What is Illustration? How do you learn to Illustrate? Best Illustration courses are available through associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in fields such as fine arts, illustration, and illustration design.
Students in these classes establish their own sense of style while creating work for print and digital media usage for advertisements or design. Figure drawing, editorial illustration, and visual metaphor are all topics covered in some of these best online illustration courses.
If you too landed here looking for the top illustration courses, listed below are some expert-recommended classes.
12 Best Illustration Courses
- The Art and Science of Drawing/ Shading Fundamentals by Udemy
- The Complete Drawing and Painting Illustration Course by Udemy
- The Art and Science of Drawing / CONTOURS by Udemy
- Basics of Flag Design Illustrations In Canva by Udemy
- Illustrator 2024 Essential Training by LinkedIn Learning
- The Beginner’s Illustration Masterclass by Udemy
- Introduction to Graphic Design: Illustrator by LinkedIn Learning
- Illustrator CC Fundamentals by Pluralsight
- Illustrator CC Blends and Gradient Mesh by Pluralsight
- Mastering Illustration: Sketching, Inking and Color Essentials by Skillshare
- Online Illustration Courses by Domestika
- Illustrating Children’s Books Online Art Course
12 Best Courses and Classes for Illustration Training
1. The Art and Science of Drawing/ Shading Fundamentals by Udemy
Out of the best online illustration courses listed, this is the most sought after one. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to draw with dramatic light and shadow.
It is one of the best illustration courses available online to understand shapes and their basics. Every shape, no matter how complicated, adheres to a fundamental set of shading rules.
Understanding how light behaves in the fundamental volumes of the sphere, cylinder, and cube will allow you to realistically shade and depict simple forms while also preparing you to draw and shade more complicated themes.
It is critical that every artist and creative worker understands and uses these strong shading methods.
| Rating | 4.8 based on 1239+ ratings |
| Duration | 1.5 hours |
| Level | Beginners |
| Refund Policy | 30-day return policy |
| Certificate Provided | Yes |
| Course Material Provided | Yes |
| Live Classes/Recorded Lessons | Recorded online illustration classes |
| Course Type | Paid |
| Instructor | Brent Eviston |
| Scope for Improvement (Cons) | More practical questions should be inculcated in this course. |
Topics Covered
- Introduction
- The Line of Termination
- The Cast Shadow
- The Core Shadow
- Drawing with Light
Learning Outcomes
- How to create basic volumes with dramatic light and shadow.
- How light and shadow interact with the three fundamental volumes: the sphere, the cube, and the cylinder.
- Detecting and sketching basic light and shadow patterns such as the highlight, core shadow, reflected light, and shadow.
Prerequisites
It is suggested, but not essential, to have some drawing expertise.
Are these the best online illustration classes for you?
These classes are for anyone who:
- enjoys sketching or painting.
- wants to have a career in the arts.
- wants to have a creative outlet.
- has an interest in design.
Review Karen Emerson:
If people want to really learn how to draw then look no further. However, drawing takes practice and if you do your homework that the instructor gives, you will learn to draw!
2. The Complete Drawing and Painting Illustration Course by Udemy
The second on our top illustration courses list is this Udemy course. It will teach you how to make sophisticated art that may be compared to professional work and will let you learn illustration online.
This course will either improve or provide you with new talents in the field of drawing and painting – or return your money back!
These online illustration courses will put you on the path of gaining the illustration talents you’ve always desired! Whether for your own projects or for illustrations for others.
| Rating | 4.7 based on 1383+ ratings |
| Duration | 12 hours |
| Level | Beginners |
| Refund Policy | 30-day return policy |
| Certificate Provided | Yes |
| Course Material Provided | Yes |
| Live Classes/Recorded Lessons | Recorded lessons |
| Course Type | Paid online illustration classes |
| Instructor | Jaysen Batchelor, Quinton Batchelor |
| Scope for Improvement (Cons) | Using reference photos in this course will make the concepts clearer. |
Topics Covered
- Introduction
- Creating professional illustrations
- Choosing and using the tools properly
- Learn to draw using the reference pictures
- Drawing illustrations using graphite pencils
- Drawing a graphite portrait illustration
- Drawing illustrations with the use of colored pencils
- Drawing a colored pencil portrait of Chris Pratt
- Painting illustrations with watercolors
- Painting a watercolor illustration portrait
Learning Outcomes
- Paint and draw light and shadow that are realistic
- Make a graphite drawing.
