
Illustrator Tutorial: Essential Tips for Beginners
Learn how to use some of the key graphic design functions in Adobe Illustrator, including: rulers, zoom and movement, with Gilian Gomes
New skills, projects, ideas and fun facts about the world of illustration
Learn how to use some of the key graphic design functions in Adobe Illustrator, including: rulers, zoom and movement, with Gilian Gomes
Learn how to create a brush for digital illustration with Rogério Puhl A great set of brushes is very valuable to illustrators working with Adobe Illustrator. Each brush will have its own characteristics–thicker or finer, rounded or straight line, textured or plain effect–and these characteristics will impact your end results. Brushes are so important that many digital artist create them and then make them available for other professionals to download, either for free or for a fee. In this tutorial, illustrator, art director and graphic designer Rogério Puhl (@rogeriopuhl) will teach you how to create your own brush set in an easy and intuitive way. Discover more in the video below:
Discover new textures and stroke your lines with newfound confidence thanks to the free Procreate brushes by Jimena S. Sarquiz! In this article you will meet a profesional artist, as we'll dive deep into her work. And at the end you'll get your deserved gift for reading it all! Well, you can also skip all that and scroll down directly to the downloadable... But I will be very disappointed in you if you take such a lazy path...! Is the emotional blackmail working, already? Let's get started then: Meet Jimena S. Sarquiz
Discover the professional keys to get started in the oil painting technique, with Alai Ganuza
Learn step by step how to shade gradually and the possibilities of this technique in illustration with Ricardo Núñez Pencil shading is one of the most common techniques used by any illustrator or artist, but also one of the most practical and difficult to master. When blurring, many times we tend to generate forms that are too hard or aggressive, when the objective of this technique is to create delicate lights and shadows with a natural look. In the following video tutorial, illustrator Ricardo Núñez (@rhinunez) shows us how to correctly apply the shading technique, using pencils of different hardness. Discover it below:
Dive into the world of frog illustration with our free PDF guide! From basic shapes to vibrant colors, discover techniques to bring these charming creatures to life. Close your eyes for a moment and envision a vibrant place where lush forests whisper secrets and hidden ponds shimmer with life. Can you hear the gentle croak of frogs echoing through the trees? Imagine sitting on the edge of that pond, pencil in hand, ready to capture the magic of these captivating creatures on paper. Welcome to an adventure like no other as today, we're immersing ourselves in the enchanting world of frog illustration. This journey is about to become ribbiting!
Learn how to shade Manga eyes using anime pens with Taniidraw
Learn the technique to turn watermarks into characters, to lose the fear of watercolors and break the creative logjam with Alinailustra Creative blocks are something all artists have to deal with, no matter their discipline or experience. The blank page can intimidate us, but it’s important to get rid of the fear and not stop practicing. Alinailustra (@alinailustra), an illustrator and graphic designer, shares the keys to an exercise that will unblock your creativity and transform watercolor marks into scenes and characters. Find out more in the video below:
Learn how to easily paint, step by step, a banana tree leaf in watercolor, with Isabela Quintes
My journey through the realm of fantasy art spans three decades, intertwining my passion for bird photography with the intricate world of role-playing game illustrations. The fusion of these worlds has enabled me to inject a dose of realism into the fantastical, crafting pieces that captivate and tell stories beyond words. The cornerstone of my artistic practice is rooted in the initial stages: sketching thumbnails until I find the one that works, shaping it into a final drawing, and then basing the acrylic painting on this drawing. The thumbnail stage is crucial for composition, and for breaking down the grand vision into small, manageable sections. It's here that the painting begins to take shape, segment by segment, ensuring each piece contributes to the whole. If you don’t get your thumbnail right before you start your painting, you will have to start the whole painting process over later on. I prefer working on watercolor board, but watercolor paper works as well. I use a simple photocopy and some coal to transfer my final drawing onto the board for the painting. The mood is set using lighting, bounce light, shadow and movement. The painting steps themselves are divided into different coloring stages. I usually start dark and go lighter along the way, ending the process with all the finer details. To breathe life into my artwork, I rely on a meticulously crafted moodboard, a collection of references that infuse realism into the fantastical. Whether it's the anatomy of bat wings, the fierce facial expression of a T-Rex or raptor head, the graceful glide of flying dinosaurs, or the ethereal beauty of cloudscapes, each element serves to ground my creations in a semblance of reality while allowing imagination to soar. What makes a painting believable, isn’t just physical accuracy. The mood of the character, particularly when it occupies the focal point, is paramount. From the nuanced facial expressions to intricate details of a backpack, or the unique features of a creature companion, everything has to feel real. So it’s very important to look at the real word for inspiration. Hopefully by the end of the process the painting will capture both the eye and the heart. For those eager to dive deeper into the world of fantasy acrylic painting, to explore the interplay of realism and imagination, I’m thrilled to be able to share my creative process in the art of fantasy acrylic painting with you in my new Domestica painting course.
