Illustration

New skills, projects, ideas and fun facts about the world of illustration

Illustration
Categories
Popular tags
  • Drawing Tutorial: how to make an illustrated map in 10 steps
    Teacher Illustration

    Drawing Tutorial: how to make an illustrated map in 10 steps

    Learn how to draw a map in a few steps and in a simple way, with Stef Maden. Creating an illustrated map can be a great way of bringing a city to life as well as a wonderful way of remembering your favorite place. Illustrator Stef Maden (@stefmaden) has worked with clients such as Sainsbury’s, Hallmark, and Tesco. She loves to travel and create maps of places she’s been, using illustration to help capture the essence of each place. In this step-by-step guide, she shows you how to create your own illustrated map using Photoshop.

    • 8
    • 0
  • 5 Anatomy Books to Improve Your Figure Drawing
    Illustration

    5 Anatomy Books to Improve Your Figure Drawing

    Discover some invaluable resources to help you when drawing the human figure Human anatomy is undoubtedly complex, and studying it is an activity that deserves years and years of commitment. Like all complex things, it needs to be broken down to be more easily understood. Studying artistic anatomy books routinely is key to a figurative artist's practice. Understanding how human anatomy works is essential to strong, powerful figure drawing. It improves the ability to represent the human figure and contributes to creating successful dynamic figure drawing. Artist Shane Wolf (@shane_wolf) has dedicated over ten years to exploring and experimenting with the art of figure drawing. Hailing from the US, where he graduated as a graphic designer, he soon realized that his true calling was to explore his inner artist with unwavering determination. He set off to Florence, Italy, where he studied at the Angel Academy of Art and is now a professional painter working from his studio in Paris, where he experiments and seeks to express the depth of humanity through his art.

    • 12
    • 0
  • Farewell to Willian Santiago, Illustrator of Vibrant Colors and Infinite Talent
    Illustration

    Farewell to Willian Santiago, Illustrator of Vibrant Colors and Infinite Talent

    We remember the life and work of the Brazilian illustrator and teacher, who died at the age of 30 Domestika deeply regrets the passing of Willian Santiago, a Brazilian illustrator, teacher, and member of our creative community. The artist's agent has announced his death. His strong artistic instincts are expressed through the work that he made, characterized by the combination of simple shapes and vibrant, uniquely Brazilian colors. Willian was primarily a digital artist, but he gave his work an artisanal and analog touch by digitizing old papers or mark making with chalk and splashed of ink.

    • 78
    • 15
  • 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.

    • 8
    • 0
  • 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.

    • 7
    • 2
  • Free eBook: Watercolor for Beginners, by Domestika
    Teacher Illustration

    Free eBook: Watercolor for Beginners, by Domestika

    Learn the basics of watercolor painting with this free e-book from Domestika experts Watercolor can be a perfect medium to awaken your creativity. You don’t need experience, and anyone who feels drawn to this technique can begin right away. Domestika’s free watercolor e-book is a beginner’s guide that can help you make the most of this medium and reach your artistic potential. Get some essential tips as you read it, and discover why this discipline attracts so many artists. It will become a valuable go-to reference for revisiting the basics and making painting an enjoyable experience.

    • 71
    • 8
  • What Is Naturalist Illustration and its Fundamental Steps?
    Illustration

    What Is Naturalist Illustration and its Fundamental Steps?

    Discover the origin and features of naturalist illustration, as well as the steps involved in drawing flora and fauna The natural sciences have gone hand-in-hand with art for centuries, thanks to naturalist illustration. Since the 16th century, naturalists have taken part in scientific expeditions or investigated nature of their own accord. The preservation of their drawings of their discoveries resulted in the knowledge they obtained becoming the foundations of modern science. If you like to observe and draw nature, then this article is for you. Discover the characteristics of this discipline and the steps you should follow to create your own naturalist illustration. You will also learn the subtle differences between this discipline and scientific illustration, such as their objectives.

