Introduction to Gouache: A Chromatic Journey to Japan

A course by Lil Sire , Illustrator

Illustrator. París, France.
Joined June 2021

Master gouache painting techniques to create a Japanese-style illustration full of details and vivid colors

99% positive reviews (140)
2,823 students
Audio: French
French · Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · Italian · Polish · Dutch

Master gouache painting techniques to create a Japanese-style illustration full of details and vivid colors

Are you ready to discover the endless possibilities that gouache painting has to offer? Vibrant and poetic colors, rich textures, and fine details added with the most delicate of touches. For illustrator Lil Sire, the world of gouache is a playground in which she draws inspiration from Japanese folklore and the splendor of nature.

In this course, travel to the very heart of Japanese culture while learning the secrets of gouache painting. By the end of the course, you'll know how to find inspiration and create your own illustration, mastering everything from flat washes to selling online.

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What will you learn in this online course?

22 lessons & 16 downloads

Tools and materials
5 minutes, 39 seconds
The technique: brushes
18 minutes, 41 seconds
Taming the technique: brushes 1
12 minutes, 51 seconds
Taming the technique: brushes 2
13 minutes, 53 seconds
The technique: the colors
16 minutes, 31 seconds
Taming the technique: colors 1
12 minutes, 13 seconds
  • 99% positive reviews (140)
  • 2,823 students
  • 22 lessons (3h 54m)
  • 16 additional resources (3 files)
  • Online and at your own pace
  • Available on the app
  • Audio: French
  • French · Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · Italian · Polish · Dutch
  • Level: Beginner
  • Unlimited access forever

What is this course's project?

Create a gouache painting that illustrates a Japanese character surrounded by animals and plant patterns.

Projects by course students

Who is this online course for?

Illustrators and art students, as well as anyone interesting in painting who would like to discover some new techniques with gouache.

Requirements and materials

You need a mechanical pencil, sketch paper, watercolor paper (300gsm), absorbent paper, paintbrushes, tubes of gouache, and a paint palette. You also need a light tablet if you have access to one.

No prior knowledge of gouache painting is needed, the course is open to everyone, even beginners.


Reviews

2,823 Students
140 Reviews
99% Positive ratings

Lil Sire

A course by Lil Sire

Teacher Plus
Illustrator

Lil Sire started out exploring the worlds of ceramics, embroidery, and jewelry, before specializing in illustration. This creative journey through several artistic disciplines taught her patience and the importance of consistent practice in creation.

After being discovered by fashion brand Anthropologie, she worked for Lefranc Bourgeois as well as magazines The Tōkyōiter and Psychologies. She has also designed book covers and even sent an illustration into space!


Content

  • U1

    Introduction

    • Presentation
    • Influences
  • U2

    The basics

    • Tools and materials
    • The technique: brushes
    • Taming the technique: brushes 1
    • Taming the technique: brushes 2
    • The technique: the colors
    • Taming the technique: colors 1
    • Taming the technique: 2 colors
  • U3

    The illustration

    • Be curious to stay inspired
    • Formatting the illustration
  • U4

    Gouache

    • The characters and their faces 1
    • The characters and their faces 2
    • The characters and their faces 3
    • Background colors 1
    • Background colors 2
    • Finishes and details 1
    • Finishes and details 2
  • U5

    Highlight your illustration

    • Sharing and posting on social networks
    • Tips for opening your online store
    • Illustrator agencies in France
    • A few final tips
  • FP

    Final project

    • Introduction to Gouache: A Chromatic Journey to Japan

What to expect from a Domestika course

  • 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.

  • Learn from the best professionals

    Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.

  • Meet expert teachers

    Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.

  • Certificates
    Plus

    If 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Watch professionally produced courses

    Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.


FAQs

Domestika's courses are online classes that provide you with the tools and skills you need to complete a specific project. Every step of the project combines video lessons with complementary instructional material, so you can learn by doing. Domestika's courses also allow you to share your own projects with the teacher and with other students, creating a dynamic course community.

All courses are 100% online, so once they're published, courses start and finish whenever you want. You set the pace of the class. You can go back to review what interests you most and skip what you already know, ask questions, answer questions, share your projects, and more.

The courses are divided into different units. Each one includes lessons, informational text, tasks, and practice exercises to help you carry out your project step by step, with additional complementary resources and downloads. You'll also have access to an exclusive forum where you can interact with the teacher and with other students, as well as share your work and your course project, creating a community around the course.

You can redeem the course you received by accessing the redeeming page and entering your gift code.

If you're a Plus member, when you complete a course you've purchased, you'll instantly get your personalized certificate. You can see all your certificates in the Certificates section of your profile. You can download your certificates as PDFs and share the link online. Learn more about certificates.
Introduction to Gouache: A Chromatic Journey to Japan. Illustration course by Lil Sire

Introduction to Gouache: A Chromatic Journey to Japan

A course by Lil Sire
Illustrator. París, France.
Joined June 2021
  • 99% positive reviews (140)
  • 2,823 students