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March 2023

  • Watercolor, Gouache, and Acrylic: When and Why to Use Them
    Teacher Illustration

    Watercolor, Gouache, and Acrylic: When and Why to Use Them

    Travel artist and urban sketcher Mike Thomas shares his advice for using different kinds of paints to create captivating illustrations As artists, sometimes we can’t help but want to try them all! And by “them”, I mean all the different mediums, paints, and ways of creating. However between watercolor, gouache, and acrylic paint, where is the best place to start and how do you even pronounce "gouache"? If you’ve ever been curious about the difference between these materials, but aren’t too sure where to start, then keep on reading below!

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  • 6 Photography Skills to Take Amazing Pictures
    Photography

    6 Photography Skills to Take Amazing Pictures

    Photography is a creative craft that allows self-expression and artistry. Whether it’s with a phone or a DSLR, it enables you to capture striking images. Being a skilled photographer, however, requires a combination of technical skills, artistic vision, and a passion for capturing the right shots. From knowing your way around a professional camera, honing in on the right techniques, and knowing how to capture natural light, we’ve compiled a list of photography tips to help you take your abilities to the next level.

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  • 10 Female Film Directors You Should Know About
    Film & Video

    10 Female Film Directors You Should Know About

    Discover 10 film directors who have revolutionized the audiovisual industry Today, there are many female directors whose work is acclaimed by critics and audiences, and who have shown that women have much to contribute to the world of cinema, an industry historically dominated by men. Over the decades, a growing number of women have managed to break barriers and make a name for themselves as filmmakers. In this post, we will focus on some of the most outstanding directors from recent years who have revolutionized the audiovisual industry with their innovative style, their powerful stories, and their unique vision. Do not miss this list of ten film directors whose talent is sure to inspire you. 1. Isabel Coixet Isabel Coixet is said to have started making home movies when she was given an 8mm camera for her first communion. Today, with a career spanning more than three decades, she is one of the most prominent film directors in Spain. Her work is known for exploring themes of identity, love, and heartbreak, and her elegant and sophisticated visual style has made her one of the most internationally recognized filmmakers. Some of her best-known movies include "My Life Without Me," "The Secret Life of Words," and "The Bookshop." In addition, her work has been awarded numerous times, including more than seven Goya awards, a Feroz award, and the National Cinematography Award in 2020.

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  • How to Use ChatGPT for Creative Writing
    Writing

    How to Use ChatGPT for Creative Writing

    Discover how to maximize the advantages and overcome the limitations of artificial intelligence to improve your texts Just a year ago, including “creativity” and “artificial intelligence” in the same sentence would have been largely implausible. However, the arrival of several free AI applications and, specifically, the free ChatGPT system in December 2022 has paved the way for a revolution. Is creativity something uniquely intrinsic to humans? Now, the answer may be, "It depends." Whether or not ChatGPT will take the place of writers, copywriters, and content creators is still up for debate, but we can be certain that it's a useful tool for facilitating the work of these professionals. Thus, analyzing and understanding its features can help enhance productivity.

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  • What Is Graphic Design? History and Basic Elements
    Design

    What Is Graphic Design? History and Basic Elements

    Learn about the evolution of graphic design, get to know its key elements, and learn the secrets to becoming a successful designer We live in a world filled with graphic design. It manifests itself when we don't know which book to choose in a bookstore, and we buy the one whose cover catches our eye. It is also present in the subway or airport, where the signage shows us which way to go. Or even on television, when we see a map full of shapes and colors reflecting the information in the news. Graphic design is super important and constantly present in our lives, although we often do not even recognize it. Read on to learn what graphic design is, how relevant it is in business and social media, and how it can be used in the design process.

