Illustrate Fantasy Characters from Scratch
A course by Raquel M. Varela, Digital Illustrator
Learn about techniques and resources for illustrating fantastical characters full of movement, color, and magic
Digital drawing is the perfect way to unleash your imagination. In this course, illustrator Raquel Martínez Varela will teach you how to illustrate fantasy characters from scratch with digital techniques.
Throughout the units, you will learn to give movement to your illustration and create a magical atmosphere in which light and color will play a fundamental role. Get ready to give life to fantastic characters full of dynamism and expressiveness.
What will you learn in this online course?
29 lessons & 20 downloads
What's included in this course?
You will start the course by getting to know your teacher Raquel Martínez Varela better. She will tell you how she became an illustrator and what her great references are.
Next, you will go through some concepts related to anatomy and learn how to create dynamic poses, as well as generate movement for hair, clothing and other elements in the scene. Then, you will think about the character whowill star in your final project, discover different composition tips and create your first sketch.
Then, you will work on the lines, you will add the base color and you will select the tones to create contrasts and chromatic harmony. You will apply lights and shadows before adding the magic touch: the highlights and reflections that will fill your fantasy illustration.
Finally, you will learn to prepare the file for export and you will share your work on social media.
- 100% positive reviews (4)
- 556 students
- 29 lessons (6h 18m)
- 20 additional resources (10 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish, German, English, French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Turkish
- Spanish · English · Italian · French · Turkish · Polish · German · Portuguese
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software & tools for this course
Clip Studio PaintWhat is this course's project?
You will create an illustration of an original fantasy character with light effects and other visual resources.
Who is this online course for?
Any beginnerartist who likes to draw magic and fantasy.
Requirements and materials
You will need to have a basic knowledge of digital drawing as well as a digital tablet, a computer or tablet, and drawing software such as Clip Studio Paint, Photoshop, or Procreate.
Reviews
Raquel M. Varela
A course by Raquel M. Varela
Raquel Martínez Varela, known as reirei.art, is a Spanish digital illustrator specializing in creating female characters and fantasy scenes full of magic and movement. Based in Toledo, her work stands out for its construction of imaginary worlds where the ethereal and dreamlike take center stage.
Largely self-taught, he supplemented his training at the Escuela Ilustra in Seville, developing a friendly and accessible approach to illustration. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with publishers such as Planeta Cómic, Editions Bookmark, and 3DTotal Publishing, as well as working with creative brands like XP-Pen and Huion.
Her creative process is deeply inspired by fantasy, fairy tales, and influences such as anime and animation. In her courses, she shares her experience from an empathetic perspective, guiding beginners and encouraging them to develop their own style through exploration and practice.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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U2
Context, methodology and project preparation
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Software and digital drawing
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Dynamism: Body Movement 1
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Dynamism: Body Movement 2
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Dynamism: movement on stage 1
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Dynamism: movement on stage 2
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Dynamism: movement on stage 3
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The idea
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U3
The development
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Composition and sketch 1
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Composition and sketch 2
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Working on line art 1
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Working on line art 2
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Working on line art 3
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Color and contrast 1
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Color and Contrast 2
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Shadows and details 1
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Shadows and Details 2
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Shadows and details 3
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Shadows and details 4
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Shadows and details 5
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Setting 1
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Setting 2
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Setting 3
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Setting 4
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Setting 5
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Tonal correction
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U4
Conclusion and tips
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Retouching and corrections
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Exporting and sharing on social media
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FP
Final project
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Illustrating Fantasy Characters from Scratch
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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
The course is aimed at people with intermediate knowledge of digital illustration. Basic drawing skills and familiarity with digital tools are recommended, but you don’t need to be an expert.
You’ll need a graphics tablet and access to a digital illustration program like Clip Studio Paint or something similar. Having an internet connection is also recommended to access content and resources.
You’ll learn how to create dynamic poses, draw hair and clothing in motion, stylize characters, and apply digital coloring techniques, shadows, highlights, and composition using digital tools and brushes.
The course guides you through gathering references, developing mood boards, analyzing styles, and adapting artistic influences to create your own consistent and unique illustration style.
Yes, you’ll learn strategies for sharing your artwork, boosting your visibility, and gaining followers on platforms like Instagram, along with tips for landing professional commissions.
Yes, the course covers techniques for stylizing manga-style characters and creating scenes with magical transformations, using vibrant colors and dynamic composition.
You’ll explore methods to simplify anatomy using basic shapes, build dynamic poses, and apply action lines to achieve movement and natural flow in your characters.
Clip Studio Paint
Curso muito bem estrutura e com didática excelente!
Recomendo!
Simplemente excelente!
Excelente.
¡Excelente curso!