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The Complete Sketching and Speedpainting Super Course

4.6 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Based on 355 ratings
see reviews
Colton Dubell

In this sketching and speedpainting course you'll learn all the fundamentals to start sketching and speedpainting with confidence.  Or your money back.

Throughout this course, you'll be taught about sketching like a pro, and how to paint quick and effective paintings like a pro.  If you're just a hobbyist or you're dedicated to becoming a professional illustrator or concept artist, this is the perfect course for you.

In this course you'll have over 17 hours of live, narrated content.

  • Instant access to 49 lectures and over 110 downloadable resources.

Read more

In this sketching and speedpainting course you'll learn all the fundamentals to start sketching and speedpainting with confidence.  Or your money back.

Throughout this course, you'll be taught about sketching like a pro, and how to paint quick and effective paintings like a pro.  If you're just a hobbyist or you're dedicated to becoming a professional illustrator or concept artist, this is the perfect course for you.

In this course you'll have over 17 hours of live, narrated content.

  • Instant access to 49 lectures and over 110 downloadable resources.

  • Over 17 hours of live, narrated content. And all the files that go with it.

  • Money back guarantee for the first 30 days.

This course is laid out in an easy to understand format:

  • First I'll be teaching you the basics of sketching, this includes line weight, 1 and 2 point perspective. As well as how to make your perspective feel a lot more natural so you leave with a deeper understanding of how to draw and interpret the world.

  • After that we'll be running through some exercises to teach you about design and the world. This includes: Shape Language, Sketching from observation and life, and different styles of sketching, as well as shape language.

  • Next I'll be teaching you about drawing specific subject matters. Like environment sketching, Weapon sketching, building and architecture sketching, and drawing from your imagination and setting up scenes that you can draw from your head.

  • After we get done with our sketching section. It's on to the painting section. I'll teach you the basics of light to give you a deeper understanding of them and what makes them so important to art.

  • Then it's straight to how to render. We'll be rendering all sorts of primitive shapes, cubes, spheres, cones, cylinders, and then follow that up with rendering scenes.

  • After we talk about light and how to render. Then we move into color theory, and using colors in your images.

  • Next we move into composition and we begin to paint scenes from observation and learn how to simplify them. Simplification is one of the most important parts to learning how to paint the world.

  • After we establish these fundamental skills, we'll be going over tons of exercises and practice activities to give you tons of experience. This includes doing speedpaintings from observation, movie studies, and still life paintings.

  • Lastly we'll finish off by doing some awesome speed paintings.

Throughout this course you'll be learning:

  • The basics of sketching

  • Perspective, and how to use it effectively during sketching

  • Details and where to put them

  • Rendering objects realistically

  • using color in your work

  • How to practice and make sure you improve quickly

  • Tons of tips and tricks to get you painting awesome things quickly.

  • all my working files

  • many hours of live, narrated content where you can draw along step by step.

Additional Benefits:

  • Access to the Q&A Section

  • Lifetime access to all of the course material

  • Contact with me, your instructor.

Sign up today and learn how to sketch and speedpaint like a master.

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Drawing and sketching
  • Perspective
  • Line drawing
  • Painting
  • Color theory

Syllabus

Introduction

Students will receive a welcome to the course!

Students will learn what materials and supplies are required for the course.

Read more

Students will learn how to use the Q&A section.

This is a brief introduction on the tools I'll be using during the course.

Students will get a jump start by immediately jumping into sketching and following along in real time with the instructor.

Students will get a jump start by immediately jumping into doing their first speedpainting by following along in real time with the instructor.

Students will learn what sketching is and why it's important.

Students will learn about line weight and making sketches easy to see

Students will learn about 1 point perspective.

A fun exercise: Draw on top of the template I've provided and draw furniture into a room in 1 point perspective.

Students will learn about 2 point perspective

Students will be doing an assignment to help them get better at 2 point perspective.

Students will learn about using perspective in their sketches. As well as drawing things rotated out of the grid.

Students will learn about sketching things from reference and applying what they've learned so far.

Students will learn about Shape language

Students will learn about hatching and linework and different types of sketching

Students will learn about breaking things down into simple form and contours.

Students will get an introduction to sketching environments.

Students will learn about Landscapes, Interiors, and City Shots.

Students will get an introduction to sketching and designing Medieval Weapons and Modern Firearms and what to think about while designing them.

Students will learn about using reference to draw buildings and architecture.

Students will learn about sketching small and rough with thumbnail sketching

Students will learn about sketching from observation. (Part 1)

Students will learn about sketching from observation. (Part 2)

Students will learn to come up with their own sketches based on using reference loosely.

Students will learn What speed painting is and why we use it.

