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May 2021

  • Free Drawing Exercises to Become an Artist
    Teacher Illustration

    Free Drawing Exercises to Become an Artist

    Do you want to learn some drawing exercises so you can warm up before you start illustrating? Check out this guide Illustrator Sarah van Dongen (@sarahvandongenillustration) uses fun methods to develop her ideas and knows that the best ideas come when we least expect them. She encourages you to draw from observation, and without restraints. Before you set off to create a finished illustration, you should start with some warm up exercises. Draw using a variety of materials and fill up your sketchbook pages as you practice. This type of routine free from expectations helps you overcome the fear of the blank page, and to further develop your style.

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  • 5 Online Mexican Art Exhibitions to Visit on Cinco de Mayo
    Art

    5 Online Mexican Art Exhibitions to Visit on Cinco de Mayo

    Immerse yourself in Mexican culture and explore this rich mix of art, from Mesoamerican stone carvings to 1940s film noir May 5th is Cinco de Mayo, the yearly anniversary of Mexico’s defeat of the French Empire in the Battle of Puebla back in 1862. While in Mexico, this day is only really recognized in Puebla, in the USA, it has morphed into a big, commercial celebration. Why is it such a big celebration in the USA? It began back in the 60s, when Mexican-American activists started to raise awareness of this historic event to honor their heritage, and bridge the gap between the two cultures. Cities with large Mexican-American communities subsequently started to commemorate the date with parades, parties, mariachi music, Mexican folk dancing, and traditional foods such as tacos and mole poblano.

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  • How Can I Become an Architectural Illustrator?
    Architecture & Space

    How Can I Become an Architectural Illustrator?

    Discover how you can train as an architectural illustrator and show what a project will look like using drawing According to architect and architectural illustrator Hector Lopez (@_thearchitector), the role of an architectural illustrator is to create visual representations of a structure, ranging from the smallest detail to a complete building or a block of buildings. In general, an architectural illustrator works in collaboration with an architect to visually present plans and help them understand how a project will look when it’s finished. These drawings are used to show the project to a team, to sell it to potential inhabitants, or to present its features. What does it take to become an architectural illustrator?

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  • 10 Amazing Star Wars Tribute Projects
    Domestika

    10 Amazing Star Wars Tribute Projects

    Celebrate Star Wars Day and be inspired by these projects from the Domestika community based on Star Wars' incredible universe Since its first release in 1977, Star Wars' success has not ceased to grow. The conflict between the Light Side of the Force (Jedis) and the Dark side (Sith) is part of cinema history and popular culture. Also, it is a source of reference for creatives all over the world. Star Wars Day is celebrated every year, on May the 4th. For this occasion, we have collected 10 projects, by artists from the Domestika community, inspired by George Lucas' saga. They encompass different styles and techniques, all aiming to pay homage to a universe born "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away." If you want to know more about the creative process of each piece, click on the red title. Leave us a comment at the end of the post, and tell us which is your favorite. Doodles Star Wars, by The Moog (@themoogoriginal) Brazilian graffiti artist The Moog is an expert in doodle art. All sorts of Star Wars-themed details intermingle in this illustration. To complete his tribute, he included the most iconic saying from the saga. You cannot miss it. In his project, the artist applied techniques he learned from the Domestika course Doodle-Style Vector Illustration.

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  • 12 Free Photography Tutorials For Starting Out or Becoming a Pro
    Photography

    12 Free Photography Tutorials For Starting Out or Becoming a Pro

    Get top tips and learn advanced techniques from Domestika’s photography experts Photography is such a broad discipline, you will never run out of new tricks to learn. From shooting self-portraits and sunsets to using sketchbooks and pin-hole cameras, these 12 tutorials share the best techniques for working on a diverse range of photographic projects with a variety of tools. Whether you are just starting out with limited resources or are looking to perfect more advanced techniques, we have a tutorial for you. Click on the title to access the full content! Photography Tutorial: How to Set up a Self-Portrait Self-portraits have been a fundamental component of self-expression throughout history, allowing artists to explore their own external image and internal truths. Laura Zalenga (@laurazalenga) is a photographer passionate about the art of self-portraits who has given talks for clients like Adobe, Disney, Sony, and Mercedes Benz. In this tutorial, she shares three different ways you can set up your own self-portrait photoshoot easily and effectively, depending on what tools you have available.

