15 Free Tutorials: Creativity to Get You Through Blue Monday

Change the color of what is considered the saddest day of the year with these free creative tutorials

It's been over a decade since the term "Blue Monday" was first used to refer to the saddest day of the year, and a formula was even devised to calculate it. In the Northern Hemisphere, where winter is in full swing and the days are still excessively short, there seems to be a consensus that this is one of the most depressing days on the calendar, so we strive to find alternatives and ways to make this third Monday in January shine a little brighter.

To collaborate in this arduous task we have selected five tutorials to awaken your creativity that will help you overcome Blue Monday by making you start up the right side of the brain:

Design Tutorial: 5 Ways to Be a Better Illustrator

In many cases, being a great illustrator does not depend on having the best technical skills. The secret of some artists and creatives is that they pay attention to the details and the little things that separate a professional job from an amateur one. In this tutorial, editorial illustrator Emma Hanquist (@emmahan) shares 5 basic tips to improve the quality of your work.

Instagram Tutorial: How to Create Attention-Grabbing Photo Captions

or all your publications on social networks to be a success and reach a greater number of followers, one aspect that you should not neglect are the texts that accompany your photos or videos. In this tutorial, photographer Pati Gagarin (@patigagarin) gives you basic tips to work on your captions so that all your posts have coherence and appeal.

Writing Tutorial: 3 Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block

The nightmare of every creative has always been the blank page, which seems to overshadow all our concerns. To overcome doubts, fears, and creative block, writer Shaun Levin (@shaun_levin) shares valuable tips for coping with writer's block with three fun activities.

Watercolor Tutorial: How to unblock your creativity

Another effective way to deal with creative blockage is through experimentation. Regardless of your creative discipline, the designer and illustrator Alinailustra (@ anlinailustra) will present you with a practical exercise to start your creative engines. In it you will use watercolor and its stains to create unique and original characters.

Creativity Tutorial: How to Find Inspiration to Create Stories

Inspiration is not something that has to come to you as if by magic, but with a couple of tricks you can turn any idea into a specific project. In this tutorial the writer Alberto Chimal (@albertochimal) shares some useful tips for you to enter a creative flow through everyday elements.

Storytelling Tutorial: Key Ingredients for Telling Your Personal Story

Storytelling is the art of telling stories, but contrary to what it might seem at first glance, it is not limited to the literary field. Creatives from many disciplines use it to engage their audience and create a personal brand. In this tutorial, the consultant Antonio Núñez (@antonionunezstorytelling) tells you about the key ingredients to build your personal story and captivate your audience.

Design Tutorial: How to Overcome a Creative Block

In this tutorial, illustrator Cecy Meade (@cecymeade) gives you some of her best tips to help you get started creating, tackling the blank, and seeking creativity in the most unexpected place. Golden tips from a great professional that serve both beginners and more experienced creatives who, at any given moment, face a creative block.

Illustration Tutorial: How to Draw from Your Imagination

Imagination can become your greatest ally when you are trying to create incredible worlds; Beyond using real models, it is likely that your own mind is the one that guides you on the best path to draw. In this tutorial, Violeta Hernández (@soyvioleta) explains her masterful tricks to draw with her imagination.

Illustration Tutorial: How to Tackle the Blank Page

Fear, terror and enormous despair is what many feel when they stand in front of a blank canvas or sheet. To combat this widespread syndrome, the illustrator Adolfo Serra (@adolfoserra) proposes a series of drawing exercises that will allow you to let go of your hand and start drawing while playing without even realizing it.

Photography Tutorial: How to Set up a Self-Portrait

In this tutorial, Laura Zallenga, an expert in self-portrait photography, reveals how to create stunning self-portraits using just a smartphone. She introduces three simple yet effective techniques, emphasizing the use of everyday objects, like tape or shoes, as alternatives to professional equipment.

Laura focuses on teaching the importance of setting the camera's focus point accurately and creatively using a timer or remote control. This lesson is perfect for anyone looking to explore the art of self-portraiture with accessible tools and a touch of imagination.

Watercolor Tutorial: How to Paint a Fish with Watercolor

Discover the art of watercolor painting with this tutorial focused on creating a lifelike fish. Inga Buividavice guides viewers through the process, from a basic pencil sketch to adding intricate details. Key techniques include selecting the right colors, managing brush strokes, and understanding water control for creating realistic fins and textures.

This tutorial not only teaches the technical aspects of watercolor painting but also emphasizes the importance of letting the paint flow naturally. By incorporating different tools like graphite pencils and oval brushes, you can learn to enhance textures and add highlights, culminating in a beautifully detailed fish painting complete with seaweed and water splashes for a dynamic composition.

Weaving Tutorial: How to make a simple coaster on a frame loom

In this weaving tutorial, you can learn how to craft a beautiful woven coaster, a practical addition to any home. The Marion Weymes begins with warping a loom (or a DIY frame loom) and demonstrates the process of creating a firm structure for the coaster. Simple knots and weaving techniques using different colored yarns are shown, focusing on creating a triangular pattern and maintaining tightness for durability.

The tutorial progresses with advanced weaving methods, such as adding a circular binding for a decorative finish. You can also learn how to neatly tie off and hide loose ends for a polished look.

Illustration Tutorial: [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB4zQAxaTk4]How to Draw a Tree in Pen and Ink /url]

Join freelance illustrator Philip Harris in this tutorial to master drawing a tree. You'll begin with a pencil sketch, focusing on the overall shape, and learn to simplify the tree into basic forms. The tutorial progresses to inking, where Philip demonstrates using a dip pen for texture and depth. You'll learn techniques like varied line thickness, hatching, and cross-hatching, essential for adding realism and shadows to your tree illustration.

Japanese Calligraphy Tutorial: 4 Basic Lines (Beginners)

In this tutorial, you'll learn key Shodo, Japanese calligraphy, techniques starting with Sokuhitsu (side brushing) and progressing to Chokuhitsu (direct brushing). Focus on holding the brush lightly and keeping it upright, essential for fluid, symmetrical strokes. Through these exercises, you'll develop the ability to create thinner, flexible lines, mastering control over brush pressure and movement for a solid foundation in Shodo.

Drawing Tutorial: Exercises to Boost your Creativity Every Day

Dan and Chris from Scriberia reveal unique drawing techniques in their engaging video to conquer the fear of a blank page. You'll learn how to transform basic shapes like circles into imaginative objects, enhancing your creativity. They also introduce exercises using random squiggles and alphabet letters, demonstrating how constraints can focus your artistic process. These methods prepare your mind for creative thinking, teaching adaptability and boldness in facing artistic challenges.

Discover here more options so that your creativity does not stop and lead you to achieve your goals.

You may also be interested in:

- Dos and Don’ts When Drawing From Photos and Videos.
- Top 5 Films and Documentaries on Design.
- 7 Live Art Sessions to Spark Your Creativity.