Learn How to Draw and Paint in Photoshop from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

You'll learn dynamic drawing and painting skills for photoshop or any similar application
You'll learn how to use powerful art tools, such as brush sets, pen tools, and selection tools
You'll learn how to build up a drawing or painting gradually, using a systematic approach

After the course you'll be up and running with the right resources and tools to start creating your own digital paintings and drawings
You'll also have a fully rounded understanding of processes that professional artists use every day

You'll learn dynamic drawing and painting skills for photoshop or any similar application
You'll learn how to use powerful art tools, such as brush sets, pen tools, and selection tools
You'll learn how to build up a drawing or painting gradually, using a systematic approach
After the course you'll be up and running with the right resources and tools to start creating your own digital paintings and drawings
You'll also have a fully rounded understanding of processes that professional artists use every day

Syllabus

Introduction

Thank you for enrolling in this course! Here's a quick introduction from myself and an overview of the lessons I've planned out for you.

You'll need digital imaging software and a drawing tablet for this course. In this class I'll walk you through these requirements.

Before we dive in, I'll show you my top 5 tips for Photoshop that I use all the time as an illustrator and artist. If some of them don't make sense right away, don't worry, they'll make sense by the end of the course!

This lesson introduces you to ways in which you can dramatically improve your drawing ability and line work - keep it loose and simple! I've included practice sheets so that you can get your line work up to speed.

Two approaches to drawing: technical and freeform. This class will show you how to tackle the rigid perspective grid and give you pointers on how to counterbalance that with loose sketching.

In this lesson I walk you through the process of drawing from observation. I'm using a photo as reference and I'll be showing you how to start off very rough and loose, and then refine your drawing in stages.

Keeping layers in easy to identify groups is key to keeping your workflow running smooth, which in turn is key to keeping your creativity flowing. I'll show you how I easily manage my layers as I work.

This lesson gives you an overview of your colour palette and shows you how to select colours for painting

The first main way to add colour to your canvas is with the brush tool. In this class I'm going to teach you 4 brush techniques that you can use when painting.

The second main way of adding colour to your canvas is by making a selection and adding colour to it. In this lesson I explain techniques and tips associated with the regular lasso and polygonal lasso.

Putting the brush tool and the lasso tool together is a powerful painting process and in this lesson I'll explain the basic concept and show you how you can turn areas of flat colour into authentic looking textures with just the touch of a brush.

The third way to work with colour is through one of Photoshop's vector tools and in this lesson I'll show you all you need to know about the pen tool, an extremely versatile and easy to use drawing tool.

Putting it all together. In this lesson and the following one, I will aim to put all the techniques and principles that I've covered throughout the course into one painting and walk you through step, by step the entire process from start to finish.

Part 2 of painting from start to finish using all the tools and techniques that I've covered throughout the course.

Thank you so much for taking part in this course! I'm delighted we made through to the end and in this final lesson I will wrap up by pointing out the main take aways of the whole course that I think should be highlighted

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a systematic approach to building drawings and paintings gradually, which is beneficial for beginners looking to develop a solid foundation

Covers dynamic drawing and painting skills applicable to Photoshop and similar applications, which is useful for those seeking versatile techniques

Explores the use of brush sets, pen tools, and selection tools, which are essential for creating digital artwork and illustrations

Requires digital imaging software and a drawing tablet, which may pose a barrier to entry for some students without access to these tools

Teaches techniques that professional artists use every day, which can help learners gain insights into industry practices and workflows

Focuses on Photoshop, which is a widely used industry-standard software, but learners should ensure they have access to a compatible version

Reviews summary

Learn digital drawing and painting

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation in digital drawing and painting using Photoshop. Students frequently mention the instructor's clear explanations and the step-by-step approach as major positives. The coverage of core tools like brushes and the pen tool is seen as comprehensive for beginners. Many appreciate the practical demonstrations showing how to build a painting from start to finish. While some learners found the pace occasionally slow or desired more advanced techniques, the overall sentiment indicates it's a highly effective starting point for those new to digital art.

Good overview of essential Photoshop tools.

"I learned how to properly use the brush tool, lasso, and pen tool for painting, which was my main goal."

"The coverage of Photoshop tools relevant to drawing and painting is thorough for a beginner course."

"Understanding how to use the pen tool effectively was a game changer for my line work."

Step-by-step painting process is helpful.

"The part where he shows how to paint from start to finish, applying all techniques, is incredibly useful."

"Seeing the full painting process step-by-step helped me understand how everything fits together."

"The demonstrations were very hands-on and practical, showing exactly how to use the tools."

Great starting point for digital art novices.

"I was a complete beginner with Photoshop and digital art, and this course made it feel approachable and understandable."

"Perfect for someone just starting out. The course doesn't assume you know anything about digital painting."

"As a beginner, I found the course to be very easy to follow. The steps are clear and simple."

Instructor explains concepts very well.

