Interview with Illustrator Sergi Solans, Winner of Domestika Scholarships 2017

One of our 2017 winners tells us how he used 50 free courses to expand his creativity

Sergi Solans (@no_topo) is an illustrator, screenprint artist, and graphic designer from Barcelona who specializes in editorial work. His work consists of transforming images and complex ideas into illustrations that complement a text.

Thanks to his strong portfolio, Sergi was the winner of one of our Domestika Scholarships following the first edition in 2017. He was granted access to 50 courses to develop his skills and train in creative areas of his choosing. We talked to him about how he used his prize and how it helped him evolve his creative process for working on illustration projects.

Find out what benefits the opportunity to win a Domestika Scholarship—now in its third edition—can bring to a creative’s work.

Hello, Sergi, tell us everything about yourself. What do you do? What is your specialty?

I consider myself an illustrator, mainly. I studied illustration at the Escola Massana, which showed me I could turn my ability and desire for drawing into a real profession. Of all the possibilities offered by illustration, I am more comfortable with and I try to focus on editorial illustration work. I like to elaborate concepts and give form to abstract ideas.

How many Domestika courses have you completed?

I signed up for many, watched some, and finished a few. I was looking for practical tips in some. In others, I just wanted to see the instructor's creative process, or I was simply curious about the topic. I was free to explore worlds I had never come close to. Those are the courses I did not get to finish.

I completed courses such as Conceptualisation and Techniques of Digital Illustration
by Raul Urias (@raulurias), some technical ones such as Introduction to After Effects
by motion graphics director and animator Carlos "Zenzuke" Albarrán (@zenzuke), and others such as Handmade Binding without Stitches by award-winning bookbinder Susana Dominguez Martin (@susanadominguez). I had the chance to explore oil painting and children's book illustration too.

What do you like most about the courses?

The courses are an easy and inexpensive way to explore many areas of the creative world. I would highlight, most of all, the large variety of subjects and the high standard of the creatives who teach the courses. I find it very interesting to be able to experience their creative processes in such detail. It's fantastic to access someone's workshop and see how they manage their space, what methods they follow, and get all their tips.

What is your takeaway from Domestika Scholarships? Have you discovered any new techniques?

Mostly, I wanted to learn new effects and go a bit deeper into digital illustration techniques. I was interested in finding out more about brushes and creating my own in Photoshop. I learned this in Brushes and Pixels: Introduction to Digital Painting in Photoshop by illustrator Patricio Betteo (@patriciobetteo). I was also interested in creating more organic vector illustrations with a lot of personality, which art director Rafahu (@rafahumx) teaches in Advanced Techniques for Vectorial Illustration.

Of all the courses I followed, I would highlight Conceptualisation and Techniques of Digital Illustration by Mexican illustrator Raul Urias (@raulurias) and Introduction to Oil Paint Illustration by fine artist David de las Eras (@david_de_las_heras). Also, Digital Shading Techniques by illustrator Abraham García(@abraham_garcia), to name but a few.

What are you working on at the moment?

At present, I collaborate with children's magazines, and I am also creating an illustrated album, which I am hoping to publish this year. I mainly work in children's and young people's publishing. In my images, I aim for minimal and dynamic compositions with a reduced color palette.

Why would you recommend signing up to Domestika Scholarships?

When I saw the ad for the scholarships in 2017, I was unsure if I should apply, but when I entered the link and realized it was such a quick process, I went for it. I already had a portfolio, the scholarship was exciting, and the prize was only a couple of clicks away. I thought it would be an excellent opportunity to learn new styles, new techniques and explore new disciplines. And, indeed, it was.

Domestika Scholarships aims to promote creative learning. As a result, we’ll be handing out 10 scholarships to 10 lucky winners, each consisting of a 50-course bundle of their choice. Anybody over the age of 16, from anywhere in the world, whatever their level of education or professional direction, can take part.

How do you apply for the Scholarship? Find out here.

You have until 12th April 2021 to submit your portfolio to the third edition of Domestika Scholarships.
Turn your creative passion into your future: Domestika Scholarships 2021.

English version by @acesarato.

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