Script:

Today I’m sharing a few highlights from some Domestika courses I’ve enjoyed over the years.

A while back, Domestika used to have frequent sales.

They still do, though now it’s a bit more subscription‑based. I picked up several courses for under ten dollars each, and what I liked was the consistency.

Every instructor has their own style, of course, but the overall format is structured in a way that makes learning feel organized and approachable.

I also love that many of the courses are short and focused on a single project. I’m usually juggling a few hobbies at once, so I tend to do better with compact, well‑designed lessons rather than a ten‑hour marathon.

Here are a few of my favourites.

First: Expressive Architectural Sketching by Albert Kiefer.

I actually found this through a YouTube ad, and I’m usually quite advertising‑resistant.

But something about his style drew me in. His instruction was friendly, clear, and very engaged with students.

This was the first Domestika course I ever finished.

Second: Portrait Sketchbooking by Gaby Niko.

I bought this at the same time as the first one because I loved her expressive, delicate, and realistic but not hyper‑realistic style.

Her teaching tone was warm and encouraging, which I really appreciated.

Portraits are something I enjoy but always need to practice.

Third: Scientific Illustration of Animals in Watercolor by Balamoc.

This one was very thorough, especially in the planning stages.

I used the techniques to paint a Baltimore Oriole, which I’ve shared on the blog.

It was a nice change from my usual pen and pigment liner style.

Fourth: Intro to Portrait Sketching by Bill Robles.

He’s one of the most well‑known courtroom illustrators. He even illustrated the Michael Jackson trial.

Oddly, the segment I learned the most from was about architecture. It taught us to break down an image into smaller sections as we were drawing, which was surprisingly helpful.

And finally: Architectural Illustration by Carlo Stanga.

I haven’t started this one yet, but it’s in my queue. I love drawing birds, buildings, and anything delicate but dynamic, so I think I’ll enjoy it.

That’s today’s reflection — a small tour through some courses that kept my creative practice alive during busy seasons.