Explore foundational illustration skills including shapes, lines, and basic digital tools.

Illustration Basics 101
Course Features:
  • Language: English
  • list-box-outline Track: Digital Designing
  • Duration: 60 hours
  • layers-outline Level: Beginner
  • Learning Mode: Center
  • Jurisdiction: Maharashtra
  • Certificate of Completion

Eligibility
  • Learner should preferably a std. 10th Pass student (Not Compulsory)
  • It is desirable that Learner should have done MS-CIT Course (Not Compulsory)

Introduction

  • In this course, you will learn to:
  • Classify different illustration styles based on their visual characteristics and applications
  • Define the historical evolution of illustration from traditional to digital mediums
  • Identify various digital illustration tools and their functionalities
  • Organize vector design elements to create balanced and visually appealing compositions
  • Reorganize digital files and assets using industry-standard organizational practices
  • Summarize career opportunities available in illustration, including animation and design
  • Compare vector and raster graphics in terms of their characteristics and applications
  • Illustrate the process of logo design, including the use of basic tools and techniques
  • Classify different types of brushes and their applications in digital illustration
  • Diagnose common issues in vector design and troubleshoot using appropriate tools
  • Operate the Pen Tool efficiently to create precise and intricate illustrations
  • Find solutions to design challenges using advanced vector design techniques
  • Predict the outcome of different shading techniques on the appearance of an illustration
  • Compare different typography effects and their impact on visual communication
  • Define the principles of visual storytelling and illustrate their application in narrative illustrations
  • Identify various techniques for character development in sequential storytelling
  • Organize sequential storyboards effectively to convey narrative flow and progression
  • Summarize the ethical considerations and representation standards in visual storytelling
  • Compare different methods for crafting mood and atmosphere in narrative illustrations
  • Report on the process of creating art from thumbnails and rough sketches, including concept refinement
  • Diagnose various layer management techniques in vector design
  • Operate advanced layer options for efficient vector illustration workflow
  • Find the impact of color theory on storytelling and illustration mood
  • Compare different watercolor painting techniques for creating unique effects
  • Categorize the effectiveness of specialized tools and techniques in vector design
  • Differentiate between different perspective grid tools and apply them in object drawing
  • Explain the process of creating graphs and sliced text effects using slicing and cutting tools
  • Predict the impact of advanced keyboard shortcuts on vector design productivity

What you'll learn ?

  • At the end of this course, learners will be able to:
  • Interpret various illustration styles and their applications across different industries
  • Illustrate the significance of visual communication skills in conveying complex ideas through illustrations
  • Paraphrase historical perspectives on illustration evolution from traditional to digital mediums
  • Estimate the impact of different illustration techniques on branding strategies
  • Defend the relevance of illustration in modern storytelling and advertising campaigns
  • Compare and contrast digital illustration software and traditional drawing techniques
  • Review the historical contributions of iconic illustrators to the evolution of the craft
  • Rewrite traditional drawing exercises to incorporate contemporary digital tools and techniques
  • Construct a personalized illustration portfolio showcasing diverse styles and techniques
  • Survey the career prospects in animation, illustration, and design fields
  • Appraise the effectiveness of color techniques in conveying mood and emotion in illustrations
  • Combine vector design basics with advanced illustration techniques to create professional-grade artwork
  • Solve complex illustration challenges using advanced tools such as the Pen Tool and Mesh Tool
  • Interpret principles of visual storytelling to analyze and critique narrative illustrations effectively
  • Illustrate sequential stories in comics, applying learned techniques in character development and scene composition
  • Paraphrase ethical considerations in storytelling, demonstrating an understanding of representation and cultural sensitivity
  • Estimate the impact of mood and atmosphere in narrative illustrations through case studies and practical exercises
  • Defend chosen illustration styles by comparing and contrasting with established artistic approaches
  • Compare layer management techniques to optimize workflow efficiency in vector design projects
  • Review advanced techniques in pen and ink illustration, identifying best practices for cross-hatching and stippling
  • Construct seamless patterns using vector design tools, applying knowledge of color theory and psychology
  • Estimate market demand for stock images, proposing strategies to monetize illustrations on popular platforms
  • Appraise the effectiveness of color harmonies in conveying mood and atmosphere in illustration projects
  • Combine vector design elements to create cohesive eBook cover designs, applying principles of balance and composition
  • Solve design challenges using perspective grid tools, demonstrating proficiency in one, two, and three-point perspective
  • Predict user engagement with vector design projects through analysis of graphical data using graph tools and techniques

Certification

  • KLiC courses are recognised by Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU).
  • MKCL provides certificate to the KLiC learner after his/her successful course completion.
  • Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) provides mark sheet to successfully passed KLiC learners (Jurisdiction: Maharashtra).

