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Illustration

Free download: Photoshop brushes for creating risographic textured illustrations

Reproduce the charm of risography in your digital illustrations with this free collection of brushes for Photoshop.. Free Photoshop brushes with risograph texture. Risography is an artistic printing technique that has conquered illustrators and designers around the world for its unique aesthetics: grainy textures, vibrant colors and slight imperfections that evoke the analog within the digital environment. Recreating this effect in programs such as Photoshop requires specific tools capable of simulating the ink, grain and overlays characteristic of traditional risography. To help you achieve it, Domestika offers an exclusive free resource: a folder with a selection of Photoshop brushes inspired by this technique, created and used in the course "Risography for illustrators: from digital design to print art".". With these brushes you will be able to give your digital works a tactile and authentic texture, perfect for projects with handmade personality. Why use brushes with risographic texture? The magic of risography lies in its intentional imperfection.. Each misalignment, smudge or color variation generates a warm, human feel that contrasts with the precision of digital design. Using brushes that mimic this technique allows you to: - Recreate the analog look within a digital workflow. - Bring character and visual depth to your illustrations. - Play with layers, transparencies, and hatching to achieve rich and expressive results. This type of brushes is ideal for artists and illustrators who want to maintain a handmade essence in their creations, without giving up the flexibility of digital tools. What's included in this free resource The downloadable file includes a curated collection of Photoshop brushes (.abr) designed specifically to emulate the risographic finish. Inside you will find: - Ink and grain textures, perfect for simulating the porosity of printed paper. - Noise and gradient brushes, that provide tonal nuances and depth. - Shading, fill and expressive stroke tools, that reproduce the irregularities of manual printing. - Brushes for color overlays, ideal for imitating the layers of real risography. All files are ready to install and use directly in your digital projects, without the need of previous adjustments.
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3D & Animation

The Strange Case of the Duplicate Rhapsody

Two animated characters performed the same Liszt piece and sparked one of Hollywood's most peculiar controversies. In the pantheon of Hollywood creative disputes, where egos clash with the regularity of cymbals in a Mahler symphony, there is a 1947 controversy so delightfully absurd that it seems invented by a particularly witty screenwriter¹. It was the year two animation studios produced, with timing that would have impressed Liszt himself, virtually identical short films about anthropomorphic animals attempting to perform "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2" while being sabotaged by smaller rodents. The scandal, if we can dignify a cartoon dispute with such a term, involved two of the most recognizable characters from the golden age of animation: Tom, the perpetually frustrated cat from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and Bugs Bunny, the irreverent rabbit from Warner Bros. Both, in their respective short films-The Cat Concerto and Rhapsody Rabbit-appeared in tails, seated at imposing grand pianos, attempting to navigate Liszt's formidable passages while dealing with furry little spoilers. The similarity between the two productions transcends mere thematic coincidence. The comic sequences - fingers crushed by piano covers, the progressive exasperation of the performer, the resulting musical chaos - unfold with an almost choreographic correspondence. It is as if two teams of creatives, separated by Hollywood's corporate boundaries, have been possessed by the same spirit of physical comedy.
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Design

Design Stuff: free, quality digital design resources for your projects

Discover a curated platform with thousands of free creative resources: fonts, icons, templates and more, ready to use in your designs.. Discover Design Stuff: the platform that gathers the best free digital design resources. In the world of digital design, inspiration and resources are the driving force behind creativity.[/i However, although the Internet is full of graphic materials, finding those that combine professional quality, clear licensing and real utility can become a never-ending task. With that challenge in mind Design Stuff was born, a platform that compiles and organizes the best free digital design resources, selected with professional criteria so you can use them in both personal and commercial projects. This space has become a gem for designers, illustrators and creatives who are looking for reliable and visually attractive tools, without wasting time exploring thousands of pages. In this article we tell you why Design Stuff can become your new creative ally. What is Design Stuff? Design Stuff is a curated platform that brings together high-quality, free digital resources in one place. Its goal is to facilitate access to useful, well-organized and transparently licensed design materials. . In its catalog you will find: - Typographies, from the most sober and elegant to the most experimental. - Icons and illustrations with contemporary styles. - Realistic mockups to present branding, packaging or interface projects. - Ready-made templates for social networks, portfolios or presentations. - Patterns, color palettes and complementary tools to enhance any creative process.
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Design

Affinity reinvents itself: a single app and free for everyone

Canva launches new free version of Affinity: Photo, Designer and Publisher merge into a single professional app that challenges Adobe. Affinity revolutionizes design: new unified free version Canva is once again making a move in the world of professional design. After acquiring Affinity in 2024, the company has announced a new era for its creative suite: Affinity Photo, Designer and Publisher merge into a single free application, a bet that puts Adobe's subscription model in check. This new version allows integrated work in raster, vector and layout modes, simplifying workflows without the need to switch programs. With this, Canva seeks to democratize access to professional design tools and offer a solid alternative to the large traditional suites.
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Design