"The instructor explains complex ideas in a very clear and concise manner, making it easy to grasp."

"His explanations are so clear, it felt like he was guiding me personally through each step."

"I really appreciated how clearly the instructor demonstrated each technique and tool."

Some found the pace inconsistent.

"Some parts felt a bit slow, especially the very basics, while others seemed to jump a bit quickly."

"The pacing was generally good, but occasionally I felt like I needed to rewatch segments to keep up."

"For me, the speed was just right, but I could see how absolute beginners might find some sections fast."

Reviewers desired more advanced techniques.

"While great for basics, I was hoping for a bit more on advanced painting techniques or styles."

"It's a fantastic introduction, but if you already know the very basics of Photoshop, you might wish for more complex topics."

"Could use more in-depth coverage on rendering textures or using specific brushes for different effects."

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 Learn How to Draw and Paint in Photoshop with these activities:

Practice Dynamic Line Exercises

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Improve your line work before the course begins to better grasp the drawing techniques taught.

Browse courses on Sketching

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Find practice sheets online or create your own.
Practice drawing various types of lines (straight, curved, dashed) repeatedly.
Focus on control, smoothness, and consistency.

Review 'Figure Drawing: For All It's Worth'

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Strengthen your understanding of figure drawing to improve your character design and illustration skills.

View Melania on Amazon

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Study the book, focusing on the principles of anatomy and construction.
Practice drawing figures from reference, applying the techniques described in the book.
Experiment with different styles and approaches to figure drawing.

Brush Control Exercises in Photoshop

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Improve your brush control and precision in Photoshop through repetitive exercises.

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Set up a canvas in Photoshop with various brush sizes and opacities.
Practice drawing straight lines, curves, and circles with consistent pressure.
Experiment with different brush settings to achieve various effects.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Review 'Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter'

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Deepen your understanding of color and light to improve your digital painting skills.

View Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara (Calla Editions) on Amazon

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Read the book, focusing on chapters related to color mixing and light effects.
Experiment with the techniques described in Photoshop.
Analyze how professional artists use color and light in their work.

Create a Digital Color Palette

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Solidify your understanding of color theory by creating a custom color palette in Photoshop.

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Research different color schemes (e.g., complementary, analogous).
Choose a theme or mood for your palette.
Create the palette in Photoshop, experimenting with different color combinations.
Test the palette by creating a small painting or illustration.

Paint a Still Life from Observation

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Apply the techniques learned in the course to create a complete digital painting.

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Set up a still life arrangement with simple objects.
Create a rough sketch of the composition in Photoshop.
Gradually add color and detail, paying attention to light and shadow.
Refine the painting until you are satisfied with the result.

Follow Advanced Photoshop Painting Tutorials

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Expand your knowledge and skills by following advanced tutorials on digital painting techniques.

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Search for tutorials on specific techniques you want to learn (e.g., skin rendering, metal textures).
Follow the tutorial step-by-step, paying attention to the instructor's explanations.
Adapt the techniques to your own style and projects.

Career center

Learners who complete Learn How to Draw and Paint in Photoshop will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Concept Artist

A Concept Artist visualizes ideas for characters, creatures, environments, and props used in games, films, and other media. This role uses drawing and painting skills to create these visuals. Learning techniques for drawing and painting in a digital medium, as taught in this course, can help you to build a strong foundation. By learning to use art tools such as brush sets, pen tools, and selection tools, you will be able to create stunning digital artwork. The course offers instruction that mirrors processes used by professional artists, and so it may be particularly useful for a concept artist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Concept Artist

Illustrator

An Illustrator creates images for books, magazines, websites, and advertising. This role often requires proficiency in digital painting and drawing. An understanding of how to gradually build up a drawing or painting using a systematic approach is very helpful for an illustrator. This course helps to build this understanding. In addition, the course offers techniques used by professional artists every day, which may prove very useful for creating illustrations. An illustrator may find the lessons on drawing dynamic lines and using the perspective grid to be especially helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Illustrator

Character Designer

A Character Designer creates the visual appearance of characters for animation, video games, and other forms of entertainment. Often this role emphasizes drawing and painting skills. Learning dynamic drawing and painting skills for Photoshop helps provide the foundation a character designer needs. This course also teaches you how to use art tools such as brush sets, pen tools, and selection tools. The course uses a systematic approach to build up a drawing or painting gradually. Given the value of digital media in character design, this course may be particularly helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Character Designer

Storyboard Artist

A Storyboard Artist creates a sequence of drawings that represent the scenes in a film, television show, or commercial. Storyboarding leans heavily on drawing ability and visual communication. Learning dynamic drawing helps provide the foundation a storyboard artist needs. Knowing how to build up a drawing or painting gradually, using a systematic approach, is very useful for a storyboard artist. The course provides you with the right resources and tools to start creating your own digital paintings and drawings. The course may be useful for someone who wishes to become a storyboard artist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Storyboard Artist

Comic Book Artist

A Comic Book Artist creates the illustrations and visual storytelling for comic books and graphic novels. Proficiency in drawing and digital painting is essential for this role. Learning techniques for drawing and painting in a digital medium helps a comic book artist create these visual narratives. The course also teaches you how to use art tools such as brush sets, pen tools, and selection tools. By the end of the course, you will have a fully rounded understanding of processes that professional artists use every day. This course may be useful for those wanting to create comic books.

