illustrator,chawak Details
Intro
Class Intro
Illustrator, CHA WAK
"Whether it's character or background, every element is important for creating cinematic illustrations."
From Concept to Portfolio: Mastering Storytelling Illustration
Designing a character is one thing, but bringing that character into a rich, cinematic world is a whole new challenge. CHA WAK, an experienced illustrator and concept artist, will guide you step-by-step through illustrating compelling characters and crafting backgrounds that tell a strong visual story.
This course takes you through the complete process of creating storytelling-driven character illustrations, from the first spark of an idea to polished, portfolio-ready pieces. You’ll learn how to develop a clear visual narrative through thoughtful character design and composition, strengthen your fundamentals in lighting, shape design, and value control, and master creating moodboards, thumbnails, and scene planning.
By the end, you’ll create a professional character sheet and two cinematic-style illustrations — one as a wide scene that places your character in a fully realized environment, and the other as a close-up, emotionally driven moment that uses the same character and color mood to focus on storytelling and atmosphere. If you’re ready to bring your characters into a world shaped entirely by your creativity, join now!
By the end, you’ll create a professional character sheet and two cinematic-style illustrations — one as a wide scene that places your character in a fully realized environment, and the other as a close-up, emotionally driven moment that uses the same character and color mood to focus on storytelling and atmosphere. If you’re ready to bring your characters into a world shaped entirely by your creativity, join now!
Class Preview
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Check Out CHA WAK's Class Preview!
Chapter 24.
Drafting Emotion
Drafting Emotion
1. Drafting a clean sketch based on selected thumbnail
2. Refining pose, facial expression, and gesture for emotional clarity
3. Adjusting balance between character, background, and lighting zones before rendering
2. Refining pose, facial expression, and gesture for emotional clarity
3. Adjusting balance between character, background, and lighting zones before rendering
Class Perks
Special Gift from CHA WAK
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Access to All Class DetailsClass Slides -
Essential Digital Brush SetBrush Set for Photoshop -
Ready-to-Use Visual ToolkitReference Materials Used in Class
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Full Artwork Resource PackIn-Class Working Files -
Targeted Creative Practice DrillsExercise Pack -
More Practice, Faster ImprovementPractice Bundle: 3 Extra Tutorials
Class Material Details
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Class Slides- Slides with detailed breakdowns of each chapter
- Visual notes, diagrams, and color-coded overlays during lessons
- Covers topics like composition theory, light logic, color planning, storytelling, and character integration
- Includes key breakdowns:
- Composition: Rule of Thirds, Focal Points, Movement
- Light & Mood: Light types, shadow types, emotional lighting
- Character & Scene: Pose design, framing, and scene planning -
Brush Set for Photoshop- Painting brush (medium-soft round)
- Texture brush (pencil feel for edges & sketch)
- Soft eraser and smudge tools -
Reference Materials Used in Class- Lighting balls & shadow studies
- Mood board examples
- Color palette templates
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In-Class Working Files- All working PSDs used in class (Full resolution)
- Final artwork files from each chapter
- Value block-ins, line sketches, lighting and color passes
- All layer structures -
Exercise Pack- Targeted exercises for every key concept:
- Design a composition using Rule of Thirds & Focal Point
- Lighting practice using simple objects and scenes
- Color palette matching between two different shots
- Framing character in environment practice (3 variations)
- Draw cinematic close-up shot with value and emotion
- Sketch character under different lighting setups
- Pose & silhouette studies for storytelling -
Practice Bundle: 3 Extra TutorialsLuna Blade - Tutorial & Walkthrough
- Real-time digital painting processes - 6 hours (No audio)
- Essential brushes for Photoshop (20 Brushes)
- Photoshop working file
- High-quality image: 4k
- GIFS
Josée Bellerose - Tutorial & Walkthrough
- Real-time digital painting processes - 4+ hours (No audio)
- Essential brushes for Photoshop (20 Brushes)
- Photoshop working file
- High-quality image: 4k
- GIFS
Back to the throne - Tutorial & Walkthrough
- Real-time digital painting processes - 6+ hours (No audio)
- Essential brushes for Photoshop (20 Brushes)
- Photoshop working file
- 2 High-quality image: 8k
- GIFS
Recommendation
Who should take this class?
Beginner-to-Intermediate illustrators who want to build a polished portfolio and improve storytelling in their art
Aspiring concept artists or visual development students who want to combine character design and scene illustration in a professional workflow
Freelancers or self-taught artists looking to elevate their presentation, organize their creative process, and attract clients or studios
Expert Illustrator CHA WAK's Portfolio
Why Take This Class?
Road to Creating Story-Driven Character & Background Illustration
This class bridges the gap between character design and illustration storytelling, helping you create not just beautiful art, but artwork that communicates clearly and emotionally. It’s the perfect solution for artists who struggle to connect their characters to a strong, cohesive story.
Through guided practice, you’ll learn to translate your ideas into detailed character sheets and design backgrounds that harmonize perfectly with your characters—building confidence in both character and background illustration faster than you ever thought possible.
Following a structured, step-by-step process inspired by real production pipelines, you’ll balance industry-relevant techniques with your own creative voice. By the end of the course, you’ll walk away with a complete, professionally-presented mini portfolio built from scratch, with thoughtful, story-driven design choices behind every piece—and the skills to bring any character into a world that feels alive. If you’ve been looking for the push to turn your art into powerful visual storytelling, this is where that transformation begins.