A History of Three Hundred Sketches

When the most influential designer of the 20th century learned that, in cinema, even geniuses have bosses In the annals of film graphic design, few collaborations have produced as much wasted paper and as much passive-aggressive correspondence as the meeting between Stanley Kubrick and Saul Bass during the creation of the poster for The Shining. It's a story that perfectly illustrates that fundamental Hollywood truth: that the director's ego, like the universe itself, tends toward infinite expansion. It was 1978, and Saul Bass - the man who had reduced Vertigo to a spiral, Anatomy of a Murder to a dismembered silhouette, and The Man with the Golden Arm to an angular, addicted arm - received what must have seemed like a routine assignment: design the poster for Stanley Kubrick's new film. Bass, accustomed to distilling cinematic essence into pure geometry, couldn't have known he was about to embark on an odyssey of revisions that would make Sisyphus look like a slacker.
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Craft

Free download: wood finishing guide for your creative projects

Learn how to enhance and protect your pieces with the best wood finishes. Download this free practical guide and take your creations to the next level. Free guide: master wood finishes and enhance the natural beauty of your pieces. Working with wood is much more than a technique: it is an art form that combines precision, aesthetic sensibility and respect for a living material. Whether in pyrography, woodworking or craft projects, mastering wood finishes is essential to achieve long-lasting and visually stunning results. Each type of finish has its own character: some protect, some beautify, and some achieve both. However, applying them correctly requires knowledge of their properties, textures and reactions to time and light. That's why Domestika offers a free downloadable guide, ideal for artists and craftsmen who want to understand and master the different wood finishes. This resource will help you choose the right treatment for each piece and maximize its natural beauty. Why finishes are key in woodworking. Wood is a living material that breathes, changes and evolves with the environment. Therefore, a proper finish not only improves its appearance, but also protects it against factors such as humidity, sun or the wear and tear of time. A good finish can be the difference between an amateur piece and a professional work. In addition, it directly influences the texture, gloss and final tone of the work. Knowing its types and how to apply them will allow you to achieve uniform, elegant and durable surfaces..
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Illustration

The art of fear: how to depict terror through color and form

The Aesthetics of Fear: A Visual Tour through Terror in Art, History and Popular Culture. The art of fear: how to represent the unsettling from color, form and composition. Fear also has an aesthetic. From the first ritual murals to contemporary films, art has found in terror a visual language of its own. It is not just a matter of representing monsters or violent scenes, but of suggesting the uneasiness that dwells in the unknown, the irrational or the forbidden. Through color, form and composition, artists have learned to provoke intense emotions without resorting to the explicit. The aim of this journey is to discover how to represent fear visually from the symbolic and psychological, transforming anguish into an aesthetic experience.[/i Fear as a creative engine. Since ancient times, fear has been one of the great themes of art. Funerary paintings, mythological sculptures or medieval apocalyptic visions reflect a constant need: to give form to the unknown. In every era, art has functioned as a space to confront collective and personal fears. But fear does not only seek to frighten: the sinister can also arouse curiosity, empathy and reflection.. Works that deal with the dark - be it death, emptiness or madness - remind us that art is a mirror where the deepest emotions of the human being are reflected.
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Illustration

Design your inner monster: creativity for Halloween

Discover your inner monster this Halloween and transform emotions into art with creative exercises, illustration and original visual techniques. Halloween is not just about costumes and candy; it is an opportunity to explore our creativity from the symbolic and emotional. This time of the year invites us to look inward, confront what we often repress and give it form through art. The concept of "inner monster" works as a powerful metaphor: it represents our fears, oddities and hidden forces. By materializing it, we can better understand our emotions and express them visually. In this article, we propose creative exercises that will allow you to transform these ideas into unique and expressive art projects, ideal to enjoy and share this Halloween. The power of the monster as a creative metaphor. From classic fairy tales to contemporary cinema, monstrous creatures have been reflections of our unconscious. Frankenstein, Munch's iconic painting The Scream or Guillermo del Toro's fantastic creatures are examples of how art has turned fear and the unknown into visual expression. Designing a monster is not just an exercise in drawing or sculpture: it is an introspective process. By shaping these creatures, we explore our own psyche and learn to know the hidden aspects of our personality. How to connect with your "inner monster". Before starting to create, it is important to identify the emotions that often remain hidden: fear, anger, vulnerability or desire. Each feeling can be associated with shapes, colors and textures that reflect its intensity or subtlety. Instead of judging these emotions, the goal is to reinterpret them visually. Ask yourself: what would anger look like if it had a body? What colors and materials could represent vulnerability? This approach transforms fear into creativity and allows you to connect authentically with your "inner monster".
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Teacher Craft