- Watercolor painting
- Make portraits
- Add an artistic touch to all of your artwork
Online illustration courses prerequisites
- Paper
- Toned paper (or cardboard from packaging)
- Watercolor paper
- Graphite Pencils
- Eraser
- Pencil sharpener
- Prisma colored pencil 24 set
- Watercolor paint
- Paintbrushes
Are these the right online illustration classes for you?
- Students who wish to learn to draw and paint
- Students who are willing to devote a few minutes every day to learning and practicing
- Students who seek to expand their skillset
Review Greg Nugent:
As always, Jaysen’s courses have plenty of content, progress in a logical order and are well instructed throughout. Highly recommend this course.
3. The Art and Science of Drawing / CONTOURS by Udemy
This is one of the top illustration courses with the highest ratings. It will teach you how to use three types of contour lines to depict complicated volumetric shapes. To begin, you’ll learn how to draw a thorough outer contour.
Following that, you’ll learn to draw inner contours and overlaps, which will allow you to depict any topic in detail. Finally, you’ll learn how to draw cross contour lines to give the sense of dramatic volume and depth.
By the conclusion of this course, you’ll know how to combine several types of contour lines to create any shape. You’ll also learn about foreshortening, which is one of the most in-demand sketching techniques.
This course is the sixth part of the eight-part series of best illustration courses. THE ART & SCIENCE of DRAWING, a fantastic curriculum that will teach you how to draw one day at a time.
The curriculum is straightforward; each day, you’ll view one video lesson introducing an important drawing ability, followed by the required practice.
The course is filled with the best online illustration classes and significant insights into the drawing process and provides some of the clearest, most approachable drawing training available. Many of the tools and methods you’ll master here are rarely seen outside of exclusive art colleges.
| Rating | 4.9 based on 972+ ratings |
| Duration | 1.5 hours |
| Level | Intermediate level |
| Refund Policy | 30-day return policy |
| Certificate Provided | Yes |
| Course Material Provided | Yes |
| Live Classes/Recorded Lessons | Recorded lessons |
| Course Type | Paid |
| Instructor | Learn illustration online with Brent Eviston |
| Scope for Improvement (Cons) | Enhance the course by prolonging it, by including more exercises or delving deeper into core concepts. |
Topics Covered
- Contours
- The Block In
- Crafting Contours
- Cross Contour
- Foreshortening
Learning Outcomes
- Create Captivating Contour Drawings
- Employ overlaps and inner contours in drawings to give the appearance of volume.
- Construct cross contour lines that characterize a subject’s topography in detail.
- Leverage atmospheric perspective to add depth to your designs.
- Integrating foreshortening in your designs.
Prerequisites for these top illustration courses
Some sketching experience is advised. Try The Art & Science of Drawing / Basic Skills if you’re a complete novice.
Is it the right course for you?
- Any artist who wants to enhance their drawing or painting talents.
- Any artist who wants to create more vibrant and lifelike drawings or paintings.
- Any student pursuing a profession in the arts.
Review Kim Rojas:
This course really brought together the learning in the previous Art & Science course. The way I observe objects has evolved in a creative way.
4. Basics of Flag Design Illustrations In Canva by Udemy
Next on our list of best online illustration courses is this Udemy course. Learn how to make the popular basic flat style graphics that appear on social network postings, blog entries, video thumbnails, and more! You will make a coffee cup, a stack of notes, and a mobile phone throughout the course.
This is a fundamental graphic design for freshers training using the free tools that will help them learn illustration online.
| Rating | 4.1 based on 603+ ratings |
| Duration | 1.5 hours |
| Level | Beginners’ online illustration classes |
| Refund Policy | 30-day return policy |
| Certificate Provided | Yes |
| Course Material Provided | Yes |
| Live Classes/Recorded Lessons | Recorded |
| Course Type | Paid |
| Instructor | Phillip Dillow |
| Scope for Improvement (Cons) | Enhance the course by prolonging it, by including more exercises, or delving deeper into core concepts. |
Topics Covered
- Introduction
- Changes to Canva
- Creating a Paper Airplane
- Creating Flat Design Illustrations in Canva
Learning Outcomes
- Fundamentals of flat picture composition, color design, and layout.
