Project Overview
Biking Into Joy is an illustration I created in Procreate as part of a Skillshare class I teach on drawing bikes and creating motion & mood in still images. The idea began with a memory sketch of a bike and grew into a playful, narrative scene that combines color, movement, and character design.
Creative Approach
I styled the bike with nostalgic details and bright, playful colors, then added a rider whose carefree expression reflects the joy of movement and the delight of a breezy ride. From the flowers trailing behind her to the dreamy pastel clouds and floating petals, every element is designed to create a sense of motion and mood.
Motion in Illustration: Bikes, Characters, and Creative Fun Class
In my Skillshare class, I teach how to draw a bike and character from scratch. We take a look at Bologna-based artist Gianluca Gimini bicycle project as an example for drawing from memory vs. drawing from observation (see sketch bellow). The lessons include sketching from reference, building structure, and adding style and movement. Students are encouraged to develop their own rider and scene, with an emphasis on expression and creative joy. I focus on practical tips that help students build confidence while having fun.
“Fantastic class, Yifat’s classes never fail to help you make something interesting and unique. I really enjoyed looking at the memory vs observation project, it was a fun insight to human perception and behavior.” Student review
An exercise of drawing from memory vs. using a reference photo for modeling the bicycle
The images below illustrate how we can elevate our basic concept of a still image beyond its initial creative idea. By layering additional details, we can turn a still image into a scene that feels full of life, with a sense of flow and direction, evoking a lighthearted and breezy atmosphere.
Class cover art with animation
