Inspiration

Expand your personal library of references and get to know the work of creatives from various disciplines.

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  • Creatives For Black Lives Matter
    Illustration

    Creatives For Black Lives Matter

    Get to know the pieces that some artists have made for #BLM After the Black Lives Matter social movement was revived in recent weeks, the international art community added their voices to the cause. We gather below some samples of these pieces of art, in which we find techniques of embroidery, painting, drawing, lettering, photography and illustration.

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  • Domestika Diary: Nathan Jurevicius
    Illustration

    Domestika Diary: Nathan Jurevicius

    The multidisciplinary artist shares his process for working at home and finding inspiration in the everyday Working from home can sometimes feel like it limits your creative opportunities, especially if you’re used to looking for inspiration in the outside world. But just because you’re stuck indoors, doesn’t mean you have to suffer from a creative block. Nathan Jurevicius (@nathanjurevicius) is—among other things—an illustrator, toy designer, author, creative director, and concept artist. His colorful characters, lushly imaginative worlds, and diverse projects (which include glass sculpture collaborations with IKEA, a film, toys, and graphic novels, and more) are all a testament to his boundless creative energy. In this Domestika Diary, he shares how he deals with the challenges of working from home and how he manages to find endless inspiration no matter where he is.

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  • Domestika Diary: Emma Hanquist
    Illustration

    Domestika Diary: Emma Hanquist

    The Swedish illustrator shares her daily routine and how she incorporates creativity into her everyday Editorial illustrators face an interesting creativity challenge—not only do they need to consider the practicalities of page design, but they also have to create images that are visually striking and contribute to a larger conversation. Emma Hanquist is a Swedish illustrator who specializes in editorial illustration and who has also worked with brands such as Airbnb and Spotify. In today’s Domestika Diary, she talks not just about her daily routine, but also the places where she finds inspiration, and what she’s doing to foster her children’s creative habits.

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  • How Did Digital Illustration Begin?
    Illustration

    How Did Digital Illustration Begin?

    From engineering to tablets, digital illustration has come a long way Digital illustration is part of the mainstream. But, not long ago, it was something that few artists used in their work. How did those artists start using computers to design? How did digital art become what it is today? In the video below, we review a brief history of the technique that is now vital to the creative process of countless makers and artists. Don't miss it!

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  • How to Use Archetypes to Create A Graphic Novel
    Illustration

    How to Use Archetypes to Create A Graphic Novel

    Add meaning to your graphic novel by using thousand-year-old archetypes with Charles Glaubitz In Jungian theory, an archetype is described as a primitive mental image inherited from our earliest human ancestors, concepts present in our collective unconscious. Multidisciplinary artist and graphic novelist Charles Glaubitz (@mrglaubitz) explains how we can use these literal and visual archetypes that have been used throughout the history of human literature to create a comic. The most famous and widely-used archetype theory in storytelling is Joseph’s Campbell Hero’s Journey: a concept that describes the basic archetypes of any story.

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  • BCN Rise & Fall: The Street Art of Barcelona
    Art

    BCN Rise & Fall: The Street Art of Barcelona

    Watch this documentary on the golden age of Barcelona street art In the nineties, Barcelona became an unmissable destination for urban artists. Suddenly, the city walls were flooded with the art of internationally renowned creators such as Banksy, Space Invaders, London Police, and Os Gemeos, among many others. The documentary BCN Rise & Fall reviews the golden age of street art in Barcelona and reflects on its current state. It is an important analysis of how the peculiar graffiti and urban art scene was created in the city.

