Fantasy Acrylic Painting
A course by Jesper EjsingFantasy Artist and Visual Storyteller
A course by Jesper Ejsing, Fantasy Artist and Visual Storyteller
Unleash your creativity in acrylic painting. Learn techniques for composition, sketching, and color to bring characters to life.
Dive into the captivating world of fantasy art and visual storytelling in this online course led by the renowned artist, Jesper Ejsing. Throughout this creative journey, you'll explore the fascinating realm of acrylic painting and role-playing illustrations. Jesper's vast experience includes collaborations with industry giants like Dungeons & Dragons, World of Warcraft, and Magic the Gathering, making him the perfect guide for this adventure.
In this course, you'll gain valuable insights into fantasy painting, storytelling, and composition. Jesper's teaching approach, developed over years of experience, breaks down complex techniques into manageable steps. You'll discover the secrets behind achieving powerful contrasts and finishes with acrylics. Unleash your creativity as you embark on a quest to portray a fantasy character in a scene, taking control of your artistic tools and developing your skills with confidence.
What will you learn in this online course?
19 lessons & 11 downloads
Introducing Fantasy Painting and Storytelling
9 minutes, 56 seconds
Sketching Thumbnails and Composition 1
12 minutes, 26 seconds
Sketching Thumbnails and Composition 2
15 minutes, 27 seconds
Fine-Tune Sketching
16 minutes, 22 seconds
Inking and Value Painting
18 minutes, 59 seconds
Colour, Light, and Final Prep Work 1
20 minutes, 44 seconds
What's included in this course?
To start, you'll delve into the fundamentals of fantasy painting and the art of storytelling, gaining a deep understanding of what makes a composition captivating. Jesper will guide you through the process of transforming a thumbnail sketch into a finely detailed illustration. You'll learn to transfer your sketches to your working surface, set up colors, lighting, and format, and master blending techniques and dry brush effects for creating lifelike textures. With Jesper's guidance, you'll conquer backgrounds, figures, and finishing touches, ultimately refining your artworks with confidence and control.
What is this course's project?
In this course, your final project will be to portray a fantasy character in a scene, applying the techniques and skills you've learned throughout the course. Your artwork will be a testament to your creative journey and newfound expertise.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is tailored for aspiring artists and enthusiasts who are passionate about fantasy art and visual storytelling. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced illustrator, Jesper's teaching style ensures that artists of all levels can benefit from this course. If you're eager to explore the world of fantasy illustration and discover the secrets to bringing your imaginative visions to life, this course is designed for you.
Requirements and materials
To participate in this creative adventure, you'll need some basic art supplies, including acrylic paints and suitable surfaces. No prior experience is necessary; an open mind, enthusiasm for art, and a desire to learn are the only prerequisites. Join us on this artistic journey and watch your fantasy artistry skills flourish under Jesper's expert guidance.
Reviews
- 3 days ago
Jesper has a great personality that really shines through and helps me feel at ease and inspired. Working on the steps in the course really does lead to better results. He uses an airbrush to keep his paint wet but you could use a mister or wet brush if you wanted to follow exactly. I had an airbrush I never use, so finally I'm getting some use out of it. The course is packed full of great information and advice, no fluff here - it's all relevant. My favourite course so far on Domestika :D
- 13 days ago
I am a professional illustrator and I have to confirm that he is a GREAT artist and a good teacher as well
- 2 months ago
Excelente curso
- 3 months ago
It is not everyday that a prominent fantasy artist will teach you step-by-step, the making of his art. this is a very insightful course and I learned a lot of technique that I can apply to my own art style
- 4 months ago
It is not everyday that a prominent fantasy artist will teach you step-by-step, the making of his art. this is a very insightful course and I learned a lot of technique that I can apply to my own art style
Beyond the canvas, Jesper's passion for wildlife photography informs his work, adding a touch of realism to his fantastical creations. As a dedicated roleplayer himself, he brings a profound understanding of the genre to his art, ensuring that each piece resonates with authenticity. With a rich portfolio that includes collaborations with major franchises like Dungeons & Dragons, World of Warcraft, and Magic the Gathering, Jesper Ejsing's artistic journey is an inspiring testament to the power of imagination and creativity.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Creating the Scene and Preparing to Paint
- Introducing Fantasy Painting and Storytelling
- Sketching Thumbnails and Composition 1
- Sketching Thumbnails and Composition 2
- Fine-Tune Sketching
- Inking and Value Painting
- Colour, Light, and Final Prep Work 1
- Colour, Light, and Final Prep Work 2
- Colour, Light, and Final Prep Work 3
- U3
Painting the Artwork
- Painting the Background 1
- Painting the Background 2
- Painting the Figure 1
- Painting the Figure 2
- Painting the Figure 3
- Fine-Tuning and Finishing Touches 1
- Fine-Tuning and Finishing Touches 2
- U4
Taking It All In
- Reflecting on Your Work
- Where and How to Progress from Here
- FP
Final project
- Painting Fantasy with Acrylic
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 who already have basic drawing and painting skills and want to deepen their understanding of fantasy illustration and narrative painting techniques.
You’ll need drawing supplies, watercolor or acrylic paints, brushes, masking film, reference photos, and access to digital tools if you’d like to try digital techniques. Some lessons also involve clay for reference modeling.
You’ll learn how to create compelling fantasy art, develop dynamic compositions, use references, apply color for storytelling, design believable environments and characters, and refine your work for publishing or self-publishing.
Yes, you’ll learn specific techniques for designing fantasy book covers and illustrations suitable for projects like Dungeons & Dragons or other narrative-driven works.
Absolutely. The course shows you how to use real-life references—including birdwatching, photography, and clay models—to enhance the realism and creativity of your fantasy illustrations.
A basic foundation in drawing is recommended, as the course builds on drawing skills to teach more advanced fantasy illustration and painting techniques.
You’ll explore expressive character drawing, stylization, foreshortening, and how to build believable fantasy creatures by combining animal traits and using reference materials.