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  • Meet Illustrator Ulises Mendicutty
    Illustration

    Meet Illustrator Ulises Mendicutty

    The Mexican illustrator with a passion for pink, street culture, skulls and perreo Ulises Mendicutty is an illustrator, art director, and visual artist from Mexico who has been living in Barcelona for over a decade. Passionate about pink, street culture, unique anecdotes, traditions, cinema, the future, skulls and perreo (among many other things), Ulises loves to participate in diverse projects that push him out of his creative comfort zone and experiment with different formats: “I love to draw and see my strokes in magazines or blogs, but I am also a fan of seeing them on a wall or transformed into a ceramic object”. While he studied communication and philosophy at undergrad, art had always been his passion. A postgrad in illustration confirmed that he was destined to draw. He has been commissioned by the Spanish national newspaper El Pais, Slanted Magazine, Vips, and Penguin Random House and his work has been exhibited in Italy, Scotland, Spain, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Here we share a selection of Ulises’ work, from portraits to murals. 365 Fuegos Ulises teamed up with author Bebi Fernandez to create this weekly 2020 calendar. Throughout its pink pages, you’ll find flaming illustrations by Ulises and sassy quotes written by Fernandez. The 2020 calendar was published by Motena under Penguin Random House.

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  • Domestika Diary: Ale Rambar
    Craft

    Domestika Diary: Ale Rambar

    Costa Rican architect and visual artist Ale Rambar opens the doors of his studio and reflects on what motivate his work Ale Rambar's work has traveled the world: he has passed through prestigious national art galleries, accompanied the Costa Rican Olympic team in 2016 during the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, and was even selected to represent Costa Rica in the Beijing International Art Biennale. His technique, based on the topographical analysis of the human form, uses three-dimensional compositions, made with layers of paper and assembled by hand, to talk about themes such as tolerance and equality. In this Domestika Diaries, Rambar shows us his personal studio and talks about the messages behind some of his most relevant works. Discover what he had to say in the video below:

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  • 5 Free Tutorials to Master After Effects
    Teacher 3D & Animation

    5 Free Tutorials to Master After Effects

    Learn how to use basic tools to create animations in different formats with Adobe After Effects Due to its range of tools and format possibilities, After Effects has become a basic software for professionals and creatives involved with visual projects. Below, we share 5 tutorials that will help you master basic functions of formats, tools and actions available in this software. After Effects Tutorial: Types of Layers In this tutorial, Carlos “Zenzuke” Albarrán (@zenzuke), a founding partner of Maaambo design studio who has more than a decade of experience in motion graphics and 2D and 3D animation, reviews the various types of layers in After Effects and their different functions. This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of After Effects before you dive into a project. Find out more in the video below:

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  • What are the origins of the different LGBTQ+ symbols?
    Teacher Design

    What are the origins of the different LGBTQ+ symbols?

    We explain the lesser known origins of some of the LGBTQ+ community’s most recognizable symbols Although there is no doubt that the best known LGBTQ+ symbol is the rainbow flag, which represents the diversity of the community, there are many who feel like they aren’t fully represented in this single symbol, or who for other historic reasons have used other symbols to represent their specific community. Throughout history, the labels and symbols used to represent the LGBTQ+ community have held a lot of meaning, and they continue to do so. Behind each of them there are millions of people fighting for the right to authentically represent themselves, using these symbols not just as a declaration of identity but also as a way to foster community. You’ll likely recognize all, or at least most, of these symbols, but you might know know their origins. Here we tell you a bit more about each them, and why these images hold so much power:

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  • Screen Printing Tutorial: How to Make Handmade Packaging
    Teacher Craft

    Screen Printing Tutorial: How to Make Handmade Packaging

    Discover basic tips to create packaging at home with Tatabi Studio’s screen printing technique Using DIY techniques for your brand identity allows you to create an original and unique style. Among the techniques that help us achieve this aesthetic is silk-screen printing, a popular methods for brands to boost their designs. That's why designer Elena Sancho, founder of Tatabi Studio (@tatabi), teaches us how to use this printing technique to create unique packaging with a lot of personality. You can watch the tutorial here:

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  • 7 World-renowned Artists Exploring LGBTQ+ Identity
    Art

    7 World-renowned Artists Exploring LGBTQ+ Identity

    Art has always been a powerful form of activism. Today we’re celebrating 7 artists who have stood up and spoken out for LGBTQ+ rights. Zanele Muholi, David Hockney, Keith Haring, Catherine Opie, Gilbert & George, Annie Leibovitz, and Robert Mapplethorpe have each used their medium of choice to speak out against social injustice, break down barriers, subvert gender norms, or draw attention to, normalize and celebrate queer identities and relationships. To celebrate Pride month, here we take a look at some of their most iconic works of art.

