Learn to use sketching as a tool for idea generation

This course introduces sketching as a thinking tool to support consistent idea exploration, without the pressure of polish or perfection.

Develop approaches to story and mood

Practice visual techniques for communicating narrative, emotion, and intent.

Practice professional critique and feedback

Learn structured approaches to giving and receiving clear feedback, supporting stronger ideas through iteration rather than guesswork.

About the Course

Intro to Sketching for Storytelling focuses on sketching as a tool for thinking and visual communication, rather than finished rendering. Over six live weeks, students are introduced to sketching approaches used to explore ideas, develop narrative direction, and communicate visually. The course emphasizes thumbnails, mood boards, and rapid ideation as practical methods for exploring concepts and organizing visual thinking. Students examine how professional artists approach storytelling and visual development, using accessible frameworks that apply across mediums. Through guided exercises and structured critiques, the course supports clearer decision-making, intentional refinement, and more effective presentation of ideas without over-rendering. This course is well-suited for artists who want to improve narrative clarity in their sketches, refine how they choose and develop ideas, or strengthen their visual storytelling process.

The syllabus

6 Chapters · 6 Lessons

  1. 1

    Week 1: Thinking Like a Visual Storyteller

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Reframing

  2. 2

    Week 2: Moodboarding and Reference with Intention

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Reference

  3. 3

    Week 3: Story Structure for Visual Media

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Structure

  4. 4

    Week 4: Thumbnail Sketching as Ideation

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Speed

  5. 5

    Week 5: Constructive Critique and Visual Communication

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Speak Like a Professional

  6. 6

    Week 6: From Chaos to Direction

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Ideas into Presentable Concepts

Meet Your Instructor - Diane Pascual

Diane Pascual is an illustrator, concept artist, and visual storyteller with over 15 years of experience across illustration, animation, publishing, and digital art education. She published her first graphic novel, Dreamwalker, in 2011, an early milestone that shaped her long-standing focus on narrative-driven art. Her professional work spans multiple creative industries, including concept illustration for dolls and playsets at Hasbro Studios, character design for a Skechers animated commercial, children’s book illustration (Caleb and Willie), and illustration systems for Salesforce’s Trailhead learning platform, where clarity and storytelling were essential to communicating complex ideas. She has also collaborated with clients such as NetHealth and Westat across healthcare, research, and enterprise projects. Diane’s work has been featured on platforms including Dribbble and Redbubble, with recognition across design and illustration publications. Her personal work can be found at dianepascual.com. She is currently developing The Forgotten Earth, an original graphic novel blending worldbuilding, speculative fiction, and cinematic visual storytelling. She is also the founder of The Gypsy Goddess, a digital education business where she teaches advanced Photoshop techniques and visual thinking to illustrators and designers worldwide. Her teaching emphasizes sketching as a thinking tool, idea-first exploration, and storytelling as the foundation of compelling visual work.

Ready to Unlock Your Creative Potential?

Move past waiting for the perfect idea. Learn practical approaches to visual thinking, sketching freely, and developing rough ideas into clearer concepts. Join Intro to Sketching for Storytelling to explore structured sketching methods that support clarity and intentional creative development.

$599.00

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