Brand: Coloso.
Price: 180 USD
Availability: InStock

Instructor

nrnmarie

Illustrator

Hello, it's Marie! I'm a freelance illustrator and have worked on various projects for VTubers both corpo and indie alike! Though fanwork is currently my main focus, I also love designing characters and creating vibrant, expansive worlds for them. I'm very excited to dive into all of this with you!

Throughout the course, I'll be sharing with you a series of both soft skills and technical know-how's in character creation and digital illustration, all of which I've gathered throughout my years of working as a professional illustrator in the field. I'm hoping that by the end of it, we'll have added a substantial amount of useful skills and insight to your artist toolkit!"

Interview

Meet the Instructor

Question 01

Could you please share how you started your journey in the industry?

I've been drawing since I was young, so I always kind of knew that I wanted to get into the industry someday, especially if that industry embraced the anime art style I grew to love. In 2016, I first discovered VTubers through the iconic era of Kizuna Ai, and in late 2021, I started to fully immerse myself in the culture. I was lucky to have been trusted with a project by a talent I deeply admired back in 2022, and I've been working in the industry ever since!

Question 02

What are some essential skills or "must-have" tools in this industry, and why?

There are plenty! But from personal experience, I think the most invaluable skill to have is learning how to manage burnout. You can be an amazing illustrator and still be susceptible to burning out, which is a massive detriment to anyone who's looking to grow through social media or even just improve their art. That, and flexibility! You'll encounter a lot of different types of people in the field, and if you're interested in ever making your art into a proper business, you have to know how to adapt to each client's preferences.

Question 03

How would you define success in this industry? What is the formula to success in your opinion?

Bit of a difficult question to answer. Numbers are an obvious thing, but you have to remember that some of the most successful professional artists aren't even on social media! So, I think success is best measured in how comfortable you've become in your field. Once the process becomes familiar and you're no longer fumbling deals or scheduling, that's when you know you've essentially been working long enough (and frequently enough!) in the field to call yourself a veteran.

Question 04

Do you have any advice for your students?

Even when you've reached a point of familiar habit, never forget to exercise your fundamentals! It's super easy to get lost in rendering or adding finishing touches in your work to make it look good, but having a solid foundation is still always the most important!

Class Details

You'll Learn

Foundations of Drawing & Digital Tools

The course starts by introducing the tools and settings of the software, Clip Studio Paint, and explores the transition from traditional to digital workflows. Afterwards, students are taught essential drawing fundamentals, including anatomy, lineart, colors, etc.

Ideation and Building a Visual Library

This topic focuses on learning how to think visually before drawing. Students practice sensory observation, build a personal visual library, and refine vague ideas into clear concepts using structured ideation methods such as the reverse pyramid, supported by writing as a planning tool.

Static and Dynamic Character Designs

Students learn how to design characters with intention, exploring how personality, purpose, and narrative translate into shape language, color, and movement. This will cover both static design principles and the dynamic application of motion in a character's visual language.

Effective Referencing

This section teaches students how to use references effectively without copying. Emphasis is placed on smart reference selection, avoiding mimicry, and applying core design principles to maintain clarity, consistency, and purposeful character complexity.

Creating a Character Sheet and Producing Illustration

Students apply their designs to polished illustrations by learning perspective, lighting, and background integration. The topic also covers creating full-body character illustrations and building effective, usable reference sheets designed for collaboration and production.