- Sep 26, 2025
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Underpaint Academy – Creative Sketching with Jens Claessens – Mastering Artistic Ideation and Visual Design Fundamentals
Underpaint Academy – Creative Sketching with Jens Claessens is a professional training program focused on developing strong drawing fundamentals, ideation techniques, and creative sketching workflows. It teaches how to visualize ideas effectively through lines, forms, and composition — blending design thinking with traditional artistry to build clear, confident, and expressive sketches.
Introduction
Creative Sketching with Jens Claessens from Underpaint Academy is designed for artists who want to strengthen their visual language and sketching skills. This course focuses on transforming ideas into strong visual statements through observational drawing, imaginative composition, and structured ideation. Jens guides learners through the essential techniques used by professional concept artists, designers, and illustrators to create meaningful sketches that communicate design intent and artistic expression.
Key Features & Highlights
The course explores sketching as a tool for thinking, designing, and communicating ideas. Jens demonstrates how to approach drawing with confidence and purpose, focusing on line quality, form construction, and composition flow. Students learn how to create quick, readable thumbnails and translate abstract concepts into refined visual designs.
Key lessons include gesture drawing, silhouette exploration, shape rhythm, and value organization. The workflow also emphasizes design storytelling — how to inject narrative and intent into every sketch. Jens shows how to use sketching not only as an artistic practice but also as a design tool for worldbuilding, character development, and visual ideation.
The course is built around step-by-step demonstrations that reveal how professional artists iterate efficiently and explore creative possibilities with fluidity and structure.
Why This Course Stands Out
This Underpaint Academy course stands out because it bridges the gap between artistic intuition and design logic. Jens Claessens focuses on how creativity can be structured through effective sketching methods. Unlike typical drawing tutorials, this program emphasizes idea development — helping artists go beyond copying references and instead create sketches that communicate personality, movement, and emotion.
Every lesson builds upon practical sketching exercises that encourage exploration and personal style development. Jens shares professional insights on how concept artists and illustrators use sketching as the foundation of visual storytelling across films, games, and visual design industries.
Practical Applications
The skills taught in Creative Sketching can be applied across multiple artistic fields. Concept artists can use these techniques to develop visual ideas for environments, characters, and props. Illustrators can refine their gesture and composition flow. Designers can use sketching to brainstorm new forms and layouts for visual communication.
This course also serves as a creative foundation for professionals in entertainment design, animation pre-production, and industrial concept visualization. The focus on form clarity, ideation, and design flow makes it an invaluable tool for both beginners and professionals seeking to enhance their creative process.
Ease of Learning
Jens Claessens structures the lessons in an easy-to-follow, progressive manner. The teaching style emphasizes clarity, visual explanation, and consistent repetition of key concepts. Even beginners with limited sketching experience will find the lessons approachable and inspiring.
Each module combines theory and practice, allowing learners to sketch along while understanding the reasoning behind every line and composition choice. The focus on creative thinking ensures artists not only improve technically but also grow conceptually.
Expert Review
Professional artists and educators recognize Underpaint Academy – Creative Sketching with Jens Claessens as one of the most effective sketching courses available today. It’s praised for its clarity, creative insight, and structured approach to idea generation. Experts note that the course successfully merges fundamental drawing education with professional design workflows, making it suitable for anyone aspiring to work in concept art, visual development, or illustration.
Quick Insights
Underpaint Academy – Creative Sketching with Jens Claessens provides a complete learning experience for mastering the art of sketching as a creative tool. It combines structure, imagination, and design thinking — helping artists sketch with intent, fluidity, and confidence.
Learn More & Explore: Official Underpaint Academy Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the main focus of this course?
A1. The course focuses on creative ideation, sketching fundamentals, and design visualization techniques for concept art and illustration.
Q2. Do I need to be experienced in drawing to join?
A2. No. The course is beginner-friendly and builds progressively, covering both foundational and advanced sketching techniques.
Q3. What tools are used during the lessons?
A3. Jens demonstrates sketching traditionally and digitally, using pencil, paper, and digital sketching software such as Photoshop or Procreate.
Q4. Does the course include assignments or exercises?
A4. Yes. Each module includes guided sketching exercises that reinforce creative thinking and technical skills.