Start Weaving with Confidence: Materials, Setup, and Inspiration for Beginners

Starting your first weaving can feel both exciting and overwhelming, so many colors, textures, and tools to choose from! Setting up your materials is part of the creative process itself. Every yarn, fiber, and thread you choose carries its own energy and texture, shaping the way your final piece feels, both visually and emotionally. In my Weaving for Beginners course on Domestika, I teach you how to use bold colors and organic patterns to express yourself through thread and texture. Before you start, here’s a simple guide to setting up your materials and finding what feels right for you.
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Domestika

Experience creativity live: November's Domestika Lives are not to be missed!

Explore new techniques, learn from artists from around the world and discover how to transform your creative process with this month's live sessions.. November arrives loaded with inspiration with a new series of Domestika Lives, live sessions where creators share their processes, techniques and secrets to keep learning together. Each month, the community gathers to see how artists from different disciplines -from illustration and photography, to embroidery or digital design- transform an idea into something tangible. Domestika Lives are much more than live classes: they are spaces to ask questions, experiment and connect with people who live creativity from different corners of the world. And best of all, they are totally free. Get ready to discover the new sessions that will mark November and immerse yourself in a month full of learning, inspiration and community. Alignment & Manifestation for Creatives with Jessica Dance | November 3 | 4 PM GTM | English Jessica Dance, you will explore how true manifestation comes from alignment, not effort. You will learn how to harmonize your thoughts, emotions and actions to create real flow in your creative practice and your business. Jessica will share how shifting your energy can make achieving your goals easier, inspire you more and connect you deeply with your authentic self. You'll also discover simple tools to realign your mind and body, such as breathing, journaling and intention setting, and understand how to trust your intuition to make aligned decisions that bring your creative visions to life.
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Illustration

10 artists who explored the dark (and turned fear into art)

The Art of Darkness: Ten Artists Who Transformed Fear into Their Muse and Created Unforgettable Works. 10 artists who turned fear into art. Art is not only born from beauty or harmony. It also arises from the fear, anguish and darkness that inhabit the human interior. Throughout history, many artists have found in these intense emotions a source of creative energy, transforming the disturbing into works that move, disturb and fascinate at the same time. Far from fleeing from the shadow, these creators confronted it in order to understand and shape it. This article traces the work of ten artists who made fear their muse, demonstrating that the dark, when turned into art, can be one of the purest forms of truth and beauty. Art as a reflection of fear. From cave paintings to contemporary installations, fear has accompanied humanity as a mirror of its vulnerability. Representing the sinister has not only served to exorcise fears, but also to explore them and give them meaning. The dark in art does not always provoke rejection; it also arouses curiosity, empathy and fascination.. When looking at the horror, pain or anguish reflected in a work, the viewer is confronted with his or her own limits. Thus, darkness becomes a tool to connect with the deepest part of the human being.
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3D & Animation

Artisanal vs. digital animation: two paths, one passion

Animation: The art of bringing the inanimate to life through creativity, technology and captivating storytelling. Craft animation vs. digital animation: two ways to bring movement to life. Animation is an art that combines technique, patience and creativity. Through movement, artists manage to transform ideas into living images that tell stories, convey emotions and awaken the viewer's imagination. Although the tools and processes have evolved over time, the essence remains the same: giving life to the inanimate. Today, two main forms of animation coexist: handmade animation, heir to frame-by-frame manual work, and digital animation, which takes advantage of technology to expand the limits of what is possible. This article proposes a journey through the differences, commonalities and values shared by both paths.
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Design

Free accounting management template for creatives

Organize your finances easily with our free accounting management template. Ideal for creatives, freelancers and personal projects. Free download: accounting management template for your creative projects. Creativity has no timetables, but accounting does. If you work in the creative field, you know that keeping an orderly control of your finances can be as important as a good idea. Managing income, expenses and budgets with clarity can make the difference between a profitable project and a disorganized one. [That's why at Domestika we have created a free accounting management template, especially designed for designers, illustrators, photographers, advertisers and freelance professionals. With this tool you will be able to organize your accounts, analyze results and plan your next projects in a clear, professional and uncomplicated way. What does this template include? - Income and expense register: easily classify your operations by client or project type. - b]Automatic summary: visualize your balances and detect opportunities for improvement. - Monthly control: manage your cash flow and financial goals by month. - b]Available in three languages: Spanish, English and Portuguese. A simple, complete and adaptable tool for any type of creative project. Why it is useful for you This template is designed for creative industry professionals who are looking for a practical way to manage their finances without resorting to complex accounting software. With it you will be able to: - Save time in your administrative tasks. - Have a global vision of the profitability of your projects. - Make informed financial decisions based on real data. Because good management not only improves your numbers, it also gives you more freedom to focus on what really matters: creating. How to use the template. Download the ZIP file with the template: U3-03_Gestion contable_ES-EN-PT.zip Open the document in the language of your choice. Customize the fields according to your projects. Start recording your movements and see how your financial organization improves.
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Illustration

