Introduction to Illustration
A 4-Week PIE Basic Course
- Multi-day Course
- Beginner
- PIE Basel
- 4 × 2.5 hours
Up to 20% discount for Members
Absolutely! Here’s your PIE-style description for your 4-week Introduction to Illustration Course, positioning it as visual storytelling for all styles — comics, manga, character design, or personal expression.
Every drawing tells a story.
In this 4-week course, you’ll dive into the art of illustration — the playful and powerful world of visual storytelling.
Whether you love comics, graphic novels, manga, zines, or just want to bring your ideas and characters to life, this course gives you the foundation to start telling stories through your art.
We’ll explore the basics of character design, composition, dynamic poses, and simple inking and shading techniques. You’ll learn how to build images that speak without words — whether you’re illustrating a single scene or starting your own visual universe.
This isn’t about getting it “perfect” — it’s about getting it out of your head and onto the page.
✏️ What to Expect
- Step-by-step weekly guidance from a professional illustrator
- Live demos and examples from comics, manga & more
- Time to practise character poses, scenes & storytelling techniques
- A relaxed space to develop your personal style and ideas
🧠 What You’ll Learn
- Character creation basics (faces, bodies, expressions)
- Poses and movement for dynamic drawings
- Simple composition and layout tricks
- Inking, shading, and linework techniques
- How to tell stories through images — with or without words
🎁 What’s Included
We provide everything you need:
- Paper, pencils, pens, markers & illustration tools
- Full use of our professional studio and resources
Just bring your ideas — and let’s bring them to life.
🤔 Is This Course Right for Me?
Yes — if you’ve ever dreamed of telling stories with your art.
Perfect for beginners or hobby creatives who want to explore illustration, comics, manga, or personal projects — no experience required, just imagination.
🥂 First Class Vibes: Sips, Snacks & Hellos
We like to kick things off on a warm and social note. During the first class, we’ll take a little extra time to get to know each other — and we’ll toast to the beginning of your creative journey with a welcome drink. Choose from a soft drink, hot drink, wine, prosecco, beer — or our Cocktail of the Week.
🍴 Feeling peckish?
Our Creative Café offers a delicious à la carte menu during class sessions — think wraps, salad bowls, finger foods and snacks. Perfect fuel while your masterpiece dries.
📦 A Few More Things to Know
- Please arrive 15 minutes early to settle in and connect with your classmates
- We’ll safely store your artwork between sessions and package it beautifully at the end
- Cancellations: Tickets are transferable but non-refundable within 36 hours. You can reschedule your spot up to 72 hours before the first class
- Keep practicing! Our Studio Classes are the perfect way to keep that brush moving
Introduction to Illustration
A 4-Week PIE Basic Course
- Multi-day Course
- Beginner
- PIE Zürich
- 4 × 2.5 hours
Up to 20% discount for Members
Every drawing tells a story.
In this 4-week course, you’ll dive into the art of illustration — the playful and powerful world of visual storytelling.
Whether you love comics, graphic novels, manga, zines, or just want to bring your ideas and characters to life, this course gives you the foundation to start telling stories through your art.
We’ll explore the basics of character design, composition, dynamic poses, and simple inking and shading techniques. You’ll learn how to build images that speak without words — whether you’re illustrating a single scene or starting your own visual universe.
This isn’t about getting it “perfect” — it’s about getting it out of your head and onto the page.
✏️ What to Expect
- Step-by-step weekly guidance from a professional illustrator
- Live demos and examples from comics, manga & more
- Time to practise character poses, scenes & storytelling techniques
- A relaxed space to develop your personal style and ideas
🧠 What You’ll Learn
- Character creation basics (faces, bodies, expressions)
- Poses and movement for dynamic drawings
- Simple composition and layout tricks
- Inking, shading, and linework techniques
- How to tell stories through images — with or without words
🎁 What’s Included
We provide everything you need:
- Paper, pencils, pens, markers & illustration tools
- Full use of our professional studio and resources
Just bring your ideas — and let’s bring them to life.
🤔 Is This Course Right for Me?
Yes — if you’ve ever dreamed of telling stories with your art.
Perfect for beginners or hobby creatives who want to explore illustration, comics, manga, or personal projects — no experience required, just imagination.