- Making a Digital painting
- Using Canva to create simple flat style graphics for social media posts and video thumbnails.
- Creating a Simple Flat Design Illustration for Social Media Posts.
- Fundamentals of Canva
Online illustration classes prerequisites
- There is no prerequisite expertise or experience necessary.
Is it the right course for you to learn illustration online?
These are the best illustration courses for you if you are:
- interested in learning the fundamentals of flat design illustration
- a social media marketer, graphic designer, and anyone interested in the mechanics of making simple flat design graphics
- looking for a new job as a social media marketer or graphic designer with little to no experience.
Review Chris Garvey:
Good to learn. Brand new to Canva, I now have 3 flying kites! Finished now and this is a great starter course for anyone who’s never done this type of flat design. Thanks!
5. Illustrator 2024 Essential Training by LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is an emerging platform offering various online illustration courses. Tony Harmer teaches the fundamentals of Illustrator 2021, including artboards, workspaces, layers, and shapes.
Tony goes through vector graphics—paths, strokes, and fills—and demonstrates how to utilize each of Illustrator’s drawing tools. He shows how to merge and tidy up pathways, as well as group and layer them.
Tony also discusses text editing, working with color, expressive brush sketching, effects, and much more.
| Duration | 5 hours 27 minutes |
| Level | Beginners’ best online illustration classes |
| Refund Policy | 30-day return policy |
| Certificate Provided | Yes |
| Course Material Provided | Yes |
| Live Classes/Recorded Lessons | Recorded lessons |
| Course Type | Paid |
| Instructor | Tony Harmer |
Topics Covered
- Quick-start Exercise
- The Illustrator Environment
- Selection
- Shape and Line Drawing tools
- Color
- Strokes
- Arranging and Ordering
- Groups
- Transforms
- Drawing by Construction
- Drawing Tools
- Using Guides and Grids
- Gradients
- Patterns
- Symbols
- Blends, Blending and Transparency
- Appearances
- Type
- Images in Illustrator
- Pixels to Vectors
- Modifying artwork
- Artboards
- Output
- Conclusion
Prerequisites
None
6. The Beginner’s Illustration Masterclass by Udemy
These are convenient and simple online illustration courses for newbies that will teach you how to create original, personalized digital paintings and illustrations in minutes using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and/or Gimp.
These can be used online, in videos and animations, or for hard copy purposes such as a poster, letterhead, or even a T-shirt or other product lines.
| Rating | 4.3 based on 202+ ratings |
| Duration | 4 hours |
| Level | Beginners’ online illustration classes |
| Refund Policy | 30-day return policy |
| Certificate Provided | Yes |
| Course Material Provided | Yes |
| Live Classes/Recorded Lessons | Recorded lessons |
| Course Type | Paid |
| Course Instructor | Edu Evolution |
| Scope for Improvement (Cons) | The course should teach the application and use of more kind of brushes and techniques. |
Topics Covered
- Introduction to Digital Painting in Photoshop
- More about Photoshop and painting tools
- Making a Digital painting
- Intermediate and advanced techniques
- Image editing and creation skills in Photoshop
- Illustrating in Adobe Illustrator
- 5 simple recipes for beating creative blocks
Learning outcomes of these online illustration classes
- Using free or commercial tools, you can create amazing, personalized graphics in minutes.
- Create a one-of-a-kind, low-cost illustrated present.
- Develop your skills to create graphics for online use, in videos, or in print.
- Understand appropriate practices for image production in terms of copyrights and the use of free stock photographs, unique photography, and royalty-free images.
- Boost your imagination by following basic, tried-and-true creative recipes.
- Design hacks from “art school”
Online illustration courses prerequisites
This course requires no additional equipment other than a computer and a relevant software package, such as the free programes Gimp, Illustrator, and/or Photoshop.
Is it the right course for you to learn illustration online?
Yes, if you’re a beginner or an advanced conventional fine painter and illustrator who wants to transfer their innate drawing abilities from their sketchbooks to a computer setting.