Academic Approach

The academic approach of the courses focuses on the “work-centric” education i.e. begin with work (and not from a book!), derive knowledge from work and apply that knowledge to make the work more wholesome, useful and delightful. The ultimate objective is to empower the Learner to engage in socially useful and productive work. It aims at leading the learner to his/her rewarding career as an employee or entrepreneur as well as development of the community to which s/he belongs. Learning methodology:

  • Step -1: Learners are given an overview of the course and its connection to life and work.
  • Step -2: Learners are exposed to the specific tool(s) used in the course through the various real-life applications of the tool(s).
  • Step -3: Learners are acquainted with the careers and the hierarchy of roles they can perform at workplaces after attaining increasing levels of mastery over the tool(s).
  • Step -4: Learners are acquainted with the architecture of the tool or tool map so as to appreciate various parts of the tool, their functions, utility and inter-relations.
  • Step -5: Learners are exposed to simple application development methodology by using the tool at the beginner’s level.
  • Step -6: Learners perform the differential skills related to the use of the tool to improve the given ready-made industry-standard outputs.
  • Step -7: Learners are engaged in appreciation of real-life case studies developed by the experts.
  • Step -8: Learners are encouraged to proceed from appreciation to imitation of the experts.
  • Step -9: After the imitation experience, they are required to improve the expert’s outputs so that they proceed from mere imitation to emulation.
  • Step-10: Emulation is taken a level further from working with differential skills towards the visualization and creation of a complete output according to the requirements provided. (Long Assignments)
  • Step-11: Understanding the requirements, communicating one’s own thoughts and presenting are important skills required in facing an interview for securing a work order/job. For instilling these skills, learners are presented with various subject-specific technical as well as HR-oriented questions and encouraged to answer them.
  • Step-12: Finally, they develop the integral skills involving optimal methods and best practices to produce useful outputs right from scratch, publish them in their ePortfolio and thereby proceed from emulation to self-expression, from self-expression to self-confidence and from self-confidence to self-reliance and self-esteem!

Syllabus

  • Introduction to Illustration
  • What is Illustration?
  • The Art of 'Visual Communication'
  • Illustrations in Education
  • Illustrations in Advertising
  • Illustrations in Storytelling
  • 3 Ways to Use Illustration for Branding
  • Minimalist illustration
  • Big and Bold illustrations
  • 3D illustration
  • Typography illustration
  • Retro illustration
  • Geometric illustration
  • Caricatures
  • Comics
  • Modern era Illustration tools:
  • Essential Techniques for Effective Drawing
  • Digital Illustration Software and Hardware
  • Exploring Digital Illustration Tools
  • Introduction to Digital Drawing Tablets
  • Artistic Journeys: Animation, Illustration, and Design Careers
  • User Interface
  • Organizing files
  • Saving files
  • Understanding Artboards
  • Tools Explained: From Selection to Type
  • Arc, Spiral, Grid, and Shape Tools
  • Exploring Artistic Pencil, Transform, and other tools
  • Puppet Warp to Symbol Stainer Tools
  • Advanced Toolkit: From Symbol Screener to Zoom Tools
  • Logo Design Sample with Basic Shapes
  • Logo Design Techniques
  • Using the Pen Tool to Draw an Illustration
  • Customizing the Illustration
  • Using the Pen Tool to Trace an Image
  • Using the Pen Tool to Trace Text
  • Working with Mesh Tool
  • Mastering the Mesh Tool
  • Power Techniques for Vector Design
  • Power Techniques with Typography Style
  • Understanding Hand-eye Coordination
  • Developing Precision and Control
  • Practicing Daily Sketching Routines
  • Introduction to Geometric Shapes
  • Exploring Light and Shadows with 3D Shapes
  • Draw anything using simple shapes
  • Importance of Line Weight and Variation
  • Contour Drawing Exercises
  • Understanding Light Sources and Shadows
  • Types of Shading Techniques (hatching, cross-hatching, stippling)
  • Learn the human body proportions
  • Exploring Human Body Anatomy
  • Exploring Human Body Anatomy with an example
  • Gesture Drawing and Capturing Motion
  • Balancing Creativity and Constraints for Harmony
  • Improving Storytelling through Illustrations
    • Mind Mapping for Idea Development
    • Visual Storytelling and Narrative Illustration
      • Understanding the Principles of Visual Storytelling
      • Developing and Designing Characters
      • Sequential Storytelling through Illustration
      • Illustrating Sequential Stories in Comics
      • Crafting Sequential Storyboards
      • Creating Mood and Atmosphere in Narrative Illustrations
      • Ethics and Representation in Storytelling
  • Crafting Art from Thumbnails and Rough Sketches:
    • Thumbnail Sketch Exploration
    • Concept Refinement through Rough Sketches
  • Building Mood Boards for Style and Mood
    • A Quick Guide to Creating a Brand Mood Board
  • Introduction to Graphic Illustration
  • 10 MUST DOs to Find Your Illustration Style
  • Utilizing Layers for Effective Vector Design
    • Layer and Layer Options
    • Merging Layers
    • Exploring Layer Management and Workflow:
    • Advanced Layer Techniques
  • Pen, Pencils and Paths
    • Path and its Options
    • Creating A Compound Path
    • Clipping Mask
  • Mastering Advanced Techniques
    • Control Curves and Anchor Points
    • Enhance the final output
    • Clipping Mask with Compound Path
    • Clipping Mask with Compound Shape
    • Pen Tool Hacks
    • Illustration from Sketch to Character Design
  • Pen and Ink Illustration:
    • Ink Pen Essentials
    • Perfecting Cross-Hatching and Stippling
    • The Shape Builder Tool- Logo Design
  • Overview of stock image platforms
  • Understanding Popular Image Types on Shutterstock and Similar Sites
  • Understanding the demand for stock image
  • Monetizing Illustrations on Stock Platforms
    • Tips for increasing downloads and earnings
  • Photography Techniques and Best Practices
    • Artists and stock platforms
    • Editing photos to meet platform standards
    • Stock Platforms and Job Opportunities
  • Color Theory Basics
  • Color Properties: Hue, Value, Saturation
  • Cultural and Psychological Associations with Colors
  • Color Symbolism and its Impact on Storytelling
  • Color Harmonies and Combinations
  • Creating a Mood and Atmosphere with Color
  • Complementary Colors
  • Watercolor Painting:
    • Watercolor Materials and Tools (watercolor paints, brushes, paper)
    • Wet-on-Wet and Wet-on-Dry Techniques
    • Layering and Glazing to build up colors
    • Unique Techniques: Salt, Masking Fluid, and Scraping Effects
  • Reshaping Tools
  • Working with 1-Point Perspective Grid
  • Working with 2-Point Perspective Grid
  • Working with 3-Point Perspective Grid
  • Using the Graph Tools
  • Slicing and Cutting Tools
  • Symbol tools
  • Symbol Sprayer