Discover 5 calming coloring apps that blend creativity and relaxation, perfect for destressing on your smartphone. Why are you here? Let me try to guess: Did you use to find coloring on paper a relaxing pastime but lately your inner monologue has gotten so vile and uncomfortable that you need yet another distraction from your problems to be available on your phone? Shizophrenia and related issues are on the rise in the "civilized world"... And no wonder! Life can be hectic and directionless for many even with food on the table... And if food isn't on the table then you might be better off not coloring and relaxing with the following 5 apps, you have bigger fish to fry (no pun intended!)... Lake
Learn the tricks to create an attractive profile and position your professional presence on Instagram, with Alex de Marcos Social networks like Instagram have become a global showcase for artists from all over the planet: through our feed, we can access the talent of literally thousands of illustrators, designers, craft experts, and more. So, for a creative who wants to get noticed, mastering Instagram's tools to reach as many people as possible offers extraordinary opportunities. In the following video tutorial, illustrator Alex de Marcos (@alex_de_marcos) gives us some essential tips on how to position our illustrations on Instagram, taking advantage of the different functionalities the app offers. Discover them below:
Awaken your creativity with the techniques that illustrator Javirroyo recommends to trigger inspiration
Botanical illustration techniques to create and apply color palettes to different types of illustrations with Ana Victoria Calderon When creating color palettes with watercolor, one of the best options is to be inspired by nature itself. If we start from images taken from botanical photographs, we will find color palettes that perhaps we would not use on our own initiative in our illustrations. In this way, we can practice with different colors and discover new chromatic combinations. Ana Victoria Calderon (@anavictoriana) teaches us how to extract the color palette from a floral photograph and replicate it using those same colors. Do you want to learn how to use the colors of nature? Pick a photo and let's get to it.
Elevate your drawing skills with free access to 5 lessons for a limited time. Dive into the world of art and unleash your creativity! We’re ending this month with a bang. Starting today, you can access five free drawing lessons that promise to ignite your artistic journey like never before! Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out, these lessons are designed to spark your creativity and help you master the craft of drawing. So, get ready to sharpen your pencils, clear your canvases, and embark on an adventure filled with lines, shapes, and endless possibilities! These lessons will only be available for a limited time, starting from 00:00 CET on April 30th, 2024, and open for enrollment for just 15 days! Remember, to access these free lessons, you need to be registered at Domestika. So, if you’re not already part of our creative community, now’s the perfect time to join!
Unleash your creativity with our free PDF guide on How to Draw a Lion. Master the art of illustration and bring the king of the jungle to life on paper today! Ah, the art of drawing. It's like a dance between your imagination and the paper, isn't it? And what better subject to dance with than the majestic lion? With its regal mane and piercing gaze, the lion embodies strength, grace, and a touch of mystery. So, dear reader, if you're ready to embark on a wild artistic journey, grab your pencil and let's dive into the savannah of creativity! Illustration, drawing, and art transcend mere skills. They embody the essence of our souls, reflecting our deepest thoughts and dreams. Today, we're excited to share a delightful surprise: a complimentary PDF guide on How to Draw a Lion. Yes, you heard it right! A majestic lion, eagerly awaiting your touch to spring to life on the canvas.