See salaries and explore the career path for Comic Book Artist

Texture Artist

A Texture Artist creates the surface details on 3D models for video games, films, and animation. This role often involves digital painting and an understanding of materials and lighting. Learning techniques for drawing and painting in a digital medium can help texture artists to create realistic and visually appealing textures. Also relevant is learning how to use powerful art tools, such as brush sets, pen tools, and selection tools. The course provides useful instruction from a professional artist with over 15 years of experience in the animation industry. Given the focus on digital artwork, this course may be particularly helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Texture Artist

Visual Development Artist

A Visual Development Artist helps define the style and overall look of an animated film or video game. This role requires strong drawing and painting skills. Learning techniques for drawing and painting in a digital medium can help visual development artists to create these visuals. The course teaches you how to use art tools such as brush sets, pen tools, and selection tools. It also helps you build up a drawing or painting gradually, using a systematic approach. Becoming familiar with the processes that professional artists use every day can be particularly useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Visual Development Artist

Graphic Designer

A Graphic Designer creates visual concepts to communicate information. Although graphic design involves many areas outside of pure illustration, this role can be enhanced by the skills taught in digital painting and drawing courses. Specifically, knowing how to use powerful art tools, such as brush sets, pen tools, and selection tools, is helpful to a graphic designer. The course may be useful for graphic designers who wish to create their own illustrations and visual elements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic Designer

Animator

An Animator creates moving images using computer software or traditional methods. While animation involves many technical skills, a strong foundation in drawing and painting is often beneficial. Learning techniques for drawing and painting in a digital medium may help an animator create visually appealing and expressive animations. The course helps you become familiar with the tools needed to create digital paintings and drawings. Given the importance of visual skills, this course may be useful for an animator.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animator

Instructional Designer

An Instructional Designer creates learning materials and experiences. While primarily focused on pedagogy and curriculum development, visual aids can enhance learning. Learning how to draw dynamic lines and use the perspective grid may be helpful in creating diagrams and illustrations. This course's instruction on powerful art tools helps give the student a basic foundation in creating digital visual elements for education. This course may be a useful adjunct to other skill sets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

User Experience Designer

A User Experience Designer focuses on making digital products user-friendly and enjoyable. While the role is primarily focused on usability and interaction, sketching and visualizing ideas are often part of the design process. Learning how to draw dynamic lines and use the perspective grid may be helpful in quickly sketching out user interface concepts. This course's instruction on powerful art tools helps give the student a basic foundation in creating digital visual elements. The course may be a useful adjunct to other skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Web Designer

A Web Designer plans, creates, and codes internet sites and webpages, many of which include images or illustrations. While not always required, visual skills are often helpful, and in some cases essential. Learning how to draw dynamic lines and use the perspective grid may be helpful for certain web-based images or illustrations. This course's instruction on powerful art tools helps give the student a strong foundation in creating digital artwork. For some, this course may be a useful adjunct to learning other aspects of web design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Designer

Social Media Manager

A Social Media Manager is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing a company's social media strategy. While primarily focused on communication and strategy, creating engaging visuals is often part of the role. Learning how to draw dynamic lines and use the perspective grid may be helpful in creating basic visual content. This course's instruction on powerful art tools helps give the student a strong foundation in creating digital artwork, potentially useful for enhancing a social media presence. The course may be a useful adjunct to other skill sets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Media Manager

Digital Marketer

A Digital Marketer develops, implements, and manages marketing campaigns that promote a company and its products or services. While the role is primarily analytical, it may be useful to understand digital art creation. This course may be helpful to a digital marketer who wishes to create basic visual content for marketing purposes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Marketer

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer creates documentation and user guides for technical products and services. On rare occasions, technical documentation will benefit from custom illustrations, and knowing how to draw and paint in a digital medium may be helpful. This course may be useful if the technical writer expects to be involved in creating visual aids.

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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 Learn How to Draw and Paint in Photoshop.

Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara

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Must-read for any digital artist looking to master color and light. It bridges traditional painting principles with digital techniques, offering insights into color mixing, light behavior, and atmospheric effects. Gurney's clear explanations and illustrative examples make complex concepts accessible, enhancing the student's ability to create realistic and compelling digital paintings. It is particularly useful for the 'Understand colour in a digital space' section of the course.

Dinotopia: Journey To Chandara (Calla Editions)

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Learn How to Draw and Paint in Photoshop

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Learn digital drawing and painting

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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