23 Domestika Resources to Inspire Creativity in 2025

From us to you: take advantage of these free downloads to connect with your creative side and start the New Year inspired

2024 might be coming to an end, but your creative journey doesn’t have to. We’ve rounded up the most popular downloads and resources from the last 12 months, from Photoshop brushes to embroidery patterns, to help you prioritize your potential and learn something new.

Each of them has been created by leading artistic professionals in design, crochet, photography, and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a new skill to add to your creative toolkit or ideas for a homemade Christmas gift, keep reading to find out how you can access free resources to make it happen.

To access the material in each article, just click the text that appears in red. Enjoy!

Downloads

1. PDF with Examples for How to Draw Bodies

Capturing the human form can be challenging. From proportions to poses, there are various elements to consider when illustrating people. This 21-page guide features guidance from illustrator Laura Perez (@lauraperezgr) on how to draw realistic figures using geometric shapes.

Laura specializes in capturing the essence of her subjects. She has worked with publishers and created picture books that are sold internationally. In this resource, she covers the importance of observation, outlines, details, and more for illustrating bodies.

2. Photoshop Brush Pack for Digital Character Painting

Photoshop is a go-to tool for creatives of all disciplines. Its digital brushes in particular open up a whole world of new opportunities when it comes to art. For visual artist Georgi Georgiev (@goshun), they’re an essential part of the creative process. He works in the movie and game industries, designing everything from characters to entire imaginary worlds for his protagonists to live in.

In this free Photoshop brush pack for character painting, he shares the essential brushes he uses to do so along with his advice for creating enchanting digital illustrations of your own.

3. eBook: A Beginner's Guide to Crochet, by Domestika

Crochet is a rewarding craft that gives people of all abilities the chance to step away from the screen and create something with their own two hands, but knowing where to start as a beginner can be overwhelming. This crochet eBook for beginners takes you through the essential steps needed to start your creative crochet journey.

Dive into the history of the art form, and explore basic techniques and essential materials to make a start on your first project. You can also find examples of crochet artists to inspire you.

4. PDF Pattern: Embroidery Samplers to Learn New Stitches

Cristin Morgan (@cristinmorgan) is a fiber and textile artist, and the author of Hoop Dreams: Modern Hand Embroidery. She turned her childhood love for crafts into a creative career, stitching handmade artwork filled with texture, and has had her work featured in publications like Better Homes and Gardens.

In her online course, she teaches you how to use embroidery techniques to stitch vibrant patches for clothing. As part of those lessons, she shares this free PDF embroidery pattern, featuring seven different stitch types to find your embroidery style.

5. Guide to Set up Home Photo Shoots for Your Products

When it comes to selling your artwork, showcasing it in its best light is essential. A good photograph can mean the difference between going unnoticed and stopping a potential buyer from scrolling. That’s why artist, illustrator, and author Tatiana Nedialkova (@softerandwild) takes you through her process of setting up a home photo shoot for your products.

From the materials, you’ll need, to props, backdrops, and inspiration, follow the steps to create a professional set for photographing your artwork for promotion.

6. Creative Writing Exercises: Prompts to Write With Emotion

This next resource is a chance to express yourself through words on an even deeper level. Created by author, editor, and ghostwriter Tom Bromley (@tom_bromley), these free creative writing exercises are designed to teach you how to write captivating scenes filled with emotion.

Tom has written 12 works of fiction and non-fiction, including We Could Have Been the Wombles and Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Follow his steps for incorporating your feelings and reactions into your storytelling by answering five key questions.

7. Kawaii-Style Drawing Guide with Examples

Kawaii culture provides inspiration for artists around the world when it comes to creating pieces that brings smiles to people’s faces. Broadly translated from Japanese as “cute”, it’s associated with all things adorable and recognizable for its characters with large heads and small bodies. Illustrator Ilaria Ranauro (@ilariapops) designs stickers, washi tapes, prints, and other accessories inspired by Kawaii.

As part of this illustration download, she’s put together 6 guides to help you draw Kawaii characters from scratch. Learn how to sketch proportions, arms and legs, hair, clothing, accessories, and more by following her process.

8. Hand-Lettering 101: Lettering Booklet for Beginners

Hand-lettering can bring a personalized touch to any piece of digital artwork, something type designer Mark van Leeuwen (@markvanleeuwn) has a lot of practice in, having worked with clients including Cadillac, Etsy, Apple Music, Penguin Random House, and Adobe.

He aims to create typography that takes viewers on a visual journey and, in this free lettering booklet, he guides you through the basics. Discover what hand-lettering is, explore different letterforms, and follow Mark’s step-by-step method for designing expressive lettering of your own.

9. Guide to Color Symbolism for Powerful Creative Projects

Color says a lot about your artistic style, and it’s something contemporary mixed-media artist Nneka Jones (@artyouhungry) uses to tell stories. Her work has been featured on the cover of TIME magazine, and she’s worked with clients including The Washington Post.

In her online course, ​​Realistic Embroidered Portraiture: Tell Stories with Color, she teaches you how to take a painterly approach to color and stitching to develop monochromatic portraits. As part of that, she created this free guide to color symbolism. See how colors can evoke emotions and how to choose them intentionally when creating.

10. Download: 4 Photoshop Brushes for Magical Photomontage

Photomontage combines various elements to create unique images that are both realistic and other-worldly. Natacha Einat (@skipandwork) is a freelance digital artist who uses the technique to create artwork filled with magic and wonder.

These Photoshop brushes for photomontage were created by Natacha to draw elements from outer space: clouds, a comet, a full moon, and the Milky Way. Use them to develop captivating designs that transmit meaning and mystery.