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  • Curious Minds Podcast: Why Is Mending Stepping Out of the Shadows?
    Craft

    Curious Minds Podcast: Why Is Mending Stepping Out of the Shadows?

    Discover how the visible mending trend transforms moth holes into creative challenges with Curious Minds, an original podcast by Domestika Curious Minds is an original podcast by Domestika that explores the curiosities and untold histories of the creative world. Each week we’ll bring you a new episode, interviewing experts and creatives as we dive into the unusual origins of the images, patterns, and designs we take for granted. Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

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  • Top 10 Creative Projects of April 2021
    Domestika

    Top 10 Creative Projects of April 2021

    We’ve compiled a list of 10 projects that have received a lot of positive attention from the Domestika community over April It’s that time of the month when we look back at 10 projects that the Domestika community has crowned as their favorites. If you are looking for inspiration, this list shares personal work, final projects for courses, and exciting updates from Domestika teachers: be inspired by creativity in all different forms. While each project is unique, all ten listed have something in common: they have received the most likes from our community. Over April, watercolor and embroidery stood out as the most popular disciplines. However, the community wasn’t just thinking about threads and colors last month: an e-commerce sustainable packaging project and a digital portrait created in Procreate also feature on the list. If you want to explore each project, click on the title in red. We'd love to hear which one you liked the most in the comments section at the bottom of the article. ¡Nuevo libro! Creative Watercolor and Mixed Media, by Ana Victoria Calderon (@anavictoriana) Ana Victoria Calderón, who teaches Domestika courses such as Modern Watercolor Techniques, has published a book titled Creative Watercolor and Mixed Media. The project has been very enthusiastically received by our community. Presented as a beginner's guide, the book encourages you to experiment with different techniques and paint sparkling galaxies, glowing oceans, and dazzling crystals. The author has shared various images of her process to give you a glimpse of what to expect.

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  • Free Color Theory Guide for Embroidery
    Teacher Craft

    Free Color Theory Guide for Embroidery

    Do you want to know how to use color in your punch needle embroidered portraits? Check out this guide Freelance fabricator and designer Camille Labarre (@camillelabarre) can help you turn your next big idea into something tangible. Embroidery with a punch needle is a relaxing, fun, and therapeutic activity. It allows you to create textured works of art that showcase your personal style. Knowing how to choose your colors is key in any art. If you didn’t go to art school, chances are you’ve never even heard of color theory. It is important to know and identify the differences between hue, saturation, and value. These key concepts are incredibly helpful when it comes to your final piece.

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  • 5 Eco-friendly Packaging Projects Inspired by Nature
    Design

    5 Eco-friendly Packaging Projects Inspired by Nature

    Discover these nature-inspired packaging solutions from the Domestika community More and more creatives are endorsing eco-design as a way to reduce the impact on the environment. Packaging can be an excellent way to get closer to nature and understand our connection with it. To give you some examples, we have selected five packaging projects inspired by nature and shared by the Domestika community. If you want to know more about each project, be sure to click on the red title. Cuddle Pack, by Miren Campaña Egaña (@miren_camara) The key is in the name: cuddle. This package represents a way to embrace nature as we transport plants, explains its creator. The Cuddle Pack design is exclusive to retailing. It reduces the pollution, and subsequent carbon footprint, generated by transporting plants. ‘Birdhouse’ is another piece from this creator, whose design follows the same philosophy, which can be found on her Domestika profile.

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  • 10 Online Courses to Learn 3D Animation For Beginners
    3D & Animation

    10 Online Courses to Learn 3D Animation For Beginners

    Learn how to use different programs and techniques to improve your 3D animation skills The world of 3D animation is becoming more and more popular, and it’s no wonder given all the exciting possibilities it offer. Moreover, you can choose from many software options that could fit your skills level and preferences to match your projects needs. Learning to create, design and manipulate three-dimensional graphics are indispensable skills in different disciplines and professions. Therefore, acquiring knowledge and practice in this area has become a must in design, architecture, content creation in different formats and digital communication projects. Whether you are taking your first steps or improving your 3D animation abilities, these ten courses will inspire you to reach new levels in your professional career.

