Relax with brush painting - Cat from Udemy

Overview & Objective

This course is designed for anyone who would like to learn about cat painting and is passionate about painting a cat using brushes. Even though it is part of the Oriental Brush Art (Chinese painting or Japanese Sumie painting) style, the actual course can be applicable to various art forms. The natural outcome after taking this course will be to use a picture as reference to paint almost any cat; If you practice according to the suggestions in the course, you can also paint without any references in the future - therefore even for digital art creators this course can be relevant.

Course Structure

We have a theoretical part and a practical part in the course structure, with downloadable slides, so that you can learn about the cats in great detail as an animal and be able to paint them directly without pencil sketches.

There are 3 complete cats that will be painted and explained to you from the beginning to the end, and there will be tips and tricks included in the usage of ink, painting brushes and the rice paper.

Material

This course requires rice paper (raw or half-raw)
2-3 painting brushes
Chinese painting color (use what you have first is fine)
Other supplies (felt, water container, white plates)

The material part will be explained more in detail in the course.

This course is also the foundation to further animal painting courses in the future especially large cat paintings, which will come out in the coming months to meet you.

There is no such thing as “Just a cat.” - Robert A. Heinlein

Enjoy the journey my friends.

Kind Regards,

Fiona

What's inside

Learning objectives

Learn the structure of a cat
Learn the poses of a cat

Learn to sketch a cat
Learn to use brushes to directly paint a cat

Learn the structure of a cat
Learn the poses of a cat
Learn to sketch a cat
Learn to use brushes to directly paint a cat

Syllabus

Introduction

In this section you can learn about the general introduction of the cat painting in the oriental art world.

This section explains the materials relevant to this course.

Learn about the cat anatomic structure. Remember to download the course slides too!

Now let us continue with the theory and learn some sketching practice.

Outline process explained.

The inking is the most important aspect, learn it well!

The fun part, colouring is right here!

Practice round #2

Practice round #3

Career center

Learners who complete Relax with brush painting - Cat will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Fine Artist

A Fine Artist creates original works of art for aesthetic purposes, often for exhibition or sale. This course is an excellent path for aspiring Fine Artists, grounding them in a specific and expressive artistic tradition. By learning to paint cats directly with brushes, understanding their structure, and capturing their poses, as detailed in the course, you develop the unique technical and observational skills to create compelling animal portraiture and themed artworks. The focus on Oriental Brush Art style provides a distinct artistic voice, helping Fine Artists to craft unique pieces that stand out. Mastering the use of ink, painting brushes, and rice paper, as instructed, also builds confidence in material handling.

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Illustrator

An Illustrator creates visual content to accompany text or convey ideas across various media, from books to digital platforms. This course is highly relevant for aspiring Illustrators, particularly given its applicability to digital art creators and the ability to paint without references. The detailed instruction on cat anatomy, structure, and diverse poses, combined with practical brush painting techniques, helps Illustrators develop a foundational skill set for character design and visual storytelling. By learning specific methods for using ink and brushes on rice paper, an Illustrator can translate these principles into diverse stylistic approaches for client projects.

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Book Illustrator

A Book Illustrator creates visual content that accompanies and enhances written narratives within books, from children's stories to literary works. This course offers highly relevant skills for a Book Illustrator, specifically in creating expressive and engaging animal subjects. The ability to paint cats from reference and eventually without, coupled with a deep understanding of their structure and poses, as taught, is invaluable for bringing characters to life in a story. Mastering the unique aesthetic of Oriental brush art provides a distinctive style that can make a Book Illustrator's work memorable and appealing to publishers.

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Freelance Artist

A Freelance Artist operates independently, creating and selling their own artwork or taking on commissions for clients across various artistic disciplines. This course is an excellent starting point for a Freelance Artist, offering a specialized skill set in cat painting. The comprehensive approach, from understanding cat structures and poses to mastering direct brush painting, empowers you to produce high-quality, distinctive artworks. The ability to paint without references, developed through practice, is particularly valuable for taking on diverse commissions. The practical tips on materials like ink, brushes, and rice paper also support efficient and professional art creation.

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Visual Development Artist

A Visual Development Artist helps establish the overall aesthetic, mood, and visual style for animated features, games, and other media projects. This course helps build a foundation for a Visual Development Artist, particularly in character and creature design. The detailed study of cat anatomic structure and poses, combined with the practical application of Oriental brush art techniques, can inspire unique visual interpretations of animal characters. Learning to paint directly with brushes without initial sketches encourages fluid and expressive visual ideation, a key skill in shaping the visual language of a project.

