What This Course Is About

In this course, you’ll learn a unique technique for drawing with alcohol-based markers and put your new skills to the test in hands-on lessons — yep, you’ll create 11 bright and fun illustrations.

You'll learn how to draw all sorts of textures: wood, glass, metal, fire, and water. Plus, we'll figure out how to draw white and light objects on a white background.

After finishing the course, you’ll be able to pick the right subjects for your future artworks and create fun, vibrant illustrations with alcohol-based markers all on your own.

Who will find this course helpful

This course is made for anyone who wants to learn how to draw with alcohol-based markers from scratch. It’s also great for experienced artists who want to pick up a new technique and try out some fresh subjects.

Course Program

Lesson 1

Intro Lesson

Introduction. Main info and some tips for the course.

Lesson 2

Materials

In this lesson, I will provide a list of the necessary materials for the course and explain their main properties.

Lesson 3

Alcohol-Based Marker Techniques

In the third lesson of our course, we will start working with alcohol markers. I will demonstrate the drawing technique using this material in practice.

In this lesson you will:

  • make smooth color fills;
  • learn to blend two or more colors;
  • create different strokes to imitate natural and artificial textures.

Lesson 4

Working Across Sketchbook Spreads: Composition

In this lesson, we will explore the concept of «composition». You will learn to work with a sketchbook spread and create complete, harmonious illustrations.

In this lesson you will:

  • learn to work with different types of compositions;
  • plan the placement of all elements on paper;
  • discover how to harmoniously fill empty space.

Lesson 5

«Summer Meadow Scene»

Duration ~ 1 hour

The fifth lesson of our course will be dedicated to creating the first full illustration with alcohol markers. We will depict a sunlit forest glade surrounded by a dense ring of trees.

In this lesson you will:

  • learn to realistically convey the texture of grass;
  • discover how to depict the volume of individual trees and trees in a group.

Lesson 6

«Freshness After the Rain»

Duration ~ 3 hours

Friends, what do you think — is it easy to draw water droplets?

Let's find out!

Let's draw a stem with leaves covered in raindrops.

In this lesson you will:

  • create an illustration on a dark background;
  • depict voluminous leaves;
  • realistically render water droplets.

Lesson 7

«Paper Boat»

Duration ~ 1 hour

Friends, in this lesson we’ll have another fascinating project related to raindrops. This time, our drops will fall into a stream, creating ripples on the water. The work will be decorated with a snow-white paper boat.

In this lesson you will:

  • learn to create background transitions from light to dark shades;
  • master the technique «light color over dark color».

Lesson 8

«Seascape»

Duration ~ 2 hours

Friends, in this lesson we will travel to distant shores to admire the sea. Let’s draw gentle sea waves where sunlight plays cheerfully on the surface. You will learn to convey the texture of the sea and depict sun reflections in the water.

In this lesson you will:

  • learn to carefully render a complex drawing;
  • discover how to use a blender to depict highlights and sunlight on the water.

Lesson 9

«Misty Forest»

Duration ~ 3 hours

How pleasant it is to go to the forest early in the morning and enjoy its freshness and coolness! Don’t you agree?

In this lesson, we will draw a forest thicket shrouded in light mist.

In this lesson you will:

  • work with foreground and background;
  • create a single illustration based on two references;
  • practice using complex and muted colors;
  • learn to depict the textures of grass and trees.

Lesson 10

«Lantern»

Duration ~ 3 hours

In this lesson, we’ll learn how to depict light using the example of a lantern with a candle placed inside!

In this lesson you will:

  • learn to construct perspective with two vanishing points;
  • realistically render the textures of metal and glass;
  • create the effect of candlelight through shadows and highlights.

Lesson 11

Sketchbook Practice: Insights from the Expert’s Sketchbook

Do you always find it easy to come up with new ideas for your sketchbooks?

In this lesson, we’ll look through one of my notebooks from the perspective of its layout and content.

In this lesson you will:

  • learn to design sketchbooks from scratch;
  • discover what to write about and where to find inspiration;
  • see how to work with composition and apply additional decorative elements.

Lesson 12

«White Rose»

Duration ~ 2 hours

In this lesson, we will depict a delicate rose. We will practice drawing light-colored objects and refining the flower’s petals.

In this lesson you will:

  • render the rose in detail;
  • learn to convey the shadows and volume of light petals.

Lesson 13

«Blooming Apple Tree»

Duration ~ 3 hours

Does the sight of a blooming apple tree fill you with a gentle thrill? It’s a wonderful event. Do you agree with me?

In this lesson, let’s draw an apple-tree branch and work in detail on its blossoms.

In this lesson you will:

  • draw a branch of a blooming apple tree across a sketchbook spread;
  • learn to color each flower step by step, refining details and bringing our illustration to life.

Lesson 14

«Underwater World»

Duration ~ 4 hours

You can encounter the most amazing creatures on the seabed — it is fantastically diverse and colorful.

In this lesson, we will head into the depths of the sea, draw marine life, and convey the texture of water with an «underwater» focus.

In this lesson you will:

  • work with foreground and background;
  • learn to render complex illustrations in detail.

Lesson 15

Course Summary

The final lesson of our course - time to sum up the results.

Food Illustration Block

Lesson 1

«Pastries»

Duration ~ 5 hours

Friends, is anyone hungry yet? How about some delicious airy pastries with strawberry filling and a sprinkle of sweet powdered sugar?

In this lesson you will:

  • learn to draw detailed food illustrations;
  • work with complex colors and shadows to create a mouthwatering dish.

Lesson 2

«Time for a Snack»

Duration ~ 5 hours

In this lesson, we will create an interesting and detailed food illustration. The composition will be built from a top-down perspective.

