Expressive Figure Drawing: Explore Lines, Shapes and Colors
A course by Daniel Torrent RibaIllustrator, Writer, and Educator
A course by Daniel Torrent Riba, Illustrator, Writer, and Educator
Learn to draw the human figure in an expressive and personal way by combining observation, feeling, and imagination in your creative process
If you loved Daniel Torrent's Expressive Illustration Line by Line course, you're in for a treat! The illustrator, writer, and teacher is back, this time to guide you through reinterpreting the human figure while avoiding the usual stereotypes. He shows you how easy it can be to find poetry in everyday life when using your mind, your eyes, and your feelings to channel creativity.
In this course, learn a more expressive and intimate take on drawing the human body. The process is all about leaving reality behind and improvising with exaggerated strokes and unexpected color palettes.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 21 downloads
Materials
3 minutes, 27 seconds
Places from where we can face the drawing
19 minutes, 56 seconds
Study of the human body
18 minutes, 51 seconds
Release the form
17 minutes, 7 seconds
The role of color
14 minutes, 33 seconds
Choice of referent
6 minutes, 58 seconds
What's included in this course?
Daniel Torrent starts off the course by explaining his journey through the art world, from his studies to his professional experience exhibiting as an illustrator and painter. He also talks about some references that inspire him in his everyday life.
Next, discover three ways to represent the body: using sight with photos as a reference point, using knowledge with an exercise in anatomy, and using your own feelings to explore color and shape.
Time to get started on your final project by putting all the concepts you've learned up to this point into action. First, choose the reference you wish to use, then draw the basic lines and apply color to get as much expressivity as possible, and finally, create the background.
Wrap things up by putting the final touches on your image using Adobe Photoshop's wealth of possibilities. Daniel also teaches you how to turn your project into a series with other illustrations and how to get it recognized in the industry.
What is this course's project?
Create a drawing of the human body using a photo as a reference, enhancing nuances with a more liberated attitude to color.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Beginners as well as experienced illustrators and painters who want to loosen up and explore a more expressive representation of the human body.
Requirements and materials
No prior knowledge is required, all you need is paper, a pencil, and colored pencils; as an option, you may also like to have tempera paint, paintbrushes, and Adobe Photoshop at the ready.
Reviews
- 1 month ago
Daniel explica seus processos criativos com clareza, tornando acessíveis aspectos subjetivos de sua linguagem visual e enriquecendo o conteúdo com referências à história da arte. Sua didática é humana e cria uma sensação de proximidade. Minha única ressalva é a edição, que interrompe os momentos em que o processo manual é mostrado para inserir planos frontais do artista, desviando o foco daquilo que considero mais interessante: o desenho em execução.
- 3 months ago
This author has interesting thoughts on choosing photo references (completely new for me) and of course I like his style and technique👍🏻💛✨
- 4 months ago
Sehr toller Kurs. Der beste den ich bisher auf Domestica gemacht habe. Daniel erklärt alles auf so eine schöne Weise und spricht so deutlich uns langsam, dass ich alles auf spanisch schauen konnte. Er gibt Elementare Tipps und es macht einfach Spaß mitzumachen.
- 5 months ago
Amei esse curso e Daniel explica muito bem! =D
- 6 months ago
great course, love the colour application so much
He has created illustrations for media outlets and advertising, but he is most well known for his creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature. He has worked for Spanish publishing companies such as Edelvives, Kalandraka, Alfaguara, Cal.lígraf and Comanegra, but his artistic work has had a much greater impact on his career and led him to be a renowned illustrator. He has also published his work in France, Italy, Belgium, Mexico, China, Korea, and the United States.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
Preparation
- Materials
- Places from where we can face the drawing
- Study of the human body
- Release the form
- The role of color
- U3
Developing the project
- Choice of referent
- Drawing lace
- Color: between observation and imagination
- The funds 1
- The funds 2
- U4
Final touches
- Retouching
- Series of drawings
- How to make us known
- FP
Final project
- Expressive drawing of the human figure: explore shapes and colors
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 intermediate artists looking to deepen their skills in expressive techniques, anatomical stylization, and mixed media approaches to the human figure.
You'll need graphite pencils, Bristol paper, tempera paints, gouache, brushes, pastels, a white palette, colored pencils, and access to Photoshop for digital touch-ups.
You'll learn how to reinterpret the human figure, use mixed media techniques, experiment with color and backgrounds, stylize anatomy, retouch digitally, and create personal narrative series.
The course focuses on creatively reimagining the human figure by combining traditional and digital methods, anatomical analysis, narrative composition, and color exploration to produce expressive illustrations.
Basic knowledge of anatomical drawing is recommended, as the course builds on anatomical structure to explore stylization and personal expression.
You'll learn to create expressive backgrounds using tempera and gouache, achieving textures, color contrasts, and emotional atmospheres that enhance visual storytelling.
The course covers scanning processes, retouching imperfections, color adjustments, and professional print formatting using advanced Photoshop tools.