Illustration

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  • Drawing Tutorial: Learn to Sketch Your Surroundings
    Illustration

    Drawing Tutorial: Learn to Sketch Your Surroundings

    Dive deep into the art of drawing from observation with Astrid Wielinga, an expert in capturing the essence of surroundings through sketching. In this tutorial, you'll uncover essential techniques, from honing your observation skills to translating what you see onto paper with precision. Welcome to an exciting journey into the world of urban illustration! Today, we're thrilled to embark on an adventure guided by the talented Astrid Wielinga (@urbananna), also known as Urban Anna. Get ready to unleash your creativity as we explore Astrid's tutorial, where she shares invaluable insights on observing and sketching your surroundings with finesse.

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  • Watercolor Tutorial: How To Paint Eyes Step By Step
    Teacher Illustration

    Watercolor Tutorial: How To Paint Eyes Step By Step

    Learn these basic tips to start working on your watercolor portrait eyes with Sol Barrios The eyes are the element of the face express the most and bring the most personality to a portrait. Therefore, it is important that we dedicate special attention and detail to them in our projects. In this tutorial, Sol Barrios (@solbarrios), watercolorist and muralist, teaches us how to approach the drawing of the eyes step by step in a watercolor portrait. You can follow the process in the following video:

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  • 10 Artists Who Use Water as an Inspiration
    Illustration

    10 Artists Who Use Water as an Inspiration

    Explore the unique link between art and water through the works of Hockney, O'Keeffe and more. Immerse yourself in aquatic landscapes and portraits March 22 is the date established internationally as World Water Day. The importance of this element, which is living one of the most complicated times in history due to climate change, goes beyond what we already know, which is its importance to live. Today we want to give an artistic point of view to this day and tell you about 10 artists for whom water was more than just an element, it was their source of inspiration and an essential component in their works. Claude Monet

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  • Design Tutorial: How to Overcome a Creative Block
    Illustration

    Design Tutorial: How to Overcome a Creative Block

    Learn to create characters by setting your pencil free and leaving your comfort zone, with these tips from Cecy Meade Drawing for pleasure is usually fun, however, drawing every day for a living can be wearing. If you have to constantly churn out new characters, you will of course have days where you feel less inspired or you just can’t find a way to create something fresh and original. To help you overcome these creative blocks and tap into your creativity, designer and 2D and 3D illustrator Cecy Meade shares her top tips below. Although they focus on character design, these tips can be applied to any illustration task or, in fact, any creative task.

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  • Clip Studio Paint Tutorial: the 8 basics for illustration
    Teacher Illustration

    Clip Studio Paint Tutorial: the 8 basics for illustration

    Learn the basic keys of the drawing and illustration tool with José Luis Ágreda The drawing and animation program Clip Studio Paint is one of the most interesting alternatives to Adobe Illustrator, although it is perhaps less well known. The software, of Japanese origin, is created especially to help in the illustration process, so it is worth trying it out in order to compare it with other more popular ones. José Luis Ágreda (@agreda), illustrator and comic book artist who was also recently the art director of the animated film 'Buñuel en el laberinto de las tortugas', is an expert in the handling of Clip Studio Paint and has synthesized everything you need to know when starting to use the program in 8 essential points. Discover the Clip Studio Paint tutorial in the following video:

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  • How To Draw and Color a Snail Like a Pro!
    Illustration

    How To Draw and Color a Snail Like a Pro!

    Unlock your creativity with our free PDF tutorial on drawing and coloring a snail. Dive into step-by-step instructions and unleash your inner artist. Perfect for beginners and seasoned illustrators alike, discover the joy of bringing your artwork to life! Are you ready to dive into the world of illustration? Imagine a quiet afternoon, your sketchpad ready for action. Now, imagine adding a charming snail to the mix, slowly crawling across the page. Intrigued? Well, you're in luck because we're about to spill the beans on an exciting artistic adventure that will have you buzzing with inspiration. We all know that art has the power to transport us to different realms, evoke emotions, and ignite our imagination like nothing else. Whether you're a seasoned illustrator or just beginning, there's always something magical about putting pen to paper and bringing your ideas to life. And what better subject to explore than the humble yet utterly fascinating snail?

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  • Where to Find Inspiration to Design with Geometric Shapes
    Teacher Illustration

    Where to Find Inspiration to Design with Geometric Shapes

    In graphic design and illustration, geometric shapes are timeless. We find a lot of inspiration in it and the core of our work is based on seemingly simple shapes. Most of us don’t give much thought to a square, circle or triangle but sometimes they carry profound meanings or are used to evoke various emotions. And they are also easy to use for their decorative qualities. A pointy square or one with rounded corners generate different feelings towards it: hard and sharp or soft and gentle. So utilizing geometric shapes in design is not just about creating visually appealing work; it's actually tapping into the universal language of shapes to convey messages and call for reactions. This article explores where to search if you want to create with geometric shapes, blending simplicity with profound meaning.

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  • Unlocking Emotion Through Color: An Ultimate Guide to Illustrative Mastery
    Teacher Illustration

    Unlocking Emotion Through Color: An Ultimate Guide to Illustrative Mastery

    In visual storytelling, the tools and mediums I select are not just instruments; they are the very foundation upon which my narratives take shape. My individual journey through illustration has been defined by the exploration of vibrant colors, intriguing textures, and the emotion that each piece conveys. Let me take you behind the scenes of my creative process, highlighting the sketchbooks, tools, and theories that bring my stories to life.

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  • Illustration Tutorial: How to Launch Your Instagram Profile
    Teacher Illustration

    Illustration Tutorial: How to Launch Your Instagram Profile

    Create an illustrator profile on Instagram that makes your work stand out and attract new clients, with a little help from the illustration agency Pencil A social media profile has become the new cover letter for creatives across all fields, especially illustrators. It serves as an intuitive, free, and attractive way to present your portfolio of work. Instagram, being so easy to use and having such a wide reach, is among the best options you have available. It is a great way for people to discover your illustration work. To help you make the most of your illustrator profile on Instagram, Sandra López–from the illustration agency Pencil (@Pencil)–shares some key tips to help you make wise decisions and reach as many people as possible. Discover Sandra’s tips in the following video:

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  • Illustration Tutorial: How to Color with Watercolor
    Teacher Illustration

    Illustration Tutorial: How to Color with Watercolor

    Learn how to add color to your illustrated stories simply and easily with Paula Bossio Watercolor offers an interesting way to add color to your drawings. Its flexibility allows for an original style that's worth trying out and experimenting with. In this tutorial, graphic designer, illustrator and author Paula Bossio (@paulabossio) explains how to use it to bring color to your work. Prepare your sketch and let's go!

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  • Sparking Creativity: A Guide to Concept Art & Worldbuilding Inspiration
    Teacher Illustration

    Sparking Creativity: A Guide to Concept Art & Worldbuilding Inspiration

    In the creative fields of concept art design and worldbuilding, finding fresh inspiration is crucial for developing immersive, engaging environments and narratives. Whether for video games, films, novels, or any other medium, the ability to conjure vivid worlds from scratch is a useful skill to have. This article explores diverse strategies to spark inspiration and fuel the creative process for concept artists and worldbuilders.

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  • How to Color Plants: Free PDF Guide for Digital Artists
    Illustration

    How to Color Plants: Free PDF Guide for Digital Artists

    Elevate your digital artistry with our guide on coloring plants. Learn to play with shades, lighting, and texture to create enchanting botanical illustrations. Start your creative journey today! Are you ready to unwind and let your creativity soar? Today, we're diving headfirst into a world of colors, shades, and textures with our latest free download. Have you ever found yourself hesitating after completing the lineart of your plant drawing, unsure of how to tackle the next steps, the lighting, the shading, and the fear of making a misstep? Well, fear not! We've got you covered with this incredible guide. So, grab your tablet, crank up your favorite tunes, and get ready to spend some quality time doing what you love most, creating art.

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  • 5 Tips for Urban Illustrators by Urban Anna
    Teacher Illustration

    5 Tips for Urban Illustrators by Urban Anna

    Capturing the dynamic energy and unique character of city streets through watercolor techniques is a rewarding artistic pursuit. Whether you're drawn to the architectural beauty of historic buildings or the vibrant chaos of bustling urban scenes, mastering the art of urban watercolor opens up a world of creative possibilities. Here are five essential tips to help you portray your city with confidence and flair: 1. Finding the Ideal Reference Photo: A well-chosen reference photo serves as the foundation of any successful urban watercolor painting. Seek out images that capture the essence of your cityscape, with compelling compositions, interesting architectural details, and atmospheric lighting. Experiment with different angles and viewpoints until you discover the perfect reference photo that sparks your creativity and inspires your artistic expression. 2. Paper Quality Matters: Elevate your urban watercolor paintings by investing in top-notch paper. Look for heavyweight, acid-free paper specifically designed for watercolor use. Quality paper absorbs water evenly, allowing colors to blend seamlessly while providing the stability needed for intricate details and washes. 3. Waterproof Fineliners for Precision: Fine details and crisp lines can elevate your urban watercolor paintings from good to great. When adding intricate elements such as windows, doors, or architectural features, opt for waterproof fineliners. These pens prevent smudging and bleeding, preserving the integrity of your line work even when layered with watercolor washes. 4. Perfecting Sign Placement: Achieving balance and harmony in your cityscape illustrations requires careful consideration of sign placement. Before you pick up your brush, take the time to center signs and storefronts within your composition. This simple yet crucial step ensures that your paintings feel cohesive and visually pleasing. 5. Mastering Perspective with Ease: Conveying depth and dimension in urban landscapes requires a solid grasp of perspective. To simplify the process, I've created the One-Point Perspective Raster, a free downloadable tool designed to help artists draw in perspective effortlessly. With this handy grid, mastering the complexities of perspective becomes more accessible, allowing you to create realistic and immersive cityscapes with confidence.