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April 2021

  • 10 Free Online Classes for Improving your Illustrations
    Illustration

    10 Free Online Classes for Improving your Illustrations

    Personalize your illustration skills with valuable tips and techniques from expert illustrators Following an illustration course can help you find your own style and create highly communicative visual images. Illustrations are not simply drawings: they are a powerful complement to the text, they can be eye-catching book covers, and they can stir emotions, whether they are pictures hanging in your home, murals on a street wall, or a simple decorative feature on your coffee cup. There are even more applications to this art. Under the guidance of ten highly experienced illustrators, you can learn to visually interpret a concept or a written piece and turn it into a meaningful illustration. They will give you tips on brainstorming ideas and help you explore traditional and experimental techniques. Click on the red links to access and enjoy the classes! Free Class: Reference Images Search An illustration is a communication tool that creatively enhances a text. When looking for ideas, you can find inspiration from other artists' work and images. In this video lesson, editorial illustrator Emma Hanquist addresses searching for such reference material and what part of the images you need to focus on to open up your idea process. Find out by following her class, taken from her course Editorial Illustration for Magazines.

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  • Access Thousands of Free Artworks from Museums and Libraries On Artvee
    Art

    Access Thousands of Free Artworks from Museums and Libraries On Artvee

    Discover this free image bank filled with paintings, drawings, and illustrations by artists from centuries ago Over recent years, important museums and libraries around the world have been granting access to their public domain art collections for free use. Artvee is a website that classifies and groups the best images in one place, making them easier to discover, download, and use. In their archives, you can find works by artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn, Claude Monet, Raphael, and Sandro Botticelli. Here we explain how to navigate the site and share some examples of the type of work you will be able to access.

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  • 5 Tips For Dealing with Comments on Social Media
    Marketing

    5 Tips For Dealing with Comments on Social Media

    Expert Hana Klokner shares her top tips for responding to feedback on social media, both the good and the bad Hana Klokner (@hanajayklokner) is an expert in social media marketing and a children’s book author from Slovakia. Hana started out in digital marketing in 2007 when she got a job at the age of 16 working for MacBlog.sk, an online Apple magazine based in Slovakia. During the time that she worked for the company, she wrote around 200 articles about Apple products and discovered her passion for blogging. This fuelled Hana to launch her own “fashion blogazine,” through which she learned all about planning, producing, editing, and promoting content while she was still at school.

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  • What Is a Stencil and What Are the Origins of the Stenciling Technique?
    Craft

    What Is a Stencil and What Are the Origins of the Stenciling Technique?

    Discover the creative possibilities offered by stencils or the stenciling technique Perhaps you have used a stencil before to paint a design, in which case, you've already practiced stencil art. This method consists of stamping a design onto a surface by passing paint through a stencil. This is not a visual art that has emerged recently; it goes way back. From cave paintings illustrating everyday scenes to graffiti calling attention to social issues in our cities, there are many ways to apply motifs quickly and accurately. In this blog post, we review the evolution of stencil art to understand why it has been used so much, not only in the artistic world and street art but across a range of disciplines. Finally, we will also analyze how it is applied to textile screen printing.

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  • 5 Interesting Facts About Origami
    Teacher Design

    5 Interesting Facts About Origami

    Learn surprising things about this ancient Japanese paper-folding technique Long before a huge scramble of paper-folded cranes invaded our math classes at school, origami already had unsuspected uses and functions in Japan, where it was invented. From its use by medieval samurai as a concentration technique before battle to its inspiring characteristics for future spaceships that will take us to other galaxies, this paper-folding art has evolved to become part of human culture. Find out in this video.

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  • Free Guide: Styling your Products for a Home Photoshoot
    Teacher Photography

    Free Guide: Styling your Products for a Home Photoshoot

    Do you want to learn a few tips about styling and photographing your products? Check out this guide Artist, illustrator, and entrepreneur Tatiana Nedialkova (@softerandwild) knows how important it is for your products to look amazing when you promote them. A home photoshoot can be the best place to achieve this if you use the right tools and direction. In product photography, you need to study and plan your setup, especially if shooting at home: props, camera, and various backdrops. Tatiana shares a guide with tips on food photography to inspire setting up your own home photoshoots.