Get Ready for the Real-World
13 Class Exercises
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Perspective Sketch Drill- Simple shapes in space -
Anatomy Sketch: Dynamic Poses- Using reference to study complex angles and foreshortening -
Lighting Study- 3 Light Setups on a Simple Scene
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Value Study from Grayscale Image- Understanding value and light-to-dark transitions -
Create a 1-Page Moodboard- Maintaining a consistent tone for your illustration -
Silhouette Variation Sheet- Developing shapes into silhouettes
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Color Blocking and Costume Pass- Experimenting with different colors and clothing -
2 Shape Breakdowns- Breaking down shapes for characters -
Thumbnails 3 Comps (Choose 1)- Utilizing different compositions through sketching thumbnails
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Framing Study- 3 Variations to Emphasize the Character -
Value and Light Direction Pass- Practicing different lightings to help viewers focus -
Emotional Moment Sketches- Choosing the perfect composition style that fits the character's emotion -
Material Painting from Photo Refs- Translating photo references into painted materials with texture, light, and brushwork
Final Product Examples
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Character Sheet- A fully designed character (pose, outfit, base colors) -
Character + Background - Wide Scene- A cinematic shot showcasing the character in a full environment (establishing mood, world, and light) -
Character + Background - Close-Up- A zoomed-in, emotionally driven scene using the same character and color mood (focused on storytelling and atmosphere)
Instructor
Illustrator
CHA WAK
I’m CHA WAK, a Concept Artist and Illustrator based in Bangkok, Thailand, since 2018. I’ve brought my creative vision to both AAA and indie game studios, crafting compelling characters and immersive worlds. Each brushstroke and line tells a story, blending precision with emotion. Let’s work together to bring your ideas to life through art and narrative.
Illustrator, CHA WAK
[Current]
Freelance concept artist and illustrator
Freelancing for Techadise
[Previous]
- Art Director at Squix.gg
- Concept Artist at Share Creators
- Concept Artist at Studio Hive
- Concept Artist at Brandoville
Projects & Awards
- The last of us part 1 remake
- Diablo Immortal
- The Lord of the Rings Rise to War
- Eldritch of Lumisar
- Hearthstone
- Identity V
- Dungeon and Dragon Episode 5
- Pubg Mobile
- Gods Unchained
- Several Comics
Highlights
Class Highlights
Narrative-Driven Character & Scene Design
Discover how to design characters and environments that feel connected, purposeful, and alive within a story. From shape language and costume design to environment building and scene composition, you’ll learn how to make every visual element work together to communicate personality, mood, and narrative intent.
Workflow for Professional Portfolio Building
Learn how to take an idea from initial brainstorm to a fully polished illustration using a step-by-step workflow that mirrors real industry pipelines. You’ll create portfolio-ready pieces, refine your designs for flexibility and storytelling, and curate your work to present your unique strengths as an artist.
Visual Storytelling Through Light, Composition, and Color
Gain the skills to guide the viewer’s eye and evoke emotion through strategic use of lighting, composition, and color harmony. From mastering value control and focal points to building atmosphere and color consistency, you’ll learn how to create images that are both visually striking and emotionally impactful.
Class Details
You'll Learn
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Art Fundamentals for IllustrationRefresh your knowledge of key art principles like perspective, anatomy, composition, and lighting. These fundamentals will provide a solid foundation essential for creating illustrations that effectively tell a story. -
Finding Ideas, Themes, and Visual ReferencesLearn strategies to brainstorm strong ideas and develop cohesive themes that drive your projects. In addition, you’ll discover how to collect and organize visual references that support a consistent and clear artistic direction. -
Character Design for StorytellingExplore how to create characters with clear silhouettes, purposeful costume design, and expressive poses that communicate personality and narrative. This process will help you develop characters that feel believable and emotionally engaging within your story.
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Posing and Lighting with 3D ToolsLearn to leverage 3D software to pose your characters dynamically and set up lighting that enhances form and mood. Using these tools will allow you to build accurate references that improve the realism and impact of your illustrations. -
Creating a Consistent Mood and Color PaletteUnderstand how to craft mood boards and color schemes that maintain harmony across multiple pieces. This ensures your illustrations work together visually, strengthening the overall narrative and portfolio cohesion. -
Building a Story-Driven Illustration SeriesPlan and Execute a series of illustrations that tell a unified story. You’ll focus on maintaining thematic consistency, visual rhythm, and a clear narrative arc to create a compelling portfolio showcase.
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Interview with
Illustrator CHA WAK
Question.01
Is there a specific reason why you chose this specific topic/themes?
Yes, I designed this course based on the exact struggles I faced when trying to build a portfolio that tells a cohesive story. Many artists learn to draw well but feel stuck when it comes to creating full illustrations or building a professional-looking body of work. This course is meant to bridge that gap — to guide artists from scattered sketches to strong, story-driven illustrations that feel complete and connected.
Question.02
What makes your class different from other classes?
This class doesn’t just teach technique — it focuses on how to think like a visual storyteller. We will go through everything from ideation, visual hierarchy, character storytelling, scene setup, and presentation. You’ll walk away not only with finished portfolio pieces, but also a much clearer sense of your own artistic direction and how to present it professionally.
Question.03
Please share your thoughts on the industry's job market and what you see in the industry's future.
The industry is becoming more global and competitive, but also more open. There’s growing demand for original storytelling and personal IPs, not just technical skills. In the future, I think artists who can combine strong fundamentals with personal vision will stand out — whether they’re applying for jobs, freelancing, or self-publishing.
Question.04
Is there anything else you would like to share with your students?
Don’t compare your journey to others — focus on growth, not perfection. Every portfolio is a work in progress, and each illustration you finish teaches you something new. I hope this course gives you not just tools, but also confidence in your creative voice. You’ve got this!
Required Programs
Required Programs
This course will use Photoshop, Daz3D, Blender, PureRef.
Please purchase and install these program(s) for an optimized chapter experience.
*These programs and/or materials will not be provided with the chapter.