Review Natalie Dee:
This is an excellent course. It is very easy to follow and understand. You will end up creating your own illustrations from images on Photoshop, Illustrator and Gimp. Thank you
7. Introduction to Graphic Design: Illustrator by LinkedIn Learning
In these online illustration classes, teacher Tony Harmer utilizes the process of designing a poster to teach you the fundamental Adobe Illustrator abilities that every designer needs to master. Tony demonstrates how to set up the poster’s document and working environment in Adobe Illustrator.
He shows you through importing the drawing, adding the print area, and establishing a modular grid to assist you in positioning elements in the layout.
Tony goes through area type and type hierarchies before showing you how to rotate and resize area text. He guides you through the process of uploading photos and recoloring artwork.
| Learners | 5982 |
| Duration | 1 hour 12 minutes online illustration training |
| Level | Beginners |
| Refund Policy | 30-day return policy |
| Certificate Provided | Yes |
| Course Material Provided | Yes |
| Live Classes/Recorded Lessons | Recorded lessons |
| Course Type | Paid online illustration classes |
| Course Instructor | Tony Harmer |
Topics Covered
- Introduction
- Project Setup
- Creating the poster
- Wrapping Up
- Conclusion
Learning Outcomes
- Graphic Design
- Adobe Illustrator
- Digital Illustration
Prerequisites of online illustration classes
None
8. Illustrator CC Fundamentals by Pluralsight
Adobe Illustrator is the mainstream technology for vector drawing software. Print experts, as well as illustrators and web designers, utilize it.
This course covers the fundamental principles and techniques for creating vector-based artwork. Paths, strokes, and fills are some of the vector graphics elements that we will look at. We also demonstrate how to utilize the most important drawing tools, such as the Pen Tool.
This is the first in a series of best illustration courses designed to help you learn illustration online with one of the world’s most popular page layout software.
| Rating | 5 based on 219 ratings |
| Duration | 4 hours 30 minutes |
| Level | Beginners |
| Refund Policy | No refund policy |
| Certificate Provided | Yes |
| Course Material Provided | Yes |
| Live Classes/Recorded Lessons | Recorded lessons |
| Course Type | Paid |
| Course Instructor | Matthew Pizzi |
Topics Covered under online illustration classes
- What is Adobe Illustrator
- Understanding Illustrator CC
- Working in Illustrator
- Core drawing principles
- Combining Paths and Shapes
- Creating Artwork
- Working with Type
Learning Outcomes
- Adobe Illustrator CC fundamentals
Prerequisites
None
9. Illustrator CC Blends and Gradient Mesh by Pluralsight
In these online illustration classes, you’ll discover where to use blend settings in Illustrator CC to blend objects and color in various ways. With this course you will learn illustration online and also to utilize Gradient Mesh, apply one, and adjust it to get the desired effects.
These two capabilities enable you to create artwork with dynamic transitions, three-dimensional shading, and highlights. In addition, in these best illustration courses, you’ll learn how to utilize Illustrator CC’s blend settings for blending objects and colors in various ways.
| Rating | 5 based on 45 ratings |
| Duration | 1 hour 53 minutes |
| Level | Advanced |
| Refund Policy | No refund policy |
| Certificate Provided | Yes |
| Course Material Provided | Yes |
| Live Classes/Recorded Lessons | Recorded lessons |
| Course Type | Paid online illustration training |
| Course Instructor | Matthew Pizzi |
Topics covered under online illustration courses
- Using Blends
- Gradient Mesh
- Creating a Rocket Illustration
- Conclusion
Learning Outcomes
- Blending objects and colors in a different manner
Prerequisites
- Basic knowledge of Illustrator CC is mandatory to pursue this course.
10. Mastering Illustration: Sketching, Inking and Color Essentials by Skillshare
Known as one of the best online illustration courses, this online illustration training to master illustration is the most sought-after course. Jazza, who has over five million YouTube subscribers, has made a career out of assisting others in discovering the joy of drawing.
Now, in these best online illustration classes, he exposes his own creative process in never-before-seen depth, condensing his favorite ideas, methods, and approaches into a thorough masterclass for artists of all abilities.