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  • How to Find a Great Story
    PLUS Teacher Writing

    How to Find a Great Story

    Writer Shaun Levin shares his techniques for finding great stories in everyday life Shaun Levin (@shaun_levin) is a writer and creative writing teacher with over twenty years of experience in the creative sector. For the past fifteen years, he has edited literary magazines and short story collections and set up small publishing houses for whom he has designed different publications. He has also created writing maps that help to inspire other writers in whatever situation they find themselves in. According to Shaun, we tend to think that the best stories are somewhere out there, in the world, and that we have to go searching for them. However, over time, he has realized that most of the stories we want to write are already inside us. In other words, we are already carrying special moments around with us that have great narrative potential. But how do we unlock them?

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  • The Best Free Sound and Music Libraries for Editing Your Podcast
    Web & App Design

    The Best Free Sound and Music Libraries for Editing Your Podcast

    Take your podcast to the next level with these 13 royalty-free music and sound effects apps Up there with the script and actual recording, the way you edit your podcast is key. During this process, your choices regarding music and sound effects have the power to make the final result shine, and will help you connect more with your audience. If you've already created your own podcast or are about to record an episode, this list of free and pay-for resources and apps will help you uncover a vast source of royalty-free music and sound effects, presenting you with a range of options when it comes to editing your work and making it sound its best.

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  • 10 Free Graphic Design Tutorials for Professionals
    Teacher Domestika

    10 Free Graphic Design Tutorials for Professionals

    Learn all the secrets and techniques of graphic design from the experts Several areas of expertise fall under the umbrella of design: screen printing, editorial layout, illustration, user experience, and more. Although they may all be connected, each of these skills requires a unique and specific learning process. To become a true professional, you need to master a bit of everything. The following tutorials include essential tips from big-name professionals that will help you improve your knowledge of graphic design.

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  • Curious Minds Podcast: What Does It Take For a Movie Poster to Be Iconic?
    Design

    Curious Minds Podcast: What Does It Take For a Movie Poster to Be Iconic?

    Discover how movie poster artists combine creativity with commercial art with Curious Minds, an original podcast by Domestika Curious Minds is an original podcast by Domestika that explores the curiosities and untold histories of the creative world. Each week we’ll bring you a new episode, interviewing experts and creatives as we dive into the unusual origins of the images, patterns, and designs we take for granted. Subscribe for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app to never miss an episode.

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  • 10 Tips for Selling Your Digital Artwork on NFT Marketplaces
    Art

    10 Tips for Selling Your Digital Artwork on NFT Marketplaces

    Digital artists share the strategies they use to promote their digital artworks on NFT marketplaces NFTs have revolutionized the digital art world over a matter of weeks, making it possible for artists to sell their work for substantial sums of money. In January alone, the value of Ether, the cryptocurrency traded in this market, grew 10 times, and it is said that this is only the beginning. The figures sales are fetching are very tantalizing sums, and many artists have jumped on the NFT bandwagon. This new venture has not only opened up a world of possibilities but also comes with news tasks, such as self-promotion. If you have already tokenized your works and been granted access to a marketplace such as Foundation, Opensea, Superrare, Rarible, or Makers Place, you are probably wondering what you need to do to make a sale. We asked artists experienced selling art online which communication strategies work best for them, which social media platforms they need to have a presence on, and what kind of content tends to attract collectors. These are their top ten marketing strategies for promoting your digital art:

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  • 6 Design Documentaries That You Need To Watch
    Design

    6 Design Documentaries That You Need To Watch

    Discover amazing documentaries on design and designers, from Dieter Rams to the legacy of the Bauhaus movement Javier Zamora is a graphic designer and founder and creative director of Plácida (@placida), a graphic design studio based in Granada, Spain, specializing in corporate brand identity and product packaging design. Javier and his team are dedicated to creating original visual and tactile experiences that go that extra mile. Until 2012, Javier had been working in an architecture studio as an illustrator. Realizing that editorial design was his true passion, he quit his job and enrolled on a degree in graphic design, graduating in 2016.

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