Picasso: the constant reinvention that inspires today's creators

Discover the artistic stages of Pablo Picasso and how his spirit of reinvention can inspire you to evolve as a creator without fear of change.. Picasso and the art of reinvention: lessons for contemporary creatives. Pablo Picasso is one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His life and his work are a lesson in constant transformation and the courage to fearlessly explore the unknown.[/i Throughout more than seven decades of creation, Picasso never stopped experimenting, questioning and breaking his own limits. His name is associated with talent, yes, but above all with an inexhaustible curiosity and a profound need for change. Each stage of his career was a break with the previous one. He did not seek to repeat what worked, but to always find a new way of seeing the world. In this constant urge to reinvent himself, Picasso found his true identity.
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Illustration

Creative exercises to find your style by combining several techniques

Discover your unique style: Creative exercises for artists and designers looking to enhance their originality. Finding one's own style is one of the most exciting - and also most challenging - stages in the creative journey.. That authentic visual voice doesn't come out of nowhere: it is built through practice, curiosity and constant experimentation. One of the most effective ways to discover your style is to mix different techniques: traditional with digital, analog with contemporary. This approach allows you to explore new expressions, break routines and find what really resonates with you. Below, you will find practical exercises to discover what defines your visual language and enhance your artistic identity.
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Illustration

Explore your line: line exercises to unleash your creativity

Discover a free guide of line exercises to loosen up your hand, gain confidence and fill your sketchbook with rhythm and movement.. Every illustration begins with a line. A simple gesture capable of conveying rhythm, movement and emotion. Practicing with lines not only improves technique: it also frees the mind and connects with the creative process. In this article you will discover how line exercises help you gain confidence, develop a freer style and enjoy drawing as a form of visual meditation. In addition, you can download a free resource from Domestika with practical exercises to experiment with in your sketchbook. Why practicing with lines transforms your drawing. Line is the basis of all drawing: it defines shapes, suggests textures and conveys movement. Practicing with different types of line allows you to improve precision, reduce blockages and connect with your own visual language. More than a technique, drawing lines is a form of creative meditation: each stroke reflects your energy and your emotional state. What's included in the free resource The Domestika downloadable file includes: - Guided exercises to explore different types of line: continuous, dashed, expressive, gestural, among others. - Practical suggestions to vary rhythm, pressure and direction. - Creative proposals to fill your sketchbook with spontaneous compositions. - Interactive spaces in the PDF to practice directly or reinterpret the exercises in your sketchbook.
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Design

Logosystem: the largest library of logos to inspire your designs

Discover Logosystem, the online platform with thousands of real and fictitious logos to inspire your creativity in branding and visual identity. Logosystem: the definitive platform to inspire you in logo design For graphic designers, illustrators and visual creatives, finding constant inspiration is essential. This is where Logosystem becomes a must-have tool. This online platform offers an extensive library of real and fictional logos, designed to explore, analyze and nurture your creativity in branding, visual identity and concept design projects. Whether you are developing the identity of an emerging brand or looking for references for more complex projects, Logosystem is a reliable and accessible source of professional inspiration. Its value lies in allowing you to study trends, styles and concepts that enrich your creative process, helping you to create unique and coherent logos. → Explore Logosystem here What is Logosystem and how it works. Logosystem is an online platform that collects thousands of logos organized by style, industry, shape, color and concept. Its intuitive interface allows you to browse through collections, save favorite designs and compare them to evaluate different visual approaches. In addition to existing brand logos, the platform includes dummy designs created for creative experimentation, which expands learning possibilities without commercial limitations. This allows designers to train their visual eye, understand how identities are structured and recognize patterns they can apply to their own projects. Why it is a valuable tool for designers. Logosystem is not just a gallery; it is a visual analysis and learning tool.. Among its main benefits are: - It facilitates visual research and allows you to identify design trends. - It allows to study how identities are built through symbols, typography and color. - It works as a starting point for creative processes or to overcome design blocks. - Helps train visual perception by identifying patterns, proportions and styles. By using Logosystem, creatives not only gather ideas: they also learn to evaluate what works and what doesn't in terms of visual communication and brand consistency.
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Marketing

