In this post, I am going to review two sketching courses through Domêstika that I found delightful. But first I want to give a bit of history.
Background
I have sketched on and off for years, but nothing really all that serious until about three years ago. Until then, most of my sketches were to record an interesting idea I ran across in a book, or on a walk, etc. the sketches were rather technical in nature. I cannot remember why I decided to start up again a few years ago, but I’m glad I did. Most days I sketched as I had a few breaks in the day between things. They weren’t long enough to take a walk or start reading a book. And as I didn’t want to use tons of data on the phone plan, it was sketching that I started to do. My sketches ended up like this (which came out rather well, if I do say so myself).
I sketched through the academic school year. Summer brought different activities and the start of the school year brought a change in routine. I dropped sketching.
Last February, I got looking for something to start during Lent. Rather than give something up, I wanted to start something. As I was looking for ideas, I happened across one my old sketchbooks. So, I started sketching for Lent. And I continued sketching right through the lock-down and I’m still sketching now. I may not sketch every day, but I’m trying to make it a good habit.
As I mentioned a while back, the sketching has become a type of prayerful mediation (see “Why I Sketch as a Spiritual Exercise”).
And then I fell for one of those advertisements that pop-up in your social-media feeds.
It was for a sketching course through Domêstika. “The Art of Sketching: Transform Your Doodles into Art”, a course by Mattias Adolfsson. The advertisement showed Richard Scaryesque scenes but with robots and computers and other funny things. I jumped right in.
“The Art of Sketching: Transform Your Doodles into Art” Course
Mattias Adolfsson is a Swedish illustrator. That gives him the credentials to know what he is talking about. Some people who are successful at a craft (illustration, boatbuilding, preaching, etc.) have a hard time teaching others their craft. Mattias is a born teacher.
I believe Domêstika uses a similar format for all their lessons: 5 Sections (with the introduction first). Each section might have three videos explaining the techniques. There are assignments for each section.
In “The Art of Sketching: Transform Your Doodles into Art,” Mattias walks us through the materials needed. He gives us examples of how to use these materials to unlock creativity. Other lessons include ones on perspective (including an isometric style that he uses). In addition, there are lessons on character development: expressive faces, moving bodies, and drawing yourself. Finally, Mattias concludes with how to participate in the larger artistic community.
I really appreciated the content. But I was also struck by the community that formed through sharing one’s art. And it was really fantastic that Mattias takes the time to comment to everyone’s submitted art work.
Overall I would highly recommend this course.
The course is in English with subtitles in other languages.
(A side note: I have taken some other classes through Domêstika in Spanish with English subtitles and haven’t found it a problem. So don’t let the language be a barrier to exploring what Domêstika has to offer.)
“Urban Sketching: Express Your World in a New Perspective” Course
When I saw that Lapin was teaching a course through Domêstika, I immediately signed up for another course. If you do not know who Lapin is, he is a French Urban Sketcher based in Barcelona. I find his artwork amazing. In addition, he is a fantastic teacher.
I have watched all the lessons in this course, but I am only about half-way done with the lessons. This is in part due to the weather. Lapin encourages you to sketch outside and it has been too rainy to do so. However, I find that I am using many of his techniques already.
Some of those techniques include finding more freedom in using a limited color pallet for my watercolors. I have also been experimenting with my white Sakura jelly roll. In addition, I’ve been working on my portrait drawing. I have yet to really dive into using his curvilinear perspective, yet. But that’s next.
In “Urban Sketching: Express Your World in a New Perspective” course, Lapin teaches about line and color techniques, perspective, inspiration, and themes. For instance, what childhood interests do you still have as adults? Dinosaurs? Boats?
Lapin covers warm up exercises. How to draw a portrait? (He has his own style he teaches you). Then he moves outdoors to draw from observation covering the techniques from perspective (and the curvilinear perspective he uses (think fish-eye camera lens)) to linework, color and texture.
The Lesson then concludes with storytelling and how to share your content and participate in community.
I have found that Lapin responds reasonably quickly on the Domêstika forum. As I didn’t have a separate Instagram account for my art when I started taking the class, I was posted to the forum. Lapin mentions that it is best to tag him (he gives a hashtag to use) as that is easier for him to interact with. As of this writing I don’t know what his response time is in that format. But I was still impressed.
Overall, I would recommend this course. I enjoyed this course.
This course is taught in English, with subtitles in other languages.
Overview
I’ve reviewed two Domêstika courses that I think are worth taking.
“The Art of Sketching: Transform Your Doodles into Art”, a course by Mattias Adolfsson explores a more creative imaginative world that invites your participation.
“Urban Sketching: Express Your World in a New Perspective” by Lapin encourages you sketch by observation the world around you.
I hope you have found these reviews helpful.
Blessed be
Currently I’ve been reading Huw Lewis-Jones and Kari Herbert’s Explorers’ Sketchbooks: the Art of Discovery and Adventure.
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Huw Lewis-Jones and Kari Herbert’s Explorers’ Sketchbooks: the Art of Discovery and Adventure