Exploratory Sketchbook: Find Your Drawing Style
A course by Sarah van DongenIllustrator
A course by Sarah van Dongen, Illustrator
Discover fun methods to develop your ideas and draw from observation using gouache, watercolor, and colored pencils
An original idea can come in many shapes and colors—sometimes when we least expect them and often when we’re drawing without restraint. Illustrator Sarah van Dongen believes having fun is one of the most important components of the creative process and finds it’s key to being able to create daily. She describes her illustrations as something between reality and imagination, using her life’s everyday moments as prompts to fill her sketchbooks and create illustrations for clients like Tiny Owl Publishing, Adobe, and AWW magazine.
Let Sarah take you on an inspiring journey through her illustration universe. Discover her methods for creating unique illustrations and finding your drawing style. Learn how to use color, composition, texture, and anatomy to draw from observation and tell the stories you want to tell.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 27 downloads
The Sketchbook
7 minutes, 14 seconds
My Materials
3 minutes, 55 seconds
Use of Materials
13 minutes, 15 seconds
Color, Contrast and Balance
16 minutes, 22 seconds
Observation and Mind Bank
10 minutes, 47 seconds
Simple Anatomy and Self Portrait
17 minutes, 2 seconds
What's included in this course?
Meet Sarah van Dongen, learn about her creative journey, and discover some of her work. See the illustrators and books that influence her creative ideas and get a quick overview of what Sarah teaches you in this course.
See the materials Sarah uses and learn about the different kinds of sketchbooks available so you can choose one that is best suited to your drawing style. Discover how to use your materials, including how to mix paint and use markers and crayons for detail work.
Time to get started with Sarah’s fun exercises! Begin with color by seeing how to make a color wheel and mix your paints. Next, work on your observation skills with Sarah’s prompts and tips. Learn how to draw people with some simple anatomy theory and finish the unit with a perspective and composition exercise.
Combine your newfound knowledge from previous exercises to create your final self-portrait illustration. Draw thumbnails to establish your story until you have a final image and define the colors you’ll use to capture the mood. Begin with a line drawing, paint your image, and then work on the second layer using colored pencils and markers to add the final touches.
In the last unit, Sarah shows you how to keep sketching and filling your sketchbooks to further develop your style. Finish the course with some advice on how to create interesting content for Instagram and get noticed by future clients.
What is this course's project?
Create a self-portrait illustration with mixed media by following Sarah’s creative techniques.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for illustrators of all levels who would like to improve their observational drawing techniques and discover their unique drawing style.
Requirements and materials
To take this course, you will need a curiosity to explore your creative ideas and illustration style.
As for materials, you will need a sketchbook (or loose pages), gouache, graphites, colored pencils, and any other drawing material you wish to use such as markers, crayons, chalk, watercolors, etc.
Reviews
- 5 days ago
I love her illustrations and the way she teaches is very clear. Thank you so much!
- 2 months ago
Great intro to the world of illustration and sketching. Perfect for complete beginners.
- 2 months ago
I love her work and the class is just great, she is so calm and great at teaching you what she knows!
- 2 months ago
Gostei do curso, me ajudou a pensar em formas diferentes em como preencher meu caderno. As referências foram relevantes para aumentar meu repertório de imagens e formas de pensar a cor e a composição.
- 3 months ago
Para muy muy principiantes
Sarah’s illustration work can be found in children’s books, stationery, newspapers, and magazines across the globe. Her clients include Flow Magazine, Adobe, Tiny Owl Publishing, and Ragged Bears Publishing, among others. Sarah enjoys exploring themes like gardens, food, social interactions, mental health, and her childhood. She doesn’t shy away from subjects like insecurity, loneliness, and loss, she expresses them in her sketches to help make these feelings more comprehensible.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Introduction
- Influences
- What Will We Do in this Course?
- U2
Materials Matter
- The Sketchbook
- My Materials
- Use of Materials
- U3
Preparation Exercises
- Color, Contrast and Balance
- Observation and Mind Bank
- Simple Anatomy and Self Portrait
- Perspective and Composition
- U4
Complete Illustration
- The Story, Sketch and Color Palette
- Layer One, Paint
- Layer Two, Colored Pencils and Markers 1
- Layer Two, Colored Pencils and Markers 2
- U5
Fill that Sketchbook
- The Next Image
- Sharing Your Work on Social Media
- FP
Final project
- Exploratory Sketchbook: Find Your Drawing Style
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers foundational skills in drawing, mixed media, and illustration techniques.
You'll need a sketchbook, colored pencils, paints (like gouache or acrylic), markers, crayons, erasers, and basic drawing tools. The course covers how to choose and use these materials.
You'll learn children's book illustration techniques, portfolio building, mixed media, color theory, composition, storytelling, and how to share and promote your artwork on Instagram.
The course includes exercises and strategies for daily sketchbook practice, observational drawing, and developing a consistent artistic routine to enhance your skills over time.
No previous illustration experience is needed. The course starts with basic concepts and gradually introduces advanced techniques suitable for all levels.
Yes, the course covers using Instagram and other online platforms to showcase your work, build a professional network, and attract illustration clients.
Topics include drawing practice, mixed media, color palettes, pattern and texture techniques, composition, perspective, portfolio building, and social media sharing.