Finally, a color theory section that isn't just a color wheel. You will learn:
Udemy has a notorious pricing strategy. The "list price" is often $199, but no one should ever pay that. Udemy runs "sales" every other week where the course drops to $14.99 – $24.99.
At $20, this course costs roughly $0.40 per hour of instruction. Compare that to:
Even if you learn one technique that saves you 10 hours of work, the course has paid for itself.
Sign up if:
Skip this if:
"The Ultimate Digital Painting Course" is a misnomer only in that no single course can be "ultimate." However, it is the closest thing to a semester-long college course you will find for the price of a lunch.
If you are serious about moving from doodling to creating finished digital art, this is the best starting line on Udemy.
Recommendation: Wait for a Udemy sale (they happen almost weekly) and grab it for under $20. It is a no-brainer purchase at that price point.
Ultimate Digital Painting Course - Beginner to Advanced a popular, comprehensive program on led by instructors Austin and Jaysen Batchelor
. It is designed to take students from absolute zero to a professional-standard digital artist through over of video content and 60+ projects 🎨 Course Overview The curriculum is divided into 18 sections Finally, a color theory section that isn't just
, moving from software basics to complex character and environment design. Fundamentals : Line work, shape, form, and perspective. Color & Light
: Lighting theory, choosing palettes, and blending techniques. Subject Matter : Human faces, eyes, textures, still life, and landscapes. Bonus Content
: Character design, photo-realistic painting, and building a social media portfolio. ✅ Pros & Strengths
This guide covers "The Ultimate Digital Painting Course - Beginner to Advanced" on Udemy, taught by Austin Batchelor and Jason Allen. It is one of the most comprehensive digital art courses available, designed to take students from absolute zero to professional-level illustration. Course Highlights
Project-Based Learning: Includes over 60 different projects to help you apply techniques immediately.
Comprehensive Syllabus: Spans 18 chapters covering everything from basic brush settings to photorealistic rendering and character design.
Portfolio Focus: Includes a specific section on building a professional social media portfolio to attract art directors.
Software Versatility: While primarily demonstrated in Photoshop, the principles are applicable to other software like Procreate or Krita. Core Syllabus Breakdown
The course is structured to build your skills systematically through the following stages: Key Topics Covered 1. The Basics
Canvas settings, DPI, and basic brush settings (Opacity, Flow, Size). 2. Foundations Even if you learn one technique that saves
Line fundamentals, 3D form, value scales, and the "Drawing Fundamental Pyramid". 3. Perspective
1, 2, and 3-point perspective, scaling objects, and atmospheric perspective. 4. Light & Color
Highlights/shadows, color theory (warm vs. cool), ambient occlusion, and subsurface scattering. 5. Advanced Tools
Using layer modes, adjustment layers, gradient mapping, and selection tools. 6. Specialist Skills
Painting various textures (water, metal, fur), human faces, and environment design. 7. Bonus Content
Photorealistic painting, character design from scratch, and portfolio building. What Reviewers Say Pros:
Excellent for beginners; instructors break down complex concepts into manageable steps.
The "Before and After" eye painting project provides a tangible way to measure progress. Highly responsive support through the Udemy Q&A section. Cons:
Some sections use older versions of Photoshop, which may require slight adaptation to newer interfaces.
Advanced artists might find the pace slow, as it spends significant time on foundational basics. Requirements to Start Sign up if:
Hardware: A digital painting tablet (e.g., Wacom, iPad Pro) and a pressure-sensitive stylus.
Software: A preference for Adobe Photoshop, though Procreate or Krita are suitable alternatives.
Prerequisites: No prior digital art experience is required, though basic drawing interest is helpful.
Are you planning to use Photoshop or Procreate for this course? The Ultimate Digital Painting Course - Beginner to Advanced
Learning by doing is the core philosophy here. Instead of abstract exercises, students tackle real genres, including:
Because Udemy allows instructor updates, this course has evolved. Early reviews complained about the Photoshop CS6 interface; the 2024 version now covers Photoshop 2024, Procreate gestures, and even AI-assisted ideation (using generative fill for base colors only—never for final output).
To give you a balanced view, here is what students typically highlight in their reviews.
The Pros:
The Cons:
This is where the course earns its "Advanced" tag. Students learn the "9-value scale" and the physics of light: direct light, form shadows, cast shadows, ambient occlusion, and rim lighting. The exercise: rendering a white sphere in a dark room until it looks photographic.