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  • 10 Key Moments from Geek Culture
    Teacher Art

    10 Key Moments from Geek Culture

    From the founding fathers in the 18th century to Star Wars and Rick & Morty, understand how this tribe of brilliant and unusual people have reached the pinnacle of pop culture Nerd, geek, otaku, dork, poindexter. None of these terms existed a hundred years ago. However, individuals who share these characteristics–high IQ, bad social skills, acute obsessions with particular topics, an affinity for math or science–have lived among us since long before their creation. The biographer and writer Tom Schachtman, in Gentlemen Scientists and Revolutionaries: The Founding Fathers in the Age of Enlightenment, gathers data that illustrate how some of the so-called 'founding fathers' in the United States in the 18th century, such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, were geeks of the technological world, polymaths obsessed with research and inventions who had little time for things like family or "normal" friends. Today, nerds come in all shapes and sizes, from the classic computer geek to the anime obsessed otaku, and the school nerd boffin. While they were ridiculed when they were younger, many are now leaders of industry, superstars, and billionaires associated with entrepreneurship, discipline, and professional success. This Geek Pride Day, a celebration that began in Spain and has now spread across the world, we look at ten key moments in geek culture, from its prehistory in the 18th century to today. 1. The Founding Fathers

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  • Jupiter: Textures and Colors Out of This World
    Photography

    Jupiter: Textures and Colors Out of This World

    Enjoy this stunning collection of Jupiter photographs created by NASA and amateur astronomers The Juno space probe reached Jupiter in 2016 after a five-year journey from Earth. Since then, NASA has gathered a vast collection of data that is helping us understand the fascinating nature of the planet and giving the artistic and scientific communities new opportunities to work together.

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  • Plasticine: Another Way to Paint, Color and Add Texture to Your Illustrations
    Illustration

    Plasticine: Another Way to Paint, Color and Add Texture to Your Illustrations

    Did you know you could paint with plasticine? Illustrator Jacinta Besa tells us more about this versatile modeling and painting material We all know and have even tried painting with watercolor, acrylic, colored pencils, and even spray cans. But, did you know you could paint with plasticine? Jacinta Besa (@jacintabesa) is a visual artist and painting expert. Over the course of ten years, Jacinta has developed her own style, using plasticine to make 2D pieces, using it as a means of adding color to her illustrations with a realistic touch, and also submerging objects inside it. Her fascination with nature is palpable in all her work. Her fascination with it, along with the role of the modern woman, her evolution, and revolution are all key elements. But it is plasticine that brings her work together: a versatile material that gives her pieces volume and texture. Let her explain further in the video below:

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  • Discover Karmen Loh’s Fantasy Portraits
    Illustration

    Discover Karmen Loh’s Fantasy Portraits

    Get lost in the dreamy world of independent illustrator, Bearbrickjia Karmen Loh, also known as Bearbrickjia (@bearbrickjia), is an independent illustrator and character concept artist from Malaysia. Loh uses her dreamy illustration style to explore fantasy worlds and femininity; her work channels tranquility and ethereal beauty. You will often find her portraits decorated with details from outer space, the ocean, and flora. She draws inspiration from Studio Ghibli’s Hayao Miyazaki, James Jean, and Aykut Aydogdu. As a character concept artist, Loh has worked on video games such as Street Fighter V and Steel Circus, and collaborated with clients such as XP-Pen and the electronic music YouTube channel, “MrSuicideSheep”. Here we take a look at a selection of works that show off Loh’s dreamy aesthetic and unique versatility. Color portraits – personal work Loh’s personal work is an exploration of femininity and tranquility, both in male and female subjects. Her portraits capture mystical youth culture in a dreamy color palette, playing with fashion and fantasy. Her personal work often features elements of nature, outer space, and the ocean.

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  • 3 Iconic Logo Redesigns
    Design

    3 Iconic Logo Redesigns

    Sagi Haviv shares the secrets behind the graphic identity redesigns of three international brands Designers are not artists. An artist has a problem and finds a way to solve it; designers, on the other hand, dedicate their work to solving someone else's problems. While the former can work for days locked up without having contact with anyone, the latter must continuously strengthen their relationship with others: they must connect, interact, and go out into the real world.

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  • Illustrator Confessions: What It's REALLY like to Be an Illustrator
    Illustration

    Illustrator Confessions: What It's REALLY like to Be an Illustrator

    6 illustrators share their experiences and give advice about their profession The best way to learn about any profession is to ask the people who know it best — so we did. Six illustrators sat down to tell us about what it's like working in illustration today, and to give advice to artists who are just starting out. From their struggle to get family members to understand their career choice, to explaining why illustration is anything but a dying profession, here's what they had to say.