Working with your chosen media, you’ll master the fundamentals of drawing, inking, and color, before progressing to more daring methods like texture and lighting effects.
Jazza’s step-by-step method encourages you to take risks, explore your style, and believe that you’ll develop every time you put pen to paper, brush to canvas, or stylus to screen.
Consider each hands-on session to be a mini-bootcamp for an important skill to learn illustration online.
| Duration | 2 hours 11 minutes |
| Level | Beginners and advanced best online illustration courses |
| Refund Policy | 7-day money-back guarantee |
| Certificate Provided | Yes |
| Course Material Provided | Yes |
| Live Classes/Recorded Lessons | Recorded lessons |
| Course Type | Paid |
| Course Instructor | Josiah Brooks (Jazza) |
Topics covered under online illustration courses
- Introduction
- Exploring your Style
- Tools and Materials
- Brainstorming your piece
- Starting your sketch
- Refining your sketch
- Inking your sketch
- Inking complex characters
- Inking elaborate environments
- Choosing color scheme
- Adding color with pencils
- Adding color with pens
- Creating effects with color
- Final thoughts
- Bonus: Project feedback from the instructor
Learning Outcomes
- Illustration
- Design
- Photography
- Character Design
- Sketching
Online illustration classes prerequisites
None
11. Illustration Courses by Domestika
Domestika is a learning platform that offers some of the best illustration courses for students worldwide with online illustration training. A few of the best online illustration courses are listed below –
1. Daily Sketching for Creative Inspiration
In this course, Sorie Kim, a freelance artist and educator, walks you through sketching by using different approaches and experimenting with your ideas.
Learn illustration online and know how to let go of perfectionist inclinations and release your grip when documenting your daily life. See how to apply ideas from a sketch to create illustrated works and improve your drawing skills with Sorie’s engaging activities.
2. Introduction to Adobe Illustrator
Learn to use illustrator and how to use important Illustrator tools, including the pencil, brush, and pen in these online illustration classes. Once you understand how they function, look at the many options for digitizing a picture using vectors.
This program will teach you all you need to know about color. Aaron demonstrates the differences between the CMYK and RGB color modes and the basic properties of each.
Create a Pantone color palette, learn about tools like the paint pot, and produce distinctive results using pathfinder, linear and radial gradients, blending modes, and effects with these online illustration courses.
3. Botanical Illustration with Watercolors
This is one of the top illustration courses offered by Domestika. In this online illustration training, Paulina, the instructor, shows you every step of her creative approach for creating floral images using watercolors.
Learn how to digitize your work, make modifications, and apply your creativity to any product using actual flowers and plants as models.
12. Illustrating Children’s Books Online Art Course by London Art College
Exercises, assignments, criticism, and suggestions can help you improve your creativity, style, and methods. Learn how to properly respond to a specific brief and learn more about each stage of the illustration process.
This is a focused, creative and practical course aimed to help you enhance your talents as a children’s artist. Maggy will provide you with both encouragement and constructive criticism in response to each task. You may also get help from other students worldwide by joining our friendly closed Facebook group.
You will be able to examine at your own speed while working with a wide range of activities and summaries on this customizable distance learning online illustration training. Your confidence will improve alongside your expertise, allowing you to enjoy the learning process through these online illustration classes.
| Level | Advanced level |
| Refund Policy | 14-day money-back guarantee |
| Certificate Provided | Yes |
| Course Material Provided | Yes |
| Live Classes/Recorded Lessons | Study materials are provided of online illustration courses. |
| Course Type | Paid |
| Course Instructor | Maggy Roberts |
Topics Covered
- Drawing for toddlers children
- Animals
- Cartoons
- Caricatures
- Imaginative places
- Imaginative animals
- Lettering
- Book covers
Learning outcomes
- Composition
- Perspective
- Textures
- Colour Mixing
- Developing ideas
- Developing your own style
Online illustration classes prerequisites
- Pencil
- Pen & ink
- Watercolor
- Acrylic
- Gouache
Conclusion
We, TangoLearn have included all the top illustration courses that are available for everyone to learn illustration online. Make illustrating your forte with these best illustration courses. For additional information on any online illustration training course, please visit their annexed website.