As we get into painting, students will be introduced to some of the basic principles of light.

Students will learn the basics of rendering very simple objects.

Students will learn how to render spheres

Students will learn about rendering Cylinders and Cones.

Students will learn the basics of rendering simple scenes.

Students will get an introduction to color theory before we start painting in full color.

Students will learn about composition and telling a story through your images

Students will be taught about painting from observation and what to look for.

Students will learn about simplifying things in order to paint them.

Students will be learning about simplifying a painting to leave out unnecessary details and focusing on the most important details.

Students will learn about hard and soft edges and why they matter in paintings

Students will be learning about the power of starting with just black and white.

Students will learn what underpainting is and why it is important.

Students will learn about a fun technique using the lasso tool to make selections and then paint using those selections.

Students will learn about doing movie studies and why they're important.

Second movie study that teaches a different approach to doing movie studies.

Students will learn about why doing paintings from real life is so important.

Students will learn a quick way to add reflections

Students will learn about making scenes look foggy.

In this lecture we'll be taking a piece made earlier and finishing it up

Some practice activities to help you keep improving.

Thank you and farewell!

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers sketching fundamentals like line weight and perspective, which are essential for building a strong foundation in illustration and concept art
Explores shape language and sketching from observation, which are valuable skills for artists of all levels looking to improve their understanding of form and design
Teaches the basics of light, rendering, and color theory, which are fundamental concepts for creating visually appealing and realistic paintings
Includes speedpainting techniques and exercises, which can help artists develop their ability to quickly capture ideas and create finished pieces
Discusses simplifying scenes for painting, which is a crucial skill for artists who want to accurately and efficiently capture the world around them
Features a technique using the lasso tool for selections, which is specific to digital painting software and may not be applicable to traditional media

Save this course

Create your own learning path. Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
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Reviews summary

Comprehensive sketching and speedpainting fundamentals

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive and well-structured introduction to both sketching and speedpainting. Many found the instructor's teaching style highly engaging and easy to follow, making complex topics accessible. The course provides a strong foundation in core concepts like perspective, light, and color theory, with plenty of practical demonstrations and exercises. Reviewers frequently praised the value provided for beginners and hobbyists. However, some more experienced artists noted that while broad, the course may lack the depth required for advanced techniques or professional-level detail, suggesting it's best suited for those starting out or looking to solidify fundamental skills.
Wide range of topics covered, both sketching and painting.
"It's great that it covers both sketching and speedpainting in one place."
"The course touches on many different aspects of digital art."
"It gives you a taste of a wide variety of techniques and subjects."
"It's a good overview of the pipeline from sketch to finished piece."
Downloadable files and materials are very useful.
"The included downloadable files were a huge help for practice."
"I really appreciated having the templates and brushes provided."
"Having access to the working files is a major plus."
"The resources make it easy to follow along and practice on your own."
Lots of helpful follow-along demos and assignments.
"The step-by-step demonstrations were incredibly helpful."
"I really enjoyed the practical exercises; they cemented the lessons."
"Plenty of opportunities to paint along with the instructor."
"The assignments help apply what you learn immediately."
Provides a strong base in core art concepts.
"This course lays down a really strong foundation in the basics."
"I finally understand perspective and light thanks to this."
"Covers all the essentials needed to start sketching and painting."
"I feel like I have a much better grasp on fundamentals now."
Instructor is clear, encouraging, and easy to follow.
"The instructor is amazing - very clear and engaging."
"His teaching style is fantastic, easy to understand."
"I love the way the instructor explains things and makes it fun."
"The instructor makes complex topics seem simple and achievable."
Excellent starting point, less for advanced learners.
"As a complete beginner, this course was absolutely perfect for me."
"It's a great introduction if you're new to digital painting."
"While comprehensive for basics, I was hoping for more advanced techniques."
"Might be a bit slow-paced if you already have some experience."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Complete Sketching and Speedpainting Super Course with these activities:
Practice Line Weight Exercises
Reinforce your understanding of line weight by practicing different line weights and their effects on sketches. This will improve the clarity and readability of your sketches.
Show steps
  • Gather reference images showcasing varied line weights.
  • Practice drawing lines with different levels of thickness.
  • Experiment with applying line weight to simple shapes.
Read 'Perspective Made Easy' by Ernest R. Norling
Solidify your understanding of perspective by reading a book dedicated to the topic. This will provide a more in-depth explanation of the concepts covered in the course.
View Melania on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Perspective Made Easy'.
  • Read the chapters on one, two, and three-point perspective.
  • Practice the exercises provided in the book.
Daily Perspective Drawing Exercises
Improve your perspective skills through consistent practice. This will help you internalize the rules of perspective and apply them more naturally in your sketches and speed paintings.
Show steps
  • Select a perspective drawing exercise (e.g., drawing a room in one-point perspective).
  • Set a timer for 30 minutes and focus on the exercise.
  • Review your work and identify areas for improvement.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Shape Language Study
Deepen your understanding of shape language by creating a visual study. This will help you analyze how different shapes evoke different emotions and how to use them effectively in your designs.
Show steps
  • Research different shape languages and their associated meanings.
  • Select a theme or concept to explore.
  • Create a series of sketches using different shapes to convey the chosen theme.
  • Write a short explanation of your design choices.
Read 'Color and Light' by James Gurney
Expand your knowledge of color theory and light by reading a comprehensive guide. This will enhance your ability to create realistic and visually appealing speed paintings.
View Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara (Calla Editions) on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of 'Color and Light'.
  • Read the chapters on color theory, light sources, and rendering.
  • Experiment with the techniques described in the book.
Personal Speedpainting Project
Apply the skills and knowledge you've gained in the course to create a personal speedpainting project. This will allow you to explore your own artistic style and develop your speedpainting techniques.
Show steps
  • Choose a subject matter or theme for your speedpainting.
  • Gather reference images and create a mood board.
  • Create a series of thumbnail sketches to explore different compositions.
  • Create a final speedpainting, focusing on light, color, and composition.
Create a Portfolio of Sketches and Speedpaintings
Showcase your skills and progress by creating a portfolio of your best sketches and speedpaintings. This will help you track your improvement and present your work to potential clients or employers.
Show steps
  • Select your best sketches and speedpaintings from the course and your personal projects.
  • Organize your work into a cohesive portfolio.
  • Write a brief description of each piece, highlighting your artistic choices and techniques.
  • Share your portfolio online or in person.

Career center

Learners who complete The Complete Sketching and Speedpainting Super Course will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Concept Artist
A concept artist visualizes ideas for various projects, including video games, films, and animation. This course helps aspiring concept artists develop the fundamental skills in sketching and speedpainting needed to quickly generate compelling visuals. The course's focus on sketching basics, perspective, and rendering objects realistically builds a strong foundation for creating believable and visually engaging concepts. Furthermore, the sections about environment sketching, weapon sketching, architecture sketching, and sketching from imagination are particularly useful for a concept artist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist
Illustrator
An illustrator creates images for a variety of media, such as books, magazines, and advertisements. This course provides aspiring illustrators with the skills to create compelling and visually appealing illustrations. By teaching the basics of sketching, perspective, line drawing, and color theory, the course helps build a strong foundation for creating diverse illustrations. The course includes working files and live, narrated content, which could allow an aspiring illustrator to create illustrations in real time alongside a professional. If you want to become an illustrator, this course helps you develop the skills needed to succeed.
See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator
Video Game Artist
A video game artist creates the visual elements for video games, including characters, environments, and props. This course is useful to aspiring video game artists because it covers essential skills in sketching and speedpainting, needed for quickly prototyping and refining visual assets. The course's focus on environment sketching, weapon sketching, and drawing from imagination provides relevant practice for a video game artist. Moreover, the sections on light and color theory are useful for creating visually appealing game art. If you want to become a video game artist, this course helps you develop the skills needed to succeed.
See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Artist
Comic Book Artist
A comic book artist creates the illustrations and visual storytelling for comic books and graphic novels. In this course, aspiring comic book artists can find the skills needed to create dynamic and engaging comic art. Through the sketching and speedpainting techniques taught in the course, students learn to quickly visualize and refine their ideas. The sections on perspective, composition, and drawing from imagination directly translate to the needs of a comic book artist. A comic book artist should develop these skills to succeed.
See salaries and explore the career path for Comic Book Artist
Character Designer
A character designer creates the visual appearance of characters for animation, video games, and other media. This course helps aspiring character designers learn the fundamental skills in sketching and speedpainting to bring their character ideas to life. The sketching exercises in the course, along with the sections on shape language and drawing from imagination, helps with creating unique and expressive characters. The course should be a great place to start for an aspiring character designer.
See salaries and explore the career path for Character Designer
Visual Development Artist
A visual development artist works in animation or film to create the overall look and feel of a project. This course helps aspiring visual development artists develop the sketching and speedpainting skills needed to quickly explore visual ideas. The course's emphasis on environment sketching, light rendering, and color theory helps build a strong understanding of visual principles. The course is valuable for students beginning their career as a visual development artist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Development Artist
Animator
An animator creates moving images for various media, like films, television, and video games. The skills learned in this course can be valuable for an animator who is looking to enhance their visual storytelling abilities. The course's focus on sketching and speedpainting allows animators to quickly visualize and refine their ideas. The course emphasizes creating sequential images and understanding light and color, which helps an animator create visually dynamic animations. Aspiring animators benefit from refining their sketching and painting skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Animator
Graphic Novelist
A graphic novelist creates full-length narratives in comic book form. This course may be useful to aspiring graphic novelists, who can use the skills taught to enhance their visual storytelling. The focus on sketching and speedpainting helps efficiently create panels and pages. Instruction in perspective, composition, and drawing from imagination can assist in developing a unique and compelling visual style. The skills taught are relevant to creating visually appealing graphic novels.
See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Novelist
Storyboard Artist
A storyboard artist creates visual sequences that outline the narrative of a film, television show, or commercial. This course may be useful to aspiring storyboard artists because it provides the fundamentals for quickly sketching and visualizing scenes. The emphasis on sketching basics, perspective, and composition helps translate ideas into clear and engaging storyboards. The exercises in the course that focus on sketching environments and setting up scenes are transferable to the creation of compelling storyboards. Aspiring storyboard artists benefit from improving their sketching and painting skills.