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  • Drawing Prompts by Mattias Adolfsson
    Illustration

    Drawing Prompts by Mattias Adolfsson

    This tool will help you overcome any creative block and refine your style All artists, no matter how talented they are, face some kind of mental block sooner or later. There are days where it seems impossible to draw something that makes us proud. Creativity simply eludes us. On those occasions, a drawing prompt can help break the spell and get our creative juices flowing again.

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  • 5 Illustrators That Influenced Jorsh Peña
    Illustration

    5 Illustrators That Influenced Jorsh Peña

    Mexican illustrator Jorsh Peña shares the illustrators old and new who inspired him so they can inspire you Jorsh Peña (@jorshpena) is a Mexican illustrator with 10 years of editorial and motion graphics experience. His influences have helped him create a personal brand, distinguish his work from others, and work all over the world, between personal passions and work with global brands, like Cartoon Network, Kinder, Samsung, Snapchat, Alaska Airlines, and Old Navy.

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  • A Guide to Launching a Print Business
    Teacher Illustration

    A Guide to Launching a Print Business

    Tips for how to turn your passion into a business Selling prints is an excellent way to get to know your followers and explore new markets (added bonus: it also brings in extra income!). Why not give it a go? Pay attention to how your followers respond–their feedback will guide you on how to move forward. If you are an illustrator, my advice is that you experiment with different print companies and printing techniques. This way, you can evaluate which options work best for you. If you’re having any doubts about selling your illustrations, here is a quick guide that will hopefully answer any questions you have. 1. Spend money to make money If you have decided to start selling your illustrations as prints, you should be aware that it is unlikely that you will make a profit straightaway. First, you will need to spend money in order to build up your stock. Spend an amount that you can later increase. Bit by bit, you will get a clearer idea of how things work and what you need to do next. 2. Price range I recommend offering a range of products so that you have a range of prices (include more accessible items such as stickers or postcards). This way, you will be able to see which products work best so that later you can reproduce more of them. The more affordable items will sell quicker. My large format prints that are printed on high-quality paper take longer to sell because of the cost. I tend to produce stock when I have an upcoming opportunity to sell in person (such as at the Feria Domestika). Producing stock for an upcoming event will guarantee that you will at least earn back your production costs.

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  • The Importance of Sketching Every Day
    Illustration

    The Importance of Sketching Every Day

    Marco Mazzoni on how to develop your illustration style through sketching Marco Mazzoni (@marcomazzoniart) is an Italian artist, originally from Tortona in Piedmont, who creates intricate still lifes and portraits inspired by flora, fauna, and folklore (and which often feature female herbalists from centuries past). He began drawing at the age of five, sketching on every piece of paper he could find while waiting for his father to finish work at the paper mill. Color pencils have always been his favorite medium of expression, initially because they were so affordable, and later because of the range of possibilities they offered.

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  • How to Create a Gradient With India Ink
    Illustration

    How to Create a Gradient With India Ink

    Check out Hilda Palafox’s step-by-step guide for creating a color gradient using India ink India ink has been used for centuries in illustration and calligraphy all over the world. According to Mexican artist Hilda Palafox (@poni), creating a color gradient is a basic and very useful exercise to practice when learning to master the brush and ink. Here, Hilda explains how to master this illustration technique and create a monochromatic color spectrum with ten hues, from gray to black.

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  • Draw Yourself: Illustrator Emma Hanquist Draws Her Career
    Illustration

    Draw Yourself: Illustrator Emma Hanquist Draws Her Career

    How did Emma Hanquist start drawing? Did you know she lives on an island with her family? Discover more about her in this edition of Draw Yourself Emma Hanquist has been working as a freelance illustrator for over ten years, during which time she has worked with clients such as Airbnb and Spotify and filled magazines, like Modern Psykologi, Scandinavian Traveler, and Natur & Kultur, with her illustrations. The Swedish illustrator, armed with a pencil, opens a window to a few of the key moments of her life and the way she understands her profession. From the day she began to illustrate to how she'll look when she's old, Hanquist shows her ability to create wonderful imagery in this Draw Yourself.