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  • The Best Unconventional Embroidery
    Craft

    The Best Unconventional Embroidery

    Get inspired by the work of textile artists who take embroidery out of the fabric Many people mistakenly think that embroidery is a boring and old-fashioned activity. Contemporary embroidery artists challenge this idea with each of their pieces. They elevate embroidery as a valuable artistic expression and expand the limits of what can be accomplished with the technique. We have curated a selection of embroidery artists who explore novel themes but also do it outside the canvas. Be amazed and inspired by this work! Danielle Clough Better known on Instagram as Fiance Knowles, this South African needle artist likes to embroider on unexpected objects, like snowshoes and even railings on the streets.

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  • What is Noise in Photography?
    Photography

    What is Noise in Photography?

    Discover what noise is, how it happens, and how to make sure it doesn’t Understanding the concept of visual noise is a basic way to improve the quality of a photograph. While many may use it as an artistic resource, it is an undesirable element for most photographers: a product of failures when capturing or digitizing, of errors when calibrating a camera, or technical deficiencies of the equipment. That said, noise in digital photography can be understood as a visual distortion identifiable as graininess or discoloration that often reduces the impact of an image, obscures details and, when there is a lot, can completely ruin a photograph.

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  • Free Download: Brush Bundle for Procreate
    Illustration

    Free Download: Brush Bundle for Procreate

    Designer Nubikini is temporarily sharing a free download that you can use to create unique letters for social media Layering letters on top of a unique photograph can transport us to unexpected places. The work of Nubikini (@nubikini) does exactly this. She channels emotion through letters and creates visuals that are both mesmerizing and fun. Nubia Navarro–a graphic designer living in Bogotá (Colombia)–has a passion for typography, letters, and photography. Since discovering her fascination with letters after attending a lecture on experimental typography, she’s been experimenting with them non-stop. Nubikini has worked with such international brands as Adidas, Coca Cola, and UNICEF. Always enthusiastic to share her knowledge and love of letters, today Nubikini is offering up her favorite Procreate brushes to the Domestika community. Try them out and be transported to wherever your imagination takes you.

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  • Domestika Maestros: Chip Kidd
    Design

    Domestika Maestros: Chip Kidd

    We talked to American writer, editor, and graphic designer Chip Kidd, one of the most famous and influential book cover designers in history It's hard not to find a book on your shelf that carries one of his designs. Chip Kidd (Pennsylvania, 1964) has worked on over 3000 book covers of all genres, styles, and authors. From Cormac McCarthy to Haruki Murakami, his images have illustrated stories for over three decades. His cover of the mythical novel "Jurassic Park", the skeleton silhouette of a T-Rex, has become part of our cultural imaginary. Chip Kidd opens the doors of his studio in New York and shares with his reflections from his extensive career.

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  • What Is Furniture Restoration?
    Craft

    What Is Furniture Restoration?

    Discover the principles and history of this surprisingly modern vocation Furniture has, of course, existed throughout history: humans have always needed a place to rest their bodies and store their things. It wasn’t until the late 19th and early 20th centuries, however, that the historical and cultural value of furniture, and, in turn, the importance of restoring and conserving it, was recognized. The craft itself also became a means of practically understanding the processes that created the antiques we admire. A community of restorers and museums blossomed and continues to share their findings openly to ensure the authentic preservation of historical artifacts and the skills and techniques used to make them. The Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute lays out three main principles of furniture restoration: The minimization of deterioration (preservation) The consolidation (stabilization) of artifacts as they currently exist Repair/replacement (compensation or restoration) of existing damage One of the most ambitious feats of recent restoration was the work on the chair of Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France until her death during the French Revolution in 1973, by the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

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  • What is SEO?
    Marketing

    What is SEO?

    Natzir Turrado gives you the keys to better understand what SEO is and why you should take it into account for your website An online presence is essential today, so you have to think about how to position yourself. There are few methods for increasing your hits on Google, so it is important to learn what SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is, why it is important, and how search engine positioning and search engine optimization work. Natzir Turrado is a SEO and digital analyst and has worked with important web portals. He is also a professor of marketing, UX, and digital analytics. Here he will explain what SEO is and the basics to improve your presence in search engines.

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  • All The Apps You Need to Create Pixel Art
    Web & App Design

    All The Apps You Need to Create Pixel Art

    Daniel Benítez shares a list of software for creating pixel art Daniel Benítez (@dabntz) is the art director and founder of Fourattic, an independent video game studio. He specializes in pixel art, a technique he used when developing the video game Crossing Souls. He uses the pixel as the smallest digital element to obtain an aesthetic similar to that of classic video games.

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  • How to Create Color Palettes From Photographs
    Photography

    How to Create Color Palettes From Photographs

    Discover Manu Torres’ straightforward process for creating your own color palette from photographs in Adobe Photoshop Manu Torres (@manutorres) teaches photography and digital postproduction at IMEFE in Madrid, specializing in photojournalism, lab processing, and lighting. He started off working in media, however, over time, he has developed a passion for social photography and commercial production.

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  • The Narrative Visuals of Siames Escalante
    Illustration

    The Narrative Visuals of Siames Escalante

    Discover the graphic world of the Mexican illustrator and designer Siamés Escalante (@siamesescalante) is from Merida, Mexico. Her illustration style is characterized by innocence and melancholy, with each piece telling a fantastical tale. Siamés recalls developing a love for illustration when she was a child; she was introverted and spent a lot of her time entertaining herself with coloring books and children’s books.

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  • Toon Me Challenge with Procreate
    Illustration

    Toon Me Challenge with Procreate

    Marcos Chin, an illustrator specializing in digital techniques, uses drawing software Procreate as he faces the Toon Me Challenge In recent months, the creative community has taken part in a new social media challenge that’s been dubbed “Toon Me.” It consists of an artist using a photo of their own face, and then illustrating over part of it to create an image that reflects their creative style and blends photography with drawing. Marcos Chin (@marcoschinart) is an illustrator whose work has appeared in books, magazines, album covers, advertisements, and fashion catalogs, and his clients include Google, Starbucks, and The New Yorker. Because the Toon Me challenge fuses imagination and humor, and Chin is an expert in both, when we challenged him to ‘toon himself he couldn’t resist. Check out the results below.

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  • What is Chalk Lettering and Why is it So Effective?
    Typography, Calligraphy and Lettering

    What is Chalk Lettering and Why is it So Effective?

    Find out what chalk lettering is and why this vintage style is blowing up once again While it might bring up memories of bad math classes or, for members of Generation Z, movies about bad math classes, chalk lettering is a world away from stuffy classrooms and equations. The intricate discipline has experienced a renaissance in recent years as brands and businesses look to the visual appeal it offers to present their work. Chalk lettering is a discipline of the people. It’s cheap, accessible, and we’ve all done it: everyone remembers scrawling something in chalk as a kid, onto a pavement or in a classroom, getting chalk dust under their nails as they blend their masterpiece or erase a mistake.

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  • Photoshop Tutorial: How to Scan or Import Your Character Sketch
    Teacher Illustration

    Photoshop Tutorial: How to Scan or Import Your Character Sketch

    Learn different ways you can digitally import your sketch with Joel Santana It probably sounds obvious, but it bears repeating: how you handle the first steps of any creative project will make a huge difference, not just in the outcome but also in terms of how easy or difficult your process is. From preparing your canvas (either digital or physical) to putting together a mood board that will serve as your guide once you begin to paint, these steps are crucial and, thankfully, they don’t have to be complicated. In this tutorial, character designer Joel Santana (@themaddhattr) explains the best ways to import your sketches into Adobe Photoshop so that you can begin working on them.

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  • 5 Free Tutorials to Spark Your Creativity
    Teacher Marketing

    5 Free Tutorials to Spark Your Creativity

    Learn techniques from different disciplines that will connect with your creative potential Creativity is the result of many variables that not only have to do with specific tools or techniques, but with sensitivity, physical preparation and a sharp eye capable of turning your inspiration into real projects. It does not matter your age, training, or if you are a professional or an amateur creative. If you are looking to get closer to your most sensitive side, overcome a creative block or develop skills that you know live inside you, these tutorials are for you. Illustration Tutorial: How to Tackle the Blank Page Illustrator Adolfo Serra (@adolfoserra) insists that you should never obsess over what the final image will look like and, instead, keep trying until you achieve something that feels fresh. Here he shares three ways to unleash your creativity when you’re experiencing a creative block, let your pencil and mind soar free, and create something special.

