Michigan State University
Digital Painting Specialization
Michigan State University

Digital Painting Specialization

Ricardo Guimaraes

Instructor: Ricardo Guimaraes

Included with Coursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Recently updated!

August 2025

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

 logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

There are 6 modules in this course

This module provides an introduction to using Photoshop as a digital painting tool. You'll learn how to set up and customize the Photoshop workspace, master essential painting tools like brushes, the mixer brush, and the smudge tool, and harness selection and masking techniques for efficient, non-destructive editing. The module emphasizes fundamental painting techniques such as working on an off-white canvas, building expressive brushwork, and employing brushwork topology to create convincing forms and volume. Through practical demonstrations and creative exercises, you’ll gain the foundational skills and workflow strategies to begin making digital paintings in an expressive and purposeful way, setting the stage for more advanced modules.

What's included

11 videos8 readings1 peer review

This module guides you through key foundational processes in representational painting, focusing on establishing accurate drawings (roadmaps), composing dynamic images, and selecting approaches to style. You will learn to identify and use compositional principles, differentiate between "loose" and "sloppy" sketches, and apply classic strategies such as the rule of thirds and unequal spacing to create visual interest. Through examples and demonstrations, you will compare major painting styles (linear and pictorial), and gain practical insight into working with different subjects: still life, portrait, and landscape. The module culminates in understanding how to bring a painting to a finished state with appropriate detail and coherence.

What's included

14 videos8 readings1 peer review

This module explores the essential role of values in art, guiding you to understand how lightness and darkness define shape, structure, and mood in a painting. Through video lectures and hands-on demonstrations, you'll discover how values underpin composition, influence edges, and can be manipulated through compression and keying to support your artistic intentions. You will apply practical techniques for analyzing, selecting, and organizing values to create visually compelling images and evocative atmospheres, building a foundation that enhances both your grayscale and color work.

What's included

8 videos6 readings1 peer review

This module explores the fundamental relationship between color and value and examines how these elements work together to create convincing, expressive paintings. Through practical demonstrations and in-depth analysis, you'll learn how to accurately evaluate, select, and adjust colors to fit your compositional needs. You will master the properties of color, including hue, saturation, brightness (value), and temperature. You will also discover the importance of grays and chromatic grays in naturalistic painting. The module covers various color wheels and schemes, the psychology of color for mood, and hands-on techniques for painting with vibrant, balanced colors. By the end, you will be equipped with professional strategies to manipulate color and value for dynamic, engaging artwork.

What's included

14 videos9 readings1 peer review

This module explores advanced techniques and workflows in digital painting, focusing on both the unique possibilities and the inherent limitations of the medium. Through comparative analysis with traditional painting, you will learn to maximize digital tools such as layers, textures, and specialty brushes. The module also addresses ways to overcome challenges related to expressiveness in digital artwork. Practical demonstrations of both "alla prima" (direct painting) and layered approaches will deepen your understanding of painting strategies. The module concludes with a comprehensive digital painting demonstration that combines all concepts covered. By the end, you will be prepared to make informed choices in digital painting methods and optimize your creative process.

What's included

9 videos3 readings1 peer review

This video recaps key course concepts and provide practical advice and encouragement for ongoing practice and continued growth in digital painting.

What's included

1 video

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Ricardo Guimaraes
Michigan State University
3 Courses41,997 learners

Offered by

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."
Coursera Plus

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions