Gouache Techniques for Illustration
A course by Emma Block, Illustrator
Use your sketchbook as a canvas to explore different colors, textures, and brushstrokes using gouache paint
Sketchbooks are an endless source of inspiration that offer artists of all disciplines the opportunity to connect with their surroundings. For illustrator Emma Block, they are an essential part of her creative process which involves using gouache and watercolor to capture scenes inspired by everyday life.
Emma has worked with clients including Penguin Random House, Stylistic Magazine, Airbnb, and Etsy, and published several books on illustration in which she shares her expertise. She is passionate about the process of painting, the physicality of mixing color, and the act of putting brush to paper to create colorful illustrations that bring joy to those around her.
What do you get from this course?
“You will learn how to work with gouache, practicing a variety of exercises in your sketchbook.”
⦁ Learn to use the world around you as inspiration for your illustrations
⦁ Explore professional techniques for painting with gouache
⦁ Discover digital tools for enhancing your artwork in Photoshop
What will you learn in this online course?
17 lessons & 17 downloads
What's included in this course?
Dive into the materials needed to create colorful illustrations in your sketchbook. Experiment with different brush strokes, learn how to control and mix paint, and see how to add texture to your artwork with gouache. Then decide on your color palette using color theory as a guide.
Gather inspiration for your illustration and create your initial pencil sketch. Paint the background colors and later the finer details, before putting the finishing touches to your work with colored pencils.
Next, Emma shows you how to turn your painting into a high-resolution digital image along with how to edit it in Photoshop. To wrap up the course, explore how playful hand lettering can elevate your illustrations.
- 99% positive reviews (366)
- 17,006 students
- 17 lessons (3h 6m)
- 17 additional resources (5 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, Spanish (Latam), French, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Create a gouache illustration, combining bold, expressive brushstrokes with vivid colors to capture the essence of a scene in your sketchbook.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone interested in transforming their sketchbook into a playground for illustration using gouache paint.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is required.
In terms of materials, you will need a sketchbook, paints, paintbrushes, colored pencils, and access to a device with Photoshop installed.
Reviews
Emma Block
A course by Emma Block
Emma Block is a multidisciplinary illustrator, teacher, and author living in London. She began drawing and painting at a young age and started freelancing at just 17 years old, selling her work online and licensing designs to greetings card companies. Emma later completed a national diploma in art and design and set up a blog showcasing her work online. She then went on to study for a BA in illustration and, during her final year, was approached by a publisher to illustrate her first book, Tea and Cake.
Since then, Emma has worked with clients in publishing, editorial illustration, branding, and beyond, including Penguin Random House, Hatchet Publishing, Mollie Makes, Stylistic Magazine, Airbnb, and Etsy. She’s also written multiple books, The Joy of Watercolor, Getting Started with Gouache, Slow Travel Journal: The Small Delights of Going Away, and Watercolor Life. Emma has taught hundreds of people how to paint through her workshops and aims to bring joy to people’s lives through her illustrations that are filled with color and texture.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Tools, Gouache, and Techniques
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Materials
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Brushstroke Techniques
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Controlling and Mixing the Paint
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Playing with Texture
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Colour Theory
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U3
The Painting
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Inspiration and Reference Images
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Sketching in Pencil
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Painting the Background Colours 1
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Painting the Background Colours 2
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Painting Details 1
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Painting Details 2
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More Details with Colour Pencils
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U4
Digitalisation and Other Tips
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Scanning the Painting
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Editing in Photoshop
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Adding Hand Lettering
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FP
Final project
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Gouache Techniques for Sketchbook Illustration
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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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.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 techniques in gouache painting, color mixing, sketchbook practice, and building a freelance illustration career.
You’ll need gouache paints, watercolor or mixed-media sketchbooks, various paintbrushes, colored pencils, a pencil extender, and basic scanning or photography tools for digitizing artwork.
You’ll learn gouache painting techniques, color theory, texture creation, mixing media, scanning artwork for print, building a freelance portfolio, and selling prints or licensing your work.
No prior art experience is required. The course starts with basic skills and gradually introduces more advanced illustration techniques.
You'll complete sketchbook projects, learn to digitize and edit your artwork, receive portfolio tips, and explore effective ways to share your work online and attract clients.
Yes, the course includes guidance on selling prints through platforms like Etsy and licensing your artwork to card and publishing companies.
Yes, you’ll learn how to select suitable sketchbooks and papers based on your painting style and project needs.
O curso é incrível, fiquei encantado, recomendo com toda certeza.
Me pareció muy lindo, inspirador, muy buena explicando
I really enjoyed this. Emma explains everything in such an easy and calm way. If you want to learn how to use gouache for your illustrations, this is your course!
Loved it! I was easy to follow and the instructor is very knowledgeable.
A good beginning gouache painting course and very calming.