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  • 5 Free Tutorials To Be a Photoshop Expert
    Teacher Design

    5 Free Tutorials To Be a Photoshop Expert

    With these 5 tutorials, you will improve the quality of your projects in Adobe Photoshop Enhance your experience with this image editing software, learning how to make the most of each of its tools and functions. For that, we share five practical tutorials that will help you master Adobe Photoshop much more efficiently and quickly. Tutorial: 6 Great Brushes for Digital Painting Using Adobe Photoshop for digital illustration is one of the most common applications of this software, which allows artists, creatives and designers of all levels to build characters, scenarios and objects out of their imagination. The use of custom brushes can also give extra character to our drawings and illustrations. In the following video tutorial, character designer Joel Santana (@themaddhattr) shares his favorite Adobe Photoshop brushes for digital painting. Santana uses them for creative tasks ranging from sketching to color application, and they give a good example of the wide variety of textures offered by Photoshop custom brushes. Find out below:

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  • Dos and Don’ts of Project Management
    Marketing

    Dos and Don’ts of Project Management

    Discover the keys to success when managing a project (and the path to failure) Project managers are professionals who combine a series of skills and knowledge that make sure an objective becomes a reality, from start to finish. In personal or professional projects of any discipline, their work is essential, as they are in charge of keeping each gear in motion and pushing towards the goal. They work with clients, creatives, strategists, brand representatives, and any other actor related to each project. Their activities range from establishing work flows and timescales, to solving failures, and inspiring entire work teams. Therefore, the profile of a project manager moves like a pendulum from precise and accurate work to improvisation and adaptation to any situation or change. Here is a helpful list of dos and don'ts that will show you how to succeed or fail when managing a project:

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  • After Effects Tutorial: Types of Layers
    Teacher 3D & Animation

    After Effects Tutorial: Types of Layers

    Discover the different types of layers in After Effects, and their properties, with Zenzuke One of the main features when it comes to organizing your work in Adobe After Effects - a leading software in visual effects and motion graphics - is the various types of layers that are available. By using them, you can easily edit different parts of a project (such as text, images, or graphics) without interfering with any other elements. In this tutorial, Carlos "Zenzuke" Albarrán (@zenzuke), a founding partner of Maaambo design studio who has more than a decade of experience in motion graphics and 2D and 3D animation, reviews the various types of layers in After Effects and their different functions. This is a great opportunity to learn the basics of After Effects before you dive into a project. Find out more in the video below:

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  • Domestika Diary: Álex de Marcos
    Illustration

    Domestika Diary: Álex de Marcos

    The illustrator Álex de Marcos opens the doors of his house/studio to tell us how he has lived the last few months What happens when your house becomes your painting studio? That is exactly what has happened to illustrator Álex de Marcos (@alex_de_marcos), who, in analog or digital format, has worked for clients all over the world cultivating his particular style of oil painting. During the last few months, Álex has had to combine work and home, but thanks to his motivating routine and the constant pursuit of his artistic goals, he has managed to keep productivity up. In the following Domestika Diaries, the illustrator opens the doors of his house to tell us about his routine, his career... and introduce us to his pet.

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  • Macramé Tutorial: How to Dye a Textile Tapestry
    Teacher Craft

    Macramé Tutorial: How to Dye a Textile Tapestry

    Discover the basic steps for dyeing natural fibers and the process for handling dyes with Pluumbago Water, heat, dye, and the fibers to be dyed. Although it doesn't require much, the dyeing process has its secrets, especially if you want to obtain different tones and textures, or coppery and opaque colors and use other effects that will make your work stand out. In this tutorial, Mexican textile artist Ixchel Yué (@pluumbago), founder of the Pluumbago brand, shares her basic tips on the hydration of the strips, temperature, and heating time, as well as the materials needed for the ideal dyeing of cotton fibers. Necessary materials Before you start, keep in mind that you'll need to gather: A sketch of the work you will do with the dyed strips, in which you establish the amount of fiber each color will receiveWater and a bowl to pre-hydrate the stripsA potDyes of the desired shadesTongs to manipulate the fiber and remove it when it is hotA rag to clean the work areaAn apronSalt or dye fixative

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  • 8 Free Websites to Draw Poses
    Web & App Design

    8 Free Websites to Draw Poses

    Discover original resources to practice your anatomical drawing Gabriel Suchowolski (@microbians) asked the Domestika community to share some of their favorite resources to practice drawing poses. Below you will find a collection of sites that were shared to help people practice anatomical drawing, develop characters, and discover new ways to approach their art. Pose Space This site allows you to search for all kinds of poses by professional artistic models. Its search engine filters photos by position, genre, lighting, nude photos, and more. There are images to view, download and buy. If you want to save poses, you will need to create an account.

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  • What Is Upcycling?
    Craft

    What Is Upcycling?

    Upcycling champions Emma Friedlander-Collins and Ximena Corcuera guide us to environmental awareness in a creative way

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