Tutorials, tips and free resources and apps

11. Creatives Share How They Turned Their Passion into a Career

If you’re yet to decide on a creative avenue to explore, looking to other artists can be a great place to start. From advertising experts to designers who’ve worked at Facebook and Instagram, this post looks at how 8 creatives turned their passion into a career.

Discover their advice for taking criticism, and developing a routine, and get inspired to take the next step in making your ambitions a reality.

12. 246 Free Vintage Illustration Packs to Download

Heritage Type is a website that aims to “revive the love for artistic design amidst today’s technology-laden world.” While it mainly focuses on fonts and typography, it also offers a library of resources to inspire your next creative project. Covering everything from fashion to flora and fauna, there are hundreds of vintage illustration packs to browse, and they’re free to download as part of their online library.

Often created by well-known artists including Edward Penfield and Alphonse Mucha they’re also available under the creative commons license meaning you can modify them and incorporate them into your own artwork.

13. Tolkien Estate Shares Free Archive of Rare Art by Legendary Author

J. R. R Tolkien needs no introduction. Most known for writing The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, he was also an artist and linguist who drew many of the maps and illustrations that featured in the trilogy.

Via the official site of the Tolkien Estate, you can find more information about his life and inspirations, and, more recently, see artwork created by the legendary author. Take a closer look at what you can expect to find along with how to navigate the site in this post about Tolkien's free archive of rare art.

14. 10 Free Online Tools to Generate Your Perfect Color Palette

These online tools for perfecting your color palette are an opportunity to take your knowledge of color further. They give you the chance to explore inspiring color combinations that enhance your artwork and reflect your creative flair. From Khrome and Colormind to Colorkuler, take a closer look at what each of them offers and choose the right one for your next piece.

15. 10 Free Alternatives to Photoshop: The Definitive List

If you don’t have access to Photoshop, there are many design tools that allow you to create digital illustrations for free. This resource list rounds up 10 alternatives to Photoshop to help you get started. Discover what each of them offers, who they are designed for, and the potential cons of using them to make the best decision for your creative process.

16. How to Draw the Human Body: 15 Tutorials for Beginners

From character designers to comic artists, these 15 free drawing tutorials have all been created by leading professionals to help you refine your illustrations of people. Follow along and learn how to draw arms, facial features, expressions, and more that take your character illustrations to the next level.

17. Embroidery Tutorial: How to Make A Floral Embellishment

Embellishment designer Jodie Ruffle (@jodieruffle) started her career interning for designers like Alexandra McQueen and has since gone on to collaborate on everything from fashion to furniture with a focus on sustainability.

Discover her tips for making floral embroideries, from preparing your thread, to bringing your 3D design to life, and add a personal touch to your wardrobe.

18. 6 Free Tools to Create Your Own Embroidery Patterns

More experienced artists can use these tools to create their own embroidery patterns. Not only are patterns a great way for you to test your ability with a needle and thread, creating them also means you can share your talent with fellow creatives. Whether you’re looking to embroider an elegant flower, or a typographic composition, check out these digital tools along with some references to inspire your patterns.

19. 3 Sites to Download 1,000s of Free Hand Embroidery Patterns

For those looking to get stuck into the practical side of embroidery, you can download thousands of existing patterns via this selection of websites. They are ideal for both beginners looking to explore a meditative craft, and also dedicated embroidery artists with an interest in trying new designs and techniques.

Find templates to decorate your clothing, home accessories, and beyond, and enrich your embroidery practice with the help of fellow creatives.

20. Draping Tutorial: 4 Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Fashion designer Raegen Evans (@reagenvarross) started his own couture fashion house at the age of twenty-two, where he has worked with clients including the Duchess of Rutland. Draping is an essential part of his work, allowing him to make unique 3D garments that empower the clients who wear them.

In this free draping tutorial, he shares the common mistakes creatives encounter during the process, along with his advice on how to avoid them. Follow his steps and learn how to create bespoke pieces filled with volume and texture.

21. Interior Decor Tutorial: How to Arrange and Care For Indoor Plants

“Houseplants have beneficial effects on our living environment and make our lives better, healthier, and more beautiful” - Urban Jungle.

Caring for them, however, isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem. Igor and Judith are the stylists behind Urban Jungle (@urbanjungleblog), a nature-inspired interior blog where they share their passion for plants. In this interiors tutorial, they offer their top tips not only for making sure your plants thrive in your space, but also for how to style them.

22. 20 Free Photography Tutorials to Learn New Tips and Tricks

If you’re new to the world of cameras, this post features 20 free photography tutorials to help you get started. Learn how to take the perfect flat lay at home, style food photography, and harness the power of natural light to capture professional-quality images from scratch.

23. Public Speaking Tutorial: How to Present Your Ideas Confidently

Presenting your creative ideas is just as important as creating the physical artwork, but it’s something people from all disciplines often find challenging. This public speaking tutorial is filled with expert advice from a leading public speaking coach to help you overcome fear and communicate with confidence.

Dasha Dollar-Smirnova (@dasha_dollar_smirnova) was a shy child who found her voice through acting. Years later, she turned that experience, along with her years working in advertising, to help others find theirs. From knowing your content to standing up straight, explore her tips to stay relaxed and present ideas successfully.

What did you think of this roundup of creative resources from 2024? Let us know your favorite in the comments below.

If you want to take advantage of them and improve your skills in design, illustration, embroidery, and much more, discover the courses on offer at Domestika–there’s something for everyone. No matter your creative discipline, you’ll also find more free creative content under the Downloads section of our blog.

More resources to enhance your creativity and professional growth

1. Transforming Your Creative Ideas into Personal Projects with this course taught by the creative director of Facebook and Instagram.

2. Discover expert advice on craft, illustration, photography, and more with these 22 Creative Tips to Improve Your Skills.

3. ExploreThe Community's 22 Favorite Lives.