    • 4
    • 1
  • Free Short Guide for Drawing a Hummingbird
    Teacher Illustration

    Free Short Guide for Drawing a Hummingbird

    Learn how to draw and color a hummingbird with this annotated sketch, packed with tips, from Marco Mazzoni Artist and illustrator Marco Mazzoni (@marcomazzoniart) uses colored pencils to illustrate animals and natural elements with mood and symbolism. The animal kingdom has always been a strong source of inspiration for artists, with surprisingly accurate metaphors of human emotions found in each animal’s characteristics. Marco is fascinated by flora and fauna. His illustration work is filled with depictions of human emotions inspired by nature. Have a go at creating your own colorful hummingbird using his annotated step-by-step drawings to guide you.

    • 16
    • 0
  • 10 Online Courses For Learning How to Draw With Pencil
    Illustration

    10 Online Courses For Learning How to Draw With Pencil

    Unleash your creativity and imagination with the help of these five drawing experts and start to draw from scratch Drawing is probably the one creative activity we all have in common: ever since we were children, we have used it to express ourselves. However, as the years go by, we tend to neglect this skill. When it comes to drawing, there are some universal rules based on how human beings perceive things and their cultural norms. Whether you choose to respect these rules, break them, or experiment with them, there’s no doubt that they are essential for every illustrator. If you want to rediscover your love for drawing in pencil, these 10 courses will teach you everything you need to know. Artistic Illustration: Draw from Your Imagination, a course by Fito Espinosa Painter, visual artist, and illustrator Fito Espinosa will show you the process he uses to connect with his deepest feelings and thoughts through images full of symbolism and emotion. He shares exercises that will help you explore yourself and learn to develop your ideas into images that express your personal point of view.

    • 0
    • 0
  • 10 Illustration Projects Celebrating 10 Years of Game of Thrones
    Illustration

    10 Illustration Projects Celebrating 10 Years of Game of Thrones

    Discover these incredible projects from the Domestika community that honor the HBO series On April 17, 2021, Game of Thrones celebrates 10 years of its debut on HBO. One of the most successful fantastic sagas in the history of TV, the series proved that plots with characters and complex conflicts can attract the attention of millions of people. Thus, it influenced several creative areas, from audiovisual to literature. Characters like Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow, Arya Stark and Tyrion Lannister have become icons of pop culture and have inspired the work of countless artists, illustrators and designers to this day. To celebrate the 10 years of the series, we selected 10 projects created by the Domestika community that pay homage to the universe created by George R. R. Martin. If you want to know more about the creative processes of each project, click on the title in red. Do not forget to leave your comment at the end of the article, stating what you think of each of these projects.

    • 1
    • 0
  • Free Guide to Learn How To Draw Flowers and Leaves
    Teacher Illustration

    Free Guide to Learn How To Draw Flowers and Leaves

    Want to learn how to draw leaves and flowers? Check out this guide shared by Luli Reis, an illustrator specializing in botanical watercolor Observation is the most important skill for those who create botanical art, after all, nature, together with its nuances and particularities, serves as a starting point and inspiration for everything that will be created. Over time, you will be able to perceive and learn patterns that are repeated in several botanical varieties. Brazilian visual artist and illustrator Luli Reis (@lulireis) seeks to convey her love and admiration for botanical life through expressive watercolor compositions. In her creative process, the details of leaves and flowers play a crucial role in expressing and reproducing the beauty and enchantment present in nature.

    • 9
    • 0
  • What Is Botany, and How Does It Inspire Creativity?
    Illustration

    What Is Botany, and How Does It Inspire Creativity?

