Realistic illustration with coloured pens
A course by Javi al Cuadrado, Painter, illustrator and graphic designer
Discover new techniques to create great figurative drawings
Javi al Cuadrado -painter, illustrator and graphic designer with an impeccable technique, who knows how to fuse the best of traditional art with modern themes and styles- has adopted a material as everyday as pens and has developed, with them, an impressive style of illustration realistic.
In this course you will learn to use colored pens to make incredible drawings with strokes that could be compared to a classic engraving. To do this, you will start from a photograph and using analog and digital techniques, you will discover, in an intuitive and simple way, how to turn it into an illustration that, later, you will transform into a final editorial art.
What will you learn in this online course?
12 lessons & 10 downloads
What's included in this course?
You will start knowing more about Javi's work and he will tell you which artists and which works serve as inspiration.
Then, before you start to draw, you will learn some basic concepts that you must take into account when illustrating with a pen: direction of the lines, how to superimpose colors, the density of the stroke, types of paper, etc.
It will be then when you immerse yourself fully in the project. You will work with a photographic image, which will help you to create the initial sketch and that will begin to come to life as you work on it with the pens.
The process of drawing with a ballpoint pen will be divided into three stages. The first will consist of staining with tone all the areas of the drawing; then, you will give a second layer, to raise the halftones and intensify the chromatic range; and a final stage of final touches, which will help you to unify the textures.
Once your illustration is finished, Javi will show you how to digitize your work: scanning, color retouching and the correct way to prepare the file to send your work to the press. In addition, you will make a layout proposal that will allow you to see how your illustration will be published in a magazine.
- 93% positive reviews (134)
- 2,180 students
- 12 lessons (1h 44m)
- 10 additional resources (3 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
Recommended software & tools for this course
Adobe PhotoshopWhat is this course's project?
You will make a figurative drawing with a ballpoint pen, learning to overcome the drawbacks of the chromatic range limitation thanks to the screening work that will bring lights and shadows to your illustration.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Illustrators, designers and anyone interested in learning simple techniques to draw with everyday materials such as colored pens.
Requirements and materials
It is not essential to have previous knowledge of drawing, since to make the illustration you will start from a photograph.
With regard to materials, you will need colored pens and paper. It is also advisable to have a computer with Photoshop, a graphic tablet and scanner for the process of digitizing the project.
Reviews
Javi al Cuadrado
A course by Javi al Cuadrado
Although the technique and aesthetics of the works of Javi al Cuadrado leans towards a more classical side, his tools and the themes he immortalizes are more typical of the modern world. His career as a graphic designer, has allowed him to be in contact with the world of contemporary art, which has opened the doors to experiment with unusual materials when making realistic illustrations.
The pen is your favorite tool, a tool that uses to imitate strokes and nineteenth-century engraving ways. And, as he himself confesses, he would never have dared to draw if social networks had not existed, since his inspiration is almost only what he sees through his computer screen.
In addition, he is the creator of projects such as the Mutant Books publishing fair, the 200 publishing house or the New-papers publication.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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Presentation
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Influences
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U2
Preparation
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Things to know before you start
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Documentation and sketch: digital I
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Documentation and sketch: digital II
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U3
Drawing
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Staining color
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Intense colours
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Last retouches
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U4
Ready to print
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Technical characteristics of the final art for printing
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Scanning: color adjustment and retouching
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Definitive format
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Proposal of layout
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FP
Final project
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Realistic illustration with colored pens
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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
Yes, this course is designed for those with some art or drawing experience who want to deepen their skills in advanced pen techniques and digital processes applied to portraiture and photorealism.
You’ll need pens in various colors, suitable paper for pen drawing, access to a computer with Photoshop, a graphics tablet (optional), and basic digital editing skills.
You’ll learn advanced shading techniques, optical blending, digital layering, appropriation art, catalog creation, exhibition setup, and preparing files for professional printing.
Yes, the course shares tricks to prevent ink smudges, fix mistakes, keep your work clean, and control pen pressure for professional results.
The course teaches how to find high-resolution images, edit them in Photoshop, scale proportionally, and prepare digital sketches for your illustrations.
The course explores both styles: photorealism aims to replicate photos precisely, while hyperrealism adds details and emotions that go beyond the photo reference.
You’ll discover strategies for organizing independent exhibitions, creating self-published catalogs, and using social media and alternative spaces to showcase your art.
Adobe Photoshop
Muy interesante y práctico.
Bien clara y concisa su manera de explicar, sin rodeos. Me gusta
la manera de explicarlo es sencilla pero de gran ayuda para esta técnica que sabiéndola aplicar es simplemente maravillosa .
Un curso muy sencillo de seguir que sirve de introducción a la técnica de ilustración con bolígrafos de colores
Me gusto sencillo de seguir y hacer.