides tips for drawing the torso convincingly with a sense of volume. 13 min Subscribers only 5.6 Torso volumes: exercise corrections In this correction, we summarise the previous courses and show you how to place light and shadow on a complete human body. 12 min Subscribers only 5.7 Skin colour Skin is a complex organ to depict: it is slightly matt, slightly shiny and also somewhat translucent. We show you techniques for bringing your characters to life and painting skin realistically, without having to go into too much detail. 10 min Subscribers only 5.8 Skin colour: exercise corrections Exercise correction on skin colour, including a demonstration using two very different skin tones. 10 min Subscribers only 5.9 Painting hair Painting hair can be a real challenge. This course shares practical techniques to help you paint hair with greater confidence. 10 min Subscribers only 5.10 Painting hair: exercise corrections This exercise correction is an opportunity to recap the key concepts from the hair course. As a bonus, you'll also learn how to paint imaginative hairstyles. 6 min Subscribers only 5.11 Painting clothing Fabric folds are one of the hardest things to invent convincingly, especially when you want to create the illusion of volume. This course shares practical techniques for painting different types of fabrics and drapery. 12 min Subscribers only 5.12 Painting clothing: exercise corrections This exercise correction revisits the previous course and includes additional examples. 8 min Subscribers only
Chapter 6 6

Settings and Emotions

44 min
Settings and Emotions

In this chapter on digital painting, learn how to create custom backgrounds in your illustrations. Discover techniques and tips to enhance your settings and make your works unique!

6.1 Creating emotion through environments How can you use an environment to strengthen your composition, tell a story and enhance emotion? That's what this course is all about. 11 min Subscribers only 6.2 Demonstration: transforming an environment As a follow-up to the previous course, this demonstration shows how a basic environment can be transformed to create a completely different world. 32 min Subscribers only
Chapter 7 7

Conclusion

48 min
Conclusion

To conclude this chapter, we will review all the knowledge you have learned during the courses. We will offer you one last illustration to apply all the techniques acquired throughout your training.

7.1 Recap: final illustration (including bonus) In this course, we'll recap everything covered throughout the training. We'll also demonstrate a different approach to creating an illustration by starting with colour and allowing room for improvisation. A concluding course that invites you to look at your work from a new perspective. 48 min Subscribers only

What you will learn in this course

Master the Tools Specific to Digital Painting (Hardware and Software)

Build on the foundations of traditional drawing and learn to give volume and play with shadows and lights

Embrace color to create evocative illustrations, and unleash your imagination

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

Student drawing 1
Student drawing 2
Student drawing 3
Student drawing 4
Student drawing 5
Student drawing 6
Student drawing 7
Student drawing 8

Who is this course for?

Beginners in Digital Painting who have never (or rarely) drawn on a tablet and are looking for a simple method to get started!
Artists wishing to progress in the digital universe by working on fundamental concepts and techniques on a tablet.

Average site rating 4.7/5

"Honestly great, but the explanations on the brushes are a bit quick for my taste."

grego23 On 12/07/2024

"Excellent course! The exercises really helped me understand the concepts. I'm looking forward to the next part."

jadeart On 14/05/2024

"The videos are very well made"

theoart On 03/05/2024

"The tutorials are clear, but some sections are a bit fast for my taste."

cosmo88 On 08/04/2024

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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 : Digital Painting From 24,08 $/month
Access to +400 courses
From 24,08 $/month
Access to +400 courses