See salaries and explore the career path for Storyboard Artist
Freelance Artist
A freelance artist works independently, taking on various art projects for different clients. This course can be a great asset for aspiring freelance artists, who need to be versatile and skilled in a variety of art techniques. The comprehensive coverage of sketching and painting fundamentals helps broaden their skill set. The ability to quickly create high-quality artwork is essential for a freelance artist. This course may be right for a freelance artist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Freelance Artist
Matte Painter
A matte painter creates realistic landscape or set extensions for films and television. This course may be useful to aspiring matte painters, who can develop their skills in painting and composition. The course's focus on environment sketching and rendering landscapes helps to create believable, photorealistic environments. To become a successful matte painter, the skills taught in this course will be helpful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Matte Painter
Production Designer
A production designer oversees the visual aspects of a film or television production, including sets, costumes, and props. This course may be useful to aspiring production designers, who need to visualize and communicate their design ideas effectively. The course's focus on sketching, perspective, and rendering can help production designers create compelling concept art and communicate their vision to the rest of the crew. Those pursing a career as a production designer may find this course useful.
See salaries and explore the career path for Production Designer
Art Director
An art director is responsible for the overall visual style and images of a project, campaign, or publication. This course may be useful to aspiring art directors, who need to have a strong understanding of visual principles and the ability to communicate their vision effectively. The course's focus on sketching, composition, and color theory can help art directors develop their visual taste and communicate their ideas to artists and designers. An art director can benefit from the skills taught in this course.
See salaries and explore the career path for Art Director
Textile Designer
A textile designer creates patterns and designs for fabrics used in clothing, upholstery, and other products. This course may be useful to aspiring textile designers because it provides a foundation in sketching and color theory, which are essential for creating visually appealing patterns. The course's emphasis on sketching and color theory, along with the practice activities, can help textile designers develop their creative skills. A textile designer can benefit from this course.
See salaries and explore the career path for Textile Designer
Fashion Designer
A fashion designer creates clothing and accessories. This course may be useful to aspiring fashion designers because it provides a foundation in sketching and illustration, which are essential for communicating design ideas. The course's focus on sketching and rendering can help fashion designers quickly prototype and visualize their designs. The sections on sketching from observation and imagination can inspire creativity. Fashion designers should find some value in this course.
See salaries and explore the career path for Fashion Designer

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Complete Sketching and Speedpainting Super Course.
Cover image
Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara
Save
Is an invaluable resource for understanding color theory and light in painting. It covers a wide range of topics, including color mixing, light and shadow, atmospheric perspective, and the properties of different light sources. It's highly recommended for students who want to deepen their understanding of color and light and apply it to their speedpaintings. This book expands on the course's color theory and rendering sections.
Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara (Calla Editions)
Hardcover
$$

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Rating
4.6 Filled star Filled star Filled star Filled star Half star
Effort
17 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Colton Dubell
Language
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Covers sketching fundamentals like line weight and perspective, which are essential for building a strong foundation in illustration and concept art
Explores shape language and sketching from observation, which are valuable skills for artists of all levels looking to improve their understanding of form and design
Teaches the basics of light, rendering, and color theory, which are fundamental concepts for creating visually appealing and realistic paintings
Includes speedpainting techniques and exercises, which can help artists develop their ability to quickly capture ideas and create finished pieces
Discusses simplifying scenes for painting, which is a crucial skill for artists who want to accurately and efficiently capture the world around them
Features a technique using the lasso tool for selections, which is specific to digital painting software and may not be applicable to traditional media
Share this
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