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Concept Artist

A Concept Artist designs the characters, creatures, environments, and props that define the visual world for games, films, and animation. This course helps build a foundation for a Concept Artist by focusing on the detailed understanding of animal anatomy, specifically cat structure and poses. The emphasis on direct brush painting without pencil sketches nurtures a spontaneity and fluency crucial for rapid ideation and dynamic visual development. Mastering the use of specific art materials, as taught, also enhances one's ability to translate ideas into tangible visuals, providing a unique artistic approach to creature design.

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Nature Illustrator

A Nature Illustrator creates accurate and aesthetically pleasing visual representations of natural subjects, including animals, for scientific, educational, or artistic purposes. This course is directly beneficial for a Nature Illustrator, providing a focused study on feline subjects. The detailed instruction on cat anatomic structure, poses, and the practice of painting them from reference helps build a strong foundation in observational accuracy and artistic rendering of wildlife. Mastering direct brush painting techniques allows for capturing the essence and vitality of living creatures, a key skill for creating compelling and informative nature illustrations.

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Art Educator

An Art Educator instructs students of various ages in artistic techniques, theory, and appreciation, guiding them in developing their creative skills. This course provides comprehensive knowledge for an aspiring Art Educator, covering both the theoretical and practical aspects of cat painting within the Oriental Brush Art style. Learning about cat anatomic structure, sketching practice, and detailed methods for outline, inking, and coloring, as explained in the course, equips one to effectively teach these techniques. The specific tips and tricks on using ink, brushes, and rice paper offer valuable insights to share with future students.

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Digital Artist

A Digital Artist creates visual art using computer software and digital tools, working in fields like illustration, concept art, and animation. The course explicitly highlights its relevance for digital art creators, making it a valuable foundation for a Digital Artist. The core principles of understanding cat anatomic structure, learning various poses, and practicing direct painting without pencil sketches are fundamental artistic skills that translate seamlessly into digital mediums. This course helps develop observational skills and artistic fluency, which are crucial for effective digital painting and character rendering, enhancing one's versatility in the digital art world.

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Animator

An Animator creates sequences of images to produce the illusion of movement, bringing characters and stories to life in films, television, and video games. For an aspiring Animator, the course's detailed instruction on cat anatomic structure and poses is invaluable. Understanding how a cat's body moves and holds different stances directly translates into creating more believable and dynamic animated characters. The practice of painting without references, and the focus on direct brushwork, can also help develop a fluid hand, which may be useful for quick gesture drawing and character studies essential for animation.

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Textile Designer

A Textile Designer conceptualizes and creates patterns and designs for fabrics, which are then used in fashion, home furnishings, and other industries. The distinct aesthetic of Oriental Brush Art, as taught in this course, may be useful for a Textile Designer seeking unique inspiration. The fluid brushstrokes and emphasis on capturing natural forms, such as cats, can be adapted to develop original motifs and repeating patterns. Familiarity with traditional painting techniques and the visual language of this art form, including the use of ink and color, helps foster a creative approach to surface design for fabrics.

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Surface Pattern Designer

A Surface Pattern Designer creates decorative designs and motifs that are applied to a wide array of products, including stationery, wallpaper, ceramics, and packaging. The artistic principles and the visual language of Oriental Brush Art, explored in this course, may be useful for a Surface Pattern Designer. The course's focus on painting cats with distinctive brush techniques can inspire unique graphic elements and repeating patterns. Understanding the flow of ink and the composition of forms, as instructed, can contribute to developing aesthetically appealing and commercially viable designs for various product surfaces.

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Art Materials Specialist

An Art Materials Specialist advises artists, retailers, and institutions on the properties, applications, and care of various art supplies and media. This course provides very specific insights that may be useful for an Art Materials Specialist. The detailed explanation of materials relevant to cat painting, such as raw or half-raw rice paper, specific types of painting brushes, and Chinese painting colors, offers practical knowledge of their characteristics and usage. Understanding the nuances of these materials, from how ink behaves on rice paper to the effect of different brushes, helps develop expertise in advising customers effectively.

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Animator Background Artist

An Animator Background Artist designs and paints the static environments and settings against which animated characters perform. While the course focuses on cat subjects, the techniques taught in Oriental brush art may be useful for an Animator Background Artist. The emphasis on using ink, brushes, and rice paper helps build a foundation in creating expressive textures, atmospheric effects, and compositional skills that are essential for crafting richly detailed and evocative backgrounds. Learning about outlines, inking, and coloring, as explained in the course, can be applied to creating visually compelling backdrops.

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Gallery Assistant

A Gallery Assistant supports the daily operations of an art gallery, including managing artworks, assisting with exhibitions, and engaging with visitors. While not a creative role, the knowledge gained in this course may be useful for a Gallery Assistant. Understanding the materials like rice paper, specific painting brushes, and Chinese painting colors, as detailed in the course, helps foster a deeper appreciation for the art on display and the techniques used by artists. This familiarity can be advantageous when discussing artworks with patrons or assisting with the careful handling and display of pieces.

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