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February 2023

  • Tutorial: How to Make A Rag Rug Flower Bouquet
    Teacher Craft

    Tutorial: How to Make A Rag Rug Flower Bouquet

    Learn how to turn old pieces of fabric into unique home accessories with professional textile artist Elspeth Jackson Rag rugging is a sustainable craft that involves taking scraps of fabric and transforming them into beautiful textile accessories. Originating from Sweden, rag rugs were considered a sign of wealth, usually displayed in grand manor houses as a symbol of affluence. Since then, this art form has developed into an accessible way for creatives of all disciplines to express themselves and prioritize recycling. Elspeth Jackson (@elspethcjackson) is a textile artist and rug maker specializing in the rag rug technique. Through her sustainable craft business, Ragged Life, she teaches creatives how to upcycle their textile waste, and she has published two books on her area of expertise: Rag Rugs, Pillows & More, and Rag Rug Techniques for Beginners. Elspeth also sells rag rugging tools and other materials online, and works with local mills to reuse their offcuts. Her Domestika course takes you step by step through her process for rag rugging, and in this tutorial, she shows you how to apply some of those techniques to craft a bouquet of colorful textile flowers.

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  • Free PDF for Drawing Realistic Facial Expressions
    Teacher Illustration

    Free PDF for Drawing Realistic Facial Expressions

    Learn to illustrate authentic facial expressions using just a pencil alongside a professional portrait artist When it comes to drawing people, replicating the lifelike parts of the human form can be a challenge, particularly when it comes to the face. From the eyes and ears to the nuances of a smile, the way you illustrate each feature says a lot about your subject’s expression and the mood you’re trying to convey. For portrait artist Sam Brisley, capturing authentic facial expressions is what he likes most about his craft. He has been passionate about portraiture, figure drawing, and anatomy from a young age and has since turned it into a career alongside his full-time job as a structural engineer. In this free PDF for drawing realistic facial expressions, he teaches you how to take your portrait illustrations to the next level.

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  • How to Write Landing Page Copy That Converts
    Teacher Writing

    How to Write Landing Page Copy That Converts

    Four mistakes that are costing you conversions and expert advice on how to avoid them You’ve got a brilliant product or service to sell, a memorable logo and the slickest template on Squarespace. So why is your landing page failing to, er, land? As it happens, getting people to click from A (your landing page) to B (anywhere else on the site) isn’t as easy as it seems. Potential pitfalls threaten to stop visitors to your site in their tracks, crippling your conversion rates – aka sales. Here, we’ll take three of the most common mistakes and see how you can avoid them and create landing page copy that does the business. What should a landing page include? But first, let’s get back to basics. What should a landing page actually include? -Header: should clearly and concisely state your offer – your value proposition -Subhead: can add a few benefits that your product or service will provide -Call to action (CTA): should get straight to the point. What will your customer gain by clicking? You might also want to include a form to get people to sign up with their email there and then, and maybe some social proof like a testimonial. But these are the essential elements to an effective landing page. So where does it all go wrong…?

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  • 4 Apps for Planning Content on Instagram
    Teacher Marketing

    4 Apps for Planning Content on Instagram

    Discover free and paid-for apps for Apple and Android to help you plan your content on social media Creating an attractive profile on Instagram is a challenge faced by all creatives. To make yours stand out at first glance, it's essential to learn how to develop cohesive content and a visual narrative that connects with people. Luckily, there are many helpful resources to support you on this path, including Instagram content planning apps available for both Apple and Android. Visual artist Valeria Palmeiro, better known as Coco Dávez (@cocodavez), shares with us the 4 apps (free and paid for) that she uses daily to plan engaging content for her audience. For Valeria, Instagram is an essential work tool. Her profile is the perfect cover letter to showcase her projects and collaborations with brands such as Vans, Bombay Sapphire, Brava Fabrics, Kiehl's, Netflix, and Prada. Take note of her go-to apps!