In this lesson you will:

  • learn to draw complex food illustrations, working through natural textures such as grapes, cheese, figs, and honey;
  • discover how to build a cohesive composition using various references.

Course instructor Anastasia Lemurka

Course expert Anastasia Lemurka

I’ve been teaching marker drawing since 2016.

I regularly run workshops and in-person classes with my students, including 6 intensives and workshops in Riga.

I’ve recorded 4 full online courses on drawing with markers.

Took third place in the Sketch battle 2021 organized by Sketchmarker.

In 2016, I took part in the very first Sketchfest exhibition.

Teacher’s artworks

Expert’s artworks

Materials

List of materials used by the expert:

1.Notebook Maxgoodz Classic White A5.

2.Colored pencils Faber-Castell Polychromos: 187 Burnt Ochre, 133 Magenta, 263 Mortuum Violet, 157 Dark Indigo.

3.White pencil Prismacolor Premier PC938.

4.White gel pen Sakura Gelly Roll 10.

5.Kneaded eraser Faber-Castell.

6.Alcohol markers and blender Copic.

Marker list

Marker set: V01, BV23, BV25, BV31, RV00, RV02, RV55, RV95, R02, R08, R59, YR15, Y00, Y06, Y26, Y32, YG00, YG25, YG95, YG99, G12, G40, BG000, BG01, BG05, BG10, BG78, BG90, BG99, B91, B95, B99, E000, E18, E23, E31, E49.

Budget-friendly list of materials for the course:

1.Notebook Eksmo «For Artistic Ideas» (Territory of Creativity).

2.Colored pencil Faber-Castell Polychromos 263 Mortuum Violet.

3.White pencil Faber-Castell Polychromos.

4.White gel pen Sakura Gelly Roll 10.

5.Alcohol markers Sketchmarker, blender – optional.

Marker list

Attention: the color match is not always exact but the closest possible.

Table that can help you select some of the shades: view

Alternative colors: V104 (V01); B123 (BV23) – no exact match, the Copic color is noticeably grayer; BG71 (BV25); V14 (BV31); R24 (RV00); R23 (RV02); V123 (RV55); R52 or R13 (RV95); R43 (R02); R111 (R08); R20 (R59); O43 (YR15); Y65 (Y00); Y62 (Y06); Y42 (Y26); Y44 (Y32); G34 (YG00); G32 (YG25); Y102 (YG95); Y100 (YG99); G64 (G12); G44 (G40) – the Sketchmarker color differs slightly from G34 (instead of YG00 you can use either one); G165 (BG000); B14 (BG01); B12 (BG05); BG54 (BG10); BG61 (BG78); BG15 (BG90); BG21 (BG99); B54 (B91); B53 or B51 (B95); B50 (B99); O15 (E000); BR20 or BR30 (E18); BR11 (E23); O73 (E31); BG90 (E49).

Plans

«I Draw It Myself»
  • 9 bright illustrations
  • 15 lessons on drawing with alcohol-based markers
  • Course Unfreeze
  • The ability to view comments on students’ drawings
  • Lifetime access to the course
  • Artworks analysis for 60 days
  • Personal one-hour online consultation with the course expert
  • > +20 bonus dollars! Can be used when purchasing a course at the next marathon. Valid for 3 months
0 $
200 $
$ €
SIGN UP
 
+ Food Illustration Section

Draw 2 more delicious illustrations!

0 $
260 $
$ €
SIGN UP
«With Support»
  • 9 bright illustrations
  • 15 lessons on drawing with alcohol-based markers
  • Course Unfreeze
  • The ability to view comments on students’ drawings
  • Lifetime access to the course
  • Artworks analysis for 60 days
  • Personal one-hour online consultation with the course expert
  • > +20 bonus dollars! Can be used when purchasing a course at the next marathon. Valid for 3 months
0 $
250 $
$ €
SIGN UP
 
+ Food Illustration Section

Draw 2 more delicious illustrations!

0 $
310 $
$ €
SIGN UP
«VIP»
  • 9 bright illustrations
  • 15 lessons on drawing with alcohol-based markers
  • Course Unfreeze
  • The ability to view comments on students’ drawings
  • Lifetime access to the course
  • Artworks analysis for 60 days
  • Personal one-hour online consultation with the course expert
  • > +20 bonus dollars! Can be used when purchasing a course at the next marathon. Valid for 3 months
0 $
500 $
$ €
SIGN UP
 
+ Food Illustration Section

Draw 2 more delicious illustrations!

0 $
560 $
$ €
SIGN UP

Frequently Asked Questions

I can’t draw at all. I’ve always thought it’s not for me — I have no talent. Should I still take this course?

Of course! Anyone can learn to draw! It’s simply a skill that develops with practice.

Our course is structured from simple to complex so that anyone, even with zero experience, can complete it.

Throughout the course, you’ll gradually build up your skills through practice while creating the artworks and learn how to draw.

At the end of each lesson, you will upload a photo of your work. The instructor will be able to leave text, graphic (notes on the drawing), and audio comments on your piece.

At the bottom of the final lesson, there will be a comments section where you can ask any questions about the learning process.

If you have a plan without feedback, everything will depend on your personal pace as you go through the lessons.

For plans with feedback, we actively go through the lessons for two months from the moment you «unfreeze» the course.

Overall, I recommend taking the course without rushing. Enjoy the process more.

Yes, this course will be useful for both beginners and those who already have some experience.

It’s never too late to learn to draw. In our school, 30% of students are over 50 years old. They enjoy drawing, developing their skills and creative thinking — and they feel younger in both mind and spirit!

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