4 keys to give detail to your illustrations and drawings through wrinkles in clothes, with illustrator José Luis Ágreda Knowing how to draw wrinkles is one of the first challenges of any illustrator: if we place them incorrectly, without taking into account a series of rules that provide realism and coherence, anyone who sees our drawings will unconsciously notice that something is wrong.
Valentina Toro gives us four book ideas to inspire little readers
Download our selection of free drawing exercises and unlock your artistic potential
We tell you the possible origin of one of the most famous characters in the world of animation
Learn how to draw different kinds of Manga eyes to express different character emotions, guided by EUDETENIS
Studio Ghibli fans are still pondering the meaning of Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron, which came out last year. Though by some measure the studio’s most lavish feature yet — not least by the measure of it being the most expensive film yet produced in Japan — it’s also the one least amenable to simple interpretation.
Illustrator and designer Willian Santiago teaches us how to use Photoshop brushes to simulate manual painting techniques, such as chalk, watercolor, pencil, and many others
As an illustrator, my creative journey has led me through a myriad of projects, from animation art to book publishing, to advertising, to comic creating. However, it's in my personal time where I truly delve into creating my own personal fantasy art, creating Risograph prints that are inspired by whimsical adventures that are fully my own. Through my monthly Riso print club, I share a new fantastical print every month, each one a testament to the magic of storytelling and illustration. It helps me make a new fantasy print each month, and has helped me find my own voice and taste in a field where a clients vision can sometimes take precedence.
Discover how to bring your tree drawings to life with our easy-to-follow coloring tips. Start creating nature's beauty on your drawing device or even on paper...! The bark is brown and the leaves are green... Done! Well, obviously there's more to it. This tutorial would turn out to be too short! Like with everything, you can make a ham and cheese sandwich or cook an elaborate recipe for seared scallops and baby spinach with spiced pomegranate glaze... Both dishes could be called "dinner", just the same... I actually prefer the sandwich, though... Well, you get the analogy (I hope...)! Free Download
Learn how to use your sketches and draw them with vectors to give the final touch to each element with Mauro Martins, graphic designer and bespoke illustrator Sketching helps us to organize ideas on paper, letting the line flow freely to give life to abstract figures that will later gain detail. It is at this stage that we can give free rein to our creativity. The next step is digitization, which requires more attention to detail and can be quite laborious, but it is essential to define your style and identity. To help you in this process, Mauro Martins (@mauromartins), graphic designer and illustrator, shares some tips to transform your sketches into a vector and give the final touch to each element. You can watch the tutorial here.
Trina Robbins, a luminary in every sense of the word, stands as a testament to the power of creativity, resilience, and advocacy. In the colorful tapestry of comic book history, there are figures whose influence reverberates far beyond the pages they've crafted.
Learn to draw a rabbit easily with our expert tips. Download our free guide and bring your sketches to life! This step by step tutorial covers it all from the adorable bunny ears to the soft fur rabbits fashionably wear. And of course, we couldn't leave you hanging with two ears sticking out of a fur ball... We will also teach you how to draw the bunny's eyes, nose, legs... Yes, a whole and unharmed bunny! Is all this specificity really necessary...? Free Download
Navigate the murky waters of collage art and copyright with me and learn how to use others' work legally in the process. If your are just doing collages for fun in the privacy of your home, there is no need to worry! The Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team won't be kicking down your door, anytime soon... But if you post your collage art online or sell it... The SWAT team won't be making an appearance either, but you might face some unsavory legal issues, nevertheless. Let's find out how to keep your hobby or business running safely under the guise of the law. And remember the following information only applies to collages... If you run a drug cartel on the weekends as a hobby, I wouldn't worry about copyright infringement! What is considered a collage?
As artists, our canvas extends beyond mere buildings; we are the narrators of urban tales, entrusted with the noble task of encapsulating the essence and spirit of the facades and spaces we depict. Join me, Urban Anna, on a creative odyssey where we delve into the captivating world of watercolor, unveiling four secrets to infusing life into our architectural muses.