Creative self-promotion: how to boost your career with Reality Check

Discover how Domestika's free resource Reality Check helps you evaluate your personal brand and improve your self-promotion strategy.. In any creative professional's career, self-promotion is key. Many illustrators, designers, photographers and creatives in general face blocks, doubts or lack of direction when it comes to communicating their work. It is not enough to have talent; it is also necessary to know how to show it strategically. To help you take this step, Domestika offers a free resource called Reality Check, specifically designed to analyze your professional situation and refocus your self-promotion strategy. This practical exercise not only helps you sell your work, but connect with your creative purpose and strengthen your professional presence. What is the Reality Check and why you need it. The Reality Check is a practical exercise designed to reflect on your personal brand, your goals and your methods of self-promotion. Unlike other tools focused solely on sales, this resource focuses on getting to know yourself and your work, identifying areas for improvement and opportunities for growth. It is especially useful for: Illustrators looking to highlight their unique style. Designers who want to attract projects aligned with their vision. Photographers looking for visibility and suitable clients. Any creative professional who wants to improve their presence and job opportunities. What you'll find in this free resource The Reality Check includes: Self-assessment questions and exercises that invite you to reflect on your career. Spaces to analyze strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. Practical tips to redefine your professional focus. Downloadable format to use as a guide for personal and creative growth. By completing these exercises, you will be able to identify patterns in your self-promotion, recognize what works and what doesn't, and plan concrete actions to improve your strategy. How to use it step by step. 1. Download the document from Domestika's website. 2. Take time to answer honestly each question, without rushing. 3. Identify patterns and areas for improvement that you can address immediately. 4. Use the results as a starting point to adjust your self-promotion strategy and boost your visibility. With this approach, the Reality Check becomes a true professional growth map, useful for both beginners and experienced creatives looking for new opportunities. From resource to complete course If you want to go even deeper, you can explore the "Self-Promotion Techniques for Creatives" course. This course expands on the ideas in Reality Check, offering: - Tools to improve your portfolio and visual communication. - Professional positioning strategies to stand out in your industry. - Practical methods to attract clients and projects aligned with your style and purpose. Self-promotion is not ego; it is strategy. Taking the time to reflect on your work and plan your communication is a fundamental step to grow professionally. The first step to stand out is to know yourself, and the Reality Check is the perfect tool to begin this journey.
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Music & Audio

The end of MTV: farewell to an era of music culture

MTV will stop broadcasting its music channels in Europe by the end of 2025. We analyze the end of a pop icon and how streaming changed the way we watch music.. For more than four decades, MTV was synonymous with music culture, rebellion and visual aesthetics.. From the iconic music videos of the 80s to the reality shows that marked an entire generation, the channel managed to reinvent the way we consume music and entertainment. Now, Paramount Global has confirmed that MTV Music, MTV Hits and MTV 80s will close their broadcasts in Europe at the end of 2025, marking the end of a television era that shaped the cultural identity of millions of people. MTV's impact on visual culture. MTV was not only a music channel: it was a creative laboratory where graphic design, animation and audiovisual direction became protagonists. Its video clips boosted the careers of artists such as Madonna, Nirvana or Beyoncé, but also served as a platform for emerging directors and designers. For many creators, MTV was the school where they learned to storytell with rhythm, typography and color. Every bumper, animated logo or music video was a visual statement that set trends.
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Illustration

The Forgotten Women Behind Renaissance Art

Discover the women artists of the Renaissance who broke barriers and left their mark on the history of art, although they were made invisible.. The forgotten women of the Renaissance: the artists who also made history. The Renaissance is remembered as one of the most brilliant eras in the history of art.[/i It was the time when beauty, science and humanist thought came together to shape an unprecedented cultural legacy. However, behind the great names we all know -Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael- lies a lesser told story: that of the women artists who were also part of that splendor, but were relegated to oblivion.[/b This article seeks to rescue their names, stories and contributions, giving them back the place they deserve in the history of art. Because without them, the Renaissance would have been incomplete.[/b The context of the Renaissance and gender barriers. During the 15th and 16th centuries, access to artistic training was deeply gendered, and women were forbidden to study anatomy, attend academies or sign contracts as teachers. Their participation was restricted to family workshops, where they learned painting or sculpture techniques in the shadow of their fathers or brothers. Guilds and patrons-key figures for professional recognition-were dominated by men, limiting opportunities for women artists. Even so, many managed to stand out thanks to their talent and determination, defying the stereotypes of their time.
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Illustration

Creativity without borders: artists mixing disciplines and breaking molds

Fusion of Disciplines: The New Era of Contemporary Art and its Implications for Artistic Creation Today. Breaking the Molds: The Power of Interdisciplinary Art Creativity flourishes when we stop following the rules and start mixing it up. In contemporary art, more and more creators are choosing to merge disciplines and blur the boundaries between techniques, media and languages. Painting dialogues with music, sculpture becomes performance, and technology opens up completely new territories for artistic expression. These artists are not satisfied with a single format: they explore, experiment and reinvent the way of creating.[/b This article celebrates that courageous attitude and proposes an inspiring reflection: what happens when we dare to break the limits of our own creative process?[/i The power of interdisciplinarity. In art, mixing disciplines is not a trend, but a natural evolution. Each technique brings a different look and, by combining them, new ways of communicating emotions and ideas emerge. Working in an interdisciplinary way allows us to break the traditional schemes of art and connect with the public from unexpected angles. When a performance incorporates sound, technology or recycled materials, it generates a complete sensory experience that goes beyond contemplation. This hybridization also reflects the spirit of our times: we live connected, in constant crossroads of influences and visual stimuli. That is why experimentation and innovation are not only aesthetic values, but also tools for artistic evolution.
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Photography

Telling stories with light: basic photographic lighting techniques

Master the Light: Transform your Photos into Captivating Stories through Advanced Lighting and Composition Techniques. The role of light in photographic storytelling. Every photograph has an emotional tone, and it is light that dictates its "voice". Dramatic lighting can generate tension or mystery, while soft, diffused light conveys calm or intimacy. Similarly, the choice between natural or artificial light directly influences the viewer's perception: a window can create a melancholic mood, while a controlled LED panel allows to compose more cinematic scenes. Learning to "read" light is the first step to using it as a narrative tool, whether in portraits, landscapes or product photography. Types of light in photography. Natural light It is the most accessible and versatile source. Its variations according to the time of day offer multiple possibilities: - Golden hour (sunrise or sunset): warm tones, soft shadows, magical atmosphere. - Blue hour (just after sunset): cool tones and subtle contrast. Taking advantage of these moments enhances texture and color without the need for additional equipment. Artificial light. Ideal for controlling every detail. It can come from flashes, lamps or LED panels, and allows to reproduce specific conditions in interiors or night sessions. The trick is to combine it with modifiers (diffusers, reflectors or softboxes) to achieve natural effects. - Hard light vs. soft light. - Hard light: generates sharp shadows, high contrast and drama. - Soft light: blurs contours, adds subtlety and a sense of naturalness. Mastering both will allow you to adapt to the type of story you want to tell.
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Design

Free download: Prompts to create your isotype with AI in Canva

Today, a brand is recognized by its image. The isotype, a key symbol, represents the essence of a project in an immediate, memorable and coherent way. Today, a brand is recognized not only by its name, but also by its image. In this visual universe, the isotype is a key piece: a symbol that represents the essence of a project in an immediate, memorable and coherent way. Thanks to digital tools, designing an isotype is no longer a process exclusive to design experts. [Artificial intelligence (AI) and accessible platforms such as Canva allow anyone -whether entrepreneur, creator or student- to develop a solid visual identity with professional results. In this article we tell you how to do it and share with you a free resource from Domestika: a downloadable guide with ready-to-use prompts, specially designed to generate unique and creative isotypes with AI in Canva. What is an isotype and why you need it. Before we get down to business, it's worth clarifying a few concepts. An isotype is the symbol or icon that represents a brand without the need to be accompanied by text. Unlike the logotype (which is based on typography or the name) and the imagotype (which combines text and image), the isotype is the pure visual form, the iconic trace that allows immediate recognition. Think of Apple's apple, Nike's swoosh or Twitter's bird: all are isotypes that communicate identity without words. Having a well-designed one not only enhances brand recall, but also reinforces visual consistency across all touch points - from social media to packaging to presentations. A well-constructed isotype conveys values, personality and purpose in a single glance, and with the help of AI, creating one no longer requires hours of sketching. The role of AI in graphic design today. Artificial intelligence is transforming the creative process in every field, and graphic design is no exception. Today, tools like Canva with integrated AI make it possible to generate visual ideas in an agile and efficient way, especially in the early stages of ideation. Instead of replacing the designer, AI amplifies his or her creative capacity, offering multiple options that serve as a starting point. You can explore different styles, palettes or shapes without starting from scratch, speeding up the process and discovering possibilities you might not have imagined. The role of the creator remains essential: curating, tweaking and providing the personal vision that turns an AI-generated idea into a truly original piece. In short, AI does not replace creativity: it empowers it.. What you'll find in this free resource. Domestika's downloadable resource, entitled "Prompts Guide - Creative Logos", includes a collection of prompts adapted for Canva with AI, designed to help you create isotypes quickly, effectively and professionally. Inside the PDF you will find: - Specific prompts to generate minimalist, geometric, natural, futuristic or typographic isotypes. - Visual examples showing the results you can obtain with each prompt. - Practical tips to customize your isotypes according to the style and values of your brand. The goal is that you can create, explore and experiment without complications, transforming abstract ideas into powerful symbols.
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Illustration

Stories of artists who found their refuge in creativity

Art, an emotional refuge, transforms the human experience through creativity. It has always been expression, catharsis and communication. Throughout history, art has been much more than a form of expression: it has been an emotional refuge, a place to channel pain, uncertainty or fear. In difficult times, creating becomes an act of resistance and self-discovery. Creativity not only transforms materials, but also emotions. Many artists have made art their way of healing. They have turned their hardest experiences into works that today inspire the whole world. This article celebrates those who have found in creativity an engine of resilience, demonstrating that art can be a powerful tool for transforming vulnerability into beauty.[/b Frida Kahlo: art as an expression of physical and emotional pain. The life of Frida Kahlo is one of the clearest examples of how art can be born out of suffering. From her youth, her story was marked by physical pain after a serious bus accident that left her with lifelong sequelae. To this were added multiple operations, health problems and emotional storms. However, Frida found her most honest language in painting. Through her self-portraits full of symbolism, she captured not only her wounded body, but also her resilient spirit. Her work is a constant conversation between pain and strength, between identity and reconstruction. Beyond the myth, Frida teaches us that vulnerability can be transformed into an inexhaustible source of creativity. Each of her strokes is an affirmation of life, an invitation to fearlessly express what hurts us and, in doing so, to liberate it.
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Culinary

The art of decorating cakes as a work of design

Pastry: from cuisine to art, where each cake is a masterpiece that excites and inspires, transforming simple ingredients into unforgettable experiences.. Decorating a cake involves much more than technique: it is a combination of aesthetics, visual narrative and artistic sensibility. Each texture, color or shape has the ability to convey an idea or an emotion, just like an illustration, a sculpture or a graphic design. In this article we will explore how creative baking can be equated with design and applied art, and how each cake can be transformed into a work that fuses taste, beauty and concept. Pastry as a blank canvas. For a pastry chef or pastry chef, a cake is much more than a sweet preparation: it is a blank canvas where colors, shapes, volumes and textures are combined. Creative pastry is similar to visual art because it shares its search for balance, composition and personal expression. A cake can evoke the soft brushstrokes of a watercolor, the geometric cleanliness of modern design or the delicacy of a handcrafted sculpture. In each creation there is a design exercise: deciding the color palette, the proportions, the materials (fondant, icing, cream, edible paint) and the way everything integrates visually.
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Illustration

Comic-Con Málaga 2025: summary and highlights of the event

Comic-Con Málaga 2025 gathered more than 100,000 fans. Hollywood, epic cosplay and activities that marked the pop culture.. Malaga made history from September 25 to 28 by becoming the first city outside the United States to host Comic-Con. The Palacio de Ferias y Congresos (FYCMA) was transformed into a huge pop culture showcase that attracted more than 100,000 attendees from different countries. The atmosphere was a celebration of movies, series, comics, gaming and cosplay. For four days, fans shared space with international stars, comic artists, film directors and content creators. The result was a vibrant event, with iconic moments that marked a before and after in Spain's cultural calendar. The arrival of Comic-Con in Spain For the first time, the San Diego Comic-Con crossed borders to be held in Malaga. With more than 80,000 m² dedicated to activities, the FYCMA became the epicenter of international pop culture.
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Design

Bauhaus: timeless design lessons that still guide creativity

Bauhaus: an enduring legacy, beyond a school, a movement that transformed design. Throughout the history of design, few schools have left such a deep and lasting mark as the Bauhaus. Founded in 1919 in Germany by Walter Gropius, the Bauhaus was not just an educational institution, but a revolutionary movement that forever transformed the way we understand art, architecture and design. At a time of social reconstruction after World War I, the Bauhaus sought to unite art, design and functionality, eliminating the barriers between disciplines. Its goal was clear: to create beautiful and useful objects for daily life. Today, more than a century later, its principles continue to inspire generations of creatives who seek a balance between aesthetics, utility, and innovation. This article rescues the timeless lessons of the Bauhaus to apply them in the current context of digital, graphic and architectural design. The origin of the Bauhaus. The Bauhaus was born in Weimar with the vision of integrating art and industry. Gropius believed that design should be at the service of people, and that artists and craftsmen could work together to create a new modern aesthetic.
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Illustration