    Learn about the origin of this ancient science and how it has kept inspiring artists throughout the ages Botany is the science that studies the features, properties, and processes of plants and vegetables; how they connect, and what their vital functions are. It is a scientific discipline that's part of biology. Botany is also responsible for describing and classifying the world of flora. Origins of botany The need for early humans to identify and later cultivate edible and medicinal plants and avoid poisonous ones originated in the Paleolithic. The first written list of plants, which made herbalism one of the oldest branches of science and the basis for modern botany, dates back to the Sumerians over 5000 years ago. Later, in ancient Greece, a student of Aristotle called Theophrastus, wrote De Historia Plantarum (Enquiry into Plants) and On the Causes of Plants. These works, which gained him the title of 'father of modern botany,' were the most significant contribution to botanical science for 17 centuries, up until the Middle Ages.

    • 7
    • 0
  • Learn to Paint Digitally for Free with Joel Santana's Course
    Teacher Illustration

    Learn to Paint Digitally for Free with Joel Santana's Course

    Get free access to Joel’s course for just 72 hours and learn to inject life into your characters in Photoshop For an illustrator, making a character look realistic can be a challenge. What sets a sketch apart from a professional illustration is that the latter, once completed, will radiate life and depth. The key to achieving this quality in your work is knowing how to combine color, light, and texture. Joel Santana (@themaddhattr) is an expert in this field. Throughout his career, he has brought characters to life while working on freelance projects for brands such as Champs Sports, Walt Disney World Orlando, and other major clients. Aside from creating, Joel has also mentored other artists, generously sharing his techniques. From April 8, and for 72 hours only, you will be able to access Joel’s course, Digital Painting for Characters: Color and Light, for free, in which you will learn expert techniques to help you master combining color, light, and texture in your digital paintings.

    • 16
    • 1
  • Interview with Illustrator Sergi Solans, Winner of Domestika Scholarships 2017
    Illustration

    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.

    • 1
    • 0
  • Curious Minds Podcast: Why Are Artists Hired to Illustrate Trials?
    Illustration

    Curious Minds Podcast: Why Are Artists Hired to Illustrate Trials?

    Discover how illustrators capture what happens behind closed doors 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.

    • 1
    • 0
  • How to Create an Expression Sheet for a Character You’ve Designed
    Illustration

    How to Create an Expression Sheet for a Character You’ve Designed

    An expression sheet is a way to get to know your character and show how they express themselves Designing a new character is not an easy task: you have an idea, you look for reference images, you sketch several versions... When you finally get to a satisfactory point, you have to work out how to convey emotion through their facial expressions and body language. To do so, Caio Martins (@caiorfmartins) recommends creating an expression sheet. This sheet will allow you to understand how your character behaves and looks from different angles in different moods. To create your expression sheet, sketch your character in several different poses. This will help you discover other aspects of your character's personality. Imagine what they look like from behind, sitting, or showing their profile when irritated, surprised, or happy!

    • 10
    • 1
  • 10 Artists and Designers to Draw Inspiration From for Your Botanical Watercolors
    Illustration

    10 Artists and Designers to Draw Inspiration From for Your Botanical Watercolors

    Artist and illustrator Luli Reis shares the artists who inspire her botanical watercolors Exploring the textures, contrasts, colors, and shapes present in nature can be an infinite source of inspiration. This almost infinite universe is where the visual artist and illustrator Luli Reis (@lulireis) finds references for her expressive watercolor compositions, illustrations full of color, and movements that can only be found in nature.

    • 10
    • 3
  • Free Brief Color Theory Guide
    Teacher Illustration

    Free Brief Color Theory Guide

    Do you want to understand color theory? Check out this guide shared by an illustrator specialized in botanical watercolor For any artist, mastering colors is as fundamental as mastering the technique. This mastery of basic concepts is what allows the creation of unique and surprising combinations, as well as the transmission of ideas, sensations, emotions and impressions. Through expressive watercolor compositions, visual artist and illustrator Luli Reis (@lulireis) seeks to convey her love and admiration for botanical life. In her creative process, colors play a crucial role in expressing and reproducing the beauty and enchantment present in nature.

    • 6
    • 0