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  • Free Tutorial: 6 Personal Finance Tips for Effective Money Management
    Teacher Marketing

    Free Tutorial: 6 Personal Finance Tips for Effective Money Management

    Take control of your finances and find more time for creativity with expert advice from a financial well-being specialist Managing your money is an essential part of any creative career, but knowing where to start can be daunting. No matter your creative discipline, staying on top of your finances requires logic, organization, and dedication, but, when done properly it can give you the resources and freedom you need to focus on your passion and express yourself freely. Clare Seal (@clareseal) is an author and columnist specializing in financial well-being and money management. After sharing her own financial journey on Instagram, she quickly grew a huge following which led her to found a forum to encourage individuals and businesses learn more about money and improve their financial security. In this tutorial, she talks you through 6 dos and don’ts to help you take charge of your financial future and find more time for doing what creatives do best.

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  • Free Brush Set for Drawing Letters in Procreate and Photoshop
    Teacher Typography, Calligraphy and Lettering

    Free Brush Set for Drawing Letters in Procreate and Photoshop

    Download a free set of brushes and learn how to create striking lettering compositions in Procreate and Photoshop Nature is an endless source of inspiration that can help you bring life and color to your designs—something Mexican illustrator and lettering artist Bren Navarro (@bren_navarro13) knows all too well as the teacher of Floral Lettering with Procreate, where she teaches you how to create lettering compositions with flowers and leaves. In this free download, Bren shares a set of brushes you can use to start drawing letters. Practice freehand drawing exercises on your iPad and design harmonious, colorful compositions using digital software such as Procreate, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator.

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  • Tutorial: Weave a DIY Scented Sachet from Recycled Materials
    Teacher Craft

    Tutorial: Weave a DIY Scented Sachet from Recycled Materials

    Transform recycled fabric into unique fragranced pouches using creative weaving techniques Fragrance has the power to evoke powerful memories and transport us to new places in our minds. When combined with creative crafts like weaving, the results can be even more rewarding—something textile designer and hand weaver Cassandra Sabo knows all too well. She runs her own studio where she shares her love and knowledge of weaving and the broader fiber arts with her community. She also goes step by step through her creative process in her online course on hand weaving. In this free tutorial, Cassandra teaches you how to use recycled materials to weave your own DIY scented sachet. Follow her steps and learn to create sustainable pieces that fill your home with your favorite scent.

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  • Free PDF: Amigurumi Dress Pattern
    Teacher Craft

    Free PDF: Amigurumi Dress Pattern

    Download a free pattern to dress up and give life to your amigurumi characters Do you want to design and knit fun crochet characters? Amigurumi are not ordinary objects. They are emotional pieces modeled by their creators. They come to life as if filled with the feelings of the person who knits them. From the moment amigurumi designer Leire Villar, better known as Ameskeria (@ameskeria), discovered her love for these cute figures, she’s been putting her passion into practice as seen in her two Domestika courses. In this download, Leire shares a pattern and shows you how to create a dress for your amigurumi step by step. Discover how to achieve the necessary volume to build the dress's ruffle and how to add more flounce just by varying the stitch.

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  • Tufting Gun Tutorial: How to Make Colored Letters Step by Step
    Teacher Craft

    Tufting Gun Tutorial: How to Make Colored Letters Step by Step

    Turn your creative ideas into a reality and learn how to craft vibrant and fluffy letters from start to finish Lettering art can come in many forms, textures, and colors, making it a versatile craft that invites play and exploration. This is something that fiber artist Trish Anderson (@trishandersenart) knows well, having experimented with it as part of her creative process. She works full-time making textile artwork such as tapestries, sculptures, or rugs, which she shares with over 100K followers on Instagram. She has also collaborated with brands including Coca-Cola and Google. Trish’s specialty is tufting, an ancestral weaving technique that consists of threading wool through a stretched fabric using a tufting gun. In this tutorial, Trish teaches you the tools and techniques you need to get started. Step by step, you will learn to design letters and tuft them onto a textile frame. Brighten your home with quirky and cozy decorative letters!