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  • The Illustrations That Represent Marcos Chin
    Illustration

    The Illustrations That Represent Marcos Chin

    Get to know iconic illustrator Marcos Chin through the pieces that define his art Marcos has worked for everyone from Google to Ford, Rolling Stone Magazine to The New York Times. But, he didn't grow up in such grand circumstances. Civil war forced his family to leave Mozambique, where he was born, in the mid-1970s. From a humble background, Marcos has been working since he was ten. "I've been paying most of my significant purchases on my own since I was a kid," he told The Illustration Department. "Back to school clothing, books and supplies, my undergraduate education, rent and now my mortgage." Don't miss the opportunity to knoe more about Marcos on his . Here is a collection of the works that took him from there to where he is now. The first big job: Lavalife After working for magazines for a while, his big commission came from an online dating agency, Lavalife: "Where singles click." The company blew up and gave him the platform so he could too. "This campaign lasted for about nine years and it afforded me a life that I never knew could be possible for an illustrator."

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  • Cinema to Watercolor: The Work of Alex Hillkurtz
    Illustration

    Cinema to Watercolor: The Work of Alex Hillkurtz

    Learn how this visual artist’s love of cinema inspired his painting Alex Hillkurtz (@alexhillkurtzart) is a storyboard artist and watercolor painter specialized in architectural motifs. Originally from England, he grew up in California, where he has worked on storyboards for films like Argo, Almost Famous, and Captain America: Winter Soldier. Alex says painting and drawing help us to live at a more relaxed pace by making us aware of our space and what surrounds us. Don’t miss his live chat on Domestika Live. Watch him create a sketch and see his process in action. Let’s learn more about how he developed his artistic style.

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  • Domestika Diaries: Joel Santana
    Illustration

    Domestika Diaries: Joel Santana

    Joel Santana, an illustrator specialized in character design, has a daily routine that helps him start the morning with more creative energy Staying active and creative, especially during times when you can't leave the house, can be difficult if you fall into certain routines. But thankfully there are always ways to reignite that creative spark and to get back on track. In this Domestika Diary, the concept artist and children's book illustrator Joel Santana (@themaddhattr) shares his routine and the daily rituals that help him start his morning off on the right foot so that he can stay focused throughout the day. Learn more in the video below:

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  • 10 Steps to Make a Self-Portrait Collage
    Teacher Illustration

    10 Steps to Make a Self-Portrait Collage

    Follow the steps below to create a unique collage with the materials you have at home I recently shared techniques and ideas to create collages at home with your family in a Domestika live chat. After the live chat, I received several beautiful portraits of the Domestika community. I decided to document the process of portrait collage as a photo tutorial to share with everyone. Read on as I explain how to create a portrait and give it a personal touch step-by-step: 1) Gather all materials We are going to use various types of paper, scissors, glue, and a mirror. We will not need pencils or markers. Best to keep them off the table. Now we need to look at ourselves in the mirror with affection. Remember that a self-portrait not only depicts us physically but also reveals something about us: what we feel, what we desire, what excites us and represents us.

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  • Designers Against Coronavirus
    Illustration

    Designers Against Coronavirus

    Learn more about the project that is engaging with people through images all over the world During these difficult times, the response of the international creative community of all industries has been amazing. Many illustrators and designers have created images to inform, express solidarity, and spread a sense of hope. CaroselloLab, the Italian agency specialized in brand building and designing, wants to make sure all this work does not fade away. Over the past few weeks, they have built Designers Against Coronavirus, DAC, a platform gathering this artwork and making it available to the public.

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  • 3 Museums Offering 2000 Art Books
    Art

    3 Museums Offering 2000 Art Books

    Learn about free use of art books to awaken your creativity If you are looking for inspiring content on fine art, art criticism, theory, or art history, the following resources will interest you. Three museums are letting you download and read thousands of books covering all of the above areas, as well as monographic studies on schools of thought, movements, and artists of all different eras and regions. Find out about the collections available in three large New York museums and some of their most significant treasures free to consult right now. The Metropolitan Museum of Art The Met has collected around 1,700 art books from across the world. You will be able to consult the contents table to check if any particular book has what you need to research. Each book also indicates any award or press review received and includes links to related work and areas of interest. You can download the books for you to keep or read them online here.

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