Free download: Exercises to practice drawing with 1 vanishing point

Download free 1 vanishing point perspective exercises and improve your drawings of spaces, interiors and urban landscapes step by step.. The perspective at 1 vanishing point is one of the most important techniques in drawing, since it allows to represent scenes and spaces with realism. Through it, objects and lines converge towards a single point on the horizon, generating the sensation of depth.. Mastering this technique is key for both beginners and experienced illustrators, as it is the basis on which more complex perspectives are built. With it you can create streets, interiors, buildings and cityscapes that convey visual coherence and credibility. To help you improve your practice, Domestika has prepared a free resource: a downloadable file with 1 vanishing point perspective exercises that you can easily integrate into your drawing routine. What is 1 vanishing point perspective? The 1 vanishing point perspective is a simple and visual method that organizes the elements of a scene towards a central point on the horizon. Common examples where it is applied: -A street seen from the front, where buildings and sidewalks are aligned toward a point. -The interior of a room, where walls, floors and ceilings are visually connected. -Urban landscapes showing avenues or corridors with depth. This technique not only helps to give coherence to the drawing, but is the basis for moving towards two or three vanishing point perspectives. Without a clear understanding of this first level, it is difficult to build complex scenes with solidity. The value of practicing with guided exercises. Learning perspective requires constant practice and attention to detail. Guided exercises are an excellent way to internalize basic concepts: -Understanding proportions and scales:-Understanding how the size of objects varies as they are zoomed out. -Mastering depth: creating the illusion of distance and space in a two-dimensional plane. -Improve accuracy: build confidence when drawing structures, interiors or architectural scenes. These skills are not only useful for artistic illustration, but also for comics, interior design, architecture and urban sketching.
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Illustration

How to overcome the fear of starting from scratch in an artistic discipline

Discover how to transform the fear of starting from scratch in an artistic discipline into an opportunity for growth and creativity.. Starting from scratch in an artistic discipline can generate fear, insecurity and doubts. It is normal to feel blockage when we leave behind what we know, but the important thing is to understand that every start brings with it the possibility to grow. In this article you will find practical keys and motivation to face new beginnings in art, seeing the process not as a setback, but as an opportunity for discovery and creative evolution. The burden of "starting from scratch". Fear often arises from attachment to what we have already mastered. When facing a new discipline, we are overcome by the feeling of losing ground we have gained. Added to this are: Comparison with others: looking at the work of those who have already mastered the technique can generate impostor syndrome.. - The pressure of immediate results: we want to progress quickly, without giving room for error or natural learning. - Recognizing these emotions is the first step to transform them into a creative engine. Reformulate the idea of "beginner". Being a beginner does not mean being less capable; on the contrary, it brings with it unique advantages: Curiosity and freshness: the gaze of one who explores for the first time opens paths that experts sometimes do not see. Free exploration: without ties to rigid rules, one experiments more. Many artists have changed disciplines and built brilliant careers from scratch. These examples are proof that starting over is, in fact, an opportunity. Strategies for overcoming fear. To transform fear into action, it is helpful to rely on small routines: Set achievable goals: break down learning into concrete, realistic steps. Turn practice into habit: create a constant space, without pressure for perfection. Accept mistakes: every mistake is a learning resource, not a failure. Seek inspiration: surround yourself with artistic references and communities that drive motivation.
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Photography

100 years of Leica: the brand that revolutionized photography

Leica celebrates 100 years of transforming photography.discover how its cameras changed the way we look and tell stories.. Celebrating 100 years of Leica is not just about commemorating a camera brand: it's about paying tribute to a cultural, artistic and technological legacy that changed the way we see the world. From its first camera in 1925 to the present day, Leica has been synonymous with innovation, precision and creativity. The German brand didn't just make tools for capturing images: it transformed the way we tell visual stories and relate to photography. The birth of a legend. In 1925, Leica introduced the first 35 mm camera, a milestone that democratized photography and allowed more people to carry around a lightweight, portable device. Until then, cameras were heavy and limited spontaneity. [Leica offered a new way of looking: discreet, agile and ready to immortalize the instant. Technical innovations that marked an epoch. What made Leica a benchmark was not only its compact size. Over the years, the brand has introduced advances that have marked the history of photography: Compactness and portability: the revolution of the small camera that fits in the hand. Exceptional quality optics: sharp and bright lenses, key to technical precision. Versatility: a design adaptable to multiple disciplines, from photojournalism to art and documentary photography.
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