🥂 First Class Vibes: Sips, Snacks & Hellos
We like to kick things off on a warm and social note. During the first class, we’ll take a little extra time to get to know each other — and we’ll toast to the beginning of your creative journey with a welcome drink. Choose from a soft drink, hot drink, wine, prosecco, beer — or our Cocktail of the Week.
🍴 Feeling peckish?
Our Creative Café offers a delicious à la carte menu during class sessions — think wraps, salad bowls, finger foods and snacks. Perfect fuel while your masterpiece dries.
📦 A Few More Things to Know
- Please arrive 15 minutes early to settle in and connect with your classmates
- We’ll safely store your artwork between sessions and package it beautifully at the end
- Cancellations: Tickets are transferable but non-refundable within 36 hours. You can reschedule your spot up to 72 hours before the first class
- Keep practicing! Our Studio Classes are the perfect way to keep that brush moving
Why take an urban sketching course at Paint It Easy in Basel?
Get to know urban sketching in a relaxed and inspiring environment. No dull copying, but real drawing in the centre of Basel - with creative and funny people and in a great atmosphere ... but above all with lots of fun. Our courses are aimed at anyone who enjoys looking through artistic glasses and putting their impressions on paper. Ideal for beginners, advanced and professionals.
Of course. Urban sketching is open to everyone - whether you already know how to draw or just want to get started.
Just yourself and a desire to sketch - we provide the right material.
In any case. Discovering motifs for urban sketching is even more fun together.
Our offers in Basel
Forget traditional studios, dry theory, dusty drawing teachers and strict guidelines - we're going out and being relaxed. Our Urban Sketching Kruse offer you a creative break in the centre of lively Basel. Whether it's charming alleyways in the old town, lively squares or hidden courtyards - we'll show you how to capture the atmosphere with pen and paint.
events
workshops
Courses lasting several days
PIE Creative Café
Creative people with heart and pencil
We are not a conventional painting school. Our team consists of crazy artists and sketching enthusiasts who share their passion for art in a relaxed, creative and fun atmosphere. We encourage you to try new techniques, boldly draw lines and discover the city from an artistic perspective.
- Peter
- Pati
- Eszti
- Coco
- +31Zum Team
Urban sketching courses in Basel
Our courses take place at the most beautiful locations in Basel - perfect for practising urban sketching on the spot. Discover new techniques, exchange ideas with other creatives and capture city life in quick sketches. Whether alone or in a group - you decide.
Contact us
Arrival
Wallstrasse 14
4051 Basel
Plan your journey
FAQs - Everything you need to know about urban sketching
Just get started! We'll show you how to create atmospheric sketches with just a few lines and shades.
Urban sketching means capturing urban life spontaneously and directly on location - whether in a street café, at a market or with a view of the Basel skyline. It's about expression, not perfection
A practical sketchbook with sturdy paper that you can easily take with you wherever you go is best.
Smooth but sturdy paper that works well with both fineliners and watercolours.
The Spanish illustrator Gabriel Campanario brought urban sketching to life - today it is a global movement with sketching communities all over the world.

«One of the best places in the city to switch off with creative projects, good coffee and a warm atmosphere. The studio offers unique courses and workshops - with a great team that combines knowledge with fun.»
Salony Roongta

«The evenings in the PIE Studio are always wonderful. A place where you can give free rein to your creativity and connect with like-minded people. Don't miss the chance - become part of the community!»
Laura Company

«A great place to get a little happiness boost and be creative! Wonderful people and a great atmosphere - definitely worth a visit. I've already done several drawing and painting courses in the studio and I'm really pleased that there's now a café too!»
Valentijn Broeken

«Paint It Easy is my creative feel-good place in Zurich. Whether painting courses, open studios or brunch & paint - everything is just right here. Great team, relaxed atmosphere and always new ideas to try out!»
Ally Z

«We absolutely loved the Creative Café - delicious food, a relaxed atmosphere and the creative freedom to just get started spontaneously. We painted ceramics, got inspired and immediately wanted to try lino printing on our next visit!»
Janiza Ouarab
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