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  • 9 Beginner-Friendly Fashion Courses for Making Your Own Clothing
    Fashion

    9 Beginner-Friendly Fashion Courses for Making Your Own Clothing

    Learn to make your own clothing and accessories from scratch alongside leading experts in fashion design From London to Milan, cities around the world known for their stand-out style are preparing to showcase their fall-winter collections ahead of Fashion Week this February. Dating back to the early 1940s, the first Fashion Week was held in New York when the Second World War complicated travel to Paris, where these kinds of runway shows were usually hosted. Since then, it’s become a fundamental part of the annual fashion calendar, with designers big and small sharing their latest creations with influential figures in the industry and beyond. With Fashion Week fast approaching, we’re rounding up some of the most popular online fashion courses to inspire you to develop a custom wardrobe from scratch—no experience necessary. Check out 9 beginner-friendly fashion courses for making your own clothing!

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January 2023

  • 11 Websites for Downloading Free Illustrations
    Illustration

    11 Websites for Downloading Free Illustrations

    Discover all kinds of resources on these platforms and take your designs to another level Finding quality illustrations that can support your creative work is not always easy. However, it is an essential step to give a touch of personality and color to your projects. To help you with this process, we share 11 websites where you can download free illustrations, both digital and traditional to add to your graphic design works. You will find all kinds of resources there, from icons to characters, that will help your designs capture the public's attention while being original, effective, and professional.

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  • Writing Tutorial: 5 Tips to Write Regularly
    PLUS Teacher Writing

    Writing Tutorial: 5 Tips to Write Regularly

    Children’s author Lisa Thompson shares her five top tips to build your writing routine Building a consistent writing habit can be challenging, especially in today's fast-paced and distracting world. However, with the right strategies, anyone can develop the discipline to write regularly. In this exclusive tutorial for the Domestika's PRO community, children’s author Lisa Thompson (@lisathompsonauthor) shares practical tips to help you establish and maintain a writing habit, from setting achievable goals to getting rid of distractions. Whether you're a professional writer or simply someone looking to improve their writing skills, grab a notebook and pen and check out this video!

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  • 4 Pixel Art Animation Recommendations for Video Game Design
    Teacher 3D & Animation

    4 Pixel Art Animation Recommendations for Video Game Design

    Looking for inspiration in the world of animation? Add this list of pixel artists to your reference library Pixel art is a form of digital art that involves editing images at a pixel level (the minimum digital dimension of color) and using them to design video games with an old-school aesthetic. It is achieved by creating characters and 2D graphics using state-of-the-art software such as Pyxel Edit. If you are a designer, illustrator, or animator, or you want to learn the pixel art technique to animate video games, check out the following four animators as recommended by Daniel Benítez (@dabntz). Daniel is a 2D and 3D art director specializing in pixel art and the co-founder of Fourattic, an independent video game studio founded in 2014 in Seville.

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  • ChatGPT: what is it and how to use this AI tool
    Writing

    ChatGPT: what is it and how to use this AI tool

    If you are a content or copywriter, this post about a free revolutionary AI tool will interest you 2022 has consecrated Artificial Intelligence and its nearly infinite possibilities for many human and creative tasks and activities. Until now, this technology seemed to be beyond the reach. However, the arrival of ChatGPT, a free artificial intelligence chat system capable of responding to anything you ask of it, could break that barrier. What do you know about this impressive, free AI tool that seems to answer almost anything you can think of? A simplified summary of what you can do with it is that it looks like it's here to replace Google, although it's much more than a search engine. It is a chat that has been specially designed so that you can ask it questions, and it can explain anything to you. All you need to do to is to register. ChatGPT can generate texts, summaries, code for a web page, and a script for a YouTube or TikTok text, and do it in a serious or casual tone, depending on your requests. Read on to find out what ChatGPT is, how to use it, and an example of what you can do with a tool that is set to revolutionize the Internet and the world of AI.

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December 2022