Course overview
Description generated based on course syllabus and open data.
Illustration Basis provides a structured overview of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Procreate, core illustration techniques, composition, color, storytelling, and the illustrator’s workflow. The program includes practice on a seven-piece series for a portfolio.
Who Illustration Basis fits and who it does not
Suitable for illustration basics
- Beginners and self-taught artists up to ~1 year of experience who need a structured foundation.
- Graphic designers transitioning to illustration and seeking a clear workflow.
- Creative students who want hands-on practice with Adobe and Procreate.
- Early-stage freelancers for briefing and communication routines.
Better choose another foundation
- Experienced illustrators with a mature style and strong portfolios.
- Those seeking specialized 3D illustration or animation-only training.
- Anyone expecting instant outcomes without regular practice.
Problem → expected effect in illustration (Basis)
- Fragmented tool use → baseline competence in Photoshop, Illustrator, Procreate for standard tasks.
- Weak composition and color → clear principles for framing, contrast, and balance.
- Lack of workflow → sequence from brief and sketch to final artwork.
- Uncertain visual voice → training of visual metaphors, techniques, and materials.
- Client communication → briefing, revisions, basic pricing rules.
Comparison with illustration learning alternatives
- Self-paced tutorials: flexible yet fragmented; limited feedback and gaps in composition/process.
- Academic education: deep and long-term; less focus on current tools and freelance routines.
- Niche workshops: fast on a single topic; no end-to-end workflow.
Learning outcomes of Illustration Basis
- Understanding the illustrator’s flow: brief, references, sketches, composition, finalization.
- Foundational skills in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Procreate for 2D illustration.
- Practice: a series of 7 illustrations for portfolio development and technique drills.
- Principles of storytelling, visual metaphor, anatomy, materiality, and visual effects.
- Client-facing basics: brief, revisions, portfolio structure, pricing essentials, and personal branding.
About the Illustration Basis program and lecturers
Approx. 16 weeks, 19 sessions. Topics include composition and perspective, color and shape, techniques and materials, character design, storytelling, portfolio and brief.
- Iryna Lysenko: 11 years of practice; collaborations with BMW, Apple; experience at Viseven, Novator Film; author of the Psycheya project.
- Kris Tsvenher: 11 years freelancing; projects for Mastercard, Silpo, Rozetka; commercial illustrations and apparel prints.
- Oles Dereha: personal brand of an illustrator; work with SoftServe, Puma, Samsung; exhibition projects in the EU and USA.
Course Description
Lecturers
Irina Lysenko - 11 years in the profession
- illustrated for BMW, Apple, German TauberPhilharmonie program- worked at Viseven, Arc.ua magazine, local media development agency OR and animation studio Novator film- proud of his psychological project "Psyche" for the NGO Ulana Suprun
Chris Zwenger - 11 years illustrating on freelance
- worked with Mastercard, Silpo, Eva, Rozetka, Seen magazine, etc.- creates illustrations for commerce, prints for clothing brands- proud of the project with Silpo, where he created illustrations for the design of the store