Evaluation Pattern

Evaluation Pattern of KLiC Courses consists of 4 Sections as per below table:

Section No. Section Name Total Marks Minimum Passing Marks
1 Learning Progression 25 10
2 Internal Assessment 25 10
3 Final Online Examination 50 20
Total 100 40
4 SUPWs (Socially Useful and Productive Work in form of Assignments) 5 Assignments 2 Assignments to be Completed & Uploaded
YCMOU Mark Sheet

Printed Mark Sheet will be issued by YCMOU on successful completion of Section 1, Section 2 and Section 3 and will be delivered to the learner by MKCL.
YCMOU Mark Sheet will be available only for Maharashtra jurisdiction learners

MKCL's KLiC Certificate

The certificate will be provided to the learner who will satisfy the below criteria:

  1. Learners who have successfully completed above mentioned 3 Sections i.e. Section 1, Section 2 and Section 3
  2. Additionally, learner should have completed Section 4 (i.e. Section 4 will comprise of SUPWs i.e. Socially Useful and Productive Work in form of Assignments)
    • Learner has to complete and upload minimum 2 out of 5 Assignments

Courses Fee Structure from 01 July, 2025 Onwards

KLiC 60 hour course fee applicable from 01 July, 2025 all over Maharashtra

KLiC Course Duration MFO
(Inclusive of GST)
ALC Share
(Service Charges to be collected by ALC)
60 hours Rs. 500/- Rs. 2,500/-
Important Points:
* Above mentioned fee is applicable for all Modes of KLiC Courses offered at Authorised Learning Center (ALC) and at Satellite Center
* Total fee is including of Course fees, Examination fees and Certification fees
* MKCL reserves the right to modify the Fee anytime without any prior notice

KLiC Courses Fee Structure upto 30 June, 2025

Region Total Fee (Rupees)
MMRDA, PMRDA and Rest of Maharashtra 3000/-
Important Points:
* Above mentioned fee is applicable for all Modes of KLiC Courses offered at Authorised Learning Center (ALC) and at Satellite Center
* Total fee is including of Course fees, Examination fees and Certification fees
* MKCL reserves the right to modify the Fee anytime without any prior notice