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  • Drawing Tutorial: How to Create a Superhero Comic Page
    Teacher Illustration

    Drawing Tutorial: How to Create a Superhero Comic Page

    Learn the basic creation and design tips for a comic book page step by step with Salva Espín In the world of superhero comics, character design is vital. However, it's also necessary to know how to distribute these characters on a page so that it is simple to read and effective, both narratively and aesthetically. Illustrator and comic book artist Salva Espín (@salvaespin) shows us how to distribute our superhero story and make a initial pencil sketch. You can see the video here:

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  • Line Art: Tips and Tricks for Digital Artists
    Illustration

    Line Art: Tips and Tricks for Digital Artists

    Dive into the world of precision line art with our free PDF guide, packed with tips on stroke control, detail enhancement, and more. Perfect for digital artists looking to elevate their character art! As creators, we understand the allure of a well-crafted line, the way it dances across the page, bringing characters and worlds to life. Whether you're a seasoned illustrator or just starting out on your artistic journey, mastering the art of line work is essential. That's why we're thrilled to offer you an exclusive peek into the world of impactful line art with our free PDF guide. So, grab your tablet pen or favorite pencil, and let's embark on a journey to perfecting your lines!

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  • Cartoon Tutorial: How To Draw Characters with Personality
    Teacher Illustration

    Cartoon Tutorial: How To Draw Characters with Personality

    Ed Vill shows us how to draw characters from scratch, starting with their personality Pencil, paper, tablet, computer: when contemplating drawing a character, you’re sure to think about the different physical tools you’d use. What about their personality? For Venezuelan illustrator and designer Ed Vill (@edvill), who is based in Mexico City, you should start by focusing on the essential characteristics of your creation, such as their distinctive facial features, how they behave, and how they react in certain situations. Only after deciding these traits will you be able to put pen to paper (or stylus to screen) and start sketching ideas. In this tutorial, Ed Vill shows us how to develop a “psychological” profile for a character and give them a personality that brings them to life. Discover more in the video below:

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  • Illustration Tutorial: 5 Steps to Draw Poses
    Teacher Illustration

    Illustration Tutorial: 5 Steps to Draw Poses

    Follow Jose Luis Ágreda's advice to draw people in natural poses Life drawing is one of the essential skills of any illustrator, whatever their style. Knowing how to capture the real world will always be useful for building characters or settings. The main problem novice illustrators face is that it's easy to get lost in the details of a figure instead of looking at its overall structure.

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  • Character Design Tutorial: How to Draw Facial Expressions
    Teacher Illustration

    Character Design Tutorial: How to Draw Facial Expressions

    Learn the basics of drawing a characters’ facial expressions, from the skin and the wrinkles to how different facial features affect each other, with Laura Ewing The face is one of the most expressive parts of the body, which is why understanding how to illustrate believable facial expressions can be the difference between creating a good character and a great one.. Laura Ewing (@le_lauraewing) is a storyboard artist and character designer whose job it is to capture the essence of a story quickly and efficiently for films, documentaries, and publishing houses. In this tutorial, she shares a few basic tips for drawing facial expressions that your viewer will instantly be able to understand.

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  • 24,000 Vintage Cartoons to Explore Ages of Art and Irony
    Illustration

    24,000 Vintage Cartoons to Explore Ages of Art and Irony

    Uncover the rich history of cartoons: from early artist mock-ups to iconic political satires. I'm sure you'll have some time to keep aside for these 24,000 vintage cartoon images from the Library of Congress that illustrate the history of this modern art form taking place from 1780 to 1977. If you truly have that much time you can find all of their collections here. But we will cover only one of them in depth: The Swann Collection of Caricature and Cartoon, which only covers the 20th century, contains 2,085 of those drawings, prints, and paintings related to the art of caricature, cartoon, and illustration. It includes works by 521 American and foreign artists and illustrators. And no, we won't cover them all, either... How about we take only 5 of them...? I know we went from 24.000 to 5 but you wouldn't read an article on 24.000 things anyways! Russel Patterson

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